Jazzing Up Jack Rogers

Jack Rogers Navajo sandals have been popular since they were created in the 1960's especially after Jackie Kennedy was photographed wearing them in Palm Beach and Portofino. To me they have always exemplified summer but now the company is expanding into a full lifestyle brand with shoes and bags that you can wear the entire year! I had the pleasure of visiting their showroom this week and felt like a kid in a candy store! They've added heels and wedges to the line up for the ladies who can't possibly be caught dead in flats and also ballet styles and even boots! I especially love the classic Navajo sandals in exotic skins such as shagreen and crocodile! The completely black pair is also perfect for the city! Eventually, they will also offer ready to wear that you can buy in their own boutiques. I think Jackie would be very pleased!

Photos by Heather Clawson

In Memoriam: John Hughes

When I heard that the director John Hughes had died today, I felt like a part of my youth died with him. I grew up watching his movies and could completely identify with all of his characters and their teenage angst. How many of us dreamed of finding our own Jake Ryan after seeing Sixteen Candles? I don't know if any director will ever be able to fill his shoes but I do know that I will be watching his movies this weekend as a tribute. Rest in peace John.

If you were here

I could deceive you

and if you were here

you would believe

but would you suspect

my emotion wandering yeah

do not want a part of this anymore.

The rain water drips

through a crack in the ceiling

and I'll have to spend

my time on repair

but just like the rain

I'll be always falling, yeah

only to ride and fall again.

If you were here

I could deceive you

and if you were here

you would believe

but would you suspect

my emotion wandering, yeah

do not want to be a part of this anymore...

Back Soon!

I've been busy working all day and also preparing for a client meeting so there was no time to write up a post. Check back tomorrow for more coverage of the Traditional Home Hampton Designer Showhouse. Wish I was at my favorite beach in Southampton right now! Sigh. Ok, back to work!

Hampton Designer Showhouse: Pool House by Lillian August

A friend just told me yesterday that he heard the home used for the Traditional Home Hampton Designer Showhouse sold for the full asking price. I think it's a great house and I hope the owners look into buying some of the furnishings used for the showhouse since the designers did a great job decorating it this year. The amazing two story pool house designed by Lillian August is definitely one of the areas they should think about keeping as is since it has a perfect casual beachy feeling. This little house would make a great real house in most other areas of the country and since it has two full baths and bedrooms, it could also be used as a guest house. There's even a laundry room! I'm so jealous!

Photos by Heather Clawson

The Fashion Issue

I think my favorite month for magazines has to be September since they are all devoted to fashion. In the case of Elle Decor, we get to peek into the stylish homes of some of the top fashion designers and executives. The living room above belongs to Robert Duffy, the President of Marc Jacobs International who has been Marc's business partner since the beginning of the designer's career. You can think of then as the American version of Giancarlo Giammetti and Valentino.

I had a friend who used to work for Robert Duffy so it was fun for me to see into his Provincetown, Massachusetts home that I have heard so much about. It's a uniquely personal space that wavers from clean and spare, the influence of his architect Stephan Jaklitsch and designer Richard McGeehan, the same team behind the Marc Jacobs boutiques, to warm and collected. The library reminds me a little of his West Village home which is full of beautiful antiques. I think those who work in fashion have the most interesting homes that reflect their creative careers and they are also another example of how many different ways there are to dress your nest!

Photo by William Waldron courtesy of Elle Decor

Hampton Designer Showhouse: Living Room by Robert Stilin

I think it's important to remember that Showhouses aren't always reality. Sometimes the rooms are a little over the top or just might not appeal to everyone. As I've mentioned before, I think it's important to keep an open mind. There is usually some aspect of a room that you can take away or be inspired by even if you don't like the entire room. Just because it's not your style, doesn't make it wrong.

The Living Room is the Hampton Designer Showhouse was designed by Robert Stilin who also designed the House Beautiful Kitchen of the Year with Ina Garten. My friends and I really liked this room in person. The walls are a pale lavender which sets of the modern and contemporary art. It also has a small kitchenette attached so to me it had the look of a very chic city apartment for an art collector and was also very soothing and relaxing. I also didn't even notice until I looked at the photos that they hung the art over the paneling. I know this might not appeal to everyone but I have to say that it worked in person. It was a bit of a masculine room but it could be reworked for a woman by lightening up the upholstery fabrics. It's also important to keep in mind that many people live in the Hamptons year round so they might not want a beachy feeling home but one that reflects how they also live in the city and that's how this room feels to me. To each his own.

Photos by Heather Clawson

Art Smart: August Ugallery Picks

I am always amazed by the talent of the emerging artists available from Ugallery. This month, I have decided to highlight more great summer and travel inspired art. Enjoy!

Eastern Shore Hayfield 6/14/05 2:30pm, 2007, oil on canvas, Caroline Hajjar, Pratt Institute, $400

Riverside, CA, 2007, acrylic on canvas, Toni Silber-Delerive, Philadelphia College of Art, $2000

Roma, 2009, oil on canvas, Case Jernigan, The College of William and Mary, $500

Sound, 2008, oil on canvas, Saule Piktys, Santa Monica College, $3000

Steam Heat, 2009, photography, Hannah Colclazier, University of Oklahoma, $125

True Colors of Summer, 2009, oil on canvas, Katie Puenner, Columbia College Chicago, $475

Middle Path, 2009, photography, Laura Bomar, Kenyan College, $70

Purple and Blue Tree I, 2009, acrylic on canvas, Colette Wirz, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, $1400

Top Artwork: Fish Line II, 2009, oil on canvas, Sarah Beth Goncarova, Virginia Commonwealth University, $1800