Here at The Glam Pad, we see many a beautiful home, but few take our breath away. Texas-based designer Tori Rubinson has done just that. Known for her superb sensibility, attention to detail, and classic lines, Rubinson has been making a splash in the design world for some time. Beginning her career in the world of high-end building, she quickly learned the business and developed a keen eye for the extraordinary. It was not long after Rubinson set out to launch her design firm.
The Glam Pad has been following Rubinson’s work since her emergence. Full of life and punchy color, she has a way of creating interiors that evoke curiosity. Her clever ability of juxtaposition and attention to detail allow for continuous discovery. Her richly layered spaces invite you to continuously discover new elements not apparent at first glance.
While we adore poring over Rubinson’s many projects, nothing reveals her true depth and personality as a designer than her own home. Located in the heart of Fort Worth, Texas, Rubinson’s home is a labor of love that took her and her husband three years to design and build. With a perfectly proportioned exterior, colonial flourishes, and a hint of français, it is hard to believe the home is new construction. Rubinson has achieved a sense of depth that is seldom found in homes, much less a new build. Each room combines rich materials that together form a layered home filled with charisma.
Take some time to relish the beauty of her magnificent home!
Thank you, Tori Rubinson, for today’s special look into your home. To discover explore more, click here. And be sure to follow her impeccable work on Instagram. We cannot wait to see what is yet to come from Tori Rubinson Interiors!
Welcome to TGP Tidbits where we round up the happenings and our musings of the design industry each week. This week we take a look at The Ultimate Bath, Martinis at the Plaza stationery suite and Schumacher’s new Paris showroom. Written by Natalie Aldridge.
On November 28th, 1966 Truman Capote hosted his Black and White Ball that would go down in the books as one of the most iconic parties in history. Socialites known as Capote’s Swans, artists, politicians, musicians, and everyone in between sported glamorous masks, tuxedos, and black or white ball gowns. An invitation to the Black and White Ball was highly coveted, and Capote famously carried a 10 cent composition notebook with him everywhere, ruthlessly adding and crossing out names of those uninvited.
Inspired by this historic evening and the characters in attendance, stationery designer Laura Vogel and tastemaker Melissa Smrekar have paired up to create a party suite entitled Martinis at the Plaza. Including cheeky place cards, menus, and other surprises, the suite evokes the glamour and humor of a begone era. With a bevy of research on the evening, Vogel and Smrekar even nailed the exact font and color combinations used by Capote.
Take a look at Martinis at the Plaza!
Martinis at the Plaza Stationery Suite.
Original Invitation
Katharine Graham and Truman Capote
Truman Capote’s original Composition notebook.
In perfect fashion, Laura Vogel and Melissa Smrekar hosted martinis at the Plaza Hotel Tuesday evening to kick-off today’s launch of the stationery suite. Guests were dazzling in black and white as the alluring chatter of the Plaza’s Palm Court hummed in the background. Masks of notable party-goers where sprinkled throughout and the table beamed with beauty.
Legendary textile house and TGP favorite, Schumacher, will launch its first-ever showroom in Paris, France. Set to officially open early in the new year, the showroom will be a creative hub for Schumacher’s growing international market. Born in Paris, Frederic Schumacher immigrated to the United States and founded F. Schumacher & Co. in 1889 following his departure from French textiles company Passavant & Co. In many ways, the opening of the Parisian outpost is an hommage to the company’s roots.
The showroom will be located in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the long-time intellectual epicenter of the French metropolis. Rather than operating like a traditional showroom, Schumacher hopes to make the space a point of collaboration and discovery. With Schumacher’s longevity and history of innovation, it will be exciting to watch their latest foray unfold.
Nestled in the quiet and idyllic town of Hadlyme, CT is River Road Farm, the picturesque home of Robb Nestor and Bill Reynolds. Nestor, with a degree in horticulture and a successful landscaping company based in Atlanta, and Reynolds, with a family linage of gardening, spent two years in search of the perfect spot to call home and create their masterpiece. When the couple pulled up to the property, they knew instantly the setback home brimming with potential was the one.
Slowly, they transformed River Road Farm into the vibrant and full-of-life property that stands today. In the beginning years, Nestor and Reynolds split their time between Georgia and Connecticut. While designing from afar can prove challenging, it worked in the couple’s favor. Having the distance allowed them to evaluate the home with fresh eyes each visit.
