Tablet Hotels Sweepstakes: PARIS

Has the economic crisis cramped your vacation style lately? Well here's a chance at a vacation bail out...

Tablet Hotels is giving away 5-nights in Paris at the Hotel Pont Royal
and dinner for two at the uber-chic L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon.

Enter HERE.

The lucky winner will get to see this view in person... have you entered yet?!?



The hotel is located 10 minutes from major attractions like the Louvre and my personal favorite, the Musee D'Orsay. It prides itself on being "very left bank." Hotel's got an attitude!



The French Deco styled Lobby is lined in black and white portraits and scrolled ironwork.



I love this room... very modern yet the toile coverlet keeps it distinctly French. Colorful fresh flowers are always a bonus.


Good morning massive stained glass window! Who wouldn't want to wake up to this view!



After seeing the sights, the winner will dine on magnifique French cuisine by renowned chef Joel Robuchon at his namesake restaurant L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon.








After dinner the weary and awestruck traveler can mosey on over to the Signature Bar for a nightcap.





There can only be one Winner, but there will be FIFTY 2nd Prize recipients... If you can't go to Paris, you might as well eat like a Parisian with your copy of Monsieur Robuchon's new cookbook The Complete Robuchon. It features classic French fare and simple preparations.

Bon Chance!

A Carafe Half Full

Here's an easy everyday luxury that I have to share: the glass carafe.

I bought the classic "Full Litre" above for about $5 at World Market. How could I pass it up! It is an obvious staple for wine or water at the dinner table, and I find myself using it more and more just for myself. Whether I'm holing up in my home office for a few hours or watching a movie, it's such a convenience to have a carafe of fresh water at an arms reach.


It's hard enough to resist any fleur de lis, but pink too!?!
Only $28, this one dresses up any table and everyday dinnerware.

Another classic design and reasonable buy ($25), La Rochere's French Bee Carafe provides instant charm.

This would be my splurge at $50. It's coined the "Bedside Carafe" and is so handy with its included top/drinking glass. What a great way to spoil guests (or yourself) as they head to to bed with this pretty hand-etched vessel.


The Contemporary version of the Bedside Carafe. Priced well at $19.95 I would love to fill this with mouth wash and use it in a bathroom. It's much prettier than the plastastic container from the drug store, and would make each rinse that much more refreshing in the morning.

Gotta love form and function!

Bringing Contemporary to Connecticut

I tried get my mind out of Connecticut, I really did.

And then I pulled the new issue of House Beautiful out of the mailbox, and this is the first thing my eyes landed on...

This very tailored Kitchen of the Month belongs to a home in my beloved Ridgefield!

The gorgeous slabs of Calacutta Gold marble give a beautiful first impression.

Calacutta Gold Marble + Espresso Walnut Cabinetry + Exposed Stainless Steel=

Polished & Contemporary

Designers Christie Shultz & Eileen Segalman (also the owner) implemented a two island design, a wonderful concept for a hard-working kitchen. One island for prep and one for clean-up... also very convenient when you have large gatherings or more than one cook in the kitchen.

Eileen's nod to Art Deco is evident in the streamlined design of the wood blinds and their chocolate brown trim, and the large circular window.

Its certainly not your typical country kitchen, and at first glance some may find it cold. The design selections are really to be appreciated upon understanding Eileen's design aesthetic. She loves the look of many styles-French & Art Deco, Midcentury Modern, Hollywood Glamour, Contemporary, Natural. Once I realized these design inspirations, it no longer felt cold at all... It's exhilarating to see an idea captured so well!


All of the lines are very crisp, including the sleek Dornbracht "Tara" Plumbing Fixtures. These are some of my favorite faucets to use in a kitchen, no matter what the style of the home. They're well made, look great, and their un-fussy design is easy to keep clean and polished.


Contemporary gets glamourous in the Dining Area. The large stainless steel fireplace surround is the major focal point, connecting this room to the Kitchen. The dark wood table does the same. I love the Louis Ghost Chairs & geometric bordered rug here- so unexpected... they both bring levity to an otherwise serious design.

