Champalimaud at The Carlyle Hotel

Alexandra Champalimaud and her team are responsible for designing some of the most stylish and revered hotels in the world. While browsing the Champalimaud portfolio the other day, I completely fell in love with the luxurious suites they designed for The Carlyle Hotel in New York. The celebrated hotel is somewhat of an institution and a favorite of celebrities and high-profile personalities. Champalimaud created bespoke interiors for suites 3001, 1511, 507, 1207, and The Royal Suite, many of which are often used as long-term residences by celebrities visiting or working in New York. The suites are exuberantly chic. While completely tasteful, there is nothing muted about them. They are beautiful, glamorous, and evocative of Hollywood’s golden age while maintaining a New York sensibility.

{Couldn’t you picture this stunning room in a classic movie from the 1950s?}

{The color palette is so rich and beautiful.}

{This room features the combination of charcoal and saffron that I am loving so much right now. How about that view?}

{I love this room. The addition of a dresser and a proper closet makes it feel less like a hotel room and more like home. How beautiful is the lacquered dresser, by the way? I even like the look of the doors.}

{While classic and understated, this room features several glamorous elements like the Greek key bench at the foot of the bed, the sumptuous charcoal and rust pillows, the lovely drapes, and abstract art.}

 

What type of hotel are you most drawn to: traditional, ultra modern, or classic with a twist, like these suites at The Carlyle?

 

Image Credit: Champalimaud Design

10 Things I Can’t Live Without: Meg Lonergan of LeSueur Interiors

Meg Lonergan is one of the sweetest people I know. A fellow Houston blogger, Meg recently ventured out on her own and started her own interior design firm, LeSueur Interiors. Her style completely speaks of Meg and her experiences. It is at once classic and genteel, a reflection of her Louisiana upbringing, but features a wonderful eclectic mix which tells of the time she has spent traveling the world.

1. New Zealand - my precious husband comes from this beautiful country. And for that, I'll always be grateful to that oh-so-far-away land!

 

2. Coffee - I can remember when I lived in Paris during college I paid 6€ for a cappuccino in the Marais. That was a lot of money just for a coffee, it was worth every centime.

 

 

3. Fine Stationery - Even back when I was about five years old my Mom had printed gift tags with my name on them that went on the presents I brought to birthday parties. When I was 18 she gave me Dempsey & Carroll engraved personalized stationery for my high school graduation present. Don't even get me started on the paper products we had for my wedding! She began my addiction to heavy card stock, and monograms.

 

 

4. The South - There is something about the elegance, hospitality, tradition, humidity and beauty of the south that can't be found anywhere else. Even though I moved away from Louisiana when I was 10, the culture is deeply embedded in who I am.

 

 

5. Textiles - I love to touch fabrics. Any type, any texture. Especially textiles from far away places, Indian saris, Balinese batik, antique linens from Louisiana.

 

 

6. Candles - I always have one burning, my favorite of the moment is my LeSueur Interiors "Lagniappe" candle.

 

 

7. Rugs - specifically old Persians. Nothing excites me more than digging through piles of rugs in a carpet shop. I love their history, their art, their beauty. I'm waiting to stumble upon that perfect Heritz for my entry way.

 

 

8. Sonic Ice - Down south it's hot. Sonic sells their crushed ice by the bag. It's perfect for iced tea and afternoon toddy's. It looks really fancy too, your guests will be impressed.

 

9. Travel - Once you've been bit by the travel bug it's hard to stay home. I always have to have a 'trip' on my radar to look forward to.

 

 

10. Mac Lip gelée - Slicked Pink, so pretty.

 

Today I’m Wearing: Olivia Palermo for Vogue UK

After my recent post, “Inspired By: Olivia Palermo’s Fall Style", a sweet reader alerted me to the fact that earlier this year, Olivia had participated in Vogue UK’s brilliant “Today I’m wearing…” series. The folks at Vogue UK hand-pick a young style icon to share her outfits throughout a given month. Past participants include Coco Rocha, Julia Roitfeld, and Alexa Chung. Olivia was a wonderful candidate for the series given her impeccable style. I have to admit that I was a little surprised to see how she mixed high and low pieces throughout her wardrobe for the month of April. Seeing that she actually owns a few affordable pieces inspired me even more!

