Modern day cashmere throws

Are you tired of that hand me down traditional cashmere throw you got from your grandma with fringes?  Or browsing through stores and catalogs and all you see is cream, gray, navy colored ones?  Forget about those boring throws, Rani Arabella is much more cheerful than that!  She came up with yoyo throws.  These bright and happy cashmere throws will certainly add happiness and personality to any room! 

What kind of water can would Marie Antoinette use if she was alive today?

If Marie Antoinette was alive today, and instead of dressing up as a milkmaid, she decided to play a gardener, what kind of watering can do you think she would be using?  From Carolina Herrera of course!  This half-gallon watering can is made of silver-plated brass at a cost of $1900!  How else would modern day Marie Antoinette water her plants? 

You can't get more minimalist than this sink

I think this has to be the grand daddy of minimalist sink.  I have never seen anything like it.  How practical is it?  Probably not very.  I mean you have to have a super anal personality to use this daily as everything will needed to be stored away as there is no counter space to put anything.  But oh man, this has got to be one of the coolest sink ever.  I actually think it will be perfect for a powder room as you don't exactly need counter space to put tooth brush, soap, cup, etc. on. 

Do you want to have something in common with Leonardo DiCaprio?

Even New York Times is writing an article on Mark Ryden.... That's when you know you have made it despite all those art world taste makers cringing at his kitsch paintings.  No matter, Hollywood celebrities are clamoring for his work; from Katy Perry to Amanda Seyfried to Leonardo DiCaprio.  Even the infamous Lady Gaga meat dress was inspired by one of his painting.  His new show, The Gay 90s, opened on May 3rd at Kohn Gallery in LA.  His regular paintings sale for 200k to over a million.  But you can have one of his limited edition print for much less than that.

Presale time!

For those of you who missed Colette's 30% off one day sale few days ago, fret not; there are other sales to be had.  Bergdorf Goodman / Neiman Marcus is having a presale right now.  So hop on by the store(s) and nicely ask your sales people.  They are more than happy to presale things to you.  Tom Ford, Chanel, and Marc Jacobs are all included in the presale.  Barney's New York is also having a presale.  What's on your must buy list?    

Jeff Koons' take on Popeye

If you are looking for a trophy sculpture, no further than Jeff Koons' Popeye at Sotheby's on May 14th.  This 6'6" tall Popeye, is an edition of three, weighting in 2000 pounds stainless steel sculpture will cost its new owner a hefty sum...to the tune of $25 million!  The other two editions are owned by famed dealer Larry Gagosian and who else but fame mega collector Steve Cohen.  Popeye was first conceived in 1929, during the great depression.  Again, this sculpture was manufactured in 2009, the great recession.  Oh, the irony!

W sign in Los Angeles is made of...

Ever wonder what the W hotel sign in Hollywood is made of?  You know, the one that was shown on Million Dollar Listing in Los Angeles few seasons ago.  They used Sensitile.  Specifically the Jali Cascata line.  It is back-lit by LED light.  Sensitile has pretty cool looking products.  A lot of sparkling and twinkling things; perfect for that special area at home where you want some sparkle... like in a small powder room or in public areas... like bars.  

Versatile paper wall

Sometimes you want to partition a large open space into smaller spaces but you don't want to build something permanent.  What do you do?  I would get the Molo paper wall.  It's one of the most versatile paper wall option out there.  It can easily stand on its own; easy to install; and it's thickness also absorb sound.  You can also get different height screens so when you decide you don't want to stack them on top of each other to create an interesting screen, you can use them as seating block!!

iceblock chandelier

When you are looking for that special chandelier for your chalet up in the mountains, you may want to consider Lianne Gold's Grande Ciclo (Big Sky) chandelier.  I think the look goes perfectly within a wooden lodge; reminds me a lot of ice blocks in the winter.  Find it at Ralph Pucci International.

Hockney water into a lamp

Remember that masterfully painted David Hockney Los Angeles pool paintings?  Well, Poetic Lab came up with Ripple lamp to give you that ripple effect on your wall.  I guess a much cheaper way to obtain that ripple effect than buying a Hockney painting!  LOL.  How the ripple is created is by having one stationary dome projecting light through a larger slowly rotating dome.  Naturally the domes are all handblown crystal.  Get yours at Stillfried. 

Fire screen extraordinaire!

This Pietra Santa Fire Screen reminds me a lot of paintings by Gustav Klimt.  Perhaps it is inspired by his paintings?  Either way, the screen is perfect for a midcentury modern home or a futuristic ultra sleek interior.  Either way it will bring lots of color and chicness to any interior.  Find more info on Philip Nimmo's website.

Tire of your normal doorlock?

Recently heard the founder of the company talking about this innovative lock set. I've seen few of these before but this is the first one that actually looks highend and clean cut.  Definitely on my to get list!  This Goji lock is available in June!

dots dots everywhere!

