STYLE CHRONICLE

Spring Ride

2011-03-22T22:07:00.002-05:00

Léa présente la nouvelle collection... by BonpointParis

Two of our children learned to ride a bicycle this week, so when we saw the sweet spring Bonpoint video we had to smile. Do you remember the day you learned to ride a bike? It was magical...

Happy Spring!

Flair

2011-03-15T16:05:00.008-05:00

One of our most favorite guilty pleasures is a magazine read. After hearing Charlotte Moss' lecturer a few weeks ago, we can not stop thinking about what it would have been like to have been around when Fleur Cowles' Flair Magazine was in publication. We thought all of you paper junkies would appreciate some good research on one of the most extravagant and avant-garde magazines ever published.

Fleur Cowles was born Florence Freidman, in New Jersey. She married several times and had various jobs in the advertising and publishing world during her early career. Cowles first gained notoriety as associate editor of Look Magazine in the late 1940's . Throughout her life, this creative and ambitious woman traveled extensively and networked with the who's who of the day.

Cowles' most defining and outstanding achievement was the publication of Flair. This highly unique publication covered all the subjects that interested its editor: fashion, design, travel, entertainment, literature and art. During its 12 months of publication, Flair published works by the Duchess of Windsor, Salvador Dali, Jean Cocteau, Gypsy Rose Lee, Tennessee Williams and many more notable cultural influencers. Not only was the magazine's content enlightened and provocative, but its lavish design was like nothing ever seen before. The signature cover had a die-cut hole in it's center which gave the readers a tease of the feast that lay inside. The publication's extravagance brought abut it's demise. Each issue cost more than two dollars to publish and sold for fifty cents and issue. Despite the magazine's short lived-life, it's cultural impact continues to this day.

We know you have seen this image a time or two before but this dazzling lady against a blue sofa and over sized lamp never gets old!

South of Market

2011-03-12T08:44:00.001-06:00

We find it most interesting when we see a well executed room with just the right amount of diverse decor. It takes one talented person and vision to pull all of that together. It is certainly why designers have a job. It is a true art to be able to mix and match all types of furniture and to come up with a plan. One of our favorite spots for great accessories is a shop in Atlanta called South of Market. Named because it is literally just south of Atlanta's Design Mart, ADAC. You can find wonderful treasures mixed with furniture that would be classified as rustic chic. If you are ever in the area, it is well worth your trip. Happy Shopping!

Big Stuff Bruno

2011-03-08T15:38:00.000-06:00

Are you familiar with this handsome fellow's website? If you aren't click here. Michael Bruno, founder of the decorative arts and fine arts online marketplace, 1st Dibs, has brought the archaic antique business up to speed with the fast-paced modern world. 1st Dibs is a primary source for designers and DIY decorators alike to find impeccably well-edited pieces and stay abreast on current design trends.

Last month, 1st Dibs opened its first physical showroom in NYC. For those of you who still need to touch, smell and feel a piece before making a pricey investment, this outpost is going to be a dream come true. Buyer beware, most of the pieces aren't steals or deals, but they provide loads of inspiration for those who appreciate the exquisite. Located on the 10th floor of the New York Design Center, this open to the public swoon-worthy upscale antique mall is on our must visit list the next time we are in the area.

Mystery Man

2011-03-06T20:56:00.001-06:00

Designer- Architect Daniel Romualdez is certainly having his day in the design world sun. His work is popping up all over the shelter magazine world. We just wish the that sun would shine just a little bit brighter so we could know more about this daring designer. What we do know is this:

He has designed the homes of Marina Rust, Tory Burch, Diane von Furstenberg, Paul Goldberger, the architecture critic for the New Yorker, and most recently model-muse Daphne Guiness' New York apartment.

He isn't afraid of color and mixes them with a youthful yet sophisticated manner.

He has got "fresh traditional" down pat.

And he certainly knows how to curate a space, mixing the humble with the refined.

But we want to see more

and hear more from this mystery man. Mr Romualdez, are you listening?

images via Architectural Digest and Instyle

Art into Fashion

2011-03-02T21:06:00.000-06:00

As of late, we have been intrigued by the art collections that the major US museums have displayed. We think one of the most interesting of all is being housed at The Philadelphia Museum March 16 - June 5 2011. Roberto Capucci is a brilliant Italian couturier designer. He was born in 1930 and began studying his craft at an early age. He was easily inspired by architecture, art and nature which is evident in his detailed creations. Although his sketches and illustrations are mesmerizing, it is his dresses that are awe inspiring. He is known for his innovative silhouettes, bold color and materials. He is especially interested in pleats, organza and taffeta. His attention to detail is UNBELIEVABLE and we really are a bit obsessed with his talent! Take a look at some of his greatest pieces and if you happen to be in Philly over the next few months...Stop in!

Ode to Oscar!

2011-02-19T21:01:00.001-06:00

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

2011-02-16T20:46:00.001-06:00

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

2011-02-13T21:56:00.004-06:00

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

2011-02-08T20:52:00.001-06:00

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

2011-02-06T21:56:00.001-06:00

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

2011-02-05T09:46:00.000-06:00

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

2011-02-03T21:49:00.003-06:00

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

My Father's Daughter

2011-02-01T10:03:00.001-06:00

It comes as no suprise that Gwyneth Paltrow graces the Spring Fashion Issue of Harper's Bazaar in the UK for their March issue. Her glam photo spread leaves no doubt that this mega star has it all!

And although we are happy to see her in the latest and greatest, we are more excited about the personal journey she has taken since becoming a mother. She has opened up about her has struggles in the past few years due to her father's death, but she seems to have risen above and ended up on top! Gywneth's latest accomplishment is a cookbook called My Father's Daughter: Delicious, Easy Recipes Celebrating Family and Togetherness. What a remarkable way to honor her fathers memory. The forward is written by her friend Mario Batali whom she recently spent time with in Spain to experience what we can only imagine was an amazing culinary feast and an invaluable life experience.

Here are few thing's Gwyneth has to say about food, cooking and family life:

"In the last ten years or so, cooking has become my main ancillary passion in life."

"The stove is really the epicenter of my house — I am never far away from it and most of the time there is something atop it, simmering away for my family."

"I am constantly thinking about ways to give my children something filled with as much nutritional value as possible."
"More often than not when I prepare desserts, I am thinking about keeping the sugar intake low, as well as limiting other ingredients that don't do us any favors."

"When I was growing up, the tomato soup I had was Campbell's, and how I love it to this day."

