Ode to Oscar!

We feel it is all too often that information is quickly thrown at us and not given the proper attention.  We continue to see amazing designs in the interior and fashion worlds, but rarely know who to credit.  We thought we would give you a quick background on a man that sets the exceptional bar for all things design.  

Oscar de la Renta is a native of the Dominican Republic.  At the ripe age of 18, he headed to Madrid where he initially began his studies in the arts, particularly paintings.  While studying, he developed an increasing interest in fashion and design.  In 1963, he moved to the Big Apple and worked for Elizabeth Arden and in 1965 launched his own ready to wear collection.  The rest is history!

In the past week, a close friend has been lucky enough to be in his home in the Dominican Republic.  She said it was just as breathtaking as you would expect but had a wonderful relaxed feel.





Nearby his own home, The Tortuga Bay at Puntacana Resort boasts tropical creative interiors designed by THE MAN himself.  We could all use a dose of this fantastic retreat right about now!

After surveying the inventory at fashion week for Fall 2011, we just have one question.  Is there anything that Oscar de la Renta does not do perfectly?

  

BRAVO OSCAR!
You are the EPITOME of class 

Ms. Moss' Musings

One of the many highlights of the Antiques and Garden Show was the lecture given by designer Charlotte Moss.  After only a few sentences, we were again reminded why she is one of our favorite designers.  With her quick wit and straight forward manner of speaking, she is a woman we can really appreciate.   She centered most of her thoughts around the topic of "decorating", but her lecture was far from a formulaic "how to" speech.  Instead,  Charlotte gave us an intimate, inside view in her intricately detailed scrapbooks, which reveal so much about the breathtaking spaces that she creates.

photo courtesy of Charlotte Moss

 The lecture began with a visual feast of photographs from Moss' extensive travels.  She has carefully and beautifully documented those unique things that caught her eye or spoke to her heart on various trips around the world.  From the Potage in Versailles, to the door knobs in Italy she sees beyond the obvious beauty of a place to the often overlooked small treasures many miss on first glance.  "Seeing" was a major theme that ran throughout the lecture.  Charlotte shared a favorite quote that we found most moving from Rohald Dahl, which says: "And above all, watch with glittering eyes the world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places.  Those who don't believe in magic will never find it."

photo courtesy of Charlotte Moss

Her travel to destinations both near and far gave us the travel bug and reminded us the importance of documenting the beauty we have the privilege to see.  It is time to get out those scissors and glue sticks to start some long over due scrap-booking.  When one woman asked Charlotte how she stays on top of her impeccably detailed scrapbooks, she candidly answered, "staff."  We loved her pithy response!  Too bad there isn't any "staff" around here.

Gloria Vanderbilt- Vogue 1966

From travel, Moss moved on to the women of grace and charm that have inspired her own way of living.  Her list included included her Mother, a true Southern home-maker, Gloria Vanderbilt who represented the epitome of style when Moss was a young married woman, Elsie de Wolfe the first American interior decorator, Fleur Cowles who edited the short lived but dazzling, Flair magazine, and writer and fashion designer Pauline de Rothschild, just to name a few.  Her candid admiration for these women re-emphasized the importance of camaraderie and history in the design process, and in all of life for that matter.

Elsie de Wolfe's Villa Trainon at Versailles

Fleur Cowles in Vanity Fair

Pauline de Rothschild 

Finally she challenged us all to take more risks.  "Why Not?" she asked?  Why not float your bed in the middle of the room?  Why not display that  framed photograph on an easel in the living room to give it more importance?  After all, what do we have to lose?

Sweet Slumber

We hope you won't misunderstand our thoughts behind this post.   Yes, it's Valentines Day and we are sharing some soft, romantic bedrooms.  But we are worn and weary after the Antiques and Garden Show and we would be happy to climb into any of these beds and sleep...alone!   Maybe if we receive a foot massage and a glass of bubbly we can be persuaded differently (hint, hint boys).  

Happy Valentine's Day!

Antiques and Garden Show: Alexa Hampton

The Antiques and Garden Show of Nashville is just days away from opening and last minute preparations are being made as we type.  All we can tell you is that this is going to be a beautiful show.  

Another guest we are quite excited to welcome is interior designer Alexa Hampton.  Hampton joins the Antiques and Garden Show from New York on Saturday to present in the “Ask-an-Expert” series. Alexa is the daughter of the late design legend Mark Hampton.  Today she serves as the president and featured designer of Mark Hampton, LLC, a firm her father founded in 1976.  Alexa has put her own stamp on her father’s classic, gracious look, giving it a relaxed and modern quality that we love.

