So Haute!

Haute Obsession: Pot Racks!

_{Photo: Via Gil Schafer, GP Schafer Architect}

There's something quite charming about the presence of pot racks in a kitchen. I think many kitchens that I see photographed often appear sterile and you'd never know the kitchen was ever actually utilized. But whenever I see a kitchen with a pot rack, it suggests to me that this is a real kitchen...where people cook, eat, gather, etc. It somehow makes the kitchen space instantly feel lived in. Pot racks are a beautiful way to showcase your cookware, especially if you have a serious collection. And although they're a lovely decorative element, pot racks are also quite functional. Let's take a look at some examples of pretty pot racks from my inspiration files...

_{Photo: Henry Bourne/Elle Decor}

The kitchen in this photo was designed by Michael S. Smith, one of my favorite designers, and was featured in the November 2008 issue of Elle Decor. Smith partnered with architect Gil Schafer to design this kitchen for the country home of film director Jim Burrows and his family. The photo at the very top of this post is also of the same kitchen. The pot rack seen here is from Ann Morris Antiques in New York. I love that all of the pots and pans look well worn. I don't believe the idea of using a pot rack merely for decorative purposes makes much sense, as your pots will just hang around collecting dust. Pot racks should be both decorative and functional.

_{Photo: via Decorati}

I love this kitchen designed by Mick de Giulio. It features a large pot rack hanging over a one of the most beautiful kitchen islands I've seen. Did you know that accessing your pots and pans from a pot rack is much more ergonomically correct? It's much better for your back to reach upward to grab your pots vs having to bend down a million times to reach them from lower cabinets which is typically where most people store their cookware. If you have a large collection of pots, I recommend placing the ones you use most often on your pot rack for easier access.

_{Photo: Christopher Baker/House Beautiful}

Full of character, this perfect country kitchen designed by Robin Bell features a custom-made wrought iron pot rack which stores her clients' beautiful collection of pots acquired during trips to France and Italy over the years. One of the practical benefits of pot racks is their space-saving abilities. If storage is an issue, pot racks will allow you to maximize your storage by freeing up additional space in your cabinets.

_{Photo: James Carriere/House Beautiful}

This kitchen which Antiques collector Susan Dossetter designed for her San Francisco home was House Beautiful's Kitchen of the Month in April 2008. The pair of pot racks hanging above the antique baker's table-turned kitchen island are from Williams-Sonoma but Dossetter customized them with a white powder coated finish.

_{Photo via M (Group) Architecture & Decoration}

In this kitchen which was designed by M (Group) Architecture & Decoration, the pot rack is integrated into a very modern light fixture which is suspended above a traditional island. One thing about pot racks to consider is height. You'll want to make sure your pot rack is hung at a level where you can easily access your pots comfortably without having to strain.

_{Photo via 1stdibs.com}

This kitchen belongs to another one of my favorite designers- LA based Windsor Smith's. Her shiny stainless steel pots hang on a pot rack between two pendant lamps covered in black pleated shades. The deep navy color is a bold move for a kitchen but works here and adds an edge to her kitchen's cozy feel.

_{Photo: Nathan Schroder/House Beautiful}

Reclaimed tile, an earthy color scheme and antique pieces such as the 18th century Italian worktable give this Dallas kitchen designed by Shannon Bowers and old world feel. The wooden pot rack adds to kitchen's rustic charm.

_{Photo: John Coolidge/Country Living}

The pot rack seen here mirrors the modern, streamlined feel of the kitchen. I love how a few pieces of bright orange enameled cast iron cookware are included among the stainless steel pots which provides an unexpected yet welcome punch of color.

_{Photo: Miki Duisterhof / House Beautiful}

Pot racks are available in many different shapes, sizes, styles and finishes. Most of the examples I've shown illustrate the most common application of a pot rack which is hanging above an island. This photo shows a less traditional wall-mounted style hung above an oven range in a Texas cottage kitchen which was featured in House Beautiful. 

