Archive for January, 2013

January 17th, 2013 No Comments

Photographer Philippe Cheng’s Hall of Black and White Photos Tell His Family History

Walking into photographer Philippe Cheng‘s airy house in the Hamptons that he shares with wife (and talented artist) Bastienne Schmidt and their two sons, immediately makes you feel welcome and that this is a family home. Double doors that are usually kept open in the warmer months lead right into a two story family and dining room. As you come in you also have a view straight through to the other side of the house with glass doors showing off the views of the serene setting surrounding their idyllic home.  As you turn to their private spaces though you … Read more

January 16th, 2013 1 Comment

Weddings with Liz Banfield: Keeping the Art of Black and White Film Photography Alive

The black and white photograph has a powerful way of rendering a scene that is uniquely enduring. By taking color out of the equation, everything is simplified and the viewer can focus on the moment without  distractions such as a busy background or a spray-tan gone wrong.  At every wedding I always shoot true black and white film throughout the day to create these timeless images. Beyond an artful chronicle of the day I’m looking to take photographs that could live on someone’s wall forever. To make my point, I chose pictures from different times throughout my career – only … Read more

January 15th, 2013 No Comments

tabletop: mix old & new, metallics with black & white to create a very personalized setting

Pull out your favorite things from your cabinets….maybe even your grandmother’s china that’s been boxed in the attic to create an eclectic mix of old and new. Look around your house too, maybe you have a collection of small boxes, a gold leaf plate on your nightstand that holds your earrings- pull it all together to group on your table or sideboard. That little dish could now hold candy or sugar cubes, boxes could hold tea bags.. and so on. Black and white are so classic that the color palette is a great cohesive glue to allow you to combine … Read more

January 14th, 2013 No Comments

color palette: black, white with metallics

The other week we were talking about emerging color trends and I said I was excited to see what color dominated the award shows. Well, the emerald green that Pantone selected really wasn’t anywhere to be seen- that was on the red carpet a few years back. Black and white clearly dominated the red carpet with accents of gold and silver in accessories and small box clutches. Red, coral, plum, navy and light blue also made a few appearances but not like black and white. Dresses were either a combination of black and white like Julianne Moore’s Tom Ford dress, … Read more

January 11th, 2013 No Comments

6 emerging trends in kitchen design

Most of the past decade has been filled with images of minimal kitchens with sleek white cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances, but over the past several years new trends are slowly emerging into the market of kitchen design. Phrases like “having a soul”, “radiating warmth”, “textural”, “decorative diversity”, and “casual and lived in” may give you a preview of what’s on the horizon.  Here are six emerging trends I’ve pulled out for you. 1. Personalization. Consumers seem to finally want to add a bit of their own personality into their kitchen design and forgo the cookie cutter … Read more

January 10th, 2013 No Comments

interiors: an inspiring updated farmhouse

I’ve been following…. Garden & Gun magazine. Yep, that’s right…though I’m not making a political statement about guns today, I’m just loving the design features and recipes in this magazine. It’s pure southern style at it’s best. This renovated farmhouse that was featured caught my eye and I thought I’d share it with you this week in our blues, grays, whites and whitewashed palette. I think you’ll like some of the details, especially the rope staircase and barn wood details. Read the full article here. Architect Ken Pursley, owners Tim & Sarah Belk of Chester, South Carolina. … Read more

January 9th, 2013 No Comments

weddings with liz banfield: something blue, a wedding shoe!

“When I got married a dozen years ago, it was customary to select a pair of practical white pumps from the half dozen options at the bridal salon and have them dyed the exact shade of white/ivory as your gown. I felt like a renegade buying my shoes “off the rack” from a non-wedding retailer (though they were white). Wedding shoes, like so many things in the bridal industry, have come a long way in the meantime. Brides are looking at their footwear as another way to personalize their wedding and express their unique style. After all, as even Cinderella … Read more

January 8th, 2013 No Comments

nordic table inspiration: personal decanters at each place setting…and it’s ok to move your dining table to a different room

One of my favorite tableware companies is Royal Copenhagen. This simple but beautiful table is set with a crisp white linen cloth and their Blue Fluted Plain pattern. The pattern was first adopted in 1775 as their very first porcelain dinner service. It is still painted and glazed by hand. Even though this pattern is 238 years old it still has a fresh design appeal.  I pair the pattern with their White Fluted porcelain to break things up a bit. This photo is from the book The Nordic Table. I loved that each place setting was personalized … Read more

January 7th, 2013 No Comments

color palette: blues, grays, off-white & bleached wood

This is by far one of my favorite color palettes. This bedroom is very similar to my own personal bedroom, though I have a bleached wood wall behind my velvet blue tufted headboard. Chalky white walls and bleached wood provide a beautiful neutral backdrop to so many palettes, but I love the shades of blues and grays with this one. I’ve selected some paint colors from Benjamin Moore to help recreate this look if you desire, or just to inspire. A painted bedside table in a soft gray also breaks up all the wood and adds a layer to … Read more

January 4th, 2013 No Comments

beauty: dr.’s remedy enriched nail polish, free of the big 3 toxins

Recently I’ve been going to podiatrist, Dr. Langone and she recommends Dr.’s Remedy Enriched Nail Polish which is free of the three big toxins: formaldehyde, toluene and DBP. This nail polish is also enriched with tree oil and garlic bulb extract which are naturally occurring anti-fungal and antibacterial. This a a local New York company based in Brooklyn, founded by Dr. William Spielfolgel and Dr. Cirlincione. When Dr. Cirlincione’s wife was pregnant they began researching what was contained in most nail polishes and found many harmful toxins. So he partnered with Dr. Spielgolgel and they created Dr.’s Remedy. I would … Read more