Chic and Colorful

For my own apartment, I like a neutral backdrop with small pops of color.  But every once in a while I see a colorful home that makes me want to call up the painters and completely redo everything.  Veronica Swanson Beard's amazing triplex is one of them.  Interior designer Thomas Britt helped Veronica and her husband with the decor of the 4,000 square foot home.  You might remember that he worked on her sister Alexis Swanson Traina's San Francisco house as well.  It's clear this is a family who's not afraid of bold color and patterns. Harper's Bazaar just featured the house but I also found some photos on Thomas Britt's website that give you an idea of the layout.  I probably won't end up painting my walls, but I just might reupholster my sofa in that amazing chartreuse green color.  Baby steps. 

Photos for Harper's Bazaar by Ditte Isager

Chic on Crosby Street

Crosby Street is one of my favorite places in New York.  Even though it's a block from Broadway, it's always quiet.  I'm a little jealous that Devon Radziwill lives on this chic street but excited to peek into her loft via APT with LSD on Vogue.com.  Needless to say, I love the artwork and library.

Photos by Claiborne Swanson Frank

The Chicest Hair Salon

Fashion week moves to Paris as do all the editors, buyers and bloggers.  I bet a few of them will be visiting the David Mallett hair salon for a brushing which is what the French call a blow out.  If I ever move to Paris, I'm going to David Mallett just so I can hang out in his gorgeous salon. The Australian born hairstylist has lived in Paris for 18 years and is a frequent visitor to the flea markets and antique shops.  He decorated the entire salon and his own apartment although, I've only seen a few tiny photos of the latter.  I hope French AD is working on a feature because if it's anything like the salon, I'm sure I will love it. 

An Intimate View into Versailles

What surprised me about visiting the Château de Versailles was the openness.  Windows and doors welcomed in the warm September air and it wasn't at all as closed off as many American monuments would be. This is even more amazing after you realize how much restoration all of the buildings have seen over the years.  Robert Polidori chronicled much of it with his camera in the 1980's including many rooms not open to visitors.  The photos are hauntingly beautiful so much so that you can almost picture Marie-Anotinette lounging in her bed.  The resulting book, Parcours Museologique Revisite, has been out for a few years but I just learned of it this week.  It's definitely worth a look, as is Versailles itself.

Photos by Robert Polidori