Over the next decade, they rehabbed, planted, and decorated all on their own. Now, the eleven-acre property has three acres meticulously manicured with cultivated gardens, a beautifully restored main house, and numerous out buildings full of charm. Labor of love does not begin to describe the magnificence of River Road Farm.
To see more of River Road Farm, follow the couple on Instagram where they document the journey of the property.
James Farmer is a favorite designer here at The Glam Pad, and the launch of his new book, Celebrating Home: A Time for Every Season, is cause for celebration indeed! A best-selling author of ten books, his latest pays tribute to the role of Home in creating memories, treasuring traditions, honoring previous generations, and rediscovering the joy our homes and gardens bring to our lives. In fact, James has dedicated his life to celebrating the meaning of home – the pleasantries of colors and materials, the feel of the doorknob warmed by the sun, the smell of fresh laundry, the sound of the closing door, and the taste of supper on the table.
Celebrating Home fuses all his creative passions in a celebration of the seasons. In stories and pictures, James takes the reader on a tour of his two homes and gardens, with tablesettings for celebratory occasions throughout the year. Décor for his Winter Dinner, Camellia Celebration, Feast Among the Foxgloves, Birthday Dinner, Al Fresco Fall Dinner, Dahlia Dinner, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Gatherings will inspire readers to mark each passing season with their loved ones in observance of the small joys that truly make our lives big.
Let’s take a peek inside with photography by Emily Followill, courtesy of publisher Gibbs Smith. And be sure to scroll to the end for details on an exciting book giveaway!
Welcome to TGP Tidbits where we round up the happenings and our musings of the design industry each week. This week we take a look at Christian Ladd’s la Petite Gracies, Gucci’s Spring Summer 2023 collection, and the much anticipated new Hermès Madison Avenue store. Written by Natalie Aldridge.
La Petite Gracies
Interior designer Christian Ladd always manages to steal our hearts. Known for her traditional style with modern sensibility, Ladd continually designs homes and products that leave us clamoring for an encore. This week the design darling has introduced three new la Petite Gracies, her coveted Gracie chinoiserie prints, and brought back an old favorite back, Holts Garden.
We adore the look of the new pieces as a grouping on their own, or paired with other la Petite Gracie’s. The collection brings such classicism to any space with just the right amount of punchy color. The new introductions include Mist Blossom, Spring Meadow, and Yellow Peony.In honor of the debut on Christian Ladd Home, we are giving you an exclusive look at the collection. From feathery pinks, wispy greens, serene blue, and jubilant yellows, we are in love with la Petite Gracies!
Seeing Double at Gucci
Last week the chic society-set and industry insiders stomped the streets of Milan for fashion week. Showing Spring-Summer 2023 collections, Italian fashion designers took to locations all around the historic Northern Italian metropolis. Known for putting on theatrical shows, Alessandro Michele, creative director of Gucci, had the audience seeing double. Michele’s enlisted 68 sets of twins to walk Saturday’s show and entitled it “Twinsburg.”
Each set of twins joined hands and took to the futuristic runway while portraits of themselves beamed on the screens behind them. The collection was inspired by Michele’s mother, a twin herself, and point of great fascination for him. Exploring the concept of beauty and the illusion of symmetry. While each set of twins appear to be identical in look and clothing, upon closer look they are quite different. Michele calls this “cracked symmetry.” Through the same ethos, the show attempted to challenge the idea of singularity in clothing. The magic of individuality within clothing is often shattered when seen when another person sports the same garment. Yet, as presented with the 68 sets of twins, even two alike are not symmetrical!
After decades of occupying both the North East and North West corners of 62nd Street and Madison Avenue, the iconic men’s and women’s Hermès will join as one in a new flagship store just one block North. But fret not, the iconic Napoleonic equestrian statue perched atop the Women’s store on 62nd will be making the move.
Hermès appealed to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the right to renovate the historic Neo-Federal style building located on the South West corner of Madison Avenue and 63rd Street. After years of construction, the new store is set to open this coming Monday, October 3rd.
