The Well-Dressed Home

These days, the line between fashion and decor is increasingly blurred. Designer super stars like Kelly Wearstler are working on clothing and jewelry lines in addition to their own fabrics, furniture, and home accessories, while the fashion set moves into homeware: think Vera Wang, Calvin Klein, or Ralph Lauren (is there a Chanel sofa in my future, Karl?). It's a natural migration: interior design is decorating one's environment; fashion is decorating one's self. Both are intensley personal, and both are forms of self-expression. Why not?

One of my favorite features in Domino (may it return again) was always their once-in-a-while "can this outfit be made into a room?" (in case you were in suspense, the answer was always yes). So I'm excited about Annette Tatum's new book, The Well-Dressed Home. Annette, who designs clothes, bedding, AND furniture is well-equipped to guide us out of the closet and down the hall to the living room.

Here, Annette translates the feminine delicacy of ballet - with it's soft colors, metallics, and gentle shapes - into a living room. Notice that the translation isn't literal: no toe shoes or pink ribbons (please!). It isn't even girly, just serene.

Home is also a great place to experiment with what you love but can't wear. I've never a met a pattern I didn't like, but sadly, patterns are not always so social on the body. They might mock your hip size, or exaggerate the width of your shoulders. But patterns with attitude issues play nicely at home: who cares if your throw pillow looks fat? Decor is a great place to mix with looks you like but can't live in. I couldn't wear this skirt - but my windows sure can.

Domino inspiration, June of 2008. Courtesy of Scout Holiday.

Inspirations don't have to be serious. Here's another Domino design, this one loosly based around a yellow rain slicker, May 2006.

Yellow "Elizabeth" raincoat by London Fog.

Last look: bohemian meets contemporary. Grey, fur, rich browns, and metallic details all make an appearance in this living room. The aubergine translates as a great accessory color in both.

Do you have an outfit that inspired a room?

Images: book, amazon.com. yellow room, flickr.com. coat, londonfog.com. outfit + room, flickr.com.

Plate Perfect: Setting the Table

First things (first): If you've noticed my online presence is a bit sparse this week, you aren't imagining things - it's been a hectic few days. But I promise I'll make it up to you with some GREAT posts planned for next week. Stay tuned!

In the meantime, I'm really enjoying the latest House Beautiful issue on white china. You know how much I love white - if I had my way, my home would look like it was decorated by polar bears in a blizzard eating vanilla snow cones. Anyway, HB asked 15 different "tastemakers" to come up with a fresh way of mixing white china in with other pieces. The results are as varied as the names, and certainly proof that you don't have to go all vanilla, ALL the time (even if you're me).

My very favorite: interior designer Martha Angus does classic chinoiserie paired with an (almost bare) plate. Rather than a highly decorated plate on a blank canvas, Angus twists the look around (and how fabulous is that chair?).

Paula Dean's look. I love (love!) the postage stamp design, and twining leaves (faintly reminiscent of Kate Spade's Primrose Hill pattern). She's kept the setting simple, but richly textured (note the placemat). The mint julep cup and other layered silvers are a perfect compliment.

One guess where this design is from. Palm Beach! Writer Victoria Amory embraces the sunny South and balances a complex pattern with uniform color. The china is anything but boring though - note that the only standard shaped item is the charger plate.

Last (but most assuredly not least) marvelous designer Miles Redd. He deftly uses white as his accent, not his base, to create this eclectic and colorful look. And he's not above a good deal either. The tablecloth? Urban Outfitters.

With all those holidays coming up (oh, so quickly), I hope this inspires you with some new uses for your old china. Don't be afraid to mix up different china patterns, or even combine the good stuff with something fun found at Anthropologie or a tag sale. You'll appreciate your classic pieces in a new way - not to mention impressing the guests. Happy place setting!

All images, housebeautiful.com.

Italian Prada Hearts English Morris

Years ago, while struggling through some moldy tome at the Union library at Oxford, I happened to glance heavenward. It was more of an eye-roll than a divine supplication for studying aide, but it ended as a delightful distraction. The timbered ceiling was ringed with paintings by the pre-Raphelites, and covered in a leafy vine pattern, courtesy of one William Morris. I'd never seen Morris' work in person before, and I wanted to find out more about him.

A terrible, tiny picture of the Morris ceiling at the Oxford Union.

