Nina Campbell Does New Preston Redux

Posted on December 19, 2016 by Stacey Bewkes   •   5 Comments

Nina Campbell Does New Preston Redux

I really felt I was ahead of schedule this year, but yet again, Christmas has snuck up leaving not nearly enough time to accomplish everything, including all the posts I wanted to share. One of my favorite shopping destinations here in Connecticut is the charming town of New Preston, where shops like Pergola, Privet House, Plain Goods, J. Seitz and more can answer almost all your holiday needs. And I am certainly not alone. On the weekends in particular, legions of fans show up to shop the sophisticated stores in meandering country style. A couple years ago, Susanna and I managed to coordinate a visit with designer Nina Campbell (who has an extensive shopping site of her own) and film our shopping extravaganza in New Preston.…

Read More »

Posted in gifts, holiday, interior design, Stylish Shopping | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments  

Sneak Peek – ELLE DECOR Global Style Issue

Posted on December 15, 2016 by Stacey Bewkes   •   2 Comments

Sneak Peek – ELLE DECOR Global Style Issue

Each year, ELLE DECOR assembles stories from the best of their international editions for their Global Style issue. A perennial favorite, it includes designers and projects around the world, introducing us to new faces and locales. The cover of this special issue, which will hit newsstands next week, features a project by the talented Monaco-based design firm Humbert & Poyet, which originally appeared in ELLE DECORATION Netherlands. 

With a focus on luxury and fine craftsmanship, their modern spin on traditional elegance yielded a fresh redo of a tired ’70s apartment on Monaco’s prestigious Avenue Princesse Grace. Always looking to emphasize a sense of place, Emil Humbert and Christophe Poyet took inspiration from a pair of Slim Aarons photos of Palm Springs and the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc that now hang in the entry of the apartment, below. …

Read More »

Posted in architecture, interior design, travel | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments  

Amelia Handegan Rooms

Posted on December 14, 2016 by Stacey Bewkes   •   10 Comments

Amelia Handegan Rooms

I have met Amelia Handegan on several occasions and like her work, she is understated, accomplished and full of surprises. She is probably best known for her sensitive work on historic properties, where, with “one foot in the past and one foot in the future,” she intuitively melds old and new. These are not staid houses filled with period furniture, but homes that are layered with a fresh touch and sophisticated color palettes.

In her new book, Amelia Handegan Rooms, thirteen homes are featured, from classic historic houses, to weekend retreats to Amelia’s own apartment in a 1920s neoclassical revival building in Charleston.…

Read More »

Posted in architecture, books, interior design | Tagged , , | 10 Comments  

Christmas in Shangri-La

Posted on December 11, 2016 by Stacey Bewkes   •   17 Comments

Christmas in Shangri-La

Every year friend and designer Carey Karlan goes all out creating themed holiday decorations for her charming 1926 cottage-style home. Past years have included odes to Mad Men, Literary, Russian, Musical and Scottish Highland Christmases, the last landing on the cover of Connecticut Cottages & Gardens several years ago.

two photos above by Keith Scott Morton for CTC&G

This year, the decor was inspired by one of my favorite novels, James Hilton’s utopian fantasy Lost Horizon. Based on the Tibetan locale, Carey created a Shangri-La ambience with snowy whites, green and gold.

It all started with a jacket Carey inherited from her mother, which she wore every year at the holidays.…

Read More »

Posted in holiday, interior design | Tagged , , , , , | 17 Comments  

Interior Design Master Class

Posted on December 6, 2016 by Stacey Bewkes   •   6 Comments

Interior Design Master Class

While there are many beautiful design books on the market that are inspirational, some with tips and hints, none has approached the topic with the rigor and intellect of Interior Design Master Class. Creating a library-worthy resource on design, the volume’s editor, Carl Dellatore, recruited one hundred top American interior designers to contribute essays on a particular aspect of design, interspersed with examples of their work. Useful for both aficionados and professionals, the volume reveals the meticulous and often heady process that goes into creating great interiors. You’ll be impressed with not only the knowledge and articulate musings of the designers but also the sometimes surprising sources of inspiration.…

Read More »

Posted in architecture, art, books, interior design | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments  