The book is scheduled to be on the shelves April 13, 2011. If you would like to pre-order a copy just click HERE.
Hats off to you Gwyneth. You are a treasure!

Bon Appetite!!

Quotes from NY Mag, Harper's Bazaar UK and Vogue

Antiques and Garden Show: Cinema Style

2011-01-30T21:59:00.003-06:00

As you know by now, we are in the countdown to Nashville's Antique and Garden Show 2011. The accomplished journalist and interior designer, Cathy Whitlock, will grace this year's show as one of the featured lecturers. Whitlock is the author of the newly released book Designs on Film: A Century of Hollywood Art Direction. She also happens to have one of the most successful blogs in the biz: wwwcinemastyle.blogspot.com. Whitlock has been published internationally by some of the most influential publications and it was our pleasure to catch up with her and ask a few questions.

FYI, Cathy Whitlock will be signing her new book at the Antique and Garden Show on February 12 at 2:00pm. If you live in the area we hope to see you there!

If you would like a copy of her book, please click on the link above and it will send you directly to the site! We HIGHLY recommend you do!

You are a local Nashvillian. What do you love most about our great city?

Nashville is a beautiful city and it's an easy way of life here and a well-kept secret (although you wouldn't know it with the traffic on West End and Hillsboro). And I love Vanderbilt basketball as my family has had season tickets since I was a child!

What propelled you to start a design blog that centers around design and film?

I have been covering the subject for the magazines for many years and with the book coming out, I thought it would be a great tie-in.

How would you sum up the influence of film and media on today's design world?

Hollywood has long been an arbiter of taste both good and bad and has been such an influence on our fashion, design and even mores whether we realize it or not. The cinema has historically set fashion trends -- just look at the popularity of Julia Robert's polka dot dress in Pretty Woman and Katherine Hepburn put women's pants on the map for example -- and interior design has followed suit. The beach house in Something's Gotta Give has been one of the most copied and talked about interiors in movie history.

What film(s) have most influenced your personal style?

In terms of fashion, I am a child of the sixties and love anything from that era, particularly the Doris Day films. I loved Faye Dunaway's style in the Thomas Crown Affair was pretty memorable. (We are now seeing a resurgence of that period on television with Mad Men). In terms of film interiors, I could move in to Thomas Crown's townhouse (the sequel), A Perfect Murder's penthouse or the Los Angeles Wallace Neff bungalow in The Holiday. My favorite interiors from older films would include Laura, The Fountainhead and Indiscreet just to name a few.

Do any of the films that are up for Oscars this year stand out in your mind as having memorable set design?

The King's Speech sets were incredible as they were done on a shoestring budget and not the typical over the top costume drama designs. I predict the fresco wall in Logue's studio will be copied over and over again. From a technical standpoint, Inception used a combination of live action shots and CGI (computer generated imagery) and made it so believable!

Your book Redesign takes a close look at the new and expanded role of the interior designer. What do you see as the biggest difference between the role of the interior designer of today with the role of the designer 20 years ago?

Designers today are expanding their practices past the tried and true areas of residential and contract. While this has been going on for years -- Dorothy Draper had a magazine column, books and even designed cosmetic packaging and the interiors for the Packard automobile back in the her heyday -- it is even more important now due to the economy. Today the name of the game is branding and everyone can take a page from Martha Stewart's playbook!

Who are your personal design icons?

For icons -- Jackie O, Grace Kelly and Catherine Deneuve hands down. For fashion designers - Bury me in Balenciaga and line my coffin in Hermes scarves! And for interiors, Billy Baldwin and David Hicks. I also love William Haines as he was the true designer of Hollywood Regency.

SC's most wanted list: Christopher Spitzmiller Lamps

2011-01-25T21:00:00.001-06:00

You are most likely already familiar with Christopher Sptizmiller's beautiful lamps. They have been around for more than a decade, and in that time have become classic pieces of our design era. Sptizmiller's most popular style, the gourd lamp, has inspired a myriad of knock-off's, none of which compare to the remarkable workmanship of Sptizmiller's orginals. We continue to be enamored with these luxurious and timeless pieces and are always watching to see what new styles this talented ceramic artist will create.

In a world filled with mass-produced, mediocre goods, Spitzmiller's couture-like approach, creating one-of-a-kind pieces at a slow and meticulous pace, is edifying and inspiring. His artistic process is one that gives the utmost attention to detail and maintains the highest standard of perfection. Sptizmiller and his staff of six artisans create no more than 60 hand thrown lamps each month, at least two of which we are pining away to own!

Each lamp is drenched in a vibrant glaze that give the lamps an luminous, dewy look when lit. The ceramic forms are placed upon gorgeous gilt bases and adorned with beautiful custom hardware.

The end result...? Perfection.

Spiztmiller's designs are staples in designer Todd Ramano's uber-chic shops. We spy a pair of the new Villa lamps designed by Charlotte Moss for Spitzmiller's collection flanking the sofa in Romano's LA shop below!

A few years ago, Spitzmiller teamed up with the talented ceramic artist Clare Potter to create the most gorgeous pieces that we are sure will become the heirlooms of tomorrow. Spitzmiller hand throws the lamps and vases, creating a perfect canvas on which Potter works her magic, adorning them with intricate ceramic botanicals and other natural elements.

These gorgeous pieces of art are at the top of our "most wanted" list. A girl can always dream can't she?

pics: New York Social Diary, All the Best, Elle Decor

And the Oscar goes to....

2011-01-25T08:46:00.001-06:00

The Oscar Nominations for 2011 have been announced! The best costume nominees were all well worth the nod. Johnny Depp has never looked so good...well maybe he has but he always looks great. We were a bit suprised that Natalie Portmans' Rodarte designed swan attire was not included but are certain she will have a great night regardless! We are particularly partial to Tilda Swintons' wardrobe in I am Love, CLASSIC. The craftsmen that work tirelessly on these ensembles are truly some of the most talented in the business.

Take a look at the nominees...

Alice in Wonderland

I am Love

The King's Speech

The Tempest

True Grit

Be sure to tune into the 83rd Academy Awards on February 27, 2011!

Foodie

2011-01-21T20:47:00.002-06:00

There is nothing better than a yummy pot of chili on the stove during these winter months. If you are hosting a Super Bowl party or have just have a large crowd coming for dinner this season, here is a recipe we tweaked from Food.com that leave our guest clamoring for more!

