DESIGN FOR MEN

A couple weekends ago, I checked out Chartreuse & Co in Frederick, MD.  There is a reason why this place made the Great Day Trips in the Washingtonian.  A collection of different vendors in a barn filled with oddities and unfurnished or finds.  Additionally, on the property, there was another barn filled with discards or works in progress as well as a shed filled with architectural finds. My favorite shop and my reason for the trip was Madison and Mabel (the image and below are of the shop). Great industrial and modern finds.

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Of course I had to make a few purchases…but I controlled myself.

Purchased: Crates from the discards barn ($15 for 3, similar to above)

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Purchased: Industrial Pendant  and Eames DCM Dining Chair (let’s just say they were a steel)

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Tempting: Vintage Steel Magazine Rack and Glass Pendant Lamp

So definitely check out Chartreuse & Co for a day trip or you can even just pop in a couple hours…they mentioned cocktails at their Holiday Tag Sale happening this weekend!

IMAGE CREDITS: Photo of DCM Chair by Gararge; Photo of Crates by MyDeco

While in Rehoboth on a mini vacation, I discovered a gem of an antiques shop. I was in the store shopping for about an hour. I knew I had something was up when the owner ended up putting me to work. I helped him move some chairs. Ultimately, it was time well spent as I found some great things. The above was my favorite – this African serving tray. While I didn’t buy one this time, I just love it! Check out the following other great finds:

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FOR THE BAR…

Incorporate vintage pitchers, shakers, decanters to add sophistication for the bar. Had to buy this great wood/chrome ice bucket with matching tongs.

Mid-Century Chrome Side Table

Hat Box and Shoe Form

Hat boxes take me back…my grandfather had the best hats and the boxes were always really amazing. I couldn’t resist the shoe form which makes a great paper weight.

Creepy Old Portrait

Not sure why but I was drawn to this piece.

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Vases, bowls, oh my!

I always love to check out vintage accessories – if you choose carefully – you can enhance the decor of your place. I had to have the small black glass vase and the large grey ceramic vase. Both are the sort you might find at West Elm or Crate and Barrel, at a fraction of the price.

Mid-Century Magazine Rack

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WITH A LITTLE BIT OF WORK

This marble slab lamp only needed a new shade. And the oval back chair, reupholstered would make a great desk chair. The set of four splat back chairs were so charming and would be stunning with an upholstery update as well.

1960s Desk

ODDITIES

I absolutely had to have the Speedaway sled. Despite growing up in New Orleans where there are no hills and it rarely snows. And I like the irony. The vintage (working) projector was also tempting but the sled blew it out of the water.

MORE BARGAINS AND MORE ADVICE

When you are prepared to buy several things, you have leverage…so, try to get the price down! Also be on the lookout for backrooms where items are discounted. The vintage frames above were $2 a pop. It just so happened that they were running a sale on vintage books, $5 all you can fit in a shopping bag. I filled 3 bags…thanks mom for teaching me how to pack…I got a lot of bang for my $15.

Big Bambú, an installation of 5,000 interlocking 30- and 40-foot-long fresh-cut bamboo poles, designed for the Roof Garden at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  The exhibit was created by twin brothers Mike and Doug Starn.  Telgraph.co.uk describes the monumental structure best as, “bamboo scaffolding mangled by a hurricane .”  The construction of the structure continues through the fall when the exhibit closes until the end of October.  You can purchase tickets to take guided tours to walk through the structure.  Without venturing up on to the paths, the bamboo poles creates a feeling of a forest through which roof garden visitors wind through.  The experience is fantastic and there are stunning views of the city.

For more information about the installation, click here.

IMAGE CREDITS: Image 1 from Telgraph.co.uk, Remaining Images by Design For Men

For over 40 years, Baxter of California, has been known for providing premium men’s grooming products.  This month, the company opened a shop on La Cienega Blvd. in Los Angeles, CA, called Baxter Finley Barber & Shop.  Named after the company’s founder, Baxter Finley, the shop showcase their products and barbers provide cuts and shaves for patrons.   The old world inspired design is masculine combining rugged features like Douglass fir flooring and exposed wood beams along with the sleek finishes including subway tile and marble counter tops.  The highlight is the restored Koken “White King” porcelain and leather chairs which are from the early 1900’s.  Kudos to Baxter for creating a refined shop that feels modern while retaining the tradition of the old school  barber shop experience.

IMAGE CREDITS: Images from Baxter Finley

I finally had the chance to check out the Eastern Market Flea Market yesterday in D.C. I was a little disappointed by the lack of true antiques and my fave, mid century and industrial pieces. But the area is beautiful and as a professional shopper, I managed to find some great items. The following are my favorites from the trip.  Above Thonet side chairs and Industrial stool.

Handmade wood cutting boards – Just amazing!

Handmade Tea Set with Pussy Willow Detail

African Mask and Ebonized table

Boston area thrift store chain, Boomerangs,  opened a new boutique concept in Boston’s South End. At Boomerangs Special Edition, a collection of gently used high end items are sold at low prices. The store idea came from the success of a booth this summer at the antiques market in the South End, where employees selected designer pieces to sell.   Soon, consigned pieces from local artists will be carried but they are not planning to sell furniture or home accessories at this time. So Boston readers, stop by Boomerangs Special Edition located at 1407 Washington St. For more info, click here to check out their website.

