Hamptons Magazine

I'm not even sure where to begin, but between being a family gal, working, sitting on a board for political advocation for education, chairing a beautification (gardening) committee, being a Girl Scout troop leader, being a classroom parent, volunteering at an animal shelter and well, the list goes on and in the interim Hamptontoes has been a tad neglected the past several weeks.

Well, I've got my blogging groove back and I'm kicking it off with some exciting news! I am thrilled to share that this summer I will be writing a bi-weekly column for the online version of Hamptons Magazine.  My first contributing editoral is three tips about inspiration for your own garden.

Whether you are in the Hamptons or experiencing it from afar, Hamptons Magazine online will have you inspired and informed...add it to your daily reads!

Want to get in on the Hamptons Magazine action? This season there is an exciting photo sharing campaign  on their site where you can share your Hamptons happiness images with other Hamptons Magazine readers! Start uploading...it's fun and great to see the Hamptons through other peoples eyes!     

Between my bi-weekly line-up of stories and my blog, I will be covering the Hamptons lifestyle all summer. What insider tidbits would you like to see or read about here? Here's to enjoying the warm weather!   

Museum Monday - Winterthur

Museum Monday is here! We all know and love the big name museums such as, the Metropolitian Museum of Art (the Met) and the Louvre, yet I created this series to introduce you to some of my favorite cultural "gems" with a little less name recognition. Winterthur is hands down one of my favorite museums. The museum, gardens, events, yuletide experience and educational courses are amazing!

Used with permission, photo courtesy, Winterthur

Winterthur is located on 1,000 beautiful acres in Delaware and houses the world's largest collection of early American furnishings and decorative arts. The former 175 room childhood home to Henry Francis du Pont contains more than 90,000 objects dating from 1640 to 1860. What a treat to visit of one of the former homes of the prominent du Pont family.

Used with permission, Winterthur.  Photo courtesty, J. Lindvig

Used with permission, Winterthur. Photo courtesty, J. Lindvig

The interior spaces are not only stunning, but truly a study of America's finest interior offerings. Each room is a treat beyond words.    

Gorgeous space. I'm smitten with the settee, and its bolster pillows. Such a timeless space.   

Used with permission, Winterthur.   

Fabulous!  

Used with permission, Winterthur. Photo courtesy, Gavin Ashworth.  

Winterthur's Point-to-Point steeplechase is a day of horse racing and exquisite tailgate picnics. I've attended many and can share with you that family and friends dressed in sundresses, hats and ties feasting on food makes for wonderful memories. Get your tickets for Saturday, May 6th! 

Used with permission, Winterthur. Photo courtesty, Pat Crowe.

Used with permission, Winterthur. Photo courtesty, Bob Hickok.

This year's Point-to-Point will feature food demonstrations by Dana Herbert a previous winner of TLC's Cake Boss and Fox's MasterChef season two winner Jennifer Behm, both from Delaware. Sounds like this year's event is going to be superb, as always!

Have you been to Winterthur? Thinking of planning a trip now? What are some of your favorite museums? Happy Monday!

Design details that caught my eye

My oh my, have I missed all of you! I was away on a family vacation and completely unplugged. Since returning I've had so much on my plate that even squeezing in one of my favorite activities, blogging, wasn't an option the past two weeks. Glad to be back!

While vacationing I took notice of design details from Atlantis in the Bahamas that are worth sharing. The chevron stone tile in this bath was eye catching.   

Look at it close-up, it is little pieces of stone laid out in the chevron pattern. Very impressive installation.  

In one of the lobbies I found several of these side tables. The natural element of the twig coated with a varnish made for striking, yet practical tables. The tops were super smooth. Fun for a beachside resort. 

Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill was such a culinary treat. The decor combined with the food made for a memorable dining experience. In the past I've mentioned pushing boundaries when it comes to the backs of dining chairs, as they aren't spaces that normally get wear and tear. Look how cowhide was used on the chairs.     

