Ralph Pucci Showroom

A design tour through New York would not be complete without a few edgy stops. Thanks to a nice suggestion by Stacy Bewkes  http://quintessenceblog.com we made a fun stop. The Ralph Pucci showroom has two floors of outside of the box creativity for those with a palette for bold and edgy. Very fresh and creative, this showroom pushes the boundaries of contemporary, leaving no surface untouched. Whether it is your taste or not, it is an impressionable adventure, as you will see from the pictures: Continue reading

Guest Post: Oushak Rugs

Please welcome our guest hosts today: Gary Dicus and Harry Chittenden of Addison/Dicus. Their expertise in the world of fine rugs creates a contagious enthusiasm that might find you hopping the next flight to Tampa to go shop with these characters.  My clients always appreciate learning about the fine things we are acquiring. When shopping for oriental rugs, education is key- there are so many different kinds of oriental rugs.  It is important to understand the value of your investment.

Today Gary and Harry share some of the identifiable characteristics and historical significance of the Oushak rugs.  Their knowledge is valuable, entertaining and educational.  Enjoy the read: and when you decide you must have one, their contact information will be at the end of this post. Continue reading

Butler Pantry Fever

Butler Pantries are catching my eye these days.  Downton Abbey’s gorgeous old style kitchens have created a remodel obsession for homeowners. Fans are still talking about the kitchen, the butler pantries, the staff. Here are some of my favorite butlers pantry photos.  The first is from House Beautiful, I absolutely love that this butlers pantry got a window. It brings the whole room to life and gives the reflective glass door cabinets the feeling of being windows as well.

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Classical Vignettes

There is something about classical vignettes that gives cause for double take. They are the sign of a well educated curator with good resources – or a great designer.  Classical vignettes add a sense of warmth, history, sophistication and depth to a room. Below are some impressive vignettes I have come across in magazines and blogs:

House and Garden, design by Gilles Dufour

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