Ingredients

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

5 cloves garlic, chopped

1 tablespoon kosher salt

1-2 teaspoons chili powder (depending on desired spiciness)

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 chipolte chile en adobo, coarsely chopped, with 1 tablespoon sauce (optional -- omitting the chili will reduce the spice)

1 pound ground beef

1 (12-ounce) bottle beer (Mexican lager -style beer is the best but any beer will do)

1 (14 1/2-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, with their juice

1 (15 1/2-ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained

Optional Garnishes: Sliced scallions, cilantro sprigs, avocado, sour cream, grated Monterey Jack or Cheddar Cheese, and/or tortilla chips

Directions

Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic, salt, chili powder, and oregano and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and the chipotle chile and sauce; cook 1 minute more. Add the turkey, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and cook until the meat loses its raw color, about 3 minutes. Add the beer and simmer until reduced by about half, about 8 minutes. Add the tomatoes--crushing them through your fingers into the skillet--along with their juices and the beans; bring to a boil. Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until thick, about 10 minutes.

Serve with the garnishes of your choice.

An Apple a Day...

2011-01-20T15:19:00.002-06:00

And a little help from this guy!

My times have changed! The world seems to be at a faster pace than it was 25 years ago when our friend Richard Simmons was all the rage. Gone are the days of leg warmers and wristbands...at least for the moment.

These days the time seems to fly and we squeeze in our workouts as quick as possible! We want to encourage you to get out and move...it's not so easy on cold dreary days but consider this your motivation and STAY HEALTHY!

Gisele Bundchen

Christy Turlington

Elle McPherson

Jennifer Aniston

Kate Hudson

You do need to take the plunge and order Tracy Anderson's workout videos...GUESS WHAT? They really work. Check out some of her adoring clients.

Gwyneth Paltow, Tracy Anderson and Madonna

We both love to go for long jogs and crank our music as loud as the volume control will allow but regardless the number of songs you have downloaded, we all get tired of the same old tunes. Here is a great playlist to help you get moving. We would love for you to share some of your favorites with us!

Grab your shuffle and GO!

Elevation - U2

Rolling in the Deep - Adele

Stronger - Kayne West

Amnesia - Mozella

Creep - Scala and Kolacny Brothers

A-Punk - Vampire Weekend

Here with Me - Dido

Brass Monkey - Beastie Boys

Glory Days - Bruce Springsteen

Bonkers - Dizee Rascal

South Side - Moby and Gwen Stefani

Forget You - Cee Lo Green

In the Summertime - Mungo Jerry

Chic Retreat

2011-01-18T19:52:00.001-06:00

There is one thing for certain..it is January in Nashville!

We have enjoyed an unusually white season thus far which made us think of our favorite winter wonderlands. There is really nothing more magical than being out west and realizing how small we are in the grand scheme of life. There have been so many amazing homes that have been built to suit an rustic lifestyle. The mountaintops make such a beautiful backdrop for a cozy interior. If our husbands had it their way, we would be living in tents in the middle of Colorado...OPPOSITES really do attract!

Antiques and Garden Show: An Interview with Charlotte

2011-01-13T20:47:00.000-06:00

The Antiques and Garden Show of Nashville is only a month away and Betsy and her fabulous co-chair, Kathy Rolfe are busy pulling the last minute details together. We can tell you this, the event is going to be spectacular. Sarah has the daunting task of chairing the event in 2012 along with her friend, Debbie Best, and the seeds are being laid for another great year.

We’re thrilled to have internationally renowned interior designer Charlotte Moss attend this year’s Antiques and Garden Show for the first time ever. We love this woman's design philosophy -- which is to entertain beautifully, decorate luxuriously, to live passionately, and always maintain a sense of humor through it all. Based in New York, Charlotte is known for her sense of warmth, using feminine colors and fabrics. We have this great interview for the show and are thrilled to share it with you our readers both near and far!

Your blog’s tagline is C'est Inspiré, or “what is inspiring.” What inspires you?

Answer: Part of what’s interesting in design is what gets other people excited about it and what motivates them to create. At the same time, I ask myself “what can I do?” to inspire other people, through my work, through ideas, and through photographs, on C’est Inspire on our website.

This is your first time to the Antiques and Garden Show of Nashville. What are you particularly excited about for this year’s show?

Answer: Another opportunity to shop at a great antiques show!

You bought Jackie Kennedy’s handwritten notes about entertaining at the White House. What is your favorite discovery or practice that you uncovered from this archive?

Answer: I bought at an auction a notebook of menus of dinners from the White House, personal notes to the White House staff about certain meals at the White House and lists in Jackie’s own handwriting of foods for her children - which meats, which vegetables, which fruits etc.. What this revealed to me was the level of detail that she attended to in her family’s life. She did the same in her management of the White House. It was at the level a company CEO. A very important legacy, one that many can relate to.

You hail from the South and now live in New York. What elements from your home do you incorporate into your aesthetic which holds international appeal?

Answer: I think it’s not ever so much about the objects as it is the attitude. I think Southerners carry with them wherever they go a sense of ease and congeniality that translates into the home a sense of welcome and invitation.

What sort of energy do you aspire to cultivate when designing a room?

Answer: First of all, a room should always have energy. Rooms should be calm, comforting and relaxing. But once the music gets turned on and the people walk through the door, it’s a whole different vibe. The people give a room energy.

We are looking forward to hearing more from this lovely lady at the show. If you are in the area be sure to get tickets (click here to purchase) for her lecture which will be held Friday, February 11th at 10:30 am at the Convention Center.

Also, FYI, Charlotte will be coming out with another book in March through Rizolli press entitled, Charlotte Moss Decorates: The Art of Creating Elegant and Inspiring Rooms. We can't wait to get a further glimpse into this design mastermind's creative process. Pre-sales for this book will be sold at this year's Antiques and Garden Show along with all of her other inspiring publications.

As we seek to solidify our lecturers for 2012 we would love to hear from you.

Who would you like to see and hear from at next year's show? HMMM???

Living with Lauren

2011-01-11T15:17:00.002-06:00

We can't tell you how excited we were to see that Vogue had featured Lauren Santo Domingo's Flatiron apartment online today. We have been dying to see this style icon's digs for quite some time and the images left us drooling. Married two years ago, and now expecting her first child, Santo Domingo has created quite a nest. Filled with personal and eclectic finds, her spaces are a cacophony of well edited pieces that she says "are constantly changing and evolving."

We are not the only ones buzzing about these newly published images. Vogue's most wanted list is filled with items similar to those featured in Lauren Santo Domingo's apartment. And pop over to Tory Burch's blog to read LSD's guide to throwing the perfect mid-winter party at home. (Click on the capitalized letters to access the link.) Enjoy!

