Saturday's Links- 9.30.17

Happy Weekend!  The weather has turned a bit cooler in New York and the leaves have started falling, and all of it is making me so excited for fall.  As much as I love the summer, there really is nothing like autumn in New York...

{Fall florals planted on Park Avenue}

Weekend Links:

-I highly recommend watching Lady Gaga's Five Foot Two Netflix documentary this weekend.  The movie focuses on the artist in the year leading up to her Superbowl halftime performance and the release of her newest album, Joanne.  I've always been a fan of Gaga, but this film captures her baring her artistic soul in a unique way- mostly grappling with the byproducts of her success and dealing with heartache and physical ailments.  I found it very raw yet very inspiring.

-Another solid Netflix new release is Jerry Before Seinfeld.  As the title suggests, Jerry Seinfeld discusses the years before he became a famous comedian, when he'd regularly do stand up at the Comic Strip Live (right in my 'hood!) and slept in a mostly empty studio apartment.  The coolest scene shows Jerry sitting in the street surrounded by thousands of yellow legal pads, which document every joke he's ever written since 1975.

-RIP Hugh Hefner.  "In my wildest dreams, I never could've imagined a sweeter life," he is quoted as saying once upon a time. Yet this opinion piece suggests that his legacy might have a darker side.

- You know you're in the doghouse when Donald Trump chastizes you for spending too much money.  I was satisfied to see Human Health Secretary Tom Price officially resigned yesterday.

-A cute leopard bootie I recently purchased for under $35, 

-I can't imagine a scarier haunted house.

-Speaking of scary things, I was disappointed to hear Darren Aronofsky's Mother! was a bust.  I haven't seen it yet, but not a single person I know recommends it.  I'm a big fan of his past works (including Requiem for a Dream and Black Swan), so I enjoyed listening to his interview on the Tim Ferriss Podcast.  The two discuss everything from dealing with critisicm to navigating difficult conversations to the creative writing process... although I was disappointed they didn't discuss his new relationship with Jennifer Lawrence.

Have a great weekend!

XOXO,

Sam

5 Coffee Table Books on My Wishlist

The one thing I love to collect is coffee table books.  I can never have too many.  Even though I hate clutter and am constantly paring down my belongings, I’ll never give up a book.  Not a chance!  With the onset of Pinterest and Instagram, it can be hard to wade through the massive amounts of clutter and find images that truly inspire you.  That’s why I love flipping through a new coffee table book!  From the glossy high-res images to the thoughtful text, I feel like a good design book allows you to climb inside the head of the designer or photographer and glean so much inspiration from the pages.  Here are 5 coffee table books I've been dying to add to my collection:

1.) Four Days in LA: The Versace Collection

Fashion photographer Steven Meisel's advertising campaign for Versace's Fall 2000 collection is documented in his book, 4 Days in LA: The Versace Collection.  What can one expect to find in the pages of this tome?  Gorgeous yet emotionally vacant models dripping in layers of gold and gems posing in some of LA's most opulent mansions.  What's not to love?

2.) Andy Warhol Polaroids: 1958-1987

My mom and I recently took a weekend trip to Pittsburgh to see Fallingwater and while there we also visited the Andy Warhol Museum.  I've alwaysbeen so intrigued by Andy's life, especially after seeing Factory Girl, and while at the museum I learned how he loved taking poloaroids.  While many artists often detest technological advancements, Andy fully embraced each and was fascinated by the Poloroid camera when it came out. This book captures the best of his many snapshots over decades of his life.

3.) Haute Bohemians

One of Vendome Press's latest releases, Haute Bohemians, captures the homes and spaces of chic homeowners and designers across the world who prize the ease and comfort of pattern mixing and textile layering.  Each individual space featured is incredibly lush, layered, and luxe, telling a unique story about the person who inhabits each of them:

4.) David Hicks Scrapbooks

English decorator David Hicks was a legend in the design world (I've long been a fan).  His geometric-printed textiles are still wildly popular and I've been collecting his vintage design books for years.  Like Andy Warhol, David was obsessive about documenting his life and amassed 24 scrapbooks with press clippings, invitations, and snapshots over the years.  The pages of his salient scrapbooks are shared in Vendome Press's new book - David Hicks Scrapbooks. 

5.) Ibiza Bohemia

Besides the fact that this book's cover is a fun shade of blazing hot pink, the collection of chic photos and people throughout this book experiencing Ibiza, Spain makes me long for a sun-drenched vacay of my own.  I studied abroad my senior year of college in Madrid, and I'll never forget a 2 night getaway my friends and I planned to this Mediterranean locale.  There really is no place like it. 

One of my favorite tricks for creating inexpensive art for your home is to carefully tear out a photograph from a coffee table book and frame it nicely.  This works particularly well when creating a gallery wall, since the pages of a book are smaller in scale.

What coffee table books are on your wish list right now?

