18
THE DEBONAIR DUDE
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
IN EVERY ISSUE
20
EDITORS’ WISH LIST
22
THE HAUTE HOSTESS
10
MEET THE DESIGNER
a new book and bright holiday ideas from aussie stylist Sibella Court.
EDITOR’S LETTER
12
MEET THE TEAM
15
EXTENDED FAMILY
SHOPPING CART
14
THE MODISH MISS
30
24
THE COUTURE CONNOISSEUR
HANDS ON
26
THE INTERIORS AFICIONADO
INSIDE SCOOP
28
BLOGGER SIDE-BY-SIDE
38
SURVIVAL GUIDE a twinkling Diy with clear glass balls and beads.
One in a million. Maili was eleven when GoodWeave rescued her from a Nepali carpet factory. An orphan, she’d left school three years earlier in order to work. GoodWeave got her on the fast track to education. Today, Maili is enrolled in one of Nepal’s top private schools and dreams of being a doctor. Maili is one in a million. So is your GoodWeave certified rug. Donate at GoodWeave.org.
find us everywhere www.highpointmarket.org
REGISTER TODAY
THE NEXT SIX DAYS THAT MATTER
#hpmkt
800.874.6492 | info@highpointmarket.org
FEATURES
40
SURVIVAL GUIDE this floral arrangement feels festive no matter what you celebrate.
41
76 46
JINGLE BELLE holiday looks inspired by the charm of the South.
COCKTAIL: MIX UP A COME HITHER
42
ON AN OPEN FIRE roasted chestnuts are the quintessential winter treat.
ROOM AT THE INN an 1813 new england mansion-turned-b&b.
88 GRAMERCY QUIRK an intimate bachelor pad from the novogratz.
58
100
rue’s art Director bri emery opens her doors.
a couple’s quest to take over china, one plate at a time.
DESIGN LOFT FEST
ONCE UPON A TABLE
EDITOR’S LETTER of our one-year anniversary? and, after the launch of every issue, the wakefulness that greets us despite our lack of sleep, because we’re so excited to hear what our readers think of our latest efforts?
looking back over the past year, there is so much for our rue family to celebrate. together, we’ve spent these twelve months pouring our creative hearts and souls into producing this magazine. along the way, we’ve also been lucky enough to make some astoundingly talented friends, to treasure our gratitude for you, our loyal readers, and to create some amazing memories. Who could forget that epic desert photo shoot, for which anne and i drove a crew of fifteen and a truck full of furniture onto the sandy flats of nevada? the manhattan twilight that found all four rue editors dodging speeding taxis to capture the perfect “meet the team” shot? or the joyous celebration
10
PHOTOGRAPHY: EMILY JOHNSTON ANDERSON
in the spirit of the holidays as a time of reflection and savoring the season, we’ve put together our tightest, most concise issue to-date, with only the best in holiday inspiration and décor. We’ve rounded up an all-star team of curators to bring you the ultimate gift guides for every style, budget, and loved one in your life. and, for the first time ever, our very own bri emery opens the doors to her hip downtown los angeles loft. i’m sure you’ll find it to be just as colorful, fresh, and inspiring as her graphic design. as we look back on what a fantastic ride 2011 has been, and we look with anticipation towards the possibilities of 2012, we thank you for gifting us with your continued support, friendship, and feedback. From the entire team at rue, we wish you the merriest of holidays. may this season bring you happiness, peace, and good cheer. Sincerely,
CRYSTAL GENTILELLO CO-FOUNDER and EDITOR IN CHIEF
MEET THE TEAM
12
CRYSTAL
GENTILELLO
CASSANDRA LAVALLE
ANNE SAGE
BRI EMERY
EDITOR IN CHIEF
MARKET EDITOR
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
ART DIRECTOR
EMILY JOHNSTON ANDERSON
BONNIE TSANG
LARA ROSSIGNOL
JASMINE STAR
MATTHEW WILLIAMS
FEATURES PHOTOGRAPHER
FEATURES PHOTOGRAPHER
FEATURES PHOTOGRAPHER
FEATURES PHOTOGRAPHER
FEATURES PHOTOGRAPHER
JEN ALTMAN
MANDY MORTIMER
MARISSA LIPPERT
FOOD PHOTOGRAPHER
SALES DIRECTOR MANDY@RUEMAG.COM
FOOD COLUMNIST
PHOTO: SMILEBOOTH
Honey Dipper Vase Large resin vase available in black, white or silver
No. 225 Illuminated multi-panel glass painting.