The waiting area consisted of several chic, vinyl covered seating surfaces. I'm a huge fan of using vinyl in areas with high traffic. 

Every morning poolside, we were greeted with these towel creations. I enjoyed them so much that I asked one of the workers for a tutorial. I will now be making these all summer long. Simple happiness!   

In a lobby I found these chairs with roping and knots.    

I have a love for orchids. The usage of bamboo to hold the individual stems up caught my attention. I wonder if I can duplicate? Have you seen this look before?  

Are you one who is inspired by your travels?

Loving Society Social

Are you loving Society Social as much as me? Since the launch of this company in August of 2011 it has been on my radar screen. Society Social offers fun pieces for the home at an affordable price point. Roxy, the gal who followed her passion in creating Society Social is someone that I look forward to meeting...she signs all her emails with "cheers" and has a zest for life that I feel through our email communications. Believing that life was too short to continue the rat race of the corporate world she had been living, she ventured out on her own...kudos to that spirit!

With her passion, Hollywood smile and colorful offerings, Roxy's Society Social is off to a running start.

The Darlington set of chairs offers thirteen different color choices and each one is a winner. I'd love to see  these around a kitchen table, at a desk, in a foyer or placed in a living room for extra seating...the pops of color are perfection yet the classic black one is eye catching too. Where would you use this chair?    

I am wild about the Draper end or accent tables...how fabulous are these? Available in ten colorways this accent table can be used anywhere in a home.  

Society Social's pillow collection  makes a wow statement!  

All images were used by permission and can be found on Society Social 

Society Social is not a to-the-trade only company...so have fun shopping! See anything you like?

Thibaut's New Geometric Wallcoverings

I am always smitten with the wonderful wallcovering offerings by Thibaut. Their recently introduced new line Geometric Resource, is eye catching. From geometric patterns to traditional trellis designs the product line offers an array of  beautiful prints and colorways.

This pattern, Allison, is timeless and with ten colorway options there is a shade for everyone.

Etosha is my favorite and offers five color options. I love the chicness and boldness of the zebra print.   

With eight colorway options the Wilton Trellis is perfection for a foyer or man's study.

 With ten colorways, the Rothbury Trellis, is sure to prove itself a winner in any room.

 Another wallcovering option with ten colorways is the Merrill. Simple, yet stunning!

The Grayden now has me thinking of its nine color options and where it can be used.    

The Prescott option is a fresh pattern (with seven colorways) that is unexpected, yet refined.

 All images were used with permission and can be found on Thibaut's website.

Do you have a favorite? Where would you use that pattern? Here's to the power of wallpaper!

NYIGF

Here is your tour of the New York International Gift Fair...

Merben International had a colorful line-up of mohair throws with "rescued" pieces of yarn for the fringe. How wonderful that instead of tossing excess yarn pieces they've added them to the mohair for a playful looking throw.   

Oh how I would love to see this lighting fixture from Oly in a beach home! 

This monogrammed dining chair by Tara Shaw Maison was stunning! I would love to use it for a ladies desk/writing area. The monogram on the center medallion makes it extra special.

The faux florals by Diane James Home are for clients with a discerning eye. They are beautiful and will have your guests thinking you've got the best "green thumb!"

Dunes and Duchess was bursting with color and beauty! The sconces, candlelabras and lamps are the perfect "wow" piece!  

This chair by Design Legacy (shown in two different colorways and bases) would make for striking host and hostess chairs or an area where you need a comfortable statement chair.  

Worlds Away is one of my favorite sources for chic offerings for the home. This new marble top table is  striking!          

I am smitten with Ro Sham Beaux! I am now itching to use some of their fabulous lighting fixtures in my work.  

I blogged about Tritter Feefer here in my all American post for Tobi Fairley...love this vendor! They added several new items to their line-up that had me taking a second look. 

The Lizzy Deux  

The Greta Desk 

The Lido (the top table)

Sea Island

I hope you have enjoyed your "visit" to the NYIGF. Happy Thursday!