Navid Baraty-NYC

I am looking forward to spending some time in NYC over the holidays.

New York has always been one of my favorite cities and the place I feel most at home. I love these images of the city from renown photographer Navid Baraty. These seem to capture both the beauty and chaos that are the essence of The Big Apple.

Enjoy the holidays wherever you might be spending them!

Pantone 2013

It looks like Pantone and I are on the same page, as they recently named Emerald Green the color of the year for 2013. They describe the hue as "a color of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony,"

Here are some more inspiring emerald images from the world of fashion, art & interiors:

Image via SR Gambrel

Colored Paper Image II (Dark Green Curves) by Ellsworth Kelly

Image via Harper's Bazaar

Image via Sartorialist

Image via SR Gambrel

Miserden Park, England 2000 by Lynn Geesaman

Alpina Gstaad

The Alpina, a $337 million dollar luxury hotel, just opened last weekend in the famous Swiss ski village of Gstaad. It is the first five start hotel to open there in over a century. The hotel will feature a 20,000 square foot spa, two pools, a movie theater, wine room, three restaurants and 56 rooms. Strict building codes required the hotel to fit in with the nearby chalets so it was constructed out of wood salvaged from old farmhouses and limestone mined locally. The rustic chic interiors seem a perfect pairing to the picturesque views that surround it. 

The Fabulous Fireplace

There are not many things that I enjoy about the weather getting colder but one of them is a nice warm fire. One of my favorite sources for beautiful fireplace accessories is John Lyle Design.  All of their pieces are custom made of solid bronze and are available in a variety of different finishes.

Lafayette

Opening next month in NoHo, is a new French restaurant called Lafayette from Daniel Boulud's protege Andrew Carmellini.  The interiors, which were designed by Roman and Williams, will feature blue leather banquettes, a zinc hooded rotisserie, and a huge bar clock lit in Musee d'Orsay-esque lighting. The menu will focus on rustic dishes from the south of France, instead of traditional brasserie fare. They will also have an in-house bakery making classics like pain de noix. Lafayette 380 Lafayette Street, NYC.

Rendering by Roman and Williams

Popham Design Factory

One of the highlights of my trip was going to the Popham Design factory in Marrakesh to meet with the lovely owners Caitlin and Samuel. I am currently using their Hex Target tile on a project so it was fascinating to go to source and see how they were made. Cement tiles are traditionally used in Morocco for both interior and exterior applications. Popham Design uses the same century old process to make the tiles but they have a modern design sensibility that makes them fresh and unique. 

Marrakech Guide

Having just returned from a fabulous trip to Marrakech, I put together a short list of my favorite spots:

 WHERE TO STAY

LA MAMOUNIA

For the first part of my trip, I stayed at the storied La Mamounia Hotel, located just outside the walls of the medina. The hotel has been host to famous guests like Winston Churchill since the 1920's, but received a complete overhaul from French designer Jacques Garcia a few years back. My favorite spot was the spa pool pictured below. Avenue Bab Jdid

RIAD DIX NEUF LA KSOUR

Located within the medina, a few minutes from Djam El Fn'a Square this charming riad was elegantly designed with vintage Beni Ourain rugs and a neutral palette. The staff is extremely helpful, gracious and welcoming. 19 rue Sidi El Yamani-Bab Ksour

KASBAH TAMADOT

Owned by Sir Richard Branson,  Kasbah Tamadot is set in the snow capped Atlas Mountains, about one hours drive from Marrakech. It is perfect for a leisurely lunch or an oasis from the chaotic pace of Marrakech. 

ROYAL MANSOUR

The Royal Mansour hotel was built at the behest of  Morocco's King Mohammed VI. He hired the finest craftsmen in the country and worked with an unlimited budget.  It was designed to resemble an entire medina so the scale and attention to detail are breathtaking. With 2 restaurants and 3 bars, it a fabulous destination for a predinner drink. Rue Abou Abbas El Sebti

WHERE TO EAT

TERRASSE DES EPICES

This terrace restaurant overlooking Cherifia Souk is the perfect spot for lunch while shopping in the medina. They have a great selection of international and Moroccan fare. Souk Cherifa 15

KECHMARA

This modern bistro located in the Gueliz had a fantastic rooftop and seemed to be the hangout for all the chic European expats in town. 3 Rue de la Liberte

GRANDE CAFE DE LA POSTE

Originally built in the 1920's as a post office, Grande Cafe de la Poste has a relaxed colonial ambiance and a extensive bistro menu. The outdoor tables under the covered front balcony are great for people watching. Blvd El Mansour Addahbi

LA SALAMA

This relatively new restaurant in the medina is a great spot for upscale Moroccan food as well as entertaining belly dancers. 40 Rue des Banques

Creel and Gow

Next time I am in NYC, the new boutique Creel and Gow is definitely on my list. Specializing in rare specimens from nature and artisanal objects they have an array of taxidermy, rare minerals, coral, fossils and decorative objects. The idea for the shop came after the owners took a trip to the Galapagos Islands and thought it would be fun to have a store where everything came from Mother Nature.  The products are all responsibility sourced (coming from zoos after animals have pasted naturally), vintage or reproduction. 131 East 70th Street, NYC.

Images from Architectural Digest

Madeline Weinrib Sample Sale

The Madeline Weinrib sample sale will be held October 24-28 at ABC Carpet & Home in NYC.
It is a great opportunity to get their carpets, pillows, fabric by the yard, furniture and accessories at 40-70%. 881 Broadway, Lower Level, NYC.

Jonathan Browning

Beautiful drapery hardware is not an easy thing to come by, so I was really happy to discover Jonathan Browning while at Holly Hunt in NYC this past week.  Their collection of cast bronze hardware takes inspiration from the French Industrial and Decorative Arts of the 1920's, 30's and 40's.  They have a number of different designs and finishes but they all evoke a clean modern aesthetic.. Here are some of my personal favorites: