Habitually Chic™

Yes Please!

2009-12-27T21:22:00.000-05:00

The clock hasn't even struck 2010 yet and I'm already thinking about where I want to go in the new year. I just ran across photos of the Uxua Casa Hotel in Brazil that are quickly pushing it to the top of the list. The property was developed by Wilbert Das, the creative director of Diesel, who bought it from a group of "Swiss hippies who'd been there since the 1970's." I love the rustic simplicity of the casas but since I don't love actually roughing it, it's nice to know that it offers 5-star amenities. They also give back to the area by maintaining a school for the locals whom they train and employ. The design was influenced by many of the different settlers who ended up in Brazil including the Portuguese. Maybe that's why it remind me a little of Jacques Grange's chic getaway in Portugal that I wrote about a few months ago. Since I don't see Mr. Grange inviting me to join him on holiday, I am happy I found Uxua Casa Hotel! So what's at the top of your travel list for 2010?

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T12:00:00.001-05:00

Hope Santa brought you what you asked for and more!

Over the river and through the woods...

2009-12-24T08:00:00.001-05:00

I'm off to Pennsylvania for the holiday! I will try to write a few posts while I'm away so check back later. Until then, I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!

Oh, and try to pretend that's me in the car and not some strange guy. If my PhotoShop skills were a little better I would have tried to paste my head over his but you get the idea!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

2009-12-23T20:45:00.001-05:00

I can't wait to get home for holidays and see our family Christmas tree this year! My father is the master tree decorator and always out does himself. We have a huge collection of vintage ornaments that will someday be mine (minus those lost in the cat vs. tree incident of 1983). But I don't think that I will ever be able to match my dad's skill at stringing the lights (the worst job ever!) or placing each precious ornament in just the right spot. Sigh. I guess I will have to fly him to town every year to do it for me. Looks like Alexa Hampton's father Mark was pretty good at decorating trees as well. The photo above was from Christmas 1976! The room has a little Miles Redd feeling too don't you think?! Merry Christmas!

Domino

Unknown

Martha Stewart

Country Living

Martha Stewart

Mary McDonald

Country Living

Vote Early and Often!

2009-12-23T12:23:00.002-05:00

I normally don't like to ask my readers to vote for Habitually Chic for anything but since every other blogger already has, I figured I might as well join in. Habitually Chic has been nominated on Apartment Therapy for The Homies 2009 in the Home Design category. If you'd like to give me a present this holiday season, please vote for Habitually Chic. Thanks!

Kindred Spirit Christmas!

2009-12-23T08:18:00.006-05:00

Alaina of Live Creating Yourself was sweet enough to ask me to participate in her Kindred Spirtits Countdown to Christmas and today you can read my answers to her fun questions! You can also find out who owns that fancy white Christmas tree below! Merry Christmas!

Tabletop Tannenbaums

2009-12-22T10:30:00.000-05:00

I always look at decorating for the holidays from the point of view of someone who doesn't live in an home that allows for a full size Christmas tree. So I've been collecting inspiring images of tabletop tannenbaums that are perfect for smaller spaces. Martha Stewart (above) is full of ideas for these types of trees but I have found a few more that are just as beautiful. Enjoy!

Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart

Barry Dixon

Martha Stewart

Country Living

A Carolyne Roehm Christmas

2009-12-21T20:30:00.000-05:00

I came across an entertaining feature of Carolyne Roehm holiday tabletop designs in an old issue of House Beautiful that made me interested in seeing more. Unfortunately, there aren't that many images of her work online so I am hoping that her next book will be entirely devoted to Christmas decorating and entertaining. I know I would buy it for sure! Hint hint!

More Giveaway Winners!

2009-12-21T16:40:00.000-05:00

I want to thank all the thousands of readers who entered the giveaways! I'm sorry you couldn't all be a winner but I hope you will join me in congratulating those who did!

The wonderful book New Classic Interiors by Alessandra Branca goes to Pat Bonamo from New York, NY!

The winner of the beautiful Diane James Home Amaryllis bouquet is Barbara Lindley from New London, NC! Barbara really got lucky because the first person chosen did not follow the directions so they were disqualified!

And last but not least, the winner of Hue, Kelly Wearstler's new technicolor tome is Kristin Geiger from San Francisco, CA!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Valentino: A Perfect Life

2009-12-20T19:27:00.000-05:00

My favorite part of the Valentino: The Last Emperor DVD is the aptly titled special feature A Perfect Life: Around the World with Valentino. In it, we get a sneak peek at what it takes to run Mr. Valentino's life and homes including his gorgeous chalet in Gstaad, Switzerland.

The ultimate treat was getting to watch the uber talented photographer Francois Halard photograph Mr. Valentino and his ski chalet for British Vogue. Mr. Halard is one of my favorite photographers and it was a pleasure to watch him work and see the results which I've posted here.

I was lucky enough to speak the man behind the Valentino documentary, Matt Trynauer, about the film and it's instant sensation. Matt wrote a really fabulous article about Valentino for Vanity Fair for which he met them in Rome where he was able to look into their world and their life. It is the relationship between Valentino and his business partner Giancarlo Giammetti that captivated him and made him think that it should be on film. So he asked them and they said yes but it definitely wasn't that easy!

Matt and his crew would follow Valentino and his entourage for about two weeks per month for two years and always when they knew something important would be happening. I mentioned to Matt that you could easily hate Mr. Valentino for all his wealth and privilege but yet you don't and I think it's because you see how hard he works and that he gets upset just like everyone else. He said the final cut took a year to negotiate because Valentino wanted those outbursts cut out of the film but they definitely serve to show that his life isn't always perfect or without problems.

I had watched the Karl Lagerfeld documentary Lagerfeld Confidential shortly before seeing the Valentino documentary in the theatres and was struck by one major difference between the two legendary fashion designers. While Mr. Lagerfeld states that he needs his alone time to recharge his batteries, Mr. Valentino is never alone but constantly surrounded by an entourage of people! Giancarlo Giammetti says that they never spent more than two months apart total in the entire 50 years of their relationship.

It's no secret that Valentino lives like no other fashion designer but I guess when you've worked as hard as he has for so long, you're entitled to live so beautifully. Matt said that during times of economic despair such as the depression, the movies became more "diamond encrusted." The world needed a fantasy and Mr. Valentino definitely gave us a look into his diamond encrusted fantasy world!

I was surprised that quite a few of friends haven't seen the Valentino documentary yet and if you are among those who haven't, I highly recommend that you rent it today! And don't forget to watch the special features! He really does have the perfect life and perfect homes! Oh, and perfect pugs too!

Photos by Francois Halard

Snow Day!

2009-12-19T14:00:00.000-05:00

The flakes have just begun to fall in New York but I've already assembled all my snow day supplies! Magazines, check. Books, check. Movies, check. Tea, check. Cookies, check. Candle, check. I am so looking forward to spending this day curled up on the sofa under my cashmere blanket watching movies and catching up on my reading. My only quandary is what movie to start with first! Any suggestions? What's your favorite snow day movie?

The Young Victoria: Part Deux

2009-12-18T19:29:00.003-05:00

I normally don't like to write about the same thing twice but I just saw The Young Victoria tonight and it is amazing! I fell completely in love with Rupert Friend as Prince Albert and wished the film would never end! Emily Blunt is wonderful too! Julian Fellowes needs to make more movies because whatever he touches turns to gold and in this case I think it will be Oscar gold! It's supposed to be snowy up and down the East Coast this weekend but if you can safely drive to the theatre, you will not be disappointed! I give it two thumbs up!

Williams-Sonoma Home Cashmere Blanket Winners!

