Luxe & Lucid

SATC

 

Memorial Day weekend was fabulous.  Tuesday through Thursday?  Not so much.

As is so often the case, the days post-holiday are slightly brutal.  I’m wiped out and

already looking forward to the weekend.  So what better way to finish off this fatiguing

four day work week, but with four letters … S A T C.  I’m going to Sex and the City 2

on Friday with a group of girlfriends.  Über girlie and indulgent, it’s just what the doctor

ordered in these days of careers and kids and booking get-togethers six weeks out.

Bring on the fab four, the Manolo’s and all that incredible fashion.  ‘Nuff said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The fab four a la NYC.

 

 

 

 

 And rockin’ it in Abu Dhabi, scene of the girls’ middle eastern adventure.

 

 

 

. The film was actually shot in Morocco.  One location being the Amanjena resort in Marrakech.

 

Ladies who lunch … a glamorous Arabian picnic.

I love Carrie’s breezy pink dress and bold cuff.

 

 

 

You never know when you’ll run into an ex, so you better be dressed for the occasion.

What better to wear to the Souk than a lilac taffeta skirt, Dior tee and heels?

Crazy, but so cute!

 

SJP’s fashion choices for the whirlwind SATC press tour were impeccable. 

Au courant, colorful and lively like the fictitious Ms. Bradshaw’s wardrobe. 

But a hint more elegant – apropos for a movie star (versus an NYC sex columnist).

 

 

 

 

 

Speaking of Carrie Bradshaw’s wardrobe … check out images of Mr. and Mrs. Big’s closet!

The online photos aren’t going to cut it.  I’ll have to pick up a copy of the new book as seen below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the movie, celebrate with your girls with a night out on the town. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Or host the ladies at your pad and fix one of the Sex and the City inspired cocktails

as seen in The Huffington Post.  My picks?  The Carrie Cocktail and The Bitter Ex. 

 

THE CARRIE COCKTAIL

 

2 oz. SKYY Vodka
0.5 oz. fresh lemon juice
0.5 oz. fresh lime juice
1 tsp. sugar
Drop of crème de cassis

Rim a crystallized Swarovski martini glass with crème de cassis and

sugar (first dip the rim in a shallow dish filled with crème de cassis and

then into a dish of sugar). Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.

Shake vigorously and strain into the martini glass.

Finish the cocktail with a drop of crème de cassis on top.

Until the next installment (prequel?) my fellow fashionistas and SATC fans!

Tricia xo

 

 

Road Trippin’

On Friday I delivered my sweet but stressed Norwegian Elkhound, Nina, to a trainer in

Virginia for a much-needed behavioral boot camp.  To make the most of my time sans-dog,

I inaugurated my three weeks of freedom with a series of excursions to Warrenton, The Plains

and Maryland's western shore.  Road trips are a great way for a curious, visual or adventurous

soul to satisfy his or her inner explorer.  And better yet, you avoid the airport ... which is like

sticking hot needles in ones eye these days.  With a little planning and the right companion,

2 days and 3 nights plus a few hundred miles can be just the escape you've needed. 

Summer weekends are here, DC urbanites.  Get packed and get going! 

 

 

 

 

I stayed at The Black Horse Inn on Friday.  The perfect setting for

a Virginia bed-and-breakfast with rolling hills and grazing horses.

 

 

 

A view of the property's north side.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The stables are a short walk from the main house.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Like everything on the property, the stalls are nicely detailed and well maintained.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had dinner at The Rail Stop on Friday night in The Plains.

A casual spot once owned by local Robert Duvall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After dinner we walked across the street to Forlano’s Market and had a glass of wine on the front porch.

This market/restaurant is the perfect addition to Main Street – charming, unpretentious and filled with

locals and visitors alike.  Dinner here will be on my itinerary the next time I visit hunt country.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I planned on a quiet afternoon in old town Warrenton, but as it turned out, Saturday was the town’s

annual spring festival replete with bands, booths and lots of interesting characters.  Classic people-watching!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking down S. 3rd Street to E. Lee Street. 

I love the architecture, history and intimacy of southern towns.

 

 

 

 

We had lunch at The Iron Bridge Wine Co. on Main Street.  Delicious food and

great wine in a handsome setting with excellent service to boot.  Worth a trip.

 

 

On the way out of town, the clever signage for Tri County Feeds caught my eye. 

So much so that we pulled over to take a look inside.  In fact, the company

is a retailer specializing in riding gear and services for the equine set.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m no great equestrian, but if I were, I would definitely buy this saddle and outfit.  So chic!

 

 

Sunday required a change in gears with a drive to Maryland and a cruise up the Potomac back to

DC via boat.  I commented at one point that the shoreline reminded me of Lake Minnetonka.

That is until I saw a little estate called Mount Vernon perched on a hill on the Virginia side.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once up the river in DC, we stopped for awhile to enjoy the views.  Where else can you drift on a

boat on a beautiful day with little water traffic and gaze at the Lincoln and Washington Memorials?!?!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wrapping up the perfect easy-breezy weekend. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking forward to more local adventures while my canine kid is at camp!

 

 

Tricia (and Nina) xo

 

 

 

 

Capitol File Magazine - Georgetown Gem

The latest issue of Capitol File magazine dropped this week.

I'm thrilled to say that a Georgetown pied-a-terre designed by Huntley & Co.

is featured in its pages.  Not only because it's a big, glossy spread (yes, hello!),

but also because it's one of my favorite projects in recent years.  The residence was

a disaster with amazing potential - an 80s interior (think white laminate and pleated

valances - bleh!) in the heart of Georgetown with views of the canal.  Luckily, this

hidden gem was purchased by my client, an Irish businessman with great taste and

the desire to take risks.  Millwork modeled after English cabinetry, a state-of-the-art

German kitchen, bathrooms of marble and onyx, a custom wood parquet floor and

every luxurious textile known to man: velvet, shagreen, ostrich, cashmere and silk …

the end result was a rich and inviting space perfect for dramatic entertaining or quiet

nights at home.  The consummate American landing pad for a European world traveler. 

 

 

 

Speaker of the House Pelosi graces the cover.

 

The opening pages feature the terrace off the kitchen and a photo of my client overlooking the den.

 

 

A view from the den into the foyer with art found in DC, Chicago and Spain.  The bust is a

tongue-in-cheek reference to my client’s business in aerospace trading and airline consulting.

 

 

The top photo features the kitchen - a favorite of most visitors.  It includes a

stainless steel backsplash, two modern pendants found down the street in Cady's

Alley and a bar/table that slides away from the island for additional seating.

The photos beneath are of the study, den and guest bedroom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional photos of the project not included in the magazine …

 

 

 

I love the powder room.  It’s a shoebox of a space, but we gave it maximum impact

with dramatic color, unique materials and a serious mix of traditional and modern. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The master bedroom with hidden closet doors, leather slingback

bed, custom pillows and warm, contemporary lighting fixtures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is how I do sleek and contemporary - with dramatic contrasts in tone and texture.

The vanity is high-gloss white lacquer, the walls and ceiling are covered in chocolate, faux leather

tiles, and the shower is a combination of polished Calacutta tile and a tumbled marble fan mosaic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

To fully understand what a transformation this was, check out the

collection of “before” photos below.  Yes, it is the same place! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hoping you all find a bit of inspiration for your own homes!

 Tricia xo

 

* All professional photos by Kevin Allen *

Spring Fever - DC Style

I don’t think I have ever been so excited for spring.

We just endured a brutal winter here in Washington and I think we’re

all ready for a new season.  The good news is that thanks to all that snow,

spring seems to have come early to the nation’s capital.  Our magnificent

cherry blossoms are already blooming and this past weekend’s temps were

absolutely heaven-sent.  In celebration of nature’s glorious transformation,

Luxe & Lucid is highlighting all things fun, fresh and flowery this week.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh … spring has arrived!

 

 

 

 

  

 

H&G’s 2007 issue with Chloë Sevigny embodies the magic of spring.

The stone terrace, the roses, the dress … inspiring and lovely.

 

 

 

 

 

Is there a more beautiful spot in spring than DC’s tidal basin?!

 

 

 

 

 The perfect finish to a day of viewing cherry blossoms?  A late afternoon lunch with

your beau in a romantic setting like The Greenhouse at The Jefferson hotel below. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Or for true al fresco dining, try DC hotspots Perry’s in Adams Morgan,

Poste Moderne in Penn Quarter and Kafe Leopold’s in Georgetown.

