it’s been a busy week here at d*s and today ac and i are heading off to savannah for a much needed break and a little wedding-location scouting. i’ll be blogging from savannah on monday and tuesday so stay tuned for some photos of the places we’re checking out while down in georgia. in the meantime, i’ll be posting a link to the good morning america segment i filmed as soon as it’s up, along with the date and time it will air on tv! i better run and finish packing so i’ll see you all on monday from sunny savannah. until then, here’s a summary of this week’s highlights. [image above: graham and brown wallpaper: $60 per roll at design public]

• thank you to TIME magazine for including d*s in their “the design 100″ list for design!
• d*s under $100 roundups at domino: decorating essentials and eco-friendly home products
• this weekend: the first ever brooklyn flea and the d*s collective
• 2008 d*s reader survey and alena hennessy print prizes!
• new york magazine shop-a-matic: design*sponge 100-product roundup
• new sneak peek: skinny laminx
• new before and afters: chair love (6 chair makeovers), natalie’s lamp, joanna and marc-peter’s amsterdam home
• new diy projects: subscription card art, bridget’s wood veneer lamp, kate’s leaning shelf
• new city guide: dublin design guide
• new in the kitchen with: mod green pod beet risotto
• new d*s guest blog: elka from popsugar
• interior inspiration: wonderful white
• interior inspiration: alma and nancy’s joshua tree home
• new: porcelain paper plates by virginia sin
• new: orla kiely stationery
• new: cave dwellers print by rachell sumpter
• new: textiles from anna drastik
• new: karen karlstrom pillows
• packaging by palatal collective
• wedding invites: white lettering on dark brown
• eco-friendly: bedding from plover organic

Sister Parish loved handicrafts -- needlework, basketry, quilts, hand-printed textiles. Maybe this was because she enjoyed working with her own hands, doing decoupage and other crafts. Or perhaps she had seen her share of grand formal homes and longed to warm them up with homespun touches.


Working intuitively, and in collaboration with partner Albert Hadley, she often upholstered exquisite 18th century French furniture with "primitive" hand-waxed cotton batiks by Alan Campbell. The fresh and inviting bedroom of Brooke Astor, shown above, is one example.


Colorful patchwork quilts appealed to Sister too. She used them conventionally but also commissioned the Freedom Quilting Bee in Alabama to create a patchwork fabric that, according to her protege Bunny Williams, was used in a chic Georgetown dining room. In fact, Parish-Hadley became known for upholstering wing chairs and sofas with quilts.


During her famous refurbishing of the White House, Jackie Kennedy selected Morgantown glassware produced in West Virginia. A political gesture? Probably. But JBK seems to have had a genuine fondness for American crafts. The way she and Sister Parish mixed the ultra-refined with the rustic greatly influenced residential interior decorating in the U.S. for decades.


I couldn't help noticing that both Natalie "Alabama" Chanin and craft artist Nathalie Lete received coverage in the newest Vogue Living. Are arbiters of high style embracing craft again as they did in the 1980s when simple pine furniture was mixed with lavish florals?

Of course, in their own unique ways Jonathan Adler and Lulu de Kwiatkowski have been doing a 21st century mix of sleek with rustic. But it will be interesting to see if more contemporary designers -- those associated with modern glamour -- inject homespun elements into their interiors.


Above, Alan Campbell fabric currently available through Quadrille.

Reminder: Tradition/Innovation: American Masterpieces of Southern Craft and Traditional Art remains on view through May 18.

Photo of Sister Parish shown top is from Margaret Russell's 2001 book, Designing Women: Interiors By Leading Style-Makers; The Astor bedroom is from Albert Hadley: The Story of America's Preeminent Interior Designer; and Sister Parish's Maine bedroom is from Designers on Designers.

Metropolitan Home magazine in their Year's Best Design 100 have selected Alexander and Meagan Julian for creating a winning pendant for Frederick Cooper.

The editors considered all items in the "art of making" which include architecture, interior décor, home furnishings and gadgets.

The pendant is a reductivist take on one of the Julians' favorite textile patterns. The work is hand cut brass with a rich bronze finish. The white linen drum shade provides texture to an otherwise sleek silhouette. View this pendant and other Julian designs at www.frederickcooper.com or download the brochure.

Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery is proud to have Frederick Cooper lamps as a vendor.

Bev & Mike

That very American of holidays: The Fourth of July is fast approaching! Does everyone have plans? Are you going to BBQ, watch fireworks, go to the beach, eat apple pie, have a beer/lemonade? All of the above? Those of you in other places will be carrying on as usual , but I thought a little red white and blue might perk up your summer just the same.

Above is an example of an American 13 Star Parade Flag circa late 1800's from Jeff R. Bridgman American Antiques available through 1st Dibs.

This is the wonderful beach house of Anna Spiro from Absolutely Beautiful Things. I just had to show this red, white and blue loveliness.

There is nothing quite so relaxing as sitting on a shaded porch sipping a tall cool drink. This porch designed by Thad Hayes is one of my "happy place" images that I look at when the stresses of the day get a little out of hand.

I love this image of Peter Dunham's house via Stylecourt blog: the tapestry, the desk, the lamp....love it all!

This Living Room by Bonesteel, Trout and Hall captures that very American "love of the beach" feeling that I long for this time of year. At the same time, there is a strong use of Indian prints and Asian furniture that is so very appealing.

Betsy Burnham uses red, white and blue in this foyer area to great effect. Not the least bit what one expects when hearing "red, white and blue".

What could be more nostalgically "American" than wicker furniture? If you have never been to the Maine Cottage website, please take the first opportunity to visit! They have a wonderful collection and very fun feature that lets you pick your piece of furniture , apply any color and put any of their fabrics on it. You can create your own version of the perfect summer chair.

It is an election year, and Jonathan Adler is appealing to both parties with his elephant and donkey figures. Take your pick, and don't forget to vote!

Pottery Barn came out with a "to the trade" sneak preview of their Fall collection. I have to say, I am liking it. It is a little less obvious as to where it all came from. A very nice mix. What do all of you think? Agree? Disagree?

The Jacqui Table from Bungalow 5 available through Eboniste seems to creep into my mind alot. Available in many colors, this table just seems to "fit" in so may situations.

And a little Kate Spade to put you in the holiday mood: Cute "Kelly" rain shoes in navy and red for those sudden summer rain showers ($125), and the Chattanooga Jocelyn purse ($175).

A pair of very patriotic vintage lamps go by the name of "Stars and Stripes" and are available from LUM.

Enjoy a little Red, White and Blue wherever you may be!