Thank You Phoebe Howard!

A huge thank you to Phoebe Howard for naming All the Best as a favorite design blog in a recent Q&A with the Washington Post. I am truly honored.

Going to New Orleans

Tomorrow my husband and I are off to New Orleans for the next four days. Thanks to the wonderful worldwide web, we have become 'online friends' with Michael Harold and Quinn Pepper, our hosts for the weekend. Michael and Quinn's fabulous home was featured in Susan Sully's book The Southern Cosmopolitan (Rizzoli). Enjoy the photos of their home and I will feature more photos from our weekend next week.

A screen of gold-on-cerulean silk designed by Rosemary James. On the table a costume hat from the Ballets Russe and turquoise worry beads from Greece.

In the dining room a Swedish chandelier and Louis XVI dinning room chairs take center stage.

A French chair and classical relief sculptures from John Roselli grace the master bedroom.

Pocket doors lead to the entrance hall that houses a piano. Both Michael and Quinn are both prize-winning pianists who have performed at Carnegie Hall.

Profile: Amy Beth Cupp Dragoo (Part Two)

Who are your style icons?
All around: Isabella Rossellini, Linda Dresner - she is the one responsible for bringing Jil Sander to the US. Linda is a true fashionista. I love how she combines various designers to create an amazing look. Something is always slightly "off" when she creates a look. It's an edge that has which sets her apart from the rest. Part of my feeling about perfection being in imperfection.

Fashion: Liliana Casabal (Morgane Le Fay) Her use of fabric, wool, silk, the layers. The saturation of color. Catherine Malandrino

Interiors/Fashion: Martin Margiela Interiors: Elsie de Wolfe, Vincente Wolf

Favorite Eye: Paula Rubenstein. Her mix of masculine and industrial antiques are to die for! I could park myself in a corner of her shop and never leave. John Derian - I love his look. Amazing.

Architect: Richard Meier Someday I hope to own the Douglas house that he designed on Lake Michigan. I have been staring at it from a far since I was a little girl!


Who would you most like to collaborate with on a project?
I hesitate to answer this knowing you have a close relationship with him. Vincente Wolf's scope of work blows my mind. What I wouldn't do to be a fly on the wall at his studio. Books, interiors, photography, CRYSTAL for Baccarat!?! Just to have a creative relationship with such a historic company. I am truly in awe.

What books are currently on your bedside table?
I don't read in bed. There are however two balls of yarn, a set of knitting needles a red uniball pen (love them!) and my note/collage book. I like to have it close at hand. I make interior design collages in various color or design schemes, write down dreams or random thoughts.


What is your favorite luxury in life?
Being able to travel the world with my husband, Scott. In our year and a half courtship we traveled to 26 different places around the world together. Our travel has not slowed down since our wedding! From Helsinki, to Troncones and Deia to the Napa Valley to the South of France - you name it, experiencing the sites, the culture and the cuisine with my life partner is truly a luxury I feel blessed to have.

What is your idea of earthly happiness?
Good health, warm sun on my face, fresh simple food, good wine and above all else my relationship with my family.

Past or present who has most influenced your direction in life?
When I was a girl we used to rent a cabin on Lake Michigan each Summer. The home that the owner had created was a wonderful representation of her personal style. I think I have always aspired to live a well-lived-life like hers. I have always worked to hone my style and make my home a direct reflection of my personality. I live my life surrounded by nostalgic pieces I love, that I find beautiful and truly inspiring.

"Sally" (the owner of the cabin) was a buyer for Dayton Hudson. I never met Sally, but the cabin and the decor was incredibly influential on my taste as an adult. She collected goods from all over the world on her buying trips. The kitchen was made entirely of reclaimed barn wood as were the beams that ran along the ceiling of the tiny cabin. The cabinets were stocked with mismatched antique china. She collected heart shaped rocks on the shores of Lake Michigan and displayed them as a collection on the fireplace hearth in the master bedroom. She collected shipping crates and used one as a cocktail table. Other crates were stacked under an open stairway for additional storage.

The architecture of the house was modern, but the interiors had a rustic feel and many of the furniture pieces were antique. The front door was a reclaimed apartment door complete with the original metal apartment number on it. The entire house was splattered with stained glass windows. The most amazing of which was on the landing of the stairway. It was grand in scale (no less than 9 ft high and 5 ft wide) and had red, gold, green and blue accents - it allowed for wonderful colored light to spill into the house - not unlike the fantastically colored vintage posters that I collect as an adult. She collected everything from antique quilts to wood duck decoys and Peruvian embroidery pieces that were framed and hung on the wall of the yellow bathroom, salon style - of course!

Profile by Ronda Carman

Thank you Kansas City Star!

