Bon Weekend

"Flowers... are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty 

outvalues all the utilities of the world."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1844

Photo by me via instagram

Take a Chance on Greece

"Of all peoples, the Greeks have dreamt the dream of life best." - Goethe

For her third season of Chance, founder and creative director Julia Leach not only dreamed of Greece but traveled there to capture the spirit of the collection on location.  She worked with local photographer Yiorgos Kaplasnidis and a local model  in these stunning images shot on the island of Paros. Greece was the perfect backdrop to not only her signature stripes but new caftans and tunics debuting this May.  The Chance ethos is described as "classics that travel the world" and if you can't get away, you can feel like you have thanks to Julia. 

Chance Greece inspiration board. 

(click images to enlarge)

Photos by Yiorgos Kaplasnidis courtesy of Chance (click to enlarge)

Bamboo Story

One of the more avant guard rooms in the Kips Bay Decorator Show House is Sara Story's Bamboo Story space. She provided background information on the design so I thought it would be nice to share it in its entirety. 

" Sara Story's installation is a composition of form and color that invites viewers' heightened reflection through dynamic optical effects. In the abstracted sitting room, fractal upholstery pieces covered in solid colored lilac lambswool and binary pair of black and white coffee tables sit on a geometric floor pattern, establishing dynamic tension between figure and ground. 

The walls are covered in the black and white rendition of the "bamboo" pattern from Sara's recently launched wallpaper collection. In Asian symbolism, bamboo is a sign of strength, and the pattern is reflected in a lilac ceiling polished to a mirror finish. A custom vanity in the bathroom displays a full spectrum of the same lilac hue, relief from the after-effect of looking at a rigorous checkerboard of black and white tile on the walls and floor."

Sounds good to me. 

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

All About Eve

I always wish that readers would remember that the designers who participate in the Kips Bay Decorator Show House spend tens of thousands of dollars of their own money on their rooms. And more importantly, it's all done for charity before they criticize a space that's not their taste.  That said, one of my readers did point out this morning that so far I've posted some of the more traditional rooms (this is not actually what she said but it's probably best not to post the actual email) so I'm going to highlight a few more of the modern spaces today. First up is the top floor "Family Lounge" by Eve Robinson & Associates.  It's a light airy space  with a custom grey hide rug by Kyle Bunting that elevates the room beyond the usual family rec room decor. 

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

Chic Master Suite

I didn't realize until the end of my tour of the Kips Bay Decorator Show House that Kathryn Ireland designed the only bedroom in this year's townhouse. I'm glad it was a really chic one then.  Kathryn's style is usually very California Bohemian Chic but I thought she did a great job translating that to the East Coast with the use of all the antiques from John Rosselli and the Anglo-Indian Tester bed from Jonathan Burden.  It also doesn't hurt that all the fabrics and wallpaper are part of her collection for Scalamandré. 

The Impressionist painting is from Rafael Gallery.

The bird painting is by Hunt Slonem. 

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

Introducing Aerin Lauder for Lee Jofa & Summer

I remember speaking with someone last year about Aerin Lauder's line for Lee Jofa and today I saw the final amazing result.  It makes me wish I worked on more design projects because I could scheme them, along with her carpets and home accessories a million different ways from Sunday.  The fabric designs also grace the travel and make up bags in addition to the packaging for the amazing smelling candles.  They don't have a label so they look very chic sitting out and you can use them to hold your make up brushes, from Aerin of course, or pencils after they burn down. I'm also excited to report that Aerin is opening a seasonal summer shop in Southampton on Saturday, May 25th.  It will carry ready made pillows; bathing suits; her shoes, jewelry, and sunglasses; beauty and make up; and more.  It looks like it's going to be one chic summer!

Aerin Summer

83 Main Street

Southampton, NY 11968

southampton@aerin.com

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic