Shout Out To Anne of Annechovie

Congrats to artist, blogger and fellow Floridian, Anne Harwell.  One of her pieces is featured in It's Complicated!  Check out Anne's Blog (if you haven't already!) as well as her Etsy Shop...where you can pick up one (two, three or more) of her prints for yourself, including the one above.  Thanks to Joni from Cote de Texas for sharing the photo of the film still with us!  By the way, The Skirted Roundtable interviewed the set designer of It's Complicated , Beth Rubino, for this weeks podcast...so excited!

Shout Out to Style Redux 2 @ Chinoiserie Chic

 The paler side of Chinoiserie

Inspired by Chinoiserie Chic's post this morning, Saturday Chinoiserie Tablescape, I thought I would whip up one of my own, highlighting the paler shade of Chinoiserie.  The Blanc de Chine lamp is vintage as well as the mercury glass candlesticks and the chunk of coral...obviously, as it is now (gratefully) no longer allowed to be sold. I found the antique Chinese inkwell years ago, the potted horse is from Doxa Home, although we no longer carry that particular item, and the Philodendron leaf was plucked from the yard.  It may be freezing, but it's still green here in Florida;)

Shout Out To Decorno

OK, OK, I know I just posted this photo of my lil sweet pea, Cookie, but in lieu of Decorno's request for a durable, pet friendly, wallet friendly upholstery option, I am posting this as evidence as there seem to be many who do not believe you can own white or ivory upholstery and keep it clean.  Just remember like anything else you own, you may want to clean it ever so often.  I suggest my clients have the upholstery and rugs cleaned annually however, I have only cleaned this once and that was due to a messy re delivery...done by friends, something I would never do for a client, for obvious reasons.  I must say, embarrassingly enough, I  also spilled an entire glass of red wine on this very sofa and it came up without any problems!!!  What I may rethink is having painted white floors, perhaps I should have simply polished the concrete...any suggestions for pet hair control in that department?

This is an (amateur)  photo of the overall room, I recently took this small condo and am still in the process of pulling it together so...Anyway, this Michael Vanderbyl sofa was recovered in an Ivory Sunbrella (any tasteful solution dyed acrylic will work) over two and a half years ago and it is still pristine, it has even endured a haphazard move and was used in a showhouse I decorated for Blue Star Jets, Jaguar and the Tampa Museum of Art, see below...again very amateur photos, I really need to invest in a proper set up.  Oh no, it was Decorno who created the post about bad photography....ugh.  Sorry;)

 Showing off the back...not so interesting, eh?

There was a Picasso on the wall to the right, but was removed before I had taken the photo...nothing like waiting till the last minute;)   So back to my place....

Also for Decorno, hence the title, as she had a reader write her and request ideas for book storage in a small space, this room is 14' x 10'....in other words, TINY!  This space has zero interesting architecture so I used a pair of bookshelves to flank the sofa as an attempt to create a bit of landscape to the space, additionally I have an antique Chinese cabinet on the opposite wall which houses my AV equipment as well as my printer.

 

A picture of Cookie lounging on the sofa in question, can't keep her off that arm, she loves cashmere;)   Not sure what is up with her eyes, I promise it is the photography...

Shenanigans taking a lounge on the very same sofa.

Another shot of the same room, for context. I think I see the final issue of Southern Accents peeking out of my antique rice bucket, used for magazines...obviously.

Oh and a last minute request!!  I would love for any and everyone to send me photos of your little furry loved ones on or with a piece of your home furnishings.  I have been asked, for the second year in a row, to speak at the St Petersburg Times (one of the nation's best papers, in my opinion) annual home show, held at the Tropicana Field (home to the almost World Series qualified, Tampa Bay Rays).  Well anyway, I am literally following a dog segment, circus dogs no less, and I need some kind of transition.  If ANYONE has any ideas out there, please pass them my way!  My email address is jrogers@doxahome.com, thanks and toodles.

A Shout Out To Dagny @ Beauiful Living

I know from your most recent post that you are having "a bit" of cold weather these days so I though I would send you a little sunshine;)


Of Montreal - Oslo In The Summertime


On another note....don't forget that today is the last day of our sitewide sale at DOXA Home, 25% off all purchases over $500, including over 120 new introductions and all sale items...up to over 60% off on some pieces!   Simply enter the code NEWYEAR09 at checkout for discounts to be applied. 



