Oh, she knew that her rooms were not furnished.
Oh, she knew that her pool was not tiled.
Oh, she knew that her landscaping was not done.
Oh she knew that her wallet was not full.

Oh she knew, and she knew, and she knew............

But somehow, she couldn't stop herself from thinking
about beautiful breakfasts on Peacock Pavilion's rooftop
when the day was still fresh
and everything.... yes, everything...

still possible.....

Hope is the thing with peacock feathers.....

***************

Do check out the sweet gypsy girl's blog for a special sale and give away......

Contributed by George Evans

• Artist: a signed piece is generally worth more than unsigned painting or piece of furniture.
• Maker: can be attributed when it?s a known form and the construction and materials are in sync.
• Period Piece: generally (a piece made in the period i.e. Queen Anne) is worth considerably more than a piece in the Queen Anne style, or a reproduction.
• Form: small occasional pieces are more desirable than oversized/out of proportion pieces.
• Pieces of Regal style are more desirable than ?grandmotherly? pieces. One does not want a room to be predictable. It has to be fun and you should be able to visualize yourself living in it.
• Function: for instance make sure an antique chair is sturdy and can be used or it should be restricted to a piece of ?Decorative Art or Sculpture?

Designer Peter Marino , Photography by Michael Moran
Courtesy Architectural Digest

Photo credit: Scott Frances. Courtesy of Architectural Digest.

Photo credit: Architectural Digest

Contributed by George Evans, Co-Founder of Bond & Bowery.
Read all of George's posts here.

Anne Harwell's Holiday Interior Cards

Usually around mid November I start to think about my Christmas theme for the year. When I say theme, for me, it's usually mostly about what wrapping paper and gift cards I am going to use and which ribbons I will use to re-thread all of my mismatched Christmas ornaments which I have been collecting since my husband and I got married.

This time each year I love pulling out my collection of Christmas decorations as they always bring back so many happy memories especially the little ornament one of my girlfriends gave me when Harry was born. I also have ornaments I have found overseas in special places like Venice, Paris, Hawaii, San Francisco etc. etc. I'm always on the lookout for special Christmas decorations!!

Bird Ornaments available from Black & Spiro

Bunny Ornament available from Black & Spiro

To keep my collection growing I like to buy 2-3 new decorations a year. We are selling these two gorgeous decorations {above} at Black & Spiro this year and I have decided to add some of these to my collection at home. One day I will pass on my collection to Harry and hopefully he will get as much joy out of it as I do and maybe he too will carry on the tradition with his children by adding a few new ornaments each year.

Our 2006 Christmas Tree

This Christmas I am challenging myself to try to be a little less extravagant and a little more creative. Therefore another way to meet this challenge is to do some baking. I thought I might look for some vintage tins and then use them to package up some home made biscuits to give to my family & friends.

What are your plans this Christmas??

With the help of my favorite area rug distributor, Tufenkians, of Portland, Oregon, I recently filmed a segment for BETTER, with Brooke Carlson, in the home of News Anchor Natalie Marmion. We discussed the do's and don'ts and where to begin when trying to find the best area rug.

- Rugs change color based on which direction you lay them. If it looks too light, try turning it the other direction and watch how the colors in the rug completely change!

- When selecting size for the living room, a good rule of thumb is to have all of the furniture on the rug or off the rug. Obviously the coffee table can stay on the rug, but it's best not to have any of your chairs or sofas halfway on and halfway off the rug.

- When selecting size for the dining room make sure you have a minimum of 2' behind each dining chair on all sides. No teetering chairs at the dinner table allowed!

- Always try out the rug in your home prior to committing to the piece. Tufenkians will deliver your rugs, help you place them and then bring back the pieces you dont want.

"We are drawn to old-culture decor -- a Tuscan farmhouse kitchen -- but we want state-of-the-art appliances in that kitchen."

All (the) designers warned against just bringing some sort of extreme look into a room.

Picked straight from our Moroccan garden and offered to you, Mr. Obama.

You're proof that every day is a chance for a new beginning. For all of us.

With love and best wishes,
Maryam in Marrakech

(Owner Kerry) DeBuse says he spent tens of thousands of dollars upgrading the old-fashioned dining room in June. Business had been slow since early summer, he says, "but it all changed 180 degrees within a week of the recent (Wall Street) crash."When the problems went global, the bottom fell out.

Do you remember Laurence Landon? That adorable and charming French designer of lovely things -- including candle holders and lights -- in Marrakech?

The lucky blogging girl was on hand for the opening of her new showroom in Sidi Ghanem, Marrakech's industrial zone just outside the city, where those in the know come to shop.......

Listen here....

In her vintage haute couture, Laurence arranged the flowers until they were just so....
And lit the candles of her own beautiful pieces, one by one.
Until everything was flickering and aglow.

Soon it was all perfect and ready....
The guests began to trickle in, and there was much oohing and aahing by candlelight....

Moments later Laurence Landon's showroom was full.  Why there was even Serge, the jeweler, and Valerie, the realtor to New York's fabulous interior designer (and blogger) Martin Raffone (who is buying a little riad in Marrakech....)