While the new flagship appears to have a dreamy quality and has brought much life into a previously sleepy building, one cannot help but remember the storied history of the original women’s store. Now a forgotten relic of New York history, 691 Madison used to be the home of the candy shop and restaurant Louis Sherry. Opening in 1881, Louis Sherry was once the chicest place in town to grab a bite and pick up a love tin of chocolates. Sherry’s restaurant at first struggled but then became a regular haunt for The Gilded Age elite “Four Hundred” after Ward McAllister deemed it to be a chic spot. Louis Sherry’s bustling candy shop and restaurant moved to Hotel New Netherland, now known as the Sherry Netherland, on the corner of 59th Street and Fifth Avenue in 1919. While the hotel still exists, Louis Sherry no longer does.
If you have the chance, stop by the new Hermès flagship to shop and get a glimpse at the excitement. Do not forget to pay homage to its original location and Louis Sherry while you are at it.
They say everything is bigger in Texas, and the old adage certainly rang true of the 3rd Annual Kips Bay Decorator Show House Dallas. While the star-studded event was originally scheduled to run through October, it was unfortunately cut short and closed yesterday after opening to the public for only four days. If you missed out, don’t fret… The Glam Pad is sharing highlights today!
From maximalist and bold to pretty and serene, 24 top design firms from across the country transformed a 12,470-square-foot estate located in Dallas’ posh Old Preston Hollow neighborhood. As with any show house, there were over-the-top theatrics, but there were also some timeless, classic rooms TGP adored. And we were delighted to meet many of our favorite designers!
Let’s take a peek inside with photography by Nathan Schroder, unless otherwise noted.
Harold Leidner CompanyM + M Interior DesignM + M Interior DesignM + M Interior DesignM + M Interior DesignPatricia McLean InteriorsPatricia McLean InteriorsPatricia McLean InteriorsShelley Johnstone DesignShelley Johnstone DesignShelley Johnstone DesignShelley Johnstone DesignShelley Johnstone DesignSchooler KelloggSchooler KelloggSchooler KelloggSchooler KelloggBlaire DesignsBlaire DesignsAvrea CompanyAvrea CompanyAvrea CompanyAvrea CompanyNoel PitmanNoel PitmanChristopher PeacockChristopher PeacockChristopher PeacockAlessandra Branca (photography by Jay Simon of Ten Ten Creative)Alessandra Branca(photography by Jay Simon of Ten Ten Creative)Alessandra Branca (photography by Jay Simon of Ten Ten Creative)Anthony BarattaAnthony BarattaAnthony BarattaGraci InteriorsGraci InteriorsIsabel Ladd InteriorsHarold Leidner Company
In 2020, the internationally recognized Kips Bay Decorator Show House announced its newest satellite show house in Dallas, Texas. For the Kips Bay Decorator Show House Dallas, the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club partners with two local charities: Dwell with Dignity, a nonprofit agency dedicated to creating soothing, inspiring homes for families struggling with homelessness and poverty, and The Crystal Charity Ball, another Dallas-based organization whose mission is to aid, support and make contributions to children’s charities in Dallas County.
Kips Bay would like to thank The Shade Store, the Exclusive Window Treatment Partner of the Kips Bay Dallas Decorator Show House 2022.
“Everyone copies her, everyone references her, including me,” Tory Burch states in her foreword written for the book, Bunny Mellon Style, published last year by Gibbs Smith. Written by Thomas Lloyd, Mellon’s grandson, Bryan Huffman, interior designer and a dear friend, and Linda Jane Holden, Bunny Mellon Style is the fascinating story of an American style icon. The authors reveal how Mrs. Mellon’s style developed and how she became a self-confident, hands-on designer of homes and gardens in a privileged world. They share her style in furnishings, art, and collectibles; her dietary habits and penchant for picnics; her personal investment in designing every aspect of her homes, secondary buildings, and gardens; and her love of fashion and jewelry. Unpretentious and down-to-earth, Mrs. Mellon was disciplined and self-taught. Although moved in the upper echelon of society, – her friends included Jackie Kennedy Onasis, Billy Baldwin, Balenciaga, Givenchy, to name a few – she preferred not to be in the public eye.
Bunny Mellon Style offers a rare inside glimpse into Mrs. Mellon’s charmed life. The authors uncover personal writings and correspondences, and they share stories from people who knew her, who were employed by her, and who spent time in her home and gardens. The Glam Pad is delighted to welcome Lloyd and Huffman today to share 10 Tips for Achieving Bunny Mellon Style! Limited imagery from the book is available for online publication, but you can purchase a copy here and follow specific examples they provide by page number.
