Laid-Back Banquettes

Greece Style is one of the few books from Taschen's Icon series that I haven't yet bought for myself. But there's a room in it (shown top) that I've loved for years. As soon as I saw Amanda Peet's home on Domino online (a neighbor must have nabbed my December copy), I thought about the pillow-laden banquette in Greece.

At the moment we label the look "Bohemian-Chic" or "Globe-Trotter-Chic." Still, I don't find it trendy. Indian (or Indian-inspired) textiles, stripes, red-and-white, unpretentious banquettes -- all these elements have been around for centuries. And I love them.

Bottom photo, Coliena Rentmeester

Holiday Windows II

If you plan to do some holiday shopping in Atlanta this weekend, here are a few sights you may see along the way. Last year I bought a vintage white wooden deer; Tiffany's window dressers have inspired me to try something like this.



(Okay, my attempt isn't so spot-on.)




At Tory Burch, a deer topiary offers a festive nod to the season without upstaging the boutique's chic decor.



More turquoise and chartreuse at Providence Antiques. BTW: some lovely, simple silver menorahs are available here.

Color Inspiration: Movies

For some reason I associate Shakespeare in Love with the holidays and tend to watch it every first weekend in December. The colors are so lush. Those peacock-blues and greens in Judi Dench's costume (top) remind me a little of ribbons I'm using this year. The film is just filled with sumptuous jewel tones. (For more Elizabethan style visit the V & A.)




I need to settle on some tags...

Yellow Doors

I'm not in Palm Springs, but one of my favorite local talents recently was. Generously, she has shared with me her design-related pictures snapped for inspiration (more on that next week.) This one of the brilliant yellow doors at Viceroy Palm Springs reminds me of an Atlanta home I've long admired. It's flannel-gray brick and used to have a fabulous yellow front door.

Not too many houses can pull-off the yellow door -- at least few homes in the U.S. seem to have them. But Dublin knows how to do it.



Here's a great image via Mari.

Design Updates

Fans of the designing duo Paul and Chris Briger will be happy to know the team's site has launched. Dorothy Draper enthusiasts may remember the couple's homage to the legendary decorator last holiday season at Bergdorf Goodman.

Speaking of legends, the general edition of Tony Duquette is scheduled to be released December 1. So I plan to be at the book store bright and early Saturday to get my copy.

Photography © Michel Zabé, Rizzoli New York, 2007, as seen in Briger + Briger: Comfortable and Joyous Homes, City, Country and Lakeside.

Nepalese Paper

Here's some holiday red for you traditionalists. Brilliant Asylum introduced me to this handmade Nepalese wrapping paper. It is wonderfully thick, and so graphic like Madeline Weinrib's zig-zag rugs. I'll be trying different ribbons with it.

Reader Request: A Ruthie Double

A reader located about 20 miles North of New York City seeks a decorator with that Ruthie Sommers aesthetic. She says she has money put aside for a serious project but celebrity prices are beyond her means. If you know of a decorator who might be a good fit, please leave a comment.

Photo by Corey Walter for Domino

Chapman Radcliff Kelly Chair

I've posted Chapman Radcliff's Kelly wing chair before (in white) and I think the red has appeared already in some shelter magazines, but I just love how these latest images show off the paisley upholstery and bold Chippendale-style fretwork frame.

Reader Request: Pardah Print Substitute

"Ahal" from Robert Kime


"Pardah Print" from Lee Jofa

A reader is searching for one and a half yards of Lee Jofa's discontinued "Pardah Print," in sable/flame. (Currently featured on page 22 of the December House & Garden.) If she can't hunt down a remnant, she is open to alternate suggestions. I'm partial to Robert Kime's ikats, but the reader hasn't quite found the perfect thing there. Thoughts?

More Holiday Sights

Another look at the holiday displays at Providence Antiques in Atlanta.

Margaret is Coming to Town

Margaret Russell will be in Atlanta on Wednesday, December 5 to sign So Chic: Glamorous Lives, Stylish Places. Her keynote presentation, to be held at 10 a.m. at ADAC, is already wait-listed. But if you are a design professional, you can add your name to the growing roster. I met Ms. Russell a few years ago and she is very articulate (plus the Editor-in-Chief's hair is as perfect in person as it is in the pages of Elle Decor.)

Impossible to Photograph: Trees

I don't know how the Martha Stewart photographers do it. For me it seems impossible to capture the subtle shimmer of ornaments on my own tree. So, for better or worse, here's a little peek at Anthropologie's woodblock elephant ornament on a fresh Fraser fir. In person these have a little sparkle and lovely details, like whipstitching.

Textile of the Week

19th-Century Indian Dolman Given to the V & A by TRH The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester

Thanks Janet for reminding me to type "Kashmir" in the Victoria & Albert search box. Some amazing Indian textiles and objects are included in the Museum's collection. Don't the oranges, aquas, greens and purples look so fresh? Like the inspiration behind something new from Lee Jofa.

Gift Ideas

Two of my favorite lavishly illustrated books would make great gifts for a decorative arts fan: The Majesty of Mughal Decoration and Bright Flowers: Textiles And Ceramics Of Central Asia. I think I've already mentioned Bright Flowers about five times. But it really is a definitive source.

In the volume suzanis (suzan is Farsi for needle and today the term suzani is generically used to describe embroidered textiles of Central Asia) are covered extensively. Traditions of ancient Bukhara are explored along with contemporary craft and commerce.

The Majesty of Mughal Decoration is loaded with gorgeous images -- more than 300. I bought the book on Saturday and have been mesmerized by the intricate jewelry, textiles, carpets and inlaid pieces created by craftsmen of the Mughal and Rajput courts. (And of course the text about varied cultures who contributed to the Mughal aesthetic is highly informative.)

Neither book is for the person who mainly wants to see interiors. However, anyone who is into details will I think appreciate them.

Suzani detail above, silk chain stitch on cotton, is from the Bukhara State Art and Architectural Museum, as seen in Bright Flowers.

Holiday Windows

I love blues and greens together for the holidays (nice option for my friends who celebrate Chrismukkah.) So I was drawn to the varied green and turquoise hues used here in Providence's window. Unfortunately my camera phone pics don't do justice to the delicate details: paper whites in pots, chartreuse ribbons on the French chairs, and little white lights.



Also, just at a very quick glance, the fabric used in the window reminded me of Sara Ruffin Costello's wallcovering choice for this home office, seen in Domino, November 2005

Wrapping Things Up

Still waiting on the red zig-zag paper from Nepal.



I splurged on hand-dyed ribbon from M & J Trimming and a few more ornaments. So this year I'll probably have to skip those engraved tags from Mrs. John L. Strong.


Broadway Paper has a great selection of charming tags, like the Kate Spade mittens above. If you're inspired to make your own, check out Impress Rubber Stamps. For seriously budget-friendly options, Target sells a 48-pack of simple classic paper tags, $11.99.

Oh and speaking of gifts, for a while I've had discreetly placed in my sidebar a holiday fundraiser to benefit Shepherd Center, a catastrophic care hospital. If you're planning to give your postman or neighbor sweets this season, please check out the project.

Happy Holidays from Coleen & Company

Coleen Rider of Coleen & Company designed her own card this year. It's one of the chicest holiday ads I've seen. (Looks a little Duquette-inspired with the touch of leopard and pagodas.) To start the season with a bang, Coleen is offering free shipping on all purchases through Midnight on Friday, November 30.



All sorts of vintage goodies are in stock, such as these red tub chairs, turquoise horses, and those amazing bone pagodas.