Red Quan Chair Red round-backed acrylic armchair, the most splendid of classical Ming furniture in the Seat for T. Collection.
Chochoongda #11 Floral digital pigment print.
Larry Sofa Mascassar ebony and stainless steel frame sofa.
14
amy moore intern
JeSi haaCK DeSign styling
CaSa De Perrin tabletop
Katie roDgerS illustration
Chloe roth copy
PitbullS & PoSieS stationery
DaViD hamblem hair
ShoKo Wanger copy
emily henDerSon styling
Son oF SharK Pig videography
emily SiStruCK styling
teri lyn FiSher photography
Faith brooKS make-up
yeah rentalS furnishings
henry WilSon copy
Will taylor resident gent
honey & PoPPieS florals
William mePPem photography
15
SHOPPING CART Stella & Dot $49
inKy Co. $10
reD DireCt £25
maDeWell $50 FOR SET
balenCiaga $29
one SyDney roaD $20
Crate & barrel $40
16
FiShS eDDy $19
ban.Do $45
Velle PurSe $40
ChaPterS $12 lieF $44
aleXanDra beth $42
THE
MODISH MISS Tickle the fancies of the ladies on your list with all things sparkly and spotted, flashy and fun.
Zara $36
CorDuroy $20
SHOPPING CART
KarVt $30
aPoliS $50
h&m $50
the lolliPoP ShoP £37
Comme DeS garConS £30
THE
DEBONAIR DUDE The men in your life deserve top notch goods, and Rue’s resident gent WILL TAYLOR knows how to pick ‘em.
urban outFitterS £12
heylanD & Whittle £20
marKo maneV $18 AND UP
WeSt elm $6
olD FaithFul ShoP $30
normann CoPenhagen £36
PortlanD general Store $29
aram £45
19
SHOPPING CART rain $40
ralPh lauren home $595
george nelSon $30 VeSPa $4650
riCharD Wrightman CONTACT FOR PRICE
Cathy Waterman $4830
lille STARTING AT $95
maDeline Weinrib CONTACT FOR PRICE
branDi StriCKlanD $60
KilSgaarD CONTACT FOR PRICE
Jarlath mellett $338
Shoemint $80
elVa FielDS $286
DWell StuDio $373
aSoS $64
abC home $295
21
SHOPPING CART Z gallerie $399
Z gallerie $30
WeSt elm $6
Kate SPaDe $25
barneyS $795
22
FanCy FlourS $8
anthroPologie $32 DVF home $85
anthroPologie $28
THE
HAUTE HOSTESS Shopping for a dinner party diva? Returning entertaining expert MINDY WEISS has more than a few stylish suggestions up her sleeve.
anthroPologie $32
minDy ChooSeS CHARITIES CloSe to her heart to giVe to eVery holiDay SeaSon. Why not Do the Same?
lulu DK $140 SET OF 4
SHOPPING CART Stella mCCartney $49
KriS nationS $145
Cb2 $30
J.CreW $30
Jonathan aDler $395
taSha $88 SteVe maDDen $395
Kenneth Jay lane $99
24
StriPe & FielD $43 SET OF 12
aSoS $15
eSSie $8
CatbirD $710
anthroPologie $40
THE
COUTURE CONNOISSEUR We all have that hard-to-buy-for fashionista friend. Picks from blogger and editor BETH JONES of B. Jones Style make gift receipts a thing of the past.
mango $380
mary mCDonalD
SHOPPING CART
CONTACT FOR PRICE
SPiSani
$295
THE
INTERIORS AFICIONADO
maDeline Weinrib CONTACT FOR PRICE
La vita e bella. Give the gift
DWr
of the good life with luxe and
$55
dramatic finds from designer MARY MCDONALD.
