Billy B.

"The Essence of Relationship Between the Client and the Decorator must be We."

- Billy Baldwin

After reading through two books dedicated to Mr. Baldwin, "Billy Baldwin Decorates" & "Billy Baldwin Remembers" I learned that he was not only known as a designer to the stars, but a style icon himself. He had impeccable taste, but said "if you can tell I did a house, I didn't" .

Mr. Baldwin's creativity flowed more freely when client's shared their opinions. He relied on the client/decorator relationship to drive the design.

He also had a pet peeve, client's with too much money. I love this about him because to me it showed he was a real person.

Mr. Baldwin said, "I can't tell you how many people I know who won't by something unless it's expensive. I know it isn't good business, but I tell them what I think anyway. I think an unpleasant atmosphere results from the entry into the obviously 'rich' room-the kind that makes you feel you're caught right in the middle between the devil of a museum ant the deep sea of the embarra de richesse."

Here are some of my favorite renderings and rooms from the books I mentioned above.

1949 "A Gentleman's Brown Living Room Accented with Bright Green and Punctuated with a Collection of Black and White Prints and Drawings"

I love the chocolate brown lacquer walls, and black lacquer table. His arrangement of artwork harmonizes the room as well.

Fabulous sofa print fabric, sunburst mirror and the rug is to die for..

I am personally obsessed with the double cushion ottoman & of course the fur rug! Favs!

1949 "A Pink-Walled Stair Hall in a Country Cottage, Its woodwork White Its Floor Painted Black with a Striking Rug and Runner of Black and White"

Orange Doors... Amazing

"The Things I Love" - Billy Baldwin

1. Clean Clean Color

2. Brilliant Flower Colors.

3. Lots of White

4. A 'Coming Home' Look in The City

5. Cotton Everywhere

6. Off-White Textured Materials

7. The Look of Comfort

8. The Banquette

9. Curtains As Simple As Possible

10. Off - White Rugs and Carpets

11. The Elegance of Simplicity and Honesty

12. A Room that is, Above all Personal

Merry Maps!!!

I had dinner with a friend of mine Daley Harris the other night. She is a brilliantly talented artist! She creates custom hand drawn maps & invitations for weddings. She did a map for my sister's wedding in August for the out of town guest's gift bags! A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E!

Check out some of her work below. She is so talented!!

http://merrymaps.com/

Ode to Billy Reid

When I read this article about designer Billy Reid, I almost cried. I had the privilege of listening to him speak at a Design Conference held at Auburn University in 2007. He is very down to earth and incredibly creative. He draws his design concepts from the preppy, laid back culture of the South. Billy Reid truly inspires me. Here is part of the article from the New York Times.

The Designer Billy Reid Wins Major Fashion Award

By STUART EMMRICH

When the actress Carey Mulligan announced last night that Billy Reid had been voted the winner of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winner for 2010 — in front of a crowd that included the designers Michael Kors, Olivier Theyskens. Jason Wu, Zac Posen and Alexander Wang; the “True Blood” stars Stephen Moyer and Anna Paquin; the ubiquitous Kim Kardashian; and the evening’s co-chairwoman Anna Wintour, the editor of Vogue — there was a brief, seemingly stunned silence, followed by a burst of enthusiastic applause and whoops and hollers from the back of the room, from which the 46-year-old designer shakily made his way toward the stage.

“I did not expect to be up here tonight,” he said in an emotional voice. “I’m shocked.”

He probably wasn’t the only one. Earlier in the evening, as guests mingled over cocktails and mini-cheeseburgers (the former enthusiastically accepted, the latter all but ignored), early betting was that the award, which came with $300,000 and a specially commissioned bronze swan by the sculptor Rachel Feinstein, would go to one of the better-known 10 finalists, like Prabal Gurung or the fast-rising Joseph Altuzarra.

Moments before the award was announced, the designer Carolina Herrera turned to a fellow dinner guest at her table, which included Diane Von Furstenberg, Francisco Costa, David Lauren, the artist John Currin and his wife, Ms. Feinstein, and murmured, “It will be Altuzarra, no?”

No.

