Planning a Trip to Paris?

jacques garcia

A visit to Paris, perhaps for the upcoming Maison & Objet show, or simply because it is PARIS should be part of your next travel plans.

View from the bedroom - Hotel Costes (via Pierre Frey)

One of my favorite places to visit always, is the boutique Hotel Costes. 

A sexy, dark and oh so Parisian atmosphere always awaits you and now you can enjoy the updated rooms designed by the illustrious Jacques Garcia.Each visit to Paris meant rushing to the hotel o get their now must have CD compilation of music, now on it's 15th edition among many 'Great', and 'Best of' albums additionally.. 

these were always the sounds we would play during our house parties and showroom events. Still today, they are some of the best playlists one could have on, during any season.

"..the most iconic hotel in the world.. if you have never been there you for sure have at least heard their collections of music!..." - Pierre Frey

So last month when I was able to meet up with dear friend, Pierre Frey, grandson and today the well known face of the textile brand of the same name, we talked Paris and their recent brand video which caused a huge ripple effect across the world of design for it's very provocative script . Escapade, showcased the new rooms designed by Garcia using many of the Pierre Frey lines.

"We wanted people to ask the question.. we did not want it to be too obvious a story line, connected to the fabric .. but instead the story line was a the result of a family brainstorming process, and the response has been even more overwhelming than what we expected.. and the new one should be launching very soon!"

Even these "Behind the Scenes" shots, graciously shared with me by Pierre Frey, show that even the making of this video truly shares the French vibe of a true gritty French film. Just what we would expect?

Or then again, is the excitement generated by the unexpected use of this film as part of the branding campaign of the brand that is so widely known and linked to the traditional and classical design arena with a family legacy  dating back over 78 years exactly what brands must do in order to survive and thrive in the modern era of "digital" design?

"... we wanted to share that Pierre Frey had  a younger, sexy, audience.." - PF

The design details of Jacque Garcia lend themselves beautifully as the back drop to this story of love and passion, among the layers and layers of pattern and color play. One of my favorites!

Behind every great film, is the very special music which sets just the right tone. Here, composed and written exclusively by famed Pianist and Composer, Mattias Mimoun for Pierre Frey, I present to you Escapade.

Stay tuned, as I share with you the new Pierre Frey film very soon!

Happy travels and Happy Holidays to all of you. My travels include going back "home" to Portugal for the next 2 weeks, and I will be gathering and sharing all of the great things that catch my eye on instagram as well as here on the blog once I am back.

Home is Where the Heart Is - Margareet Cevasco and Vasi Ypsilantis

Visiting the Home is Where the Heart Is showhouse, with these designers
and the team from Kravet / Ronald MCDonald House Project Design

Touring the Home is Where the Heart Is showhouse with the friends from Kravet, and the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island #ProjectDesign was the very best way to see this showcase this holiday. 

I have shared posts on Kim, Suzanne as well as Gail and Anne Tarasoff's design so far as they worked on both of these showhouses this season.. and today I thought it would be nice to share the work of two designers, that have collaborated so extremely well in remodeling both kitchens and dining spaces in both of these homes. 

One kitchen would be no small task.. but they accomplished two great schemes, very distinct from one another and with amazing results in proving that "us" designers really know how to work together in harmony 

Margreet Cevasco and Vasi Ypsilantis are a team to be reckoned with.

Home is Where the Heart Is

Margreet Cevasco Design Marco Ricca ©

Margreet Cevasco Design Marco Ricca ©

Margreet Cevasco Design Marco Ricca ©

Margreet Cevasco Design Marco Ricca ©

and just look at that ceiling!

pretty pop of color and pattern ..

but what blew me away was this custom wooden counter that Vasi made on this island.. the wood was beautiful.. it added a much needed element of warmth in this large kitchen and could not have been more gorgeous!

and for those of us that love to cook.. your own private herb garden right at your finger tips.

Ronald McDonald House of Long Island

inspiration board for this kitchen / dining area presented at Newell 

The colors, pleated blue wallcovering and comfortable seating areas for tea for two or in the dining hall.. this kitchen makeover was incredible!

These were both another example of two amazing designers and women that I had the privilege of getting to know in the Project Design event.
More design inspiration and sharing continues on the blog, but for now, wishing you all a fantastic day!

Home is Where the Heart Is - Gail and Anne Tarasoff

The Designers - Home is Where the Heart Is - via New York Social Diary

As I mentioned in my last post on this showhouse, Home is Where the Heart Is, some of the designers took part in both this event and the Ronald McDonald Showhouse this season and to great results!


Today's post focus' on the work of the mother and daughter team based in Manhasset, Gail & Anne Tarasoff.


The Laundry - Gail & Anne Tarasoff (Home is Where The Heart Is)

Filled with color and joy, this mud room / laundry room has very creative treatments on the windows and walls that I am sure many could reproduce themselves for all those DIY Lovers Out There!

I really love all horizontal stripes, and here with the mixed use of wallpaper, trim and paint .. it not only seems extremely practical but adds that perfect detail with the right dose for this space.

there is a built in home for the family dog, which of course should not be left out..

and my favorite detail.. the Ronald McDonald House T-Shirt hanging in the laundry area..

which brings us to the other project that this mother and daughter team worked on and that is the bedroom with decorative painted wall pattern in soft blues and neutrals which created this soothing escape for the families that will be using it.

Bedroom - Gail & Anne Tarasoff - Ronald McDonald House

Transitional Bedroom by Manhasset Interior Designers & Decorators Anne Tarasoff Interiors

Although this showhouse has ended, it is in support of the American Heart Association and you can always stay tuned for more work to benefit this great cause as well as next year's showhouse!

Gail & Anne Tarasoff in their space

Tomorrow, I will share another team that took on these two showhouses all for great causes. 'Tis the season for giving back!

Alexa Hampton of Mark Hampton LLC is the 2013 Honorary Showhouse Chair.Kim Hendrickson-Radovich of Kim E. Courtney Interiors & Design is the 2013 Showhouse Design Chair. Gabor Karsai of Landmark Realtors Inc. is the 2013 Showhouse Community Chair. The Showhouse is happy to announce that Luxe Interiors + Design is the 2013 Media Sponsor. LX.TV Open House is the 2013 Television Sponsor. The 2013 Design Sponsors are Country Carpet, Downsview Kitchens by the breakfast room, ltd., Farrow & Ball, Kravet Inc., Robert Allen and Silestone by Cosentino.

The American Heart Association’s mission is building healthier lives free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke– America’s No. 1 and No. 4 killers. The Association funds cutting-edge research, conducts lifesaving public and professional educational programs, and advocates to protect public health. By 2020, the Association’s impact goal is to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20%, while reducing deaths from cardiovascular diseases and stoke by 20%. To learn more or join in helping all Americans, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit heart.org.

For more information, please visit www.americanheartshowhouse.com.

Love, Inspiration, and the Healing Power of a Bob Carey's Pink Tutu

Sometimes an image share on Facebook can change our perspective on life.
Sometimes a comment a friend makes, is like a hand reaching out to you and making you feel as though you are not alone.
Sometimes just a little bit of laughter can go a long way.

I was so moved by this story of love and inspiration on Buzzfeed today, that I was compelled to share it with you. The story of The Tutu Project requires to be shared!
At this moment of giving and thankfulness, I have made my donation and urge you to do the same if you can. Because if we don't have love for each other.. than what is there?


While his wife suffers through chemotherapy, she goes through the images.. sometime sharing them with fellow patients .. and they laugh... and cry.. and appreciate how much this one man is making a difference to them in their day. It just takes one tiny act of kindness.. and your life, and that of countless others, can change forever.

As an artist, I can truly appreciate that we need to process our emotions through tapping into our own creativity.. and Bob Carey does just that. As a photographer, and dealing with his wife's Breast Cancer diagnoses, he slips on a pink tutu and begins to photograph himself.. around the world! The best of all, these images are true works of art! Stunning visuals..

Bob and Linda Carey

The Tutu Project - (C) Bob Carey

The Tutu Project - (C) Bob Carey

The Tutu Project - (C) Bob Carey

The Tutu Project - (C) Bob Carey

The Tutu Project - (C) Bob Carey

The Tutu Project - (C) Bob Carey 

The Tutu Project - (C) Bob Carey

The Tutu Project - (C) Bob Carey

The Tutu Project - (C) Bob Carey

The Tutu Project - (C) Bob Carey

Ballerina - The Tutu Project Book

Please suuport them if you can... and why not offer "Ballerina" as a gift this season?

"Last September, through the sale of prints, Linda and I self-published Ballerina. Not only is it a collection of my tutu images, it also shares many humorous stories about the adventures of a guy and his pink tulle. So far, there has been a tremendous response to Ballerina—people are particularly moved by the images. Because of their interest and enthusiasm we want to share that experience with as many people as possible.

or maybe you want to offer a set of 3 images 

I Love New York set

Through Linda’s personal battle, she has made it her goal to raise funds for women and their families that need financial support during their breast cancer journey. To help make her dream a reality, net proceeds from the sale of Ballerina will go directly to The Carey Foundation, a non-profit 501c3 organization that we established in 2012. There are so many expenses not covered by insurance, but what’s so great is that for every $1,000 raised we can make a significant difference to these women. We’ll be able to help with transportation to doctor appointments; wigs; lymphedema sleeves; childcare and counseling. To help distribute the funds we’ve partnered with CancerCare, a nationally run non-profit."