26
huDSon bay $50
ParKer ingenuity
$190
Ceylon et Cie $1275
mary mCDonalD
$55
terrain $48 mary mCDonalD
$550
burn $50
27
BLOGGER
SIDE-BY-SIDE
Must-have party attire for a holiday fête? I wear all black for parties, with silver accessories such as a chunky ring or delicate scarf. Favorite holiday tradition? We tune into the European Broadcasting Union’s Christmas music from around the world. You’re hosting a bash at your place; what’s your standby festive cocktail? This year I’m going to try making a sparkling Asian Pear cocktail! What’s the seasonal treat you like to splurge on? I always pick up panettone from the local Italian deli. Go-to shopping spot for gifts? Etsy. It’s amazing. Most-wanted item from Santa? I’d love a vintage Knoll white Tulip side table. Any decorating tips for the holidays? You don’t need a tree to display tree ornaments; they’re just as pretty in a large glass vase. Best part about spending the holidays Up North? We always have a white Christmas! Three things you can’t live without. Deep red lipstick, my Mac computer, and chocolate. Natural gift you’d most like to possess? The ability to speak another language. Sadly I have no aptitude at all!
28
Lori
sanTa’s noT The only one makIng The norTh pole/souTh pole rounds. canuck lorI langIlle of auTomaTIsm and aussIe kaTIe QuInn davIes of whaT kaTIe aTe share how bloggers celebraTe on boTh sIdes of The eQuaTor.
Must-have party attire for a holiday fête? A pair of Pigalle Louboutins, black skinny Goldsign jeans, a sexy and simple strappy top. Favorite holiday tradition? Christmas Eve drinks at the local Irish bar. You’re hosting a bash at your place; what’s your standby festive cocktail? Irish coffees. What’s the seasonal treat you like to splurge on? Good Aussie Reds and amazing cheeses. Go-to shopping spot for gifts? A really good bookstore. Most-wanted item from Santa? New Hasselblad camera.
Katie
Any decorating tips for the holidays? Keep it simple. Stick to one or two colors on the tree and décor. Best part about spending the holidays Down Under? The warm weather and outdoor summery-vibe. Three things you can’t live without. My hubby Mick, my close friends and family, and music. Natural gift you’d most like to possess? Patience.
ILLUSTRATIONS: KATIE RODGERS
INSIDE SCOOP
30
Photography: William Meppem Copy: Chloe Roth Styling: Sibella Court
MEET THE DESIGNER:
tylist Interiors S
SIBELLA COURT YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE NOMADIC TO LIVE LIKE A NOMAD. ULTIMATE INTERIORS STYLIST, DESIGNER, AUTHOR, AND SHOP OWNER SIBELLA COURT SCOURED THE GLOBE FOR THE BEST IN COLOR, TEXTURE, AND CRAFT TO SPICE UP YOUR HOME. IN HER NEW BOOK, ‘NOMAD’, SIBELLA’S RACKED-UP FREQUENT FLIER MILES ARE NOW YOUR REWARD AS SHE SHARES PHOTOGRAPHS, TIPS, AND MANTELPIECE MASTERPIECES FROM HER TRAVELS.
How did you get into the business & how would you describe your design aesthetic? accidentally, when i was finishing my history degree. i have been styling just shy of 20 years. i travel extensively and have a love of detail and all things aesthetically beautiful. my appreciation crosses architecture, art, textile, furniture, flowers, product design, installation, old, and new.
31
When you start a new project, how do you begin? What is your design approach? If I am designing a space, I like to determine the function and who will be going there. Once this is established I build a color palette, then delve into the history and the story of the space. I do not believe in anything being too hard or too time-consuming. There should be a sense of fun and enjoyment in what you surround yourself with.
