ROSEMARY HALLGARTEN: much more than meets the eye

Texture lovers rejoice! Today D has gathered a sensory smorgasbord of tactile goodies from the portfolio of one of my favorite textile artists, Rosemary Hallgarten. The Rosemary Hallgarten brand all began with a few rugs in the late 1990s, when Rosemary left her job in advertising to follow in her mother’s footsteps as a designer and maker of rugs. Since that time, Rosemary’s collection has grown to include not only rugs, but everything from luxurious fabrics, plush throws, pillows, and even scarves. While it doesn’t take much to see the inherent beauty in her designs, Rosemary has a fascinating behind the scenes story when it comes to how she runs her business – which from the beginning has been guided by two simple, if ambitious, goals; one – to provide sustainable product to her clients and two – to support textile artisans in indigenous cultures.

Today, the Hallgarten line is produced from the following sustainable sources: 1. Peruvian Alpaca fur, harvested from alpacas that roam freely and are shorn only once a year, 2. Tibetan wool, harvested from Himalayan sheep, 3. Tibetan Cactus, Nettle and Hemp fiber, produced entirely by hand in Nepal – these botanicals are the most environmentally friendly materials available in rug design today, and 4. Brazilian Cotton, Wool, Rustic Silk, Banana, Leather, Jute and Sisal – all harvested by local farmers without damage to indigenous forests. As for the weaving – the majority of Rosemary’s products are hand-made by Peruvian, Nepalese and Brazilian craftspeople who carry out the dyeing, tufting, knotting, weaving and embroidery in the comfort of their own homes. No child labor is used in the production of any of Rosemary’s products and she is actively involved in a number of related philanthropic projects. And now on to D’s selection of favorites…

Rosemary’s Foam Alpaca Boucle Fabric is ideal for pillows, bed covers and upholstery. It’s ‘more durable than cashmere and double the luxury’.

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Andra Birkerts upholstered these fantastic chairs using Rosemary’s Foam Alpaca Boucle Fabric in a custom combination of Persimmon and Oatmeal.

Stonehenge – an ultra plushy rug made of alpaca/wool and alpaca boucle fibers. How irresistible?!

Designer Robert Couturier used Rosemary’s Stonehenge rug to great effect in the contemporary living room of a client’s Manhattan apartment.

Rosemary’s ombre scarves made of baby alpaca fur are available through AHAlife ($210). The ombre pattern is also available in throw form, as well as in swaths of alpaca linen fabric, which makes for stunning curtains.

The Suri Fur Pillow is made from the finest quality alpaca fur in the world. No alpacas are harmed in the making of these pillows.

Part of Rosemary’s new collection, the Shadow Stripes Throw is made from hand-finished and brushed baby alpaca fleece. Ultra light yet warm – these nautical-inspired throws are perfect for year round use.

The Ultra Boucle collection of pillows and throws.

The Cannelloni with leather Scarf, made from alpaca fur, is currently on sale for $120 through Rosemary Hallgarten. It is also made in throw form.

Hot off the presses, and part of Rosemary’s most recent collection, are these Ombre Silk rug tiles. Composed of handwoven 100 knot silk, the tiles are available in custom colors, sizes and may be arranged and re-arranged to suit your space and mood. Fun, practical and beautiful!

In sum – a successful business, a gorgeous line of products and a process that cares for the land, animals and people involved in its production is no small feat, and certainly a model of inspiration to us all. See and learn more about Rosemary Hallgarten and her products at rosemaryhallgarten.com.

Photos: 1. 3. ALT For Lifestyles, 2. House Beautiful, 4, 7, 9 – 11. Rosemary Hallgarten, 5. Photo by Jason Schmidt for Elle Decor, 6. AHAlife, 8. One Kings Lane.

LAMP LOVE: Urban Electric’s new brass and neon yellow lantern

I stumbled upon this spunky beauty a few weeks ago and have been meaning to share it ever since. Who would have thought that neon yellow and brass could look so fantastic together? Apparently the designer of this lantern, Michael Amato, the in house Creative Director of Urban Electric Co.

The Cosy lantern comes in a variety of metals and finishes but I can’t imagine a more fun and unexpected combo than this.