Today we bring you an personal interview with this design legend in the making:  

Your father is Mark Hampton, the legendary interior designer. What was the most valuable lesson you learned from him?

Answer: Every lesson I learned from my father is valuable, as I learned from him. It is hard to isolate just one. Perhaps the best thing I learned from working with him was the culture of hard word he perpetuated.

The show’s co-chairs are both mothers, as are many of the show’s attendees. As a mother of three young children, how do you create rooms that are both beautiful and impermeable to spills, rips, tears, etc.?

Answer: Nothing is entirely impervious to the trials and tribulations of family life. However, being a mother to three young children has encouraged me to be thoughtful about where I put my satins and taffetas, if I use them at all. A silk in my apartment would most likely be found on a curtain or a pillow or in my room which can be locked! The best thing that motherhood has brought to my workplace is a sense of humor.

How many years have you been coming to the Antiques and Garden Show? What continually excites you and draws you back to the show?

Answer: I have been coming to the Nashville Antiques and Gardens show since February of 2007, a mere 3 months after my twins were born. I fell in love with the Antiques Show and was so impressed by the people, the vendors, and the event that I can’t help but want to come back year after year.

In addition to being a wonderful designer, you’ve also demonstrated talent as a painter. Who is your favorite artist? Do you ever find that his/her style seeps into your aesthetic? 

Answer: First of all, make no mistake I am not that good of a painter. But that doesn’t keep me from loving many accomplished painters. My top five favorite painters are: Velasquez, Titian, Manet, Hammershoi, Sargent.

What’s your favorite room in a home – either to decorate or inhabit?

Answer: I love decorating Living Rooms best. Not only are they often the most used room of a house, but they are usually the most ambitious in terms of scope and design.


Images via NYtimes; Architectural Digest; Finest Rooms in America

Color Therapy

Color is making a comeback both in the fashion and design world and not a moment too soon.   A good dose of color is in order this time of year.  As of late, vibrant blues and lavenders are catching our eye.  Some call it bold, but we call it therapy.  

Super Bowl Snack

We take no credit for this perfect portion!  Martha Stewart is up to her old tricks and creates an easy, delicious way to share your Seven Layer Dip with your friends this weekend.

4 tablespoons safflower oil

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons chopped onion (from 1 medium onion)

4 garlic cloves, minced

2 cans (15 1/2 ounces each) pinto beans, drained, liquid reserved

2 medium tomatoes, finely chopped

1/2 teaspoon coarse salt

2 ripe avocados, halved, pitted, and peeled

1 to 2 pickled jalapeno chiles, minced

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sour cream

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

3 ounces cheddar cheese, grated (1 cup)

6 scallions, thinly sliced

6 ounces pitted black olives, chopped

1 to 2 bags tortilla chips, for serving

Heat oil in a large pan. Add 1 cup onion and the garlic, and cook over low heat until translucent, about 2 minutes. Stir in beans, and cook for 3 minutes. Roughly mash with the back of a spoon, adding reserved liquid as needed to attain desired consistency.

Mix tomatoes with remaining 2 tablespoons onion and the salt. Mash avocados with jalapenos, 2 tablespoons sour cream, and the lemon juice.

Spread 1/2 inch mashed beans into bottom of each jar. Top with 2 tablespoons cheddar, 1 tablespoon scallions, cup tomato mixture, 3 tablespoons avocado mixture, 2 tablespoons sour cream, then 2 1/2 tablespoons olives. (Alternatively, layer all ingredients in a large bowl.) Serve with chips.

The Super Bowl: SC Style

We have come a long way from the days of Joe Namath and his fur sideline coat!

There is no doubt that the big game is going to be all the rage this weekend.  As usual, the press has been gearing up for the Super Bowl for weeks.  It seems they are as excited for the creative commercials and halftime show as they are the actual game.  We have to admit, while we are both football fans, this year we have no allegiance to either team.

We simply can't help ourselves. When most people think of  the Super Bowl, they think of a great chili recipe to bring to their hosts' home, yet we find that our minds drift to the colors that each team wears with great pride.  It's not just the terrible towels and the cheese heads that are a vibrant yellow.  This hue seems to be a hot color in design and fashion at the moment as well.  Whether you are cheering for the Packers or the Steelers, we have posted a few images to inspire!

May the best team win!

Mary Mcdonald, Mario Testino, Elle Decor, Harpers Bazaar, Vogue Metropolitan Home