Decor

Sleep with Rolex & Patek Philippe at Florence's Luxe L'O - Hotel L'Orologio

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Apr 16th 2011 at 9:01AM

Under the patronage of new Italian luxury hotel group Whythebest, one of Florence's hippest and best-hidden boutique hotels is getting set to welcome the fashion crowd to the city this summer during the Pitti Uomo men's shows.

L'O - Hotel L'Orologio is unique in being inspired by the prestigious world of international high-end watchmaking as well as by owner Sandro Fratini's personal collection of over 2,000 vintage timepieces. If you appreciate haute horlogerie – and what man of style doesn't? – it's hard to imagine wanting to stay anywhere else.

Tags: Florence, Italy, luxury hotels, Patek Philippe, Rolex, Whythebest Hotels

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The Best of Architecture Meets Interior Design in 'America's Finest Rooms'

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Mar 25th 2011 at 10:01AM

Refinement is not about expense, notes Thomas Jayne in his new book "The Finest Rooms in America," a definitive, luxuriously illustrated record of the country's best interior design from the 18th century to the present day. Jayne, a top-drawer interior designer and scholar of American decor, includes a complete cross section of rooms covering a broad range of American periods and styles, beginning with the Tea Room at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello.

Tags: American design, American interiors, architecture, best design books, best interior design, best+interior+design+books, bestinteriordesignbooks, books, coffee table books, decor, deign books, Frank Lloyd Wright, George Washington, interior designer, Los Angeles, Monticello, Mount Vernon, Oscar de la Renta, The Finest Rooms in America, Thomas Jayne, Thomas Jefferson, Vizcaya

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Hermes Mahogany & Leather Valet Stand

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Mar 16th 2011 at 7:00PM

The famed French luxury goods house of Hermès has come out with the ultimate accessory for the world's best-dressed gentlemen -- a valet stand in solid mahogany, fine leather and brass with ebony detailing.

The luxe piece, designed to accommodate a full suit of gentleman's clothing and accessories, is a limited edition re-issue of a classic item created for Hermès in 1930 by famed French decorator and designer Paul Dupré-Lafon. The original was sold by Sotheby's at its Art Nouveau & Art Deco Design sale in Paris in 2007 for about $65,000.

Tags: Art Deco, bespoke, cufflinks, France, gentlemens accessories, Hermès, Hermes, hermes valet stand, hermes+valet+stand, hermesvaletstand, leather, luxury goods, mahogany, mahogany+mens+valet+stand, mahoganymensvaletstand, mens accessories, mens clothing, mens Hermes, mens style, suit, valet stand, vintage Hermes

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Herman Miller Sayl Ergonomic Work Chair Review

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) — Mar 11th 2011 at 11:01AM

This is my third Herman Miller chair and I am beginning to notice a trend - Herman Miller makes pretty darn good chairs. I am not exactly the don of places to sit, but I have sampled an awful lot of chairs in my life. So why is it that I put chairs like those that Herman Miller offers on a pedestal? Well the reasons are pretty simple actually. They want their chairs to be well-made, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing. Does that sound like a simple formula? It is, but at the same time chairs are one of the most complex pieces of furniture to make - especially an ergonomic desk/work chair. As I spend more time learning about good chairs and how they are designed, I am impressed by the ingenuity and details that is taken into consideration when designing something new. This is despite the fact that chair designers have so much to look to for inspiration. There are also a lot of really bad chairs out there, so that is something to think about when planning where to plant your rear.

This is the Sayl, and it is Herman Miller's newest family of work chairs. I say family because in addition to being available in various colors and trims, the chair itself is literally available in a lot of different styles with various options, etc... What each of the Sayl chairs share is the "suspension" style chair back with the "Y" frame design. This design is based loosely on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco where chair designer Yves Behar lives. I too live in San Francisco, and wouldn't have seen the design connection unless you explained it to me - but now I see it, and smirk at the similarity between the back of the chair and the curve of the cables from the bridge's suspension towers.

Tags: chair, desk, herman miller, office, review, sayl, work, yves behar

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Harry Slatkin on The Evolution of Home Fragrances (video)

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) — Mar 10th 2011 at 7:31PM

When home fragrance expert Harry Slatkin began his career in home fragrances 18 years ago, he literally changed the industry. Since he founded Slatkin & Co., many others have followed suit, from Ralph Lauren to Banana Republic and Martha Stewart. Slatkin now oversees product development for all the home fragrance brands under Bath & Body Works, the country's largest bath and body retailer with over 1,650 stores.

Home fragrances used to be more of a women's world. Since then, the industry has changed dramatically, says Slatkin.

"If I do a radio show, the callers in are mostly men," he says. "They are complementing me on this scent or that scent. Men are getting into scent just as much as women."