Though her outfits were selected in the spring, many of them could easily work as the summer comes to a close and we ease into the fall. Well, as you all ease into the fall. We still have a while before it cools down in Texas! In the meantime, take a look at some of my favorite outfits from Olivia’s “Today I’m wearing” feature, complete with her own descriptions of each ensemble.

{“Today I am wearing a Topshop skirt and shoes with a necklace by Ann Taylor and a blouse I bought in a small boutique in the East Village years ago. My bag is the Mulberry Alexa.”}

{“These are Rebecca Taylor pants with a Topshop jacket, a Max Studio top and a vintage belt. My shoes are Christian Louboutin, my bracelet is Swarovski and the bag is Hermes.”}

{“My jacket, jeans and shoes are all from Topshop and I'm wearing them with a T-shirt by Rebecca Taylor. I'm carrying my Hermes Birkin bag and wearing a Rolex watch.”}

{“Today I have on a shirt from Comptoir des Cottoniers with shorts (I'm not sure where they are from!), gold flats from French Sole and a YSL bag.”}

{“This is a vintage skirt with a Comptoir des Cottoniers top and Kurt Geiger shoes. Accessories-wise I am wearing a Lia Sophia necklace and a vintage bracelet with my Mulberry Alexa.”}

{“Today I'm wearing... a black suspender skirt by Club Monaco, shoes by Charlotte Olympia, a Cos sweater, a blouse by Rebecca Taylor, a Chanel bag and a vintage bracelet.”}

{“Today I'm wearing a BCBG dress with a Stuart Weitzman handbag. My cuff and one of my necklaces are vintage, the other is by Lulu Frost, and my tights are from Topshop.”}

{“I've saved my favorite young designer for my last outfit. My dress is by Prabal Gurung who is brilliant. He blends classic, elegant styles with a modern sensibility. My shoes are by Charlotte Olympia, my bag is from Zara and my bracelets are by Swarovski and Noir Jewelery.”}

 

Image Credit: Vogue UK

This Week’s Quote

Image Credit: Studio Mela

Fabulous Room Friday 8.20.10

I recently came across this image of designer, Eric Cohler’s bedroom on The Neo-Traditionalist and was rather intrigued by the eclectic mix within the room’s four walls. You have very traditional, antique furniture coupled with David Hicks’ La Fiorentina fabric (my fave) and bold pop art by Andy Warhol and Alex Katz. I absolutely adore the monogrammed linens.

Initially, I was struck by the lovely lines of this settee as well as the beautiful pillows. The more I studied this image, the more I came to love the huge painting commissioned by Cohler which combines the works of John Singer Sargeant and Edward Hopper. It’s kind of amazing. However, do you find the combination of so many bold works of art to be overwhelming within the confines of a bedroom? I enjoy looking at this room, but I’m not sure that I could live in it.

If you’d like to see more of Cohler’s interesting New York apartment, be sure to check out the post I wrote for Circa Lighting’'s blog yesterday.

{Image Source}

Ooh La La! A Sneak Peek of the New Season of Gossip Girl

 

I am very excited to see Serena and Blair living it up in Paris and sincerely hope that this season of Gossip Girl is better than the last. They need to do something with that annoying Jenny Humphrey. At least we have the fabulous fashion…and Chuck.

 

Thanks for sharing the promo, Paige!

The Style Files: Amy Dragoo

Not only does Amy Beth Cupp Dragoo have the best initials ever, she is also a seriously talented lady. With her background in stationery design, freelance styling, interior décor, and floral design, Amy has honed an ability to create beautiful things through various mediums. Her blog, the aptly named ABCD Design is absolutely delightful! Aside from the stunning photography she includes, Amy’s thoughtful posts engage the reader and give us an insight into Amy’s lovely personality. And by the way, Amy is a Twitter all-star! She and I have developed a friendship through our tweeting interaction. She seriously has the whole Twitter concept down pat and always has great observations, advice, and news to share with her followers. Amy is a veritable influencer in the world of style and design.