Painting by Natalie Aldridge depicting Mellon’s iconic pink living room in her Manhattan townhouse
10 Tips for Achieving Bunny Mellon Style
By Thomas Lloyd and Bryan Huffman
1. How to create timeless interiors:
Bunny was partial to small, cozy spaces for daily living and small group entertaining. She created many separated, flexible spaces with a movable collection of tables and chairs to adapt each space to people’s needs. She preferred muted wall colors and natural textures.
-Buy what you love and what is suitable for the spaces; do not merely follow a current trend/fashion. While Bunny’s interiors naturally evolved, the basic “feel” remained the same. (Examples may be seen pictured on pgs 79-81, 144, 170-171, 212-213)
2. How to design to your environment/location:
Start with location, horizon sightlines, and light. Is there a beautiful mountainscape, ocean view (pgs. 182, 183, 191), forest, or cobblestone city streets? How will the natural light cover the space for a residence? What elements of the outside world need to be welcomed or protected from the inside world of the home? Consider natural air-flow over sealed interiors. Always try to incorporate fresh flowers into each space.
Bunny’s Library (pgs 106-123) is a prime example of these tenets. The main wing’s windows are placed to capture the vistas and provide natural light; this extends to the skylights installed over her largest Rothko for further illumination.
The Mellons’ Oak Spring Farm in Upperville, Virginia, Courtesy Thomas Lloyd
3. How to achieve interesting collections:
Never purchase for notoriety—purchase and collect for personal joy and always try to learn an interesting story to share with others on how/why you choose the item/artwork. Integrate a variety of different items that all share different stories and functions which open up your life more to others who visit. Different artists or different stories around the same artist both work.
(Pgs. 70-71 showcase her passion for 18th and 19th-century porcelain vegetables and fruits. With pg. 76 revealing further collections.)
Colors should be based primarily on the location of the property. For her New England beachside homes, (Nantucket, Cape Cod) Bunny was drawn towards light blues (pgs. 170-173)and weathered wooden floors (pgs. 202-203) with stone exteriors (pgs. 54, 88-89, 106-107) to complement the surrounding environment. In the Caribbean, however, she turned to whites, yellows, and oranges (pgs. 210-211, 219) to help support the surrounding tropical greens and blues.
Interior colors throughout were primarily neutral, often with a strié or crosshatching technique, with pockets of color, such as the library (Gothic Room) at Oak Spring (pgs. 64-67) with its soft citron yellow, the vibrant coral crosshatching in the DC library (pgs. 130-133) and, most notably, the striking blue crosshatching in the New York dining room (pgs. 150-151).
5. Suggestions on fabrics and paint:
Bunny preferred handwoven, organic materials, often created especially for her by friends like Andy Oates, whose ‘Nantucket Looms’ firm provided innumerable nubby linens and cotton in neutrals (pgs. 171, 175, 184), and windowpane plaids (pgs. 119, 191, 197-199) for many of her houses. Another fabric supplier was Tillett Textiles, whose ubiquitous “butterflies” popped up in many colors throughout her houses (pgs. 79, 81, 82, 230), along with yet another Bunny staple: Toile! If ever there were something that comes to mind in many of her interiors was the use of toile, mainly in hues of blue (pgs. 86-87, 149, 252-255). She often used printed fabrics applied in the same manner as toile (pgs. 140-141, 159, 186, top).
6. Incorporating antiques:
Antiques are always important, especially in smaller, more portable forms such as small side tables or corner desks that can be rearranged along the perimeter if the room’s purpose changes. (pgs. 57, 59, 64-65, 68, 80, 137, 239, 242, 243) Again – using family heirlooms with interesting stories is preferred.
7. How to collect and decorate with art:
Anchor one important piece around each room or a collection of similar smaller artworks together (pgs. 64, 74, 79-81, 130-131) – like in a small library – along the shelves themselves. Select works that utilize the same colors you want to promote throughout the interior space (pg. 57, 69, 74-75, 132, 144, 151, 156). Pick an artist you love and again – anchor each piece of that artist with a collection story – how and why you got it.