Every new project must come with challenges. What keeps you excited? My projects always have many layers. This allows me to delve into libraries, museums, shops, other countries, and to meet wonderful people along the way. I get excited easily. Anything from a new font, color combinations, nature, researching for a book, shooting with my favorite photographers. The list is endless.
You travel the world looking for inspiration. Any highlights from a recent stint abroad? There are so many! I just met the Anthropologie home design team in the Netherlands for Dutch Design Week. That was fantastic: fabulous designers, great company, and good restaurants. I finished my book tour last week and the final stop was Tasmania. The Museum of Old and New Art opened there recently, and it is mind-blowing. I could have visited every day for a week and still not had enough. Amazing!
So you essentially fell into designing. How would the two of you describe your design
What’s the secret to the flawlessly curated array of stunning, eclectic, and whimsical home decor in your Sydney-based boutique, The Society Inc. Store? Not sure about flawless. More like jumbling and sometimes a little dusty. Just magic and fantasy to inspire and delight.
A bustling shop, a brand new book, decorative hardware lines with Anthropologie, and clients knocking down your door. What’s next on your whirlwind schedule? I am finishing my next book, The Biography of a Bowerbird. It delves into the history of collecting, then goes through my extensive collections and offers ideas of display and how to incorporate them into your life. I am designing more product ranges with Anthropologie and more commercial spaces, including an island resort in the Maldives, a winery in Australia, and four restaurants. Fingers crossed, I’m setting up a studio next year in New York for my paint range and pairing my book The Stylist’s Guide to NYC with guided walking tours, workshops, and webinars.
In ‘Nomad’, you give readers tips for applying your favorite looks to their own homes. What inspired you? Why not give people ideas and the confidence to do it themselves? I like to show people how easy it is to be surrounded by the things they love.
The Details
Finally, any tips for an eyecatching holiday season? It’s all about yellow and pink this Christmas, with lots of shiny pretty things inbetween. It’s summer in Sydney, so I like the freshness of these colors. Think on the bright side!
HERE’S OUR INSPIRATION BOARD!
THE RUE 2011
HOLIDAY SURVIVAL GUIDE
PHOTOGRAPHY:
STYLING:
FLORALS:
TERI LYN FISHER
ANNE SAGE
FLOUR LA
38
DROP BEADS OF ALL SHAPES AND SIZES INTO CLEAR GLASS BALLS. DISPLAY THEM ON THE TREE OR AS A CENTERPIECE.
Bonus: This is great craft for kids.
CUSTOMIZE TO ANY COLOR PALETTE!
AllOccasion Festive Florals
WE USED CHINA MUMS, RANUNCULUS, LISIANTHUS, BILLY BALLS, AMARANTHUS, & GOLD CRAFT LEAVES TO CREATE AN ARRANGEMENT THAT RINGS IN JOY WHEREVER IT GOES.
NOT A POINSETTIA IN SIGHT…
MIX UP A
COME HITHER
FIZZY ON YOUR TONGUE & TOASTY IN YOUR TUM.
INTO EACH GLASS HALVE TWO KUMQUATS AND MUDDLE—IE. SQUISH THEM— WITH ONE TEASPOON BROWN SUGAR. POUR IN THREE OUNCES GINGER BEER AND ONE OUNCE RUM, OR MORE TO TASTE. CHEERS!
RUE COOKS
Cheers to a healthy, happy holiday season!
42
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE RECIPES!
ON AN OPEN FIRE CHESTNUTS PHOTOGRAPHY: JEN ALTMAN COPY & RECIPES: MARISSA LIPPERT
and fitting for cold weather, pomegranates and chestnuts top our wishlist this year. Pomegranates are bold in flavor, color and health, and drip with heart-healthy antioxidants, vitamin C and fiber. We’ve tossed the seeds into a lovely starter salad and used a quick puree for a holiday cocktail as
For most of us, the entire month of December
gorgeous as it tastes!
is a winter whirlwind of cocktail parties, decked-
Chestnuts, tried and true for the season, can
out events, celebratory dinners, and holiday treats
be had elsewhere, aside from roasting on an
galore. and we love every ounce of it, but we also
open fire. these starchy nuts are actually lower
love finding a fresh angle for just about everything,
in calories than most others and are high in
particularly delicious dishes that cause a stir, and,
fiber and vitamin C. For an easy entrée that’s
at their core, happen to be healthful and balanced.