At Home with Susanna Salk & Ted Kennedy Watson

Posted on December 4, 2016 by Stacey Bewkes   •   27 Comments

At Home with Susanna Salk & Ted Kennedy Watson

Since 1998 Ted Kennedy Watson has been helping customers make their homes and lives more beautiful through his two popular Watson Kennedy shops in Seattle, Washington. Whether in person or online, both locals and visitors from around the world, find endless temptation in the special, the must-have and the life-enhancing items Ted procures for the shops, all displayed with award-winning, inspired creativity. During the week, Ted and his husband, Ted Sive, live in Seattle, escaping to their Vashon island retreat on the weekends. But, in 2013, missing the changing seasons, they bought Hawthorne, their home in Ghent, New York. Tag along with me and Susanna for a visit with Ted and his adorable mini-schnauzer rescue dog, Bailey, at their charming Columbia county home.…

Read More »

Posted in art, At Home with, books, food and drink, gifts, interior design, Stylish Shopping, travel | Tagged , , , , , , | 27 Comments  

Back on Track

Posted on December 2, 2016 by Stacey Bewkes   •   Leave a comment

Back on Track

Immediately after the whirlwind of Thanksgiving, I left first thing on Monday to attend the Design Leadership Summit in Miami. Now that I’m back on track in the office, I’ll have some thoughts on this year’s conference to share soon. In the meantime, a little peek at a bit of the inspiration from a great group of speakers at the Nobu Eden Roc, an update of Miami architect Morris Lapidus’ iconic hotel.

Have a great weekend and stay tuned as Monday brings the latest installment of Susanna’s and my At Home With video series!

…

Read More »

Posted in architecture, art, interior design, travel | Tagged , | Leave a comment  

Carolyne Roehm Watercolors at Mecox

Posted on November 27, 2016 by Stacey Bewkes   •   14 Comments

Carolyne Roehm Watercolors at Mecox

Carolyne Roehm has proved herself in the atelier with a fashion collection, at home with beautiful interiors, in the garden, behind the lens and most recently with a paintbrush. It makes you wonder, really, what can’t she do. But Carolyne is an avid and dedicated student and once she decides on a new arena of creative output, chances are, she will master it. With nature as her muse, she is infinitely inspired and constantly looking for new ways to capture its beauty. In her latest book, At Home in the Garden, you got a glimpse of her latest endeavor, but now limited edition prints of Carolyne Roehm watercolors will make their debut at Mecox New York this Thursday.…

Read More »

Posted in art, interior design | Tagged , , , , | 14 Comments  

Setting a Holiday Table with Christie’s

Posted on November 23, 2016 by Stacey Bewkes   •   13 Comments

Setting a Holiday Table with Christie’s

Designer Alex Papachristidis and I share a love of tabletop so we were delighted when several weeks ago Christie’s asked if we would like to collaborate on setting a holiday table using lots from their upcoming Living with Art sales. Merging a wide range of categories and styles, the sale focuses on how both fine and decorative art live successfully together in our homes. After perusing the offerings, we decided on a mix of silver, china, crystal, furniture and rugs to create a warm and welcoming table for Thanksgiving and any other seasonal celebration.

Starting with the early 19th century Coalport china we also included more contemporary lots like the timeless Baccarat crystal, Alex’s own ikat napkins and gorgeous flowers from Zeze, to create a table comprised of elements old and new.…

Read More »

Posted in auctions, Christie's, furniture, holiday, interior design, jewelry | Tagged , , , , , | 13 Comments  

At Home with Susanna Salk and Mark D. Sikes

Posted on November 20, 2016 by Stacey Bewkes   •   9 Comments

At Home with Susanna Salk and Mark D. Sikes

Those of you who follow Mark D. Sikes on his popular blog and Instagram feed know that he is all about classic style. Whether it’s his favorite blue and white stripes, red his way or timeless neutrals, his mantra is making it beautiful. And in his own house in Los Angeles, he walks the walk with a focus on easy elegance and an indoor outdoor approach to living. Join Susanna Salk and me for a special video visit with Mark as he takes us behind the scenes at his beautiful California home.

Antiques that Mark and partner Michael Griffin have collected over the years live comfortably with the designer’s signature mix of natural fibers, striped dhurries and chinoiserie.…

Read More »

Posted in At Home with, interior design, Stylish Shopping, travel | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 Comments