October 31, 2012

A Thanksgiving Day Brunch on HGTV.com

Recently, Philadelphia local, Jeanine Hays from Aphro Chic, invited me to participate in a “Thanksgiving Brunch” she created for HGTV.com.  It was held at one of my favorite places, Terrain at Styers, and the talented Ryan Jane Co helped style the event.  (They also did my sister’s wedding last year at Terrain and it was beautiful!)


Image Leon Belt via Aphro Chic

I mostly just stood around and ate pancakes, but it was be fun to be part of such a lovely day.  The other ladies at the event were awesome and the food looked amazing.  (We didn’t actually get to eat most of it.)  They did so many nice touches that I hope to recreate at a dinner or brunch party soon.



See the whole post HERE

May 10, 2012

Happy, Colorful, Eclectic

The Philadelphia row house of Elizabeth Nettles is such a delight on the eyes.  She has artfully filled her space with color, pattern, animalia and charm.  It’s very fitting that she is my favorite feature in the spring issue of Anthology magazine, themed “Wit &Whimsy.”  In my opinion everything Elizabeth touches turns into gold.  Whether it’s her wedding, event planning, her own outfits (always spot on) or her own home, she has style to the nines.  Full disclosure:  Elizabeth and photographer Courtney Apple are friends of mine, but I don’t think that clouds my judgement from recognizing a fabulous space.  What is your favorite feature?  Framed otomi textile?  Chartreuse bookshelves?  The assortment of boldly patterned sofas?

Pick up a copy to see the whole house!
Interior Design by Elizabeth Nettles

Photography by Courtney Apple

October 25, 2011

photoSHOT


I came, I styled, I collapsed.  The photo shoot of my loft took place yesterday.  After a whirlwind decorate-my-ass off weekend, it was a delightful day and I cannot wait to see the photos!  I worked with Courtney Apple, who is so fantastic.  My sister, Megan, helped style the shoot and the three of us noshed on cupcakes and Prosecco while we worked.  Not a bad day, right?  Of course by the end of it I felt like I had run a marathon  and slightly regretted that last glass of sparkling wine.  (I needed it to get through the headshot portions of the shoot.  Sober Naomi = awkward, cheeky, deer-in-headlights photos)

I’d like to give 4 big thank yous to: My Mama, for arriving hours early to help me sweep, mop and dust my neglected areas; My Man, for hanging, drilling, spraying and encouraging me to get it done; my Sister, Meg, for being the best assisternt ever and always being my design sounding board; and Courtney for shooting the space with ease and being so very patient with me.

It’s back to the paying design jobs now.  While I catch up on work, I’d like you guys to enjoy some of Courtney’s photos…

(for the Society Social shoot)

And speaking of Caitlin Wilson- I insist that every one of you go check out her website that launched yesterday.  Pure pillow and fabric bliss, I tell you!  

(Hint, her pillows will make an appearance in my loft!)

—
Pattern mixing made easy, stylish and affordable.  Go shop now!

October 17, 2011

weekend recap and a design showhouse

Good Morning Loves!  Are you feeling bright eyed and bushy tailed?  It was a long full weekend for me and I am in desperate need of coffee.  

I kicked off the weekend by checking out Chestnut Hill Center for Enrichment’s Design Show House.  Then it was on to drinks with a friend, home cooked meals, more drinks, a food truck, and an engagement party with delicious Greek Food.  (Can you tell how I Like to spend my weekends?)  My sister and I tried to do DesignPhiladelphia’s viaduct tour, but it ended up being pretty lame, so we just wandered around the museum area by ourselves.  I will never tire of the garden of the Rodin Museum or the view from atop the Art Museum steps!

 

But back to the Design Show House, I must say I was impressed.  Two hip-hurrays for Philadelphia designers.  My favorite room was no surprise to me- it was the dining room by Mona Ross Berman.  (You may have caught her beach house design recently featured in House Beautiful that I blogged about here.)  Her happy, preppy, colorful aesthetic was evident again in this dining room.  The picture doesn’t do it justice, but I loved so many details; the Schumacher wallpaper, simple white drapes with just the perfect orangey coral trim, Moroccan style ottomans covered in a punchy Kravet print and the host chairs in China Seas.

I also enjoyed the reception room- particularly the pairing of the Asian art against the green walls- by designer Hannah Dee. 

I was swooning over this sofa designed by HobNob design.  Pretty sure that’s a Robert Allen fabric.  The solarium by Designsource featured gorgeous suzani textiles, large drifttwood and a cozy linen covered ottoman cube-table.  Unfortunately, there are no pictures that captured the serenity of this space.

My BIG complaint with the show house is that they wouldn’t allow photographs to be taken, but also didn’t get good pictures of the house published, or offer a catalog to take home.  There were so many great details that I wanted to remember, that will simply be lost.  Had the Center for Enrichment put together a color brochure of the spaces, I certainly would have paid a little something to take the memories home.  Boo for you Chestnut Hill, BOO for you.  For those of you who missed it, the Show House is now over.  Wish I could share with you all of the beautiful rooms, but I suspect they are being dismantled as I type.

I really dream of designing a room in a show house!  Have you ever been to one?  What did you think?

October 14, 2011

DesignPhiladelphia

Hell yea it’s the weekend!  This week has been busy and rough  (third computer crash ugh!) and I’m ready to relax.  I’m also ready for the kick-off of Design Philadelphia, a citywide festival celebrating all-things design.
Last night we attended some of the opening events, including a stroll around the Liao Collection.  We missed meeting Mayor Nutter, because I didn’t want to pay $50 for dinner, but I still got to enjoy the gorgeous showroom.  If you like Asian antiques, you absolutely must stop by.

There are quite a few fun events going on this weekend.  These are the ones that pique my interest.  Check out DesignPhiladelphia’s website for a full list of events.
 —-
Keith Johnson: Design Around the World
October 14, 6:30pm-7:30pm
Anthropologie
1801 Walnut Street view map
Join Anthropologie art and antiques buyer and “Man Shops Globe” host, Keith Johnson, for a home design discussion and walk-through of found objects around the world.
Free and open to the public.
RSVP anthroevents@anthropologie.com
www.anthropologie.com
Naomi’s note:  I imagine this will be very cool and I would like to stuff myself into his suitcase so that I could come along on his shopping trips.

Dwell Studio Furniture Gallery Opening
October 14, 6pm-9pm
Dane Decor
315 Arch Street view map
6pm-9pm
Launch party for the new DwellStudio Furniture Collection. Dwell Studio enters the furniture world for the first time with its mid-century modern collection that “amps up the luxe and glamour factor.” Christiane Lemeiux, Founder and Creative Director of DwellStudio, will be signing her new book Undecorate: The No-rules Approach to Interior Design.
Free and open to the public. Wheelchair accessible.
www.danedecor.com
Naomi’s note:  Definitely going to this one!

Soaring and Submersive P2: A Walking Tour of the un-Viaduct
October 15, 1pm-3:30pm
VIADUCTgreene
NE corner of 22nd and Pennsylvania Avenue, behind the Rodin Museum view map
What if you could walk or bike through a park from 7th and Fairmount to the Schuylkill without crossing a street, traversing the diversity of Philadelphia’s neighborhoods? Wear good walking shoes and join us for a tour of what will become the “submersive” side of the Viaduct park project. See the magic gardens that thrive beneath our feet and the remnants of Philadelphia’s industrial past that will serve our future.
Free and open to the public.
www.viaductgreene.org
Naomi’s note:  SO Cool!  Really do hope to make it. 

Cocktails @ 6
October 15, 2pm-8pm
More Than Old
144-146 N. 3rd Street view map
A celebration of vintage barware – cocktail shakers, decanters, and accessories including glassware. Opening 2pm-8pm. Tasting beginning at 4pm.
Free and open to the public.
www.morethanold.com
Naomi’s note:  Booze?  Free Booze?  Yes please.

MAAS Furniture
October 15, 6pm-9pm
MAAS Building
1325 Randolph Street view map
MAAS furniture is an exhibition of contemporary furnishings designed and fabricated by local craftsmen. The recently renovated MAAS building will showcase work by John Greiner, Matt Dimon, Anthony Angelicola and Square Foot Concepts, the husband and wife team of Lou and Jess Montoya. The exhibition runs October 7-16, 2011.
Free and open to the public.
Naomi’s note:  Hurrah for local artisans.

Live Glassblowing and Artisanal Spirits Tasting
October 15, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Hudson Beach Glass
26 S. Strawberry Street view map
Please join us at our glassblowing studio for a unique event where we will be using glasses made in our studio to taste artisanal spirits. While you enjoy cocktails in the gallery, Sean Gilvey, and his assistant, will be demonstrating how they make the glasses.
Wheelchair accessible.
Admission: $45 for event and a glass to take home.
RSVP www.hudsonbeachglass.com
Naomi’s note:  More booze and glass blowing.  Why not?

Exhibition: Photographs + Photobooks
October 16, 12pm-4pm
Freeman’s Auctioneers & Appraisers
Freeman’s 1st Floor Gallery, 1808 Chestnut Street view map
From Mapplethorpe and Callahan to Eisenstaedt and Stieglitz, come see the exhibition of over 200 photographs and photobooks from the 19th century to the present. Precedes the auction taking place on October 21. Additional viewing: October 17-20, 2011 10am-4:30pm.
Free and open to the public. Wheelchair accessible.
www.freemansauction.com
Naomi’s note:  I’m inclined to enjoy photographs more than some of the abstract “art” out there…

Sugared Walls
October 16, 6pm-8pm
The CandyCoated Center
118 N. 3rd Street, 4th Floor view map
Introducing a newly launched screen printed wallpaper collection, Sugar Walls, and a suite of fabric yardage designs. The CandyCoated Center is pleased to stage a fabulous “stilled-life vignette” or “nature morte” of fashion models adorned and arranged in gorgeous piles and stapled directly to freshly papered walls of this unique gem of a studio space.
Free and open to the public.
Space is limited.
Naomi’s note:  No idea what that description means, but I like candy and I like wallpaper!
Philadelphia residents- come out and git yourself some culture!  As for the rest of y’all, have a great weekend.
xo
Naomi