A big thank you Kansas City Star for the wonderful profile on All the Best!

Thank You RealSimple!

A huge thank you to RealSimple Magazine for including All the Best in the August 2009 insider's guide to the best online resources. What a surprise and honor!

Profile: Amy Beth Cupp Dragoo (Part One)

I have a confession. Several months back I posted about my love hate relationship with Twitter. What a difference a few months (and a grasp of the concept) can do for your perception.

If you are not a Twitter user, it’s difficult to fully understand the relationships you can forge with likeminded companies and individuals. Amy Beth Cupp Dragoo (ABCD) is a perfect example. Amy and I first became Twitter ‘friends’ in March and were finally able to meet in person at the All the Best and Vicente Wolf launch party—I liked her instantly!

Artist, designer and stylist, Amy is a true Renaissance woman. ABCD first studied fine art at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She completed a six-month chef-training program in NYC and earned a Certificate in Floral Design from Parsons School of Art and Design.

During her 2007 nuptial planning ABCD was inspired to design her wedding stationery. Having experience in event styling she knew exactly the look she was going for. All the vendors for her New York City wedding quickly fell into place. When it came time to order the invitations, ABCD realized she was not happy with the service, style or designs on offer. True to character she took things in her own hands and created their entire wedding suite.

The accolades on their wedding stationery came rolling in. It wasn’t long before guests from her wedding were asking ABCD to design stationery for their special events. Thus ABCD Designs Bespoke Stationery was born.

Amy is a collector of vintage advertising posters, china cups, yarn and images. In her free time she makes collages, knits, loves homemaking and adores spending her time with her husband, Mr. D. Part Two on Monday...


Which talent would you most like to possess?
Math skills -HA! In all seriousness, the only thing I intended when I left to start art school was to become a fashion photographer. What gets better than working with incredible cutting edge fashion, beautiful women, amazing lighting and creating an iconic image for the masses? At that time - the internet was nothing like it is now. It was all about the glossy pages of Elle, you know? At SAIC (School of the Art Institute of Chicago) they were just introducing this "fly-by-night" thing called "digital" photography. *Aaaack - had I known digital would actually stick!* But I couldn't get into the process. I LOVED being in the darkroom. I completely backlashed and left the photography program. To this day I regret not following that photography passion. I guess there is still time to learn...

Instead I took weaving courses, painted and printed fabric design ... I often tease that I should have lived in another era, been born in 1875 not 1975! I am so drawn to turn of the century processes from letter press to the architecture. Old New York fashion, hats, gloves and accessories ... the quality of everything produced was made to last. They built it like they meant it - nothing was disposable. I love that.


What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Out of necessity I have reinvented my career several times. My first real job in New York was in event planning and management. After 9/11 there were no corporate events and I started taking floral design classes and styling jobs as I could get them.

When I married Scott and the option was there for me to travel abroad with him two weeks out of every six. It made it incredibly hard to keep up with my weekly floral clients and last minute styling jobs. I reinvented again applying the same design theory to paper!

I am a huge believer no matter what design medium you are working with – a painting or sculpture, design of an interior space, an arrangement of flowers or styling a beautiful plate of food – one must always follow the same elements of design. In order to create a beautiful product there must be unity, flow, texture, harmonizing color, balance and a focal point to please the eye. This is the philosophy that I apply to anything I create.


What is your most prized possession?
My collection of original vintage posters. I was completely smitten when I bought my first vintage poster in college. I loved her rosy cheeks, wings and steaming cup of coffee so much that I started to collect more posters to decorate the walls of my apartment. I followed a theme of sorts when building on the collection. All the rosy cheek gals have wings, are doing housework or sometimes they are wearing wings WHILE homemaking. I love the fonts and the color from the late 1800's and early 1900's. So inspiring!

It is a really fun collection to build on. It took me eight years of searching to get my hands on 'Lane Borgosesia.' I first saw the poster in the hallway of Joan Vass's knitwear studio and knew I had to start the hunt for my very own. It's a Leonetto Cappiello poster where there is an all white drawing of woman who is knitting in a pile of colorful wool.

What is the one thing in life you cannot live without?
Can't live without? That's a tough question. I think I could live without all of it if that was put to me. But I must confess my theory has always been "Life is short, eat off the good china!" My mother in law is mortified that we eat dinner every night off the "good china" and sip water from the crystal that you're only supposed to use on "special occasions."

Profile by Ronda Carman

Tête à Tête with Charlotte Moss

Sorry for the long delay in blogging! I wanted to send a belated thank you to Charlotte Moss for including All the Best in her July 4th edition of Tête à Tête. Joni, Jennifer and I all shared our thoughts on summer reading, summer style and entertaining. To read Charlotte's feature, click here.

