In The Navy: Wenlan Chia

Another designer embraces deep navy with white for a look that is somehow crisp and lush at the same time. Bedding and throw pillows from Wenlan Chia's Twinkle Living line.

Whenever I see a zig-zag pattern similar to Chia's pillow above, I flashback to this oh so lovely bedroom by Miles Redd. Such a skillful mix of blues here.

Handloomed Throws

Look at the fab fringe on these handloomed wool throws made in Bolivia. Auto offers them in five different color combinations, but unfortunately does not show images of each style.

Vizard Pillows

18th Century Spanish gold and silver brocatelle on brilliant green ground

Farnese Fortuny border in blue and champagne gold bordered with vintage golden silver metallic galon

Early 20th Century hand crewel work

Vintage gold metallic filigree in paisley design on cobalt blue velvet

Rebecca Vizard is a passionate collector of antique textiles. She travels the world looking for 17th, 18th, and early 19th century embroidery, filigree, ecclesiastic and other textile fragments, then brings them home to Locustland Plantation in St. Joseph, Louisiana, where the fragments become pillows. Since these fragments are quite precious, the pillows are priced accordingly. But it is possible to posses a tres petite amount of these opulent textiles for around $35-$50. Each year Vizard offers the loveliest six inch Christmas stockings.

It's very exciting to visit Vizard's site in September or October and see what new stockings have been made. I've been collecting a few annually for a while now. Sometimes I hide little treasures in them, sometimes I hang them on the tree, and occasionally I give them to friends I really like :)

Iznik Ceramics and Mood Indigo

Turkish jars below from yurdan.com


On Saturday as I browsed Anthropologie for new arrivals, I spotted a truly splendid book, Iznik: The Artistry of Ottoman Ceramics mixed in with a display of deep blue and white tabletop items. Indigos, navys and other rich dark blues seem more prevalent these days. Maybe there's a connection to the 1980s revival happening in design. Whatever it is, I find myself gravitating to navy combined with aqua or turquoise, and crisp white, in stylized Eastern inspired patterns.

BTW: look for Anthropologie's take on the blue and white plate to appear soon online.


Lulu DK Isis in navy


John Robshaw's linens


Anthropologie's ikat cushion in indigo


Tory Burch likes navy


new website graphics for Chapman Radcliff Home

More de Gournay: Bergdorf Goodman Restaurant By KWID

Yes, I realize you've probably seen numerous photos of BG, Bergdorf Goodman's in-store restaurant designed by Kelly Wearstler. But since I'm currently fixated on hand-painted de Gournay chinoiserie wallpaper, I thought I'd point out that Wearstler used de Gournay for BG. On the KWID site there are much better images that show how incredibly chic the space is with this exquisite paper, as well as sumptuous leather upholstery in pale blue, chartreuse and a golden caramel tone.

Find of the Week

It was love at first sight when I found this pair of Robin's egg blue mirrored end tables from Pieces.

Paper to the Max

image above from Jonathan Adler's My Prescription for Anti-Depressive Living



Gracie wallpaper, SY-210, in Maggie Rizer's home as seen in Domino April 2006

For some reason when I was little, I thought a big white ceramic dog would be the most elegant home accessory. Now that these are in vogue again and I could buy one for myself, I'm kind of over them -- although I think Adler's use of this dog by the door is adorable. What I do currently covet is wallpaper.

In a small windowless apartment entry, I love to see every inch of wall surface papered including the backs of doors. This really creates that jewel box feeling and says "Ah, home at last."

Chinoiserie Wallpaper

de Gournay handpainted wallpaper as seen in Elle Decoration August 2004

Kudos to the stylist of the photo above. Oh my, there are so many beautiful elements working together here. The major player in the background is de Gournay's wallpaper Badminton on lead grey dyed silk ground.

Since I'm crazy about Chinoiserie wallpaper, I enjoy browsing both the de Gournay and Gracie websites. Each offers plenty to savor but
Gracie's site is really brimming with images and information. To fully appreciate Gracie's sphere of influence, check-out their press clippings and client list.

pictures below from de Gournay

Engraved Peacock Feathers

Refined and worldly, Crane's limited edition notes feature a peacock feather intricately engraved in shades of turquoise, burnished copper, and peacock blue on ecru paper. But before the recipient of your note even removes the card from the envelope, he or she will see the oh so sumptuous copper lining.

To me these notes are seasonless, but I especially love them for late summer through November. What shade of ink would you select for writing? Dark chocolate, deepest blue or jet black?

Suzani Mania

If you secretly think all suzanis look alike, visit Uzbek Craft and think again. Owner Juraeva Mayram has the most exquisite collection of modern and antique suzanis, for the retail customer, that I've seen online to date.


suzanis.com is a good resource if you want to learn more about the traditional process of making suzanis. This site, which highlights ikat textiles too, is mentioned in Jonathan Adler's My Prescription for Anti-Depressive Living.

Another nice site based in London, suzaniinterior.com just uploaded a new selection of gorgeous embroideries but it seems online shopping isn't available yet. Hopefully later this month. In the meantime, as I've posted before, yurdan.com has a large selection of suzanis for sale, and oldworldimports.net, based in the U.S., has a small but beautiful collection including the piece below.

Bold White Mirrors

above, a landing in India Hicks' island home as seen in Vogue, late 1990s


large scale mirror from Pieces

In the late 90s there was a beautiful spread in Vogue featuring the island home of India Hicks, daughter of legendary decorator David Hicks. I still have the magazine pages in my inspiration notebook, and I'm drawn more than ever to the various white mirrors used around her house. The Georgian-style mirror shown above looks so crisp and upbeat against the deep berry colored wall.

This week when I saw Pieces' ornate white resin mirror above, I immediately thought of Hicks' island home. If you're interested in seeing more of India Hicks' style check-out Island Life: Inspirational Interiors

Bird of Paradise Pillows

The mix of greens and blues, with a hint of orangey-reds on cream, is especially nice in these natural linen bird print pillows from French General. The pillows are available in square sizes, 16", 18", 20", or custom sizes and range in price from $95 - $150. Coming in October, look for The French-Inspired Home, with French General by shop owner, Kaari Meng.

China Style

China Style (Icons), the latest in Taschen's little paperback series looks intriguing. For those of us who are compulsive design book buyers, these editions are very budget friendly at $9.99 and usually loaded with beautiful photographs.

On a loosely related note, I love these party table designs from Elle Decor's editor, Margaret Russell, for Dining By Design 2006. Check-out the crisp modern takes on traditional Asian-inspired styles that have long been popular in the West, like the bright lacquered tables and After Willow china, Wedgwood's new interpretation of the classic Blue Willow pattern.


Robert Dawson for Wedgwood After Willow plates

La Dolce Vita

Today Giada made the ultimate summer drink: a Nutella gelato cooler spiked with Kahlua. In short, all of my favorite ingredients combined in a milkshake -- chocolate, hazelnut and coffee-flavored liqueur.

I'd love to enjoy the cooler relaxing on this rooftop terrace designed by Tim Clarke and Art Luna

or sitting on this porch, or in the poolhouse, both designed by Steven Gambrel (photos from Elle Decor)


or maybe in this intimate pavilion designed by Mary McDonald


Here's the cooler recipe. Enjoy!
2 cups Chocolate-Hazelnut Gelato
1/2 cup coffee-flavored liqueur (recommended: Kahlua), or coffee
4 cups crushed ice
1/4 cup chopped chocolate-covered coffee beans, plus more for garnish, optional
Combine all the ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Pour into glasses, sprinkle with chocolate covered coffee beans, and serve with a straw.