Instead the award went to someone who grew up in the small Louisiana town of Amite, later studying at the Art Institute of Dallas and working as a buyer for Saks Fifth Avenue before introducing his own line in 2004. He now works out of a studio in Florence, Ala. (He also has a shop on Bond Street, in Manhattan, as well as a few other cities.) As he said on stage, tightly grasping the Feinstein sculpture, “It’s a long way from Amite.”

Photos from Vogue.com of the Event

Billy Reid's Website Shots

I love these looks. Southern Comfort & Southern Style

I Am Kind Of Into Fur...

Since it's starting to feel cool right now in the state of TX... and rainy all I really want to do is curl up with a good design book and/or Audrey Hepburn movie and a faux fur throw. Here are some inspirational photos from Elle Decor that got me thinking...

"In the library of Ralph and Ricky Lauren's Manhattan apartment, the wall of lacquer shelving serves as a backdrop for a custom-made sofa, armchairs, and cocktail table by Ralph Lauren Home; the binoculars are antique, the vintage floor lamps are from Wyeth, and the silk rug is by Stark Carpet. " Elle Decor

I absolutely Love this room. It is symmetrical and yet still achieves a softness due to the arrangement of color, natural light...and the fur throw.

"In the living area of Atwood’s apartment, which was renovated by architect Matteo Bermani and decorated by Nate Berkus, a vintage Arredoluce Triennale floor lamp illuminates a sofa by Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia; the 1970s cocktail table is from 1stdibs.com, and the vintage hand chair was found at a Manhattan antiques shop." Elle Decor April 2009

Once again notice the fur throws and pillows on Brian Atwood (if you don't know who that is.. the famous shoe designer. http://www.brianatwood.com/) "I die". Oh and btw i love the gold hand chair.

This photo is of a vacation home in Montana. I love the fur throw on the ottoman, but I also love the foot stool upholstered in cowhide. I feel like the room isn't too overdone, yet the bed is pretty whimsical and rural at the same time.

"At Hobble Diamond Ranch, the Montana vacation home of Susan and Robert Burch, London-based decorators Philip Hooper and Sally Metcalfe added a bucolic touch to the master bedroom with a birch four-poster by Diane Cole Ross." Elle Decor

Oh... Alice

If you have not seen the "September Issue" I highly recommend it. After watching this documentary based on the September issue of Vogue, I became admirably interested in Vogue's Creative Director Grace Coddington .

This is a photo of Ms. Coddington on the cover of Vogue when she was at the height of her modeling career. (1960s) See Habitually Chic's Blog for more info and images of her. (http://habituallychic.blogspot.com/2010/08/grace-is-good.html)

This photo is of her more recently.

In 2003 Time Magazine, Nadia Mustafa wrote an article devoted to Coddington's work. According to time Grace has been Vogue's creative director for 15 years and 19 years before that for British Vogue.

"At 62, Coddington is easily the world's most influential fashion editor, famous for transforming photographic spreads into narratives, a signature she pioneered in the 1970s at British Vogue. Although other magazines have since adopted this style, she pulls it off with a witty, modern romanticism that makes readers feel they are flipping through a picture book instead of just looking at shots of models in pretty clothing. "I like fairy tales, and I like dreaming. I try to weave the reality into the dream," she says. "When readers pick up Vogue, I want them to smile. Everything should be a little tongue in cheek, a little dare-to-go-there."

Spotting trends before they're trendy and molding them into a consistent vision account for only a small fraction of Coddington's success. The rest is due to persistence. Legendary fashion photographer Arthur Elgort, who has traveled across the globe with Coddington, says they get together before every shoot to scout out locations. "There are a lot of hit-and-run editors, but Grace follows an idea from its conception to it actually going to print. The job isn't over until she has seen all the pictures and has annoyed the art department," he says. When she presents an idea to Vogue editor Anna Wintour, she fights for it. "[Anna and I] trust each other," Coddington says. "We argue like crazy, but I think she respects me, and I certainly respect her."

Their biggest point of contention is putting celebrities on the pages of the magazine. "There are no models on covers anymore. They're all actors because they're what sells," says Coddington. "An actor often dictates what you're going to get. I find that annoying. And I'm incredibly shy, so they scare the pants off me. But I feel perfectly comfortable with the models. They're like my kids."

Coddington herself was a model in 1960s London. She was raised in Anglesey, a remote Welsh island, where her parents ran a hotel. At 18, she left home for London, where she won a Vogue model contest. After a few years of modeling, she began working for British Vogue, where she introduced her narrative spreads, more color and a broader sense of style."

