OH YES, YOU CANNE!

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I was inspired by all the recent coverage of the Canne's Film Festival to create my own little French Riveria tablescape. I love the dashing French plate and chic crystal covered rope napkin ring paired with the bold awning stripe table cloth. Beau dîner!

(plate, glass and table cloth Anthropologie,  Crystal knot napkin holder-Merchant Over Seas, Laguiole flatware.)

NEW "GILTY" PLEASURE

I'm addicted to Gilt.  I love the chic fashion, daydream of the exotic locals in Jetsetter and find myself anticipating the great restaurant deals I plan to scoop up in the City section. And now there is something new to love: Gilt Taste.  


The beta site is a hybrid magazine with famous foodie Ruth Reichel of Gourmet magazine fame at the helm and Melissa Clark food writer from the New York Times weighing in with innovative recipes and interesting articles.  Of course, this is a money making venture, so the site will contain product: artisanal items that talented bakers, butchers, candy and cheese-makers will be for sale on the site. 


I've been a fan of Melissa Clark for ages-I admire her innovative spirit and delicious recipes that look simple enough for those of us not in the Iron Chef stratosphere to prepare. Her first recipe on the Taste site doesn't disappoint.  A decadent asparagus recipe that uses a sugar-salt rub to impart sweetness and give the asparagus a lovely complexity. Pure genius!  


Salt and Sugar-Cured Asparagus Poached in Butter
by Melissa Clark

Serves 4

1 3/4 pounds white asparagus and green asparagus

3 tablespoons coarse kosher salt

3 tablespoons sugar

1 cup butter, melted, plus additional if needed

1 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus additional if needed

3 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed

Snipped chives, for garnish

1. Trim the dry ends of all the asparagus and peel the white asparagus only, up to the tips. Place the asparagus on a baking rack set over a baking sheet, and sprinkle salt and sugar all over the asparagus, being careful to coat it on all sides. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then brush off the salt and sugar off using a damp paper towel or a cloth. Place the asparagus in a large skillet in one layer and add the butter and oil to cover the asparagus completely. If the above amounts are not enough to cover, add more equal parts of melted butter and oil. Add the garlic cloves.

2. Over medium heat, bring the mixture to barely a simmer, then immediately reduce heat to low and braise for 10-15 minutes, until the asparagus is tender when pierced with a fork.

3. Remove asparagus from the poaching liquid and serve as is, or topped with some snipped chives.

I used just green asparagus because that's what I had in the pantry and it was delicious!

photo and recipe courtesy of Gilt.

HAVE YOU MET ALICE?

Desperately needing some inspiration before I tackled my garden this spring, I popped over to Alice Supply Company and found a chic garden set (trowel and hand rake) with a stylish rainbow handle, housed in a drawstring pouch. So clever! Alice takes mundane household items (brooms, plungers) and gives them a dose of personality with fun pops of color and clever patterns. I'm mad for the Union Jack toolbox-such a stylish home for my screwdrivers and hammer. Unfortunately, I still don't have a green thumb but my new garden set makes me look fabulous in the dirt!

FOLLOW THE TREND

I'm always curious to hear about the latest Interior Design trends: a return to Baroque, taxidermy in the home; some sound fascinating, others I can't imagine.  Truthfully, I tend to resist trends, knowing that by the time I got around to purchasing just the right cerused oak bureau, knotty oak will be all the rage.  So it was with a keen interest that I attended the Wall Street Journal Magazine Panel Discussion at the D & D Building yesterday on "Whats Next In Decorating?"  The distinguished panel included two of my favorite tastemakers, David Netto and Miles Redd along with Sarah Ruffin Costello and Deborah Needleman of the WSJ Magazine. The panel discussion was lively and touched upon trends, design inspiration and answers to the all important question, "What's Next?"

David Netto's Neutra Home

A Miles Redd Interior

What inspires them right now?
Miles Redd, a true master of color, not surprisingly loves the pairing of daring colors like daffodil yellow and hot pink in a room.  Redd mentioned the late Henri Samuel's Paris apartment with its restrained French elegance as one of his inspirations.  Also, the panel agreed that "design statements"  like a glossy black wall with crisp white trim or a larger than life statue expresses character and personality in a room. Netto referred to the iconic Dorothy Draper and her fearless use of scale and color to produce innovative rooms that are still relevant today. All agreed, a few good things will carry a room and restraint, rather than excess, should be the rule. 

 Henri Samuels Paris Apartment

Dorothy Draper's Iconic Style

Where are we going? 
An appreciation for the handmade: rugs, textiles and furniture will show individual style and admiration for craftsmanship.  Love it or leave it, beige will be replaced with exuberance and color and we will see a departure from the hard lines and stark interiors of the 70's. Look to the 80's for inspiration.  Netto described this design trend as "Messy Modernism", an edited and crisp revision of the 80's interiors of Mario Buatta and Mark Hampton. Think casual chintz in a modern more simplified manner. "Rustic Luxe", the beachy chic of the Grey Gardens variety will also be a popular trend.  

Mario Buatta Interior

 Mark Hampton Interiors

Grey Gardens

I'm a product of the 80"s. My first apartment had girly floral chintz drapes that I absolutely adored and although I can't see myself replicating that look, I believe an edited and streamlined 80's design is something very relatable. I'm excited for what's next-how about you?

PREPPY POP-UP

 Nested amongst the chic buildings in Manhattan's historic Meatpacking district is a beach cottage that looks better suited for a sandy Hampton's lane, all weathered shingles and blue striped awnings.  The sweet little bungalow is the brainchild of Tommy Hilfiger and home to the companies limited edition "Prep Line". Being a closet prep myself, I couldn't wait to visit the adorable 800 square foot beach house. Inside, beachy whitewashed walls illuminated by an enormous wooden tennis racquet chandelier, the perfect space to showcase the line's cute madras shorts, vibrant canvas bags and preppy boat shoes. If you want to get your prep on, the pop-up store is here in NY only until Sunday--next stop LA!

STYLE TREND: ESPADRILLE'S

The chic little espadrille-a canvas and cotton slip-on, is a must-have this summer. For decades the casual summer shoe has been an essential in chic European resorts like St. Tropez and Costa Brava.  Its favor has come and gone here in the states but this summer it's back and better than ever.  I love the traditional flat style with their braided bottoms and bright colors-slip on some summer chic!  

Kate Spade

Michael Kors

Tory Burch

 

Ralph Lauren Eyelit

Tory Burch

 

 

Diane von Furstenburg