just as perfect for a large group or romantic
after all, it’s pretty nice to feel fabulous before,
dinner for two, roast chestnuts and then toss
during and after the holidays, no?
them into a risotto. they’ll add a slightly sweet,
So, as always, we’re culling inspiration from seasonal ingredients, which make even the
naturally creamy richness guaranteed to melt any guest’s heart.
simplest of meals shine. to keep things interesting
43
HOLIDAY ISSUE 2011
45
46
JINGLE ELLE
RING IN THE SEASON WITH LOOKS INSPIRED BY THE PLAYFUL CHARM OF THE ICONIC SOUTHERN BELLE.
Photography: Lara Rossignol Styling: Emily Sistruck Hair Styling & Wigs: David Hamblem Make-up: Faith Brooks Model: Grace Boven for Factor Women, Atlanta Location Coordinator & Valiant Owner: Jordan Sandlim, Fattycakes House Courtesy of: Steve Gorman in Historic Northcrest Modern, Atlanta.
47
48
ANTHROPOLOGIE
LOEWE, JEFFREY
49
dinnerware: Anthropologie champagne glasses: Roost napkin: Paper Trail
MCGINN, NEIMAN MARCUS
52
OSCAR DE LA RENTA, JEFFREY
54
TRINA TURK
TRINA TURK
JUICY COUTURE, ENDLESS
KATE SPADE, BLOOMINGDALES
REPUBLIC GUITARS, DALLAS TEXAS GREEN DRESS ON COVER OSCAR DE LA RENTA, SAKS FIFTH AVENUE
BROOCH - VINTAGE COVER SHOT AND FINAL LOCATION COURTESY OF: JONATHAN ADLER STORE, ATLANTA.
56
MARC BY MARC JACOBS, ENDLESS
57
DESIGN LOFT FEST
58
TakIng a cue from her vIbranT and vIvacIous graphIc desIgn sTyle, RUE’S ART DIRECTOR BRI EMERY puTs The fInIshIng Touches on her downTown los angeles home. PHOTOGRAPHY: BONNIE TSANG COPY: ANNE SAGE STYLING: EMILY HENDERSON ADDITIONAL PROPS: DISREGARDEN VIDEOGRAPHY: SON OF SHARK PIG
59
The Industrial District of Los Angeles gives new meaning to the zoning designation
‘mixed use’ 60
Artists load supplies from battered vans into studios with sweeping skyline views; film grunts scurry through the streets, precariously balancing call sheets and cardboard trays of iced mochas; in an alleyway a scavenger determinedly strips the entrails from an abandoned Wurlizter organ. Anything goes here in the shadow of LA’s once-deserted manufacturing district, and it’s in this increasingly bustling neighborhood that Rue’s Art Director Bri Emery has recently settled. Bri moved into this apartment last June, and it’s a marked change from her previous house—a 1920’s bungalow in a purely residential part of town. The decision to relocate from a quaint craftsman to a modern loft was a strategic one. “It’s amazing how much my taste has transformed in the last two years,” she says. “I wanted something that I wouldn’t tire of as my style continued to change.’ And indeed, with concrete floors, soaring ceilings, and exposed fixtures, this openconcept space was a blank canvas awaiting Bri’s vision.
It comes as no surprise that this vision is constantly evolving, given the constant glut of inspiration to which Bri exposes herself. In addition to her position as Rue’s Art Director, she is also the founder of the wildly popular blog designlovefest. Her twice daily musings on fashion, interiors, food, and beyond have earned her a reputation as one of the most innovative influencers on the web. More recently, she has partnered with photographer Angela Kohler to create Blogshop, an intensive weekend workshop designed to give bloggers the Photoshop skills they need to take their sites to the next level. As well, she takes on a freelance clients for branding projects. Given how busy Bri has been these past six months, it’s a wonder she managed to unpack a single box, let alone redecorate this whole space.
