Monday Musings No. 179
1 day ago
Michael Devine One Day Sale
This coming Sunday 11/28/10 is going to be the perfect opportunity to pick up some holiday gifts and last minute decorating finds at great prices. My friend Katherine Hable of Hable Construction along with Variegated, Chairloom, myself and many others are participating in the well known Old American Can Factory’s Makers Market. I am going be offering pillows, end of bolt fabrics and over run tray production at significant savings. Purchases will be cash or credit card only. No checks and all sales are final.
Hope to see you there.
Hours 11:00 to 5:00
232 3rd Street
Brooklyn, NY
A New Chapter
The welcome committee was in full force at the party honoring Margaret Russell’s ascension to Editor in Chief of Architectural Digest last night. The packed event was held at the Riverpark restaurant in New York City. To name just a very few of the well wishers of the over 400 guests on hand were: Victoria Hagan, Vincente Wolfe, Jamie Drake, Tom Britt, Mario Buatta, William Diamond, Anthony Baratta, Pierre Frey, Alexa Hampton, Julia Noran and Miquel Flores Vianna.
Margaret Russell and Reed Krakoff
Robert Ruffino of Architectural Digest
Todd and Amy Hase with their darling daughters Chloe and Ava
Hail to the Chief: Part 2
Tonight is the night when all the design stars will be shining brightly. Tonight is the much anticipated party of parties for the new editor in chief of Architectural Digest, Margaret Russell. When I was the party editor for HFN magazine I had the privilege of covering the party that was thrown in her honor when she became editor in chief of Elle Decor.
I thought it would be fun to take a look back at that event so I went through my vast archive et voila!
Congratulations Margaret well done!
A la Charlotte
I am really excited that after months of work my newest pattern Charlotte is arriving in showrooms this month. The design is named after my mentor and good friend, the amazing designer/author Charlotte Moss.
I have done a modern interpretation of a classic 18th century floral, rendered in a larger and bolder scale while retaining the poetic quality of the traditional design. It is available in six beautiful colors, a new yellow green called absinthe, chocolate, coral, wedgwood, lichen and stone.
Fading Glory
Ikat is a classic. I am crazy for the colors and the myriad of pattern variations. So have many other designers, magazine editors and bloggers from what I have seen. However, it would appear that the classics moment (like Pashmina, remember those scarves?) could be over when New York street vendors are selling a version of it.
Ikat scarf corner of 22nd and Park Avenue 11/11/10.
A Simple Delight
Living in a village with so many apple orchards a stones throw away, our autumn is filled with many dishes made with apples, salads, breads and desserts. If it makes sense an apple finds its way into every dish.
I have made this cake several times and it’s my absolute favorite it’s fast, easy and so good. I found this recipe in one of my cookbooks, Recipes from the French Wine Harvest by Rosi Hanson.
Noelle Lafarge’s Apple Cake
For 8 people
6 oz sugar (I use vanilla sugar)
3 eggs
8 oz plain flour
3 t baking powder
1 T. melted butter
1 lb. cooking apples (I use Northern Spy)
Preheat oven to 425.
Beat sugar and eggs together until pale. Sift flour and baking powder together, then stir into egg mixture. Stir in melted butter.
Peel and core apples. Cut into chucks. Incorporate them into the batter. Turn into a parchment lined and greased 8 in spring form pan and bake in a preheated oven for 30 minutes.
Serve warm with crème fraiche.
That's Entertainment
It is so fun to have been included in the November House Beautiful entertainment feature, 101 Party Doʼs and Donʼtʼs. Take a look if you haven't already seen it, House Beautiful.
My entertaining words of wisdom.
Seasons Greetings
Every year at this time I start to make my holiday card list. I have such a sense of accomplishment when its done. Which is about as far as I get. I am certain that this breech of commitment really stems from never having found cards to send that I really love. However, this year promises to be different, fellow blogger and artist Anneochovie has these really charming cards that could make even me change my ways and fulfill the list.
The cards are available online at her Etsy store.
Dolce Vita
The molto bella New York apartment of designer and Italian aficionado Matthew White and his partner Thomas Schumacher was the setting for cocktail party honoring Suzy Slesin Tuesday night. Suzy who is Matthews publisher for his first book “Italy of my Dreams” is also well known in the design world as the former editor in chief of O home, designer editor of House & Garden and the New York Times. A few of the soignée friends on hand to toast her were Suzy’s husband Michael Steinberg, Frank Webb, Miguel Flores Viana, Dennis Miller, Maureen Footer, Sabine Rothman and Amy Breedlove.
The adored publisher, Suzy Slesin of Pointed Leaf Press
Designer and author Matthew White and Doretta Sperduto of House Beautiful
Former Metropolitan Home Editor in Chief Donna Warner
Summers Bounty
One afternoon, this last summer I was very inspired by the bounty of my ever bearing Heritage raspberries. Straining under the weight of all their fruits, they just seemed begging to be made into jam. To be truthful, I haven’t made jam since I left Illinois more than a few moons ago. However, having grown up in a small village in an agricultural area I have had some experience with the process. I found an easy recipe for confiture de frambroise, a couple of pounds of just picked raspberries, a bag of sugar and some left over jars was all it took.
Dear Tobi
My good friend designer and blogger Tobi Fairley really flattered me recently when she asked me to be her November style feature. This is a multi facetted piece. She is running the style section now and as Thanksgiving approaches she will be posting one of my favorite Thanksgiving recipes. A Pumpkin Cake roll that is a delicious addictive alternative to pumpkin pie, made with pecans, cream cheese frosting and filling.
Tobi has used my Gramercy chocolate fabric in one of her many projuects. A soid tape on the skirt of the chair is one of my favorite details.
Bunny's Delight
Designer and author Bunny Williams new book, Scarpbook for Living, was launched this week in typical style at the Mecca of chic John Rosselli Antiques in New York. The delightful book is filled with easy to implement design advice was done in a charming scrapbook style with photos by Amy Archer. Chatting with Bunny, seeing friends and absorbing the signature style of JRA made for a really fun evening.
Designer and author Bunny Williams
Noted photographer Miguel Flores-Vianna, be sure to check out his One Kings Lane Tastemaker Tag Sale on December 5th.
Designer John Robshaw
Bay Style
It’s been a really fantastic way for me to launch my new accessory wholesale catalog, Michael Devine Signature Collection.
The citrus story of lemon and leaf.
The classic combination of black, white and red.
Books of the Week
Two spectacular books were launched last week in New York, Mary McDonald The Allure of Style and The World of Madeline Castaing. Both books are must haves. Mary’s glamorous style jumps from every page with lavish photography. There is no doubt about her design point of view.
Mary McDonald signing the night away
Designer Thomas Burak, Newell Turner Editor in Chief of House Beautiful and writer Dan Shaw at Doyle New York
The World of Madeline Castaing is a rich retrospective of the work of the great French decorator authored by Emily Evans Eerdmans. Being somewhat of a Castaing groupie, I was taken with is number of photos of Castaings work that I hadn’t seen before.
Emily Evans Eerdmans being toasted by Maureen Footer
Designer John Fondas
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