 

 

Or just skip lunch altogether and have a sexy, disheveled romp in the park! 

Louis Vuitton does it with dirt, doves and Lara Stone.

 

 

 

 

I do actually love spending my weekends in the park (sans romp); it’s a necessity

when one has a dog.  DC has incredible outdoor destinations.  My favorites are

Montrose, Battery Kemble and Dumbarton Oaks above.  

 

 

Great for casual Saturdays and Sundays walking around Georgetown,

these bamboo-buckled Gucci flats are a warm weather staple for me.

 

 

As is this playful tote.  I call it my “brunch bag".  I carry it on

weekends when I’m running errands and lunching with my girls.

 

 

As for the rest of my spring wardrobe – I need to do some serious shopping.

Here are some looks I’d like to rock ... from Jigsaw, Two Minds and Pucci respectively.

 

 

And for evening maybe a flowing pastel ensemble from Donna Karan.

 

 

Perfectly timed with the onset of spring, I received this card last week.  The modern

cherry blossom motif speaks to the brighter, sunnier days of spring.  It inspires

me to punch up my interiors with deep, saturated colors – especially yellow.

 

 

Like the chairs in this Vicente Wolf dining room …

 

 

 

… and the walls in this dynamic bedroom.

(who’s the designer?!)

 

 

Luxe & Lucid wishes everyone a wonderful spring.

And come see the cherry blossoms if you can - you'll never forget it!

 

 

Tricia xo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tip deLuxe

STEALING BEAUTY

We’re embarking on a new year (a new decade actually!) and you’re ready to make some changes

to chez vous.  Where to start?  Everyone, even professional interior designers, need a jumping off point,

a focus, a raison d’être.  It’s called inspiration.  And without it, you’ll spend the next six months going around

and around in circles trying to figure out “what’s my style???”  So take a little time during this holiday break,

grab a stack of magazines (remember those?) and start tearing.  Don’t think about it, just rip out what you like.

Fashion layouts, jewelry ads, interiors, food features … whatever speaks to you.  When you’re done, pull aside

the two or three that say “THIS IS ME!” and file the rest away.  Yes, steal some beauty and allons-y!

 

 

 

 

 

Dolce & Gabbana’s Fall ‘09 campaign and a beautiful Payard feature from Town & Country Travel magazine.

Confectionary images to inspire the interiors of the girly-girls out there.

 

A room by designer Anne Coyle.

 

If you could live inside the Fall Gucci campaign or the latest Gorsuch catalog then you

respond to texture, layering and luxury and should book a trip to St. Moritz immediately.

Tom Scheerer’s Kip’s Bay Showhouse bedroom.

 

 

 

 

 

Maybe you’re a traditionalist with a saucy side.  Like these ladies captured by Kate Spade and Slim Aarons. 

Think vivid colors, floral prints and vintage accents with a little leather thrown in.

 

 

A Miles Redd bedroom from Domino.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are you drawn to sleek, sexy, fashionable images?

Then let David Bowie and Marni’s 2008 collection be your inspiration.

A Chicago installation by Kara Mann.

 

 

 

 

Let the dark side of life be your muse.  Like these images from 1992's Dracula and the blog Tedore.

The current vampire craze could inform a dark, dramatic space.

Anthony Gianacakos’ East Harlem bedroom from Lonny magazine.

L.A. = Love Affair

I made a pit stop in LA for a couple of days on my way to Arizona for Thanksgiving. 

Sunshine, shopping and some of the best design sources in the US - it was heaven!

Below are some highlights from my fabulous 48 hours in the city of angels.

 

 

 

 

 

 
   

I stayed at the Chamberlain in West Hollywood.

A Kelly Wearstler-designed boutique hotel tucked away in a lush, leafy neighborhood.

 

 

 

 

 

First stop - Jean de Merry. 

 

 

 

Huntley & Co. is doing the modern wing chair and chandelier below

in an apartment overlooking Lake Geneva in Switzerland.  So cool!

  

 

 

 

 

The Collection Los Angeles is a great new resource I haven't used before. 

They have an incredible selection of vintage furniture, lighting, accessories and jewelry.

  

 

 

Like the vases above and the matchstick caddies below.

 

 

 

Funny how the only bauble in the bunch is what made its way into my shopping bag.

So predictable!

 

 

 

 

Downtown is signature LA - sexy and chic with the nicest salespeople to boot.