62
CLICK TO PLAY VIDEO
63
“Combinations you wouldn’t expect: that’s where the
magic happens.”
Of course the move wasn’t a complete overhaul. Bri built a foundation with much-loved items transferred from her old place in Silver Lake: a wooden farm table custom built to her specifications by a local craftsman, a powder-coated desk that looks straight from the map room of a military submarine, a red leather neo-Baroque chair snagged for $15 on Sunset Boulevard. It’s a mix that is typical not only of Bri’s general inclincation but of her graphic design approach in particular. “What appeals to me most is that juxtaposition. Eclectic meets girly, colorful meets neutral. Combinations you wouldn’t expect: that’s where the magic happens.”
65
66
69
70
Bri stuck with this ‘mix-and-matchand-mix’ philosophy in furnishing the rest of the loft. It was a strategy that worked well not only with her taste and personality but one that maintained domestic harmony with her boyfriend Arian. A mechanical engineer and filmmaker with his own strong sensibilities, he and Bri happily agreed on the rustic industrial tone of the living and kitchen area, and they compromised when she suggested they bring a lighter and more feminine feel to the bedroom. The give-andtake continued as the two built out their art collection, mixing her love of typography and quirky illustration with his passion for music posters and vintage album covers—and making Bri all the more grateful for those clean, expansive white walls!
71
72
The framed and pinned-up artwork, the thoughtfully selected pieces big and small, old and new: with all of these elements in place, the temptation to sit back and call the loft ‘done’ is strong. But Bri knows that as a the home of a creative entrepreneur, her space— like her work—will never truly be finished. Blogshop has already taken her to New York and Portland, Paris and Berlin; plans for Boston, Seattle, and London lie just over the horizon. If the past two years of blogging have altered her style so drastically, who knows what exponential effect travel could have on her aesthetic? Only one thing is for sure: when Bri returns, her canvas will await her.
75
76
NEW ENGLAND DESIGNER RACHEL REIDER PUTS HER SIGNATURE TOUCH ON AN 1813 FEDERALIST MANSION-TURNED-B&B. PHOTOGRAPHY: EMILY JOHNSTON ANDERSON INTERIOR DESIGN: RACHEL REIDER COPY: SHOKO WANGER
as is the case at many bed and breakfasts, each of the nine guestrooms at the Captain Fairfield inn in Kennebunkport, maine has a name. and why not, considering that the rooms are distinct, not only in terms of location, but personality as well. among them, there’s the polished Sweet liberty, wallpapered in cream; the plush Parsons, with silvery accents and a zebra-print headboard; and stately James, outfitted with a regal four-poster bed and a cornflower blue chaise.
77
THESE MODERN TOUCHES,
which help set the Captain Fairfield apart from other bed and breakfasts in the coastal town, reflect its recent renovations. Nearly two-hundred years old—and in operation as a bed and breakfast for thirty years—the Inn was in need of a facelift by the time it was purchased by its current owners, Rob and Leigh Blood, in 2004. Hoping to establish their inn as “Kennebunkport’s boutique choice,” there was much work to be done. Enter Boston-based interior designer, Rachel Reider. “For my 30th birthday, my husband surprised me with a weekend away at what turned out to be the Captain Fairfield Inn,” she remembers. “It was
81
82
83
“I loved that they wanted to keep the unique and personalized elements of a bed and breakfast but rid themselves of the outdated lace and doily décor.”