Name: Amy Beth Cupp Dragoo (ABCD!)
Occupation: Artist, Stylist, Designer
Hometown: Rochester, Michigan. I've lived in Chicago, Illinois, London, England and New York, New York.
Current City: I split my time between New York City, New York and Litchfield County, Connecticut.

LDV: What do you love most about your career in art and design?

AD: The ability to make things that bring pleasure to the eye and and spirit. 

LDV: What is the most challenging aspect?

AD: When I have a client who questions my aesthetic, the very thing that they hired me for. It'd be a lot more pleasant if clients didn't get in the way of the process. In my dreams, I could just do my thing and not have to create art for someone. I think the product would most likely turn out better and more consistent in the end.

I tend to like designing for corporate. Styling for a photo shoot - it's a moment in time and you're working for a company who hired you to create for them because of your consistent portfolio. When working with a residential interior design client - they're picking a sofa that they might own for ten years. The wife wants one thing, the husband is mad it's costing so much. What a struggle! When it comes to flower design - brides ask for flowers that are not in season and then flip at how much it will cost to have them shipped in from the other side of the planet.

It's gotten tougher now that people have been empowered by the DIY craze on the internet. Everyone is an artist, designer, writer, or curator now that they have their own blog. I think it has made it more difficult for creatives to make a living. 

LDV: Where do you find inspiration?
AD: I find inspiration in everything. Handsome fabrics, the architecture around me, looking at art and fashion, even colors that appear together in nature can be interpreted in a man-made project and still work, but in a very different way.

{Installations by J. Morgan Puett}

LDV: Who are some of your personal style icons?
AD: J. Morgan Puett: http://www.jmorganpuett.com/

Linda Dresner: http://www.lindadresner.com/

Isabella Rossellini: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isabella_Rossellini

I really like these women because they are unabashedly real. They wear their individual personalities on their exquisitely fashionable sleeves.

LDV: How would you describe your own style?
AD: I am a maximalist of sorts. I love color and collections. My look is rooted in history, but I have an appreciation for modern, clean lines. I often say I would have been better suited to be born in 1875, not 1975, but I am making my best effort. ;)

LDV: What is the trait you most admire in a person?
AD: Authenticity

LDV: What is your principal weakness?
AD: I am too sensitive. My feelings are hurt all to easily.

LDV: What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
AD: To stop worrying about what other people think. 

LDV: What do you consider your greatest achievement?
AD: I'll let you know when I get there! ; )

LDV: What is your idea of living “la dolce vita”?
AD: To spend time with good friends and my family, eating great food in beautiful surroundings.

 

{A Beautiful Arrangement of Tulips by Martha Stewart}

Bloom: poppies, ranunculus, french tulips
Food: roasted, salted peanut butter
Drink: a icy cold bottle of pol roger champagne http://www.polroger.com/english/
Thing to Wear: an unstructured black dress with opaque tights and boots.

 

{Image Source}

Destination: Italy.
Season: Fall
Meal: cheese, olives and charcuterie with red wine and bread that is crisp on the crust and doughy in the center
Musician: Gail Anne Dorsey

{René Magritte}

Artist: In general, I have always been drawn to Surrealism. Alberto Giacometti, René Magritte. I have always loved the idea of the exquisite corpse - I love collages, perhaps that is why I am so drawn to it?
Film: Orlando - the flowers, the costume
Book: Anything by Dawn Powell! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dawn_Powell

Magazines: Elle Decor, Selvedge Magazine http://www.selvedge.org/
Blogs: You'll laugh, but I really don't read that many blogs! I'll follow links in my twitter stream - but I don't "do" a reader. I simply visit blogs when I think of them. I like the Style-Files, the ladies at Desire to Inspire and I really enjoy All the Best Blog.
Texture: woven
Fabric or Pattern: velvet, mohair

Color: green - black, but that really isn't a color - it just makes other colors look that much better!
Scent: 'Yellow' by Morgane Le Fay      
Extravagance: free time
Quote: "Be yourself; everyone else is already taken." - Oscar Wilde

 

 

Image Credit: All Images Courtesy of Amy Dragoo unless otherwise noted.