Tomorrow I will profile the fabulous Amy Beth Cupp Dragoo.

Independence Day

Wishing you all a very happy 4th! It's great to be in the States for this holiday celebration. We are flying East this morning to spend a long weekend with my sister-in-law. I will post again next week. Have a wonderful weekend.
All the best,
Ronda

Shopping on Saturday

I am obsessed with this entire ensemble from Elie Tahari. I am currently loving yellow and have been searching for the perfect yellow handbag and python belt for months. I thought I would share with you what I have discovered and a few of my favorite internet finds for summer. Tell me what you are coveting.

Michael Kors Python Embossed Tabs Stretch Straw Belt
$60.00

Elie Tahari Emma Tote
$698.00

Other obsessions include:
A White Plasteramic ToyWatch
Matt Bernson Sandals
The Essie Summer Collection
Sampaquita by Ormonde Jayne
Anything CC Skye


Top photo: Eli Tahari S/S 09 ad campaign (photographer Terry Richardson - yes, Terry Richardson!)

Vintage Travel Part Two

Look at this amazing photo! This is my neighbor's cousin, Frances, who sadly died of cancer at only 32. She was an 'air hostess' for British Airways - so glamorous! Thank you for all of the great comments today, and thank you Kay for the photo.
Best,
Ronda

Vintage Travel

I am packing up and leave for a six week trip to the States. My last project before leaving was to redecorate our son's room. His new love is fencing, and I found several great vintage fencing posters to complete the project. During my search I came a across a few vintage travel posters and luggage. One company that I am simply mad for is the Vintage Luggage Company, an Australian based business established in 2005 specializing in rare and vintage pieces from the Houses of Louis Vuitton, Goyard, Oshkosh and Hartmann.

Their site is a visual treat! Beautiful luggage artfully designed and expertly crafted by famous trunk makers of a bygone era. There once was a time when getting there was just as important as the wardrobe and luggage selected. I do wish a degree of travel decorum still existed.

I will post as often as possible, and I have a full lineup of profiles for you this summer. I will endeavour to catch up on all my email before leaving and you can follow me on Twitter as well!
All the Best,
Ronda

Can Shana + Global Shortlist Giveaway

Always ones to do it right, Mr & Mrs Smith are now offering some amazing self catering properties as a part of their collection. Over the past few years I have been converted to the world of self-catering, especially for long-term holidays. It’s a great way to live like a local and not a mere visitor.

It’s especially fun to seek out homes with local flavor and ones that are vastly different from your everyday surroundings. Can Shana (Ibiza) is just such a place. I could instantly imagine myself as a guest for a week. Rustic on the outside, thoroughly modern on the inside, the restored villa is light and airy. Situated in the countryside of Santa Gertrudis, the villa boasts not only alfresco dining and a swimming pool, but an outdoor pool table! I can only imagine that my husband and son would go nuts for the pool table, and then I could have the pool all to myself.

Next Monday we will giveaway a copy of Mr & Mrs Smith Global Shortlist.
To enter send an email to [bestsmithhotels@googlemail.com] subject line: 'giveaway' - one reader will be chosen randomly. Good luck!

Happy Father's Day+ Salad on Sunday

Happy Father’s Day to my wonderful father and husband. Two men whom I adore and have profoundly shaped my life. I owe much to my father. He is one of those rare people who is curious of mind, quietly self-confidence, can bring people together from all walks of life and possesses amazing negotiation skills.

For Mother’s Day I posted a salad recipe for my mom and stated that I would have made it for us to share had we been together that day. I thought that I would do the same for my dad. The good news is we leave for a 6-week trip to the States next week. I promise to make dinner for both my mother and father very soon.

Arugula Salad with Manchego, Apples, and Caramelized Walnuts

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup walnut oil
3 tablespoons Champagne vinegar or white wine vinegar

8 cups arugula
2 Fuji apples, unpeeled, cored, thinly sliced
6 ounces Spanish Manchego cheese, shaved
1 1/2 cups pitted dates, sliced
1 cup Caramelized Walnuts
4 large shallots, minced

Boil balsamic vinegar in small saucepan over medium-high heat until syrupy and reduced to 1/4 cup, about 4 minutes.

Whisk oil and Champagne vinegar in bowl. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 4 hours ahead. Keep at room temperature. Rewarm balsamic syrup before using. Rewhisk vinaigrette before using.)

Toss arugula, apples, half of cheese, dates, walnuts, and shallots in large bowl with enough vinaigrette to coat. Season salad with salt and pepper.