2009-12-18T14:46:00.004-05:00

We're expecting a snow storm in New York tomorrow so I am sure I will be bundled up with my cashmere blanket watching movies! Soon the winners of the Williams-Sonoma Home Cashmere Blanket Giveaway will be wrapped in warm cashmere too! Out of 1276 entries, the three chosen from the random number generator were EJ M. from Stafford, CT; Kisha from Ontario, Canada; and Jennifer V. of Chicago, IL. Congratulations! You can also choose your color so email me back soon with your choices! Bon Weekend!

Happy Holidays from Habitually Chic!

2009-12-17T20:53:00.000-05:00

I sent out almost all my holiday cards this week but I didn't want to forget about those of you who come to the blog everyday. Thanks again for your continued support and encouragement! I would like to wish you and yours a very happy and joyous holiday whether you celebrate Hannukah, Christmas, Kwanza or something completely different!

XOXO,
Habitually Chic

Card from R. Nichols

Day Four Giveaway: HUE by Kelly Wearstler

2009-12-17T10:36:00.001-05:00

I know. I know. Not everyone loves Kelly Wearstler's over the top designs. That means those of you who do have a better chance of winning a copy of her new book HUE that AMMO Books was gracious enough to offer to one lucky Habitually Chic reader! I happen to love it and the color combinations in it are amazing!

To enter to win a copy of HUE by Kelly Wearstler, please send your name and address to the special giveaway email address habituallychiccontest@gmail.com. I won't use your address for any other purpose but to send you the book. Please write HUE in the subject line. You can enter each giveaway but only one entry per person per giveaway. Anyone who doesn't follow the rules will be disqualified. Entries may be received until 11:59pm EST on Sunday, December 20, 2009. Winner will be announced on Monday, December 21, 2009. Happy Holidays and Good Luck!

A Single Man Sofa

2009-12-16T12:24:00.001-05:00

I had a reader email me a few days ago after seeing Tom Ford's new movie A Single Man asking if I knew where to find the sofa seen in the film. I hadn't even had a chance to try to find out before the answer came to me! (I love when I don't have to do any work!) I was chatting with Steven Stolman, the Creative Director of Jack Rogers, when he sent me an image of the sofa from the lobby of his famous apartment building, The Reef, in Palm Beach which has the exact same sofa, or at least one that looks just like it!

Steven describes The Reef as "one of Palm Beach's mid century modern treasures" and it is home to lots of notable people including Simon Doonan and Jonathan Adler, Richard Lambertson and John Truex and Stockard Channing. Above is a photo of the sofa in the lobby designed by Palm Beach interior designer Jack Young. Steven's apartment in The Reef was featured in the May 2004 issue of Elle Decor and you can see photos of it on the Studio Annetta blog here.
The sofa is the Eero sectional by Rowe Fine Furniture and would be a fun sofa for someone who liked to entertain. I have a feeling that A Single Man is going to bring back the sixties style in decorating and if you want a similar look, you now know where to find it! You can check out Cinema Style's blog for more on the film decor too!

Day Three Giveaway: Diane James Amaryllis Bouquet

2009-12-16T09:15:00.001-05:00

The Amaryllis that I bought at the flower market already bloomed and died but if I had a bouquet of them from Diane James Home, they would have lasted forever! I know people poo poo faux flowers but Diane makes some of the most life like and they are a good choice for a lot of people and situations. Like those who are allergic, have children and pets who might try to eat them or knock them over, people who travel a lot or are too busy to remember to water their plants, and they are especially great for decorator showhouses and staging homes for sale. Diane and her team have been very generous and are giving away a beautiful bouquet of Amaryllis to one lucky Habitually Chic reader. This bouquet is sold out everywhere and is worth $465!

To enter to win the Amaryllis Bouquet from Diane James Home, please send your name and address to habituallychiccontest@gmail.com. Don't worry, I won't use for address for any other purpose. In the subject line, please write Amaryllis. To clarify, you can enter each contest but only one entry per giveaway is allowed. Anyone who doesn't follow the rules will be disqualified! Entries may be received until 11:59pm EST on Saturday, December 19, 2009. Winner will be announced on Sunday, December 20, 2009. Happy Holidays and Good Luck!

