moss green

Today’s post explores the depth and beauty of moss green…rich with complex layers of yellow, brown and gray, it is a versatile neutral that compliments almost any other hue…may you be inspired by one of my favorite colors…

Chester Geissler

Anne-Marie Midy and Jorge Almada

Christopher Knight and Carlos Aponte

Gwynn Griffith

Tricia Huntley

Paul Gauguin

Michele Bonan

Kara Mann

Martyn Lawrence-Bullard

Steven Gambrel

Stephen Sills

Muriel Brandolini

Karen Tusinski

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well read ~ part two

“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.” ~ Charles W. Eliot

Wishing you a lovely weekend!

Hallberg & Wisely

Haynes-Roberts

J. Randall Powers

Jacques Grange

James Huniford

John Minshaw

John Saladino

Juan Pablo Molyneux

Kara Mann

Karin Blake

Lars Bolander

Lauren Gold

Luis Bustamante

Magnus Lundgren

Mary McDonald

Meichi Peng

Michael Smith

Michele Bonan

Miles Redd

Nina Griscom

Richard Shapiro

Robert Couturier

Sheila Harley

Steven Volpe

Suzanne Rheinstein

Ted Tuttle

Thomas Jayne

Thomas O’Brien

Tricia Huntley

Vicente Wolf

William Frawley

Windsor Smith

Yves Saint Laurent

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the art of editing

the art of editing…

chefs, composers, architects, poets, filmmakers, designers, painters…

all who create, edit…it is an integral part of the artistic process…

sometimes it is the silent pause or the blank space that creates a masterpiece

above ~ Antony Todd

above ~ Betsy Brown

above ~ Charles Spada

above ~ C|S Architecture

above ~ Darryl Carter

above ~ Haynes-Roberts

above ~ Henrik Busk

above ~ John Minshaw

above ~ Kara Mann

above ~ Mar Silver

above ~ Meichi Peng

above ~ Stephen Sills

above ~ Steven Volpe

above ~ Studio Ko

above ~ Vicente Wolf

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living with photography ~ 15 inspired interiors

above, Kara Mann

Today’s post features fifteen of my favorite interiors…they are memorable for many reasons but today, they have one common thread…their artful use of photography…in each space, the designer thoughtfully incorporates photography into the environment…some with a bold gesture, (as with the Kara Mann designed dining room above) others with a small gem, that bring you closer for a more intimate look…whether a virtuosic solo or a large symphonic grouping, these interiors lovingly highlight the beauty of photography…

below, Steven Volpe

below, Windsor Smith

below, Vicente Wolf

below, Steven Gambrel

below, Darryl Carter

below, Thomas O’Brien

below, Meichi Peng

below, Susan Chalom

below, Richard Avedon

below, Todd Romano

below, Jacques Grange

below, Antony Todd

below, John Chrestia

below, Thom Filicia

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jean de merry

above, Kara Mann designed Lake Forest Showhouse

“A thoughtful eye” is a remarkable journey, one whose path is forever evolving right before my very eyes…each new discovery leads me to the next, magically layering in ways I never could have imagined…I’m always amazed at how many of these new discoveries connect back to one another…maybe it’s because my eye is drawn to a similar aesthetic, maybe it’s pure coincidence, or maybe it’s a little of both…when it does happen, I feel as though I’ve been given a special gift…an affirmation of sorts, encouraging me to continue down this road of learning and exploration…happily, that is what this blog is all about…

A few days ago I posted about the stylish interior designer Kara Mann. I couldn’t wait to research and post about the exquisite product lines she carries at her Chicago Showroom, Kara Mann, LTD. Interestingly, I was pleased to learn that two of the fifteen lines, Richard Shaprio and Ochre, are companies that I already posted about! In addition, the Lumiere Chandelier (pictured above and below), designed by Jean de Merry and featured in Kara Mann’s Lake Forest Showhouse, is a piece I had fallen in love with years ago after seeing it in person at BG, the Kelly Wearstler designed restaurant in Manhattan. Having loved this piece, I tried to research its origin but came up empty handed until the other day! So here we are with today’s post, one of my thrilling new discoveries, Jean de Merry, a company synonymous with luxury, quality and innovation. The Jean de Merry brand began back in 2000 with their signature line of club chairs crafted by artisans of hand dyed and hand aged leather. Before long, they began designing and manufacturing complementary furniture collections with a French art deco influence. Seating, lighting, casegoods, mirrors, and most recently textiles, Jean de Merry creates heirlooms for the future. Timeless yet innovative designs crafted by exceptional artisans…please enjoy some of my old and new favorites…