They all devoured the most delicious canapes (Oh, those French....they do see to every little detail, don't they?)

And admired more of Laurence Landon's work, with its shimmering inlays.  (So elegant that it made her think of this special blogging Canadian interior designer, visiting Marrakech over Christmas.... )
Then they feasted on the very prettiest crumpets....

Followed by yet more  coveting of Laurence Landon lights....

And drank glasses of wine.....
Not quite as many glasses as Landon candles but nonetheless.......
And when the evening was over, the blogging girl hopped on the back of the wine bottle's camel and set off for her Marrakech home in the olive grove.......

***********************

Laurence Landon

324 Z.I. Sidi Ghanem

40000 Marrakech

Tel:  063-727002

Monday-Friday: 2-6:30 and by appointment

...armoires were originally designed as gun cabinets. That is where they get their name. Later, when the French changed the tax code and began taxing the number of rooms, the aristocracy knocked down closet walls and replaced them with armoires or wardrobes.

The latest solution is the low- to medium-height console, which is not necessarily dedicated to the flat-screen television.

"A console or buffet is a great way to anchor the flat screen, as well as a place for storage.

James Michael Howard

I am very fond of placing small pieces of Antique furniture in bathrooms. I think it adds an element of coziness. It also adds interest and personality to a room which we usually don't think about furnishing.

Alright ready. I know, I know. I always seem to be on semi-permanent hiatus from my blog. Well I got ton of things on my mind, namely getting my website updated. I believe, as of today, the index page is still announcing the NSS in May 2008. Nice. I should point out that on page 90 of Craft Inc, I wrote that you should "Update your site frequently with news or new products." And clearly, I am leading by example. I also tell people to always have their business cards on them, yet I am always writing my contact information on the backsides of other people's business cards when I meet them. I'm awesome like that.

Ironically, next week you'll find me on as a guest blogger on design*sponge. Obviously, have the time and energy to blog, just not on my own blog.

As for the above cookbook, "The Abundant Table: Recipes from the Bishop's Ranch Kitchen", which I illustrated, is finally out. So far I've made the pancakes (hey, I'm starting off easy) and they are delicious! I can't wait to try out the rest of their healthy recipes. And I have to say that Laura Crookston Deleot, the graphic designer, did a wonderful job! Such a pleasure working with her. Here are a couple of images from the book:

(the inside cover)

(introductory section)

I went with some of my friends from high school to see The Roots and Erykah Badu on Monday--which was really good. The Roots set was super short (like half an hour) and Erykah's set was super long (like 2-1/2 hours, I think?)! I love that along with her extra large hair which obscured her face, Erykah wore this funky red, grid-patterned pantsuit (which looked like something straight out of Andre 3000's closet), Urkel-style black-rimmed glasses, and mule tennis shoes (at least it looked like that from where I was sitting). I wouldn't doubt she probably had suspenders on underneath, too. Everything about it from the performance and music to her outfit seemed both feminine and masculine, uncompromised, vision-driven, and just plain nutty. Loved it.

Anyway, seeing The Roots again also reminded of a poster I made ten years ago. It was my final project in the one and only graphic design class I've ever taken. I took this class right after college when I realized that I was interested in more artistic pursuits. I remember choosing to hand-make this poster on manila paper instead of using a computer to design it.

It's always interesting to look back on your early work to see how far you've come and at the same time, to see what hasn't changed about you.

I haven’t had a chance to do one of these posts in awhile; I’m behind on my blog reading lately! Here’s a journey through my blog catch up:

I say Congratulations! One of my favorite bloggers, Erin of Elements of Style has a new website for her design company, Element Interiors. Check it out here. Also, I meant to link you over to her post Orange You Glad it’s Fall? awhile back, so I will now - it’s a great collection of orange in decor.

I obsess with all of the step-by-step printmaking eye candy over at Heart Fish.

I ogle surreal pieces available from the Tony Duquette Collection spotted over at The Peak of Chic.

I wonder how swissmiss manages to find so many clever things every day. For example, the mobile bench.

I ponder whether the person who designed this treehouse cafe I spied at Inhabitat was high and chowing down on Keebler cookies when he/she came up with this treehouse.

I say “Hooray; I love these guy!” as I read this post from Home Rejuvenation for the tenth time.

I realize I will NEVER have a garage that looks this neat as I read The Inspired Room.

I am reminded by Style Court that I really need to get a library card.

I get pumped up for Halloween reading this post from katiedid.

Well, I’m off to one of my favorite cities, Charlottesville, VA for the weekend. I’m not sure if I’ll have time for my 20,000th visit to Monticello, but I’ll get my TJ fix on the UVA campus. See you on Monday!

• image from elements of style
• image from heartfish
• image via The Peak of Chic
• image via Swiss Miss
• image via Inhabitat
• image via Style Court

I never thought I would say this, but thanks to designers like Susie Mendive of SUM I am actually ecstatic wallpaper has made such a solid comeback. This is gen-u-ine excitement. My parents coated our home with wallpaper in the early 80’s, and it wasn’t pretty. It was so bad I remember as a little girl trying to peel it off to hint to my parents that they needed to do something with the walls. Now, times are different and I want to paper my walls myself!

