Happy Memorial Day Week-end!

Summer Entertaining > Outdoor Fireplaces

In anticipation for the holiday week-end festivities, included in this post are some of my favorite images of outdoor fireplaces.  No matter what shape or form your fire pit takes, its common thread is gathering friends and family.  What a perfect way to wind down & enjoy a summer evening.

Architecture > Waterside Fun

On the countdown to the start of the Memorial Day holiday week-end, a rite a passage for summer fun to begin!  Check out some of the waterside properties I've been holding onto for design inspiration.

A Lake Retreat in Wisconsin

A Lake Retreat Outside Nashville, TN

A River Retreat in Austin, TX

Renovation of a Beach Side Cottage

A Lake Retreat in Missouri

A Lakeside Retreat in Texas

A Waterside Retreat on Long Island, NY

Noteworthy > News Flash Beekman 1802

 The Fabulous Beekman Boys - Planet Green TV - Premiering June 16 @9:00pm

As mentioned in a previous post, Beekman 1802, the historic home and farm owned by Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Brent Ridge, continues to spread good cheer....  A new TV series - The Fabulous Beekman Boys - based on their adventures as city boys turned country folk premieres June 16 on Planet Green; a soon to be released memoir - The Bucolic Plague: How Two Manhattanites Became Gentlemen Farmers: An Unconventional Memoir - based on their home, farm, and life endeavors hits shelves June 1; stop by the recently opened Beekman 1802 Mercantile located on Main Street of Sharon Springs, NY, offering farm made products; and watch today, for their appearance on  The Martha Stewart Show, with the do's and don'ts of goat milking.

The Bucolic Plague: How Two Manhattanites Became Gentlemen Farmers: An Unconventional Memoir / Release Date June 1, 2010.

Stylemaker > Liz Lambert

Liz Lambert

Texan Liz Lambert has turned the tables on the way we expect hotel accommodations.  Following a stint as a NYC prosecuter in the mid-90's, Lambert returned to the Lone Star state and landed in Austin, where she laid eyes on the dilapidated and drug user infested San Jose Hotel.  Trusting her instincts that the neighborhood would soon be on the rise, Lambert acquired the property and started a gut renovation.  The success of San Jose Hotel has led to numerous other ventures - El Cosmico, Hotel Saint Cecilia, and Hotel Havana - all incorporating Lambert's style that includes vintage furnishings, artistic touches, and colorful characters.

 Hotel San Jose, Austin, TX.

Room Interior, Hotel San Jose, Austin, TX.

El Cosmico, Marfa, TX -  An 18 acre communal campground offering lodging in the forms of renovated trailers, teepees, and yurts.  The vintage trailer pictured is a 1953 Vagabond, 35' in length, complete with Queen bed, toilet, sink, indoor/outdoor showers, and deck / $100 nightly rate.

Hotel Saint Cecilia, Austin, TX.

Hotel Havana, San Antonio, TX.

Sunday's NY Times Style Magazine - Travel Summer 2010 - included Liz Lambert for their "Profile In Style".  I had also recalled seeing Lambert's Austin bungalow photographed in an issue of Cottage Living Magazine.  Both features are found below....

NY Times Style Magazine - Travel Summer 2010 - Click here for the interactive feature.

Cottage Living Magazine, November 2007 - Liz Lambert at her Austin Home.  The article features friend and cook book author Paula Disbrowe, who shares recipes from her book - Cowgirl Cuisine: Rustic Recipes and Cowgirl Adventures from a Texas Ranch.

9 By Design > Robert and Cortney Novogratz

Having heard about, but not having had a chance to watch Bravo TV's new show, 9 By Design, yesterday's marathon of back to back episodes provided me my fix!  But realizing I couldn't devote my whole day to the TV and that I needed to get on the stick with Sunday errands, I've settled with internet research of clips and info about the show's couple Robert and Cortney Novogratz.  

Manhattan based husband and wife Robert and Cortney own and operate Sixx Design.  The success of Sixx Design stems from a specialty at focusing in on the overall of a design project.  Robert and Cortney have built a reputation on acquiring properties - sometimes commercial, typically vacated & dilapidated - and transforming into awe inspiring residential interiors.  Their "Downtown Chic" style resonates with clients and serves as the title of their home decor book - Downtown Chic: Designing Your Dream Home: From Wreck to Ravishing.

Check out the following link to an audio interactive feature from The NY Times to see more photos and listen to Robert and Cortney talk about how they first met and the path - both for business and in life - they have traveled so far.

Summer Party Entertaining Ideas > The Gracious Gourmet

With Memorial Day week-end around the corner, summer party planning season is in full swing!  Looking for a tasty and time saving alternative to shake up your menu?  Let me recommend The Gracious Gourmet...  a hand crafted, all natural specialty condiment line of pestos, spreads, tapenades, sauces, and chutneys - recipes developed in the home kitchen of dear family friend, creator, and owner Nancy Wekselbaum.   Check out The Gracious Gourmet website for recipe ideas, ordering info, and retailers in your area.

The Gracious Gourmet offers unlimited possibilities whether using straight from the jar or incorporating into dishes....  The Lemon Artichoke Pesto is the perfect accompaniment to liven up a platter of cheese and crackers; The Balsamic Four Onion Spread can be stirred into sour cream for a truly wonderful dip; The Spicy or Sweet Tomato Grilling Sauces are a perfect addition for your summer grilling; for a sweet treat, bring to room temperature to soften your favorite container of vanilla ice cream and stir in The Fig Almond Spread, re-freeze, and enjoy the most delicious ice cream dessert.

 

Spotted > RUSA Dining Table

Rusa Dining Table, $2975.

Smith & Hawken table top meets Danish Modern leg base in the Rusa Dining Table by Hom Escape In Style By Cisco Brothers.  I spotted this table in 2 June magazines....  both Food & Wine and House Beautiful recommend this table as a great and stylish addition for your entertaining needs.  Click here for more details and ordering info.

House Beautiful, June 2010.

Food & Wine, June 2010.

Rusa Dining Table Pictured with Adina Dining Chair & Adina Dining Bench - All Available through Hom Escape In Style.

 Adina Arm Chair / $1950 / As Featured in House Beautiful, April 2010.