Images courtesy of Vogue, photographed by Claiborne Swanson Frank

Winter Whites

2011-01-09T21:00:00.002-06:00

Victoria Hagan

We are gearing up for a snow storm here in the Southeast so we thought it fitting to share our favorite winter white rooms. There is nothing more beautiful to show off great art or architecture than white walls. We prefer our whites balanced with dark accents and mixed with touches of gold for a sophisticated look.

With seven kids between us, you might be surprised to know we both have white living rooms. Sisal carpets and plenty of indoor/outdoor fabrics make white work with our lifestyle. Be sure to check out our favorite white paint colors below. When it comes to white paint colors, we have tried them ALL!

Veere Grenney

House Beautiful

Miles Redd courtesy of Habitually Chic

Miles Redd

Timothy Whealon

Jacques Grange

Benjamin Moore China White

Benjamin Moore Atrium White

Farrow and Ball Pointing

Benjamin Moore Cloud White

Benjamin Moore Elephant Tusk

Benjamin Moore White Dove

Benjamin Moore Linen White

"I do"...and she did too!

2011-01-07T21:06:00.002-06:00

There is no question that we think winter is the perfect time to get married. Just in case you are wondering, we are both January brides. Truth be told, we could not wait until the spring to say 'I do." Here are a few of our favorite ideas for the season...

P.S. Happy anniversary to both of our kind handsome husbands.... Thanks for our best ten years!

Or if all of this is a bit much for you...may we suggest this hot spot!
Either way...he's all yours!

{images: martha stewart}

Green Thumb

2011-01-04T20:07:00.003-06:00

We have always said that a great frame is just as important as the piece of art it holds. We think the same about landscaping to a beautiful home.....

Since we are in the dead of winter and could all use a dose of green, we thought we would introduce you to one fine man who happens to be exceptionally talented. Gavin Duke is a Nashville based landscape architect but don't be fooled...he is one busy fellow. With projects spanning the country, he is a man in high demand. As mentioned in an earlier post, we are both very busy making sure that this years Antique and Garden Show of Nashville is a BIG HIT. The crew involved asked Gavin to be our Entry Garden Designer and he graciously agreed. Plans are drawn and the ELEMENTS are in place...Now we just have to wait till February to see his creation take center stage.

We are told that the entrance garden is largely influenced by European, tailored garden structure. His philosophy of landscape design is to create a seamless integration of the built environment and its surroundings. Gavin’s work has been published in national and international publications. He is truly a local talent in our own backyard.

Visit Antiques and Garden Show of Nashville on Facebook (www.facebook.com/antiquesandgardenshow) to get a full interview...It is worth the read!

The Best of Intentions...

2011-01-03T20:55:00.003-06:00

We have to come clean. Neither one of us makes New Year's Resolutions. Sure we want to live life more fully this year: light more candles, say kinder words, listen to more music and read more books, spend more meaningful time with our families. But overall, if we set about to make changes in ourselves or our lives we don't need a New Year to mark the occasion. So instead of giving you some contrived list of our own we thought we would share the fun resolutions set out by some of our favorite designers and tastemakers on 1st dibs.

Charlotte Moss

"I will simply respond to more challenges, more questions, more ideas by responding, WHY NOT, a whole lot more. I've never been one to take NO lying down. But now I am feeling even more feisty. You only go around once!"

Bunny Williams

"My New Years Resolution is to try and create as many jobs in the interior design profession as I can."

Kelly Wearstler

"I want to travel to India with my boys and share with them the most fascinating and beautiful places I have ever seen -- and also show them how fortunate we are."

Steven Gambrel

"My New Years Resolution is to investigate all expenses, like insurance and phones, and edit out what I don't really need..."

Maybe he can come take inventory in our homes when he is finished with his own?

David Netto

"I am going to continue my campaign to convince people of the greatness of the movie Hot Tub Time Machine (you would be surprised how many skeptics there are). I am going to convince The Wall Street Journal to let me write the story of the the three collectors I most admire in this century (look for it). " Don't worry David, we will be waiting and watching the Off Duty section!

Windsor Smith

"I am going to complete my equestrian estate, compiling all my journals I have written about the process...actualize my dream of launching a very smart and utterly spellbinding blog on life, nostalgia and design...expand my new roomsinabox.com website to reach a broader audience....

take more creative days per month to fill the fill the inspiration well...spend more time Salsa dancing and less time rushing to appointments... say yes to more meaningful opportunities, say no to superfluous ones..."

Daryl Carter

"My New Years Resolution this coming year is not to impose a ridiculous resolution upon myself, which generally involves abstinence from something fun that I already don't do enough of. I am just going to go out on a limb and say we could all use a little more fun"

Well said Mr. Carter. Well said.

{images: 1- traditional home; 2- elle decor: 3- kwid.com; 4- via habitually chic; 5- david netto; 6- architectural digest january 2011; 7- elle decor}

The Best of 2010

2010-12-30T17:39:00.001-06:00

Reed Krakoff
Vogue

What better way to end the year than by sharing our favorite, most inspiring spaces that were published in 2010? While they may differ greatly in their composition, they all have enduring style that will last for years to come. We can't wait to see what will inspire us in 2011. Happy New Year!

Kate and Andy Spade's Living Room
The Selby

Ralph Lauren Dining Room

Elle Decor

Timothy Whealon
Veranda

Miles Redd Dressing Room

Town and Country

Steven Gambrel
Elle Decor

Nate Berkus and Anne Coyle
Elle Decor

Roman and Williams

Elle Decor

Paula Caravelli
Elle Decor

David Netto
1st Dibs

The Hand Written Word

2010-12-28T21:52:00.000-06:00

The presents have all been opened and the hustle and bustle has finally died down. Now it is time to curl up by the fire and write those thank you notes. In a world full of emails and cell phones, it is simply lovely to find a hand written note in your mailbox and we wholeheartedly believe that writing thank you notes is a must! Here are some of our favorite sources for pretty paper on which to jot that heart-felt thanks. Remember, just click the text below each image to direct you to the website. Happy hand writing!

Jack and Lulu

Charles Fradin

Vera Wang for William Arthur

Frocks that Rock

2010-12-26T10:21:00.000-06:00

This book came in Betsy's stocking and we thought it was worth sharing! The London Design Museum has compiled a fun and interesting collection of famous dresses that have reached iconic statuses. Perusing its pretty pages is like walking through the world's most exquisite closet. Whether it's that little black dress, a flirty mini, that classic wrap dress, a goddess maxi, or that Chanel suit, chances are one of your favorite frocks was inspired by one of these iconic fashion breakthroughs.