Bunny relaxing in her Cape Cod home in the early years. Paintings often were relocated as the Mellons’ collection grew. Courtesy Thomas Lloyd
8. How to create a welcoming environment for visitors and guests:
Bunny welcomed visitors by awakening their senses of sight and scent upon arrival; flowers from the gardens and greenhouses were omnipresent in the rooms, with especially large arrangements in the foyer (pg. 57, 60-61, 134-135, 156-157) which filled the air, often mixing with her Rigaud scented candle. There was always a warm and welcoming feel with nothing ever feeling “fussy” and “fixed.”
Small and simple individual welcoming gifts is the best way – with notes & small presents written and selected by Bunny herself.
9. Should you design your home with entertaining in mind?
You should always be able to adapt any room to entertain if needed. Collect and arrange tables and chairs that can be easily moved into different configurations to make guests feel more comfortable in the space. (Pgs. 57, 74, 75, 138, 150-153, 172-173, 198, 223, 227, 243, 248-249).
Courtesy Cristóbal Balenciaga Museum; photo by Paredes
10. Things every well-appointed home simply must-have:
If Bunny were an example of anything, it would be to express yourself and your interests through your interiors; actually setting your own “stage.” Comfort, a cozy chair by the fire, with a light throw within reach, adequate small tables to pull up for a drink or to place your book, proper furniture arrangement, which allows coziness for one or two yet can expand as necessary to accommodate a larger group, adequate yet soft and flattering lighting, something personal and fun. Eliminate stuffy, “showy” objects that are meant only to impress. And, always have some sort of “living thing” such as plant(s) and/or flowers to bring the outside in. In short, make it comfortable and welcoming, showcasing you, not your Decorator.
Welcome to TGP Tidbits where we round up the happenings and our musings of the design industry each week. This week we delve into Kips Bay Dallas, The White Company’s newly released book, Silvia Furmanovich for Bergdorf Goodman, and Walk With Me: New York. Written by Natalie Aldridge.
The 3rd Annual Kips Bay Dallas Show House
The 3rd Annual Kips Bay Dallas Show House opens tomorrow, but amid controversy, instead of running for a full month, the public opening has been shortened to just four days. The Glam Pad will be sure to bring you all of our favorite rooms, but in the meantime, you can catch a sneak peek here. For ticket information, please click here.
9250 Meadowbrook Drive
The White Company’s New Book Release
Founded in 1994 by British powerhouse Chrissie Rucker, The White Company is best known for its principally white and luxurious bed linens. Since originally coming to market with a twelve-page brochure, the company has grown to have many collections, over 50 stores, and an ever-growing presence that has inspired the art of living in simplicity. An homage to this notion, Rucker has released her second book, The Art of Living With White: A Year of Inspiration. Featuring ten stunning homes, the book explores different ways to use white and neutrals throughout the seasons. Rucker also illustrates her tips and tricks for living peacefully, beautifully, and within the context of white and rich neutrals.
To celebrate this momentous release, The White Company hosted a dinner party alongside Heather Clawson of Habitually Chic. With Rucker at the helm, all guests in attendance, including myself, were treated to a serene evening on the rooftop of The Moore hotel in Chelsea. The dinner table was adorned with a White Company linen table cloth, white flowers in darling bud vases, and pristine dinnerware. The event was filled with laughter, lively conversation, and abounding excitement for the book.
Silvia Furmanovich for Bergdorf Goodman
The stars, and maybe diamonds, have aligned. World renowned Brazilian jewelry designer, Silvia Furmanovich has partnered with Bergdorf Goodman to create a collection of homeware available exclusively on the seventh floor of the legendary department store. Born in São Paolo to a family of Italian goldsmiths, Furmanovich developed an eye for the extraordinary at a very early age. In 1998 she established her jewelry business, by appointment only. In 2009, Furmanovich opened her first boutique in São Paulo and has since become one of the globe’s preeminent industry leaders.
Taking her colorful and daring work to the next level, Furmanovich has now unveiled a new handcrafted collection of homeware. Using her signature wood marquetry technique, the collection is comprised of small decorative objet, lamps, small side tables, and other ornate pieces inspired by her recent tour through Uzbekistan.
Celebrations were in order Wednesday evening for the collaboration atop the storied Fifth Avenue department store. I had the pleasure of attending and viewing the collection in person. And oh my stars, how the beauty of each piece radiated throughout the space. Adorned in her own designs, Furmanovich commanded the room, and with a radiant smile she discussed her work and the collection.
Take a look!