P.S. - In the world of regular books, I just finished reading this, next up is this and this.

Designer Crush: Kirsten Kelli

I first became acquainted with design firm Kirsten Kelli when the pair decorated a bold and bright drawing room at this year's Kips Bay Showhouse.   Their second-floor room featured a posh purple sofa, a blue Yves Klein coffee table, and artwork by Damien Hurst and Roy Lichtenstein (oh, and gilded logs in the fireplace):

The saturated color and proportions of the pieces in the room are lovely.  Sisters Kirsten Fitzgibbons and Kelli Ford opened their design firm in 1990 and now have offices in Dallas, Greenwich, CT, and New York City.  Their work is often characterized by large-scale artworks, clever color combinations, and plenty of glitz and glamour- like lacquered floors and upholstered bedroom walls.  I love the Parisian vibe this New York townhouse sitting room exudes:

A Keith Haring painting and ebonized floors serve as the backdrop to this Dallas home's family room.    I find it fascinating that Kirsten Kelli seamlessly combined a set of Moorish bone inlay chairs and an eclectic side table in the family room with more traditional French bergeres in the adjacent sitting room.  Even with all the mixture of periods and styles in this photograph, that space somehow just works:

Another example of Kirsten Kelli's bold color choices: a navy sofa, a cobalt blue arm chair, an upholstered coffee table, and two club chairs with charcoal stripes make up this living room's seating arrangement:

A Dallas residence's library is filled with layers of classic blue and white:

And in the living room, things get a bit funky with Milo Baughmann chairs upholstered in leopard velvet and a blush pink sofa:

And a few more KK spaces my color-loving heart is crazy for:

See more of Kirsten Kelli's work here.

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Recent Press

As I mentioned earlier this week, I’m finally coming down from the craziness of the summer and getting settled in to my new place in the Upper East Side.  With all of my summer travel, I never got a chance to share 2 decorating stories that were published in August about my first NYC apartment.  I moved to NY in the summer of 2015 and was connected with two girls who were looking for a third roommate.  The rent was (relatively) inexpensive for New York living, I’d have my own bathroom (a big deal when sharing an apartment in the city) and I’d be able to walk to work.  It was a no-brainer!  I loved living with both girls for 2 years, but eventually the lack of space began driving me crazy and I wanted to have my own place.  However, I honestly had a blast creating a fun bedroom and bath design over the 2 years.   When I moved in, the bedroom had no overhead light and the bathroom was terrifying- which makes for a fun before and after situation.  You can read a post I wrote this summer with details about the design and “before and after” photos here.

1.) Domino Magazine Feature

"This Apartment Makeover Proves That Rentals Don't Have to be Boring"

2.) Style Me Pretty Feature:

"How to Make Your Teeny Tiny Apartment Feel a Million Times Bigger":

It's so gratifying to see the finished photos and to share the design process in these stories.  When you move to New York everyone tells you, "yes New York apartments are tiny, but you're never home anyway!" I've found this to be true, but when I was home I would've gone crazy if I didn't love every square inch of my space.  My new apartment is a studio but it is alllll mine and has a huge sunny window and I can’t wait to share the design decisions I make along the way.  While it’s typically my priority to allocate funds towards décor before anything else “fun”, I’ve decided instead to plan some trips for 2018.  Therefore, the design on my new place will be a much slower process.  Nevertheless, I do hope you’ll follow along and share your thoughts with me. 

Have a great weekend, everyone!

XOXO,

Sam

A huge thank you goes out to my good friend Victoria of Victoria Marie PR, a stellar publicist who helped me refine my story and pitched it out to the right editors.  You’re a gem, Vic!

Etsy Finds Volume 3

A few months ago I moved in to a new apartment.  While I don’t have a lot of space (it’s NYC after all), I definitely have more space than I did at my last apartment which I shared with 2 friends.  Now that I’ve finally had time to settle in and I’m back from lots of summer travel, I’m starting to think about a few pieces I want to buy and a few décor decisions I need to make, like window treatments.  Most importantly, I need a small dining table and chairs and a new rug.  I’ve started looking around at the retail store offerings, and I feel a little disappointed.  While I don’t want to spend too much money on these pieces, I definitely do want to invest in items that feel special and unique and have a little character.  It seems like I see the same styles over and over again at the large big box stores and even though the prices are low, I just can’t bring myself to buy something so basic.  One solution I’ve found is scouring Etsy, Chairish, Viyet, and Highboy.  I love Chairish, Viyet and The Highboy because they offer designer pieces that have been gently used and are offered at pricing much below their original retail value.  Exploring Etsy feels like a treasure hunt and the prices are unbeatable.  I rounded up some of my favorite finds today in the event someone else might be looking for something special, too!

