I am too tired to write a long winded post about anything tonight so I thought I would leave you with plenty to look at instead. I recently feel in love with the interior design firm, NathanEgan Interiors. I think they have a good eye for mixing modern and traditional elements and create some of the best kitchens I have ever seen! They definitely make me wish I owned a house! Enjoy!
Every time I burn a Votivo Red Currant candle, I immediately think of the Mayle store on Elizabeth Street in Soho. Long before I moved to New York, I visited the store with a friend and we both feel in love with the candles they were burning in the shop. The smell is so unique and Votivo candles are not only beautiful but very reasonably priced. A perfect compliment to the fabulous frocks that are designed by Jane Mayle. Her apartment below is also lust worthy. I'd kill for those shelves and textiles. But I guess when you consider her provenance, it's no wonder she has such great taste. C'est la vie.
It's interesting to see how John Derian incorporates his love of vintage into his own home and the new Spring/Summer 2008 Vogue Living (above and below) gives us a glimpse into his new Provincetown, Massachusetts Greek Revival House in which only three families had lived in since 1789.
Each room has beautiful old wallpaper that creates a beautiful backdrop to John Derian's new line of furniture. 
When Elle Decor featured John Derian's New York apartment in their March 2006 issue, they received quite a varied response. Not everyone thought that a deeply personal collection of vintage treasures in a not so perfectly plastered space should have been featured in the magazine but I think they were missing the point. Even if a style isn't exactly how you would decorate your own home, it's always nice to appreciate a different style. To each is own. 
In the living room a vintage boat fender is used as an ottoman. A great take away idea.
American folk art seems like the perfect collectible for John Derian, who mixes it here with a 1907 folding metal camp chair, an antique Dutch burlap covered chair and a 1930's French park chair.
The bedroom features a vintage ticking pillow from Paula Rubenstein in Soho and Elsa C. quilt from the John Derian shop. .jpg)
A desk vignette from John's design studio include wooden houses and vintage flash cards and an inspiration wall (below), as seen in August 2007 issue of Domino. .jpg)
I hope John Derian will inspire you to visit a flea market soon and incorporate some vintage treasures into your life and home. If you don't feel comfortable going all out, you can certainly add a few little pieces. They really do add character and soul but then again, I've never met an antique I didn't love. 
Everyone talks about John Derian's shop in New York but I was wondering how many people have actually been able to visit it in person. Luckily for me and you, John Derian himself was in the shop on Saturday and was gracious enough to allow me to take some photos to share with those of you who haven't yet experienced this amazing shop of curiosities.
Much of the front of the shop is dedicated to decoupage items including trays, lamps, bowls, bell jars, paperweights, and coasters, one of which I picked up for my new office desk.
All of the decoupage pieces are made from antique botanical and animal prints, as well as vintage maps and other papers that are reprinted and glued together under glass.
A table of wooden block books by New York based artist, art director, designer, illustrator, and publisher Leanne Shapton.
The extensive collection of glazed terracotta pottery and flatware by Paris based Astier de Villatte made me swoon. I think this might be the start of a new collection for me!
This was one of my favorite vingnettes in the shop. I love the juxtaposition of the vintage portrait and linens. The nice thing about the John Derian shop is that the prices are clearly marked on everything and they are pretty reasonable. Antique shops that don't list prices make me think that they make one up based on how you're dressed when you ask.
Decoupage zebras and fish and fruit. Oh my!
Even more decoupage. It never ends! 
Lino prints by Hugo Guinness are exclusive to John Derian and line an entire wall.
Beautiful spring branches.
Beautiful vintage mirror and frames.
The second shop carries more linens and John Derian's new furniture collection. A third shop will be open after Memorial Day in Provincetown, MA in part of John's new house more of which can be seen in the new Spring/Summer 2008 issue of Vogue Living. 
I told myself before I even stepped into the front door that I had to stick to my budget but of course that was quickly throw out the window once I saw the little glass box filled with vintage watercolors. I fell in love with the first one I saw and so I bought it as a little early birthday present to myself. I also picked up a coaster for my new office, a few postcards, a vintage children's flashcard and a vintage German enamel number 18, also for my birthday.
I hope those of you haven't visited the John Derian shop will make it a point to stop by on your next trip to New York. Just don't try to give yourself a budget for spending! It's useless to try to resist all the pretty treasures, new and old, just waiting to be taken home!
It was the most gorgeous Saturday in New York with signs of spring popping up everywhere! Woo hoo! 
.jpg)
It may still feel like winter here in New York but my apartment smells like spring now thanks to my new Estee Lauder Pleasures Limited Edition Artist Candle designed by renowned textile designer Kazumi Yoshida of Clarence House. It looks just as good as it smells too and not surprisingly since Yoshida has been creating the most original and luxurious fabrics for over 25 years. I think it would make a perfect gift for any woman who wears Pleasures or for Mother's Day. And after the candle burns down, it will make an even chicer pencil holder than the Diptyque glass jars!"Be inspired by the little things in nature. It's one of life's true pleasures."—Kazumi Yoshida
Since a few reviewers on a certain shopping website had a problem with Vintage French Interiors not actually featuring any home interiors, so I thought those folks might enjoy French Home by Josephine Ryan. I flipped through the book at Anthropologie and thought it looked beautiful. Then I realized that Ms. Ryan owns a antiques shop in London. The kind of shop I dream of owning one day. It may be a little shabby chic for some people but you don't need to decorate your entire home with vintage pieces if it's not your style. Just add a few pieces here and there for character and enjoy!
