Junior League House Tour

If you need anything to do this weekend while it's raining, you can check out the New York Junior League House Tour on Saturday, May 2nd. Where else would you get the chance to snoop inside the homes of New York's chicest residents including interior designer Sara Story (above), antique dealer Todd Merrill, artist Hunt Slonem, and architect and designer Campion Platt among others. The tour is self guided so you can take your time and enjoy this glimpse into how the other half lives. Just make sure you wipe your feet at the door! Oh, and no peeking into the medicine cabinets!

Announcing Harry Heissmann, Inc.

You know times are tough when even the top design firms are having problems. But everything happens for a reason and in the case of interior designer Harry Heissmann, it has led to the creation of Harry Heissmann, Inc. Harry is a beloved designer in New York who has spent the last nine years working for Albert Hadley, Inc. but soon he will be going to work in his own office! One that he has already started to mentally redecorate.

His website isn't finished yet but you can get a sense of his personal style in the apartment he shares with his partner, Mark King, that was featured a year ago in New York magazine. Oh, and since Mark works for Mrs. John L. Strong, Harry's going to have the chicest business cards in the design world! The style of his home is just as fun and fresh as his mentor. One of Harry's favorite possessions is his Jeremiah Goodman drawing of his living room at night (below).

I am excited for Harry to embark on this new phase of his life because I know he is going to enjoy it, even if it does seem a little scary. As I told a friend, sometimes the baby bird has to be pushed out of the nest before they think they are ready to fly on their own. But I have no doubt that Harry is going to be flying high very soon!

Blue and White

The design world converged on John Rosselli Antiques last night to celebrate BeeLine Home by Bunny Williams. (In case there is someone who doesn't know, John and Bunny are married.) You know it's going to be a good party when Presidential interior designer Michael Smith walks in! I heard he was touring the Kips Bay Decorator Show House earlier in the day too! Also on hand were textile designers John Robshaw and Carolina Irving. I even got to see what interior designer James Andrew was wearing in person and soon you'll be able to see it online.

The best part of the evening was chatting with John Rosselli himself. My friend Megan commented on his wife's wonderful new line of furniture and he said that they have been in business for over 50 years so you have to reinvent yourself. He also mentioned that the limited edition collection looks fresh and new compared to some of what is on the market. I told him how much I loved all the blue and white porcelain in the shop and he said, "I was working with Babe Paley once" when he stopped and asked us, "do you know who Babe Paley is?" We nodded and replied that we did. He continued, "well, I was working with Babe Paley and I was showing her some porcelain and she says, 'you know John, you can never be too rich or too thin or have too much blue and white porcelain!'" I don't know which I loved more, the story itself or the twinkle in his eye as he told it! Great moments don't get much better than that!

Eco Fashion Spotlight - si:su

Behind the name
si:su was started by Hanneke, Helen and Rachel and together they offer two lines of covetable clothing which is all made from recycled materials. si:su's 'Pure' range is for everyday items while the 'Bijou' range offers dressier items for special occasions.

si:su's love of vintage shops, flea markets and various art forms is clearly reflected in their unique style of clothing. Their designs are creative and hark back to the days of yesteryear whilst still maintaining a modern edge. An enviable eco fashion accomplishment indeed!

si:su's 'trans-seasonal' clothing is making both green girls and fashion savvy girls stand up and take notice. They have shown at the Ethical Fashion Show in Paris and also sell through high profile online sites such as the Natural Store.

For who?

Women who like feminine, whimsical and unique clothing.

Where the clothes are made
si:su design and produce their line in Swansea, South Wales.

Materials used
As si:su explain themselves, 'all clothing is 100% recycled even down to the buttons and thread used'. You will only find gorgeous recycled vintage fabrics in stunning designs at si:su, used individually for a simple yet stylish dress or combined with contrasting patterns for eye-catching looks. Each garment is personalised or adorned with detailed hand embroidery, applique or vintage buttons.

Style
Feminine, cute and surely something the characters from Dodie Smith's, 'I Capture the Castle' would have traipsed around their castle in. From adorable dresses and skirts to quirky pinafore dresses, capes and bags, there is a delectable range of one of a kind pieces to choose from.

I'm loving the Hannelora Cape in Chartreuse for spring / summer to wear over dresses. It is also available in other colours such as antique cream or midnight blue.

Pure Line
'Pretty and practical pieces for everyday wear...'

One of my favourite pieces from the Pure collection is the Collette Wrap Top. This navy polka dot print top is classic and feminine and can be worn numerous ways, under spring coats or over pretty dresses for warmer days.

The selection of dresses are equally beguiling though, none more so than the Elisha dress in pink (featured in last week's post, Floral Friday). This dress epitomises an eco fashionista's idea of the perfect spring dress with pink flowers bursting forth onto a white background. It is pure English loveliness (also available in other colours such as the green pictured above).

Other pretty dresses include the Jolene Kimono dress with wide sleeves and short A-line skirt which would look sweet worn with stockings, jeans or on its own with strappy vegan sandals.

Another standout in the Pure line is the Katie Pinafore Dress which encapsulates si:su's unique talent wonderfully. This dress has eccentric spotted straps, striped bodice, chunky buttons and a subdued coloured skirt to balance the outfit. A quirky and stylish design that is very wearable! (view online at si:su).

Bijou Line
'Unique pieces for special occasions...'

From camisoles to summer dresses, you will find what you are looking for in the Bijou Line. Rise and shine in the Lily Dressing gown which is delicate, feminine and lightweight (perfect for wearing over the Jenny Camisole set pictured higher above).

If you need a statement top for work, try the 1940's style Mathilda shirt ideal for pairing with tailored pants or high waist pencil skirt. A definite must-have. The Bijou Belle skirt is another great item for special day or evening occasions and would look stylish with a tight black top and 'the higher the better' heels!

The perfect dress for summer would have to be the Cellina dress which is a beautiful hippy-esque mixture of fabrics and prints (first image).

Accessories

The sweetest collection of bags are also available in cute fabrics and colour combinations, adorned with large vintage buttons and intricate applique (all fully lined). Other accessories include 'handmade French knitted necklaces with vintage buttons' and headscarves.

Price range
Bags start at around £30 and clothes are from approximately £65 upwards which is certainly justified as the clothes are produced here in the UK and are very exclusive. These pieces will never date so they can be worn any time of the year, for many years to come!

Where to buy
Green Trading
Econscious Market (for US and Canadian shoppers)
The Natural Store
All Things Green

Images
1: Cellina dress
2: Belle skirt
3: Jenny camisole set
4: Elisha dress
5: Hannelora cape
6: Colette wrap top
7: Jolene kimono dress
8: Mathilda shirt
9: Blue patterned bag (All Things Green)
10: Pale pink shoulder bag (All Things Green)
11: Brown jacket (All Things Green)

Visit si:su today!


Technorati Tags: si:su, recycled fashion, eco fashion

Eco Friendly Cushions for the Home

If you want to give new life to your lounge, bed or favourite chair, try swapping the cushions for these new eco friendly alternatives. Adding a different splash of colour or quirky design will refresh any tired looking furniture or rooms. What could be more eco friendly and cost efficient?



Ampersand Pillow - Alexandra Ferguson
Hand made Westchester County, NY
Recycled felt from plastic water bottles
Classic black and white is so simple yet so classy. This would look great in a modern, chic Parisien style apartment!
Purchase online at Etsy (Alexandra Ferguson) for US$65




Seatbelt Cushion - Ting
Made in the UK
I was impressed when I learned about English Retreads making gorgeous bags with recycled inner tubes and now I see the UK based Ting are making amazing cushions from end of line, reclaimed seatbelts! People sure are creative with car parts (I even saw a clock made from a hub cap today on Etsy).
Purchase online at By Nature for £27 (was £45)




Little Modern Birds Square - Chakra Pennywhistle
Handmade in Tucson
Hand drawn, made from organic cotton twill, stuffed with raw organic cotton and even sewn with organic cotton thread. It's an organic overload and I love it!
Purchase at Etsy (Chakra Pennywhistle) for US$50




Mokimoe Organic Cushion
Made in the UK
Organic cotton and hemp
This bright cushion is ideal for spring with it's vibrant pink colour and flowery style. It is filled with organic wool balls and printed with eco-friendly inks. Also available in yellow and blue.
Purchase online at Ecocentric for £69





Money Bag Pillow - Chakra Pennywhistle
Handmade in Tucson
This vintage money bag has been recycled into a quirky cushion that is sure to be a conversational piece. Unfortunately there is no money inside but you will find raw organic cotton!
Purchase at Etsy (Chakra Pennywhistle) for US$60




Cable Cushion - Stella James
Made in the UK
Organic merino wool
Okay, so this cosy cushion would be more appropriate for winter but add a warm blanket, cup of tea and a few romantic comedy DVDs and I'm all set for a night in, winter or summer!
Purchase online at Stella James for £36 (reduced from £53)




Vintage Seed Bag Cushion - Tentpitcher Design
Made in Philadelphia
This vintage burlap seed bag has great old fashioned charm. I like the masculine style of it and could see it sitting nicely in my little country house (which I hope to have some day!)
Purchase online at Etsy (Tentpitcher)for US$26

Technorati Tags: Organic cushions

2009 Kips Bay Show House Designer: Bunny Williams

Since I started my Kips Bay Decorator Show House coverage with a photo of the beautiful room designed by Bunny Williams, I thought it would be fitting if I ended with her as well. Most designers have to borrow all the furniture for their rooms so it was lucky for Bunny that she could borrow from her own BeeLine Home collection of furniture and accessories. Each piece was inspired by something that Bunny either owned or wished to own and produced in limited editions. She's also debuting more products tonight at a little soiree!

