Monthly Archives: September 2010

September 19, 2010 · 9:48 pm

Casting Call: Design Wars Is Coming to Boston

Design Wars, a home design television series produced by Cineflix, is filming a pilot in Boston and is looking for homeowners with a room in need of a makeover, and willing to undergo the process on camera.

The candidates who make the cut will be presented with visions by three different Boston-area designers (and they will likely be amazing, as I helped come up with the preliminary list), one of which they will choose to make over their room, for free. Sounds fun, right?

To apply email Nicki Skinner, the casting director, at nskinner@cineflix.com with the following info:

• Tell Nicki why your home needs a new look and why you can’t decide what you want.

• Include photos of you and your family and the main room in need of a new design.

• Don’t forget your contact info including an email address and daytime phone number.

Good luck!

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Um, Yum: The Chocolate Bar at The Langham Hotel

It’s now a fall tradition. Julie Shamrock, Communications Manager at The Langham Hotel in downtown Boston, invited me to another round at the Chocolate Bar in Cafe Fleuri. It was as amazing as ever. Chocolate crepes with fresh raspberries and creme fraiche, chocolate croissant bread pudding, a chocolate fountain . . . An upscale Willy Wonka experience. This year’s theme is The Five Elements, so there is sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and savory. Here are some photos of you need more temptation.

poached pears and bleu cheese tarte

chocolate stuffed soft pretzel

white chocolate strawberry parfait

milk chocolate pumpkin torte

dulce de leche

macaroons

cotton candy

truffle toppings

the truffle chefs

Chocolate Bar, Saturday (September 11 – June 25), 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., adults: $38, children 5-12 years old: $25.

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Designer Spotlight: Iman Debuts IMAN Home at Fashion Week

Iman, in collaboration with special events designer Carlos Mota, designed the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge at Lincoln Center for Fashion Week as a preview of her new line IMAN Home, which launches later this month. The line of fabrics, which was inspired by traditional, global crafts, marks Iman’s first venture into home décor. (She already has makeup fragrance, clothing, and accessories labels.)

Iman amidst her textiles in the Star Lounge at Lincoln Center yesterday.

I love the graphic trellis pattern (it’s surely more affordable than Ms. Wearstler’s) and the peacock print is gorgeous. Speaking of which, Iman is still stunning. Wow.

I found a couple of other shots. The designs look great. I’m guessing a mid-range price point, since the line will be sold at Calico Corner and Calico Home stores.

Photo: TalkingMakeup.com

Photo: IMAN Home

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Filed under . REGULAR FEATURES, Designer Spotlight, Home Accessories, Shopping

Tagged as global textiles, Iman, Iman home, peacock fabric, trellis fabric, tribal fabrics

September 9, 2010 · 5:05 pm

Event Alert: Fashion’s Night Out Is Tomorrow

Some of the stores participating in Boston’s Fashion’s Night Out.

In case you haven’t heard, Anna Wintour has made it her personal mission to revive the consumer culture. Fashion’s Night Out, a massive city-wide shopping block party in Manhattan, was such a hit last year that it spread across the country and overseas, becoming quite the extravaganza.

Limited edition clothing, flea markets at indie boutiques manned by the likes of Alexander Wang and the Rodarte sisters, Rag & Bone vs. Shipley & Halmos over ping pong at Barneys Coop, boutique BBQs, etc. etc. But that’all in NYC. So sad.

Boston is easing in on the action, though slowly and quietly. Runway regulars Cynthia Rowley and Diane von Furstenberg are hosting events at their Newbury Street shops, and Saks and Neiman’s are hosting events here too, along with Kenneth Cole and Ann Taylor. Let’s see if we can’t get this party started.

Cynthia Rowley • 164 Newbury Street

Diane von Furstenberg • 73 Newbury Street

Ted Baker London • 201 Newbury Street

True Religion Jeans • 119 Newbury Street

Saks Fifth Avenue • 800 Boylston Street

Kenneth Cole • Copley Place

Neiman Marcus • 5 Copley Place & The Natick Collection

Ann Taylor • 18 Newbury Street & The Shops at the Prudential

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Filed under Fashion, Shopping

Tagged as Boston FNO, Boston shopping, Fashion's Night Out, FNO

September 7, 2010 · 12:32 am

Fine Print: Lars Bolander’s Scandinavian Design

The Vendome Press, September, 2010

Swedish interior designer Lars Bolander, who has showrooms in New York City and West Palm Beach, recently published his first book, Lars Bolander’s Scandinavian Design.

The book is quite beautiful, featuring a mix of spare modern spaces and traditionally furnished Scandinavian rooms. While the aesthetic is incredibly different, one quite modernist the other a more restrained, almost urban version of shabby chic, the designs share common elements, like muted colors, light floors, beautiful lighting, and an overall soothing sensibility. (All four Scandinavian countries are represented. Can you name them?)

I interviewed Mr. Bolander for “The Inside Source.” I’ll link here when the piece is live later this week. [UPDATE: Lars Bolander on TIS.] Meanwhile, I didn’t want to hold off showing you the beautiful photos. Hopefully you haven’t seen them all on other design blogs yet.

The second image, which pictures a quintessential Gustavian living room, is my favorite. I love the bold blue wallpaper in the bedroom shot too. And, that glass corner bathroom with the overhead rain shower is pretty terrific too.

Photo: Steffan Johansson