_{Photo: Timothy Whealon Interiors}

This tiny Manhattan kitchen designed by Timothy Whealon also features a pot rack above a cooking range. I would caution that hanging your pans directly above your range can cause grease build up on your pots. So unless you're using and washing those pans every day, I would not recommend hanging your pots above a range.

_{Photo: Simon Upton / Domino}

I adore this kitchen in interior designer Sharon Simonaire's home which was featured in the April '08 issue of Domino. It features a pot rack hanging above a stainless steel work table just to the right of her cooking range and directly in front of a window! Not a choice I would think of but it totally works!

_{Photo: Marthastewart.com}

My idol Martha Stewart a huge fan of pot racks. Here's a photo of the kitchen at Cantitoe Corners, the 154 acre estate in Bedford, NY where she currently lives. Pots galore!

_{Photo: Marthastewart.com}

When Martha was married she lived in a Westport, CT manse which she dubbed Turkey Hill. This photo is from the late 70s. She found the pot rack at a tag sale!

_{Photo: Marthastewart.com}

Years later in the late 90s, Martha renovated her Turkey Hill kitchen and embraced a bright, fresh color scheme of white and pale green. I would kill for her collection of copper pots!  

If you like the look of pot racks, here are six options I absolutely love that you should consider:

Enclume is an American company that makes some of the best pot racks and kitchen storage products around. This chrome plated oval pot rack by Enclume is the Ferrari of pot racks, sleek, shiny, sexy and expensive! It retails for $1460 at Sur la Table.

Enclume double dutch crown oval pot rack. Williams-Sonoma, $455

Walnut Ceiling pot rack. Two sizes available. $129.95-$159.95 at Crate & Barrel.

This single bar, ceiling mounted pot rack is very compact and perfect if you don't have a ton of space in your kitchen. I'm thinking about purchasing this one for my own tiny kitchen, as my collection of pots and pans is starting to overflow out of my cabinets! It's $49.95 at Crate & Barrel.

 

I also love this wall mounted pot rack, also from Crate & Barrel. It features a shelf underneath the rack that provides extra storage for lids, smaller pans and cook books. $99.95.

Last but not least is this very economical option from on of my favorite stores - Target! It's a classic pot rack style that stores up to 40 pounds of cookware. Classicor oval pot rack, $49.95. Available here.

So what's your take on pot racks? Do you love them? Hate them? Would love to hear your thoughts!

Givenchy Lust

I need this bag in my life! Sponsors welcome.

Gourd Lamps

_{Christopher Spitzmiller}

I've been eying a number of gourd lamps like the ones above for my living room. I love this style of lamp not just for the beauty of its shape but for the symbolism that the gourd represents. The gourd is most commonly recognized as a symbol of longevity and good fortune, stemming from ancient eastern traditions where the gourd was once used as a drinking vessel. These bottle gourds were carved from a gourd fruit which is thick-skinned, oddly shaped and similar in nature to a squash or a pumpkin.

_{A gourd fruit via J.D. Fielding's Flickr stream}

The fruits were often dried and then hallowed out into a vessel used to store and drink water or rice wine. In Taoist and Budhist traditions, it was believed that the gourd was filled with th enectar of longevity and health which was consumed by the Gods. In Feng Shui, it is believed that the gourd, when placed in one's home, will bring longevity and good luck into the lives of its inhabitants. It's no wonder why we've seen gourd shaped lamps used in interiors for so long! Here are some of the gourd lamps that I'm obsessed with right now:

_{Lindsay Single Gourd Lamp}

_{Medium Three Ball Lamp}

  
_{Left: Alexander Lamp / Right:Stout Double Gourd Lamp}

_{Ridged Single Gourd Lamp}

If money were no object I'd buy a pair of Chritopher Spitzmiller's beautifully handcrafted lamps which range in price from $650-$2250 per lamp. I'd take any of the above!

These Porcelain Urn lamps from Williams-Sonoma Home could work nicely but are still a bit pricey at $495.