If you have a little time over the weekend, I highly recommend exploring the Jean de Merry website…in addition to their gorgeous products, they have an inspirational “Magazine” filled with people and places that embody their passion for beauty, innovation and excellence…a great escape and just a click away! Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

below, Kelly Wearstler designed BG restaurant at Bergdorf Goodman, NYC

below, Lumiere Chandelier by JDM ~ available in three sizes with multiple finishes, antiqued brass, ebonized metal, polished nickel or satin nickel, shown in antiqued brass finish

below, Alba Nesting Tables – Round by JDM ~ set of solid bronze nesting tables, shown in antiqued natural parchment top (free form), antiqued bronze finish on base

below, Hexa Lamp by JDM ~ wood base available in antiqued faux parchment or metallic white gold leaf, shade finish is a hand painted dark walnut paper shade

below, Cassetto Cabinet by JDM ~ walnut veneer on solid maple, hand painted animal motifs, gilded metal base, shown with doors in antiqued yellow gold leaf finish, frame with brazilian cafe lacquer, metal base with antiqued gilded finish

below, Kara Mann designed Lake Forest Showhouse featuring pieces by JDM

below, Yvan armchair by JDM ~ walnut frame, hand tied coil spring seat, shown in JDM leather #10/saint germain, brown satin finish

below, Diana Credenza by JDM ~ reverse painting, scene of diana at the hunt, gold or silver background, shown in gold backround, bronze glass on legs, top and sides, antiqued bronze caps on legs

below, Jacky armchair by JDM ~ french spring, feather down envelope seat cushion, shown here in JDM leather #05/wenge, antiqued greige shagreen finish

below, Arago console table by JDM ~ solid bronze base, shown with amber mica top and antiqued bronze base

photos and resources from Jean de Merry, Kara Mann and Kelly Wearstler

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classically modern

Kara Mann creates interiors that blend her love of classical architecture with her passion for artful innovation…refreshingly new with a respectful nod to tradition…it’s rare to find interiors that speak so effortlessly to the past and the future…one of my favorites is her Lake Forest Showhouse (pictured above)…it’s a perfect example of marrying modern with tradition…the strong edgy form of the Jean De Merry designed Lumiere Chandelier blissfully coexists with the classical lines of the Richard Shapiro upholstered sofa and chair…not only has she successfully mixed modern with classical but she carefully orchestrated the shapes, colors and textures of the space to achieve a perfectly balanced interior…simply divine!

above, Lake Forest Showhouse

“It’s about the littlest detail. The smallest moment. A lot of people can put a room together but it’s the energy created by the tinest details that take you to the next level as a designer.” ~ Kara Mann

below, Dream Home

“I’m always drawn to Classic architecture but like to hit it with a dose of edge – whatever that may be – to create the energy. Maybe that’s what most influenced me – knowing you can live with history but move the path forward without disregarding it.”  ~ Kara Mann

below, Desert Retreat

below, Lakeview Residence

below, Lake Forest Estate

below, Michigan Avenue Residence

below, Ocean Front Villa

photos from Kara Mann, quotes from 1st dibs

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kara mann

Today’s post features an artful and edgy interior by Chicago based interior designer Kara Mann. The first time I heard about the incredibly chic and talented designer was in an article published by the 1st dibs online magazine “Introspective” as part of their “The Talent” series. She grew up in a home designed by her mother who had an incredible eye for all things beautiful, think Coco Chanel meets Julia Child! Kara’s childhood was filled with “beautiful meals, beautiful rooms, a beautiful life…but, she exclaims, we never knew where the sofa would be when we came home!” This early and consistent exposure to great design helped her evolve into the successful and passionate designer she is today. Her design firm, Kara Mann Design, opened in November of 2005 followed by her Chicago showroom, featuring lines that were not yet available in the mid-west. “I felt as though Chicago could not only embrace them but deserved the best, so we took on a loft-like space to properly represent them,” says Kara. Richard Shapiro, Ochre and Trace are just some of the extraordinary lines you will find at her unique showroom. (check out my archives for posts about Richard Shapiro and Ochre!) Recently named to “The Vogue 100,” she is a trendsetter and style maker for the 21st century. May you enjoy this innovative and provocative interior as much as I do…I absolutely love her use of large scale photography…my favorite, the trio of images in the dining room set against the strong dark wall…so powerful and confident…I love it!

above and below, Lake Shore Drive Penthouse ~ photos & resources from Kara Mann and 1st dibs

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