giveaway winner!!!!

Thank you all for entering the giveaway.  We have a winner!  The winner is Bob W!!!  Bob, please send me your US mailing address within one week and your Marc by Marc Jacobs computer sleeve will be on its way!  Thank you everyone for entering and until next time, have a wonderful summer!

It always comes down to the details

The difference between a nice interior and a fantastic interior is in the details.  It always come down to nitty-gritty things IMO.  The biggest clue for me is hardware.  If hardware is well done, then you can be sure everything else is of high quality.  One of the nicest hardware manufacturer is Nanz company.  They can customize each knob, each handle, and each pull.  The possibility is endless.  The result, of course, is timeless. 

A bookcase that will definitely turn heads!

Dutch furniture designer Joris Laarman is definitely turning heads with his out of this world designs.  Reed Krakoff, New York based fashion designer, and Michael Ovitz, ex-president for Walt Disney company, are among his biggest fans.  But Joris is not only interested in making expensive pieces for high profile patrons, but he's also interested in offering one of his chairs free online.  Just go download it and print it via a 3D printer (for less than $50)!!  Now that's an agreeable price for just about everyone!

Rare Renaissance Manuscript by a female author

We all heard of William Shakespeare and Leonardo da Vinci, but how many of us heard of any names of female authors from Renaissance period? Or are women during that time even educated enough to write a manuscript?!  As anyone can imagine, majority of the population can barely read thus having a publish female author is extremely rare.  Luckily, Christie's recently found some manuscript by Catherine D'Amboise.  This is the third known prose work attributed to her.  In a world dominated by male writers during Renaissance, this manuscript is a rarity indeed. 

Summer Giveaway!

Summer time is the time to get away from it all and have some R&R.  As a digerati (or not), you have to bring your laptop right?  What better way to protect your laptop than to store it in a Marc by Marc Jacobs sleeve?  This Marc by Marc Jacobs computer sleeve is the ultimate home away from home for your laptop.  The form fitting construction is lined with faux fur to keep your baby safe, secure and oh so scratch-free.  The Marc by Marc Jacobs custom styling shows the world you know how to let loose, even when you play it safe. 

The giveaway commence tomorrow at 9AM!!!  Be sure to come back and enter!

Please note: apologies to my international friends - I wish I could extend these giveaways to you but legal restrictions prevent it. Thanks for understanding. 

A multifunctional outdoor light

Who doesn't like a multifunctional furniture?  This indoor/ outdoor light called Solar, designed by Jean Marie Massaud for Foscarini, can also function like a side table for drinks.  The indoor version has a slight concave top while the outdoor version is flat to allow water to drain off easily.  The flat surface on the top acts like a reflecting surface and help diffuse lights below.  Result is a serene light source that gives indirect light to interior or exterior. 

Buy Christmas art gift now?!

Is it too early to start buying Christmas gifts?  I don't think so!  LOL.  It's better to buy some now when things are marked down than to buy retail later on IMO.  For those who have modern art lover friends, here's a good solution for ya:

This red Damien Hirst t-shirt is 50% off and all the profit goes to Global fund (recipient of RED funds) that finances programs to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in Africa.  Buying a t-shirt never felt so good or fashionable! 

No doubt you know Jeff Koons is having a retrospective at Whitney Museum in NYC.  Here's a t-shirt that will go very well with that exhibition!  Again, all the profit from the t-shirt goes to Global fund (recipient of RED funds) that finances programs to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in Africa.

Last Picks of men's SS14 sale

I have to say this year's sale had been picked over and then some and we are not even at the final stretch.  Most of the more desirable pieces flew out the door when they were marked down 30-40% off.  Mr. Porter, the online purveyor of men's luxury fashion, close out their SS14 sale few days ago with some of the items only marked down 40% when it typically reduce everything 70-80% off in seasons past!  I guess with the Fed printing cheap money, one does not need to wait for Last Calls!  With that said, there are still few pieces left in various sales I can recommend:

If you are dying to dress like Justin Timberlake in Love Never Felt So Good video, you are in luck as this Balmain biker jacket had been sold out everywhere.... but of course I find one that is still available at Raffaello Network.  You are welcome!

At almost 50% off, this Bottega Veneta woven leather sneaker is a classic.  BV makes these yearly which makes this buy a good one as it never goes out of style and color black goes with everything!  Get yours at Neiman Marcus.

Remember Rhianna wore a Givenchy Rottweiler t-shirt that practically put Givenchy back on fashion map?  Well, rottweiler is back!  This rottweiler-patch cuban (aka polo) shirt is on sale at Bergdorf with all sizes (S,M,L) available.  It's only 30% off but many outlets are actually carrying this polo shirt over to the FW14 collection so at least this one is on sale.

Looking for eye-popping socks?  This pair from Missoni will deliver.  They are 50% off at MatchesFashion and shipping is free to USA.  What's not to like?

Versatile is what you need, then this Moncler Alain Reversible coat at Roden Gray should fit the bill.  On one side is solid olive color and on the other side is camouflage print.  This jacket even comes with a matching carrying pouch.  And the best part is... it's 70% off.  When was the last time you saw anything Moncler at 70% off (that's not a fake and being sold on Ebay)?   

Dying for a pair of Lanvin sneaker but don't want to pay for that hefty retail price?  Here's a pair from LN-CC for 60% off retail!  Best of all is that they have every single size left!  Many places have sold out of sizes at 30-50% off but leave it to me to find a pair at a legit website that has all the sizes left.  LOL.