    

_{Left: Small Gourd Form Lamp / Right: Large Baluster Form Vase Lamp}

    
_{Left: Medium Mokko Form Lamp / Right: Mini Fang Gourd Lamp}

These options above from Circa Lighting are all beautiful and much more reasonably priced. The ones that you see here range from $210-$420. Notice a trend in the colors I'm gravitating toward?

_{Robert Abbey Double Gourd Lamp}

_{Robert Abbey Triple Gourd Lam}

These gourd lamps from Robert Abbey are least expensive and most widely accessible selling at mass lighting retailers such as Lamps Plus and even Macy's. Here in New York, they're currently on sale at Gracious Home...I'm a sucker for a sale...so the Robert Abbey Double Gourd lamp shown here might be the winner. Stay tuned! And now that you've had a little history lesson on gourds and have seen my favorite picks, here's a look at more beautiful gourd lamps in context.

_{Albert Hadley. Photo via StyleCourt}

_{My all-time favorite room by Miles Redd}

_{Christopher Maya}

_{Christopher Maya}

_{Schuyler Samperton}

_{Tobi Fairley}

_{Tobi Fairley}

_{Joel Woodard for Lichten Craig Architects at this year's Kip's Bay Decorator Show House. Photo via House Beautiful}

Runway to Change...Fashion Designers for Obama

_{CHANGE Racerback Tank by Alexander Wang, $45.}

The fact that President Obama had a huge outpouring of support during his campaign from top Hollywood and music industry celebrities was highly publicized but there was another highly influential group of Obama supporters that was talked about far less...the fashion community. Of course throughout the campaign everyone fixated on what and who Michelle Obama was wearing but the fashion industry's support for the First Family goes beyond the notion of dressing our First Lady. Back in August the official Barack Obama website introduced a collection of merchandise called Runway To Change that was designed by leading fashion designers, both well known and obscure. The collection included tees, totes, scarves and other accessories that were sold via the Barack Obama online store to support the campaign. The list of participating designers included Donna Karan, Derek Lam, Vera Wang, Alexander Wang, Rag and Bone, Zag Posen and Michelle Obama favorite Narciso Rodriguez among others. Recently, a new collection benefiting the Presidential Inaugural Committee was introduced in honor of Barack Obama's inauguration and there are still some amazing pieces available...

Like this OBAMA tote bag by Tory Burch that just purchased. At $70, it's a steal compared to Burch's typical prices. Plus I now own a piece of American Presidential campaign history.

I also bought this CHANGE tee by Narciso Rodrigurez which is stamped with President Obama's campaign catchphrase. Below are a few more of the items from the Runway to Change collection that I think are So Haute!

Rachel Roy I Heart My President Tee, $45

Rachel Roy Be The Change scarf, $95

Derek Lam Obama Flower Tote, $75

Zac Posen Innauguration Date Tee, $45

Marc Jacobs Obama '08 Button Tote, $75

I Heart Eddie Ross

OK-I might be a little late to the I heart Eddie Ross party but I have to say, I'm kind of obsessed with him! I mean, seriously...how cute is he?! And the guy does it all... decorating, floral styling, cooking, entertaining, you name it. Plus he's super crafty, makes a mean table setting and has a very fab apartment in Hell's Kitchen. (See below for photographic record of Eddie's many talents.) I'm also utterly obsessed with his blog. It's filled with lots of inspiration and allows us the opportunity to follow him around the city as he shops the flea markets and antique shops, tackles fun decorating projects, highlights some of his favorite finds and shares useful tips for enhancing your home. I especially like his shopping posts and enjoy reading how he imagines the second life that he'll give to some some old piece of furniture or serveware. It's food for my design obsessed soul! For more on Top Design Contestant/Martha Stewart Living Editor/Blogger/Lifestyle Guru Eddie Ross, visit his blog here and prepare to channel your inner Martha!

Here's one of Eddie's gorgeous floral creations...corner deli flowers placed in a pair of ironstone urns scored during a recent antiquing trip. He probably whipped this together in like four minutes.

One of Eddie's favorite breakfasts...soft boiled eggs served with toast and French butter. Doesn't this look picture perfect? He used a melon baller to achieve the flawless rounds of butter. How Martha! The eggs are served in porcelain egg cups he found antiquing in Connecticut. Does one really need egg cups? Highly doubtful but seeing this photo makes me think I do!

