House Beautiful

Archive for the 'Designer Spotlight' Category

Dear Santa, From Karrie (Version 2012)

Dear Santa, here we are again, one year later.  Me and you.  Old pals.  I’m pretty sure this year I’m as deserving as ever of getting each and every one of the gifts my tender heart desires.

I’m always good to my friends (oopsie… Haylo Steph!).  I always behave in a dignified manner.  Like a lady.  I always act my age.

Without further ado, here’s a smattering of the things I’m hankering for this year!:

1. The Microdelivery Peel from Philosophy, because I’m *ahem* in my 30s and conscious of keeping my skin nice and healthy, and because HEY, you can never spend too much time purtifying your skin, right?  And THIS stuff’s supposed to work wonders.  It smoothes out rough skin and perks up a dull and splotchy skin tone. DONE.

Also available at Sephora

2. Slim Aarons: La Dolce Vita.  It’s been five months since my mom and I traveled to Italia, and yet, I just can’t shake the “dolce vita”-ness from my psyche.  It grabs onto you and doesn’t quite let go so easily.  Giddily, I recently discovered a new book from one of my all-time favorite photographers, Slim Aarons, and it’s chalk full of the most lush, magnificent shots of Italy.

3. Two newish decor books: Kathryn M. Ireland’s Timeless Interiors and Vintage Remix: The Interiors of Kishani Perera. One designer is Cali cozy-meets-globe trekker chic (and a bit cray, if you watch her on Million Dollar Decorators on Bravo). The other loves eclectic, vintage glamour (and was the subject of one of our first Designer Spotlights).

sss

4. Two more books – but this time, fiction: The Newlyweds by Nell Freudenberger and Mortality by Christopher Hitchens.  One’s a tale of a new married couple at the beginning of their journey together.  The other, a memoir from beloved and at times controversial writer Hitchens as he was battling cancer.

5. A Mophie Juice Pack Air.  Allow me to enter dork mode for just a moment, por favor.  Now this gets me excited.  The Mophie is this little external battery you attach to your phone, and recharges your batter by 150%!  It also doubles as a nifty case, so it protects too!  Git on it, people.

The super light recharger mirrors the aesthetic of your phone

6. A 10-pack of classes to Yoga Hop.  Because my chakras need some hip hop from time to time while I’m doing my downward dogs, and because having to deal with the holier than thou employees at my old yoga spot – which rhymes with Shmoga Shmorks – brings to mind, every time, this scene below from Bridesmaids:

7. Barefoot Contessa’s new book Foolproof: Recipes You Can Trust - Because I love her.  Because her recipes are warm, comforting, just the perfect touch of elegance mixed with cozy ‘Merican dishes.  I heart you, Ina Garten.

And that’s it! What are y’all putting on your lists this Chreeshmosh?!

“Only one thing in the world could’ve dragged me away from the soft glow of electric sex gleaming in the window.” – Ralphie from A Christmas Story.

xoxo,

Giveaway: “Nathan Turner’s American Style” Signed Copy!

Now y’all know there are a couple designers I’ve profiled on here who just fan my freakin’ skirt, but like a parent with a gaggle of children… I have a secret favorite. His name is Nathan Turner, he’s been featured on our blog numerous times, and he’s just released his very first book, “Nathan Turner’s American Style”!

And good news:  Not only is Nathan coming out with his very first book, but he has oh-so generously offered to GIVE AWAY ONE SIGNED COPY!:

I have to say, what I love about this book is that, not only does it highlight Nathan’s “barefoot, fuss-free, but still high style”, but it’s got three sections filled with gorgeous layouts of Nathan’s signature laid-back Cali interiors: Beach Chic, City Living – even a little Country.

TO ENTER, simply LEAVE A COMMENT ON THIS POST before this Friday, October 19 at midnight, telling us what it is about Nathan’s designs that get your goat.  Check out our previous post on Nathan to take a look at his design and entertaining genius.

The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced on Monday, October 22! BONUS? For those living in the LA area, Nathan will be launching his book this Thursday, October 18th from 6:30-8:30 at Pottery Barn in Beverly Hills:

Now, a couple questions for the newly minted author:

Q: How long have you wanted to write a book?

A: I had been thinking about a book for about a year before I signed with Agrams. Before that I just didn’t think I had enough content or work under my belt, then one day I felt ready!

Q: What’s the book in a sentence or two?

A: A true lifestyle book, there’s design, entertaining, food.

Q: I know you love to travel.  Go anywhere amazing this summer?

A: Yes!  An amazing trip with clients to Tokyo, Singapore, Jakarta, and Bali.  It was so inspiring to see these exotic places I’d never seen before.

Q: You always have a million things up your sleeve.  What’s next?

A: I’m working on a few projects in Asia (hence the summer trip).  It’s always exciting working in such different locales!

Ahh, SO looking forward to getting my paws on this delicious new book, available here.  Aren’t you? Good luck!!!

xoxo,