What's Black & White...

I've heard that Bronson van Wyck and Lela Rose throw fabulous parties.  Stories don't compare to experiencing in person the black and white extravaganza that the pair threw to celebrate Celerie Kemble's book Black & White (and a Bit in Between). On a rainy night, I headed down to Tribeca where I was blown away by not only Lela's beautiful home but how party planner extraordinaire Bronson van Wyck had turned her dining room into a chic tent with black and white striped fabric. With help from Jo Malone London who have partnered on Celerie's book tour, the party not only looked amazing but smelled amazing too. 

The entry table was covered in Celerie's own black and white fabric for Schumacher and was a perfect complement to the black and white photography hung above. 

The menu was inspired by Jo Malone London fragrances and we were treated to multiple yummy course. Lime Basil & Mandarin inspired the seared scallops and Nectarine Blossom & Honey was the jumping off point for cinnamon pancakes. Did I mention that the table pops up out of the floor?  We sat on pillows made of more Celerie Kemble fabric with out legs dangling below.  Talk about chic!

Some party planners suggested unscented candles for a dinner party but that's really no fun especially when you can burn such gorgeous smelling candles.  

Celerie was kind enough to sign books for everyone and wore a chic black and white dress by Lela Rose of course. 

More amazing Jo Malone London products.

I tried not to get too excited when I spied Law & Order SVU actor Chris Meloni in attendance at the party. 

Gift bags containing a copy of Black & White (and a Bit in Between) and a lovely smelling candle from Jo Malone London. You can read more about the party and see more photos in the March/April issue of Veranda magazine. 

Book, Books and More Books!

While searching for a book on Amazon the other day, I came across a plethora of new books coming out this fall.  Good thing I just ordered more bookshelves.  It looks like I'm going to need them! 

The first is Live, Love & Decorate by interior designer Maryn Lawrence Bullard.  I think most people were introduced to Martyn on Million Dollar Decorators which I hope comes back for a second season.  I always appreciated it when he would explain his design process to his assistant and clients.  Some called him a "name dropper" but if my clients included Ellen Pompeo, Cher, Ozzy & Sharon Osbourne, and Tamara Mellon, I'd be dropping them too.  Modesty is nice and all but it doesn't pay the bills.  Oh, and Sir Elton John wrote the foreword. 

I love interior designer Katie Ridder's use of color and pattern and can't wait to own her book, Katie Ridder: Rooms.  That wall color on the cover already makes me want to repaint my entire apartment.

Interior designer Celerie Kemble also has a new book coming out November 1, 2011, Black and White (and a Bit in Between): Timeless Interiors, Dramatic Accents, and Stylish Collections.  I haven't seen it yet but the description sounds interesting.  In the book, Celerie "trades in her signature vivid palette for this iconic aesthetic, highlighting the black and white work of design stars and peers. With more than 350 gorgeous color photographs, this is a vividly photographed celebration of a timeless scheme, infused with inspirational tips, glimpses into showstopping homes, and proof that a limited palette is anything but." 

I'm also looking forward to David Kleinberg's upcoming book Traditional Now due out September 27, 2011. David worked for Parish-Hadley for sixteen years and I'm sure he's got some great design advice for us all.

Jeffrey Bilhuber also has a new book coming out on September 20, 2011, The Way Home: Reflections on American Beauty. He also has a wonderful color sense and I'm sure he will also make me want to repaint my rooms.

If you want to learn from the Grande Dame of Decorating, then I recommend ordering Sister Parish: American Style due out October 11, 2011.  Jacqueline Kennedy was a client and that says it all. 

Photographer Ellen Graham is one of the least known photographers of Hollywood but I hope that changes after Talking Pictures is released on October 16, 2011. She also happens to be the stepmother of one of my friends and I got to know her while working on his apartment.  She not takes amazing photos but has impeccable taste as you can see by her apartment that was featured on New York Social Diary.

Nostalgia in Vogue "celebrates the popular and poignant coming-of-age memoir columns that have been enchanting Vogue readers since 2000. This elegant volume collects a wonderful selection of Vogue’s famous Nostalgia columns and the stunning photographs that accompanied them." I look forward to adding this book to my collection of Vogue books when it's released on October 4, 2011.  

Everyone is dying to see what the former editor-in-chief of French Vogue, Carine Roitfeld, does next so I'm sure they will be excited to read her new book.  Carine Roitfeld: Irreverent is touted as an "elegant volume is a visual history of Roitfeld's fearless career" and with Cathy Horyn involved, I'm sure it will be amazing.

I've always loved model Marisa Berenson.  She seems like the only one who made it out of the 1970's and Studio 54 in one piece.  I can't wait to own her upcoming book Marisa Berenson: A Life in Pictures when it's released on October 11, 2011.

I probably should have listed Carleton Varney's new book Mr. Color above with the design books but I was amazed at how similar the cover is to another book below.  Carleton Varney is quite a character and definitely makes this world a more colorful place.  I can't wait to read "The Greenbrier and Other Decorating Adventures." I'm sure they will be hysterical!

On the heels of True Prep and Take Ivy comes Preppy: Cultivating Ivy Style by Jeffrey Banks and Doria de la Chapelle. It is described as the "first definitive and in-depth volume on preppy fashion, exploring its evolution from its pragmatic origins and presence on elite Eastern campuses in America to its profound influence internationally and metamorphosis on the runway."

One of my most amazing moments in New York was walking up Fifth Avenue last May and catching Daphne Guinness coming home in a convertible after dressing for The Met Ball in the windows of Barneys.  Watching her walk into her apartment building was breathtaking. She is a person for whom getting dressed is an adventure in art and creativity as well as elegance. I can't wait to read more about her in Daphne Guinness co-authored with Valerie Steele.

Cecil Beaton was a wonderful arbiter of style who was an illustrator, costume and set designer, photographer, and more, as well as friend of some amazing people.  Cecil Beaton: The New York Years will focus obviously on the "legendary photographer's life in New York City, with many never-before-seen images and reminiscences by his closest friends and confidants" including the illusive Greta Garbo.   

I apologize for the postage stamp size photo of Slim Aarons: La Dolce Vita but it was the only one I could find.  I'm needless to say excited for another edition of this chic photographers work.  This one will include "memorable portraits, across a vast geography of resorts, estates, palaces, elegant apartments, mansions, castles, and other glamorous settings, Slim Aarons's photos define that legendary class known as the beautiful people."

Divine Inspiration

Now that I've finished the kitchen, it's time to start on the living room.  It's mostly put together but needs a few finishing touches before I can think about hanging art.  My current inspiration is this living room designed by Celerie Kemble that was just featured in Elle Decor.  The colors are so "me" and it looks so soothing.  I am going to start saving now for an Yves Klein coffee table and de Gourney covered screen.   Bon Weekend!

Photos by William Waldron

Kips Bay Decorator Show House 2011: Kemble Interiors

One of my favorite rooms in the 2011 Kips Bay Decorator Show House was designed by Celerie Kemble and her team at Kemble Interiors.  Due to the historic significance of the home, many of the designers were required to work around certain features and that included the wood paneling in the library. With a little magic and lots of light colors, the dark and masculine room was transformed into a woman's library, "a sanctum for a siren." The shelves are filled with books on fashion, poetry and contemporary literature and there are plenty of places to sit and read or chat with friends. Since the walls could not be touched, the team focused on adorning "the ceiling, floors, windows, furniture, and bookcases with every trick of their craft to add glimmer and put a little switch in its skirts."  Artist Miriam Ellner created the amazing ceiling of gold leaf and other metals on the reverse side of glass, verre eglomise, to create a "Chinoiserie inspired skyscape fantasy."   A room this size filled with so many special pieces could have look cluttered but instead your eye is drawn around the room as it slowly unveils itself.  I could have spent all day in this room which in my mind makes it a huge success.

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic except for #1, 5, 10, 14, 16 and 23 courtesy of Kemble Interiors