I am not a hat person. Even when I am wearing a hat for function I feel like it’s not me and I know I look like I am trying too hard to make it work. Of course, that hasn’t stopped me from trying. This year’s attempt is a high, high crown, wide, wide, wide brim palm leaf one from Madewell (communitie $69). My inspiration: a local landscape worker wearing one similar. He looked natty in his. So, you know, I may look good in one too, right? So far, I haven’t left out of the house wearing it. But, I will, maybe, one day. Maybe to the beach? It’s a beautiful hat. It really is.
Time Capsule Decor
Last year, I came across the real estate sales listing from my paternal grandparents’ former home. It has passed hands to two other families since they owned the home.
I eagerly scanned the photos to see if my memory served me well. I was blown away how in the 22 years since my grandmother died, her house including kitchen and bathrooms were still meticulously intact. They were dated when I was a little girl. Today’s Wall Street Journal Mansion section, (yes, my favorite) features homes for sale that are in demand precisely because they are still untouched by a another decade’s imprint. No wall of mirrors from the 1980’s, great rooms from the 1990’s, grey grouted subway tile from the aughts, or matte applicances from the 2000 teens.
It’s fascinating to me that I could step in the room as if time stood still and my life never progressed.
The photos included are the actual current MLS photos of my grandparents former home.
Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree
Jane Fonda/Century City Townhouse WSJ.com
Jane Fonda/CenturyCity Townhouse WSJ.com
Pottery Barn Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree
Target Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree
The fiddle leaf fig tree has reached its level of ubiquity in decor. This morning, while reading my favorite Friday Wall Street Journal section, Mansion, I spotted the plant move about in the photos of a feature about Jane Fonda’s newly purchased townhome in LA. It felt like a Where’s Waldo game. I will admit, it does give a great shot of green and depth to any room. I do believe it will date the room one day, similar to the spider ferns hanging from baskets in the 1970’s. The are available in an array of price levels but still aren’t cheap at the low end. I don’t have one, but I think I may one day soon.
Wrap it up.
Vince
Banana Republic
Gap
In fresh fabrics and textures– suede, wool, or denim, belted sweaters/shirts/jackets are appearing at an increasing rate this season. I love the finished feminine look. There is something seventies about it paired over flared jeans.
The things we will do….
I am not a beauty junkie by any means but when a favorite beauty product goes MIA or worse, discontinued, I am none too happy. I still think about Clinque Sun Gold lip gloss and OPI nail gel color “Don’t Burst My Bubble”. For the past 6 years I have been buying these mini lip glosses on eBay from the same seller. I think they were only available in the Gap Stores for one Christmas season but I love how tiny they are (they fit in that little pocket in my jeans) and how little color they actually deposit on my lips no matter what they look like in the tube. They arrive by mail looking illicit in a zip loc bag. Oooh. I think my source is out of them after this shipment. What will I do?
Compromise
The compromise of decorating a space starts as soon as you as you care how you live. For some, it begins when your parent tells you that how to keep your bedroom differently than how you want it. What ensues is either a capitulation or triumph, or a compromise.
Living with a significant other can be like that too. I have friends who’s husbands do not care one bit about decor but they vehemently care about the cost. Others, who are more rare, have carte blanche to spend luxuriously on furnishings of their choice without a peep from their significant other.
And then there are the partners that care about both. That is the hardest. I am lucky that my husband and I are most often than not, on the same page with both cost and design sensibility. In fact, when I trust his judgement I am often happily surprised how wrong I was.
A certain, very expensive leather recliner is 10-12 weeks in my future. Aesthetically, I am concerned. But lovingly, I am not. Good design includes love and tolerance.
Decorating via Rationalization
Anthropologie Circa 1997
Avery Boardman Circa 1995
When Pantone, the color forecasting agency, announces the color of the year, the design world spreads the word through blogs, magazines,social media and news articles. It is an event.
I just need to reference the clip from “The Devil Wears Prada” where Miranda Priestly explains the importance of color proclaimations on international commerce to silence any derision.
This year, Pantone declared “Greenery” the color of 2017. Instead of running out and throwing down some green on green, I walk around my house and see how what I already own fits the news. Aha, I have two green sofas. There you go. I’m good.