Home fragrances have also hit the college scene. "One of the hottest products right now for college students are plug-ins," says Slatkin. "Dorms smell and you can't really light a candle in a dorm. But you can use a plug-in to create a different atmosphere, plus it is a great way to hide all the musty smells of dirty laundry."

Tags: awards-main, Harry Slatkin, home fragrances, HomeFragrances, Luxist-Awards, Ralph Lauren, RalphLauren

Sensor Can From simplehuman

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Mar 9th 2011 at 8:01PM

Hands-free trash cans are great. What's not so great is if you have to do a wild hand-waving dance to get them to open or if, even worse, they slam shut while you are putting things in. Design-centered home goods brand simplehuman says that "innovation only makes sense if it's in sync with your needs" so they promise their sensor trash can won't unexpectedly open or close on you.

A little something called multi-sense technology keeps the can from having the drop on you. The trigger zone is a focused space directly above the lid which is precise enough to avoid false triggers. Once the lid is open, the bin enters task mode and the trigger zone extends to become more sensitive to activity, so the lid won't close before you're finished. After three seconds of continued activity, the lid automatically opens wider and switches to a 30-second stay-open mode. A natural charcoal filter is in the lid to help neutralize odors. The can will run up to 12 months with 6 high-quality alkaline C batteries, not included), or plug the can in with a power adapter which is sold separately. The 40L can is $225, the 48L recycler is $275 and the 55L is $275.

Tags: hands-free trash can, sensor trash can, simplehuman, trash can

1stdibs.com at the NY Design Center

by Bobbie Leigh (RSS feed) — Mar 9th 2011 at 9:01AM

When 1stdibs.com went from click to brick, it was an overnight success, far beyond what was expected. Until the opening of its new home 1stdibs.com was only online. It was the luxury marketplace site for antique and vintage design from the United States, Canada, France, and England. In other words, a treasure trove of jewelry, lighting, furniture, antiquities and especially design classics that you could buy online. Now 1stdibs has expanded to bricks and mortar. Some 53 dealers occupy a huge 1stdibs space on the 10th floor of the New York Design Center in Midtown Manhattan on Lexington Avenue between 32nd and 33rd streets. With the expansion from virtuality to reality, the new 1stdibs@NYDC is a big hit with designers as well as the general public. The Design Center, which in the past was to-the-trade, decorators only, is now open to the general public even on Saturday.

Tags: 1stdibs, 1stdibs.com, decor, mid-century modern, Modernism, NYDesign Center, vintage

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Luxury Furniture Retailer Robb & Stucky Bought By Liquidators

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Mar 9th 2011 at 2:01AM

Last month I mentioned that luxury furniture retailer Robb & Stucky had filed Chapter 11. Now it looks like the brand, which is based in Florida and also has stores in Arizona, Nevada and Texas, is facing potential liquidation.

Furniture Today reports that a U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Tampa, Florida has approved sale of the brand to liquidators Hudson Capital and Hyperams. Hudson Capital and Hyperams were the stalking horse bidder and the only validated bidder at an auction to sell off the brand. When the brand filed Chapter 11 in February it was hoping to raise enough money from potential investors to make a bid to keep the company in business. The Naples Daily News reports that the fate of the stores remains up in the air. Liquidation would mean that employees would lose their jobs, stores would close and customers could lose deposits they have put down on furniture.

The company sells a variety of high-end collections including Ralph Lauren home, Keno Brothers and Tommy Bahama. It was founded in 1915 in Florida. At the time of the Chapter 11 filing it listed assets and debts in the range of $50 million to $100 million. It employs about 1,300 people.

Tags: chapter 11, furniture brand, furniture retailer, liquidation, robb stucky

How to Clean a Stainless Steel Appliance (video)

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) — Mar 6th 2011 at 8:31PM

What is the best way to clean a stainless steel appliance? How can you get that showroom finish?

How to clean a stainless steel appliance

Our partners at the Home Staging Channel suggest this easy solution--and you probably have all the necessary materials in your kitchen cabinets. "Put a little olive oil on a cotton towel," says HSC's John Mangano. "A couple of dabs is all you need. Then rub in a circular motion." You may need to use more for high traffic areas of the appliance.

For a few more tips on how to clean a stainless steel appliance, check out this related post that contains pointers from Sub-Zero, one of the leading manufacturers of premium appliances.

Tags: awards-main, how to clean, how to clean stainless steel appliances, luxist-awards, stailness steel appliances, stainlless steel, Sub-Zero, video

1810 English Globe Writing Desk Offered By Rau Antiques

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) — Mar 6th 2011 at 2:01PM

As long as we have had organized society we have had trendy stuff. At points in the 18th and 19th century, globes were hot. Map making was a bit of a romantic thing at the time, intrinsically mixed with exploring the world and conquering new places. Having a map of a region meant you knew and understood that far off place - instantly making you pretty darn cool. Everyone wanted in on the "worldly" action, and people with wealth all wanted world map globes. These globes had to be hand-made and done with pretty extreme precision - although they weren't exactly as accurate as they are too. Ahh, the virtues of modern cartography.