 

 
   

Loved the lacquered red side tables below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I thought I had died and gone to heaven at Dragonette.

 

 

Patrick Dragonette's eponymous shop is gorgeous online, but in person it's on a whole different level.

 

 

 

Gorgeous vintage and custom furniture, lighting and accessories.

And his vignettes are insane!

 

 

 

 

 

 

After all of my hard work on La Cienega, I made my way over to Melrose.

 

 

For a lovely meal at the charming bistro Comme Ca.

 

 

 

 

 

And to explore the beautiful courtyards and gardens of the neighborhood.  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And of course, a trip to LA wouldn't be complete without a little retail therapy.

 

  

I fell in love with the beautiful things at Temperley London.

 

 
  
   

Wrapping things up in the Chamberlain lobby before checkout.

 

Sad to go, but off to AZ for more sunshine!

 

 

 

Footnote

There are dozens of other LA hotspots, but some worth a stop - 

Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, Bar Tosca at La Boheme, Lucques, Paul Marra,

Dolce Vita, Kitson, Decades and Anastasia Salon. 

 

  

 

 

  

District Design

New York, LA, Paris – Sure, everyone knows these cities are the “it” destinations for design and fashion.

But there are fabulous finds in any city if you’re a chic and savvy girl (or guy) who knows how and where to look.

“DISTRICT DESIGN” is a new, recurring feature from Luxe & Lucid that will be highlighting great shopping

around the US and beyond sourced by my most stylish friends and colleagues in-the-know.

  

 

 

  

District Design vol. 1

MICHIGAN

 

 

 

My sorority sister, Beth Warner, is one hip chic.  In college, she radiated effortless cool while

the rest of us were still trying to find our groove.  She moved back to Michigan after school and

opened the successful clothing boutique Les Femmes * in Bay Harbor.  These days she’s a

private fashion consultant and mother to the cutest 5-year-old you’ve ever seen.  She may not be

rocking the late night scene anymore, but I guarantee she’s the coolest mom in the carpool lane.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE HOME FURNISHINGS RESOURCE?

Huzza in Harbor Springs.

A store with the most amazing hand-picked furnishings from around the world.  Laid-back luxe at its finest.

  

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

    

  

WHERE DO YOU BUY YOUR LINENS?

Monogram Goods.

They carry linens from Matouk and have custom embroidery that resembles artwork.

  

 

 

 

  

(linen photos above courtesy of monograminc.com)  

  
  

  

WHAT FASHION DESTINATION CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT?

Linda Dresner in Birmingham, MI.

Simple, chic - Rick Owens, Balenciaga and Lanvin flats for picking up my son from school.

  

  

  

   

   

  

WHAT WAS YOUR LAST STELLAR FIND?  

My Francesca Romana gold/emerald quartz cocktail ring.

 

 
 

 

   

    

  

WHAT'S THE BEST KEPT SHOPPING SECRET IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN?  

 B. May Bags in Petoskey.  

The most exquisite handmade snakeskin, and croc-embossed handbags.

 

 

 

 

  

  

  

  

     

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

HOW DO YOU WORK YOUR FASHION LOOK INTO YOUR INTERIOR?

Kate Moss and Kelly Wearstler embody my ultimate fashion/design inspirations,

so I incorporate the 70’s glam and boho-chic look into my home ...

 

 

... From my dressing room ottoman with its Lucite base

    to the Lulu DK fabric on my breakfast room banquette. 

 

(interior photos above courtesy of Traverse Magazine)  

 

 

 

 

WHAT DINING SPOT DO YOU LOVE FOR BOTH ITS MENU AND ITS DECOR?

Chen Chow in Birmingham.

Kobe beef seared on 600 degree lava rock and sushi to die for.  And great cucumber martinis too!

 

 

 

WHAT WAS THE LAST INSPIRING PLACE YOU VISITED IN MICHIGAN?

The Richard Avedon exhibit at the Detroit Institute of Arts.

Such a big event and important part of fashion history.

 
 

THANK YOU TO BETH AND HER WONDERFUL SOURCES IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN!

Future District Design posts will feature Dallas, Barcelona/Madrid, Minneapolis and Birmingham, AL.

 

 

* Beth has since sold her business Les Femmes to a former employee.  

The store is now located in Harbor Springs.