Coco Chanel's iconic suit

The Queen of England's Coronation Dress

by Norman Hartnell

Jackie Kennedy in Oleg Cassini

Missoni's Bohemian breakthrough

The Safari Dress by Yves Saint Laurent

The Goddess Dress by Versace

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T20:44:00.000-06:00

We are thankful for all of you...

We wish you a happy and peaceful Holiday Weekend!

Craving Cocoa

2010-12-19T19:34:00.000-06:00

Last Year, my husband and I had dinner at a place called Prune in NYC...along with our bill came a delectable dark chocolate delight. It made it worth every penny! A piece of chocolate is this foodie's greatest indulgence!

teen dream

2010-12-16T19:09:00.001-06:00

Have you seen the little girl's room former Domino Editor, Tori Mellott, decorated Teen Vogue's J.C. Penny bedding launch? We have to be honest, we are not sure about the floral coverlet but the rest of the space is fun, colorful, and best of all affordable!

Using pieces such as a parson's desk from West Elm, a bulletin board from Pottery Barn, and and a neon-yellow spray painted chair that was originally black, from Wisteria, Mellot pulled together a playful and functional desk space for this young student.

Girls of all ages need their pretty place and Mellot created one for this young girl using a lucite console from CB2 and a silver garden stool (sorry! you can't see it) from Wisteria.

Doesn't this space almost make you want to be a teenager again? ...almost?

The Greatest

2010-12-14T22:37:00.000-06:00

Hands down, our favorite fellow in the design world is Albert Hadley. HE IS ICONIC! And the best part of that is that he has no idea. He is actually from Nashville, Tennessee and began studying design at the Parsons School in New York City. He worked for several companies before he landed famously with Sister Parish forming Parish Hadley in 1971. His rooms have made design history spanning from the Kennedy White House to Mrs. Astor's library.

Although he's been at it for years, we can not get enough of his timeless projects.

One of both of our favorite New York stores, Gerald Bland, offers a collection of sketches penned by this legendary designer.

Just look at his business ad...does it get any more chic than this...NOPE!

images: 1- albert hadley & sister parish; 2- house beautiful; 3- elle decor; 4- lonny; 5- elle decor; 6- gerald bland

Party Perfect

2010-12-13T05:47:00.002-06:00

Come visit us over at Party Resources today. We will be guest blogging about all of our holiday party and decorating favorites! The post will be up at 9 am. (Click on the words "Party Resources" to get to our post)

A Present for your Santa

2010-12-09T21:03:00.001-06:00

Barbour Jacket

We already know what we want...what about that handsome man that is impossible to shop for? With two husbands and 5 sons between us, we are on the endless search for the perfect gift. Here are some fabulous finds your santa is sure to love.

Suunto Watch

Mad Hungry Cookbook

Peter Elliott Weekend Bag

Herman Miller SAYL Chair

GAP

Nordstom Cufflink

Col. Littleton leather portfolio

Apple TV

Guts and Glory: The Golden Age of American Football 1958-1978

Moleskin ipad Cover

Swiftwick Socks

For Your Little Elves

Star Wars Lego Watch

Fingerless Gloves....COOL!

Fathead life size sports wall sticker...fun!

Please...Can We Join You Eloise?

2010-12-07T20:33:00.001-06:00

When we think of Christmas in New York City, we think of the Plaza Hotel. At the corner of Central Park South and 5th Avenue, overlooking Central Park, stands one of the worlds most storied hotels. It opened its doors in 1907 and was Designed by Henry Janeway Hardenbergh. This French Renaissance Chateau-style building was built in what was considered the most fashionable area in NYC. The Plaza has served as a long-term residence for many wealthy and famous individuals including members of the Vanderbilt family and Ernest Hemingway. The hotel has a long history of glitter and glamour that includes Truman Capotes' Black and White Ball in 1966 and most recently Sarah Jessica Parker's 40th birthday bash. Recently, the hotel underwent a major renovation and now has 282 updated guest rooms as well as condos for permanent residence.

The plaza is known as the place to bring your little girl for an afternoon tea and has been for generations. The author of the popular "Eloise" children's book series, Kay Thompson, lived at the Plaza hotel and her books center around a precocious six year old girl who lives at the Plaza as well.

Two years after the first Eloise book's publication, a painting was hung in the lobby of the hotel.

The portrait disappeared after a fraternity party. As the story goes, when Princess Grace toured the hotel with her children, she was dismayed to find the portrait gone. After that, the artist painted a new one that hangs in the hotel, close to where Eloise lunches on rainy days.

Image of the Plaza from the early 1900's

Entrance of the Plaza as it sits today

An image of the glorious hotel at night

The renovated Fifth Avenue lobby

The Palm Court with Tiffany styled stained- glass domed ceiling

The Plaza has been the setting for many of our favorite films. Remember, Jane Fonda in Barefoot in the Park?

Truman Capote at the Black and White Ball

A guest room today

And a guest room bath. Move over Eloise!

The Hilfiger's new fashion-forward apartment at the Plaza was recently featured in Harper's Bazaar.

The Hilfiger Kitchen

Our friend Eloise perched on sofa

A Plaza roof-top Vanity Fair photo shoot.

SJP's 40th

(vanity fair images by todd eberle; harper's bazaar images by douglas friedman)

Merry Mantels

2010-12-05T20:58:00.003-06:00

We both agree, when it comes to holiday decor, less is more. Loads of bows and swags are just not our style. But a well decked mantle gets us in the holiday spirit (...that and a little mistletoe!). We prefer to use a simple garland of magnolia leaves, bay leaf, boxwood or arbor vitae mixes with pine cones or other natural elements. Have you decorated your mantle yet? If not, here are some pretty ones to inspire.

Foodie

2010-12-04T16:34:00.003-06:00

(if all of this is a bit too much...go buy a gallon of peppermint ice cream)

3 large egg whites

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon pure peppermint extract

Red gel-paste food coloring

1 cup heavy cream

6 ounces good-quality semisweet chocolate, finely chopped

Preheat oven to 175 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper; secure corners with masking tape. Fit a pastry bag with a small open-star tip. Set aside.

Make meringues: Put egg whites and sugar in the heatproof bowl of an electric mixer. Set bowl over a pan of simmering water, and stir gently until sugar has dissolved and mixture is warm to the touch, 2 to 3 minutes.

