This & That: No. 3

Another app to try for all you fashion lovers, a house to peek inside and a simple, yet luxurious item to add to your wardrobe . . . 
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Architectural Renovation

Formerly the editor in chief of Elle Decor for 10 years (all in total 21 years at the magazine), Margaret Russell debuts her first issue as editor of Architectural Digest with the March 2011 issue. Determined to bring the once standard setting shelter magazine back to its former pedestal, Russell cleaned house deciding not to renew the plush writer’s contracts and even bringing in new staff this summer, some from Elle Decor.

With her determination to present material to a new tech-savvy reader (many efforts are in place to coordinate with iPad apps), she resolves to stay loyal to the foundation of what Architectural Digest was built upon - “showcasing the most striking architecture and sumptuous interiors”. After two long months of “renovation” on her debut issue, the magazine is ready for it’s big reveal. I look forward to picking up the copy to see exactly what she will be offering.

(Read the entire New York Times February 2nd article here and to read the Editor’s Letter, click here.)

 

Images: (1) New York Times (2) Source (3) Architectural Digest

Rules Of Style – Jennifer Aniston

I must admit, I have been a fan of Jennifer Aniston’s casual, cool style for quite some time.  Maybe it’s California, maybe it’s being an actress, but it seems to me, it is just who Jennifer Aniston is – a girl who doesn’t let the fashions consume her.  This is admirable when it is clear, she certainly has the means to don the latest fashions season after season.

After paying close attention to the dresses, designers and styles Aniston chooses to wear whether she is on the red carpet or during the day, it is evident that she tends to prefer to keep it simple with her choice of clothing and the colors so that her own beauty can shine - a strategy that is working very well for her.  Her color palette is very neutral – black (a lot of black), golds, grays and denim blues – and her beautiful mane of hair and bronzed glow seem to be her accessories of choice. And with accessories like those you certainly don’t need much else to shine.

Since FRIENDS ended in 2004, Aniston has created her own film company, starred in more than a handful of films and demonstrated that her architectural taste is just as impressive as her acting.  (View Jen’s interior style as shown in Architectural Digest’s February 2010 issue.)

With all of the commotion around her, she seems to be very assured of where she is going, what to devote her energy to and what to ignore. One of my favorite interviews she gave was to Elle US in the September 2009 issue. Jennifer is interviewed by a close friend and appears to share a bit more openly about her day to day life. Click here to read.

One thing that seems to add to her zen-like approach to life is her participation in regular yoga classes. To learn a bit more about her instructor and routine as shared in SELF magazine, click here.

All-in-all, Aniston, what the public sees at least, is someone who is intriguing both in her wardrobe choices, as well as her lifestyle.  Have a look at a few of the key components to Jennifer Aniston’s stylish life.

Tousled Ponytail 

T-Shirt & Blue Jeans 

Gray 

The Sunglasses

Tom Ford sunglasses

 

Black & Jewels 

Just Golden 

All Black

 

Long Sleeves, Short Dress 

Leather Jacket 

Dog Lover 

 

Get Fit With Yoga 

Strapless

 

Gray & Black 

Gorgeous Tresses

 

A Casual Confidence

With time and experience comes wisdom, and a sense of calm and comfort in one’s own skin, and Aniston certainly seems to have achieved this over the course of her career. Who she is now is someone much more intriguing than who she was when she was just beginning on the series FRIENDS.  And it also seems she has become more radiant. With that said, Aniston is proof that confidence is much more attractive than youth and good genes. (No pun intended.)

To view other Rules of Style:

*Tory Burch

*Katie Holmes

*Natalie Massenet

 

Images: (1) Source (2) Architectural Digest (4) Source (5) Source (6) Source (7) Source (8) Source (9) Source (10) Source (11) Source (12) Source (13) Source (14) Source (16)  Source (17) Source (19) Source (20) Source (21) Source (22) Source (23) Source (24) Source (25) Source (26) Source (27) Source (28) Source (29) Source (30) Source (31) Source (32) Source (33) Source (34) Source

Grandly Simple

Located in Bridgehampton, New York, this beautiful family home boasts cascadingly high ceilings, a very crisp white palette and ample amounts of square footage in each room. Shown in Architectural Digest’s December 2010 issue, read more about how exactly it all came together by clicking here.

