House Beautiful articles from July 2007

House Beautiful archives from July 2007

Place setting.(THE BEST!)(plastic cutlery)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... This chic Italian-made plastic cutlery is definitely not your grandmother's silver, but it's close. It has the same ornate details and is substantial enough to reuse. Dishwasher-safe. Four-piece place setting in seven luscious colors, $25, by...

1. Quilt.(THE BEST!)(Denyse Schmidt's designs)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... Denyse Schmidt's bold, graphic quilts could put a dent in your checkbook, but now you can get the heirloom look at a fraction of the cost in her collection for Sarita Handa. String Theory Blue (top) and Red in Full/ Queen, only $330, would work...

2. Broom.(THE BEST!)(from Thailand)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... In seven unexpected colors, these handsome brooms leave the competition in the dust. Handmade in Thailand using sorghum grass, bamboo, and eco-friendly dyes. From $25. SWEEP DREAMS: sweepdreams.com. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

3. Plate.(THE BEST!)(Thomas Paul's designs)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... These plates may be wittier than your dinner partner. In black melamine with a trompe l'oeil doily that also makes it perfect for home-baked cookies. Set of 4 Gothic Dinner Plates by Thomas Paul, $36. ELSEWARES: elsewares.com. ...

4. Champagne.(THE BEST!)(tote bag)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... Neat trick--this stylish insulated nylon tote doubles as an ice bucket, fanning out when the zippers are unzipped. And a great deal--it comes with a bottle of Moet & Chandon White Star Champagne. Star Bag, $70. ACKER MERRALL & CONDIT:...

5. End table.(THE BEST!)(designed by Andrianna Shamaris)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... Like some new-age Brancusi, this 20-inch-high table, designed by Andrianna Shamaris and made in Indonesia, fuses nature and art. Ebonized teak and chunks of resin conjure up fire and ice, from $1,900. ANDRIANNA SHAMARIS: 212-388-9898. ...

1. Pendant light.(THE BEST!)(design by Jamie Young)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... Such great shapes... why not float a group of these ethereal mercury glass pendants by Jamie Young over a kitchen island? Gold-leaf paint inside casts a warm glow. From left, St. Charles, St. Croix, and LaFitte, 13 to 10 1/2 inches high, from...

2. Paper napkin.(THE BEST!)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... Dress up your Chinet with these charming cocktail napkins. Clockwise from top: Cecilia, Garden Pavilions, Papageno. $4.50 for a pack of 20. CASPARI: 800-227-7274. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

3. Wastebasket.(THE BEST!)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... A good wastebasket is hard to find. We like this for its tailored lines and crunchy texture--it's woven from palm fibers, left natural or dyed black to create that stripe. Flair wastebasket, $75. MECOX: 800-487-4854. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

4. Garden pot.(THE BEST!)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... The acanthus-leaf motif and that crusty finish almost fooled us into thinking this clay pot was centuries old. Made in Belgium. $325. HOLLYHOCK: 310-777-0100. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

5. Side chair.(THE BEST!)(made-to-order; by English furniture designer Thomas Messel)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... The ultimate monogram! We fell for this exquisite chair at Charlotte Moss's new Manhattan shop (notice the handcarved C and M on the back, the suede seat, the gesso finish) and it can be made to order with your own initials. The Side Chair, by...

Color: from your travels: designers on vacation can be inspired by the most unexpected things. Here are some of the places and colors they can't forget.
July 1, 2007... BARRY DIXON FARROW & BALL CLARA YELLOW 73 BENJAMIN MOORE CALYPSO ORANGE 2015-30 I was in Morocco with a Berber guide, sleeping in a goatskin tent in the desert, and he took me to this spice market where there were bushels of saffron in...

Instant room Annie Selke: if you love color, and want a really happy room, this is the designer to watch. Here's her vision of the ultimate carefree bedroom, from her Pine Cone Hill collection.
July 1, 2007... CHAISE 1. Selke puts STARBOARD TICKING on the 3825-21 Chaise, which is part of the Pine Cone Hill Home Collection by Lee that she designs. She would also use the fabric for curtains. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CHAIR 2. A sweet...

Everywhere we look klismos chair: is it a blip, or is it a trend? When HB sees a piece as often as we've seen the klismos lately, you need to know the whole story....
July 1, 2007... A LITTLE BACKSTORY No one's ever sat on an original Greek klismos chair, because not one has actually survived. Its popularity peaked around 400 B.C., but it was resurrected in the 18th century, when all things classical were the fashion....

The daily green: going green doesn't mean you have to go brown. Nobody ever said you can't have a conscience and love color too.(paints; furnishings)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... A NEW BREED OF PAINT Yolo Colorhouse interior paints have so much going for them: no toxic chemicals (VOCs); poster-size swatches painted with real paint and backed with low-adhesive tape; 50 colors organized into seven color families to make...

Technophobia blogging: exactly what is a blog? Lockhart Steele, the founder of some of our favorites, tells us why the medium is so great--it's all about putting your voice out there.
July 1, 2007... BLOGGING 101: **>>> A blog (short for web log) is a user-generated Web site where entries are made in journal-style, are frequently updated & are intended for general public consumption What makes a blog different from any other kind...

The makeover Part 2: the front door: first impressions count, and the smallest touch can make a big difference. Designer T. Keller Donovan proves it's all in the details.
July 1, 2007... Where did you start? First, I took off the screen door. I don't believe in screen doors on the front of a house. They always open out, and I just don't think it's welcoming to have a door shoved in your face as you're trying to get in. And...

