From Janet:

Spotted in the NY Times: this simple glass fixture by Roost from Williamsburg shop Moon River Chattel is equally suited for modern or traditional interiors ($165 at Moon River Chattel; call 718-388-1121). The Roost Glass Cylinder Lamp is also available online at Velocity Art and Design for $130, both as a hanging pendant and as a table lamp.

Our bees are late. They were supposed to arrive last Saturday, but at the last minute we got a call saying they wouldn’t be available until this Saturday… something about the weather still being a touch too cold for them. We used our extra weekend to get our garden ready for our a buzzing friends. When we bought the place, the front garden was a bit of an overgrown mess. A wild vine was consuming the fireplace, and the little patch of dirt was an uneven cluster of flowers and weeds. Chad’s been clearing out the clutter, and this Saturday it was finally ready for some planting. We heard that bees really respond to purple flowers, so we put in some May Night Salvia, Emerald Blue Moss Phlox and my favorite, Provence Lavender. This will keep things pretty and tasty for a month or so. But what we need to do next is plant some autumn blooming flowers, so the bees will be kept busy for months and months. Something yellow, perhaps. Any suggestions? — Angela M.

http://www.andreyi.net

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{top two photos by me in sonoma; last photo from the far niente website of the oldest known bottle of wine in california}

From Julie:

Houseguests, anyone? We love this idea, spotted on Apartment Therapy: Artisan Shepherd’s Huts. Paulus Smith has been a specialist joiner for over 25 years, working on listed and historic buildings. He now spends his time creating meticulously crafted shepherd’s huts from his medieval barn workshop in Sussex; wheels are cast from molten iron using original patterns, floors are solid oak, and all fittings such as door handles and window fastenings are high-quality reproductions. Can be used as garden retreat, spare room, studio, or office. Prices start at about £11,000; go to Artisan Shepherd’s Huts for more information.

I recieved an email the other day bearing some of the best news I've heard in weeks.

One of my favorite culinary TV series, "Two Fat Ladies," is finally coming to DVD!

For anyone who doesn't remember this fantastic British show (which aired back when Giada's decollete was just a glimmer in some TV executive's eye), there's still reason to check it out.

Don't expect healthy twists or 30-minute meals here. Instead, prepare to ride off with Jennifer Paterson and Clarissa Dickson Wright (by motorcycle and sidecar, naturalement) around Britain (and beyond) to prepare seriously hearty meals.

How about joining a hunting party in Scotland for a menu that includes roast grouse and venison with blackberries (episode 5)? Or perhaps you'd enjoy making lobster for a sisterhood of Benedictine nuns in Ireland (episode 14). Soused herrings, Welsh rarebit souffle, onion soup with Stilton, fruit tartlets...the list goes on.

These aren't all recipes that you'd likely rush out and make, but that's not really the point. The settings are verdant and the ladies are undeniably charming, entertaining, and passionate about food.

Even though the show itself is dated, it's novel and refreshing to see them, polar opposites of the squeaky-clean, book-deal-sniffing personae of today's food TV stars, preparing honest food without pretension.

Welsh Rarebit Souffle
Ingredients:
    2 large slices of good-quality white bread
    1/2 pound of high-quality, aged cheddar cheese
    3 egg yolks
    4 egg whites
    1 level teaspoon dry English mustard
    1 vigorous shake of Worcestershire sauce
    1 vigorous shake of Tabasco sauce
    Salt and Pepper

Grate the cheese and place in a bowl. Beat in the egg yolks, a level teaspoon of mustard, a good shake each of Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco sauce, and salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Toast the bread; whip the egg whites until they stand in stiff peaks. Add a spoonful or so of the beaten egg whites into tothe cheese mixture then gently fold the rest of the egg whites into the bowl. Put the toasts into an ovenproof dish and pour the mixture over them. Bake in a preheated oven at 450 degrees for 10 minutes until browned and risen. Serve at once with a salad or spinach on the side.

Recipe reprinted from the Two Fat Ladies DVD box set, Acorn Media, 2008.

From these fabulous bloggers:

Design Boner is the blogging team of Porcelain (Katie) and Cardboard (Jessica) who are very talented and creative, especially in the realm of photography. They have weekly photo mosaics that they share with all of us (Lucky us!) and also share their love of designer-y finds. Well, they had a little birthday sweepstakes. They were giving away something "nice and pretty" and something "hahahaha". Lucky me! I won "nice and pretty"! (Although I am very curious about "hahaha", what was it girls?!?!)

Now how did they know I love this color?

I think it looks very "nice and pretty" on my hall table.

It matches my eggs.

I almost lost the rock at the bottom of the box. But I have this habit of searching boxes thoroughly before throwing them away. After the diamond incident, I can't be too careful. Isn't it cute? (It even looks a little like their namesake.)

Thank you so much Jessica and Katie! I love it! I hope you had a fabulous birthday!

But Lady Luck did not stop there! I received this very lovely package from Diana Muse. I think Design bloggers have got to be some of the best gift wrappers around. I love this postcard!

Diana has one of the most lovely and inspirational blogs I have seen. Her images are wonderful and her sidebar is full of very thought provoking quotes.

Diana did a post about Moleskins, those essential little notebooks used by those who want to capture a thought, an idea, a moment on paper. She also had a sweepstakes, and lucky me, I received this:

My very first official Moleskin! I am so pleased and I cannot wait to fill it up with all the wonderful, crazy, silly, serious, happy, sad things that come my way.

Thank you so very much Diana!

And please, if you haven't already, I think it's about time you paid a visit to these very brilliant bloggers, don't you?

Main Dining Room, Hospitality Design, May/June 2008, Photo by Mathjis Wessing

Ella Dining Room and Bar is at the top of my list of restaurants in Sacramento. So I was not surprised, but very pleased to see it in the latest Hospitality Design magazine as the winner of their "Hospitality Debut" Award.

Bar and Lounge

The interiors are a great indicator of what you can expect from the superb menu: unpretentious, but extremely well done California dishes with a creativity that doesn't get so out there, you are scratching your head in confusion. It is all about the food, not the "foam". The farmhouse family style tables encourage mingling. The creative use of lighting, the sophisticated color palette of soft greys and beige's, the natural olive branches all converge to give one the relaxed, and comfortable atmosphere to enjoy wonderful food and company.

Owner, Randall Selland and his wife Nancy Zimmer, have been creating top notch food for many years in their original exhibition restaurant, The Kitchen. This is their latest baby....and it is growing into the hottest dining spot in the valley.

The architects are Sacramento natives: Darryl Chinn Architects. The interiors were done by UXUS, Amsterdam.

Private Dining Room

Just another reason to visit "Sactown". Come, sit and enjoy!

We are currently looking to add a few new bloggers. Possible areas of focus include technology, fashion, and an all-around new/events/happenings/exhibitions/”what’s going on”-type reporter. If you would like to be considered for one of these positions with Design Milk, please email us at info@design-milk.com with subject “Contributing Blogger” and include:

1. A summary of your blogging or writing experience
2. What you believe you can bring to Design Milk
3. Link(s) to any articles, blogs, or other related websites to which you have contributed

Submissions without the above items will not be considered. We prefer that you have an art and/or design background or at least are passionate about this subject. Journalism or blogging experience is a plus. We want bloggers who are committed, passionate, and creative. For example, we love bloggers who will offer more than just a post here and there - we want ideas and feedback on how we can make DM better for our readers.

Bloggers are expected to write 1-3 posts per week, but it is preferred that they contribute more often. Communication and creativity are key to being a DM blogger. Please note that currently this is an unpaid position, but we’re growing fast and things can always change.

We’re always looking for one-off guest posts on any topic related to art & design. If you are interested in writing a guest post, please email us at info@design-milk.com with subject “Guest Post”. In your email, please explain what type of post you would like to write and link to any example posts or sites to which you have contributed. This is a great way to get exposure.

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Nichols & Stone, the only sizable furniture manufacturer still operating in the "chair city" of Gardner, is poised to quit making products from scratch.

Nichols & Stone is a premier manufacturer of furniture and the only sizable furniture manufacturer still operating in the "chair city" of Gardner, Massachusetts.

Photo by Scott Francis

Michael Schaible's stunning retreat on the North Shore of Mexico's Lake Chapala. Amazing.

Photo by Durston Saylor

The very glamorous New York apartment of the very glamorous Geoffrey Bradfield. It is worth a look just to see Mr. Bradfield in his pastel pink suit!

Photo by Mario Ciampi

The flat in Venetian Palazzo owned by Belgian designer Axel Vervoordt. There is so much in this article, I can't even begin! It is a breathtaking masterpiece, and this piece alone is worth the full cover price.

Photo by Scott Francis

The Mid century Yacht design of Mitchell Turnbough. This is a nice break from the unreachable over the top luxury yachts you typically might see. It is so well done in a more understated way, and something that takes me back to my "sailing" days. There is something reminiscent here of the yachting days of the early 20th.