Morris was a Renaissance man of sorts; an artist, poet, architect, and furniture and textile designer, he left a large body of work. But he is most remembered for his marvelous bontanical-inspired fabric and wallpaper patterns, like the one below. Morris was highly enamored with tales of England's mythic past (Morte d'Arthur and others), but equally interested in making hand-made, quality objects affordable and available. Most importantly to this blog, Morris wanted to elevate decorating to the level of the fine arts.

...and his influence is still apparent today. The moment I spotted Prada's carefree prints fluttering down the runway, I saw Morris inspiration! But Prada didn't copycat - in fact, this is a fun new blend of English library meets Palm Beach party.

Here, a few Prada heels plus scarves, Spring 2010 collection.

The scarf as handbag - even better, they still come with mini scarves!

This bag is Morris in the middle and modern at the ends.

A larger example of Morris-style pattern, beautifully draped.

Prada's collection is an inspiring mix of traditional fabrics and modern styling. I doubt Morris would have paired neon pink and red, but I also think he'd approve. The over all effect is vaguely African - and very lovely.

For more information about Morris work, and to see more samples of his botanical patterns, visit here. To purchase designs similar to those of Morris, click here.

Images: www.oxford-union.org/conferencing, designhistorylab.com/?m=200902, style.com.

HUE: Decorating With Color

In the design world, Kelly Wearstler is as divisive as Lady Gaga's costume choices are for the fashion set. So if you're a nay skip on down to the next post. If you're a yay, feast your eyes! Thanks to Amazon.com's nifty book preview gadget, here are excerpts from Wearstler's upcoming book, and Hue is certainly the obvious title for this tome. It could also be called brave: this woman is NOT afraid of color. She has cornered color, beat it up, and sentenced it to 20 years. Pattern will soon follow.

Kelly Wearstler is armed with Birds of Paradise, concrete shells, and peach sofas - and she is here to conquer.

Some of my favorite scenes from Wearstler's first book, Modern Glamor, are of her shopping in to the trade only stores. The goods are mouth-watering - just like these trims below.

Mellow yellow, canary yellow, sunny yellow, I love all yellow. Notice the interesting effect on the walls - can't tell from the pic, but it's obviously a wallpaper or leather. The bed is faintly chinoiserie, and the central light is faintly mushroom.

Kelly Wearstler is Palm Beach on speed.

Her influences are truly global (her second home, featured in Domicilium Decoratus, includes numerous exotic pieces from Eastern and Central Asia). Here the fabric is a lovely Indian ikat, and the teapot evokes India with a burnished glaze and lotus adornment. Lovely, soft shades.

And sometimes, you just wonder what's going on. Sitting in hands? My issue is with that cottage lattice window - it's fighting the room. If you're going to spend a billion dollars on antiques, get new windows! But maybe the windows go better with the outside of the house? Get a new house!! You have a billion dollars, after all.

On the other hand... (ha ha), this looks normal. As normal as Wearstler gets! Love the layering with different shades and textures in orange.

Hue is currently available for pre-order on Amazon.com.

All images, Amazon.com.

Black Market

White House Black Market is one of those ubiquotous mall stores I always end up in after three lattes and a fruitless pass through Saks. Walk in, do a 180, walk out. Just a little check up, in case they went from boring to fabulous when I wasn't looking. After all, WHBM is a bit like Ann Taylor in grayscale, and for someone who lives (and dresses) in technicolor, it's not a natural match.

But. I may have been wrong (not REALLY wrong - just - a smidgen. A pinch. A teeny wheeny bit). Cruising through the other day, I found a lot of bland prints, polyester, and ribbons - and these fabulous finds. Check it out!

Wearing a white coat in winter is like skydiving in a ball gown: not recommended. But I'm really tempted to try. Maybe if I wrapped up head to toe in cellophane, a la Fried Green Tomatoes, I could spare this snow queen coat from the stains sure to come. Napoleonic Collar Topper, $198.

A little hair jewelry, just in time for the holidays. Would look great with an LBD and diamond chandeliers. Embellished Feather Pin, $30.

This intrigued me. A touch 1950s Dior, no? Work those clavicles. Blanket Wrap Coat, $188.

Warning! (Avertissement! Achtung!): Do NOT follow the webpage instructions to "pair [these heels] with the snow leopard bag and belt for a kittenish look." One dead animal accessory at a time, please. Snow Leopard Pump, $98.

Isn't this pretty? A little gilded sweater for the holidays, with a ballerina flair. Note the net at the neckline. Silk Beaded Cardigan, $98.

All images, White House Black Market.