Bunny also worked for Albert Hadley for whom this year's show house was dedicated and she was one of the only designers to make reference to the legendary designer. There were literal references such as the drawings on the mantle and "Don't Forget" notepads as well as a red egg chair and star motif on the rug. Bunny said she was thrilled to create a room that honored her friend and mentor!

What I loved was that the room was broken up with an area for seating around the fireplace and a dining area with large table. All of which worked together perfectly.

Everything is a BeeLine piece in this photo but they all work perfectly together. The Bottoms-Up Drinks Table was my personal favorite and one that I might have to buy for myself!

This room was also a perfect breath of fresh air for spring. The walls were a pale blue and there were not only real flowers and plants but also large botanicals on the walls.

The orange chairs also looked great against the blue walls! The Turquoise Glazed Ceramic Lamp is a bargain at $500 retail too!

This reminds me that I need to create a little bar area in my own apartment!

Everywhere you look, there is something beautiful and interesting!

I loved all the vintage looking art. Bunny even thought to create a little area with trays for her press materials that is very chic!

This room has everything including a flat screen television tucked into the bookcase!

This concludes our coverage of the 2009 Kips Bay Decorator Show House! I hope you enjoyed this peek into just some of the 32 rooms. I want to thank everyone who helped to put it all together and all the designers who took the time to speak with me. It was such a pleasure attending and meeting them all! I hope that more of you will make an effort to visit this beautiful home that benefits the Kips Bay Girls and Boys Club!

2009 Kips Bay Show House: English Basement

By the time I got down to the English Basement at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House, I was exhausted but I'm glad I didn't skip it. There are some great rooms down there! The kitchen that was designed by St. Charles of New York, is directly under Juan Montoya's room and is the same size. As you can imagine, most New York kitchens are pretty small so to have this much room would be amazing. It's actually almost too big! I'm not sure if you can tell in these photos but the cabinetry is a beautiful pale blue. The kitchen island also opens to reveal seating.

For a basement room, the kitchen was light and airy. Which probably has something to do with the outdoor area beyond. According to Karen Williams and Robert Schwartz of St. Charles the "goal was to design a fluid space with four multi-tasking lifestyle vignettes - a continuous breakfast bar featuring concealed appliance center, a cooking hearth, a 12-foot kitchen island that cleverly converts to a banquet for extra seating, and a designated wine area complete with fireplace and tasting table."

"The spectacular architecture of the mansion's limestone exteriors is echoed in the kitchen's cooking hearth and fireplace elevations, as well as the large floor-to-ceiling tiles."

My favorite area was the breakfast bar where you can conceal the appliances when they are not in use. There was also a large pull out drawer for cereal in special containers!

While you are waiting for something to cook or bake, you could go out and enjoy the greenery created by Plant Specialists including the huge palm trees!

As any New Yorker what they dream about and one of them would be a washer and dryer in their apartment! Of course, a house as large as the show house would require multiple laundry rooms but I'd gladly settle for one! It even includes the Kelly Ripa and Electrolux new limited edition 'kelly green' energy-saving washer and dryer.

Now, before you start leaving nasty comments about this final basement safe room designed by William T. Georgis, let me explain that it falls in the "fantasy room" category. A safe room could never contain a fireplace or windows or would ever look this chic! William T. Georgis designed the Safe Room as a "safe haven in a time of potential global wars, economic meltdown, ecological devastation, paranoia, and questionable human behavior."

" The room contains a combination of art, furniture and weapons. George Condo's Jesus on the Cross, a 19th-century Danish Eqyptian revival chaise, and Richard Dupont's haunting sculpture of distorted figures, Untitled (Lever House Study), animate a lair upholstered in gray ultrasuede, lined with weapons, and stocked with survival supplies. An Empire bureau plat allows for writing, while the surveillance camera and stainless steel commode provide comfort and accommodate relief. The disco ball spins to the endless party tracks." If you have to been cooped up in a safe room, you might as well be comfy and cozy!

William T. Georgis's partner, Richard Marshall, is the art advisor to art collector and real estate titan Aby Rosen who owns this building and generously donated it's use as the show house. Aby Rosen also owns Lever House where artist Richard Dupont recently showed his work. And his sister-in-law Serena Boardman works for Sotheby's International Real Estate and working on the sale of the $75 Million townhouse. Any takers?

Vic Secret fashion: Short summer dress - 2

Strapless smocked dress

Stretchy gathers create a springy look. Fit-and-flare shape. Empire waist. Ruffle hem. Imported cotton.