Here he changes a light fixture. If it were me I'd be afraid of electrocution but it look like he knows what he's doing.

This old pharmacy cabinet found at a junk shop was refinished with a little bit of sweat equity and elbow grease. The end result looks incredible here in his dining area where it houses his massive collection of glassware, serving pieces and table linens.

Here he shops...

And he shops with much success!

Here his many talents are on display...an artful tablescape, beautifully arranged lavender roses, vintage silver and glass serving pieces and home made hors d'ouevres which include coconut shrimp, filet and horseradish toasts, bite sized quesedillas and carmelized onion tartlets. Did I mention he also went to culinary school?

Eddie and his lovely table setting...

Another shot of his amazing apartment which will be featured in next month's Domino!

Here are a few antique toast racks re-purposed as letter sorters. Such a great idea!

 

And finally, more of Eddie's beautiful table arrangements. Love!

Nate Berkus' Newly Refined Apartment

 

A great way to update your home's interiors and keep your space looking new and fresh is to constantly re-arrange your existing furniture and this is an idea that interior designer Nate Berkus wholeheartedly embraces. I'm a huge Nate Berkus fan...I've paid close attention to his personal house tours on the Oprah show and have saved all of the editorials featuring his homes over the years. Needless to say I was beyond delighted to pick up the September issue of Elle Decor and see Nate's Chicago apartment on the cover looking more refined than ever. In honor of his home's recent transformation, I decided to take a look back and document how Nate's apartment has evolved over the past few years.

Here's Nate's living room from a May 2005 episode of Oprah. To the far left is a 19th century French bergere chair, and next to it sits a cozy linen sofa that Nate designed himself.  A tablescape is artfully arranged on the French cocktail table and the bright green upholstered cushion on the faux bamboo chairs iprovides a tiny bit of color amongst a mostly neutral palette. Off to the right sits a Moroccan style pouf made of pony hair and in the foreground is a 1940s French chaise made of leather and corduroy. The two brown upholstered chairs at the far end of the living area are Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. A limestone topped wood table acts as a divider between the living area and the dining area which is positioned at the very back of the room. Two complementary cowhide rugs cover the floors.

This photo is of the wall that's opposite the dining in the "old" space area which was hidden in the previous photo. On top of the 1950s French console is one of Nate's prized Joshua tree photographs taken by his late partner, photographer Fernande Bengoecha. Underneath the table are four wicker baskets that Nate purchased at Cost Plus World Market...love the hi/low mix!

 

Here is Nate's living room again...this time in the winter 2006 issue of O at Home magazine. Here, the Mitchell Gold chairs are positioned in front of the fireplace, the chaise is moved toward the middle of the room and in front of it sits a new brown suede armchair.

Here's another photo from his O at Home story which features Nate and friends in his dining room. Notice the oil and burlap God Bless America painting by artist Remigo Gudin on the wall.

Here is Nate's newly rearranged living room as featured on the cover of Elle Decor's September issue. With the addition of a few stylish pieces to polish up the space, Nate simply rearranged his existing furniture to give his space a totally new look and the result is beautiful! The bold black and white Madeline Weinrib rug completely grounds the space. His linen sofa is repositioned on the wall where the French console once was. To the left of the sofa is an industrial looking steel shelving unit that was once positioned on a different wall in the room and to the right of the sofa is the God Bless America painting which once resided in his dining area. Behind the sofa is a different Joshua tree photograph by Bengoecha. In the newly created seating arrangement you can also see his Mitchell Gold chair, bergere chair, cocktail table and faux bamboo chairs from the previous photos.

Here's Nate's "new" living room from a different perspective. Here you can see more of his existing furniture rearranged. There are also a few new additions including a black linen sofa with a suzani from Nate's travels draped over it, a green upholstered armchair from Jayson Home & Garden and a distressed looking chest of drawers with an antiqued mirror sitting atop. Nate also dresses up his windows with blue linen curtains from Smith + Noble. The curtains and the new green chair infuse a welcome dose of color into his space that was primarily neutral before.