Wallpaper actually gets me all riled up so I apologize in advice for my lengthy list of questions with Susie Mendive. Enjoy!

I know a bit about your background…a graphic designer with a graduate degree from North Carolina then to LA then to NY as art director with stila cosmetics…but I think there are some holes, especially in how you transitioned from branding cosmetics to designing modern wallpaper. Tell us more! How did SUM come together?

It happened very organically. I very much wanted to design and produce my own product and call all the shots. It just made sense at that point in my career. There is a lot of hard work involved and it can be consuming but I like taking it one step at the time.

Tell us about the name, SUM. How did you come up with this?

My husband and I were in Tokyo and it just hit me, Su is from Susie and M from Mendive but more than that it was the idea of a total home concept…SUM of all parts. A total approach to design and living.

The female silhouettes of your Floral Femme Fatale prints are an amazing graphic. They have a significant presence let alone bring movement, style, femininity, character and a sense of a couture-ness to a room. I would guess that your time with stila cosmetics may have carried over into the inspiration for these designs, is this right or was it something else?

Yes, that’s right. The silhouettes are something I started with at stila. They have a very universal quality and allow you to project your own thoughts on to them. I am always more intrigued by what is left out of an image or illustration.

Many of the modern wallpapers we see are meant to be an explosive replacement for traditional wall art which I find very refreshing and exciting, but also a bit of a challenge! I love the colors and graphics of the Vespertine Wallpaper in Twilight but am not sure I could pull it off in my space (maybe the black option would be better for me). What tips do you have for creating a harmonizing space when using bold/graphic wallpapers?

It isn’t as difficult as it might seem. I think Vespertine Twilight would be great in a powder room, kids room or a small kitchen. It uses bold colors but you can paper a single wall if you are unsure and pick an accent color from the pattern for rest of the room. Items like lampshades or rugs will help unify the scheme and wood and chrome or bronze elements will add a little luxe to the mix. I try to stay away from a too done, matchy matchy look or it seems like a set rather than a lived in space.

Was it a challenge to create a line of wallpapers that are made in the USA, constructed of recyclable paper and hand screen printed with water-based, non varsol inks? I can’t begin to image how long your screen printing stations must be!

Too long for a Manhattan Apartment! I actually use a company out in California who share the same values as I do about the environment. They have been hand screening wallpaper for over 20 years and converted to water based inks about 5 years ago. We try our best to maintain the highest quality product and still be kind to mother nature.

I always appreciate getting a glimpse into a designer’s work space and adore the photos of your loft on hgtv. Any difficulties to living/working in the same space?

I don’t actually live in that apartment anymore but still do the live/work thing. For me work and life are not separate. Living is by design. I have an enormous bedroom now (with a door this time!) and carved out two spaces with a beautiful, white modular folding screen. I then built in a storage/desk unit and of course wallpapered the space in Underwater Bamboo Pink. The whole color scheme came from the wallpaper so its silver and soft pink. It got a little too girly so I peppered it with earthy accents of walnut wood. The whole space feels very glamorous but warm and grounded…what’s more inspiring than that.

If you could paper someone’s walls, whose would you choose and which design might you use?

Frida Khalo
Diane von Furstenberg
Bjork
an Obama White House

…all custom designs of course!

I crave an opportunity to experiment with wallpaper, but I also fear it because: 1.) Of the expansive range of possibilities 2.) It is wallpaper and I don’t trust myself to be able to successfully apply it to my walls. But, I want to try so badly! What do you suggest for someone who is venturing into this arena for the first time…especially if the possibilities are as customizable as your wallpapers?

I think all the options available actually make it easier to find something that will work with your existing decor or serve as a jumping off point for a revamp. I understand the fear of installing yourself, many of my clients feel similarly. Wallpaper is really not that hard to put up and there are so many DIY sites out there with step by step instructions… in the end there is very little guesswork. I hung my very first Femme Fatale strike offs so I could learn how to do it and see how the paper performed, not the easiest, but definitely not hard. Having said that, if you are still hesitant, hire a painter or wallpaper installer. Many professional painters have experience hanging papers and the necessary tools in their arsenal. The most important thing is to be bold and experiment! Most of my clients are like you, saw it in a magazine and wanted to try it for themselves. All of them have been thrilled with the results. And remember nothing in this life is permanent!

How do you get out of a creative rut? What most inspires you?

Travel, travel, travel. It is the single most inspiring thing I can do. Floral Femme came together after a trip to Shanghai, Animalia after spending time in Holland. Places seep into me and become creative output.

What is next for SUM?

More wallpapers! I have one in the design stages that looks like painted canvas on the wall and another that is very male. I don’t see a lot out there for the boys so I thought it the perfect thing to design. SUM is now available in Utrecht, the Netherlands at Springers Wonen, in Malmo, Sweden at Tapetorama and we are looking to expand further in Europe and of course stateside. We are also moving into Fabrics and are looking to add other designers under our moniker… more parts to SUM total.

Thanks, Susie!

View all of Susie Mendive’s SUM wallpaper collection on DP.

Photograph: Alain Levitt
Makeup: Melissa Silver