84
soon after the owners had bought it, and it was in need of modernization. I started talking to the inn keepers, and it was clear from the start that we had a shared vision for what the inn could be.” “I loved that they wanted to keep the unique and highly personalized elements of a bed and breakfast but rid themselves of the outdated lace and doily décor. Now, guests will find all the amenities a modern-day traveler looks for, along with sophisticated color palettes, a diverse array of patterns, and rich textures. It’s a chic mix of old meets new.” Most important to Rob, Leigh, and Rachel was ensuring that one didn’t overpower the other: ‘old’ details, including wide-plank pine floors, period moldings, and the glass-framed front door remained; ‘new’ additions, such as eye-catching wallpaper and unexpected paint colors, provided needed updates. Not that the changes were always easy to take. “To me, ‘boutique’ means unique, highly customized, and inventive,” Rachel says. “I felt we really needed to push the design envelope. Rob and Leigh trusted my vision, but some of the selections were still a bit of a shock.” The navy paint in the lounge, for example, was a hard sell that ultimately proved worthwhile. “The dark color creates the perfect cozy atmosphere,” says Rachel. In addition, she continues, “We only wallpapered the headboard walls in the bedrooms. This allowed us to select some bolder patterns I might have had a hard time convincing my clients to use everywhere!”
85
Her favorite room in the house? That’s easy. “My namesake, the Rachel,” she says. “I love the subtle blue-gray of the textured grasscloth walls, juxtaposed with the vibrant green velvet headboard and the fuchsia and plum drapes. It’s an unusual color combination, and it was definitely a leap of faith for Rob and Leigh.” However, as always, their trust paid off. “It turns out it’s everyone’s favorite room, including theirs!”
WITH A LOT OF INGENUITY AND A SWING OF THE SLEDGEHAMMER, ROBERT & CORTNEY NOVOGRATZ TRANSFORM A CRAMPED CO-OP INTO AN INTIMATE BACHELOR PAD. PHOTOGRAPHY: MATTHEW WILLIAMS INTERIOR DESIGN: ROBERT AND CORTNEY NOVOGRATZ COPY: HENRY WILSON
88
89
Situated in a lovely older building in New York’s historic Gramercy Park neighborhood is the one-bedroom apartment that Emmy award-winning producer David Perler calls home. When David decided his co-op needed a facelift, he turned to husband and wife design team of Bravo! and HGTV fame Bob and Cortney Novogratz, who are known for their vintagemodern aesthetic, and for mixing high and low pieces. “We felt right off that the space was amazing, but it needed to be opened up,” say the Novogratz. And that’s exactly what they did. They star ted by taking down a wall between the kitchen and living room, which created a much more spacious environment. “That really enhanced the apartment in a major way”. Stepping into the living room, you are greeted with a vibe that is at once eclectic and curated, spacious yet inviting, and comfortable but sleek. This was exactly the Novogratz’s intention. “We went for an industrial feel, but still cozy and warm. David did not want a lot of color in his home, but we brought in enough to make the whole space work.” Speaking of color, the Novogratz’s were able to incorporate hues from their collaborative line with Stark paint. Using Tudo Bem on the walls and Piano White on the trim set the
91
and Piano White on the trim set the stage for their vision to play out. Because David is such an avid collector and flea-market aficionado, many of his finds were included throughout the home. “David had a lot of treasures. We loved his collection and worked with him to showcase his pieces in the most advantageous and chic way!” Many of the pieces were found throughout New York City, which contributes to the urbane vibe throughout the apartment. To balance out these vintage marvels, modern pieces were brought in, and the collection was edited to keep an airy feel. The Novogratz, in collaboration with art expert Bill Powers, helped David curate a vibrant art collection,
94
““Sometimes it is difficult to seamlessly blend a client’s belongings with the new pieces we bring in, but we always manage to work it out.”
95
and they crafted extra places for storage to keep these bits organized and on display. “Sometimes it is difficult to seamlessly blend a client’s belongings with the new pieces we bring in, but we work it out. Storage is always an issue, especially for city dwellers, have enough room!” Much of the budget was allocated
96
to remodeling the kitchen, where Ikea cabinetry was installed and dressed with upscale hardware to add a refined appearance. With a French-Industrial island as the focal point of the kitchen, the same continuity was maintained from room to room. Minimal accessories were required to accentuate this newly revamped space.
98
Next, the bedroom was furnished with bedding from Restoration Hardware, a desk from City Foundry and a Smoke Jug Pendant Lamp from ABC Carpet and Home for a pared-down look that still has interest. To add more storage space, custom California Closets were installed. Working together is an easy give-and-take flow for the Novogratz. As they remark, “We don’t always agree on everything, but we talk it through and do what is best for the project and the client, while staying true to our creative vision.” This is quite evident
This is quite evident in the final outcome of the design, to which Mr. Perler certainly agrees. The Novogratz note that upon the reveal, “David was enthusiastic, and he loved every aspect of the project, from the floor plan and art, to the decor and increased storage, our visions overlapped in a very complementary way. He was totally happy, and so are we.”
99
PHOTOGRAPHY: JASMINE STAR STYLING: JESI HAACK DESIGN FLORALS: HONEY AND POPPIES STATIONERY: PITBULLS & POSIES CATERING: HEIRLOOM LA DESSERTS: CUPCAKES COUTURE FURNITURE: YEAH, RENTALS TABLETOP: CASA DE PERRIN COPY: ANNE SAGE
100
ONCE U PO N A
TABLE PILES OF PRICELESS CHINA? STACKS OF SPARKLING SILVERWARE? A UNICORN OR TWO? STEP INTO THE GLITTERING TREASURE TROVE OF BOUTIQUE RENTAL COMPANY CASA DE PERRIN.
101
102
Most fairytales don’t start with a wedding; they end with one. They take place in a rambling palace in a distant land, not in a snug bungalow in Venice, California. And they definitely don’t begin with the prince and princess washing their own dishes the day after they get hitched. But then again, the story of Casa de Perrin is no ordinary fairytale. There is the requisite ‘Once upon a time’: the boy-meets-girl coupling of Josh and Diana Perrin. An architectural photographer and a food stylist, the two bonded over a shared love of Craigslist finds and road trip snacks before becoming engaged in the Spring of 2010. They planned much of their wedding decor themselves, gathering china from flea markets when they found no local vendor to rent the vintage pieces they desired. It was while hand-scrubbing those very same plates the day after their nuptials that Josh and Diana had an epiphany; they would expand their stock and fill the hole in the vintage tableware rental market. And thus Casa de Perrin was born. It was then that the real magic began—not with the wave of a wand or a sprinkle of fairy dust,
104
105
but with countless mornings waking at dawn to beat treasure hunters at estate sales and junk yards; long days delivering place settings to the event planners and art directors who quickly caught wind of Casa de Perrin’s exclusive inventory; late nights reading ‘The Practical Book of Chinaware’ (Copyright 1936) to memorize china patterns and makers’ stamps. Solid relationships were built, and fragile Depression glass was broken. An interest in collecting became an obsession with the hunt, conveniently disguised as an exhilarating, challenging, and creatively
106
satisfying endeavor. “This history of this stuff is incredible,” says Diana. An exuberant brunette, she could sell porcelain to Wedgewood himself and will not bat an eyelash when you suggest a duo of ponies be delivered to her backyard. Josh—a smidgeon more restrained than his wife but just barely—adds, “The more we learn about it, the more amazed we are. We started Casa de Perrin because we love collecting tableware, but now we can’t get enough about the role of it in history, about the stories it tells.” And their journeys have left them with more than
a few stories themselves. They’ll regale you with tales of back alley Czech crystal trades, wild goose chases in search of a rare and elusive Art Deco tray, repeat runins with the cutlery equivalent of a crazy cat lady. “We’ve come across some real characters, that’s for sure,” Diana laughs. The adventures are sure to continue, for as the acquisitions of Casa de Perrin expand, so too do to the opportunities that Josh and Diana face. With his background as a professional photographer, her styling experience, and their partnerships with planners, designers, and editors, the stars
are aligned for a very happily ever after. The couple has progressed from simply loaning their pieces for shoots and events to being involved in the production thereof; an international buying trips is in the works. Which begs the question: perhaps Josh and Diana aren’t a prince and princess at all, but crusading knights in search of a complete set of black Jasperware saucers? And they’re now accepting applications for squires with a talent for washing dishes.
107
108
110
111
HAPPY HOLIDAYS! JOIN US ON FACEBOOK ...AND TWITTER TOO!