Hamptons Magazine

I am thrilled to announce that this summer I will once again be a contributing columnist for Hamptons Magazine online! Hamptons Magazine, whether the magazine or online, is a treasure trove of all things Hamptons and all things that can inspire, regardless of locale. You need not reside or vacation in the Hamptons to join the fun and be in the know, design savvy individuals everywhere will want to read! The At Home section of the online division of Hamptons Magazine is where you'll find my contributions. I'll be following your Twitter tweets, Facebook links and Pinterest pins on all my articles!

I would love your input this year on topics you would love to see covered. Tell me, what would you love to read about, learn about or get insider tips about when it comes to all things Hamptons regarding interior design or lifestyle related?

Here's to a having a wonderful, safe and happy 2013 summer!

Society Social "Project Sofa" room

In my previous post, I wrote about my involvement as one of the eleven designer's in Society Social's "Project Sofa" lookbook. I was thrilled to collaborate in the efforts to turn a simple white sofa into a striking and welcoming seating surface.

I love the spirit of Society Social; stylish offerings, priced well, and available to all. When creating spaces for my clients, I mostly purchase products through to-the-trade sources (although I will now be offering e-design services and for those clients I will only source retail/online!) I thought it would be fun to design a room around my "Project Sofa." I kept the appeal of Society Social in mind and sourced an entire room with all retail or online companies. The end result, a designer looking room! 

 

 Society Social Charlotte Sofa

Serena and Lily herringbone throw

Society Social velvet, Greek key lumbar pillows

West Elm metallic gold brush pillows

Lindsay Cowles original artwork

Horchow pagoda lamps

Society Social Draper end tables

Williams and Sonoma Home ginger jar

Society Social Darlington Chair

Zhush.com pink leopard lumbar pillow

Williams and Sonoma Home garden stool (used as accent table or additional seating)

Serena and Lily Natural River Rock rug

Williams and Sonoma coffee table

Zhush.com starburst statue & Zhush.com agate trinket box

Society Social Marilyn Lounge chair

 

The designer interviews in the "Project Sofa" lookbook allow one to get to better know each decorator. I enjoyed learning more about each person and consider myself to be in good company with the line-up of participants.



Are you a fan of neutral sofas? How do you style your sofa? I am a huge fan of a comfortable, neutral sofa with just the right amount of pillows and at least one throw, if not more!

Society Social's Project Sofa

I am thrilled to be one of the eleven featured designers asked to participate in Project Sofa! Roxy the brains and beauty behind Society Social came up the idea of creating a lookbook (that launched to rave reviews yesterday) to showcase the numerous ways a plain white sofa can be elevated to a gorgeous vignette within a room. Check it out, and read all the fun designer interviews!

The Charlotte sofa was created for this lookbook and now is offered with numerous textile options. There are times when I feel like a plain white sofa can look like an economical choice, however the tufting on the back, the shape of the arms, and the inverted pleats on the skirt create a stunning sofa option at an attractive price point. Sofa smitten, I am.

When pairing together options for my sofa, I went with navy and gold, Greek Key and herringbone to create a sofa that has richness, looks timeless, yet is classic. In my next post, I will show you how I took my involvement one step further by creating an entire room around Project Sofa.

Style Me Pretty covered the Project Sofa launch yesterday and is running a contest where you can win a $150 Society Social giftcard by voting for your favorite design. The comment board is your chance to get in on the fun and perhaps be the winner!

 

Peruse the lookbook, see all the wonderful sofa options and read the designer interviews! I would love to hear your thoughts! 

Thank you Veterans

Thank you to all Veterans, both human and canine, both alive and deceased, who serve or have served our country with American patriotism. Thank you for protecting this great nation. I am proud to be an American!

Today, I will take time out of my schedule to show my appreciation for your years of service to our country. I will be making cards with my Girl Scout Daisy troop and delivering them to local Veterans or if deceased, their families. It is a tradition that I am proud to be partaking in this year. The least I can do for protecting my freedom is to show up in person and say thank you.

Have you thanked a Veteran yesterday or today?

Albert Hadley's Rooms With A View showhouse

It is with great enthusiasm that I announce my participation as a designer in this year's Rooms With A View showhouse located in Southport, Connecticut. With total artistic license, twelve designers will be transforming their 5'6" x 8" cookie cutter spaces into spectacular spaces. This past weekend we started the installations and the vignettes are looking impressive!

The theme, Design On A Shoestring, plays tribute to one of Albert Hadley's earlier projects. In 1959, Mr. Hadley was commissioned by Vogue Magazine to transform a young gal's beach house room on a "shoestring budget." His first editorial that continues to be publized is confirmation that with a good eye and purposeful purchases one can create a fabulous interior while mindful of budget.

 

It was Albert Hadley's wishes that Thom Filicia (one of his former protege's) take over his chairman position and continue with this preeminent design event of the Northeast.

 

Rooms With A View is certain to be a fun escape for a morning, afternoon or evening after a week of hurricane preparations. If you plan on attending the show, let me know and I'll look forward to meeting you!

A Pirate Birthday Barbeque

My handsome little fella just turned four, how that happened I'm not sure. He went from this sweet little munckin to a little guy always on the run exploring the world with great enthusiasm.

Given that he has an August birthday, we decided that two little celebrations, one in the Hamptons  and one in Westchester with his neighborhood and preschool friends is how we will celebrate while he is young.

We brought together our close friends at the beach, their kiddies who are close to our kiddies, and sprinkled in a few grandparents for a fun summer gathering on our deck and in our yard. Basically, a BBQ that we enhanced with lots of outdoor pirate fun for his celebration.



We had a pirate treasure hunt where each child carried their bucket while searching for loot. The kiddies "walked the plank" on my daughter's low to the ground balance beam. They sported pirate head gear, hook hands, eye patches, big hoop earrings, and mustaches.

The menu allowed for us to spend the day at the beach and come home 1 1/2 hours prior to the 5pm gathering of 26 people. My goal for the menu was good food that required little prep time or could be done in advance. 

The Menu:

Farmstand local tomatoes with "made fresh daily" mozzarella from Villa Italia Specialties (my absolute favorite mozzarella!) 

Farmstand local corn on the cob 

Greek salad

Bread basket of Ciabatta and baguette slices

Easy to prepare and aways a huge success, shrimp with feta, by Barefoot Contessa

Grilled barbeque chicken

Grilled chicken with olive oil, salt, and pepper

Haricot vert with sauteed shallots (image not shown)

Does your child have an August birthday when many seem to be traveling? How do you handle the birthday celebration? I've worked out having him celebrate on his birthday and then a few weeks later with his classmates and neighborhood buddies. What I really miss is that we don't get to do storytime in his class to celebrate the special day, like I've done the past three years for my daughter's March birthday. The little issues of parenting (wink, wink!) Happy entertaining!



Q & A with Painted Bird

It is rare that I find a summer shoe that makes me consider wearing anything to cover my Hamptontoes! I thought I was happiest wearing my Havaianas flip flops during the warmer months. Several weeks ago I was introduced to Painted Bird sandals via Tiptoe Butterfly. I was instantly smitten with the colorful options and eye catching designs. 

I had no idea that these shoes would become conversation starters. Every single time I have worn my sandals I have been stopped by many admirers of the shoes!



Painted Bird just launched this summer with "deleting the inventory and waiting to be replinished" type of success! I jumped at the opportunity to interview one of the two owners/designers, Nicole Halpern.

Hamptontoes: Painted Bird is the creation of you and your business partner, Jennifer Samson. You ladies have very impressive backgrounds in design, fashion, and public relations with such companies as Style Network and Ferragamo. How did you conceive the idea to create your own shoe line?

Painted Bird, Nicole: It is an idea that we had been marinating since having kids. We combined our experiences and expertise to follow our passion for creating stylish shoes that are vibrant, comfortable, and easy to wear. As beach gals, we needed shoes that would tolerate sand being shaken out of them and look chic enough to wear on outings day or night.

Hamptontoes: How did you come up with your company name and logo of a peacock?

Painted Bird, Nicole: Jennifer and I have a love of birds. The peacock is the bird of India, where our shoes are hand crafted.

Hamptontoes: Wow, I love that your shoes are handmade and not machine produced. Can you tell me more about this process?

Painted Bird, Nicole: Our shoes are created by a group of female artisans in a small community in India. Each pair is hand crocheted. These shoes are like indivdual jewels, every pair is one of a kind. Each artisan makes about two pair per day using pesticide free dyes.

Hamptontoes: Where can Painted Bird sandals be purchased?

Painted Bird, Nicole: At this juncture in our endeavor, we are primarily online. We do have a few shops in our town of Laguna Beach, California that are carrying the shoes and one shop in Los Angeles.

Hamptontoes: How did you come up fun shoe names such as Zell, Chickadee, Ruby, etc?

Painted Bird, Nicole: Jennifer and I, along with our families, reside in Laguna Beach, California and decided to name the collection after local street names.

Hamptontoes: Will you be adding a Fall lineup to your collection?

Painted Bird, Nicole: We plan to do a limited edition utilizing metallics. 

Hamptontoes: Right now there is a sale going on, I bet the shoes are selling like hotcakes!  

Painted Bird, Nicole: Yes!

All images were used with permission by Nicole of Painted Bird.

Hamptontoes: What does the future hold for Painted Bird? I bet stylish moms are begging you to produce a children's line?

Painted Bird, Nicole: We will continue to focus on our shoes. Perhaps, adding a children's line next Spring? 

Hamptontoes: How can Painted Bird enthusiasts keep up to date with your happenings?

Painted Bird, Nicole: Like us on Facebook , follow us on Twitter, view our Instagram and Pinterest pages too! 

Need inspiration for pulling together a color palette for a room? Check out their collection, these shoes offer many ideas.

Kudos to the Painted Bird ladies! Who is off to look at their website and perhaps, add to their shoe collection?