Urban Electric Co.’s products are bench made and hand finished by skilled craftsmen in their 65,000 sq. ft. headquarters right here in the U.S.A. They first opened their doors in 2003 as a small lantern studio with a focus on quality in design and craftsmanship. Today, ten years later, they have become one of the most recognized names in the industry. Happy tenth birthday Urban Electric!

Photos courtesy of Urban Electric Co., interior by Cynthia Brooks Design.

MONSIUER BLEU: Palais de Tokyo’s new venue by Joseph Dirand

Set inside the Palais de Tokyo – one of the world’s largest museums of modern and contemporary art – is the uber chic new restaurant Monsieur Bleu, designed by renowned Paris based architect, Joseph Dirand. Situated in the museum’s newly constructed west wing, the versatile space is as suitable for lunch meetings as it is evening cocktails and enjoys some seriously prime real estate with 10 meter high picture windows, an impressive terrace for al fresco dining (may-September) and views of the Seine and Eiffel Tower.

The expansive interior bears the signature pared down sophistication of its designer and whispers of art deco influences. Grounded in Dirand’s preferred monochromatic color scheme of white and black. the massive interior is afforded a modicum of warmth through the injection of brass and bronze colored metals, smoky mirrors, velvet upholstery, and earthy green accents.

Dirand cites a fictional muse – none other than Monsieur Bleu – as the driving force behind his design decisions. An elegant and charming gentleman, Monsieur Bleu is equal parts artist, scholar, and gourmand. He is a man of business and a man of pleasure – in sum, the kind of man men want to be and women want to be with. For him and for us, Dirand has constructed a playground to enjoy the best in life – fine food, friends, drink, music and dance.

The menu is said to have something for everyone and the bar menu is put together by the rising gastronomy star, Alix Lacloche. Vogue Paris praises the venue for it’s “artisanal cuisine within an elegant, Dandyish Art Deco atmosphere.” Monsieur Bleu is open daily from 12pm-2am. On Thu-Sat nights the local beautiful people roll in and let their hair down to DJ sets. Paris here I come!

Photography: © Adrien Dirand via Yatzer.

THE BATHROOM FILES: thirteen spaces worth a peek

Today I’ve gathered a few bathrooms from D’s files that have caught my eye and been on my mind. While they vary greatly in style, I found something interesting and/or beautiful in each space and hope you will too. Enjoy!

Above – Bathroom in a five-story East Village, Manhattan townhouse designed by Selldorf Architects. Photo by François Halard.

Two vintage style mirrors hang in an otherwise contemporary bathroom. Interior design by the Australia based firm, Justine Hugh-Jones Interior Design.

A large marble-clad walk in shower, in a San Fransico home designed by John Maniscalco Architecture. Love the fresh feeling the plant adds to the space! Photo by Paul Dyer.

The textured shower wall in this Villa in Andalucia, Spain is grazed by natural light from above and from the side. Architecture and design by the London based firm McLean Quinlan.

The zen-like bathroom of Maroon 5 front man, Adam Levine. The claw foot tub is from Architectural Detail and the Paul McCobb table is from JF Chen. Interior design by Mark Haddaway. Photo by Roger Davies for Architectural Digest.

A striking bathroom in an 1830s historic home, recently re-done by designer Francis Sultana and architect Thomas Croft. The tub is by The Water Monopoly, the Corian vanity by DuPont. The floor is tiled in statuary marble and the sink and tub fittings are by Grohe. Photo by Luke White for Architectural Digest.

This bathroom makeover by Canadian homeowner Mandy Milk, strove for a vintage feel with a dose of contemporary. On the walls – square white tiles were laid in a brick pattern and grouted in dark grey. The brushed brass fixtures are from Kohler, and the towels from Elte. Photo by Michael Graydon for House & Home March 2013.

This shower, in a recently remodeled beach house comes complete with white subway tile and brass fittings. Interior design by the Oregon based firm, Chic Design Investments.

Welcome to the master bathroom of designers Brooke & Steve Giannetti. The show stopper here is clearly the glass shower!

Bathroom in the São Paulo home of Brazilian architect Guilherme Torres. A wooden ‘muxarabie’ (a registered trademark of the architect) filters in light. Just above it lies a glass roof, which may be opened or closed depending on the weather. Wow!

A handsome wood paneled bathroom in the Barcelona home of designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán. Photo via AD Spain.