I'm looking for a sectional.(FURNITURE)(Buyers guide)
July 1, 2007... We've fallen for the new sectional: stylish, tailored, and so sexy. All that room makes it the perfect party piece for a crowd, while lounging solo is like getting a big hug 1. MALHOUN by Didier Gomez, $12,000. Ligne Roset:...

Lunch for four: in the romantic house, editor-at-large Senga Mortimer set a simple table that completely dazzled us. This new column shows you what's behind the look.(TABLESCAPE)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)(Column)
July 1, 2007... To make flowers really pop, contrast the color of the bouquet with the color of the vase. Don't let broken stems go to waste. Cut them evenly, put them in short glasses and you'll have more color on your table. Mix lass with cut...

Ask the Barefoot Contessa: Ina's secret for having as much fun as your quests at summer parties? Grill ahead of time.
July 1, 2007... Q In the summer, we're always grilling hot dogs and hamburgers for a party. Is there anything else I can make that s just as easy but a little Bit different? A Since I hate being stuck at the grill while my friends are having: cocktails, I...

Cookbook: an impassioned fisherman and seafood chef, David Pasternack is so enthusiastic about fish, he'll make you see it a whole new way with The Young Man & the Sea.
July 1, 2007... STARTING WITH THE PHOTOGRAPH of the adorable David Pasternack on the front cover, there is a lot to like about The Young Man & the Sea--written with Ed Levine--and its more than 100 inventive and comforting recipes. Unless he's fishing,...

Lush life: is this the South of France? No, it's the ultimate California fantasy.(SUMMER LIVING)(home; architecture)(Interview)
July 1, 2007... FRANCES SCHULTZ: This extraordinary house enjoys an equally extraordinary setting. I don't know which one to talk about first. PAUL WISEMAN: Let's start with the setting, because the clients have lived there for many years in a house next...

Ship shape: when you have a passion for boating, you want to bring it home with you, in blue and white, bunk beds, and brass.(SUMMER LIVING)(home design)(Interview)
July 1, 2007... CHRISTOPHER PETKANAS: This Delaware summer house is an ode to relaxed, uncomplicated beach living. JODI MACKLIN: The house measures 4,000 square feet and was built in 1982 in a kind of neo-Williamsburg style with a brick facade. It was in...

One hundred and one vases.(SUMMER LIVING)(Buyers guide)
July 1, 2007... 1 ANTHURIUM, 13" H, POLYRESIN, $63; BLUEFISH HOME: BLUEFISHHOME.COM. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 2 RIVER ROCK IKEBANA, 2.5" H, POLISHED ALUMINUM, $58; MICHAEL ARAM: 212-461-6903. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 3 TWIST, 12"...

Cottage classic: you don't get more "all-American summer" than this: shingles and porches and fresh air rooms and flowers from the garden.(SUMMER LIVING)(Interview)
July 1, 2007... LISA CREGAN: So how many classicists does it take to build a beach house? PAULA PERLINI: We really were a dream team--the architect, Mark Ferguson, me, and the clients. We all love classical design. But right from the beginning, the...

Family style: what's more cozy than a country compound where the generations come and go and leave their mark?(SUMMER LIVING)(homes)(Interview)
July 1, 2007... CAROL PRISANT: These are two related, but completely separate buildings, is that right? JUSTINE CUSHING: It is. They're only 20 yards apart, and on 27 of what I'd have to call bucolic acres of my own family's compound on Long Island. It...

Coastal chic: soft colors and luminous rooms give a new house on Long Island a polished calm and a personality all its own.(SUMMER LIVING)(home design)(Interview)
July 1, 2007... MIMI READ: I know this is a standard builder's house, but you've made it so individual, so relaxed and refined. JACQUELINE DERREY SEGURA: I really like to come tip with something different for all my clients. That's why I gave this one so...

Kitchen of the month/Calistoga, California: guests love to help cook and the weather is glorious. So why not bring the kitchen outside?(Interview)
July 1, 2007... CHRISTINE PITTEL: What a spectacular setting--on a ridge overlooking the Napa Valley, with vineyards next door and an outdoor kitchen that looks like it was made for a party. ARCHITECT MICHAEL LAYNE: It's all about entertaining. People are...

The look kitchen of the month: a head-turning umbrella ... a wood-burning oven ... comfortable weather-resistant chairs. Just what you need for wining and dining outdoors.(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
July 1, 2007... 1. Deborah Krasner's new book THE NEW OUTDOOR KITCHEN is not just a bunch of pretty photos. It's packed with info and advice to help you make the right choices. $30. THE TAUNTON PRESS: 800-888-8286; taunton.com. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Ask the dog shrink: before you get yanked to the ground, keep in mind ... your dog is more into fun than fashion.(pet collar)
July 1, 2007... QA My 70-pound dog pulls so hard when we walk, I'm afraid the leash will break. But I love her skinny pink rhinestone-encrusted leash, which matches her collar. Are there any decorative chain leashes? SO MANY THINGS WRONG with this...

The last words: how do you make summer entertaining easy and breezy?
July 1, 2007... "I recently did a Mediterranean buffet for a party. I toasted my own pita chips with olive oil, cumin, and fennel seeds. Then I brought my bowl over to a restaurant around the block and they filled it for me with their wonderful hummus. Add a...