Susan Kaufman Takes Over Unsubscribed
One of The Glam Pad’s favorite photographers, Susan Kaufman, has given city dwellers of New York a new perspective on the place they call home. Known for capturing New York’s unique moments, architecture, and haunts, Kaufman recently released her first book, Walk With Me: New York, photo documenting her favorite spots around the city.
On Wednesday, September 28th, Kaufman will be celebrating the release of her book at Unsubscribed located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. From five to seven o’clock you will be able to sip and shop at 25% off. Those who purchase will also receive a free book. Don’t forget to stop in!
Lastly, The Glam Pad is currently undergoing a much needed facelift which will be unveiled next month. In the meantime, we are experiencing some technical trials and tribulations. We appreciate your patience as we work to bring you a lovely new website!
This summer when we featured a stunning 1920s Grandmillennial home located outside Chicago, readers wanted to know more about the talented designer, Alexandra Kaehler. So we are delighted to feature her today for a Style Profile Q&A!
Alex grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, where she lives now with her husband and children. After she began what she believed to be her dream career in advertising, she quickly realized design was her calling after starting a lifestyle blog in 2009. She attended a post-graduate program, at Harrington College of Design and went on to open her firm, Alexandra Kaehler Design in 2011. She desicribes her style as eclectic. “The tension of different things makes a space interesting—shiny with matte, square with round, feminine with masculine,” she says. “We like all different time periods and aesthetics, so mixing them is the perfect way to create aspace in our eyes.”
Alex believes the most important thing is to fill your house with things you love. The “aesthetic” will build on that. There is nothing better than looking around your home and seeing things that make you happy, she says. Second, nothing should be too fragile or delicate that you aren’t able to enjoy it. A home is meant to be loved and lived in. Let’s get to know more about Alex and take a look insider her exquisite portfolio… Welcome, Alex!
Designer Alexandra Kaehler and her beautiful family
Q: Tell us a bit about your career path. When did you know you wanted to become an interior designer?
A: I always knew I wanted a job with some sort of combination of business and creativity. I landed on account management in marketing, however it didn’t fill the creativity dreams I had nearly as much as I thought it would. While I was working in marketing, I started a blog writing mostly about interiors design, with some lifestyle mixed in. This was 2009 when blogs were basically your Pinterest boards. I shared homes I loved, decorating finds etc. I realized after two years that my job in marketing wasn’t making me happy, and to be honest, it was really making me miserable. After interviewing at some other agencies, a childhood friend of mine said, rather bluntly (which I love) “You have loved design your entire life, you write about it on your blog, why aren’t you doing THAT?” And a switch flipped. It had never even occurred to me that it could be a career. I enrolled in design school, kept writing my blog, and got an internship. The rest is history!
Q: What is your favorite aspect of your job?
A: For me, home as always represented something much larger than a physical place you live. I always found comfort and peace in my home. Whether it was my childhood home, my college apartment, my first condo with my husband or the home we’re now raising our family in. So for me, to be able to create a space like that for my clients is such a gift.
Q: Where do you source inspiration and/or mentorship?
A: Quite a few of my friends are also designers, and not only have they helped me grow and been my sounding board, I’m entirely inspired by them as well. Instagram, fashion and travel are some other sources for inspiration for me.
Q: Do you have any favorite go-to colors, paints, wallpapers, linens, artists, etc.?
A: Anyone who follows me on Instagram knows my love for green. I love all shades of it, from mint to olive to emerald. I also love floral print fabrics and wallpapers. They bring the outside in, which is so much of what I love about green too. I also love adding a grasscloth for texture on the walls.
Q: What are you currently working on that we can look forward to in the coming months/years?
A: We have experienced incredible growth over the last couple years. It has given me the opportunity to pause and evaluate exactly what I want out of this business. I have three young kids, and as much as I love my job, I want to be present for my kids more. So I have made the decision to focus on Chicago and Chicago suburban projects only right now. Thank goodness that has worked out for us (for now)! I have no doubt it will change as my kids get older, but right now, being close to home is fantastic. We have two ground up construction homes that I am giddy about. These are clients who want to build new, but feel old. Truly a dream come true for me. So we’re putting a ton of thought into the little details (like millwork) that are often forgotten about in new construction homes. We also have quite a few renovations that are equally as exciting. I am like a kid in a candy shop lately at work. We just have so many incredible projects getting ready to be executed!