Firescreen that goes with your mid-century modern home

Can't find a gorgeous firescreen that goes well with your chic mid-century modern interior?  Fear not 'cause John Lyle Design to the rescue.  This Vestal firescreen is not only sculptural, but will be the head turner when you have guests over.  You will never go back to mesh firescreens again!  Comes in silver, black, and gold finishes.

How to take shower en plein air!

Like taking open air showers?  Oborain's the Cove got you covered so to speak!  This super chic looking showers let you have the open air shower experience you get when you go to places like Calistoga Ranch but at the privacy of your own home.  Or if you live near a beach, this will be perfect for showering off those pesky sand before heading back into the house.  Just hook up the shower head to hot and cold garden faucets and you are good to go!

Not your grandpa's rocking chair

Ron Arad always come up with designs that look futuristic.  This MT3 rocking chair is no exception.  This sleek looking chair, no doubt, will become talking point of any interior/ exterior.  The chair comes in the following color combinations: white exterior orange interior, exterior red black interior, exterior blue blue green interior.

Modern day Récamier

Maybe you do need to recline after a hard day of work in your garden, but something like David's portrait of Madame Récamier's Directoire sofa may be too impractical for the outdoors.  Well, Janus et Cie to the rescue!  The Avanda recamier is made of weather-resistant powder-coated steel and woven synthetic fiber so you never have to worry about your récamier getting damaged by elements.

What is a Récamier?

Récamier is a reclining sofa; typically the arm is higher on one side and lower (or none) on the other side but it can also have two arms at same height; but the height of the arm(s) is always higher than a typical sofa.  It was named after Juliette Récamier, a Parisian socialite.  The name caught on was probably because of the famous painting of her by Jacques-Louis David.  Here Madame Récamier is reclining on a Directoire style sofa.  Directoire is a period between post French Revolution but before Napoleon Bonaparte came into power in 1799.

My pick of SS14 men's fashion sale

While I'm not sure what will still be available 9AM Pacific Time but as of right now (12:21AM Pacific Time), these are some of the highlights for the SS14 men's sale so far:

This Bottega Veneta Leather Bomber Jacket at Mr.Porter is total gorge!  And it's marked down from $4800 to $1440.  While still expensive but a lot less than that close to 5k retail price.  Love this shade of blue.  A total standout for a guy who's not afraid of wearing none conventional colors.

This Valentino Camo-Print Parka jacket at Bergdorf Goodman is another on trend piece.  60% off retail from $1400 to $559 is a great bargain.  Camouflage print is highlighted in Valentino, Moncler, Givenchy collection this season plus truth be told, camo prints are always in!

As far as I'm concern, one can never have too many Lanvin toe cap trainers in one's shoes collection.  This dark blue/grey at Barney's New York is currently 40% off.  Price dropped from $620 to $369.  These classic toe cap trainers should last you many years to come.

One of the hottest brand right now in hiphop community is En Noir.  They specialize in streetwear style clothes.  People from Kanye to Flo Rida are all fans of this brand.  Graphic t-shirts are big hits this spring/summer as can be seen in well known brands such as Givenchy.  This En Noir version from SSense is 70% off.  Price dropped from $250 to a much more affordable $75. 

Make your summer entertaining a little bit cooler

It's summer time and you are entertaining your guests.  Maybe this time instead of serving your drinks with the same old boring round tumblers, why not use the multifaceted Crinkle glassware from West Elm?  Not only they look architectural, but they are also very reasonably priced; 6 for a princely sum of $30!   

Don't have a green thumb? No problem!

For those of you who travel a lot or for those of you who always forget to water your plant, Click & Grow to the rescue!  This pot is perfect for the lazy/ forgetful owner of any plant.  All you have to do is put in batteries, fill the water reservoir, and Smartpot will do the rest for up to at least a month!  Now we are talking!

If you need a magazine rack, look no further!

Say hello to a sleek magazine rack brought to you from the land of the sun.  Hiromichi Konno made this gorgeous brass framed magazine rack that comes with three color leather options: orange, white, or black.  Personally I like orange color the best as it will definitely pop in any interior.

Orange is the new black: Hermès

Now doubt when one sees an orange box, there is only one store that comes to one's mind: Hermès.  Some of you may know that Hermès started in 19th century and one would have to assume that beautiful shade of orange had always been synonymous with Hermès.  But actually Hermès did not adopt the color orange as its signature color until after World War II.  After the war, Hermès was redoing their bags and boxes.  Somehow no one wanted orange dye thus there were plenty of supplies.  This is how Hermès ended up using the color orange: because no one wanted it!  Or course today, an orange Hermès box signifies elegance, handmade, and exclusivity.    

Perfect outdoor seating for those living in a chilly area

Sitting is believing!  Having sat in one of these myself, I was totally sold by Aaron Jones' Helios outdoor lounge.  While it may not look that comfortable, well, looks can be deceiving.  If you live in SF, go to Bar Agricole and try it out yourself.  Or if you made it to SF Decorator Showcase house this year, they had one too.  The chair just envelopes you somehow and made you think why didn't someone come up with this like twenty years ago??!  Now about that propane heaters in your backyard... it's time to let them go.

Not just another cantilever chair

There has got to be zillions of versions of cantilever chair, but this seating somehow feels a little bit more special.  Commissioned by the Wallpaper magazine for Wallpaper Handmade project, this one has an artisan feel to it.  I can see it fit perfectly in a restaurant with decor that's either industrial or rustic.  Made by Atlas Industries.