On the Fly

The "Fly" is a new fantastic creation by Zanotta Furniture.

The innovative chair ( if it can be called that ) brings a futuristic flavor to the whole concept of seating. Fly is not the ordinary chair or lounge chair. It can’t even be defined properly. It is an unusual seating solution for those who like to feel different and want something cool fun.

It is a simple  combination of carbon fiber and woven fabric. The result is exceptional. The carbon fiber frame provides support and a sturdy frame while the fabric provides comfort and allows you to experiment different sitting positions. You can buy one in the Zanotta stores in NY or Miami and the cost is about $ 9,000 usd.

I want to be on the fly!  Looks so comfy and cool.

 

DOGGIE SPAS?

Doggie Spas?  Have we gone too far?

A pet spa is not a regular groomer.  Unlike a standard grooming shop, dog spas focus on creating a relaxed and stress-free environment for the dogs. Treatments vary from water sports such as swimming, hydrotherapy, aquatic treadmills, acupuncture, Reiki, grooming, massages, facials and nail art along with many more pampering treats await them. Some dog spas also offer overnight accommodation where dogs receive room service dog spa meals, private suites, limousine services and flat screen TV's tuned to the dog's favorite channel. Some spas even have cyber cameras provided so you can watch your dog online and be confident that he/she is being taken care of. 

But don't look at it solely as a dog luxury.  There are great benefits to pampering your dog and dropping him off at the doggie spa.  Dogs that get left home alone alot or older dogs who like humans especially benefit from a massage.  They come home happy, rested and clean.  

Even London's Harrod's has a doggie spa where you can drop off your creature and heve them pampered while you shop.  Would you consider taking your pooch?

Marcel Wanders for Christofle

Renowned French luxury silverware company Christofle has joined forces with iconic Dutch designer Marcel Wanders to create a new line of flatware called Jardin d'Eden.  

Christofle silver flatware has graced the tables of most royalty and luxury hotels for decades and updating and creating a new design was a brand resposibility.  The fun and creative designs of Wanders were just the punch that Christofle needed.  He brought a breath of fresh air to this traditional line with his poetic and romantic style.  

The handles and backs of these beautiful serving pieces are decorated with a single engraving, like a ballerina’s leg garbed in embroidered hosiery. Patterns of interlacing, leaves, flowers and curls are inspired by a lush garden. Marcel's designs are  whimsical  yet sensitive to the traditional lines of Christofle.

Now you know what to put on the perfect luxury dinner table and Palm Beach brides have a new pattern to put on their registry!

 

A crashed Ferrari

Have you ever driven a Ferrari?   Have you ever crashed a Ferrari?

Designer Charlie Molinelli did both!  And when he was done he had the Ferrari placed into a custom designed box and made it into a coffee table.

Charlie says its like keeping an old hero alive.  I think its a creative way to keep old memories alive.  

Glad Charlie wasn't the one on display after the crash!

2012 Year of The Dragon

Beginning today, January 23rd, the Chinese astrology and lunar calendars mark the start of 2012 Year of the Dragon!

In Asia the dragon is revered and is considered powerful and good. Kings and rulers relate to the dragon and unlike in the West were we see the dragon as evil, they see the dragon as royal and almighty.  It is the only mythical symbol in their calendar and the dragon is made up of several other animals including the tiger, fish, snake and an eagle. The dragon usually clutches a pearl symbolic of its super-natural powers (also wisdom, which is why in the dragon dance he chases the pearl).  It is also usually accompanied by thunder, lightning and rain, all powerful yet totally unpredictable signs.

Happy 2012, Year of the Dragon!

BLACK AND WHITE

I am feeling very black & white today.  Yin and Yang.  Yes and no. Good and bad.

But think about it; neither color is technically a color at all.  They are either the absence of all colors or the sum of all colors. Yet visually and culturally, each stands alone and has their own individuality.  In design, black and white are timeless in wardrobe as well as interiors. They have been used together since the Greek times. They were the most used colors of Coco Chanel.  

Have a great black & white day!

DESIGNER TOILET PAPER ROLL COVERS

Jonathan Adler is a very successful interior designer and has made his mark on almost everything in home products from stationary, salt and pepper shakers, vases and now toilet paper!

Yup - designer toilet paper.   Cottonelle &  Jonathan Adler have teamed up to create and produce designs for a new line of   limited edition  designer toilet paper and holders.   "Part of my passion for design is taking everyday objects and turning them into eye-catching conversation pieces and, until now, toilet paper has been a relatively untouched canvas," says Adler.  

