From My Aunt's House to the White House!

Congrats to Michael Smith for being chosen to decorate the White House! I've since seen the many blog posts all over the internet on our fellow bloggers' sites in addition to Domino magazine making the announcement.

Just thought I'd share a note about Michael on a personal level. Michael grew up in Newport Beach in Bayshores where I also grew up. He lived a few blocks behind where I lived next door to my Aunt Linda. His mom and my aunt have been friends for decades. A few years ago my aunt and I got to talking about Michael; she knew him throughout his childhood. My aunt, who's also an interior designer, told me Michael used to come over to her house and read her Architectural Digest magazines and that my cousin's (who are the same age as he) didn't really play with him because he was "different." I often wonder how much influence my aunt had on him! She mentioned he would ask her about her design work and projects.

For those of you who do not know Bayshores in Newport Beach, it's a small private gated community with many homes on the water in Newport Harbor. The community (used) to be full of modest size homes and some that have a very traditional east coast "Cape Cod" style. Over the years, many of the homes have been renovated and the original community has "evolved." However, there are still many homes that have kept with the tradition of the original Bayshores. If anything, I am sure Michael's growing up there has a great influence on his work today.

A few pictures of Bayshores homes below.

Speaking of Greek Key...

I ordered these in navy, and I love them! They are on super sale right now, so get them while they're still available!

Cheap Find o' the Day

$59 @ Marshalls/Home Goods

My husband made the comment the other day that me saying that I would never get sick of Greek Key because it's "classic," is like him saying he'd never need another t.v. in his life (I recently surprised him with a shiny new one for his birthday) .  How depressing is that?  Do you think blogs *gasp* unintentionally beat certain trends or motifs into the ground?  Is it exciting that nail heads, metallics, and greek key have made their way to Home Goods (and are accessible) or is it simply the beginning of the end?

A Great Way to Celebrate Martin Luther King Day AND Prep for the Inauguration!

A group of extraordinary young women are gearing up to host their second annual "March The Mart" event here in Chicago on Monday, January 19.  The walk begins on the 18th floor of the Mart and winds down through the stunning corridors of the famed institution for all that is design in the Windy City.  Their charitable drive is a magnificent effort and the children of the Misericordia Home would agree, is a good time.

This is a great way to get a bit of exercise, view the amazing showrooms without any distractions, support a great cause,  and just imagine the prime parking spots that all designer's covet during the week to be yours alone!  I confess that last year when I attended this event with my daughter, Madi,  it was the best spot that I have ever snagged :)
The event is chaired, manned, and run by the girls themselves.  They are hoping to surpass the success of last year and to provide the Special Children's Charities, which has been the financial sponsor of Special Olympics Chicago since 1969, with a donation that will make a tremendous impact yet again!

Come join them!

Designers' White House Makeover

As I'm sure you already know, just a week from today, the United States will make history. President- elect Barack Obama will take office and Michelle, Sasha, and Malia will move with him into the White House.

In a recent House Beautiful online article, well known interior designers were asked "How would you redecorate the White House?"

Some of their resourceful ideas...

"First off, I would repaint the entire place. A color like Farrow & Ball's Pointing. A softer, more up-to-date white.... And no more tumbling hotel/casket flower arrangements. Instead, masses of garden roses, peonies, tulips, or hydrangeas, in simple containers."

— RANDY POWERS, HOUSTON

"Purchase new White House china from Target!"
— ERIC COHLER, NEW YORK

Adorne 20-pc. Bone China Dinnerware Set, $89.99 from Target.

"I would look to the original American furniture that's there and reinvent it in a modern way. Edit through the formality with easy, warm, casual elegance. Like the people moving in."

— THOMAS O'BRIEN, NEW YORK

Bellport Club Chair from the Thomas O'Brien for Hickory Chair furniture collection.

"The Obamas are the perfect imaginary clients. They have the confidence to mix it up and make it their own, but have a reverence for history. Let's evict the Aubussons and put in something more clean and natural, replace the wood-framed settees with down-filled sofas, lose the passementerie and work with bolder geometrics and graphic tape trim."

— CELERIE KEMBLE, NEW YORK

5701-03 Sofa by Celerie for Laneventure.

"I would replace frou-frou damasks and silks with environmentally sustainable casual linens in an earthy brown palette, with accents in optimistic colors, like verdant green, lemon, yellow, and tangerine.... Most important, I would create an amazing, relaxed, colorful multipurpose space where they can really be a family and escape the demands of the world. Their love and commitment to one another will no doubt be his inspiration for all that he is embarking on."

— WINDSOR SMITH, LOS ANGELES

Of course decorating the White House would be a dream come true for most designers....what updates would you give the White House (if given the chance)?

Loving and Admiring my Material Girls!

Have been so enjoying the recent posts of my colleagues here at Material Girls that I wanted to pass along some lovin.

Each and every new post is engaging and enlightening.  I learn something new from ya'll every day!  Thank you for sharing!

Let Them Eat Steak!

With the opening of UNION PRIME at 9 East 16th Street comes the newest NYC restaurant bringing together steak and ladies. Designed by the legendary Carleton Varney, UNION PRIME evokes a bold glamour that it's patrons are sure to enjoy. Varney is the President and Owner of the iconic Interior Design firm Dorothy Draper & Co. For those of you who are not aware, Ms. Draper could easily be considered the founder of the Interior Design industry. She opened her own firm (which was the first of it's kind) in 1923 and had over 40 years of success in the business. She was known for her signature "cabbage rose" chintz paired with bold stripes, ornate moldings and intricate mirror frames, all of which are present in Varney's design.

Take a look:

A silver antique Butler's cart greets you at the entry.

Dining Room and bar. I love the bow detail woven into the pendants above the bar.

The Zebra wood below the antique metal (possibly zinc?) bar top is a nice and unexpected touch.

Large scale roses on black walls and painted scroll work on red. Very chic.

The bold black and red stripes add some masculinity to the space and tie in the black and red Rose motif throughout. Another masculine detail I'm quite fond of are the upholstery tacks on the dining chairs. (Sorry, I didn't get a good picture of those.)

The palm ceiling fixtures are very "Old Hollywood Glam".

Ornate framed mirrors. Part of the "Draper Touch".

So if you're in the mood for a rugged steak with a refined attitude UNION PRIME should be your next stop. Enjoy the signature drinks, steaks, sushi, and modern glamour with your girlfriends. Varney has done a fabulous job of channeling Dorothy Draper through a contemporary vein and I have a feeling the Queen of Interior Design would be quite pleased!

Kitchen of the Month

Somehow I always seem to get way too caught up in fabrics, furniture, and accessories that I often unknowingly neglect kitchens on our blog.

But after seeing this "Kitchen of the Month" featured in January's House Beautiful, I just had to share. I really think I have found my DREAM kitchen.

I am often drawn to soothing, clean color palettes and this one fits that description to a tee.

Walls painted in Ben Moore's Beach Glass set the tone for this contemporary yet traditional kitchen.


I love white marble in a kitchen; however, when paired with white cabinets (while pretty) is way too simple for me. One of the best parts about this kitchen is that that it has deep espresso stained cabinets- a little more uncommon than traditional white.



I am captivated by those bright white ghost chairs pulled up against the sleek, contemporary dark wood table and stainless steel fireplace. This is my favorite picture of the kitchen by far.


And the 14 foot vaulted ceiling in the dining area? Don't even get me started! Gorgeous

I wouldn't change a thing about this kitchen- it really is perfection to me. This kitchen is going straight to my Style Book. Eileen Segalman- you're my hero.

Exclusive event for our MG readers!

Starting today, Pieces is offering 30% off all of their "pieces" to MG readers!

Readers need to mention our blog's name to receive the discount.

Happy shopping!

MG Designer: Angie Hranowsky

Angie Hranowsky's design philosophy really hits home with me:

{from her website}:

"Combining a refined mix of vintage and new, bold color and clean lines, Angie's interiors take an unexpected and modern approach to comfort."

I'll let her work speak for itself...