Kelly Hoppen to Design Digs for William & Kate!

Did you happen to catch the article that was quietly slipped into US Magazine dishing that Kelly Hoppen is going to design the new digs for Prince William and Kate?  (Yes, I do occasionally find time to peruse rags like Us and People...ahem...)  The report is that Kate has purchased air fresheners and candles from the famed Kelly Hoppen for the Kensington Palace cottage that she and her Prince are currently calling home to cover the musty and damp smell.  I'm with you Kate - do what you can to get rid of that centuries old ickiness!  The man of her dreams,  a fairy tale wedding, a royal title AND a fabulous designer to create her home...mere mortals can dream! 

But more importantly, here are some of my favorite images from the portfolio of Kelly Hoppen.  I can't wait to see what she does to create a royal nest!

If you are lucky enough to have experienced this British Airways First Class seat, you are already familiar with Ms. Hoppen's deisgns.

And if William and Kate need a refresh on the royal yacht... yep, Hoppen has done that too!

What do you think?  If you could pick any designer in the world to create your home, who would it be?

Cheerio!
Becky

Kitchen Island Chandeliers: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

We've blogged about various kitchen island lighting styles before (read it here), but today we're looking just at the chandelier as an option for illuminating this busy working/eating spot.

See below for our round-up of images and critiques!

Absolute perfection...  This waterfall crystal chandelier is to die for, the scale is perfect, and the rest of the kitchen appropriately takes a backseat to its awesomeness.

Pretty decent.  Clearly they were looking for the vintage eclectic chic look, and I think they pulled it off. The lighting stands in stark contrast in spirit to much of the rest of the space, but it's purposeful and it works.  Plus nine out of ten people will be staring at the stuffed pheasant (peacock? I don't know?) on the fridge and miss out on the lighting altogether.

Just gorgeous - love how the shape and feel of the chandelier are mimicked in the wallpaper.  Kind of wish the gold/brass of the chandelier arms was carried over elsewhere in the room as opposed to all the exclusively stainless steel + silver accents in the cupboard and on the island.  

Umm, love.  A tad concerned this light fixture (available through Oly and Restoration Hardware) is very trendy (is it on the way out?), but I do still love it so far.  

Love the scale and the shape - the black strikes me a stark choice, though, and I think I'd lower it at least a few inches...

Just way too shabby chic...

I think, but am not sure, that this can be attributed to the Novogratzs.  In which case it makes sense that it doesn't make sense.

I want to like this, I really do.  There's just something about the shiny black fixture against the country blue that is reading very goth/scary.

Cheers,

Deb

An Evening in White

Did you happen to see the article in the New York Times titled "How 10,000 People Keep a Secret?".  I am in awe!  It was started by François Pasquier in 1988 when he returned to Paris after a few years abroad and held a dinner party to reconnect with friends. So many wanted to come that he asked them to convene at the Bois de Boulogne and to dress in white, so they could find each other. 

 Year after year the party grew. The guests bring tables, chairs, linens, china, crystal, food and champagne. They find out that evening where to go and scurry to the meeting place (in this case the Louvre and the Notre Dame) and quickly set-up tables according to a master plan.  All of the men sit on one side of the table, the women across from them. They dine and feast until the bell rings which signals the start of dancing. They dance until midnight when they quickly and respectfully clean-up down to the last cigarette butt. 

They disperse as quickly as they came, leaving the landmark as pristine as when they arrived. Perhaps cleaner.  They know if they act out, leave debris or otherwise "misbehave" they will be blacklisted from "the list" and never be invited back again. Since this is essentially a private party and since you must know someone to come, the threat of being blacklisted keeps everyone in check.

There are plans in the works for this picnic in NYC on August 25. I am eagerly awaiting my invitation, but alas am not holding my breath.

Here are some inpsirational images should you wish to hold your own "Evening in White"....

Happy dining!
Becky

Look for Less: Serena and Lily Pondicherry Headboard

Like the look of Serena and Lily's dramatic Pondicherry headboard?

Serena and Lily, $995-$1,550

Get the look for less from West Elm - it's even on sale in certain stores...

West Elm, $359-$599

Serena and Lily's Pondicherry

West Elm's Scroll

If West Elm's version came with nailhead trim, I'd be all over that for my master bedroom!

Deb

Trendspotting: Navy and Orange

Did you know that Milly has come out with an adorable children's line?  And two of my favorite pieces feature the sophisticated yet punchy and fun combo of navy and orange...

...which got me to thinking about some of my favorite interiors featuring the same color combo...

Have a great day!

Deb