LI Event: Contemporary Art Show at Davenport & Shapiro

Calling all art lovers! Davenport & Shapiro Fine Arts in East Hampton kicks off the 2012 season today with an Emerging Artists Contemporary Art Show. The show runs through June 18. For more details, pop on over to the Davenport & Shapiro website. 

Long Island-based artists Emanuel Buckvar and Eddie Rehm will be featured, exhibiting their very cool talent. I had the pleasure to interview Emanuel (who is also the director at E & L Alexandria Fine and Decorative Arts) last fall for this LI Pulse article, and let me tell you, he is super creative and talented.

Here is a sneak peek at two of the pieces on display! I love their abstract-gritty-graffiti style.Very cool. Please stop by if you can!

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Emanuel Buckvar

Beast Infection

Eddie Rehm

Lakeville Kitchen & Bath Recap

Last Thursday evening I had the honor of being a guest at a LI Pulse-sponsored event at Lakeville Kitchen & Bath in Smithtown, NY. I had never visited this showroom and was excited to have a look and meet the team behind this 77-year-old company that carries Plain & Fancy, Medallion, Crystal and UltraCraft.

First, let me say, the showroom does not disappoint! If you are looking for attainable inspiration, you will find it here. Not to mention a friendly and knowledgeable staff. Everyone was just great.

This first pic is of the kitchen design you'll see upon walking in.To me, this is a slightly modern take on a country kitchen with a few old world touches. I love the deep wood island with grey painted cabinets below. The grey is pretty and sophisticated and definitely a trend I spotted throughout the showroom.

Another favorite tidbit about this design...see that interesting "faucet"-looking contraption against the backsplash? Find it odd to have a faucet above your stove? Well, as Richard Sirlin, President of Lakeville Kitchen & Bath and son of the late founder Alfred Mirin, pointed out...it's a pot filler faucet, the perfect accessory for filling tall pasta pots. Us Italians know a thing or two about that and I find it to be the ULTIMATE luxury in a kitchen for sure!

The next photo, I really don't do it justice. My iPhone doesn't take the best pics. This was a gorgeous white kitchen that reminded me of Ina Garten's. Its beautiful, clean and approachable.

I love displaying collections and found objects and this gorgeous glass door cabinet would be the perfect way to do it. I love how the doors' designs sort of frame the pieces inside. I'd fill mine with interesting colors and textures such as Milkglass, Jadeite or Fiestaware.

This set up was a bit sparse, but for me, I was all about those top cabinets. Here again is the grey paint and how fun are those square doors? 

Last but not least, a pretty little accent. Such a great design tip--a few pretty flowers in glass bottles can perk up a lonely corner instantly. You can easily recreate this with empty milk, wine or other types of bottles. 

Hope you enjoyed this little tour! Thanks again to the team at Lakeville Kitchen & Bath for a lovely evening!

Kelly Wearstler's Groundworks at Lee Jofa Collection

As I started to dig into the May 2012 issue of Lonny (which is fab, by the way!) I stopped as soon as I saw this ad for Kelly Wearstler's Groundworks at Lee Jofa fabric collection. This is the type of ad that makes me love design! 

If I had unlimited funds, not only would I dive into this collection to furnish my home, but I would take this ad straight to my favorite fashion stylist and ask her to transform my closet into more of this! I love how the prints are done and the coloring is just gorgeous. Plus, the ad is styled so well. True inspiration for this sleepy Friday afternoon!

Design in the News: Artistic Tile at DIFFA

Last week, DIFFA (Design Industry's Foundation Fighting AIDS)  held its15th annual Dining by Design event during the Architectural Digest Home Show in NYC. Such a great cause, this event benefits DIFFA's mission to help fight AIDS.

Artistic Tile's beautiful installation caught my eye this year. I love when I see local companies involved in causes such as this. I had the pleasure of interviewing Artistic Tile's Founder and CEO Nancy Epstein last year and its so great to see her company involved in a wonderful event.

The beautiful setting was designed by designer Thom Filicia. Thom was always a favorite of mine on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. He is so full of energy and creativity and his installation showcased his talents and the gorgeous talents of Artistic Tile as well. How amazing is that tabletop done in the company's Vetrazzo? I love it!

Congrats to Artistic Tile and Thom Filicia for a job well done!

Pretty Rubber Stamp Decor

Now that the holidays are over, it's time to do a little sprucing up at home. While I don't have much time for crafting with my little monkey around, I absolutely love this easy Stamped Hoop project idea from Inkadinkadoo. What a fun way to create something beautiful without spending a lot of money or time on it.

Rubber stamping is one of my favorite craft techniques. Although it takes some patience and attention to detail, it is so rewarding! I love collecting stamps and playing around with inks and techniques such as flocking, embossing...you name it, I've tried it. But stamping on fabric is completely new to me. I have yet to try it and this project has inpired me to do so. How pretty are these patterns?

Plus, I love that you can transform these into a mixed media sort of project by adding on buttons or appliques, the possibilities are endless. I can't wait to get started!

A New Year, A Fresh Start

Photo via etsy.com

2011 was a good year, mainly because it was the year my husband and I welcome our first child. Our son arrived in October and ever since he has brought us so much joy and happiness (and everyone else in his life too!). It was also the year that I learned the importance of taking care of your health, was in awe of the generosity of family and friends and how wonderful marriage can be.

This morning however, brings a challenge for our little family. So while we work through this stumbling block, I will embrace the new year with hope and an energy to make it the best it can be.

I have just one resolution this year, to love and take care of my family the best way I know how. Of course there are plenty of other things I would like to resolve to do, but for right now this morning, this one resolution seems to be most important of all.

Happy New Year and here's to a positive, prosperous and creative 2012!

Simple Holiday Decor

With a newborn to take care of, it's been challenging to decorate as I usually do for the holidays. My table needed a simple centerpiece that would be festive yet easily moved, if need be.

I had purchased a few boxes of vintage ornaments from a yard sale a few years ago. I piled them into one of my favorite white bowls and I love the result! Pink, blue and silver is a modern, festive combo rather than the same old, same old red and green.

To give it a little extra sparkle, I nestled it inside of a glittered metal star wreath...I love the country chic look it adds to my little "farmhouse" style table.

My mother-in-law liked my display so much, she asked me to create one for her coffee table. She wanted more of  traditional look. I filled a gold bakset with an assortment of vintage Shiny Brite ball ornaments.

First, I lined the bottom of the basket with loads of tissue paper. Then, I used a glue dot to attach a simple green bow I had to one of the balls. I then glued the ball to the center of the tissue filled basket so it stayed put. Then I just piled in the ornaments.

Finally, my son's nursery also needed a little holiday cheer. Rather than using one of those silly tabletop fake evergreens, I decided to display one of my favorite white feather trees. I added two adorable ceramic gingerbread kids that I painted  years ago, even before I met my husband.I had no idea then that they would one day end up in my first born's nursery :)

Well, that's a quick tour of some of my holiday decorations. How are you decorating this year? What are some of your favorite displays at home?