Quirky but cute.  I am sure this will be a success.

 

 

The Humane Society

Not all dogs have the luxury of living in a great home and having loving parents.  For many reasons some beautiful creatures end up living at the Humane Society and are in need of loving homes.

Some people can not care for a dog nor have the space and time required to have a pet.  But we can all help out in the care of these unlucky dogs.  All it takes is a few minutes out of your day to buy a few bags of dog food and drop it off or send in a donation.

January is usually one of the hardest months for dog shelters because most people forget to be charitable after the holidays.  I hope this message helps to remind you to donate food or money to your local aminal shelter and that you don't forget about the helpless creatures in your community.

Here are a few photos of some of the pups at my local Cabo San Lucas Humane Society.

Super Sand Sculptures

When I was little I use to love to sit on the beach and make sand castles.  I spent hours in the sun and built little moats and bridges with my buckets and shovels.

Today I worry about wrinkles and I stay out of the sun.  But I still love the creative energy it takes to be a sand architect and to be able to have the patience to sculpt on the beach.  It's such a temporary art that will wash away or blow away or be destroyed by a manic kid.  Yet people still make them in an effort to express themselvs.  All that is requiered is patience and creativity.

The next time you go to beach dont forget to pack your buckets and shovels.

Tangerine

Anyone in the design world, whether it be fashion, interior design or graphics, knows that Pantone is the leading authority on color.  And every year Pantone selects "The Color of the Year".  

Hello to the 2012 winner: Tangerine Tango. According to Pantone, "Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.  It's a bit exotic, but in a very friendly, non-threatening way".

How did Pantone come up with tangerine as the 2012 color? What  inspired the Pantone team to select ornage? Could it be the massive amounts of spray-tanned reality TV stars on our screens? 

What do you think of Tangerine?  Here is an article that Lamps Plus just released on Tangerine:

http://www.lampsplus.com/info-center/b/blog/archive/2012/01/06/interior-designers-weigh-in-on-tangerine-tango.aspx

 

Lady Gas Cans

Luxury has come to the gas can!

A new  series of designer gas cans is now availble on the market in case you drive the latest sports car and don't like to fill the tank.  They are made by  Death Spray Custom and started more as a tongue-in-cheek art project than serious commercial endeavor. 

If an LV, Chanel or Fendi monogrammed gas can won't turn heads at the gas station, and make people smiles, nothing will!

Lux Monopoly

The classic game of monopoly has been vamped up by the leather goods company Pemberton and Milner.  

They created a new military version of the familiar game and gave it a twist. The palying pieces are made out of silver and the board is hand-stitched leather, adorned with diamonds.

Instead of the traditional streets and stations, Military Monopoly’s properties are ships of the Royal Navy, units of the Army and stations of the Royal Air Force. The playing pieces all relate to military attire and include a Household Cavalry Helmet, a Royal Air Force jet, and a sailor’s cap.

What do you think? Boardwalk or Royal Navy ships?

http://www.pembertonandmilner.com/

Her Addiction

Elizabeth Taylor's addiction to jewelry was legendary!  When she died she left behind not just an estate, but a collection of tangible memories from her iconic 79-year life.  

She even wrote a book about jewelry entitled, "My Love Affair with Jewelry" which outlived the affairs of all of her men.  Like royalty, Elizabeth Taylor identified herself with spectacualr jewelry and she wore the stunning pieces with style and grace.  

Before being sold  at the New York City Christie’s Auction house, the collections of jewelry, fashion, accessories, memorabilia and art pieces traveled on a world tour, so fans around the world can view Liz’s personal belongings in Paris, Los Angeles, Dubai, Moscow, London, Geneva, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates.  The auction sales revenues exceeded expectations and almost all of her jewels sold for 4 or 5 times more than their valued price. The sale set seven new auction records, including price per carat for a colorless diamond and for a ruby

A true American icon! 

 

 

Coffee Cup Sleeves

Does the world need luxury leather coffee cup sleeves? What's wrong with the free biodegradable, recycled cardboard sleeves offered at the coffee shop?

Jimmy Choo disagrees with me and has created a line of leather coffee cup sleeves in a variety of colors and textured leathers.  The luxury shoe manufacturer has come up with the brilliant way to sell their leftover pieces of leather to all of the fashion victims.

Is snakeskin leather supposed to be heated?  Will a leather coffee cup sleeve make you look fashionable?  Or ridiculous?  I'm all about great coffe and fashion.  But this one is laughable.