Here's a before and after shot of the area in front of the fireplace in Nate's living room. The photo on the right is the updated design. Nate added a custom designed linen chair, a kitchy ceramic pineapple and a Mexican chair that once sat in his library. Most of the items on his mantle remain the same as before. Definitely a much better arrangement and I love his choice of furnishings. Nate says that 90 % of the furniture in his home are antique or vintage and many of the pieces have a deeply personal meaning. He lives by the mantra that your home should be a personal reflection of who you are and that it should feel collected over time. I agree!

 

In this before shot of Nate's dining area you can see that it looks rather bare. His custom concrete, bronze and wood dining table is flanked by cerused oak chairs upholstered in a jacquard fabric. A lovely 1950s Italian glass chandelier hangs above. Beyond the window is an incredible view of Lake Michigan. Once upon a time I lived in Chicago...I would have killed for that view...and this apartment!

 

Here's the "new" dining area. The chairs were reupholstered in a blue velvet fabric and a mirror provides added dimension to the space. You can only see a small portion of it but off to the right is the French console with the Cost Plus baskets underneath that was previously in the living room. The curtains give the dining space a much more formal look.

Here is Nate's office before. His glass top sawhorse desk was custom made. The rug is from Ralph Lauren Home and the wall hanging is actually an old folk art game board.

Here's the "new "office. Nate's additions include linen curtains, two new chairs and a small chest of drawers. The work chair is also reoriented so that Nate works facing the wall whereas before he faced the opposite direction.

This is Nate's library before the recent transformation. Here you can see the Mexican chair that now sits in front of his living room fireplace.

Here is the same area now. In front of the fireplace is a custom tufted ottoman upholstered in a bright yellow Clarence House velvet. The large painting was replaced with a smaller grouping of artwork and other decorative objects.

Here's another shot of the library before. The two sofas were Nate's custom designs.

 

Here's another photo of the updated library. A new round coffee table is positioned between the two sofas and against the adjacent wall are two beautiful black leather tufted armchairs that were once in Nate's bedroom. The Hermes throw draped over one chair is a very chic addition. Could it be the influence of his fashionable boyfriend, shoe designer and Bally Creative Director Brian Atwood? Hmmm....

Here's a photo of Nate's bedroom from O at Home. How cute is Nate and his dogs?! The Markham Roberts rug seen here is the perfect choice for the room. To the right you can see a bit of the two tufted leather armchairs which are now in his library. The Fratelli Campana wooden chair is from the 1950s.

 

This is what Nate's bedroom looks like now. Same rug as before but the room has a new seating arrangement and new bedding.

There's nothing I love more than an organized closet and Nate's is organized down to his color coded socks and boxers! The above photo is of his closet/dressing room before...

 

And this is what it looks like now. Nate updated his closet/dressing room with blue paint, grass cloth wallpaper and some stylish accessories.

This is a photo of the office area in Nate's New York apartment which he finished renovating last year. Behind the desk is the Fratelli Campana chair that was once in his bedroom at his Chicago apartment. Yet another example of how Nate ingeniously reuses and re-purposes the furnishings which he has collected over time. Nate did an amazing job at making his Chicago apartment look completely new by just adding a few new pieces and experimenting with new furniture arrangements. His space now looks polished and sophisticated and the infusion of color makes the entire place appear more bright and cheerful than ever. I give his apartment's new look two thumbs up! What do you think?

Photos: Oprah.com; Simon Upton for O at Home, Winter '06; Peter Estersohn for Elle Decor, September '08.

Global Chic!

I love this bedroom by designer Matthew Patrick Smyth. It was featured on the cover of Elle Decor's December 2005 issue and for good reason...the room and everything about it is absolutely stunning.  I love the refined mix of prints and styles from all over the world. The headboard is made from pieces of the facade of an 18th century Moghul* home. The chandelier is European. The fabrics used on the pillows are from India and bring to mind the Les Indiennes fabrics that I blogged about yesterday. The rug and the suzani provide the perfect pops of color and the Moroccan bench, tables and trunks all add to this well polished room which defines global chic! Photo by Simon Upton.

