Thursday 31 July 2014

Outdoor living

Outdoor living is a temporary series on the blog that contains stylish outdoor living areas and sometimes al fresco table settings. It's about celebrating the season of summer!


If it wasn't warm enough in Beverly Hills the owners of this house went for a warm colour palette - yellow house and tiles, and red chairs - to add even more warmth. With the help of designer Nancy Goslee Power they have created a beautiful Mediterranean-esque setting. Instead of decorative objects on the terrace, they have plenty of potted plants, such as rosemary and lavender, fruit trees and gardenia. I wouldn't mind sitting there enjoying a glass of wine.

I like that the table and chairs don't match. This is exactly what I have in mind for our outdoor living area (which will hopefully be ready next summer). In addition to the dining table, I would like to have a small patio table with a mosaic top and two wooden or wrought iron chairs. I love the idea of taking my morning coffee outdoors on a warm day and using a special table for those moments.
A trompe l'oeil mural by the late Robert Jackson, inspired by those at Pompeii; covering what was once an unsightly retaining wall


photo credit:
Lisa Hubbard for House & Garden, February 2005 via Architectural Digest

Wednesday 30 July 2014

A talk with designer Urte Tylaite of Still House, NYC

If you live or find yourself in New York City, you may want to take a stroll in the East Village and visit the design boutique, Still House, owned by jewellery designer Urte Tylaite, who is a Pratt graduate. She was born in Lithuania and moved to New York at the age of 18. In her beautiful shop she offers handmade designs from various artists - ceramics, glassware, jewellery, stationery, to name a few - and her own jewellery collection. I was delighted when she agreed to a short interview for my natural materials series. Did I ask her how she takes her coffee? Of course I did!


How come a Lithuanian-born girl ended up as a designer in New York City?
My family moved to the United States when I was in my last year of high school. Though I hardly spoke any English, I was determined to go straight to college the following year. My original plan, back in Lithuania, was to become a lawyer, or maybe even a politician; no English, that seemed like a waste of time. So I chose art school instead. I had been taking art classes for years, and though I never considered it a possible career, I had a portfolio. So that's how I ended up at Pratt studying painting. My parents were very disappointed with this decision.

After my studies, I tried to get a job in the art world, but that wasn’t the right fit for me. To make ends meet I started working for a few different jewellers in Brooklyn and fell in love with the craft. I worked as much as I could to learn the ins and outs of the retail and wholesale business and in the evenings took jewellery classes. Eventually, I reached a point where I was not learning new things at my job. I was ready for new challenges. I saw two paths, either getting a job for a much larger company or starting my own business. The latter felt more natural.


What were your thoughts and dreams upon graduating from Pratt?
It feels funny to admit, but I didn’t have a clear vision of what I wanted. My ideas were a lot more general. I knew I was willing to work hard. I also wanted to feel passionate about my job and truly love it, and work with people I love and admire. I was just searching for excitement and happy moments because I would always derive new ideas from that energy. One idea led to another and here I am – a shop owner and a jewellery designer.

Which 3 keywords would you use to describe your own design?
Subtle, minimal, timeless.


Why open a shop, Still House, in the East Village?
I always loved the East Village. I ended up in this neighbourhood on one of the first days I moved to New York and immediately felt drawn to it. It’s a great neighbourhood for going out at night, but I always loved to come back during the day and wander around. And I always had a reason to come back. I waitressed at a restaurant nearby through college, I dated a boy who lived here, a few of my good friends lived here. When I started looking for storefronts, I automatically started inquiring about locations in East Village because that was the neighbourhood I knew the best.



What's with you and rocks?
It’s a passion that I developed only as an adult, strangely. I worked for a jewellery line called Swallow in Brooklyn. They have a beautiful collection of gemstone necklaces. I started learning all the names, just to know what I was selling. When I started making jewellery myself, I attended gem and bead shows and found some vendors that also had natural stone formations and immediately fell in love. For me, it’s a reminder of how fascinating, beautiful, and mysterious this world is. I love all the surprising colours and shapes. Rocks and minerals make great accent pieces and my customers love decorating their homes with them.

Could you name the designers that have influenced your work and why?
I have to say that it’s primarily people themselves that inspire me, not necessarily their body of work. It’s also why I love New York so much. We are constantly surrounded by really passionate strong people that love life.


Where do you go for inspiration?
I take a day off and relax for inspiration! My new pieces in the Still House jewellery collection were conceived while I lay on the beach on Long Island just a few weekends ago. Most of the ideas for my main collection came from hikes upstate. My work is definitely not nature-inspired, but I am. When I am in nature, new and fresh images come to my mind. I always spend a few studio days working through my ideas right after taking a time off.

Urte, do you drink coffee, and if so, how do you take it?
Oh yes! Every morning I start my day with a very good strong cup of drip coffee with a little bit of whole milk in it. And I always get a second-round once I am closer to the shop. Luckily, East Village has a lot of great coffee shops to offer. Abraco, by far, is the best. Highly recommend giving them a try next time you are in the area.


Still House is located at 117 East 7th Street. If you cannot make it to NYC to view the beautiful design there is no need to despair, there is an online shop as well.


photo credit:
courtesy of designer Urte Tylaite, Still House

Tuesday 29 July 2014

Space: a gallery wall in O'Brien's 57th Street loft



There isn't a single corner in designer Thomas O'Brien's NYC loft on 57th Street that I don't like. Every photo I have seen shows an impeccably styled home, which can be expected from a man of his caliber. Before my blog break I told you that I got his book American Modern on my birthday and I have been enjoying its pages. House & Garden visited O'Brien in his home back in 2007 and the gallery wall in his bedroom caught my attention, especially the star chart, in the top-left corner, which he has featured on his blog, or the from-the-desk section on his Aero Studios website. It is featured in the book as well, where it's differently styled (see photo):
This 1940s star chart is a touchstone for me. I found it while antiquing on a quick trip upstate, stealing a few hours in a town just north of New York City. I instantly knew I would frame it and put it in my bedroom. I thought nothing would be more perfect for a bedroom than a dark blue night sky. I love the large celestial scale of it, a world in itself. (American Modern, p. 68)
I don't know about you, but I think I may keep my eyes open for star charts the next time I go to a flea market or enter a vintage shop. Speaking of shops, later this week, perhaps tomorrow, I'm taking you back to NYC and showing you a stylish design boutique in the East Village that offers handmade items.

photo credit:
Martyn Thompson for House & Garden, November 2007 via Architectural Digest

Monday 28 July 2014

A road trip to Luxembourg City


A road trip to Luxembourg · Lisa Stefan
© Lisa Stefan | Books & Latte
Please visit Books & Latte to read more about my experience of going back to a place where I used to live.


Friday 11 July 2014

new books + summer blog break

Today is my birthday and in the last days the postman has been ringing the bell to bring me new books. I got some good ones. Yesterday I started reading American Modern by interior and home furnishings designer Thomas O'Brien and couldn't put it down. It's a beautiful book, a personal one, and with every home feature O'Brien shares his design process. I'm particularly fond of all the styling details and seeing more angles of his 57th Street NY home, which is featured in the book.

Believe it or not but today I'm not baking anything, just wasn't in the mood for a cake. All I wanted was Green & Black's organic ice cream and I'm about to eat a lot of it. A lot!

It is time to make the most of summer. I will be on a blog break for the next two weeks. I'm hoping to explore our new surroundings a little better and go to the seaside. See you later!

photo credit:
Lisa Hjalt

Thursday 10 July 2014

Outdoor living

Outdoor living is a temporary series on the blog that contains stylish outdoor living areas and sometimes al fresco table settings. It's about celebrating the season of summer!


Fancy a trip to the Bahamas? This gorgeous loggia belongs to American interior designer Amanda Lindroth and her Sweden-born husband Orjan. It's part of their hillside house Ca'Liza (named after their daughter Liza) on the Paradise Island that has a view out to the Atlantic Ocean. It's a coralina limestone house with Palladian columns, designed by de la Guardia Victoria Architects. The outdoor living area was featured in the book Veranda: The Art of Outdoor Living by Lisa Newsom, published last year.


Amanda chose to decorate the loggias with vintage rattan furniture, which she found in antiques shops and on eBay. The blue and white batik cushions are made of yards of China Seas fabrics that she received as a housewarming gift.


photo credit:
1-2: from the book Veranda: The Art of Outdoor Living by Lisa Newsom, published by Hearst (1: via Aesthetically Thinking | 2: via Amanda Lindroth) | 3: Tria Giovan for Veranda, June 2010 via Mark D. Sikes

Wednesday 9 July 2014

Summer living | Vive l'été

The other day I was reflecting on last summer and I remembered how obsessed I was with lavender. For me it simply was the summer of lavender. This summer, however, it is stripes. Striped anything! Everywhere I look I see stripes, even though I'm not trying to find any.

I hope summer is treating you well.
photo credit:
1: Justin Sullival for Style Me Pretty Living • styling Aaron Hartselle | 2: Olivia Kanaley of A Field Journal via Pinterest | 3: Nour El Nil tours via My Paradissi | 4: Howell Conant • Grace Kelly in Jamaica, 1955 via Classiq | 5: Ikea via Tumblr | 6: Scott Frances for Architectural Digest, July 2013 | 7: Sarah of A Beach Cottage via The Style Files | 8: Ragnar Ómarsson for Ikea Livet Hemma | 9: J.Crew Lookbook June 2014 • model Cameron Russell

Tuesday 8 July 2014

Drakothea - a luxury villa in Mykonos



Is it too obvious that I'm in the mood for vacation daydreaming? I cannot remember when I first discovered Villa Drakothea on the island of Mykonos. I have seen images here and there but it wasn't until recently that I found an old article about it on the website of Le Figaro.

The luxury villa is carved on a hill on the south-east part of the island. It's tastefully decorated in a rustic bohemian style with all modern comforts needed, four bedrooms that sleep eight and a swimming pool. The panoramic Aegean Sea view from the property is extraordinary.


photo credit:
Francesco Lagnese for Le Figaro - Madame

Monday 7 July 2014

West Elm rugs



West Elm opened its first UK store, at Tottenham Court in London, in December and I have been waiting for an opportunity to go there to browse, and hopefully buy something. We need all kinds of things for our new home and I'm far from having made up my mind about what I want. Lately I have been viewing their selection of rugs and I wanted to share a few of my bookmarks. Currently I have a serious crush on the Tile Wool Kilim Rug above, which I think would be perfect for our sitting area. I could change my mind tomorrow!

For some reason the links to the UK website weren't working when I created the post so I'm linking to the US website (see bottom of post).



Friday 4 July 2014

Happy 4th of July



I had something else in mind for today but then I suddenly remembered that it is the 4th of July, which means that many of my blog readers will be celebrating with family or friends. My husband studied in the US many years ago and I was asking him if he celebrated this day. All he remembered was a barbecue. Classic, right?

I think I would celebrate with a beach picnic. Happy 4th of July and enjoy your weekend everyone!




Thursday 3 July 2014

Outdoor living

Outdoor living is a temporary series on the blog that contains stylish outdoor living areas and sometimes al fresco table settings. It's about celebrating the season of summer!


It was a sheer coincidence that I stumbled upon a page on the website of AD Russia and found a house tour on the island of Capri. I have always wanted to visit this island in the Tyrrhenian Sea (it's in the Province of Naples), which was, for example, a favourite destination of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. It is very likely that you have already seen photos of her strolling on the island in sandals, with a headscarf and big sunglasses. There was even a book published called Un mito nel mito. Jacqueline a Capri by photographer Settimio Garritano. (Designer and blogger Mark D. Sikes wrote a post last summer called Jacqueline Chic in Capri if you want to see photos from it.)

This outdoor living area has several storeys. It is a Jean Louis Deniot design and it should be no surprise that the use of earthy materials and furniture appeals to me very much. The bamboo-shaded seating area above is beautifully styled with neutral colours and wooden blocks replace a coffee table.


The terrace has stone tiles, the stairs are decorated with terracotta pots, and the dining area, like the seating area, is shaded with bamboo. I don't know about you, but right now I'm craving watermelons.


photo credit:
AD Russia

Wednesday 2 July 2014

Summer living | Vive l'été

This could as well have been a NOTES À LA MODE post but there was something about the summer vibe in the Marie Claire Australia editorial that made me want to mix it with a few looks from the Berluti Spring 2014 menswear collection.

I hope summer is treating you well.

photo credit:
1, 4, 7: Nicole Bentley for Marie Claire Australia, April 2013 • Denisa Dvorakova in 'Into Temptation' styled by Jana Pokorny via Fashion Industry Archive | 2-3, 5-6: Berluti Spring 2014 Menswear Collection via Style.com