ELLE DECOR'S 2012 A-LIST DESIGNERS...

For the past three years, ELLE DECOR has picked from the country's top interior designers and dubbed them THE A-LIST. Being the top rated shelter magazine today, this prestigious recognization will most certainly enhance the careers of both established and emerging designers. 

See the interior designers who "continue to excite, inspire, and intrigue."

Bill Brockschmidt and Courtney Coleman
Brockschmidt & Coleman, LLC - Decoration and Design, New York

Ronald Bentley, Salvatore LaRosa, Franklin Salasky, Victoria Borus, and Charles Capaldi
B Five Studio, New York

James Aman and John Meeks
Aman & Meeks/Match Studio Interior Design, New York

 

Andrew Fisher and Jeffry Weisman
Fisher Weisman Design & Decoration, San Francisco





Steven Harris, Steven Harris Architects and
Lucien Rees Roberts, Rees Roberts + Partners, New York

 

Timothy Haynes and Kevin Roberts, Haynes-Roberts Inc., New York





Emma Jane Pilkington Fine Interiors, New York




J. Randall Powers Interior Decoration, Houston




Celerie Kemble, Kemble Interiors, New York





Paul Fortune Design, Los Angeles



For more detail on Elle Decor's A-LIST, click here.

Until next year's list...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

Photos courtesy of ElleDecor.com

KITCHEN OF THE YEAR...

HOUSE BEAUTIFUL 

2012 Kitchen of the Year

For the past five years, the team at House Beautiful has selected a world renowned designer and/or chef to create a magnificent kitchen which is displayed in the middle of NYC's Rockefeller Center. This year's kitchen was created by designer Mike De Guilio.

Simple yet elegant, this year's 1,000-square-foot dream kitchen serves up glittering tile, glass knobs, a bold sink, and a jaw-dropping butler's pantry.

In the 100 sq ft butler's pantry, De Giulio uses glass fronts for the upper cabinets and lined the insides with a mirror finish.  The cove ceiling has a vibrant blue Venetian plaster finish and gilded iron lights.  He carries the blue into the kitchen with an unexpected pop of color: a navy blue sink by Jonathan Adler.

De Giulio creatively mixes materials such as polished stainless steel on the appliances and shelving, glass on the light fixtures and door fronts, and natural wood on the floors and furnishings.

The metal and walnut cabinet, fashionable but functional, artfully holds pots and pans allowing easy access to all the kitchen necessities.

De Guilio lends an earthy feel to the eating area by placing mix-and-match chairs around a rustic wood table. A fireplace, television, and plush chairs make the space a cozy gathering spot for any active family.

De Giulio used varying sized pavers to create the terrace. The island is topped with a large bluestone slab and the base is covered in stainless steel to create a lighter look.

The kitchen is open to the public from July 16 through July 20 for perusing, cooking demonstrations, entertaining tips, and more. For more info on the Kitchen of the Year, click here.

Happy cooking...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

Photos courtesy of HouseBeautiful.com

CONTINUING EDUCATION AT FIT...

Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) has a precollege program for high school and middle school students called Summer Live. Its an opportunity for students to explore art and design, business and technology majors and develop art and design portfolios for 3 weeks during the summer.  My son Stephen is participating this year and I couldn't be more happy that he has found something that he is passionate about.

A large number of the out of town students travel with their parents to NYC.  FIT decided to offer classes for the parents to occupy their time while they wait.  Although I live right next door in Jersey, I decided to take the Photoshop Class as a refresher since I had forgotten most of what I learned while in design school. (The old adage is true - you don't use it, you lose it.). 

OMG! I didn't realize how much I missed being in school.  The thrill of learning and exploring new ideas and concepts, of being surrounded by youthful energy, and of challenging myself intellectually. I wanted more!  So I did some research.  FIT's School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) has programs that meet vital skills needed in the fashion and related industries, both for beginners and working professionals. Whether its obtaining skills required to develop a portfolio, looking to brush up on skills by taking a course, a hobbyist looking for a fun, new interest, or a professional looking to re-tool a technique, SCPS has something for everyone.

So to satisfy this thirst, I've decided to take the Google Sketch-Up Class this fall.  I would love to go on to get my Masters but that is highly unlikely (right now at least) with twins going into their senior year in high school.  Until then, I'll settle for Continuing Ed courses.

Happy learning...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

THE LOW DOWN: Z GALLERIE...

I'm going to let you in on a secret - I have champagne taste and beer pockets! (Not really a secret for those who know me.)  I'll let you in on another secret - I don't like to pay a lot but I still want quality. (Yet again, stating the obvious.) Since I've done a lot of legwork already, I'd like to share a few places where I shop for affordable quality pieces.  I'm introducing a new feature to my blog - THE LOW DOWN. I'll let you in on chic but affordable decor from some of my treasured sources - brick & mortar and online.  First up:

 I love Z Gallerie because it offers a collection of fashion forward and exclusive home furnishings, art and accessories at an affordable price.  The stores are ever-changing with a combination of stylish, traditional and contemporary designs.