Mound salad in center of each plate. Drizzle balsamic syrup around salads. Sprinkle remaining cheese atop salads.
6 to 8 servings

Source Epicurious

Wonderful Mention! Home Plus Scotland Magazine

click images to enlarge

click images to enlarge

Many thanks to Home Plus Scotland for the fantastic coverage. The savvy magazine has begun an exciting new feature called Blog Watch--a two page spread no less! I couldn't be more thrilled. Maison21 was the first to be featured...I wonder who is next?

Profile: Arriz Hassam and Suzanne Dimma

Back in February, while surfing the web, I came across the home of Arriz Hassam and Suzanne Dimma. Suzanne is the editor-in-chief of Canadian House & Home and Arriz is a partner in the design firm 3rd Uncle. I was instantly captivated after seeing a few photos of their amazing home. Now having had the chance to see more images and connect with Arriz and Suzanne I am delighted by their responses to my questions and stimulating design aesthetics.

When Suzanne mentioned that her style icons include Muriel Brandolini, Agnes B, Allegra Hicks and Ines de la Fressange, I knew I had met a woman after my own heart. And I love the borrowed quote from Arriz, "A friend of mine once said 'fashion costs money but style is free.'"

I hope you enjoy the photos of Arriz and Suzanne's home and their answers as much as I enjoyed finding out more about this super talented couple. Many thanks to everyone who emailed me information about Arriz and Suzanne after my last blog post.


Arriz:

How would you describe your own personal style?
I like combining contemporary and vintage style together to break the mold of purity. I am not a perfectionist and don’t like a style that appears too prescribed, formal or fussy. A friend of mine once said that fashion costs money but style is free, and I agree with that sentiment.

What inspires your creativity and designs?
I believe that traveling is the best source of inspiration and learning. I often draw ideas from other cultures and how they incorporate design in their lifestyle and interpret them for my solutions on projects. I have always drawn inspirations from other applied arts such as music, film and sculpture. The ultimate design resource comes from observing Nature.

What is your most prized possession?
My experience with designing and building our off-the-grid cottage is most precious to me. Generally I value life experiences more than I do possessions.

What is the one thing in life you cannot live without?
Love.

Who are your style icons?
Charles & Ray Eames and film maker Jacques Tati. I have an affinity for vintage style of the 60’s.

Who would you most like to collaborate with on a project?
I enjoy collaborating with people who are not designers but genuinely believe in its value. I would be very excited to collaborate with artists like Brian Eno or Anish Kapoor - both of them work with ideas of perception, space and form.


What books are currently on your bedside table?
The Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson, A Year and Swollen Appendices by Brian Eno, If On A Winter’s Night A Traveller by Italo Calvino

What is your favorite luxury in life?
Great meals with close friends. Sharing stories by the beach campfire on a starry night.

What is your idea of earthly happiness?
Living with peace of mind and without worry. Being playful with everything I do.

Past or present who has most influenced your direction in life?
Joseph Beuys. Marcel DuChamp. Muhammed Ali.

Suzanne:

How would you describe your own personal style?
Like my design style, my personal style is elegant, relaxed and eclectic

What inspires your creativity and designs?
Nature and culture. Travel and experiencing other cultures are a great influence. My time spent in France and Indonesia has definitely influenced my design sensibility.

What is the one thing in life you cannot live without?
Laughter first and swimming second.



What is your most prized possession?
Free time. Especially the time we spend at our off the grid cottage in Northern Ontario. It’s on a gorgeous quiet lake with the most unbelievable scenery and almost no one around. We’ve been building it this past year and it should be finished this summer.

The experience of living and working without regular luxuries like hydro, running water, and a furnace have been invaluable to me – putting things in perspective and realizing how easy it is to shift to a greener lifestyle.

Who are your style icons?
Muriel Brandolini, Agnes B, Allegra Hicks and Ines de la Fressange.


Who would you most like to collaborate with on a project?
Muriel Brandolini. I think we could become fast friends and I know I could absorb so much from her.

What books are currently on your bedside table?
Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell, A Short History of Nearly Everything (Arriz and I are reading it together) by Bill Bryson and I just finished A Complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews.

What is your favorite luxury in life?
Sitting on the dock at the cottage, having a glass of wine, eating a great home made meal while watching the sun set on the lake, then later sitting by a campfire and talking and laughing through the night with all of my favourite people.


What is your idea of earthly happiness?
Feeling connected and committed to something that’s personally meaningful and creative.

Past or present who has most influenced your direction in life?
There isn’t one particular person but possibly Terence Conran for the way he holds so true to his brand and for never resting on his laurels. He got my attention when I was really young and still has it.

Profile by Ronda Carman
Photos: Rob Fiocca
Photos: Michael Alberstat