One tiny but bold bathroom in the Paris apartment of designer Carrado di Byaze. Photo via The Aestate.

The designers of Dimore Studio never fail to surprise, and they did just that here in the bathroom of their Paris apartment. Such a great sense of ambiance. Photo by Mai-Linh for AD France, October 2012.

I hope there was a little something for everyone today. Wishing you all a great weekend!

GUNS & ROSES: Sonia Rentsch’s botanical weaponry

Australia based designer Sonia Rentsch’s weltanschauung is to find the beauty in all things, and she does exactly that in her recent six piece series, Harm Less (2012). Clearly tapping into the spirit of our time, Rentsch has arranged entirely organic materials into images of botanical weaponry in a way that is as much striking in its beauty as it is in its underlying meaning. With bullets made of barely blooming buds and triggers made of brittle leaves and fragile plant tendrils – these small works of art force some big questions regarding man versus nature, life versus death… Beautiful.

Art direction by Olivia Nichols, Photography by Albert Comper.

DECORATOR SHOWCASE: Edwardian home, meet Mick & Bianca

This year’s San Francisco Decorator Showcase is underway and there are definitely some stand out designs to be seen. Of course, in design as in life, we all have our favorites and this year’s favorite seems to be the striking living room created by the two year old firm, Catherine Kwong Design. Inspired by an old photo of Mick and Bianca Jagger (during their young and wild days frolicking in St. Tropez) Kwong infused this 1899 Edwardian, Pacific Heights home with some serious drama and style. Enjoy!

Fringed, 1970′s Mario Yagi/Sirrah, Garbo lights flank the fireplace. The polished brass framed Milo chairs (upholstered in a white quilted Rubelli fabric) are from Lawson-Fenning and the small basalt stone side tables are from Michael Taylor. The large black and white photo above the sofa is by Henry Leutwyler.

Kwong cites the Cy Twombly-inspired floor as the true starting point for the design. To bring her vision to fruition, Kwong worked hand and hand with the decorative painters at Stancil Studios, who used broom sized brushes to achieve the dramatic white strokes.

Despite her contemporary approach, Kwong chose to preserve the traditional charm of the original gilded ceiling. The silk taffeta drapes were intentionally left with unfinished edges and embellished with a braided trim from Georgina Rice & Co.

Accessorized to perfection, Kwong even incorporated a pair of headphones.

Wrapping up at the exit, a Mongolian sheepskin bench tucks under a vintage desk from Coup d’Etat, and ebonized barn doors, studded in bronze pyramids, mark the a stylish threshold to one very chic room. Bravo Catherine!

Photos: 1-5. by Bess Friday, 6. by David Duncan Livingston.

STACK IT: some fairly foolproof DIY inspiration

Normally, when it comes to do it yourself home renovations, I’m a firm believer in bringing in the skilled professionals. My rather pathetic arm circumference aside, I mainly worry that the end result will be a disappointment, or worse yet an eyesore, and who has the heart to re-finish an entire dresser only to immediately strip it down and refinish it again?

In comes today’s DIY inspiration – a kitchen in a small Austrian castle. Not only is this kitchen tres chic but the owner’s rather quirky decision to stack glossy black Italian cabinets and kitchen appliances atop reclaimed wood planks adds some unexpected interest and warmth to furnishings that might otherwise feel a bit flat and cold.

Wanting the look? Here is what you will need…

Wood - two or more pieces of even height wood, cut more or less to the depth of the item you plan to place on top of it.

* If your furniture piece has cabinets and drawers that lie flush with its base, you will want to place something like these small discs to raise it up off the wood, or you will want to cut the wood slightly shorter so it does not interfere with any open and close action
* For a more worn look, reclaimed wood is a great option.
* If you plan to do this with something like a tub you may want to consult with an expert in case special accommodations need to be made.

Furniture - as you can see from the tub below, you can do this with almost any item you dare.

And that is pretty much it! I plan to try this with some reclaimed wood and my glossy, very mass produced looking Ikea storage cabinets. I’m hoping for a look similar to the one in the kitchen shown above. After all, if it is good enough for an Austrian castle, it should be good enough for me.

Photos: 1. Andreas Meichner for The New York Times, 2. via The Brooklyn Home Company, 3. via Essential Hotels.