If there is one artist who is known for dots, it has to be Yayoi Kusama.  She obsessively puts dots everywhere.  And I mean EVERYWHERE!!!  She was originally born in Japan but moved to the States in 1958 to NYC.  In the 60s, she regularly exhibit along with Andy Warhol and Claes Oldenburg and her art was associated with Pop Art movement.  In 1973, she moved back to Japan and continue with her art as well as published several books.  In 1993, she represented Japan at the Venice Biennale.  She has been exhibited at MOMA, Tate Modern, Walker Art Center, LACMA, Centre Pompidou, and Whiteney Museum of American Art among others.   One of her artwork was sold for $5.1M recently which made her the highest auction record holder for a living female artist.  Luckily for us mere mortals, we can purchase her soft sculpture at Whitney for $350.  Pretty good deal if you ask me.

Hiroshi Sugimoto + Hermes = sublime

Hiroshi Sugimoto needs no introduction to anyone who have taken art history 101 in college.  But for those of you whom are not familiar with him, he was born in Japan and moved to US to study at Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles in 1970.  He is mostly known for his photographic series that captures abstract qualities such as movement, spirit, light, space, and time.  He had exhibited at Hirshhorn Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in NYC, The Met, MOCA in Los Angeles.  Basically who's who museums in US and around the world.

True to his photographs, these scarves that he collaborated with Hermes have sublime quality to them.  Somehow they just look ethereal.  Personally I would just frame any of these scarves and hang them on walls instead of wearing them.  Scarves can be purchased here.    

Valentino table made by Valentino?

Who knew Valentino makes marble tables....Well, not exactly.  This table, although called Valentino table, is actually designed by Emanuele Zenere for Cattelan Italia.  Table may look slightly unstable, but cylinder in white Carrara marble ensures that this table ain't going anywhere.  I think it's perfect as a conference table and definitely elegant enough to sit in any Valentino boutique.  Don't you think?

Pietra dura, the modern way

For those of you unfamiliar with what pietra dura means, it basically is using cut stones to compose an image and inlaid it into a piece of furniture.  The technique has been around since Ancient Rome but was most popular during 17th to 19th century.  Many highly prized 18th century French furniture are embedded with pietra dura. 

Patrick Naggar of Ralph Pucci took the concept and ran with it.  The result is something reminiscent of the past but yet distinctly present.  This gem cabinet is truly unique and will fit into your modern interior seamlessly. 

The new Le Corbu

When I first started studying architecture, I fell in love with works from SANAA.  This Japanese firm is headed by two architects: Sejima and Nishizawa.  I find their work elegant and beautiful.  They are not the type to design something with crazy shapes or color.  Their work is more subtle and minimalist.  I think they are the modern day Corbusier.  I believe good architecture doesn't need to be flashy but it needs to have a good proportion with great detail.  SANAA achieved that and then some.  That's why they were awarded with Pritzker Prize in 2010, the highest honor any architect would dream to receive.  In 2009, they designed the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion in London.  This is what they said about their project: "The Pavilion is floating aluminum, drifting freely between the trees like smoke.  Its appearance changes according to the weather, allowing it to melt into the surroundings.  It works as a field of activity with no walls, allowing uninterrupted view across the park and encouraging access from all sides."  The pavilion is no exist but Serpentine Gallery sells SANAA prints of the pavilion on their online shop! 

Marc by Marc Jacobs tablet sleeve winner!!!!

Congrats to Xunle M.!  You are the winner of my Marc by Marc Jacobs tablet sleeve giveaway!  Please send me your US mailing address within a week so I can mail your prize out promptly.

Thank you everyone else for entering.  Until next time.  Have a great week!

From one Michelin star to two

I remember going to Quince when they first re-opened at their Jackson square location.  Food was wonderful.  I specifically remember their huckleberry souffle.  It was just divine!  At that time, they had one Michelin star.  I returned couple times since.  The last time I returned, they were upgraded to two Michelin stars.  The menu had changed as well.  I can see why they were upgraded.  The menu feels a lot more concise and controlled.  Before they had a la carte menu but now they only offer prix-fixe menu.  I can see why they did that as that gives them a better control of the food and presentation.  The service felt more orchestrated and refined as well.  Not that the old Quince was a mess or anything but now everything just feel like it's coming together nicely.  Typically for me, I feel like there is always some kind of miss in an one Michelin star restaurant, but when you get to two Michelin stars, all the kinks should have been worked out.  I can honestly say that everything I had at Quince last time was delectable; everything was cooked perfectly; I can't think of anything to complaint about.  Oh yes, there was one.  When they bring out the petite fours at the end, it was 6 different ones and both my best friend and I have always, always fought over who gets the pate de fruit.  But Quince had that solved as well.  They brought out additional pate de fruit for the whole table without batting an eye.  Everyone at the table agreed that we are coming back again! 

Not your average hammock

We all have an affinity to anything that swings; I think it probably reminds us of our childhood.  Well, Jim Zivic took it up a notch with his hammock.  This one is not the one you used to swing on your local childhood playground.  This adult version is ultra luxurious and great for taking a nap on anytime.  Get your fix at Ralph Pucci in NYC or Weho.