From Julie & Francesca:

Last month in New York we admired this table setting at our favorite interiors shop, Ochre. The pale blue farm table paired with black Hans Wegner wishbone chairs is a combination we wouldn’t have come up with on our own. We also love the matte black candlesticks, the simple white tableware, and the blue tinted glassware.

Below: Original Painted Farm Table from Pennsylvania from East Meets West Antiques. Also consult Joseph Spinale Primitive Furniture.

Below: Hans Wegner Wishbone Chair with natural cord caning; $599 at Hive Modern.

Below: Lacquered Wood Candlestick in satin-black finish; on sale at Gump’s for $29.99 (down from $40).

Below: Barbara Eigen designed the cream-colored Studio Dinnerware line for Pottery Barn; $144 for a 16-piece set.

Below: Dibbern Glass Odeon Tumbler from Bavaria; $12 each at Rose and Radish.

Below: Studio Large Pitcher by Barbara Eigen; $49 at Pottery Barn.

Below: Hand-made, satin-finish stainless-steel Lambert Flatware with black Bakelite handles from Germany; $58 for a four-piece setting at Terrestra.

Below: Kenyan Salad Server made of coconut wood and bone; $55 at Ochre.

Below: Vintage hand-woven napkins of organic boiled linen; $25 at Ochre.

Below: Natural Rush Round Placemats; $25 for a set of four at Amazon.

I don't know who was the first to experiment with it -- perhaps an antique shop owner tried it in the beginning -- but over the years quite a few designers and tastemakers have added a whimsical touch to statuary by tossing on a hat. The interesting part is looking at the various styles chosen.

Shown at top, Mrya Hoefer's take as seen in San Francisco Style (Chronicle Books, 2004) followed by Mr. Hadley's creative styling as seen in Albert Hadley: The Story of America's Preeminent Interior Designer (Rizzoli, 2004).

Chicago-based historian Bart Swindall did something personal by opting for a utilitarian hard hat that speaks to a former job. (O at Home, Fall 2008). Be sure to pick up the magazine and see his chic apartment inspired by vintage House & Garden's and iconic rooms of the past. Photography by Roland Bello.

Olympian-worthy wreaths for the holidays at Courtnay Daniels' residence. Design by Suzanne Rheinstein and Associates (Southern Accents, November 2002).

And Sara Ruffin Costello's laid-back elegance -- a dapper addition to this bust. Photo by Paul Costello, as seen in Domino.


Pure Jonathan Adler as seen in My Prescription for Anti-Depressive Living.

Figures to be treated with more reverence, the First Emperor's terracotta army, are headed to Atlanta. Over 100 works from the ongoing archaeological excavation in China will be on view at the High, November 16 through April 19, 2009. The exhibition is a landmark event for the museum since such a complete group of warrior figures has never before been loaned to the U.S. My tickets are already safely tucked away.


First Emperor images courtesy the High Museum of Art.