Freeman's Sporting Club...

During our trip to NYC last summer, one of our favorite

discoveries was Freeman's Sporting Club. Named after

a gathering of close friends, the F.S.C. brand features

a menswear line created by Taavo Somer. The F.S.C.

brand also consists of a restaurant and barbershop.

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The Freeman's Sporting Club barbershop offers the

traditional men's grooming experience. Freeman's joined

Sam Buffa who's focus in establishing the barbershop was to

offer an alternative to high-end salons in the city. The spot is

a causal place where men can drop by and get a haircut and

shave without the hassle of making appointments.

images via F.S.C.

Spring days like today...

Spring days like today make me look forward to Summer porches

and outdoor living. Some of my fondest childhood memories

include afternoons spent stringing beans with my grandmother

on her shaded, double-decker porch. We would eat salted

oranges, wipe our hands on her apron, and go back to

stringing the beans that rested in one of those

vintage metal colanders on her lap.

Photograph by Chris Tubbs.

The Elk in the Woods...

The interior at The Elk in the Woods makes me want to

chase another dream of mine — opening an NVR restaurant.
Swooning over it all, especially that counter.

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The Elk in the Woods
39 Camden Passage
Islington London N1 8EA

Symbolism as Interior Design (you must click on the images to view the larger versions — the details are brilliant)

The Delfin & Postigo House via Yatzer is

their first residential project of 2010 — and boy,

what a commanding aesthetic statement it makes.

Brilliant artwork fills this striking Madrid home

owned by fashion designer David Delfin

and photographer Gorka Postigo.

The sleek bathroom features artwork

by Juan Gatti.
Delfin & Postigo's home could be viewed as
inappropriate — or even censored to certain ages by some.
To me, it just clearly defines the artists that live there
in a clear and honest way.
Human sexuality is referenced throughout the home
through artwork, props, and the juxtapositon of
rooms and private spaces.
I love these Charlotte Perriand chairs. The artwork is by Postigo.

As with all great interiors, personality abounds.

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photography by Manolo Yllera

Scandinavian Beach House...

The owners of Ochre in NYC have created a breezy, modern,

and comfortable beach house. The Shelter Island home

features this wonderful living room with unfinished oak floors,

whitewashed pine walls, and a blue painting by Leora Armstrong.

The Snooze Sofa is from Ochre.

I love this coconut-shard mirror — also from Ochre.

A map of Shelter Island hangs above a painted cupboard.

1949 wishbone chairs are in soaped Danish ash from

Carl Hansen & Son. Moth photograph by Joseph Scheer

from Ruby Beets.

The family room showcases a Jonathan Adler sofa

covered in soft blue de Le Cuona linen.

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via House Beautiful

The unwanted becomes wanted...

London-based designers JAMESPLUMB take

overlooked and discarded items and turn them

into covetable light fixtures. Just look how these

random shades become a striking chandelier.

Almost a form of storytelling, JAMESPLUMB
objects have a history that marries sculpture
and function and takes recycling to a whole
new level. A perfect example —
the bucket lamp.

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Via Abitare

Crushing on Grace...

Grace Coddington photographed in 1964 by Patrick Lichfield.
A more recent photo via Hanneli Mustaparta.

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I finally got around to watching The September Issue —
and what a surprising treat it was. I knew that I would enjoy it,
so the surprising part was discovering the inspiration that is
Grace Coddington. I thought the focus of the film would've
been more on Anna Wintour — but now I see that probably
wasn't even possible with her aloof persona. Still entertaining,
I wish Anna had allowed the lens to break through just a bit.
Perhaps not — as I wouldn't have been able to enjoy all the
screen time that Grace acquired.

The film shows just how vital Grace is to Vogue magazine.
As creative director, Grace is the heart, the passion, and
the artistic integrity behind Vogue.

I do love a vintage typewriter...

Yost from 1873. This one even predates the SHIFT

key, with separate upper and lower-case keys.
New American from 1906.
Morris Contraption from 1885.

A 1902 Lambert. Beautiful isn't it?

Blickensderfer 1893. How would you even begin to

use this foreign looking piece of machinery?

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Antique Typewriter photostream via Flickr

The First (1903) Alice in Wonderland...

Skip the mind-numbing, 3-D headache by Tim Burton and watch the 9-minute original!

Sixx Design on Bravo...

Loved the sneak preview episode of 9 By Design on Bravo.

Just what I need —another reality show to get addicted to.

Guess there are worse addictions. The new eight-episode

series premieres Tuesday, April 13 at 11 p.m. and then

moves to its regular Tuesday night spot at 10 p.m. on April 20.

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The image above is from one of Sixx Design's

spectacular creations.