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1005538,00.html#ixzz10xSGveVV

This is one of Grace's layouts, a Alice in Wonderland photo shoot. She is an artist and her ability to showcase the designers dresses within this set is phenomenal. The entire spread is a genius. Enjoy!

Oscar! Oscar! Oscar!

SPRING 2011!

Yes, It is early to be getting excited about Spring 2011, but its never too early to emulate some of the spring wear colors in our Fall Wardrobes...especially for TX.

Designers are still creating dresses, blouses, etc.. with feminine cuts and cinched wastes. However, there is a mixture of sized belts from skinny skinny, medium, to double belting (which is not shown in this post).

The first dress I chose is so simple in silhouette, but is embellished with patterned detail around the neckline, arm, and hem of the dress. ...Speaking of hemline...notice for spring the hemline is dropping... we are not looking at short mini's anymore its about appropriate lengths flattering the figure.

PS. I heart the red envelope purse/accessories. chic.

Tie Dye is still in. FYI

Jackie - O meets NYC-20ish-yr-old-street-chic

If My sister had lived a a little longer in NY.. you would have seen her walking around in this in the spring...well maybe in tory flip flops with her cute heels slightly peaking out of her purse.

This minty dress is fantastic. Its both feminine and formal ... and the best part it has pockets!

Cardi's (cardigans) are still in. Blush tones are still in. check.

Black and white is quintessential to any woman's wardrobe.

We are still accentuating a woman's true waste. See below.

Orange!!! So excited about this color! Notice Hip action ;)

This is a statement. I hope Rachel Zoe styles a client for this ...possibly at the Met Ball?? The harmony of sequins and tulle is intoxicating!

Watch Audrey Hepburn & Fred Astaire in the 1950's movie "Funny Face". There is a song for this color pink!!

Oscar was definitely inspired by "Funny Face"! I am in awe at his ability to use Tulle in volumes and yet still be able to create a gracious gown.

applause! merci à vous!

Mr. de la Renta

Thank you Vogue.com for images from Oscar de la Renta Spring 2011 Collection.

"Hey There Upper East Siders"

Spotted: A little piece of TEXAS in Gossip Girl Set!!

Good Ol' Marfa TX. If you didn't know there is a Prada store dropped on U.S. 90 in west Texas. Prada, Marfa is a sculpture by the Berlin artists Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset (http://www.klosterfelde.de/sites/artists/elm-drag/ar_f.html). It is about 26 miles outside Marfa, TX.

"The sculpture is meant to look like a Prada store, with minimalist white stucco walls and window display housing real Prada shoes and handbags from the fall collection. But there is no working door." The New York Times "Prada as desert sculpture" By Eric Wilson (September 30, 2005)

The photo above is an actual picture of Prada, Marfa, TX. And Below is a photo of Gossip Girl Upper East Side Apartment. The "Prada, Marfa Sign" is in the back left. In the next couple of photos you can see the attention to art as well as complimentary swanky furniture and antiques.

The wire basket between the two arm chairs is an interesting complement to the apartment. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing sculpturally by allowing natural light to cast a linear shadow, but it acts as a very functional side table. (http://decorati.com/product/15869/wire-pouf-stool-side-table)

This light fixture below is seen in the seating area above. This light fixture is also functional but sculptural. It is called the "Sarus Sconce", by David Weeks. (http://www.davidweeksstudio.com/lighting.html).

The Study is actually adjacent to the living room area and I think is a perfectly harmonious blend of antiques and modern accessories. My fav is the quintessential flame stitch Eames lounge chair.

The kitchen is defined by a change in flooring and columns. The chairs surrounding the table are Design Within Reach's Cherner arm chairs.

For Serena's room they used less primary colors and more soothing girly, yet mature colors like beiges, and turquoise. Once again I love the contrast of old and new. Example: French settee, and lucite lamp.

The most stunning and unique item in my opinion however is this artwork below. Its sort of shocking to see in a bedroom but I love the glitz of the photo. Quite stunning. This piece is by an artist named, Marilyn Minter.

See Jason Home and Garden for this settee. www.jasonhomeandgarden.com

Bourgie Table Lamp, $362; at conranusa.com.