Friday, November 30, 2012

What do Lucky Luciano and Bob Hope Have In Common?-James Mont!





James Mont


James Mont, a notorious, possibly even murderous mid-century decorator, among his clients were gangsters (Lucky Luciano, Frank Costello) and movie stars (Bob Hope was the best man at his wedding). He also did some time in prison after assaulting a female colleague who ended up killing herself (as did his wife, mysteriously, after a mere 29 days of marriage). “He was mercurial, and he was hot-tempered, and he could be violent, according to Todd Merrill, who still featured Mont in his fabulous book ”Modern Americana”!
I have always been enamored with James Mont's willingness to push the envelope with furniture and his infusion of Asian lines into American pieces.  Although I have yet to own an actual James Mont piece I have searched for pieces in the “James Mont style” that myself and clients could still afford and when found, I grab them! I feel they mix well even into the most traditional of settings.  I use to peruse  Ebay for hours for that one piece that someone may not realize is the real thing! However, people have become more educated as to what they have due to the internet and the fun finds of yesterday are few and far between! Cest Le Vie, I still can dream!
A telling quote of James Mont: I am oriental! Mont noted that he was born in Constantinople in 1904, and that the delicate touch of Oriental Spice is just as necessary in furniture design as it is to proper cooking!
Have a wonderful weekend all! Check out a do it yourself project at the end of post!



Modern Americana by Todd Merrill

Todd Merrill's Apartment filled with James Mont pieces he acquired from a penthouse in FLA. that Mont designed.

James Mont throughout!

Bold and Beautiful.

Statement room! 


EBAY Finds: James Mont








1stDibs Finds Below:


Make Your Own Mont!

Using this below as your prototype-below.
Original Mont found on 1stDibs!
Cerused Oak piece from IKEA, and since Mr. Mont was famous for Liquor cabinets.. lets make one!
Rough sketch of end project. You can add more detail if you wish, I kind of like it as the prototype!
Add this Overlay across  the top of the doors, make sure that you have followed instructions and have used the Gold Rustoleum paint to gild greek key prior to adhering to piece!
Greek Key available at
MyOverlay.com
Lets gold leaf the wooden stand upon which the cabinet rests.
Available at Michaels.
Use what ever brand is suggested by My Overlays to paint greek key trim.
Use these 3x5 pulls from 360 Yard Ware after you have painted them gold with Martha Stewart's Gilding kit.
Have fun with this weekend project!

Credits- The Magazine Antiques, My Overlays, The Paris Apartment

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Oh Christmas Tree..Oh Christmas Tree!

Rockefeller Tree

I am heading into NYC today to see, "The Book Of Mormon"! I am excited, I hear it's fantastic. New York should be a bustle of people enjoying Holiday fare, especially since it also happens to be the annual lighting of the Rockefeller Tree at the Center!  Well, I think our travel timing wasn't the best but mass transit should be good to us! I started thinking about monumental trees around the globe and I thought I would share a few of with you. Happy Hump Day all!




Galeries Lafayette- Paris

London!

I am a bit partial to this one in Budapest!

Partial as well to good old Dublin!

Stockholm

Russia


Austria

Of course our Capital's beautiful Tree!



Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Fashion for Frightful Weather!

Winter is here! Especially in the Northeast where we spent a very snowy Thanksgiving weekend in the Adirondacks! I was glad that I brought my two yearold Nobis down coat, it kept me toasty! There are a few essentials that one needs to keep warm this time of the year, but that doesn't mean you have to give up looks for practicality.  I have some favorite outwear pieces that I would like to share with you. Although some may be pricey they are made so well that you will have them for years and you will be happy to drag them out on a cold blustery day! 



(Toasty Warm Boots)

Ulu Boots I have had for 5 years!

Uggs, really like this style

I just got these in Charcoal at The Birch Store in Keene! Brand-Eric Michael.

Love these- Nomad-Waterproof/ The Five Fish.com

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(My Favorite Line of  Winter Coats- Nobis!)







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(Love Nobis Hats!)



I have this one, its great!


(Gloves for Snow and on the Go!)

Grandoe are sooo warm!


Ooh, I love these Burberry gloves. Just right for a chilly car!

Burberry as well!

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Leaving on a Sunday Morning!

Let is snow...Let it snow ..Let it snow!
Good bye Lake Placid! Back to reality and a trip to Saratoga to check out Skidmore with my daughter. Where did the time go, it seems like yesterday that she walked into kindergarten!
Happy Sunday everyone!

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Time to Set the Table!

With one holiday over and another around the corner there will be parties and dinner gatherings across the globe! I love a well dressed table, and there are so many lovely settings out there to use. Whether you are  a minimalist or a maximist, dishware and accessories always create the scene. I am partial to vintage table settings and also love Juliska too! The Enchanted Home has wonderful table accessories such as linens, napkin rings, etc. as well. I think it's about creating the feeling you want your guest to experience when they sit down at your table that will definitely determine the type of table decor you choose.  Here are a few table setting that I love and individual pieces that are sure to be the talk of the table!


table with green plates and gifts on the seats
Mossy Green and White with touches of pewter create the look!

Eclectic and Clean set the scene here!

Simple Country Chic!

Simply classic and elegant with cream ware and fresh green and floral arrangement!

Love the Tiffany Blue mixed with Silver and white!
Juliska Sets the table here with Gray, white and purple accents!

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Majolica is always a favorite for a beautiful table setting.
Joe Ruggiero and the Tiffany Setting!


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Lovely rustic setting one of my favorites with birch mat and stone ware plus hints of moss for greenery!


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Transfer ware dishes, linen napkins, and Big Candy canes set the dish! The greens and topiaries bring a breath of fresh air!


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One of my all time favorites: Juliska Country Estate!! Fits in with any decor from country to tradtional even minimalist!

Juliska Country Estate Holiday Table & Giftware
Now the Juliska Country Estate Holiday! Love it!

Partial to Blue Transferware as well-CollarCity Brownstone

Charlotte Moss for Pickard Nancy Dinnerware - FREE SHIPPING
Charlotte Moss for Pickard Nancy Dinnerware!This can even suit a modernist!

Charlotte Moss for Pickard Espalier Dinnerware - FREE SHIPPING
Charlotte Moss for Pickard Espalier Dinnerware!


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White and Silver with lots of reflective surfaces!



Credits: Country Home Magazine,Pinterest, Juliska,Dinnerware Depot