*For more context on Moghul architecture read this article.

{So Haute!} The Most Beautiful Props Ever...

Yesterday while covering a photo shoot for work I fell in love with these gorgeous pieces that were used as props for the shoot. I just had to take a few photos to share...

Simply beautiful!

On the set...exquisite!

The Best of ICFF: First up...DwellStudio

On Monday I spent the day at ICFF. It was my first time visiting the show and I really enjoyed seeing all of the great design that was present. I definitely learned a lot and it was such a great experience so I thought I'd dedicate my next few posts to highlighting some of the standout products I saw there. First up is DwellStudio...

I'm already kind of obsessed with DwellStudio and their fun, modern prints so I was very excited to learn that the brand recently introduced a new line of custom window treatments available exclusively through The Shade Store. The stylish and affordable DwellStudio for The Shade Store collection includes full length Drapery, three styles of Roman Shades, Laminated Roller Shades and Cornices...all available in an array of DwellStudio's signature prints. My favorite? The Chinoiserie Pearl...

Here's the Relaxed Roman Shade in the Chinoiserie Pearl Print. This option prices out at just $256 for a single, 30"x54" privacy lined shade with a standard cord lock. Not bad!

Here is a Pinch Pleated Drapery Panel in DwellStudio's Thicket print. This style starts at just $200 for a single width, 84" panel.

This is a Flat Roman Shade in the Sketch print and this style also starts at just $201 for a 30"x4" shade.

This photo shows both a Laminated Roller Shade and a Cornice in an adorable baby girl's nursery. Below are more photos of the DwellStudio for The Shade Store collection in prints geared towards the modern baby. How cute! Check out The Shade Store for more info!

{So Haute!} A Cookie Chic Paris Loft

Photo via cookiemag.com

When I saw this living room of a Parisian loft in the April issue of Cookie it totally grabbed my attention. I'm kind of obsessed. It looks so chic but also very comfortable and lived in. I love the mirror, the Eiffel tower statue in the corner, the built in shelving, the rug...just about everything in the photo. I also love the muted colors which have a similar look and feel to my own living room. I'm not a huge fan of the Noguchi table but it totally works here. The ceiling medallion is also very beautiful but I don't get why there's no light fixture attached to it. Nonetheless it's a beautiful room so I had to share. What do you think?

Woodson and Rummerfield's House of Design

When I was in LA last week I got to sneak away from work for a bit to hit up LA's design district and browse some of the amazing antique stores and showrooms scattered up and down La Cienega. One of the showrooms on my must-visit list was Woodson & Rummerfield's House of Design. I love Ron Woodson & Jaime Rummerfield's design aesthetic. Their signature style combines California modern with old Hollywood vintage to create a look they've dubbed "Modage". I've seen many different incarnations of their ever-changing showroom in pictures, as I'm sure many of you have, but seeing the space in person was so incredibly inspiring. The rooms were GORGEOUS! It made me want to go straight home and re-decorate my apartment! Below are some photos I took of the place...

This is the main "living room." Love! The black fireplace, moldings and chandeliers make the room feel very dramatic while the purple velvet sofa and pink jacquard throw pillows add a feminine touch. This room is so glam! The entire  showroom, including the above space, is filled with re-done antique and vintage pieces mixed in with items from Ron & Jamie's Woods & Fields line. The photography on the walls is by an up-and-coming LA photographer named April Brimer. The modernity of these photos is striking against the more classic furniture styles and decorative elements in the room.

One of Woodson & Rummerfield's more prominently featured items is this stunning chesterfield style "Aristocrat" sofa. The luscious velvet fabric...the tufting...the Louis-esque legs...the beautiful color...all so perfect! And so chic! I envision some stylish woman with a glass of champagne in hand wearing a dress and high heels sitting cross legged on this sofa while tossing her head back and laughing at something hilarious. Seems like a fitting scenario for such a regal looking sofa! And don't you just love the series of Brimer photographs of the girl in the yellow dress above the sideboard? I do!