All images courtesy of Architectural Digest

Classically Grand

Rob Lowe and his wife Sheryl’s home near Santa Barbara is a Georgian-style 20 room estate that was designed to resemble homes you might see in Mount Vernon, Virginia, where Lowe grew up.  With the help of architect Don Nulty, interior designer David Phoenix, landscape architect Mark Rios and feng shui master David Cho, the finished product reveals immaculate landscaped lawns, a crisp white palette to display their gypsy-travel treasures, and a view of the Pacific Ocean from their master suite that almost ensures sweet dreams.  Shown in Architectural Digest’s November 2010 issue, click here to read the entire article.

All images courtesy of Architectural Digest

First Impression

Whether we want to accept the truth of the following statement or not, deep down we know it’s true; after all, we are human and the most abundantly relied upon of all our senses is our sight.  We base are initial judgment of someone or something partially on how they present themselves upon our first introduction.  First impressions are a reality.   Whether we are interviewing someone for a job, meeting someone on a first date, visiting a destination for the first time, our first impression is just that – an impression upon our memory.  

With a home it is no different.  I remember the first time I was taken on a tour of my current home.  I can vividly remember standing in front of the front door with its worn-from-use, black iron knocker and being taken aback.  No door bell was necessary because one rap of this knocker would alert the attention of the owner from anywhere in the house. This particular knocker exuded a unique and original quality in my eyes, and I was immediately attracted. 

The entrance and foyer of a house set the mood, the tone, and reveal in a very small, compact window what is in store for the visitor.   Welcoming, tidy, presentable, contemporary, eclectic, bold, romantic or traditional – any number of adjectives have the potential of being set in stone in someone’s mind before they enter your home for the first time.  What impression do you want to send?  And what impression does your foyer send now?  It is certainly something to think about.

Keeping these two thoughts in mind, I’ve included a list of foyers that all make unique first impressions. Items that seem to be in just about every foyer for practical reasons are a mirror, unique and distinctive lighting, a console table of varying size and a place to sit down and remove one’s shoes.  As to what these items look like is completely dependant upon the style the owner is trying to achieve. What items do you feel a foyer must include? Enjoy having a look and welcome to each one of these homes.

I felt I needed to include two photos of the above foyer found at Decor Pad because there are so many beautiful elements – notice the seating, tiny table, a mirror and exquisite lighting.

A bold color immediately grabs the eye of any who enter this home, and with the added accessories and lovely console table a mood is immediately set. - House Beautiful

A simple, classic-ly clean foyer that allows the bones of the house to speak for themselves.  I appreciate how the color comes from simple elements such as the flowers in this case.   -Elle Decor

Cottage style with the above beams being revealed immediately whispers comfort can be found within.-Decor Pad

I have always been enamored with a spacious foyer furnished with a single table in the center of the floor. So powerful and screaming quality. –Decor Pad

If you happen to live in an older home, you may be fortunate (or unfortunate, depending upon your perspective) to have built-in decor by way of radiators.  I myself have a handful of radiators throughout my home, and love the character they bring.  But , how does one decorate with them?  One idea is displayed above, incorporate them into your design.  -Architect Design

The use of wallpaper and wainscoting announce a classic traditional look as one enters.  -Decor Pad 

A bit more rugged, yet clean and structured.-Decor Pad

I love the combination of the natural light, the long corridor and lavender in this particular foyer.  Scrumptious!  I would count the minutes while I was at work until the time came when I was able to walk in this front door.-Decor Pad

The double door, the glass chandelier and the mixing and matching of prints are simply stunning and work in an unexpected way. -Elle Decor

My eyes immediately were drawn to the blue and white urns on the floor and then they gently rose to the gorgeous bouquet on the console.  I enjoy the beige and china blue color combination as well. –Decor Pad

I will keep this short – the doors, the wallpaper – black and gold – gorgeous! -Elle Decor January 2010

And as we leave our homes this morning to venture out onto a new day  (with no mistakes in it –as Anne Shirley would say), it appears the sun is shining at least in the above photo, hopefully it is in your town as well.    Bonjour!