Sunday, 10 April 2011

A Look at Althorp

When we visited the Theodore Alexander showroom in High Point, we learned that they have an entire Althorp Collection of reproduction furniture.  Althorp is a stately English home in Northamptonshire that is owned by the Spencer family.  While it has over 500 years of history, it is best known as the childhood home of Princess Diana and serves as her final resting place.  As you can imagine, it is very expensive to maintain a home of this size and historic significance which is why Charles Spencer authorized a collection of Althorp reproductions at Theodore Alexander initially to help pay for a new roof.  There was also an attic sale at Christie's last year. We were not allowed to take photos in the Theodore Alexander showroom so I thought it would be fun to look at the home that inspired the collection.  We can't all live in such a magnificent splendor but it is fun to know that we can own the same furniture. 

On a side note, actor Max Irons, son of Jeremy Irons, was recently photographed by Jason Bell for Vanity Fair at Althorp. All the photos with the handsome young man are from that shoot and the black and white photos are a vintage look at Althorp.  There is also a video online of Max Irons at Althorp that gives you an even better look at this stunning house and grounds.  Enjoy!


Max Irons in Wooton Hall






The Library




The South Drawing Room


The Billiard Room


The State Dining Room

The Great Room



The Sunderland Room

The Picture Gallery


The Painters Hallway


The Saloon



The Marlborough Room

King William Bedroom

Max Irons in the King William Bedroom

Oak Bedroom

Prince of Wales Bedroom


Max Irons in the Wine Cellar


The Stables are now home to the Princess Diana exhibition.

A photo of the Stables taken in 1921


Saturday, 9 April 2011

Sponsor Spotlight: Chico's

I always thought Chico's was a store for my mother.  That was until they introduced me to their very chic fashions that anyone can wear.  Many of their pieces are completely on trend and more importantly affordable!  Happy Shopping!

The Silk Utility Shirt is perfect to thrown on with jeans and a fabulous necklace.  You could even tuck into a skirt.

White Jeans should be in everyone's closet for spring and these have a perfect style and fit.

The Tayla Necklace reminds me of something I'd see at Marni.
 
Everyone needs a denim shirt and this Tina Shirt is a perfect option.

Army green cargo pants are everything this spring and I love these Cargo Snap Roll Pants

These Itas Bangles remind me of a high end end brand but are much more affordable!

The Herringbone Heidi Shirt Dress is going to be a staple in my spring wardrobe.

These Gustavia Sunglasses are the new hot shape for spring and much less expensive than those by Tom Ford!

Friday, 8 April 2011

Joan Mitchell: Lady Painter

I am still editing all my photos from High Point but decided to take a break today.  While catching up on my favorite websites, I was excited to read on Vogue.com that there is a book about to be released about my favorite artist Joan Mitchell. While I absolutely love Joan Mitchell's abstract paintings, I just realized that I don't know much about her life. Joan Mitchell: Lady Painter by Patricia Albers won't be out until May 3rd so I'll have to wait until then to read it...unless Knopf wants to send me an advance copy as a birthday present.  I have no shame when it comes to a subject I love!  Bon Weekend!

Thursday, 7 April 2011

Breaking News: AERIN Lifestyle Brand

High Point Market isn't the only exciting thing happening this week.  It was just announced that Aerin Lauder will launch her own lifestyle brand named what else but AERIN.  The brand would include a cosmetics line to be sold at Estée Lauder counters as well as fashion, accessories, housewares, china, and jewelry much of which would be inspired by pieces owned and collected by Aerin's grandmother, Estée Lauder.  “I’m thrilled to continue playing an active role in the iconic Estée Lauder brand, including serving as global brand ambassador and spokesperson,” she said in the statement. “At the same time, I look forward to pursuing my vision to create the AERIN brand.”

I for one applaud her.  It would have been very easy for her to continue on at Estée Lauder but to tackle a new project is always exciting and challenging and what makes life interesting.  Aerin Lauder is one of the most searched names on my blog so I know that this new venture will be a huge success.  I'm especially excited about her plans to enter the home market and who knows, maybe we will see her at High Point someday!  In the meantime, I thought it would be fun to look back at some of her own fabulous homes including the one in the Hamptons that she inherited from Estée Lauder.  It was shot most recently for Elle Decor but also for Vogue Living and decorated for Christmas for House & Garden.  Her Manhattan apartment isn't too shabby either and the closet which was photographed by Harper's Bazaar is still one of my favorites.  I will definitely keep you posted when I hear more about AERIN the brand and woman.

Aerin Lauder's New York apartment was designed by Jacques Grange.  The living room includes art by Yves Klein and Lucio Fontana.

The arm chairs in the living room are by Jean-Michel Frank while the floor lamp is by Alberto Giacometti.

In the Manhattan dining room, the ceiling fixture is Ruhlmann, the painting by Alberto Burri and don't ask me the paint color because it's a custom color by Donald Kaufman.

"I like houses that are cozy but not cluttered," Aerin Lauder told The New York Times. "And I like things that are inviting and warm — plump pillows, soft blankets, comfortable sofas. Even the colors I favor — browns, golds, soothing blues — are welcoming."

In the library in New York, the coffee table is by Jean Royere.

The chairs in the entry also seem to match the one in her dressing room.

Framed artwork by her sons hang along side portraits by Neil Winokur in the breakfast area in the kitchen.

The enviable dressing room that also serves as a home office features gorgeous hand painted wallpaper by Gracie.

The vintage desk from the 1970's by Gabriella Crespi came from Estée Lauder.

A dressing table tableau of children's toys and jewelry.

Another view of the dressing room.

Shoes glorious shoes!


Aerin and her family expanded the East Hampton house she inherited from her grandmother to suit the needs of her family.

Love the burnt orange walls in the Hamptons living room.

The coffee table is by Willy Rizzo.

The main living room mixes pale lavender walls with blue and white porcelain.

Another view of the main living room.

When the main living room was shot for House & Garden, you could see the fireplace wall.

The blue dining room with more blue and white porcelain that Aerin says Estée loved.

In the House & Garden feature, a console was filled with holiday treats.

And the table was set with gorgeous china and presents for Christmas.

The kitchen in East Hampton also features her son's artwork and an Elsworth Kelly.

Aerin in the kitchen for House & Garden.

A Chip Hooper photograph sits behind the desk in the library in East Hampton.

Another shot of the library as seen in House & Garden.

I love the graceful curving staircase.

The master bedroom features fabric by Michael Divine and linens by Leontine.

Mementos on the bedside table.

Another view of the master bedroom.

A guest bedroom is clad in toile. 

In Estée Lauder's former bedroom, Pierre Frey fabric covers the walls, chairs and bed.

The dressing table with a photo of Estée Lauder and lots of her perfumes.

One son has an Andy Warhol silkscreen hanging in his room.

Her other son has a room clad in fabric from Quadrille and a stuffed animal chair by Fernando and Humberto Campagna.

The beautiful gardens in East Hampton.

Aerin was photographed for Jonathan Becker in 2005 for Vogue.

The chic pool house and a fabulous vintage Mercedes convertible outside the house below.

Photos by Francois Halard for House & Garden, William Waldron and Simon Upton for Elle Decor and Eric Boman for Vogue Living