HBO has delivered yet another fantastic documentary film, this time looking into the world's most influential fashion magazine, Vogue, and its iconic fashion editors.

The accompanying book,  Vogue: The Editors Eye, ($75, Abrams) examines the role of the fashion editor since the launch of Vogue 120 years ago giving secrets straight from the editors. It tells how the perception of editors affected the style of the magazine, and consequently the world of fashion.

Focusing on eight influential editors including Polly Mellen, Babs Simpson, and Grace Coddington and featuring photographers such as Richard Avedon, Irving Penn, and Annie Leibovitz, as well as model & muses such as Marilyn Monroe, Verushka, and Linda Evangelista this book is filled with 300 color and black-and-white fashion photographs. The authors are big names too, with Editor in Chief Anna Wintour, Feature Director Eva MacSweeney, and European Editor at Large Hamish Bowles putting pen to paper for the book's text.

Truly, a coffee table book that demands attention.

Irving Penn, June 1996, Cream poured over a model’s head makes a vivid beauty image.

Peter Lindbergh, August 1988, Supermodels jostle for position in simple white shirts.

Peter Lindbergh, September 1991, Models contrast tough with pretty in Chanel’s biker chic. Images used with permission.

A chic alternative to a sloppy hamper.
Laundry Basket, $99

These chic dipped baskets from West Elm have a wonderful airy quality that's perfect for summer. Artisans in the Philippines dip the strands of rattan into white paint by hand and then weave them into shape, giving the baskets a wonderful dip-dye effect. I love that the shapes are so versatile that they could be put to multiple uses throughout your home. The small waste bin basket would make a beautiful home for a large potted plant and the square storage basket would be an attractive way to hide errant kids' or pets' toys. Check them out at West Elm.

A trashcan more sophisticated than the typical plastic version.
Waste Bin, $69

Beautiful storage for extra throw pillows and blankets.
Storage basket, $129

]]> http://homedesign.marthastewart.com/2013/05/obsessed-dipped-rattan-baskets.html/feed 1 http://homedesign.marthastewart.com/2013/05/ralph-rucci-furniture-collection.html http://homedesign.marthastewart.com/2013/05/ralph-rucci-furniture-collection.html#comments Tue, 21 May 2013 13:00:21 +0000 Kevin Sharkey http://homedesign.marthastewart.com/?p=19121

World renowned American fashion designer Ralph Rucci has partnered with Holly Hunt for his first ever furniture collection.

Using unique and luxurious materials and skillfully crafted components, Rucci brought his refined eye to the interior design world. "Fashion is dynamic and furniture is static but both are about getting proportions right," said Hunt in the March issue of Architectural Digest. "A chair, like a dress goes through several iterations before it's right, so you want a designer who understand proportions and who has a distinctive point of view." And from sofas to side tables, Rucci's collection is not only incredibly thoughtful but beautifully rich.

Rucci studied the furniture in Pauline de Rothschild's London apartment and her bedroom in Chateau Mouton and used her as an inspiration for rethinking furniture design and the way people live. What do you think?

Bronze Tea Tables

Castagna Tall Chair

Pagoda Bench

Rib Chair

Portrait by Pieter Estersohn from Architectural Digest. Product Images from Holly Hunt.

In the spirit of spring cleaning, I've detailed below the clutter-culprits that sneak up most easily in my life.  I also reached out to my friend and organizing expert Anduin Havens to see what she recommends cleaning out. Let me know in the comments below what items you love to collect and the ones you find yourself accidentally hoarding.

My Top 5

1. Unless you re-use them, eliminate that stash of once-used paper and plastic shopping bags. Paper ones can go right into a recycling bin, and plastic ones can be donated to farmers and flea markets (or even animal shelters) for re-use.

2. Same goes for boxes. Truly beautiful boxes worth keeping are actually rare, so though my Achilles heel is a well-made box, I've limited myself to keeping Hermes and Marc Jacobs boxes.

3. As much as it pains me to say it, get rid of some of your magazines. Rip out the things you're interested in and file them. In the industry we call this "swipe." Martha calls me The Tear-orist because I'm ruthless about ripping things out.

4. Beauty and cleaning products. I don't know what it is, but everyone wants to open that new bottle of product before finishing the last. Toss forgotten half-used bottles or commit to using them up before puncturing a new seal.

5. Mugs. Break them all! Novelty mugs are the bane of my existence. Buy one nice set and leave it at that.

Anduin's Top 5
1. Get rid of clothing! If you haven't worn it in 7 years, it's wasting space. That size 4 you haven't fit into since the 90's is a pipe dream. More and more re-sell boutiques are cropping up, if it pains you to give away something beautiful.

2. Go through jewelry and accessories regularly. Unless it's a classic piece, be ruthless.

3. Kids toys, books and games. Keep the absolute favorites for posterity but toss the junky plastic that has seen better days. Teach your children about charity by donating gently used items.

