Showing posts with label Michael Devine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michael Devine. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 12

London Photo Tour

Chihuly's enormous glass Chandelier under the dome of the main rotunda entrance at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Internationally celebrated Seattle artist Dale Chihuly is a by-word for all that is spectacular and exciting in contemporary glass. Much is owed to the grand and historic tradition of Venetian glass, with rich colors and extravagant shapes prevalent in his work.

Dinner at the Running Horse in Mayfair (Monika Biegler Eyers, now the London Contributing Editor for Domino; me; Michael Devine; and my hubby). The gastropub has a great atmosphere, which can be summed up as equal part neighbourhood restaurant and traditional English pub. Excellent food, a cosy atmosphere with an open fire and reasonable prices make it a great little find in Mayfair. According to my husband, the squid is particularly good.

Drinks at the Savile Club in the heart of Mayfair. The club was established in 1868, occupying a beautiful 18th Century house. Champagne is always a great way to start the evening. Michael made the drop and I now own the beautiful Gramercy fabric!

My visit to The Rug Company was one of the highlights of my trip. I have long been a fan of their beautiful rugs, but photos do not do justice to the gorgeous colors and textures. Everyone I met was gracious and very knowledgeable, truly a great group of people.

Fun, fanciful and colorful wall hangings. What sets The Rug Company apart is their Designer Collection by well known designers such as Paul Smith, Diane Von Furstenberg and Allegra Hicks among talented others.

Stunning is the only word to describe the work of artist Ewan Gibbs. Ok, it's not the only word, but it's an apt one nonetheless. My husband and I are both absolutely smitten with his work and the best part is the artist himself. On Monday we meet with Ewan and Joanna Thornberry, Associate Director of The Timothy Taylor Gallery. Afterward we had drinks with Ewan at a local pub. Not only is he hugely talented, but he is a super nice guy.

The Timothy Taylor Gallery opened in 1996. Since opening, the gallery has presented an ambitious programme of exhibitions by internationally recognized contemporary artists from Britain and abroad. The gallery supports and showcases younger less-established artists and is one of the leading venues in London for contemporary art.

Kelly Hoppen's designer emporium on Fulham Road. A great shop with a little bit of everything, including her own medley of ceramics, furniture, and original accessories.

Out and about in South Kensington, sandwiched between the Knightsbridge and Chelsea. Beautiful architecture and fabulous shopping!

Case in point...

Rupert Sanderson started making shoes under his own name in 2002, and now produces two full and two pre season collections a year. Rupert spends four months of the year in Italy refining each shoe with the artisans in and around Bologna, where he designed for Sergio Rossi and Bruno Magli after learning his craft at the Cordwainers College in East London.

We a fantastic dinner our first night in London—a glass of Pol Roger, a bowl of steaming mussels with fennel and spinach in a saffron laced broth and a plate of delicious smoked fishcakes were the main attraction. Tucked away between Fulham Road and Kings Road, The Builders Arms is an attractive Georgian building. The quaint pub features a spacious interior with comfy leather sofas, velvet flock wallpaper, a fireplace and bookshelves.

Monday, February 25

Making Changes

You may remember way back when I was looking to reupholster two of our chairs...

Well I’ve made my decision. I’ve decided to go with Gramercy by Michael Devine. I love the deep chocolate color and the playful take on a traditional design.


Seven years ago I has head-over-heels for this fabric. But style and design are an evolutionary process and it just doesn’t do it for me anymore. Our sweet son loves our “pineapple chairs” is quite sad to see the fabric go. He has asked me to save the fabric for him so that he can use it in his home someday. God love him, he is such a sweetheart and wants to hold on to everything…his poor future wife.


I want to add a few animal print pillows to our room. I adore the apartment of Merrill Hanley, designed by Keith Irvine, seen in the October 2007 issue of Domino. I especially love the small red pillow in "Le Touches" by Brunschwig. Does anyone know if this fabric comes in a blue colorway?


The perfect little needlepoint pillow from Jayson Home & Garden.

Monday, December 3

Profile: Michael Devine


Michael Devine is a popular man. This month alone his fabulous fabrics are featured in House & Garden and Domino, his Garden Folly fabric in red (one of my favorite prints) is being used by Charlotte Moss as a tabletopper in the main area of The Townhouse and in January Michael will be at Maison et Objet Editeurs in Paris.

In addition to fabrics, Michael is the proprietor of Michael Devine Home, specializing in unique gifts and home accessories. After searching high and low for the perfect country house, Michael a former magazine editor, found an 1840’s store front in the village of Kinderhook, New York. After an extensive renovation of both the shop and living space Michael Devine Home opened in September 2006.


I have a feeling we will be seeing a lot more from Michael and I for one could not be more pleased. Not only do I adore his fabrics, Michael is a very likable person. I am always both delighted and surprised by the invention of the Internet. Over the past month I have gotten to know Michael through email and find him to be personable and charming. I am frantically trying to schedule a trip to Paris to attend Maison et Objet Editeurs and the launch of the 2008 Devine fabric collection. I hope to have dinner with Michael while I’m there…I’ll keep you posted.

I love the fabric in Aerin Lauder's Long Island master bedroom. Do you have a favorite fabric or pattern in your collection
?
Right now, I am really loving one of my newest designs that I will be launching in Paris. It’s called Summerhouse, and it’s an airy floral that’s very cheerful.

Aerin Lauder's master bedroom/House & Garden December 2007

What inspires your designs?
The subtilty of things made by hand and the fanciful effects of the passage of time inspire everything I design.

What are your favorite indulgences
?
My all time favorite indulgence is Paris. I love everything about the city and its people. It also happens to be a place I went to school so I still have many really good friends that I spend time with when I am there. My 2nd most favorite indulgence is spending time with my family and friends. Of course, there’s also nothing like a really great party…

How would you describe your personal style
?
Classic. Dark suits for the city and sweaters and cords for the country.

What do you collect
?
Books, books and more books! They are my constant companions. Since I don’t own a television they transport me anywhere I want to go instantly.

What books are on your bedside table?
Visions of Paradise, Horst Interiors, Le Jardin du Marcel Proust and La Rochefoucauld Maximes.

Who would you most like to meet and how would you spend the day?
Michelle Obama, she has great style and is so elegant. I would like to spend the day listening to her thoughts on improving the image of America and healthcare reform.

Who are your style icons?
Charlotte Moss, Thomas Burak, Madame de Pompadour, John Fowler and Marian McEvoy.

Garden Folly fabric at The Townhouse

Profile by Ronda Carman