The Hermès Shop Windows

Is everything from Hermès ridiculously expensive? I'm going to have to say yes and I'll tell you why in a second. I was reading the New York Times online and found a story about Kelly Wearsler shopping for hard to find design books which included "The Hermès Shop Windows" by Leila Menchari, who has been the sole creator of window displays at the Hermès store in Paris since 1977. Later that same day, I happened to pop into William Wayne and what did I find but "The Hermès Shop Windows." If you are interested, it can be yours for $1,000. Or you could save that and put it toward a Birkin. Your call.

Perfect Summer Dress!

I'm not the only person who thinks the Sophie Dress from Club Monaco is the perfect summer dress since the black version pretty much sold out everywhere. Luckily, I managed to snag the white and taupe versions. Paired with a wide belt and sandals, the dress is perfect for work or play. Get one before they're gone!

Laird New York Townhouse

One of my readers wished she could find the photos from the Laird family townhouse that we're also published in Elle Decor and her wish is my command. I had already uploaded them because I wanted to post them since I love seeing how owners decorate their different homes.

In the living room above, an 18th-century Spanish mirror shares space on the mantle with an oil painting by Peter Sabbath and an acrylic on paper by Sylvia Plimack Mangold entitled June 1980. As I stated before, Trey Laird is a legendary advertising man in New York and his firm Laird + Partners works on the branding of some great companies. But his wife Jenny is no slouch either. She was an art dealer and you can tell from the works in their home that she has a great eye and amassed a beautiful collection.

In another shot of the living room, you can get a better look at the beautiful ebonized parquet floors, George Smith sofa upholstered in white linen by Henry Calvin, and a floor pillow covered in Donna Karen silk. The glass and iron cocktail table was designed by Trey Laird. Seems his creativity isn't confined to just advertising!

In yet another view of the living room, the green garden seat is from Gordon Foster and the lithograph entitled Now, from 1990 is by Ed Ruscha. Almost none of the windows have curtains which the couple found "old fashioned. Laird said "we love seeing the bones of the architecture. It looks really clean and simple."

In one corner of the master bedroom, sits and interesting mix of items including a Victorian bust of Louis XIV, a cardboard sculpture by Claes Oldenburg, and a 19th-century French chair from Balsamo Antiques.

I think the dining room is my favorite with its chocolate walls and beautiful green leather and painted wood dining chairs from the 1920's. I wish they had given a paint credit but unfortunately they did not. Sorry Maison21!

In the breakfast room, a Gio Ponti black lacquer and rush chair from the 1950's looks perfect sitting next to Andy Warhol's Double Jackie from 1966 and a 1972 lithograph by Robert Rauschenberg entitled Horsefeathers Thirteen-X.

This townhouse with it's beautiful furniture and roaring fire make me wish it was fall already!

Another Hampton Hideaway

There is nothing I love more than peaking into the Hampton homes of fabulous New Yorkers. It makes me want to work harder so I can have a place to getaway from the city every weekend and the Bridgehampton home of legendary advertising guru Trey Laird and his family is no different. It looks soothing and relaxing but is certainly not boring probably because they collaborated with interior designer Jeffrey Bilhuber, a legend in his own right!

The Louis XVI bergère is upholstered in Ru­belli's Samos and the sofa and Basics slipper chair, both by Bilhuber, are in Rogers & Goffigon fabrics, see more below. The antique limestone mantel is from A&R Asta.

In the living room of the main house, the Breck sofa is a Bilhuber design upholstered in a Travers linen, the curtain fabric is by Création Baumann, and the ceiling is painted with Benjamin Moore's Cloud Cover.

The Moroccan table in the library was found at a Paris flea market and the wool carpet is by Beauvais. The sofa was designed by Jeffrey Bilhiber. I also love the Elizabeth Peyton piece on the bookshelf. Jenny Laird was an art dealer and her taste is impeccable!

Maya Romanoff paper sheathes the library walls, and Bilhuber's Bridgewater sofa is upholstered with a Création Baumann linen-cotton.

In the study, the desk is by Mecox Gardens and the chair is by Pottery Barn. The walls are covered in a Raoul Textiles linen and the ceiling in Albert Hadley's Trixie wallpaper for Hinson, a fun contrast.

The dining table is a flea-market find and the mahogany server is Victorian. The floors are espresso-stained American walnut.

The quilt in the guest room is from Calypso Home, one of my favorite stores to find interesting textiles and furniture. The bed skirt is made of Michael Devine's Petite Fleur linen and the print is by Jean Pagliuso. The walls are painted with Benjamin Moore's Hancock Green.

In the master bedroom, the grass-cloth wall covering is by Designtex and a painting by Robert Bordo hangs above the mantel.

The master bathroom's antique stool is from Mecox Gardens, the wainscoting is painted with Benjamin Moore's White Dove, a favorite color among all designers and the one I used in the Bachelor Pad. The tiles are by Urban Archaeology.

The slatted tables in the poolhouse were designed by Bilhuber while the Hampton club chairs are by Walters Wicker, and the 1850s star lantern is from Amy Perlin Antiques. The landscape design around the pool below is by Deborah Nevins. A perfect ending to a perfect home.

I Heart New York

Everyone who lives in New York has a love/hate relationship with the city and if they say they don't, they are lying. Some days just start off on the wrong foot like this morning. I was more than slightly hungover and very tired. I was running late for work. It was hazy, hot and humid so I was sweating through my dress my 9:00am and the city smelled like garbage. My hair was out of control even pulled back in a ponytail. But then just like in any relationship, the city does something to remind you why you love it.

I decided to walk home across the park tonight after an appointment on the West Side and there was barely anyone out. All the tourists were safely back at their hotels. The joggers were done. The crazy cyclists too. The Day Lilies were asleep for the night. It was just me alone enjoying the peace which was later broken by some lovely music wafting out from a concert at Summer Stage. Turns out it was Mark Knopfler. Couldn't have been a nicer ending to my day. Thanks New York. I still heart you.

Thrilled to Pieces

I mentioned in my Bachelor Pad Sneak Peak post that the entry console was from Pieces, Lee Kleinhelter's fabulous store in Atlanta. We also bought the bedside tables from Pieces and couldn't be happier! The furniture is fabulous and so are Lee, Anna and Perry, who were all beyond helpful during the ordering and delivery process. If I lived in Atlanta, I'd be there every day but since I don't, I make do by patrolling the website. They have some amazing pieces! Definitely check them out!

Pea Green with Envy

If you don't live in New York, you might not know who Olivia Palermo is but then again, if you used to visit the now defunct Socialite Rank or read Vogue or New York Magazine, you might. She's the "socialite" that everyone loves to hate. She's a size 0, has an enviable wardrobe, goes to parties every night, and has a model boyfriend. What's not to love right? Oh, and did I mention she's only 22?

I've never met her but I always love checking out the party photos on Patrick McMullen to see what she's been wearing. She has amazing style and I think always looks great. Page Six magazine recently gave us a peak into her new Tribeca apartment that was pulled together with help from her interior designer mother, Lyn ­Hutchings, a partner at interior design firm Hutchings-Lyle.

I wish there were more photos since it looks kind of cute. Love the vintage Hermes tray and white leather coffee table with nail head trim from Carlyle ­Custom ­Convertible. Unfortunately, the flowers look like were picked up at the corner deli but I guess if that's the worst part, then she's not doing too badly. Although, now I feel the need to head to the gym to work out and the dermatologist for some Botox, and to work harder in order to upgrade my apartment! Keeping up with these young girls is like a full time job! (This is a joke by the way!)