Wingback Chair in fabric of your choice- $650/each:

French Provincial Vintage Bench- $150:

3'7" x 5'-6" Turkish Oushak Rug, $268:

Rocking Chair in Pretty Floral Fabric (perfect for a nursery!)- $425:

Grasscloth-Wrapped Coffee Table- $200:

Design Your Own Custom X-Bench, $385:

Faux Bamboo and Cane Settee, $425:

2'-6" x 1'-4" Turkish Pastel Rug/Door Mat, $89:

Vintage End Table, $74.99:

Azalea Embroidered Throw Pillow, $48:

Happy Shopping!

XOXO,

Sam

Chihuly at the New York Botanical Gardens

Since Saturday morning was beautiful and I didn’t have to be anywhere until 5 pm, I felt like it was the perfect opportunity to finally go and visit the New York Botanical Gardens.  The gardens are currently exhibiting some of Dale Chihuly’s glass-blown creations and I was intrigued by the rave reviews I’ve been hearing.   The exhibit and the grounds themselves exceeded even my highest expectations.  Living in the city can feel overwhelming at times, and wandering through the 350 acres was pure bliss.  Sprinkled throughout the gardens are 50 of Chihuly’s sculptures, and they were truly breath-taking:

 {Blue Polyvitro Crystals by Dale Chihuly, 2017, in front of the Botanical Garden's Library}

{Seaforms by Dale Chihuly, 2017}

{Serenity in the Native Plants Garden}

{Sapphire Star, Dale Chihuly, 2017}

{Orange glassblown bowls in the Botanical Garden's Library}

{Peggy Rockafeller Rose Garden}

{Sol de Citron, Dale Chihuly, 2017- this sculpture sits front and center outside the conservatory}

{Red Reeds on Logs, Dale Chihuly, 2016}

The Chihuly exhibit runs through October 29^th and I implore you to go see it - whether you’re a NY resident or simply visiting the city.  My day there is one experience I won’t forget anytime soon, and I’m already scheming about the next time I can get back up there.  There’s a direct train out of Grand Central that goes to the garden grounds for only $6.75 one way, or you can take the 4 train up to the Bedford Park Boulevard stop and walk about 20 minutes to the front gate.  Tickets are $28 for all-access on the weekends and $23 for all-acesss during the week.  You can purchase them online or at the front gate.  Read more about the exhibit here.

XOXO,

Sam

Friday's Worthy Links: 9.8.17

Friday's Worthy Links:

I'm a serious Larry David enthusiast (can't wait for the new season of Curb Your Enthusiasm!) and grew up looking forward to watching the latest episode of Seinfeld every Thursday evening with my family.  That's why I truly enjoyed this documentary, Jerry Before Seinfeld. -Kottke

New York bartenders share their wildest stories.  - Man Repeller

Speaking of bars, here are 5 sommelier-approved wines to try for fall. - My Domaine

How to answer the question, "So when are you having a baby?" - Life Hacker

Dying over Carole Radziwill's duplex makeover, originally featured in Architectural Digest.  The famous sofa got a facelift, but I honestly miss the tattered Salamandre Le Tigre fabric! - The Simply Luxurious Life

Tory Burch's Southhampton home is exactly as chic as you'd imagine. -La Dolce Vita Blog

Loving the idea of zero-dollar days.  -Refinery 29

The best part about fall in my mind?!  New seasons of all our favorite shows (yay for SNL!).  -Refinery 29

Have a lovely weekend!

XOXO,

Sam

{image above via Tamara Magel Design}

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Current Mood

Happy September!  I always have mixed feelings this month because as much as I love the weather cooling off and football season starting, I'm always sad to see the summer go.  This one is no exception- I had an amazing time celebrating my last summer as a 20-something.   Only 3 months til my big 3-0!  Is it weird that I'm kind of enjoying getting older?  I feel like I get wiser and more comfortable with myself as the years pass by.  Anyway- with the season changing, my current mood can best be described as reluctantly optimistic.  I'm drawn towards warm, rich jewel tones and luxurious textures right now- no more jarring bright hues.  Here are a few things on my fall moodboard...

{Sincerely Jules}

Chic fall Outfit Idea #1: A tweed dress with a suede Chloe bag and stud sandals...

Loving this Hudson Valley guest house living room that's dripping with charm:

Chic fall outfit idea #2:  Black cami + black jacket + black sunnies + gold bar necklace:

Loving the burnt orange sofa and mix of art in this room designed by Nickey Kehoe:

{Nickey Kehoe}

Chic Fall Outfit Idea #3: Chunky knitted sweater (another option)  jeans, and a Chloe bag...

Alexa Hampton's bedroom in her Manhattan apartment is dreamy.  The purple walls are so good:

{Alexa Hampton}

This quote from design crush's instagram:

{design crush}

A sassy bar design by Courtney Giles Decker:

{Courtney Giles Decker}

Can't put down this book:

Chic Fall Outfit Idea #4: Jewel-heeled booties (or pearl-heeled booties) + leather pants:

Happy Fall!

XOXO,

Sam