Image from BostonGlobe

Built in the  1900s, the Chandler Inn is one of Boston’s most affordable boutique hotels.  Recently local interior designers, Dennis Duffy and Eric Roseff designed the newly renovated Boutique Queen (above) and Boutique Twin (below) rooms.  Both room types were a challenge for the designers as there was not a lot of space to work with.  These rooms needed to include multifunction areas including the console style desk below the screen rather than an entertainment unit or credenza.  The result is a space that is big on style and easy on the budget.  Click here to check out the Chandler Inn website for more info.

Images from Chandler Inn

The Ale House Inn, an urban lodging experience in the Market Square district of Portsmouth, New Hampshire opened  last Spring.  Owner, Doug Palardy wanted to restore the historic 1880s warehouse back to it’s original luster.  Victorian decor dominated in the previous incarnation of a B&B.  Palardy, the creative mind behind Motley in Boston’s South End, envisioned a hip, lofty boutique inn with updated modern elements. The common areas have vintage charm while the guestrooms are refined blending luxury with the comforts of home.  In the design of the inn, he was inspired by the lofts and brick townhouses in Boston.  The name pays homage to the building’s history, formally the home of the  Portsmouth Brewing Co.

Palardy said, “There were two options before we opened: small country Victorian B&Bs (which are a bit run down), or larger hotels like the Hilton & Sheridan (same as you can get anywhere). We knew there was a void for design savvy folks that are attracted to downtown Portsmouth.”  The inn is surrounded by all the shops, restaurants, cafes, and historic sites that make Portsmouth a destination for tourists making it the perfect place to stay for those looking for an urban vacation.

A Single Man, based on the Christopher Isherwood novel was released on the 25th of December.  After reading the review in W magazine, I waited in anticipation to see Tom Ford’s directorial debut. The critics are right – the movie is stunning and maybe official proof that Ford can do just about anything.   Featuring great performances by Colin Firth as George Falconer and Julianne Moore as Charley, George’s longtime friend.  The film is a striking snapshot of  a significant and difficult day in the life of Goerge, a heart broken English professor struggling to find a raison d’etre after the loss of his long-term partner Jim, played by Matthew Goode. The cinematography made every scene appear as elegantly strung together photographs. Every detail was attended to from the fabulous clothes to the the gorgeous interiors.

Of course, I fell in love with George’s stylish bachelor pad, a 1949 John Lautner residence located in the Whiting Woods area of Glendale.  The house is currently for sale at $1 .5 million, click here for the listing.  There was also something about the 1950s way of life that I just adore…the movie reminded me of just how lazy we have all become when it comes to personal style and beauty.  As I watched the film, I just kept thinking about how when I go shopping, I am surrounded by people in sweats…I know we all favor comfort in our down time but come on!  I just feel awkward leaving the house in anything less casual than jeans.  George’s meticulousness and dapper wardrobe provided of course by Tom Ford was quite inspiring to me.  The luxury of experience comes in what we surround ourselves with…it isn’t so much about materiality but just about the emotive power of design sensibility and aesthetics.  So, thank you Tom Ford and all involved for presenting something inspiring and beautiful.  Check out some shots below of the stunning Lautner design, furnished perfectly in the movie.

With a movie appearance, it is doubtful that this mid-century charmer will be on the market for long.  If only I had $1.5 mill…Definitely check out A Single Man at your local theater.  Click here,  for a glimpse of the movie.

IMAGE CREDITS: Image 1 from A Single Man, Image 2 collaged from W Magazine, Images 3 to 6 from John Lautner Foundation via Apartment Therapy

The Ames Hotel, Boston’s newest boutique luxury hotel opened last month. The Romanesque building is the former headquarters of the Ames farm-tool company.  The design of the 113-room hotel is the result of the collaboration between designer, David Rockwell and the Morgan Hotel Group.  The lobby and reception areas feel quite Phillipe Starck with an eclectic mix of furnishings floating throughout the spaces.  The Woodward, the hotel’s restaurant and bar is a modern day tavern.  I met a friend there for dinner this week.

My favorite element was probably the subtlest touch, the red ceiling adding considerable warmth in the monochromatic space.  Other elements that caught my were preserving and patching the existing mosaic tile floors on the first floor and incorporating reclaimed wood at the bar.  There is a nice blend of old and new – shelving with glass display cubes filled with curio becomes a theme that carries throughout both levels of the restaurant.  The use of glass and levels of translucency add depth to the experience particularly at the first level bar which is located at a large window exposing an obscured view of the city outside.  Simplicity was key in the bathrooms featuring white mosaic clad walls and black stone floors were paired with flush walnut doors at stalls.  The elegant mix of white and black mixed with neutrals in the hotel common areas carries into the guestrooms as well.

I was particularly impressed with the plush feel of the one bedroom apartment.  The design highlights the historic details of the building’s architecture including the large arched windows.  The expansive living room is equipped with an eclectic mix of luxurious furniture and finishes and the bedroom features a stunning polished chrome four-poster bed.

Overall I recommend the Ames!

Images from Ames Hotel