Andy's Fifteen Minutes

2009-12-15T17:15:00.000-05:00

As far back as I can remember, I've always wanted to live in New York. I was trying to figure out why recently and I am starting to think it might have had something to do with Andy Warhol. Andy was from Pittsburgh which was about an hour from where I grew up so he was often talked about in the media and his world sounded like so much fun to me. I always lamented the fact that I was born too late to have danced at Studio 54 and even more so that I would never be able to have my portrait done by Andy. (I liked to dream big even when I was little!) That's probably also part of the reason I always notice a Warhol when I see them in a magazine especially when someone is photographed under their own portrait! I supposed I could make do by buying someone else's portrait someday but it's just not the same so maybe I'll stick to the flowers! Enjoy!

Lucky Diane von Furstenberg has many Warhols of herself!

This one resides in her Paris apartment.

Carolina Herrera still looks exactly like her Warhol!

Princess Marie-Chantal and family stand in front of her two Warhols, which must have been done during her big hair days in the 80's!

Art collector Aby Rosen and his wife Samantha Boardman have bought up quite a few Warhol portraits!

Aby Rosen even keeps a few Warhols in his office.

A Marilyn hangs in Blair Voltz Clarke and Alister Clarke's home

Multiple Marilyns in Cordelia Castallone's old Paris apartment

In her new apartment, they have moved to her son's room.

Marilyn also hangs in a room designed by Todd Romano

While Elizabeth Taylor hangs in his apartment.

Judy Garland sits on his nightstand too!

Multiple Jackie in a foyer from House & Garden

Queen Elizabeth as seen in Living Etc.

Queen Elizabeth also hangs out in a child's room.

Hair guru Sally Hershberger gets to look at Mick Jagger everyday!

This Warhol portrait found a place in a home designed by Haynes Roberts.

Jed Johnson Associates hung two Warhols in their room at the Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse in 2007.

This one belongs to a former Paris Vogue editor.

Giancarlo Giammetti has two Lenins in his Paris apartment.

Two Maos in a home designed by architect Richard Perry.

There are a few more in the same home!

Interior designer Martha Angus hung a Mao and Flowers in the same bedroom.

Martha Angus also hung Andy's flowers in her room at the 2005 San Francisco Decorator's Showhouse.

Andy's flowers also hung in Cordelia Castallone's old apartment in Paris.

Rob Southern used them in one of his designs too.

Andy's flowers also hang in Mr. Valentino's London apartment along with a Damian Hirst.

And last but not least, Kayne West opted for Andy's soup cans in his dining room. Perfect place for them!

Day 2 Giveaway: New Classic Interiors

2009-12-15T09:23:00.003-05:00

Don't worry, I'm working on a regular post for later today but until then, I wanted to tell you about my day two giveaway for this week. Alessandra Branca was gracious enough to sign a copy of her new book New Classic Interiors. It's also the fancy special slip covered version so it's extra special! I own a copy and can attest that it's fabulous!

To enter to win New Classic Interiors by Alessanda Branca, please send an email with your name and address to habituallychiccontest@gmail.com. Don't worry, your address will not be used for anything else. In the subject line, please write Branca Book so I know which giveaway you are entering. One entry per person. Anyone who doesn't follow the rules will be disqualified. Entry may be received until 11:59pm EST on Friday, December 18, 2009. Winner will be announced on Saturday, December 19, 2009. Good luck!

Habitually Chic Week of Giveaways!

2009-12-14T11:30:00.000-05:00

I'm in the giving mood this week and my readers will be the lucky recipients of this holiday spirit! I will be posting a new item everyday through Thursday so you'll have lot of chances to win! Today's giveaway is the fabulous Williams-Sonoma Home cashmere throw blanket! Williams-Sonoma Home is generously offering three blankets to Habitually Chic readers just in time to curl up with this winter!