This is W & R's "Through The Looking Glass" chair. This beautiful wingback chair is the perfect example of how Ron & Jamie use just the right fabrics to make a more traditional piece of furniture to seem ultra modern. I forgot who makes the fabric but I love it.

I also really love this chair here. Another classic wingback style...this time with tufting and nail head detail...made to look more contemporary with white vinyl upholstery. Yup...I said vinyl. The designers opted for this as an eco-conscious alternative to leather. The chair, with its more petite frame, was designed with women in mind.

I love really creative pieces that are a bit out-of-the-box. This cute little chandelier is made of vintage crystal wine glasses and goblets. Very cool. I've never seen anything like it!

I noticed a kitchy little collection of interesting porcelain lady heads scattered all over the showroom. You can see them in the photos above. The top two photos are from the main room and the bottom photo shows a few lady heads positioned around the mirror above this chinoiserie cabinet in the entryway. I love the gold Florence Broadhurst wallpaper featured on the in the bottom photo. This is also seen framed within the moldings in the main room.

A view of the main room from a different angle. I really like the portraits at the top of the bookcase.

Lots more eye candy in the photo above of the showroom's "dining room". The red bamboo chairs add such punch and I love love love that table. I swear, I could just pack a bag and move right into this place! The best part about my visit was that Ron & Jamie's super nice business partner Tom happened to be there and was kind enough to show me around and give me the scoop on some of the projects Ron & Jamie have been working on. One exciting venture in the works is a new book called High Style, slated to be released this Fall. A little blurb about the book reads: "From Palm Springs to the Hollywood Hills, features on vintage furnishings and flea market finds complement the stories behind the fabulous rooms they've created. With over 300 stunning photographs, High Style packs all the glamour of Los Angeles-where modern fashion meets Hollywood antique-into a book as attractive to display as it is compelling to read." Another book to add to my wish list and I can't wait for it to hit the shelves! You can read more about it here.

Diane von Furstenberg's Oscar Moment

This year I watched the entire broadcast of the Oscars and I actually thought the show was pretty entertaining. Rather surprising given that this year’s show almost didn’t happen due to the writer’s strike…not to mention the fact I that always find the Oscars to be such a bore. Usually I just watch the pre-show red carpet coverage and then tune-in to the last half hour to see who wins Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Picture. I'm very pleased this year's Oscars surpassed my expectations! 

Anyway--One of Sunday's more memorable Oscar moments, in my opinion, didn’t involve the actual show itself but rather a riveting commercial that premiered during the broadcast featuring one of my favorite fashion designers ever-Diane von Furstenberg. The commercial was for American Express and is part of their “Are You a Cardmember?” campaign which in the past has featured everyone from Kate Winslet, Tina Fey and Beyonce, to Tiger Woods, Martin Scorcese and Al Pacino. Truly one of the most amazing ad campaigns I’ve ever seen...both on TV and in print. And what a great choice to add DVF to the mix! I cannot tell you enough how talented, how chic and how fabulous I think this woman is!

The commercial was directed by Bennett Miller who garnered an Oscar nomination in 2005 for directing the film Capote. It features scenes of Diane outdoors surrounded by trees interspersed with scenes of her working alongside her team in her design studio on the Fall 2008 collection which she presented earlier this month during NY Fashion Week. The shots of the trees along with the close-ups of the prints on some of her garments reflect how Diane and her designs are influenced by the world around her. Her voice over, which narrates the commercial, is meant to inspire confidence in women while illustrating what it means to be an AMEX card member. Such a great commercial! Click play below to watch and enjoy!

Sidebar: This photo was in Sunday’s New York Daily News. It’s a shot of DVF with the gorgeous model Chanel Iman before her Fall ’08 show holding a sign that was posted backstage. Signs like these are displayed back stage at shows to set the tone of the show and convey to the models how they should walk. I LOVE that she’s all about confidence and being yourself. DVF, I heart you!!!