Z Gallerie focuses on products that encompass the best ideas from around the world. With 56 locations across the US and online, Z Gallerie inspires both professional interior designers and amateur design enthusiasts. It’s the perfect store to pop in for a unique gift, to find accent pieces or to create an entire room.

I was devastated when the NYC store closed a few years ago.  Now the closest one to me is in Tyson's Corner in McLean, Virginia!  But there's always online.

Happy shopping...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

TARGET & NEIMAN MARCUS COLLABO...

I just found out some wonderful news.  Two of my favorite retailers are teaming up for a new collaboration - TARGET AND NEIMAN MARCUS. 

Target is joining forces with Neiman Marcus to offer a limited-time-only holiday collection of products from 24 of America’s most talented designers. This collabo will allow Target "guests" (as they like to call them) the opportunity to give or receive high-quality gifts from designer labels at affordable prices. “This collaboration is unlike anything Target has done before and we are confident our guests will be thrilled with this extraordinary collection that features some of America's most preeminent designers,” said Gregg Steinhafel, CEO of Target. In the past, they have teamed up with the likes of Issac Mizrahi, Zac Posen, Missoni and Proenza Schouler, all of which I am proud to have items from these sales.

Starting Dec. 1st through Dec. 20th (or while supplies last), Target will sell more than 50 gift products, ranging in price from $7.99 to $499.99 with most under $60, from the following designers:

• Alice + Olivia                     • Altuzarra

• Band of Outsiders              • Brian Atwood

• Carolina Herrera                • Derek Lam

• Diane von Furstenberg       • Eddie Borgo

• Jason Wu                          • Judith Leiber

• Lela Rose                          • Tracy Reese

• Marchesa                          • Marc Jacobs

• Oscar de la Renta             • Philip Crangi

• Prabal Gurung                  • Proenza Schouler

• Rag & Bone                      • Robert Rodriguez

• Rodarte                           • Skaist-Taylor

• Thom Browne                  • Tory Burch


Missoni madness at Target Pop-up Store in NYC

I remember the madness surrounding the Missoni Collection that premiered last September.  I went online at 7:15AM EST to shop and the majority of the items were already sold out (the sale started at 7AM). I might have to camp outside my local Target for this one...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

Photos courtesy of NYDailyNews.com

THE HOME OFFICE...

Nowadays, many people work from home either full-time or some part of the work week.  Even if you need a place to pay bills or write a letter (or more likely type an email), the home office should not only be efficient but also stylish and reflect your personality.  Here are some ideas to incorporate into your home office whether you have a whole room dedicated to a work space...

Modern Home Office by DKOR Interiors Inc., Miami

Glamorous Home Office by Cynthia Mason Interiors

Contemporary Home Office by Tineke Triggs of Artistic Designs for Living, San Francisco

Romantic Home Office by Vanessa DeLeon Associates

Contemporary Home Office by Nina sobiNina Design, San Francisco

Or it serves as a craft room as well...

Traditional Home Office by Martha O'Hara Interiors, Minneapolis

Traditional Home Office by JDS DESIGNS, Dallas

Or it occupies a small space...

Small Home Office by Maria Killam, Vancouver

Built-in Home Office by Leslie Goodwin Photography, Toronto

Contemporary Home Office by Valerie McCaskill Dickman, Dallas

Or it does double duty as a den or guest room.

Modern Home Office by Shirley Meisels, Toronto

Guest Room/Home Office by Valet Custom Cabinets & Closets, San Francisco

Asian Den/Home Office by Arnold Schulman Design Group, Miami

Okay, back to work...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

All photos courtesy of Houzz.com

THE BETSY HOTEL, MIAMI

Yesterday, I blogged about the wonderful time we had at the 16th Annual American Black Film Festival. This year when we attended ABFF we stayed at The Betsy Hotel, a distinguished historic landmark located in the Art Deco district on South Beach's famed Ocean Drive. This boutique hotel is unlike any other in Miami. The staff was stellar and very attentive especially Ed Ponder, the Director of Guest Services.  With its panoramic rooftop ocean views to the exquisite decor and manicured poolside oasis to the divine gourmet cuisine at BLT Steak Restaurant, the Betsy Hotel offered our best Miami experience yet.

The Betsy Hotel on Ocean Drive in Miami

Lobby

Lobby Bar

BLT Steak Restaurant

Guest Room

Guest Suite

Guest Suite Bathroom

South Beach

 I wouldn't recommend you stay anywhere else...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy