Hollister Hovey's Beyond Chic Blog!

Today, I found the most beyond chic blog that I am still obsessing over! Hollister Hovey's eponymous blog is like visiting the best vintage store where you want to buy everything in sight! It's a place where Hemingway, Osa and Martin Johnson, Amelia Earhart, The Duke of Windsor, Ralph Lauren, and The Royal Tenenbaums would all feel at home.

Her back story is not unlike a lot of creative types who get sidetracked, in her case by reporting for Dow Jones Newswires and now healthcare PR, neither of which have anything to do with design, which she leaves that for her nights.

"I've always been aesthetically obsessed with war-era design - a gift handed down from my mom. She grew up in Nebraska but always dreamed of working for a New York fashion magazine. After college she applied for a Conde Nast internship -- and a summer program at Radcliffe. She didn't get the former and it broke her heart. But she went off to Cambridge and through that program, ironically got hired as an editor at (now defunct) Mademoiselle. She met my dad at one of Fern Malice's (the one who runs fashion week) parties. My dad grew up in Old Westbury, but spent most of his youth in boarding school and then traveling exotically...ran a gold mine in Bolivia, took a boat of cattle to the Philippines and then lived on an Afrikaner farm in South Africa."

"Together, they moved back to the Midwest shortly after the wedding, had my sister Porter (above) and me and raised us (and dressed us) with their New York ideals. I spent a good portion of grade school in Ralph Lauren blazers with my classmates saying I looked 40 (I was a foot taller than everyone, so this was practically true)."

"Porter and I both moved to New York after our respective college years and now live together in a loft in Williamsburg. Porter's a freelance photographer (www.porterhovey.com) and I occasionally take on watercolor-based design projects, most notably a few package designs and a knitting guide book for Anthropologie. One day I hope to open a store in Brooklyn."

I know you all are going to love Hollister's blog as much as I do, epecially the charming stories and photos of her wonderful family and loft. I told her that she must open a store. She has a perfect eye and great taste and if anyone can persuade me visit Brooklyn, it just might be her!

Vivre Summer Preview

Last week, on one of the coldest days yet in New York, I had the opportunity to attend the Vivre summer preview that definitely had me wishing for warmer weather! Vivre had taken over an empty apartment in the former Stanhope Hotel which has been converted into luxury residences. It was filled with so many amazing objects, clothing and accessories that I almost had sensory overload...but in a good way!

In the living and dining room was a huge table covered in summer treasures and amazing jewelry including pieces by my new favorite designer Hassan Bounkit. Bounkit is originally from Casablanca, studied in Montreal and Florence before working for Ferragamo, Nicole Miller and Srnold Scassi. Each piece of his jewelry is exotic and interesting and an exclusive selection can be found only at Vivre.

Part of the decoration included painted trees in orange and fuscia which were actually fitted into the table.

It's apparent that Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti and her team at Vivre like fabulous things and the Bruno Frissoni raffia platform slingbacks above are beyond fabulous!

Vivre has an interesting selection of carved figurines including a lobster and crab and what looks like a beetle above, that will be new for summer.

More painted trees and chunky necklaces.

I've seen the Pig Bank from the Reality series by Harry Allen before in gold and chrome but hot pink resin looks fun for summer.

You can buy anything for your home from Vivre now including books for your library.

All the summer tunics, bikinis, bags and hats definitely had be pining for summer or at least a vacation. Vivre always seems to know just what a stylish woman needs to pack.

Vivre carries an amazing array of textiles and for summer will feature pillows in exclusive patterns from Ankasa.

I loved this secretary in the bedroom filled to the brim with cute little bags including the Vivre zipper pouch in an array of colors and skins. But the pièce de résistance was the amazing headboard by Casamidy that is surprisingly light and can be easily installed.

All in all, my preview of the summer collection was the perfect pick me up on the coldest day of the year and I want to thank everyone at Vivre who was so nice and helpful!

Tony Duquette: Always in Fashion

It seems like Tony Duquette and Dawnridge will always be in fashion and fashion magazines. Harper's Bazaar shot a beautiful spread entitled Fresh Florals for the March 2008 issue which is interesting since they ran the stunning Reese Witherspoon photos of her at Dawnridge in the March 2007 issue. And not to be outdone is Saks Fifth Avenue, who shot much of their Spring 2008 catalog at the famous estate. It's easy to see why anyone would want to use the fabulous chinoiserie decor as a backdrop to even more fabulous clothing. It lends an exotic touch and the orange silk couches add a fun pop of color. Now if it would just warm up so we could wear spring clothes, we'd be all set!

My Date with Domino

I couldn't ask for a better Valentine's Day date than the March 2008 issue of Domino. It actually arrived earlier than expected which is more than I can say about my last date. Anyway, I digress. This issue, as usual, is chock full of inspiring ideas and beautiful interiors. One of my favorite features is the style evolution of the former homes of legendary magazine editor Mary Jane Poole some of which is seen here. Mary seems kind of spunky for a woman of a certain age and I love her use of color and pattern. Check out that leopard carpet in the bedroom! I think I also have a soft spot for her since she happens to live a block away from me in New York. Just as wonderful is the Brooklyn loft of stylist Lili Diallo that is filled with fabulous art and pops of pattern. Check it out for yourself and you'll want to date Domino too!

Chic Cozy Cottage

It's so funny how you can see an imagine and then end up seeing it again in a different context later that same day. That's what happened to me today. Earlier, I was reading my favorite blogs and Anna at Absolutely Beautiful Things posted the cute little cottage above with a link to an article about Steven Gambrel's guesthouse from New York Magazine.