Notice the elegant repetition of the tall windows, accentuated by vertical lines in the blinds and the wall sconces. This room must be beautiful at night with soft illumination from the sconces and pendant and the gleaming reflection of firelight on the stainless steel.

Look at the ceiling treatment too... again crisp lines of the molding and contrasting paint draw your eye up.

This is a very thoroughly planned space, even the contents of these cabinets are well designed!

Now head over here to see another superbly done & more traditional Kitchen!

SPECS:

Paint: Benjamin Moore Beach Glass (walls), China White (trim)

Cabinets: Walnut with Espresso Stain by Plain & Fancy through Kitchen Traditions

Hardware: Polished Chrome by Colonia Bronze

Marble: Calacutta Gold Marble from Stone Resources

Appliances: Fisher & Paykel, Viking

Plumbing Fixtures: Dornbracht

Lighting: Audrey in Mocha Dupiani by Stonegate (pendant),Fabby Lighting (Sconces)

Window Coverings: Wood Blinds by Nanik

Table: CalligarisChairs: Louis Ghost Chairs by Phillipe Starck

Rug: Masland

Weekend Projects

1

Finish the skirt on my sofa's slipcover. Luckily, when I started the project of making my own tailored slipcover I had no idea how time intensive it would actually be... Rachel makes it look so easy! Sometimes its better to be naive!

2

Have the the Anquilla Lantern hung in my Kitchen (above far left).

It will be a huge change from whats currently there...ahh lantern love!

3
Un-bury the burlap that has been waiting patiently to be made into a tablecloth that will sit

underneath the Kitchen-Transforming-Lantern.

4

Purchase everything above. Ha... I kid.
Though it would certainly be easier and definitely much more fun that what I really have to do...

Transform my closet into a well groomed machine, with things in their proper places, a polish on my shoes & handbags, and hopefully a lot less frustration on rushed mornings!

5
Tackle the never ending job of office organization.

With each shelter magazine that is going under (see the latest news at Cote de Texas) there will be less to look through, scan, and file in the future... though that doesn't shrink the pile sitting there now!


Oh by the way, did I mention that my over-achieving mind is planning all of this for THIS weekend?

I better get going, especially if I'm hoping to see this as well!

Keep this in mind...

Inspiration for my dear friends upcoming bridal shower ...

Flickr

Table setting
Originally uploaded by trace228

Spring Has Sprung

At least at J.Crew, that is. Just opened the new catalog and found this pretty dress in a pretty setting. I love the linen chaise and Swedish inspired screen.

Zaccheus Mead

One last stop before mentally leaving Connecticut...

The Zaccheus Mead estate in Greenwich. Its more than handsome, its also available!

The home was built in 1958 and remodeled in 2000, but who would guess it's anything but authentic colonial with its fieldstone exterior and natural shingle roof. The 5,864 sq foot house sits on 2 acres and is listed at $7.2 million. This being Greenwich, its actually not at the top of the price range!

Don't you just love the glass paned Front Door? The home's classical proportions & style and the boxwood urns remind me of John Saladino...

The backside of the house looks to be finished in clapboard.

The fieldstone bordered heated pool is so serene!

*Take a deep breath before the next picture. It may leave you speechless.*

The shining, or actually the reclaimed star of this house is the three story Great Room. Isn't the ceiling amazing?!? Its crafted of 1820's barnwood from New Hampshire. The center table piled with books and blooms is spectacular sitting beneath the turned-wood style chandelier. I love the unexpected addition of the zebra rug, pillow and ottoman... maybe the owners went to Dovecote!!!

Another shot of the Great Room. Its easy to picture candlelit dinners spent around this table! The cream sofas and light diamond pattern rugs keep the room bright and fresh. Another cozy seating area is in the alcove, surrounded by floor to ceiling taupe checked curtains.

A photo of one of the 5 bedrooms, this one showcasing a wonderful wall covering. These owners certainly have good taste. I do wish that the listing included a photo of the Kitchen or one of the 6.5 Baths! But maybe that's the marketing ploy-who wouldn't want to see the rest of the home after this little tease!

We'll head out the side door and take in some more of the view.

Driving away will be hard, especially with a pretty drive like this...