Q: What is one fail-safe design element that every room should have?
A: Oh gosh, that is tough because every room serves a different purpose. Are you an entertainer? If you are, you probably want a spot to sit and have a cocktail and a bite to eat in every room, so a card table would be great to have in your living and family rooms. Are you a homebody? You probably want a cozy reading nook in each space of your home. Depending on who you are, and how you live in your house, this answer can change drastically. That is part of what I love about my work, helping my clients understand how they are going to live!
Q: What changes have you seen in the design world post-Covid? Any changes in what your clients are requesting?
A: I definitely never would’ve guessed we would be discussing “zoom backgrounds” when we design offices, but its in every single one of my presentations now. You have to consider desk placement in regard to light, and what your background will be for your call. There is obviously a focus on home offices, but there is also an excitement around entertaining that is really fun. People are so enthusiastic about hosting parties and have friends over again!
Q: Who are your favorite designers – past or present?
A: I love classic American design like Parish Hadley, but also am so inspired by English designers like Colefax & Fowler. There is an effortlessness that English design has that I just love to explore. There are so many current day designers executing this beautifully, just in a new fresh and more American way. Designers like Ashley Whittaker!
Q: What is your favorite easy weeknight meal?
A: We are a pizza Friday house, so I guess my other favorite easy weeknight meal is pasta. Can you tell I’m a carbs girl?
Q: Any fun facts people don’t know about you?
A: Yes… I’m a weird one. I don’t drink any caffeine and don’t know how to ride a bike. Everyone has their quirks, right?
Thank you so much, Alex, for joining us today! We cannot wait to see even more work. For additional information, please visit alexandrakaehler.com and follow @alexkaehlerdesign on Instagram.
Welcome to TGP Tidbits where we round up the happenings and our musings of the design industry each week. This week we explore the newly released Veronica Beard for Juliska collection, the latest prints from Oscar de la Renta for Lee Jofa, and Clementina’s Sketchbook fall stationery release. Written by Natalie Aldridge.
Veronica Beard x Juliska
Last year we featured the stunning Long Island retreat of Veronica Swanson Beard, co-founder of Veronica Beard, decorated by Chiqui Woolworth and Brittany Bromley. We could not stop poring of the rich layers of the home that so beautifully captured the essence of the fashion designer. Recently, the dynamo designer along with her co-founder, Veronica Miele Beard, paired up with dinnerware powerhouse and Glam Pad favorite, Juliska.
Entitled Bohemian Vine, the fourteen-piece collection has us jumping for joy. With the weather finally cooling and Autumnal entertaining on the horizon, it is time to refresh the china cabinet. Inspired by the Iberian coast, both Veronicas sought to incorporate the deep blues of the sea, terracotta, and cactus green as the primary colors of the collection. The collection parts from tones traditionally associated with the colder months making for an interesting twist to a seasonal table.
Oscar de la Renta never ceases to leave us clamoring for more. And the fashion house’s ability to bring fantasy to reality extends far beyond glamorous frocks. Since the inception of Oscar de la Renta Home in 2002, the late designer has outfitted the chicest of women and their homes. In 2010 Oscar de La Renta paired with textile giant Lee Jofa to create a line of fabrics and wallpapers taking their influence in interiors a step further. The collection since has become a mainstay of the textile house with new fabrics and wallpapers emerging each season.
Just in time for the Emmy’s and New York Fashion Week, Oscar de la Renta has released two new prints, Benday and Pagoda Toile. Sublimely feminine, each print has been shown carefully draped upon dress forms creating a dialogue between the two ends of the fashion house. How divine would these prints look adorned on a settee or made into a ball gown?
In the same vane, we could not get over the beautiful Oscar de la Renta gown wore by Sydney Sweeney to this week’s Emmy Awards. With a large bustle train and hand embroidered fabric, the gown is reminiscent of a bye-gone era of glamor.
We cannot over emphasize our love for the hand-written word and beautiful stationery! As ardent supporters of snail mail, we are always looking to refresh our stationery stock piles. This spring The Glam Pad introduced artist and designer Clementina Zegna, founder of Clementina’s Sketchbook. Her cheeky approach and beautiful hand-watercolored illustrations took us by storm.
This week Clementina introduced her fall stationery collection, and we are smitten! Note the mushrooms, a “growing” trend The Glam Pad highlighted in January.