4. Electronics that you've replaced with updated technology – bring it to an electronic recycling center.

5. CDs! They take up so much space and can be easily uploaded into a digital computer file. If you must keep the actual CD, get binders so that they store smaller and no matter what, ditch the cases.

The MET Museum created an exhibition which examines the work and impact of Andy Warhol. If you missed the show, and are interested in Warhol's leadership in the pop art movement - you'll want this book.

The often controversial artist  is known for his pop art works and the immense impact he had on the artists following him. Regarding Warhol is the first full-scale exploration of his tremendous reach across several generations.

Examining Warhol's "sensibility," the book is set-up around five themes: popular consumer culture and tabloid news, portraiture and the cult of celebrity, issues of sexual identity and gender, artistic practices: seriality, abstraction and appropriation, and the role of mixing media in Warhol's work (in his lifetime, Warhol took on film making, publishing, and creation of environments.) Artists have either worked in parallel or developed dynamic new directions using his work as a jumping off point.

Graphic, vivid and informative this book is a necessity for all loves of pop art.

Vintage Vogue image 1950s

Along with beautiful springtime sun comes the occasional downpour and every New Yorker knows the dreaded feeling of being stuck without an umbrella when the rain starts to hit. With so many incredible umbrella designs out there now, the umbrella has become not only a necessity, but a style staple for every closet.

One company I love, London Undercover's was established by designer Jamie Milestone in 2008, to bring life to what was once considered a boring, disposable, last-minute item. With all the rain Londoners get, I trust their umbrella instincts. Using age-old techniques and interpreting the umbrella as a canvas for expression, they made the humble umbrella a quintessentially British accessory. I also love this chic polka-dotted option from Drake's London. The handle and tip detach for travel.

Pin Dot Travel Umbrella, Drake's London

British Woodland Camouflage Umbrella, London Uncover

Fox Umbrellas, Swaine Adeney Brigg, and James Smith and Sons all create impressive designs, but my absolute favorite umbrellas are by the company Greenhill Industrial Supply. These large, stable, black umbrellas are used by the doormen in my building. They are designed perfectly to fight off the heavy duty weather in New York.

Ladies Malacca Cane Crook Walking Length Umbrella, James Smith and Sons Ltd

The Luxembourg Gardens in the heart of Paris have a long history: Created by French royalty in the 17th century they're now an integral part of the modern Parisian's lifestyle. The expansive public park is punctuated by the historic Luxembourg palace but the chic metal furniture provided for lounging and people watching is decidedly modern.

Made in France, the Luxembourg collection by Fermob was inspired by the chairs originally commissioned for the park in 1923. In a bevy of bright colors, these aluminum outdoor pieces are an easy way to bring French sophistication to your outdoor. Click to see the full collection.

Fermob Luxembourg Bench in Turquoise, $685.00

WHIRLIGIG

Perfect for a flower-lover such as myself, David Leaser's work uses technology employed by NASA to show large scale flowers with such detail you can literally see the pollen on their stems.

Available as strictly limited fine art reproductions, every piece in his collection is of the  highest museum-quality. His work has been critically acclaimed, and his botanical photographs grace some of the worlds finest museums and galleries.

Unbelievable, right?

NIGHT OF THE SHOOTING STARS

HŌKŪLEI

ARCTOTIS

Images from DavidLeaser.com

A sketch of the window design

The roaring 20s have long been a source of inspiration for creative-types; the effervescence and lack of inhibition embodied by that decade are contagious. That's why I'm particularly excited about the upcoming movie remake (in theaters May 10). The lush costumes and sets looks spectacular – you can really find inspiration for your home anywhere. I'm inspired by these window displays created by the film's Academy Award-winning costume and production designer Catherine Martin.

If you're in New York, visit the store's 5th Avenue flagship for a closer look or visit Tiffany's for more info.

The film has also inspired a brand new suite at the Plaza Hotel. Inspired by the novel's author, F. Scott Fitzgerald, the room is full of 1920s glass cloches and antique mirrors. Click to see what the suite has to offer.

The final window design

A decadent display featuring the diamond headpiece Daisy wears in the film

Rodarte (American, founded 2005) Vogue, July 2008 Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photograph by David Sims

The annual Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is prom night for fashion's elite. Every spring, celebrities, socialites, and designers converge on the luxuriant red-carpet-covered steps of the museum for the grand party celebrating the opening of the spring Costume Institute exhibit. This year's theme, PUNK: Chaos to Couture, was the brainchild of Institute Curator Andrew Bolton. The exhibition he's put together looks at the influence punk culture and music have had on fashion. As he puts it, the not always pretty world of punk has had a "surprisingly beautiful effect" on high fashion. Click to buy the book ($29). 

Karl Lagerfeld (French, born Hamburg, 1938) for House of Chanel (French, founded 1913) Vogue, March 2011 Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photograph by David Sims

Sid Vicious, 1977 Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photograph © Dennis Morris - all rights reserved

 If you're going to be in New York City this summer, the exhibition runs at the Met until August 14, 2013.