Transfer bowl to an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Mix on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Mix in peppermint extract.

Using a new small paintbrush, paint 2 or 3 stripes of red food coloring inside the pastry bag. Fill bag with 1 to 2 cups meringue. Pipe small (3/4-inch-high) star shapes onto prepared baking sheets. Refill bag as necessary, adding food coloring each time.

Bake cookies until crisp but not brown, about 1 hour 40 minutes. Let cool completely on sheets on wire racks.

Meanwhile, make ganache: Heat cream in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until just simmering. Pour over chocolate in a small bowl. Let stand 5 minutes. Gently stir until smooth, about 5 minutes. Let ganache cool at room temperature, stirring every 5 to 10 minutes, until thick enough to hold its shape, about 45 minutes. (If ganache sets before using, reheat in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water; repeat the cooling process.)

Fill a pastry bag fitted with a small plain round tip with ganache. Pipe a small amount onto bottom of 1 meringue. Sandwich with another. Repeat with remaining ganache and meringues. Transfer to wire racks; let set 30 minutes. Cookies can be stored in a single layer in airtight containers at room temperature up to 2 days.

recipe by Martha Stewart

50 under 50..tax not included

2010-12-02T19:17:00.007-06:00

Peppermint Bark

The Perfect Holiday Treat!

After countless hours of looking for what we thought was the best under 50...it has arrived.

Happy Shopping!

(just click the text to purchase)

Drum Roll PLEASE...

Encyclopedia of the Exquisite...Need we say more!

Lightweight Scarf

Moroccan Oil - Promise it does WONDERS for your hair!

Our Favorite Eco Friendly Guy...Wall-E

Salt and Pepper Shaker

This is New York...A Childrens Classic

Kiehls Gift Set

2011 Calendar - The Perfect Hostess Gift

Lululemon t shirt - They cover your back side!

Celestial Coasters from Anthropologie

Bamboo Pens from iomoi

Give the gift of hope because that is what the season is all about

Or how about a flock of chicks from Heifer International to nourish those in need?

Zipfy mini luge

Personalized note pads from Chloe-In-Style

Love Notecards

Bobbi Brown Palette for some seriously smoky eyes

Cashmere Gloves from J Crew

Create Your Own Puzzle from the Museum of Modern Art

Jams From Star Provisions

Linnea Lights Candle

Jotter

J Crew Sleep Shirt so she doesn't have to borrow her husband's anymore

Tiffany Playing Cards. Add a monogram to make them more personal.

Joy Mangano huggable hangers. A Bunny Williams favorite and we think they are pretty fantastic too!

Or how about giving your sugar plum fairy tickets to a local Nutcraker performance?

Essie Lollipop nail polish. The perfect stocking stuffer!

Gold Bangles

Hydra LED Book Light

Partners Tea. Our nightly addiction...

Bone Boxes

Acrylic Frame

Nars Lip Gloss. We love the shade Belize.

Subscription to a Magazine

Trader Joe's Chocolate

Peppermint Swirls make a sweet treat!

Stationary

Nike ipod Sports Kit. Do we hear New Years Resolutions coming on?

Christie Cookie
Trust Us...We've been eating these for years...They are the best!

Bobble Water Bottle

Serendipity Hot Cocoa

Red Lacquer frame from Crate and Barrel

Blackberry Farms Granola

Lego Speakers

Kate's Paperie boxed set

Melissa and Doug Crayons

Rosie Flo Holiday Coloring Book

Williams Sonoma Marshmallows

Ina Garten Cookbook

Red Letter Day

2010-11-30T22:28:00.000-06:00

Happy December...Here is a little red to kick off your bold and beautiful season!

image 1 Peter Dunham; image 2 Art by Cy Twombly; image 3 Jan Roden; image 4 hot mamma heidi klum; image 5 Miles Redd; image 6 via absolutely beautiful things; image 7 Erika Jack; image 8 Miles Redd Elle Decor

Brrrrrrr......

2010-11-28T20:57:00.001-06:00

There is nothing more exciting about the weather changing than thinking about cozy fireplaces.

Here are some images to warm you up!

And since the holiday's are around the corner, these colorful fireplace lighters would make a great gift for the person who has everything.

Luxury List

2010-11-25T20:59:00.000-06:00

Reed Krakoff Bag

It's time to kickoff the holiday season! If your past due for that something over-the-top special...this is the list for you.

Stella McCartney Dress

Tangerine Sky Bracelet

Manolo Blahnik Shoes

Lanvin Dress

Hermes China

Bogner Ski Jacket

Ralph Lauren Cashmere Throw

Air Delsur Tray

Burberry Coat

Michael Kors Watch

Halston Vest

Give Thanks

2010-11-24T19:34:00.000-06:00

For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food,

And love and friends,

For everything thy goodness sends.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Book Club

2010-11-24T09:08:00.000-06:00

It's no secret we have a mild obsession with books, and the newly released book Portrait of Camelot: A Thousand Days in the Kennedy White House, just shot to the top of our wish list. It has been 50 years since JFK was sworn into Presidency and the "Camelot era" was officially ushered in. Political Historian, Richard Reeves promises to deliver an new intimate look into the Kennedy family's 1000+ days in office with never seen before photos from White House Photographer, Cecil W. Stoughton. Be sure to check out the super fun and dreamy trailer from the DVD, which is included with the book, featuring Kennedy family movies here.

images via amazon and vanity fair

The Green Machine

2010-11-23T21:11:00.000-06:00

Every February in Nashville, the Antiques and Garden show is a bright spot for our community. Betsy has taken on the challenge of co-chairing this big event with another one of our dear friends. The show is comprised of 150 antique and horticulture dealers from across the globe. In addition, the show has a history of hosting the top tastemakers in the design industry. Martha Stewart, Michael Smith, Bunny Williams and Colin Cowie have all made appearances...just to name a few. This year promises to be one of the best with Charlotte Moss kicking off our lecture series. We promise to keep you well informed regarding the details of the show....Stay Tuned!

Just check out the lineup!!!

www.antiquesandgardenshow.com

Can't Buy Me Love

2010-11-21T17:59:00.000-06:00

But now you can buy us on i-tunes. That just made a good run a lot easier.

And be sure to tune into PBS Monday, November 22 at 8pm CST to see LENNONNYC. The film promises to give us an inside look at Lennon's last decade in NYC. We'll be watching!

Foodie

2010-11-19T21:20:00.001-06:00

Everyone is going to be busy in the kitchen this holiday season so here is a yummy recipe your whole family will love.

