Jan 8, 2009

Trends in Leather Jackets


The rock 'n roll leather jacket made its way back to the men's runway for Fall Winter 2009. A men's look that we'll continue to see more of as the trend toward what's old is new again gains momentum.



Vintage Motorcycle Jacket


Rick Owens 2009



Vintage Cafe Racer Motorcycle Jacket

vintage military inspired leather jacket
12 Men's Wear Trends 2009

Jan 6, 2009

How To Define A Living Room Layout



Area rugs bring furniture groupings together, add accent, deaden noise and act as partitions. When used correctly, they draw all the elements of a room together - pulling pictures, curtains, and furniture into the central color scheme.

Area rugs used in the living room to draw together conversational furniture groupings should be large enough to outline the groups. Each piece of furniture should be set at least partially on the rug. For example, an area rug that you place in front of a sofa should be as long as the sofa or longer. Each furniture group should fit comfortably on the rug. If not, it will resemble a placemat.

Faux fur and flokati area rugs add glamour to the living room, and they can be washed gently and brushed when dry. Their soft, deep pile contrasts superbly with hard and shiny surfaces. They also add texture to a room without causing angst to any fluid lines.

In the image above, the swirling lines of the faux fur rug and the wallpaper are complemented by the round shapes of the table, chairs, and lamp base. The dominant colors are black, white and wood tones. Colors would seem drab if it weren't for the ripe red wallpaper, sofa and accessories. Pattern provides transitional lines between shapes and ties important colors together, resulting in an engaging and sophisticated room.

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Jan 3, 2009

How To Make A DIY Cable Spool Headboard


cable spool headboard

Industrial artifacts can add oomph to whatever style you've chosen. How about sticking some Louis XIV side tables like these in the room?

What you need:
  • cable spool - you can usually get these free from telephone companies or other companies that regularly use large quantities of electrical wire and cables
  • hammer
  • sandpaper or mouse sander
  • tung oil or varnish
  • black marker pen

What to do:
  1. Remove the top from the spool - the guys at the yard will probably do this for you. While you're there, get them to cut the spool across the bottom to give it better stability.
  2. Pound down nails that may be sticking out with a hammer
  3. Sand the spool thoroughly and darken the lettering with your marker pen
  4. Finish it off with a coat of tung oil or varnish














Jan 1, 2009

Top 9 Interiors Trends For 2009

All your personalities, including some you'll meet for the first time, will come together in 2009.  Open up and let your home reflect you.  
What's old is new again for 2009.
  1. parlour
  2. fine art taxidermy and curiosities influenced by Polly Morgan or Gwen Roch
  3. wallpaper inspired by William Morris or Suzy Hoodless' Hothouse for Osborne and Little
  4. boldly painted vintage Baroque mirrors on black walls
  5. found objects and anonymous portraits 
  6. Industrial artifacts such as those at getting Back Inc.
  7. reworked vintage commodes and wardrobes in the style of Anna James' Verona/Romeo and Juliet collection or Moissonnier's Louis XV
  8. juxtaposition - Mid-Century meet Rococo
  9. tufted furniture

Parlour at Albert Gallatin House, Sacramento
image Library of Congress
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Dec 29, 2008

Found Objects Find High-End

Miracle Icons Necklace 
$245
Finders keepers, losers weepers.  Found one of a kind vintage religious medallions strung on sterling silver chains.  Miracle Icons are finding themselves in upscale retailers such as Barney's, Marqsmen (Seattle), Intoto (Minneapolis), and Fred Segal (Santa Monica). Mary Jo Pane's unisex line of bracelets and necklaces was inspired by a visit with a sick friend living in New York post 9/11 and her own belief in saints, guardian angels and spirits.  Try visiting here for your own inspiration.

Dec 27, 2008

How To Make Guacamole


image saveur

Juice of a fresh lemon
2 medium ripe avocados
3 medium cloves garlic minced
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. or more cayenne
2 chopped jalapeños
1 tbsp. salsa
1. Place the lemon juice in a medium sized shallow bowl
2. Add the avocado and mash it to whatever consistency you like
3. Stir in the remaining ingredients.
** To help the Guacamole retain its color add the avocado pits and remove just before serving.
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Dec 25, 2008

Alone With Kurt Cobain's Duffle Bag

Courtney Love left Charles R. Cross alone in a house with a duffle bag full of Kurt Cobain's diaries and personal effects that he's quite certain 'no one wanted him to see'. The result - Cobain Unseen. View the trailer for the book above or here.

Dec 24, 2008

Yves Saint Laurent's Final Moment

Yves Saint Laurent
image telegraph 

Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé spent 50 years compiling their art collection. An eclectic mix of styles and periods the collection has been cited as 'the last flicker of a long heritage of French taste, now faded.' by gallery owner Nicolas Kugel. Most of the collection will be up for auction, including 'looted' Opium War sculptures, during a three day event starting February 23, 2009 at the Grand Palais. Labeled the 'sale of the century' by Christie's, it will include over 700 lots worth an estimated $250 million to $380 million. Bergé acknowledges that 'the collection would not be truly complete until the hammer fell on the last lot.' The auction catalogue can be purchased here.

Dec 23, 2008

Cocktail Hors D'Oeuvres - 3 Recipes


Spiced Nuts, Ancho Chili Humous, Two-Olive Tapanade

Do an assortment of six to eight cold and hot appetizers that can be eaten in one or two bites for a full-on cocktail party.
Here are three to get you started.
Spiced Nuts
3/4 tsp cayenne
3/4 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp ground coriander
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground ginger
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 cups unsalted shelled mixed nuts (almonds, cashews, pecans, peanuts)
Preheat oven to 325 F.  In a small bowl mix together all the spices and set aside. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat.  Add the spice mixture and toss well. Place the nuts into a bowl, add the spice mixture and toss.  Spread the nuts on a baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes.  Remove from oven and drizzle with any left over spice and oil over the mix.  Cool to room temperature.  Makes two cups.
Two-Olive Tapanade
1 clove garlic
2 Tbsp capers
1 1/2 cups pitted kalamata olives
1 1/2 cups pitted green olives
1/3 cup chopped roasted red peppers
2 tsp balsamic vinegar
Zest of 1/2 lemon
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1/3 cup olive oil
Toasted crostinis
Add garlic and capers to a food processor and coarsely chop.  Add olives, red peppers and basil and chop.  Add balsamic vinegar, lemon zest and olive oil and blend.  Transfer to a kitschy bowl and serve with crostinis.  Makes about 3 cups and can be refrigerated for up to three days.
Ancho Chili Humous
Two 19 ounce tins chick peas/garbanzo beans (drained)
2 cloves garlic
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
1 tsp sea salt
2 to 3 ancho chilies (in adobe sauce)
1 small bunch cilantro
1/2 cup olive oil
Place everything in a food processor and mix until smooth.  Add more chilies to achieve desired temperature.  If too thick, add more olive oil and blend. Transfer to kitschy bowl and serve with baked pita chips or veggies.
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