The Latest Lonny

Have any of you read the new September/October issue of Lonny yet? I skimmed through it late on Sunday night. I need to go back and actually read through it sometime soon. While I didn't have the time to adequately digest all of the written content, I did take in the visual content and per the usual, the interiors features were my primary focus. The New York home of Christian Leone, a Gilt Groupe exec was my favorite. The space is hip and swanky but also comfortable and the vintage aura feels effortless and authentic. I loved this shot of the living space with its poppy-colored lacquered walls...

Image via Lonny Magazine, photo by Patrick Cline, design by Christian Leone

Image via Lonny Magazine, photo by Patrick Cline, design by Christian Leone

I had the pleasure of meeting Christian a few years ago at a Gilt event. Gilt Groupe was in its infancy at that time and I got to chat at length with the founders and with higher-ups like Christian. Everyone from the company was so friendly and inspiring (they all have incredible resumes), but Christian was truly memorable. He could not have been more charming, fun, and gracious. I also got to meet his wonderful partner Malcolm James Kutner, who is an accomplished designer and was super warm and personable as well (he's a native Texan). Anyhow, after meeting the dynamic duo, it's really cool to see where they live!

Another space from the issue that caught my eye was this powder room designed by David Flint Wood. Can you believe that the "wallpaper" is actually a huge map from SkyMall?!? I love how it's used here with a traditional gilded mirror...so quirky and interesting.

Image via Lonny Magazine, photo by Patrick Cline, design by David Flint Wood

What are your thoughts on the spaces above? 

If you haven't already, check out the latest edition of Lonny and report back with anything that you found inspiring, helpful, or fun!

Magazine Backlog

My plan this weekend is to lay by the pool and catch up on some reading. Besides diving into Starter for Ten, the new David Nicholls book I immediately downloaded after finishing One Day, I need to plow through my pile of magazines. I subscribe to a few old school paper versions and also read some digital mags, and those are the hardest ones for me to keep up with because sitting at the computer any more than I already do is typically not appealing. Nevertheless, there are tons of inspiring tidbits and photos so I'm making a point of going through Lonny, Rue, TradHome (even though it came out a while back), and House Beautiful
 (I read it on my iPad via Zinio).

I'll usually do a quick flip through when each issue first comes out, but I need to circle back and take a deeper look now. On my first run at the latest issue of Lonny, I LOVED this shot of a New Orleans home they featured, mainly because of the fabulous painting by Aaron Collier...

Via Lonny Magazine, photography by Patrick Cline

Via Lonny Magazine, photography by Patrick Cline

On my first pass at Rue, I liked the color palette running throughout this Mindy Weiss spread...

From May/June issue of Rue Magazine, photography by Elizabeth Messina

From May/June issue of Rue Magazine, photography by Elizabeth Messina

From May/June issue of Rue Magazine, photography by Elizabeth Messina

From video by Floataway Studios

I flipped through House Beautiful on my iPad while working out this week and I loved this kitchen from the latest issue...

Design by Ken Fulk, Via House Beautiful, photography by Francesco Lagnese

Which mags do you read? Any on your agenda for the long weekend?

Hope you all have a wonderful, safe Memorial Weekend!

Blue Kitchen Cabinets

White cabinetry in kitchens has been popular for quite a few years now. As much as I love the clean, classic look, I'm starting to feel like all of these white kitchens look the same. I'd have the same reaction if fashion designers kept sending white oxford shirts down the runway season after season (even though I love white oxford shirts).

There are a variety of ways to add color and interest to an all white kitchen including easy additions like rugs or bold countertop accessories. For the more daring, however, safe white paint is disregarded and color is brought into the space through richly-hued tile or painted cabinets. Since I'm hungry for a different look, I've been noticing non-white cabinetry lately. And since I'm obsessed with blue, I've really been loving the blue cabinetry I keep seeing. Here are some examples of how many shades of blue can work in a kitchen...

Image via Lonny Magazine

Design by Miles Redd, image via Elle Decor

Jennifer Lopez's home, image via Veranda

Image via Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Magazine

Image via Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Magazine

Image via House to Home

Design by McGill Design Group

Design by McGill Design Group

Design by McGill Design Group

Design by McGill Design Group

Design by Terra Cotta Properties

Design by Terra Cotta Properties

Design by Terra Cotta Properties

Design by Terra Cotta Properties

Image via Design Galleria

Design by Jeffrey Bilhuber

Design by Steven Gambrel

What do you think of blue cabinetry? Would you ever want it in your kitchen?

Lee and Lonny Love

I finally sat down and went through the latest, much clamored about issue of Lonny Magazine. It lives up to the hype and is fabulous. Kudos to all of the staff and talented photographers and designers responsible for providing such wonderful eye candy! This installment is chock-full of great design moments, so I wanted to share my favorite tidbits and lure you over to the mag in case you haven't gone there yet.

First, there's a fantastic write-up on Jayson Home and Garden which I was pumped about since I'm in awe of their collection of merchandise and was blown away by their outstanding customer service when I ordered my ottomans. 

It really doesn't get much cooler than the tufted black patent bench/ottoman below.

Secondly, another favorite store of mine, Pieces, and its amazing owner, Lee Kleinhelter, got some major props. Lee is super talented and it was a treat to read about how she thoughtfully designed the model unit of an Atlanta high-rise. Lots of great advice in the article on how to design to sell. Also included in the spread are photos of her own stunning condo in the same building and a few snapshots of her precious little baby boy. Be sure to check out his nursery on pages 96-97...it is the jam. 

Even though I've never met her, I like to think we're kindred spirits since we seem to go for the same aesthetic, share the appreciation for the colors orange and white, and finally, we both love Bravo and all the sophisticated, intellectual shows it brings us ;) Anyhow, I hope to make a trip to Atlanta one day so I can meet her and spend lots of time shopping at Pieces! Until then...on to highlights from Lonny:

One of the two chic twin beds in the guest room...headboard is in the perfect hue and with nailhead trim to boot. From the article, referring to Lee's strategic use of color: "energizing the space with the flavorful shade of orange inspired by Hermès." Music to my ears!

The striped walls are pure genius and so is the off-set mirror.

See, again we are on the same wavelength about the greatness that is a wall-mounted, white lacquered moose head!

I'm jealous of the lucky girl who sleeps under this tufted headboard. White is ultimately my favorite color too. Oh Lee, we really should be besties ;)

I could talk all day about Lee and Pieces, but alas I must move on to other goodies found in the current Lonny. Designer Elizabeth Bauer's Grammercy Park studio apartment also had a notable feature. Throughout the apartment, she used rich color and lots of patterns and textures. 

Very fun and girly effect.

I adore her bedroom. Such exquisite linens from D. Porthault. Of course, my beloved boutique Madison carries them.

If my tole chandelier wasn't black, I'd be a copycat and throw orange shades on it like this. So cute.

Finally, a bathroom from another New York apartment left me speechless. I love everything in this space, from the glossy black walls to the perfect mix of towels. I REALLY want the Greek key towels.

Ok, I must stop...don't want to share too much. If you haven't already, go check out Lonny for yourself. There is lots more to see and read, so head on over and get to it!