Pumpkin Squares

Ingredients

Bars
4 eggs
1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
15-ounce can pumpkin
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
Icing
8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Using an electric mixer at medium speed, combine the eggs, sugar, oil and pumpkin until light and fluffy. Stir together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda. Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and mix at low speed until thoroughly combined and the batter is smooth. Spread the batter into a greased 13 by 10-inch baking pan. Bake for 30 minutes. Let cool completely before frosting. Cut into bars.
To make the icing: Combine the cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the sugar and mix at low speed until combined. Stir in the vanilla and mix again. Spread on cooled pumpkin bars.
YUM!!!!
recipe and image courtesy of food network

There's No Place Like Home

2010-11-18T20:18:00.003-06:00

It is a pleasure to bring to you what we think is the greatest city in the south!

NASHVILLE
Below is the low-down on all the greatest places to grab a great meal, find that perfect outfit, get gorgeous, and entertain your kids.

To Eat

The Loveless Cafe

A quintessential southern eatery, The Loveless Cafe is a famous Nashville establishment. Loaded with country charm this is the best place for biscuits and jams!

Patterson House
A well kept Nashville secret, the Patterson House is the closest thing to a Speak-Easy you'll ever experience. The well appointed cocktail bar hides behind a magic curtain which opens to an intimate old-fashioned bar that serves up the most unique drinks mixed to hit all your five senses.

Burger Up

This up-scale burger spot boasts an impressive variety of yummy burgers made from the organic meat of ten local Tennessee farms.

Marche Artisan Foods

We both agreed this was our favorite spot for Sunday brunch. This delightful European-style cafe is a must for food-lovers and offers plenty of take-home-treats.

City House

When Gwyneth Paltrow was in Nashville last year shooting her upcoming film, Country Strong, she frequented this Italian restaurant with great regularity. City House offers a wonderful menu that changes seasonaly and is infused with the freshest ingredients from their back garden and in-house charcuterie . If you ever stop in, make sure you taste their fricos and belly ham pizza. YUM!

To Shop

Imogene and Willy

Matt and Carrie Edmonson are the creative proprietors behind this bespoke denim shop. This dymanic duo designed and produced denim for brands such as J Brand, Polo's RRL, and Levi's before opening this utterly unique "mom and pop" feeling retail store. Drop in and get a custom pair of jeans that will make your butt look like a dream!

Jamie

Jamie is the ultimate Nashville shopping destination, where you will find the most well edited selection of luxury goods at a variety of price points. With brands that vary from Elizabeth and James to Lanvin, this is the place to find the best shoes, clothing and accessories.

H. Audrey

This cutting-edge clothier in the heart of Green Hills is where all the stars and stylists come to shop. Owned by the multi-talented Holly Williams (whose father happens to be Hank Williams Jr.) , H. Audrey offers the best from Rag and Bone, Loeffler Randall, and Alexander McQueen.

To Pamper

Jill at the Salon at Jamie

Ahhhhh!!!! My favorite seat in the city. Jill is the best! She does great color and cuts and is the best at throwing your hair up for a night on the town. We both look forward to a peaceful afternoon with her once a month if not two!

Karee Hays at Retief Skincare

You have met her before on the blog but we can not get enough of this great gal who keeps Nashville's skin glowing! She is the best resource when it comes to getting the skinny on skin care products that really work.

Woo Skincare and Cosmetics

This boutique offers high-quality products from beauty brands such as Bobbi Brown, Chantecaille, and Armani. This is a great place to grab a fresh tube of lipgloss and a unique gift for your girlfriend's birthday.

For Kids

Philips Toy Mart

Hands down, this is our kid's favorite place in town. This Nashville staple has intrigued the young and young-at-heart for generations.

Popo

This is where are the cool kids go to play. Popo offers the most unique baby and children's gear, books, and clothes. You'll love their wide selection of bugaboo strollers, cutting edge baby products and unique children's books.

To Do

The Nashville Public Library - Main Branch

Whether you are looking for a quiet afternoon or a best marionette show for your kids, this is the spot for you.

Cheekwood

Offering the most impeccable landscapes, sculpture gardens and historical homesite, this museum is a fantastic place to spend an afternoon. The recent Chihuly glass sculpture exhibit was breathtaking. FYI- the museum offers Tuesdays for Tots as well as Saturday AM workshops which are great creative outlets for your little ones.

Country Music Hall of Fame

YEE-HAW!!! This is what we are all about or at least that is what out-of-towners think. Don't miss out on viewing Dolly's sparkly dresses!

Frist Center for the Visual Arts

A MUST...

We are so lucky to have this first-class, 24,000 square foot art gallery in our town. Presently, the Frist Center is featuring "The Birth of Impressionism" from the Musee de Orsay.

This exquisite Degas painting is hanging on the wall and ready for your viewing!

We hope you enjoy all that our great city has to offer!

William's Princess

2010-11-17T00:00:00.004-06:00

We remember Diana's fairy-tale wedding as if it were yesterday. The world watched as Diana walked down the aisle to become England's Princess. During her short reign, she made her mark as a mother, style icon and humanitarian.

It is no surprise that William would choose a lovely lady like Kate Middleton as his bride-to-be. Although the Biritsh refer to her as a commoner, we happen to think this gal is first class.

We know she is not moving in tomorrow, but we are certain she will love her new digs...

We also are betting kid brother approves... Cheers!

And then there were TWO

2010-11-14T17:57:00.001-06:00

It's time to celebrate!

WE are so excited to bring you this wildly fantastic collaboration of what we consider great ideas, design and inspiration.

The Players

Sarah.... You've grown to love her...the original mastermind behind Style Chronicle! She has brought you over 350 blogs in the past 18 months. All of this while raising 4 young children and being a great wife to her handsome husband. She has an impeccable eye for detail and a true passion for all things artisitic.

Betsy.... You will come to adore her fresh, sometimes sassy voice. She is an inspiring friend, mother and wife, that knows a lot about the art of living effortlessly well. Betsy has style and taste for days that is manifest in a signature aesthetic that is all her own.

We both laugh and say we missed the boat when we were younger on moving to New York and working in the design industry and coming out on top (i.e. Charlotte Moss or Sister Parish.) A girl can dream...right? One of our inspiration boards has a picture pinned to it that reminds us of it daily.

What we did not miss out on and would not trade for anything in the world is 7 beautiful wild children between the two of us!

We feel so blessed to be able to put our heads together and share stories with our readers!

We will work hard to bring you the best!