The living room was the most dramatic aspect had many interesting pieces including (1) an early-twentieth-century Danish ship’s lantern as a chandelier, (2) framed vintage sea-creature prints above the sofa which Gambrel chose to floated in clear glass frames, (3) a Gambrel designed sofa covered in Manuel Canovas nubby oyster cloth, (4) a Belgium coffee table made of iron and slate, (5) armchairs found at the Paris flea market and covered in a shearling bed cover found in a flea market in Uruguay, (6) a sisal rug from Crate and Barrel, and (7) a wood stool covered in orange leather from Antwerp.

Then later that night, I was leafing through the new March 2008 issue of Town & Country magazine and all of the sudden I noticed that the models were sitting in the very same room! Obviously, I'm sure someone at T&C is friendly with Mr. Gambrel and decided his little guesthouse would make a perfect set for their fashion shoot. If you look closely, you'll notice that the green glass jug from the front of the house ends up in the photo too.

Gambrel renovated the cottage first before the main house, which can be seen on his website, and ended up loving the cozy environment which includes a tarpon from the 1920's above the fireplace, a ladder that leads to a sleeping loft and a shell found at a Hamptons garage sale.

The kitchen is also cozy but is only called upon for casual summer meals including corn on the cob which will be served on pewter plates.

It's easy to see why Town & Country would want to hang out in this chic little cozy cottage all day shooting a fashion spread. I wonder if Gambrel rents it to normal folks. I want to hang out there too!

Be Mine

I don't have a Valentine this year (certainly not from a lack of trying) but I'm vowing to enjoy the day anyway inspite of this fact and thought I would put together a little gift guide anyway.

If you are feeling really indulgent and want to buy your sweetheart something fabulous that also benefits a good cause, check out Sotheby's Red Auction on February 14th where you can bid on love related art from Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons, Cecily Brown and Sir Peter Blake pictured above. All proceeds of the sale will go to the United Nations Foundation to support HIV/AIDS relief programs in Africa.


Of course, you could always buy your significant other some flowers but might I suggest something more original than the usual cliche of long stemmed red roses. In fact, I hate red roses. I actually received a bouquet last year and although it was a very thoughtful gesture, it also meant he knew nothing about me. If I am required to know when his favorite sports teams are playing, why can't he take a minute to ask me what kind of flowers I like. Anyway, you can never go wrong with pink peonies or cabbage roses. Even a bouquet of hyacinths would be pretty. Believe me, think outside the box on this one!


There is no better joy in life than chocolate and if you've never tasted a Teuscher Champagne Truffle, you haven't lived! They are one of my favorites and always make a great present any time of year! But if you can't find them in your area, Marie Belle and Vosges are great alternatives. At this point, I'd settle for a Reese's Peanut Butter Heart, my ultimate guilty pleasure.

If you're single and bitter this Valentine's Day, then I suggest you check out this Love is Lame t-shirt. It might be too late to buy it to wear tomorrow, but there's always next year. Happy Valentine's Day!

I Heart Julian Schnabel

I love everything that Julian Schnabel's amazing creativity produces! Plates on a canvas...Genius! Basquiat and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly...Brilliant! Gramercy Park Hotel and a pink palazzo...Stupendous! Alright, you may think I have lost my mind for liking a pink palazzo plopped on top of an old factory and most of New York does too but it's truly a work of art. As much respect as I have for all the famous architects building now, I'm quite franky tired of big glass boxes. They lack a soul but Julian Schnabel's new building in the West Village has soul and style to spare.

Schnabel says he was influenced by a visit he took to the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua Italy and the Giotto frescoes inside but also by American architects Addison Mizner and Stanford White which is why there are Moorish, Turkish and Venetian motifs throughout.

The building houses five residences including his own which is the perfect backdrop for not only Schnabel's own art but his amazing collection of art by Luigi Ontani, Francis Picabia, Cy Twombly, and Man Ray.

In the bedroom hangs Picasso's Femme au Chapeau, and I bet we can be assured that the bed is dressed in linens from his Schabel's wife Olatz's own line. She also designs the pajamas that her husband is famous for wearing around town and the building was named Palazzo Chupi after her nickname.

In the basement of the building is the swimming pool, a very rare occurance in New York.

It's fun to go back and look at Schnabel's designs for the Gramercy Park Hotel after looking at his home because they both have share a similar design aesthetic from the wood beamed ceiling to the black and white floor tiles that are the same in the hotel lobby and in his bedroom.

Both the hotel and home also share a strong use of the color red and even the same saw tooth lamp that Schnabel himself designed that here sits in front of Cy Twomby's Bacchus (Untitled).

Schnabel oversaw the placement of all the art including his own painting Teddy Bears Picnic visible through the dramatic red drapes.

Julian Schnabel's Blue Japanese Painting No. 3 hangs in the Jade Bar which not only boasts Jade colored walls but blue velvet seats and more dramtic red drapes. Each room is like a little jewel box and this one also includes a Jean-Michel Basquiat diptych above the salmon colored niche.

Schnabel's Suddenly Last Summer (Picasso Painting No. 2) above the fireplace in the Rose Bar which reminds me a lot of his Palazzo bedroom from the wall color to the "Picasso" painting.

One of the most dramatic pieces of art in the hotel is the light installation in the private roof club sitting room that sets off the many Damian Hirst paintings in the room.

It really seems like it's Julian Schnabel's finest hour and I really hope he wins the Oscar for Best Director because he really deserves it the award. I also can't wait to see what this modern renaissance man has up his sleeve next. But I'm also curious what he thinks about his 21 year old son Vito dating 44 year old former model Elle MacPherson!