All the Pretty Sparkly Things

I covet (to quote SJP) some shine and sparkle. Will I look like a human chandelier? Likely and unregrettably. From Anthropologie: Corvus earrings and After-the-Rain bracelet.

All images, Anthropologie.com.

Perfume is the New Purse

Perfume reaches new heights: does this constitute a lifetime's supply of No. 5, KL?

Is it me, or do perfume bottles keep getting bigger? It's as if, in this age of economic agony, perfume manufacturers are attempting to make up for an essentially invisible product by turning it into a visible accessory. The message seems to be: "Why Carry A Purse When You Can Smell Good And Look Like It Too!" As the perfume market has become glutted with re-releases, sequels, and celebrity scents, costs have risen, but quality has decreased - only storied brands like Hermes and Chanel still use all natural ingredients and their own private flower fields. And in an economy where everyone is cinching their belts, it's hard to justify spending large sums of money on something nobody can see. Why not a beautiful, useful purse instead? Or shoes? Or a dress? So perfume manufacturers would like you to know: these bottles do more than collect dust on a dresser.

Imagine awkwardly biking through the streets with three sloshing gallons of Miss Dior. Imagine the smell when you shatter it on a curb. (But the coat is fabulous.)

Here's an idea: the bottle as furniture. Not too cozy for sitting, but it's the new IT status decor ("Have you seen Angie's new perfume statue? It's HUGE!"). How would you apply this each a.m.? With a crystal ladle?

The smaller travel size. Try THIS at the airport sometime ("Ma'am, that is not 4.2 ounces.").

Perfume for lonely hearts. It looks like a giant valentine, and it's huggable too!

SJP wants you to covet this bottle, apparently - that's why she's showing it around like a Judith Leiber clutch. It doesn't look like it could hold your wallet and keys (not sogg-free anyway), but then again - neither does a Leiber.

Even guys are getting into the act. Don't date THIS fellow. If he's so possessive with his cologne, imagine how he'll be with the remote.

Images: thefashpack.onsugar.com/search/Chanel?page=1 - Chanel; kissesandcrossstitches.blogspot.com/2008_11_01_archive.html - Dior; www.flickr.com/photos/mediadahling/1426655610/ - Juicy Couture Room; www.shopoholic.com.au/shop1/product_info.pp?products_id=316 - Juicy Couture Clown; igossip.com/gossip/bebe_perfume-1/824313 - bebe; www.fragrancedirec-t.com/ - Covet; theessentialist.blogspot.com - Azzaro.

Shopping on the Wild Side

Not five minutes into a trip to the department store the other day, I began experiencing elevated heart rate, muscular tension, and a desire to run. Swine flu? Nope - just your typical fight or flight reaction. Racks and racks of leopard spots and tiger stripes had triggered my survival instinct - they were everywhere. The entire women's section looked like a hunting preserve, or Jonathan Adler run amok with a dress form and some belts. And after wandering around awhile in this clothing Kenya, I realized WHY the racks were so full. Nobody was buying this stuff. It was AWFUL.

It pains me to post this. Meet the nylon/lycra/tie-dye cheetah top.

Is it me, or does she look like she's already been mauled by her shirt?

The worst part was that after shopping a bit I began to have a terrible craving for Cheetos (official mascot: the cheetah). Anyway, for such a bold, unabashed look, I'm amazed at the animal print coverage: it is EVERYWHERE. I didn't go in a single mall store without a large zoo section. Leopard spots and zebra stripes have been popular for a while, both in fashion and home, but that doesn't explain why they've suddenly gone everyman. I actually love animal print, but it's not like ruffles, or chartreuse, or any of the other major trends this season: you CAN wear too much zebra.

Anyway, there are plenty of designers doing wonderful animal prints that are perfect for the fall wardrobe - just don't put them all on at the same time.

Lovely leopard at Blumarine.

The ever clever Mr. Marc Jacobs - his tiger stripes are made of miniature tigers.

A Fendi Baguette gets its spots.

As shocking, neon animals go, this one's pretty cool. Tracy Reese holiday collection.

Tory Burch won't be left out! The cheetah print Abbey slipper.

Longchamp

A final word of warning: do not go all safari - or all cheap. Nothing says halloween like a little polyester cheetah!

Images: frillr.com/?q=node/14754, dillards.com, www.theinsider.com, saksfifthavenue.com, 4-6 nordstrom.com, toryburch.com, porcelainfashion.blogspot.com/2009/06/dolce-gabbana-fallwinter-2009-2010-ad.html, hollywoodcostumesandparty.com.