Thanks for visiting!

stay tuned...

2010-11-13T07:45:00.000-06:00

Next Post = Big Surprise!

art by the fabulous karen appleton

going country

2010-11-10T04:55:00.003-06:00

There is a big buzz in this small town today. The CMA awards are being held tonight and Gwyneth Paltrow is making her country debut singing the theme song from her upcoming film, "Country Strong". I must admit, Gwyneth is one of the last actresses I would have guessed would go country given her Coldplay connections and NYC upbringing! That said, I am thrilled that this film has brought one of my style icons to our neck of the woods, and I will be tuning in tonight to hear her sing (and of course see what she is wearing!)

Merry Matching

2010-11-08T20:54:00.003-06:00

Our family recently posed as "models" for the Kayce Hughes holiday collection. It is amazing that these shots turned out as well as they did, as none of us had washed out hair in days (and I'm not kidding!) Thank goodness for photo-shop and a great photographer, right?

Kayce took the photos that her husband Scott captured and sent out a "holiday card" themed e-mail blast. Isn't it the cutest? If you are looking for great holiday clothes for your kids this year, Kayce Hughes is the best. My girls wear their dresses every year.

We got our Christmas card photo while we were at it. I generally try to get my cards done by Thanksgiving so that I can slow down a bit once the season is upon us. Of course, as usual, I am running a bit behind. I had better get busy!!

booking it

2010-11-03T22:43:00.004-05:00

I find reading to be one of life's greatest comforts and before we moved into this house, I considered myself a fairly avid reader with a decent collection of books. But with eighty-six (yikes!) shelves to fill in our current home, my assortment did not feel even half of the space.

It has been nice to have an excuse to buy books, and lots of them. We have made a good deal of progress and my once barren shelves are starting to feel properly dressed. Given my bibliophilic ways, I am sure the day will come that I will have more books than shelves. For now, I will enjoy the collecting. If I could just get those beautiful brass library lights I have been eyeing for the past year, my shelves would be set! In honor of my bookshelves, I am sharing some images I have saved in my inspiration file of beautiful spaces layered with books. Here is to the joy of reading!

images: 1- jamee gregory's New York Parties via tory burch blog; 2- aerin lauder via elle decor: 3; albert hadley; 4- bunny williams; 5- christian louboutin; 6- david netto 7- bagley mischka via elle decor; 8- gil schafer; 9- j.k. place via lonny magazine; 10- david netto; 11 - courtney giles; 12- author's own

fiddle leaf fig

2010-11-01T06:44:00.004-05:00

As the trees outside loose their leaves, I find myself longing for more indoor foliage. With it's large leather-like leaves and sculptural shape, the Fiddle Leaf Fig is my favorite indoor plant at the moment. I'm not alone in my affection. These pretty plants are popping up all over the place.

Given their current popularity, you can most likely find a Fiddle Leaf Fig (also known as Ficus) at a local specialty nursery. They have been known to pop up at Home Depot now and then as well! Lucky for me, they are fairly easy to grow. All they need is Make sure to give the plant plenty of indirect natural light and moderate watering.

images: 1- grant k. gibson; 2- home of reed krakoff via vogue: 3- via peter dunham; 4-6 via elle decor; 7- author's own

Happy Halloween

2010-10-31T14:12:00.001-05:00

Happy Halloween from our house to yours! Hope you get more treats than tricks!

Banishing Bedskirts?

2010-10-26T21:30:00.001-05:00

Former Domino Editor, Sara Ruffin Costello recently wrote her her first article (hopefully of many) for the Wall Street Journal entitled "Bye- Bye Bedskirts." In it she, along with her beyond-chic designer friend, Miles Redd, swear off the bed skirt in exchange for the au-courant tailored bed-cover. She's right, the design tides have turned. Gone are the days of the uber-feminine dust-ruffles. Just look at all of these gorgeous bedrooms...not a skirt to peek under!

I myself am not ready to throw the baby out with the bath water. I still like a tailored pleated bedskirt and since I only have a headboard, I need the fabric to hide the ugly frame feet! What do you think? Is it "bye-bye bedskirts" for you?

images: 1- via elle decor, david netto; 1- via elle decor, michael smith; 3- via elle decor, badgley mischka; 4- via elle deocr; 5 & 6 via wall street journal

surprises coming soon

2010-10-25T07:46:00.002-05:00

I have some fun surprises in store for you in the coming weeks! I might just have to cover my mouth so that I don't spill the beans. Stay tuned...

image via flora and henri

Let's Hear It For Lonny

2010-10-21T20:30:00.002-05:00

Lonny just put out its "one-year-anniversary" issue and it's a good one. I connected with the issue personally on many levels one of which is that the magazine featured an accomplished line-up of mothers who are pursuing their passions and dreams.

I was swooning over Eddie Ross' spread entitled "Recipe for a Stunning Table." Eddie is brilliant when it comes to dressing a table with style without breaking the bank. I loved seeing the chandelier hanging in Eddie and Jaithan's dining room. I have been keeping an eye out for this piece in his work for some time. I was with him last summer on one of his fabulous flea-market shopping trips when he purchased it from a Hell's Kitchen Flea Market vendor. It hardly resembles the piece he went home with but Eddie worked his magic and now it is knockout!

I also loved the piece on talented San Francisco designer Palmer Weiss. Her daughters room warmed my heart as I have two spunky girls who also share a bedroom. How great are the personal photographs above their beds? I might just have to "steal" this idea. I paused when I came to this shot as something about it looked vaguely familiar. When I went back and looked closely at the photograph of Weiss' it came to me.

I had one quick morning in San Francisco before we headed to the wine country on our vacation. What does a design obsessed blogger with no kids in tow do when she has free time in a great city? Hit all the great shops of course! While breezing through San Francisco favorite, Sue Fisher King, I paused to notice a pretty woman down on her knees with an array of fun pink and orange bedding choices laid out before her. She was definitely focused and on a mission. Now I know why!

Be sure you check out my most favorite spread in the issue featuring the J.K. Place hotels. Located in Florence and Capri these impeccably decorated boutique hotels are on my must visit list!

I must say it's been a great year Lonny. Keep it coming!!

all images courtesy of lonny magazine

inspiration board

2010-10-21T09:16:00.007-05:00

This image of Jeffrey Bilhuber's 17th Century Long Island home "has me at hello." Maybe it's the traditional, time-worn architecture or maybe it's the towhead peaking out of the door, but either way this photograph makes me happy. I'm tacking it up on my board.

image via vogue