Category Archives: Designer Spotlight

March 18, 2010 · 3:02 am

Fine Print: Nancy Corzine Glamour At Home

With all the rain over the weekend I finally had time to peruse the stack of review copies on my bookshelf. Nancy Corzine Glamour at Home was published back in October, but I thought I would share some images with you anyway, in case you missed it, or loved it so much you felt like looking again. Her style is much more elegant, and well, grown-up, than I tend towards, but there’s no doubting her talent. When I think mirrored furniture, I think Nancy Corzine.

Photo: Carter Berg

The hand-painted tea-leaf silver screen provides a glamorous backdrop to the blue linen-covered sofa and creamy lacquered side tables.

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Photo: Ken Hayden

A trio of stools at the foot of the bed in this guestroom provide extra storage.

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Photo: Peter Vitale

This Hamptons dining room’s walls are papered in a traditional hand-painted silk chinoiserie design. The English Regency-period sunburst mirror adds sparkle, along with the chandelier, which is carved wood with a silver-leaf finish.

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Photo: Ken Hayden

A vintage black-and-white photograph of Marilyn Monroe hangs above the bar in the media room of a house in Los Angeles.

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Photo: Miguel Flores-Vianna

The large oil painting in this living room is by Antonio Murado.

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Photo: Ken Hayden

The toile de Jouy wallcovering in this Hamptons guest bathroom matches the bedskirt and draperies of the bedroom.

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Photo: Ken Hayden

A galley kitchen in a Manhattan high-rise has clean lines for maximum efficiency. The black-and-white photos are by Jeff Reese.

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Photo: Trio Giovan

A Palm Beach living room with whitewashed paneling and pale blue fabrics has a traditional Gustavian-era look.

Designer Spotlight: Kor Floral

Yesterday, interior designer Nikki Dalrymple of Acquire boutique in the North End emailed me about florist Alexandra Kadar and her business Kor Floral. Alexandra relocated to Boston from L.A, and already, party planner Bryan Rafanelli has scooped her up to do floral design for events. He’s a smartie – her work is gorgeous. Interesting too, as she opts for natural vessels and bases rather than a vase.

Acquire is hosting a “Spring Awakening” evening with installations from Kor Floral (and wine) on Friday, March 26th, from 6pm to 9pm. RSVP to Nikki at 857.362.7380.

For an interview with Alexandra, see La Tavola.

New pieces from Vermont ceramicist Laura Zindel are now in stock at Acquire.

61 Salem Street, North End, Boston

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Filed under . REGULAR FEATURES, Designer Spotlight, Flowers & Gardens, Home Accessories, Shopping

Tagged as Acquire Boutique, Alexandra Kadar, Boston florist, Kor Floral, Laura Zindel, Nikki Dalyrymple, North End shopping

February 26, 2010 · 1:19 am

Designer Spotlight: Lauren Nelson

I don’t usually do odes to one designer, but the other night at dinner with David Harris of ducduc, Lauren from The Rug Company, and Boston interior designer Annsley McAleer, I met Lauren Nelson, a stylist/interior designer who has newly relocated here from California. She is so nice and talented too, so in the interest in welcoming her to our city, I thought it would be nice to showcase her work. I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot more of her.

Photos: Marnie Rose Agency

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Filed under . REGULAR FEATURES, Designer Spotlight, Rooms

Tagged as Boston interior designer, Boston prop stylist, Lauren Nelson Interiors, Marnie Rose Agency

December 29, 2009 · 1:18 am

Designer Spotlight: David Hicks

I recently worked with Ashley Hicks, designer and son of legendary designer David Hicks, on an article for eBay’s new lifestyle site, The Inside Source, “Ashley Hicks on His Father, David,” to promote his new book, David Hicks: A Life of Design. The book is worth an actual read, rather than a simple flip to look at the pretty pictures.

What struck me most, besides Hicks’ incredibly privileged, glam lifestyle, was how many of his design innovations endured. A number of features seen in his room throughout the ’60s and ’70s, are au courant today.

Left: David Hicks at home, Albany, London (Derry Moore)

Right: David Hicks, summer 1958 with his pug, Algy (David Hicks Archive)

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CHANDELIERS and ORNATE MIRRORS IN THE BATHROOM

Left: David Hicks (David Hicks Archive) | Right: Vogue

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SHEEPSKIN THROW RUGS BESIDE THE BEDLeft: David Hicks (photo by Norman McGrath) | Right: Robin Pelissier

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DEEP PURPLE PARLORS

Top: David Hicks (photo by Norman McGrath)

Bottom: Steven Gambrel

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FUR THROWS and GEOMETRIC PATTERNS

David Hicks (photo by Norman McGrath)

Left: Jeff Andrews Design | Right: Color Theory

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OVERSIZE FLORAL WALLPAPERDavid Hicks (David Hicks Archive)

M. Design

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ZEBRA SKIN RUGS IN THE LIBRARY

Left: David Hicks (David Hicks Archive)
Right: Alessandra Branca, Architectural Digest

LUCITE FURNITURE WITH BLACK WALLS

David Hicks (photo by John T. Hill)

Spruce Design & Decor

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TRELLIS PATTERNS IN KELLY GREEN

Left: David Hicks (photo by Norman McGrath) | Right: Mark Hampton

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Designer Spotlight: Amy Lau Shops eBay

This weekend I put together an article for eBay’s new lifestyle site “The Inside Source” on designers’ wish lists for the holiday season. I asked ten interior designers around the country to shop eBay for something they would like for themselves. Seems fair considering most of the treasure hunting they do is undoubtedly for clients. There was only space for one pick per designer. Amy Lau, whose style I LOVE sent ten. (It is hard to choose just one.) Thank you Amy! Rather then let her a-mazing finds go to waste, I thought I’d share. As you can see, she uses similar elements in her work.

Curtis Jere Flowing Tree Raindrop Wall Sculpture (min. bid $147.50)

While I didn’t find a Curtis Jere in her portfolio, Lau often uses wall sculptures and decorative wall installations. This is an example in a Central Park West dining room.

The table here is similar to the Ico Parisi desk ($7,880) she found on eBay.

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Eames Era Metal Sculpture ($165)

Lau used a freeform metal sculpture on a stand in the entry of this Kent lake house.

The sideboard is mounted on the wall in the above photo. On eBay, Lau admired a freestanding version.

Singer & Sons Walnut Cabinet Designed by Bertha Schaefer ($1,199)

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Lounge Chairs by Knoll

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This Bridgehampton living room is one of my all time favorites. (You’ve certainly seen it here before.) Notice the chartreuse Hans Wegner chair and ottoman on the left.

Here’s another Wegner chair and ottoman in a more neutral palette in a West Chelsea Loft.

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Edward Wormley Dunbar Brass Leg Sectional Sofa ($8,500)

Sectional sofa with clean lines, though more rectilinear than the one above, in a Miami townhouse.

Lau used tall Danish candlesticks on the coffee table above, but admired a pair of mid-century modern ones from Italy on eBay.

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Italian Candlestick Holders (Sold for $104.62)

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1950 Fontana Arte Sconces (Starting bid, $399)

Lau uses sconces with a similar fluid form on either side of this very creative built-in bar in a Central Park West living room. The bar cart is fantastic.

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Lau uses a low open piece next to the window, but I could easily imagine a piece like the Gio Ponti credenza she spotted on eBay in this type of space too.