In addition to globes themselves being hot - globe-like objects were equally hot. This for instance is a very rare writing desk that was meant to fold closed and look like a globe. How cool is that? I think that Ikea should carry these. This one was made around 1810 during the Regency Period in England by Morgan & Sanders. It is referred to as "metamorphic furniture." Meaning that it changed in someway. Today we would probably call it "transformer-orphic furniture!"

Tags: antique, desk, globe, globes, rau

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How to Clean Silver (video)

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) — Mar 6th 2011 at 11:30AM

In the video above, Richard Sisson with Chevy Chase Plating & Polishing in Rockville, Md., demonstrates how to hand polish silver pieces, from tureens to flatware. Sisson describes how to clean and buff a piece of silver that is slightly tarnished, as well as how to remove old polish residue that has built up over time in the nooks and crannies of older pieces. He also shows how to best clean a piece of silver that is badly tarnished. Which high quality paste polish is the best for hand polishing smaller silver pieces, such as flatware? Watch the video and find out. To learn what is the difference between sterling silver and silver plated, watch this video.

Tags: awards-main, Chevy Chase Plating Polishing, how to clean silver, luxist-awards, Richard Sisson, silver, silver cleaning, video

Hermès Presents Jean-Michel Frank

by Bobbie Leigh (RSS feed) — Feb 19th 2011 at 3:01PM

Simple lines and exotic veneers epitomize the furniture of French legendary designer Jean Michel-Frank. His original pieces are hard to come by so it's good news that Hermès has joined with the Frank family to reissue some of his iconic furniture. The clean-lined cubic pieces with leather and wood veneers will be in the New York Hermès store at 691 Madison Avenue and other stores nationwide in April. At first glance, some of the pieces will seem familiar as Frank's understated approach to chairs, sofas, and tables has been widely copied, but in fact, rarely equaled. Frank had a devoted following, admirers of his pale palette and near minimalist approach. He designed apartments for such luminaries as the Rockefellers in New York and Cole Porter in Paris. In spite of his success, he was a tragic figure who lost two brothers in World War I, his father and then his mother at an early age. He left Paris for Argentina when Word War II broke out and horribly depressed committed suicide in Manhattan in 1941 at the age of 46. Frank's banking family included Otto Frank and his famous diarist daughter Anne.

Tags: 1930s furniture, decor, French style 1930s, furniture, Hermès Frank Collection, hermes, modern classic furniture

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Esquire Home Collection Launches At ABC Carpet & Home

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Feb 19th 2011 at 10:02AM

Esquire Home, a furniture collection that shares the same modern gentlemanly style as the men's magazine, now has a new shop at New York City's decor emporium, ABC Carpet & Home. A new ABC Coop Shop is offering a tailored masculine aesthetic created in collaboration with designer Timothy Oulton. The collection evokes a style that is streamlined and devoid of frippery with distressed leathers and neutral twills and tweeds.

Tags: Esquire, Esquire Home Collection, Esquire Magazine, Furniture, Home Decor

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Luxury Furniture Store Robb & Stucky Files Chapter 11

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Feb 18th 2011 at 10:01PM

Luxury furniture retailer Robb & Stucky has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection here. The company sells a variety of high-end collections including Ralph Lauren home, Keno Brothers and Tommy Bahama but has struggled in recent years partly because its strongholds are in markets in Florida, Arizona and other challenging real estate markets.

The company, which was founded in 1915 in Florida, has listed assets and debts in the range of $50 million to $100 million. Furniture Today reports that the bulk of the company's unsecured creditors are home furnishings companies which are owed about $8 million. The brand issued a press release saying that it is looking for a buyer. It employs about 1,300 people and stores will remain open during the transition.

Tags: chapter 11, furniture retailer, furniture store, robb stucky, robb and stucky

Clive Christian Rug Collection For Roubini Rugs

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Feb 16th 2011 at 2:01PM

How do you translate perfume into rugs? Roubini Rugs has created a new line of luxury rugs based on the design style of the house of Clive Christian. Some of the designs in the line were inspired by precious ingredients from perfumes in his eponymous perfume collection as well as his interior design projects. Clive Christian created unique artwork which in turn Sam Roubini translated and produced in the finest wool and silk.

The rug shown above, the Portrait No. 1 Rug, shows a cherub holding a garland leaning on an architectural ledge. The image was taken from the Toile de Jouey fabrics used within Clive Christian rooms.

Roubini Rugs has a variety of designer rugs for fashionable homes including collections by Fornasetti, Tuleh, Jamie Drake, Karim Rashid, Roberto Cavalli and Missoni.

Tags: clive christian, designer rugs, roubini rugs, rugs

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