Photo by Derry Moore

The Spanish country house of Jaime Parlade at Alcuzcuz in Andalusia. There were so many beautiful photos here, it was very difficult to just choose one "teaser". I thought this bedroom was a very personal space that let Mr. Parlade's personality shine through. It is a smile producer.

Photo by Leigh Brown

The Sonoma County Craftsman Hillside Farmhouse of Jacques Saint Dizier. The interiors keep to the Craftsman roots without becoming expected. Loved it!

Photo by Durston Saylor

The Manhattan apartment Of Francine Coffey. A decidedly different look from the other choices for this issue, it is a very boldly colored Neoclassical design she refers to as "nouveau Federal". Hmm. There is alot of plaid. In this particular photo I could be sold. I would love your thoughts on the rest of the apartment!

Photo by Mary E. Nichols

The Pacific Heights home of Banana Republic President, Jack Calhoun. I thought many of you would be very curious to see this home!

And if this weren't enough, there are several captivating hotels from around the world...each very different and unique:

Photo by Tim Beddow

The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower. The Ceiling!

Photo by Scott Francis

Huntley Santa Monica Beach. So very cool.

Photo by Erhard Pfeiffer

The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa. Ready to go?

There are, of course, all of the extras that you would normally expect from AD.

On top of that you can see the first four homes of the Open Auditions which AD began in October of 2007. Over the next seven months, the AD panelists saw over 1000 projects and have narrowed the field to 50 that have been chosen for publication.

I may be taken in by the quantity of very good stuff in this issue, but it also seems that the photography is fresher, brighter. Scott Francis, I have been informed, has been shooting for AD for many years and has a number of projects photographed for this issue. Very beautiful photos all around.

I just know I was very pleasantly swept off my feet by this issue. I think you will be too. Let me know what you think!

Maria Beatrice and Leonardo Ferragamo’s Villa Le Rose

Oh how I want to be Margaret Russell, the Editor of ELLE DECOR. In addition to her unparalleled editorial skills, she must have about 8,000 cocktail dresses that look fabulous on her. In the foreward to my new favorite book, So Chic: Glamorous Lives, Stylish Spaces, she defines what makes a space chic:

But what exactly is chic? Webster’s defines the word as “cleverly stylish; smart; a woman who adapts fashion to her own personality.” When it comes to interiors, chic is that and far more. A chic space can be razzle-dazzle glamorous or quietly unpretentious, seriously sophisticated or unapologetically bohemian. The unifying thread is indisutabley confidence, no doubt boosted by splashes of joie de vivre and flair.

Jaouad Kadiri’s Moroccan Country House

Kenneth Jay Lane’s Stanford White Designed Park Avenue Townhouse

This is a really good way to describe ELLE DECOR. They offer a wide range of styles in their spreads unlike any other magazine, from over-the-top opulence of say, Kenneth Jay Lane, to the lived-in rustic look of Ralph Lauren; from the eclectic vibe of Anh Duong to the elegant Grey Gardens-esque decay of John Derian; from the vintage but modernly crisp Thomas O’Brien to the exotic shapes and textures used by Jaouad Kadiri. This book culls the best examples from the magazine’s archives, and the range of styles is remarkable. The common thread is that they are all, undoubtedly chic due to the designers’ individual styles, whether they be influenced by the Ottoman empire, mid-century modern, vintage, Hollywood Regency, Morocco, the eclectic mix, et. al.

Ranjana & Naeem Khan’s SoHo Loft

For example, I took note of the different wallcoverings in the book. There were crisp white walls, classic murals, antique Chinese wallpapers, grasscloths, ethnic tiles, genius artwork arrangements, mirrors, bold stripes and luxurious printed fabrics.

Muriel Brandolini’s Upper East Side Townhouse

Tamara Mellon’s London Flat (O.K., I want to be her the most; she has every Jimmy Choo shoe in her closet!)

Sheila Bridges’ Harlem Apartment

Thomas O’Brien’s Wall of Inspiration

Delphine and Reed Krakoff’s Southampton Home

Anh Duong’s West Village Loft

Sarah Jessica Parker’s Hamptons Home

John Derian’s Lower East Side Pad

It was impossible to pick favorite photos from this book, but I thought these were some great examples. Here are the photo credits, in order, from the elite group that shoots for ELLE DECOR:

• Pieter Estersohn

• Henry Bourne

• Pieter Estersohn

• Simon Upton

• Pieter Estersohn

• Simon Upton

• William Waldron

• William Waldron

• Reed Krakoff

• Simon Upton

• William Waldron

• William Waldron