Strapless summer dress by Victoria's Secret. Sweet summer dress.
Victoria's Secret Fashion 2009

Vic Secret fashion: Short summer dress - 2

Pardon me while I lean out the window and cut some flowers!

I was trying to work on my last two Kips Bay Decorator Show House posts but quite frankly, I'm too tired to finish them. But I know how much everyone loves opening their Habitually Chic email in the morning so I am leaving you with this amazing townhouse that I walked by today. The beautiful floral smell was wafting down the street and I was in awe that they were climbing up to the roof! I have never seen anything like it! At first I thought they were lilacs but further research has led me to think that it's wisteria. I definitely think I will picking up a bouquet of flowers for my apartment tomorrow. Albeit on a much smaller scale! Enjoy!

5 of the Best Organic White Shirts / Blouses

Week 3 of How to Create the Perfect Eco Wardrobe looks at the classic white shirt. A crisp organic cotton shirt in your desired style and cut, will sort out any women's wardrobe crisis in an instant. From work to play, dressy to casual, a white shirt will always look appropriate for any given occasion and with the right accessories you can interpret trends and display your personality with great aplomb! As Meg Ryan proved in the film, You've Got Mail, a good quality, simple white shirt is sometimes all you need to look sophisticated and stylish.

Pintuck Poplin Shirt - People Tree (pictured above)
Made in India (International Fair Trade Association)
Organic and fair trade cotton
The pintuck detailing and gathering at the shoulders creates a flattering and feminine look in this shirt which is made by Assisi. Assisi Garments was established by Franciscan nuns and provides employment for disadvantaged women in India. People Tree's growing popularity has led Assisi to increase their staff size from 5 to 150!
Purchase at People Tree for £34 (also available in black)



Tea Blouse - Stewart + Brown
Made in USA
Organic tissue cotton
The perfect little lightweight shirt for summer! This tea blouse looks gorgeous worn with cute shorts or skirts but would look just as good worn with sleek trousers for work.
Purchase at Stewart Brown for US$186




Bib Front Shirt - Article 23
Made in India (World Fair Trade Organisation)
Organic Cotton
This classy white shirt comes from French label, Article 23 which is named after Article 23 of the Declaration of Human Rights. What better name and way to convey the company's strong beliefs about producing stylish pieces without compromising the rights of the people who make the garments. Create an elegant look by wearing this great shirt with simple tailored black pants, stilettos, opulent looking earrings and a slick of red lipstick!
Purchase at Bochica for £65




Pintuck Blouse - Stewart + Brown
Made in USA
Organic pima cotton
With Victorian-esque 'pintucked accents through the body' of the shirt and loose sleeves with sweet button cuffs, this blouse would look great for both formal and casual occasions.
Purchase at Stewart Brown for US$154 (available in black, grey and night shadow also)




Poplin Tunic Shirt - People Tree
Made in India (IFAT)
Organic and fair trade cotton
I love how versatile and confused this top is! Is it a shirt, is it a dress? Who cares! It looks cool and is made ethically (love the side pockets and flared cuffs). Wear with skinny jeans, stockings, leggings or accessorise with a long necklace or wide belt as seen in the picture. Anyway will look great.
Purchase at Rococo for £40

WEAR YOUR WHITE SHIRT FOR ANY OCCASION
Work - Classic: black pants, black heels, silver jewellery
Work - Feminine: pencil skirt, sleeves rolled up, statement necklace
Work - Suit up: worn with suit or underneath a sleek blazer
Weekend - Parisien Chic: black cigarette leg pants, black ballet flats, sunglasses
Weekend - Fun: jeans and brightly coloured 'look at me' shoes
Summer - Leggy: short skirt or shorts, gladiator sandals
Casual - Warmth: cardigans or jumpers worn over the top
Evening - Waist Land: wide belt over shirt with pencil skirt
Meg Ryan - Black wool vest over or black blazer, grey skirt and stockings
Annie Hall - Dark vest, chunky tie and tan pants

ACCESSORIES
Personalise a plain white shirt with accessories in your favourite colours and patterns that compliment your style and shape.

Belts - Wide belts worn over shirt
Necklaces - Big chunky statement necklaces for a unique look, vintage pearls for a formal dressy look or long pendants for more casual looks.
Bracelets / Watches - from slimline silver watches and bracelets to eclectic mixed bracelets and chunky gold cuffs, who knew bracelets could change up a look so much?

NATURAL WAYS TO KEEP WHITES WHITE
Ensure your white shirt has longevity by looking after it and maintaining its whiteness and brightness!

Wash in very hot water
1/2 cup lemon juice added to rinse cycle
1/2 cup vinegar added to rinse cycle (water softener)
1/2 cup of baking soda to regular washing product (e.g, soap nuts)
Let white clothes and fabrics dry naturally in the sun if you can

Technorati Tags: Organic Cotton White Shirts, People Tree White Shirts, Stewart + Brown