To enter the contest, please send your name and address to the special contest email address, habituallychiccontest@gmail.com so that Williams-Sonoma Home can send you the blanket directly. No one will be using your information for any other purpose but this giveaway. Please include the word blanket in the subject line. Anyone who emails me directly or does not include their mailing address will be disqualified. One entry per person. Entries will be accepted until 11:59pm EST on Thursday, December 17, 2009. Three winners will be randomly selected from the entries and will be announced on Friday, December 18, 2009.

Happy Holidays and Good Luck!

Christmas in the West Village

2009-12-13T13:15:00.000-05:00

I had a fabulous lunch at Cafe Cluny yesterday with interior designer Courtney Giles and gallery owner Emily Amy who are in town from Atlanta for a few days of shopping. Afterward, I took a walk around the West Village to check out the holiday decorations. The neighborhood is full of beautiful brownstones and their owners who went all out this year but even the most humble of homes were dressed up with festive wreathes and greenery. Although, some of them maybe should have taken down their pumpkins first! Happy Holidays!

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

The Young Victoria

2009-12-12T09:15:00.001-05:00

I'm looking forward to having some time off at the holidays so I can see all the wonderful films that are being released this month. At the top of my list now is The Young Victoria which tells the story of Queen Victoria's accession to the thrown, her turbulent early reign and her enduring romance with Prince Albert. The film contains an all star cast including Emily Blunt, Rupert Friend, Paul Bettany, Miranda Richardson, and Jim Broadbent. Julian Fellowes who also wrote one of my favorites, Gosford Park, wrote the screenplay so I can already tell that I am going to love this period piece! Cheers!

Lonny: Issue 2

2009-12-10T09:30:00.001-05:00

The second issue of Lonny premiered today and I have to say that I think it's even better than the first and not just because I'm in it! I owe a big thanks to Michelle Adams for asking me to share my 10 favorite things and to Patrick Cline for taking my photo. And a big thank you goes out to my bachelorette client for letting us take it in her kitchen! Hope you enjoy it!

HUE by Kelly Wearstler

2009-12-09T22:00:00.002-05:00

Camellia. Wisteria. Vermillion. When the first chapter of a book starts with these three words, you know it's going to be good but HUE is more than just good. It is a kaleidoscope of the most amazing color in some of the most awe inspiring interiors I have ever seen! Tonight was the book signing at Bergdorf Goodman and Ms. Wearstler could not have been nicer or more gracious to the crowd clamoring for her autograph and attention which included actresses Sarah Wynter and Stefanie March, and fashion designer Derek Lam. On sale was the limited edition slipcased book and I highly recommend that you splurge on this copy or ask Santa to bring it to you for Christmas because the outside is just as gorgeous as the photos inside.

What I love about Kelly Wearstler is that she is always blazing a new trail. You may not like it but you have to give her credit for thinking outside the box and creating designs that are uniquely her own. I also highly admire that her ambition was always to own her own design firm and that she made her dream a reality, and then some! I hear her that one of her new ventures will be jewelry and I can already imagine that it will be like nothing we've seen before and just as fabulous as her new book! I think I will be inspired by it for years to come and I think you will be too!

Thank you!

2009-12-09T16:40:00.003-05:00

I was very honored to be asked by the editor of Amica magazine in Singapore to write a first person account of how blogging has changed my life. I was even more honored when I found out that past contributors to the column have included Diane von Furstenberg, Barbara Tfank, Fiona Kotur, and Temple St. Clair. Diane von Furstenberg has inspired me tremendously over the years with her life story and fabulous positive attitude so I find it extremely humbling to now be inspiring others myself. Blogging has been one of the best things to happen to my life and I will always be thankful for everything it has brought into my life including my loyal readers like you! More importantly, I really hope that everyone finds what it is that will change their world for the better and make them happy!