 Thanks to all of you for an amazing year!

A Shout Out to The NeoTraditionalist....Word

OK, so I read that you are leaving for DC later this week and were looking for what to see and do while there, so here are a few recommendations, hope you find something you like!  These are in no particular order and are sorted by the section of town;)

DOWNTOWN

The Donovan House by the Thompson Group...they do an amazing job with their properties!

U STREET CORRIDOR

 

The Bookstore at Busboys and Poets

Muleh, great concept, you can find everything from Cobonpue to Westwood!

Marvin,  Belgian influenced soul food, inspired by Marvin Gaye's exile.  Owned by none other than Thievery Corporation...sigh.

The Black Cat, see who's playing in the Washington Post' Going out Gurus, and grab a show at this venue which is part owned by Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters and Nirvana, aka...good taste in music;)

 After or Pre show drink at Cafe Saint Ex

Late night Half Smoke from the legendary Ben's Chili Bowl 

WEST END

 The Blue Duck Tavern at the Park Hyatt, designed by Tony Chi, he creates beautiful public spaces, I'd stop for a drink if in the area

PENN QUARTER

The National Portrait Gallery

The International Spy Museum

Central, owned by noted Chef Michel Richard of Citronell, awarded by James Beard and at half the expense;)

The Mini Bar at Cafe Atlanitco...a MUST DO for any foodie Chef Jose Andres, who trained under the great Ferran Adria at El Bulli, no need to say another word.

Oyamel, Chef Jose Andres' take on Mexican fare...again, a MUST do

Proof Wine Bar, huge selection of wines at every budget, a fun place to try very expensive wines by the glass;)

 Rasika, A fresh take on Indian, I'd sit in the booth, the surroundings are sexier

Newseum...which you will fully appreciate as a blogger

Grab a bite at Source, Wolfgang Puck's new space in the Newseum

DUPONT CIRCLE

The Phillips Collection, the country's oldest modern art collection housed in a wonderful old mansion

Stop for a drink at The 18th Street Lounge, again owned by the fabulous Thievery Corporation,  have your concierge sort it out ahead as it can be tricky to locate and sometimes to get in as there is no signage.

SOUTHWEST

Cityzen at The Mandarin Oriental, James Beard title holder, Chef Eric Ziebold trained 8 years under Thomas Keller of French Laundry and opened New York's Per Se and was himself proclaimed one of Americas Best Chefs in 2008 by Food and Wine magazine and Cityzen as One of the World's Hottest Restaurants!

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS

Commonwealth, I have a feeling the vintage vibe will appeal to you Kate;)  Grab a proper Sunday Supper at this Gastropub which focuses on local ingredients.

GEORGETOWN

Grab a Lox and Bagel for breakfast at  local jaunt Booeymonger

For a complete splurge, treat yourself to dinner at Citronell, Georgetown is lovely at night

And of course, while on the subject of Georgetown, I must make note of DOXA Home's Georgetown collection, classic and clean.  Thanks for indulging in a small bit of self promotion;)

OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA

Take the Tram to Old Town Alexandria one night

Have a classic cocktail with a twist, made from some very interesting ingredients at PX

Thai Old Town, cheap and good, classic Thai fare.  You will need an inexpensive meal to recover from Citronell, lol.

FOGGY BOTTOM

Take the Metro to Foggy Bottom and see a performance at...

JFK Center for the Performing Arts, see a performance while in town!

And finally...

WHITE HOUSE/NATIONAL MALL

The White House at night Christmas 2009

Halocaust Museum

The National Gallery of Art, the East Wing was designed by I. M. Pei

National Museum of Women in the Arts

Stop and see the Declaration Of Independence

The National Monuments look amazing when lit up at night and the crowds are definitely smaller

Have, yet ANOTHER, drink at Hay Adams.

Seems to be a lot of drinking going on in my suggestions?!

If anyone else out there has some suggestions, feel free to add in your comments, I am sure she would appreciate it;)

Have an amazing time Kate, Happy holidays!

And of course, I was unable to depart without leaving you a little bit of Thievery Corporation...