Green is Good

I know it's been talked about forever but I thought you might be interested to know that you can now own the infamous green dress from Atonement that has been deemed the "it" dress of the year. Clothes Off Our Back is auctioning off the dress online with proceeds from the auction benefiting Variety – The Children’s Charity of Southern California. Green really is good!

And the Oscar Goes To...

Actually the Architectural Digest Oscar Greenroom this year goes to Dorothy Draper and Company, Inc., or more specifically Carleton Varney who now runs DD. Above is the rendering, courtesy of my new friend Kelly Reynolds who was lucky enough to work on the project and gave me the inside scoop.

The room was inspired by the Arrowhead Springs Resort in Southern California that DD designed back in 1939. The bar for the greenroom was replicated from the hotel, pictured above, and the famous Draper door seen on the front of the book In the Pink: Dorothy Draper by Carleton Varney which is also from the original installation.

Carleton Varney said, "I wanted to recall the 'Golden Age' of Hollywood, where the mix of white satin, fringes, mirrors, leather tufting and crystal were the components of the design." Staying true to Dorothy Draper fashion, Mr. Varney has employed her trademark use of black and white on floors, seen below at Greenbrier, and doors against glazed aubergine walls to create stunning contrast.

Alas, poor Kelly did not get to go to Los Angeles to actually install the Greenroom but she can still take pride in helping create a beautiful room in which Dorothy Draper would certainly feel at home! You can see more of the finished Greenroom in a future issue of Architectural Digest.

Chic for Sale

Before it's recent demise, House and Garden was selling chic vintage prints of images from it's archives but now you can buy them from all the magazines under the Conde Nast umbrella in their chic new store. From vintage Vogue covers to iconic images of Veruschka and interiors by Cecil Beaton, above. You name it. They have it and it's definitely worth a peak.

"In Clifford Coffin's quietly beautiful image from the March 1, 1949, Vogue, the crimson tones of a model wearing a Vogue Pattern suit-dress cut in Balmain fabric pop against a misty and melancholy streetscape."

"Melanie Kahane decorated this converted attic space, complete with a crimson chaise lounge and loveseat. Haanel Cassidy photographed the space for the January 1955 issue of House and Garden."

"A model holds fabric against a white wall in this Herbert Matter photograph, which was featured in the September 1950 issue of House and Garden." Makes me wish I was a decorator in the 1950's! I love the hat and gloves! Talk about chic!

Katie's Tablescape

If you haven't already seen it, you must check out Katie's beautiful tablescape and flowering quince branches at Katiedid that she was inspired to create after my post about forcing branches. I have to say that she could give any top interior designer a run for their money. It's one of the most beautiful displays I've ever seen! Kudos to Katie!!!

Wedding of the Year

If you live in New York or follow the society pages, then you'll know how obsessed everyone has been over the photos of Lauren Davis's recent wedding to Andres Santo Domingo in Colombia. Well, the wait is over. Vogue has published the exclusive photos by Arthur Elgot in the new March 2008 issue. It was a lavish affair and her couture dress designed by Olivier Theyskens and embroidered by Lesage was magnificent. It was certainly fun to peak at how the other half lives.

Also in the same issue was a small article congratulating Thelma Golden, the director and chief curator of the Studio Museum in Harlem and designer Duro Olowu on their recent nuptuals. The two quietly tied the knot at City Hall with Ms. Golden wearing a dress designed for her by Olowu which to me sounded so romantic. Sometimes the simplest things are the sweetest.

Ms. Davis registered for her wedding at Charlotte Moss which impressed me since the shop is chock full of one of a kind and classic gift ideas. I'm also pretty sure she doesn't need anything from Crate and Barrel. But it got me thinking about gift registries and how most of the ones I've seen depress me. I honestly don't know if I will register when the time comes. I will probably have everything I need by them and I don't particulary think I want to remember my special day with a toaster. It's not very romantic.

I have many lovely artsy and creative friends who I would love to see surprise me by creating their own special gift. How about a vintage book inscribed with lovely sentiments or a poem which will remind me of them every time I open it. Or pillows made from fabric that they specially designed and inside which are sewn special wishes for the couple. Maybe someone whose hobby is pottery could make a vase and imprint the wedding date on the bottom. (I don't know if I know anyone who throws pots so maybe someone should start taking classes now.) If someone's not creative they could pick up a special gift on a trip and write a note explaining why they chose it and the meaning behind it. You get the idea.

The moral of my story is that the next time you are invited to a wedding, I hope you will think outside the box and chose a gift from the heart and not the registry. I also hope that brides who receive gifts off of their registries will appreciate the thoughtful gesture because no one needs another toaster...especially since they shouldn't be eating carbs anyway!

A Flair for Living

"The true spirit of hospitality is about sharing the pleasure that you derive from living with beauty." - Charlotte Moss

Charlotte Moss's eagerly anticipated new book A Flair for Living will be released in May and can be preordered on her website. It is touted as "her most elegant and personal design book to date, Moss will tempt you into the world of the refined by offering a lavish tour of every component of a home." I know I am very excited to own what looks to be a very beautiful book indeed!

Forcing Spring

It was 65 degrees here Monday in New York and this brief reprieve had me craving spring even more so I decided to force the issue literally. Forcing branches is an easy and pretty inexpensive way to brighten up your home while it's still cold outside. Just cut the ends and arrange the branches in a sturdy vase filled with water and place in a warm spot.

My flowering quince above has not yet bloomed but is getting close. You can place the vase near your radiator to speed up the process like I have but I wouldn't recommend leaving it there. Space is at a premium in my apartment and it's the only place out of the way so there it is staying! Usually forced branches last about two weeks.

I like seeing the branch ends in a clear vase but many other people prefer a more decorative container such as the blue and white Asian vase seen here in House Beautiful. If you have the speace, I always think bigger is better too. It makes a more dramztic statement. If you've ever seen the overflowing vase of cherry blossoms at Rue 57 restaurant in New York, you'll know what I mean!

Steven Gambrel

Apartment of Carlos Souza

Apartment of Jean Greenberg Rohatyn

Kelly Wearstler

I would have gone bigger and fuller here.

Very zen at Josie Natori's New York home

Nate Berkus

Image from Domino Magazine

Home of Valesca Guerrand Hermes

My favorite kitchen designed by Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch of Roman Williams

A beautiful display of forsythia in House Beautiful March 2008

I'm not sure how I feel about the tulips in the same vase as
the forsythia but it's an interesing idea.

Once the weather turns warmer in April, you can
switch out the branches for fragrant lilac!