Friday, July 3, 2009

Well speak of the devil...


In my last post I mentioned Jill Zarin, of Real Housewives of New York, and lo and behold, who do I find sitting on his stoop in Cobble Hill this morning (smoking a cigarette no less!!) was SIMON VAN KAMPEN, wife of Alex!

Sometimes, I hate New York. But other times, gosh, I just love it.

xo
RJS

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Blu Dot for Urban Outfitters

Although I'm not normally, as Jill Zarin would put it, a "mid-century modern girl," I'm kind of swooning for the new and AFFORDABLE line of furniture made by Blu Dot for Urban Outfitters, called +OO.

Tripod Side Table, White, $98


Bendzo Sofa, $648

In A Pinch Chair, $128


Easy Reader Side Table, $148

Slider Console, $548


Lily Pad Coffee Table, $248


Tripod Side Table, Yellow, $98


Blu Dot offers relatively affordable modular and mid-century inspired pieces that are quite appropriate for apartment living. +OO captures the signature Blu Dot style, but at an even better price point.

xo 
RJS





Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Jean Shin

I have a new lady crush on an artist I recently discovered, and I thought I'd share some images of her work with you all.





Jean Shin is an Seoul, Korea-born, New York City-based artist who is well known for her installation pieces and penchance for creative reuse of everyday materials. She's been showcased at MOMA in New York, the Smithsonian in DC, the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, the Brooklyn Museum, and many more prestigous venues.















I'm currently working on a project that requires me to think outside of the box a bit more conceptually than I'm used to, and I came across Jean's work whilst researching. Check out her website HERE for more info.


































































xo
RJS

Friday, June 26, 2009

..he said with a grin, as he wiped off his chin....












































Oh, I know. I'm so bad! 

For those of you who share my twisted sense of dirty humor, you'll recognize that as the third and fourth lines of one of the many famed ribald versions of the Nantucket Limerick. I thought that might be a funny introduction to pictures from the second installation of Nantucket home #1 and Nantucket Office. 

As you'll note, the color palates hate completely changed. So is the story of interior decorating!

First we have pictures of the three bedroom home for rent or purchase, and next are pictures of the office. Hope you enjoy, let me know your thoughts!

xo RJS

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Help! I need a table to put things on.

So, Chanz McBadass, of THIS hilarious blog, that I wrote about a few days ago needs a table. 

It needs to have an industrial edge, not be over $500, and be good for holding things, like records and booze.

I haven't done a Reader Help in a while, so here are some options I picked for my beloved:

Global Views Rectangular Directoire Table, Brass and Black Granite, 30.25"L x 19.25"W x 26.5"H
Ikea PS Cabinet, Red, $99, 45"W x 15.75"D x 24.75"H

Roost Circa Bar Cart, to-the-trade
Arteriors Dorchester Brass, Marble and Glass Bar Table, 29"H x 32"W x 17"D, to-the-trade


Arteriors Hogan Iron End Table, 26.5"H x 20"sq, to-the-trade

Additionally, I wanted to give a brief explanation of why I mention that certain items are "to-the-trade." This means that you need to be an interior designer or decorator in order to purchase items at a better cost, directly from a wholesaler, or from a resource that is not open to the public. It seems unfair, but this rule with some vendors exists because many interior designers make their entire living off of the mark-up from items that are sold exclusively to-the-trade.

Before I was part of the trade, I felt this was unbelievably unfair, as good design should be available to everyone at a good price, without needing to hire a designer at a fee, plus a mark-up.

Now that I am part of the trade, I understand it more, but still feel that everyone should have access to such items, without high fees, especially with how the economy is at the mo.

If you ever find furniture, fabric, wallpaper or accessories that are to-the-trade here, or anywhere else, please contact me for help to obtain such items.

xo RJS

PRINCESS BED

Canopy bed in a loft, via Flickr



House Beautiful December 2008

Scott Roberts' Flickr Photostream


Domino Guide to Beds and Benches

Domino 2007, designed by Miles Redd, Photographed by Paul Costello

Adam Herz's home designed by Peter Dunham, Elle Decor November 2008

Since I was a wee tot, I wanted a canopy bed. Four poster, preferably with a gauzy, pink, lace-laden top. 

For understandable reasons such as, I already had a perfectly functional bed, as well as the fact that my room was always too small to fit such a princess monstrosity, I never got a canopy bed.

I recently moved to my first 1 bedroom apartment and can you guess what the first purchase I made was? It wasn't a trash can. And it certainly wasn't toilet paper. It was the Edland bed from Ikea, $279 + delivery. I could have bought a more renter-friendly bed, or a couch, or any number of items that I really needed. Like food. but instead I opted for my pretty, pretty princess bed, and I LOVE IT.

Please ignore the piles of trash and the non matching tapestries over my windows. Below are two pictures of said queen-sized love nest, and above are some pictures of amazing canopy beds that make me drool and not regret in anyway spending the last of my money on this bed, as opposed to foods that do not end in -up Nooodle, -amen Noode or -paghetti.


Quilt by ABC Home, $100 (on sale)
Flat sheet by Dwell
Standard pillow cases by Les Indiannes
Suzani Euro fabric by Madeline Weinrib, fabricated by Bettertex
Hotel Stripe Euros by Rubie Green

I'm off to Boston then to ye old 'tucket for more installation fun. Hopefully I'll have more pictures to share!

xo RJS

Thursday, June 11, 2009

There once was a a man from Nantucket...



















We all know how that little ditty ends.
Moving on, as promised some grainy photos of one of the homes I just finished working on in Nantucket.
I rarely, and by rarely, I mean have made it an unbreakable rule not to discuss the exact firm I work for on my blog. And I'll continue to do so. But, I will say that I am not in any way, shape or form an independent designer. I work for an architecture firm and while I may pick the furniture, fabric and carpets, they are the catalyst behind all of the work that I do.
This is one of seven homes that I'll have decorated by the fall in Nantucket. These were taken at the first installation, and I'll be heading up on Monday to finish styling, furnishing, and mounting the ol' TVs.
These homes are part of a time share/ rental development, and three of the 11 in total are completely finished and ready for the renting. If anyone is heading up to the 'tucket and wants to vacation in style, comfort and green living, email me and I can give you more information.
xo RJS