Travel: Morocco

November 9, 2012

Nuts, spices, dates, oranges; so much to see, smell, touch, photograph and experience.Slideshow

Morocco has long been one of my “bucket list” destinations. Of course, I was delighted when I learned the Design Leadership Summit was going to be in Marrakech.  I couldn’t wait to pack my bags (note the plural for one who swears by the one bag only rule). And it did not disappoint!! As expected, it is exotic, historic and romantic. Women in headscarves, donkey’s a primary mode of transportation, camels on street corners, snakes in the main square and an abundance of opportunities to bargain for anything from beads to boxes, scarves to slippers, and rugs to lights.

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Mosaic Inspiration: Metropolitan Museum of Art

November 8, 2012

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Several weeks ago we were on our way to see the new installation of Islamic art at MMA when we lost our way, if only temporarily. This detour turned out to be a bonus because I stumbled upon the beautiful black and white mosaics in the great hall of the Greek and Roman Department that I had forgotten about. Not only are the rugs elegant and graceful, but rendering them in black and white, set in a nearly solid black field, makes them feel both modern and traditional and classically timeless. We discovered they were installed in the 1920’s.

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Black and White Baths

November 8, 2012

A well blended black and white bath with dainty wallpaper and a black and white striped rug to tie the space together.Slideshow

Black and white simply never goes out of style.  Just think about favorite black and white moments; movies like The Artist, night and day, spectator shoes, courtyards in Rome, a zebra pattern, the mosaic floors at the MET and the ‘little black’ Chanel dress. Black and white baths never go out of style either. They are like chameleons; they can be formal or casual, colorless or high contrast, elegant or understated, traditional or modern.

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Classic with a Twist

November 7, 2012

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New York architect, Thierry Despont, is a classicist with a twist. In his own bath he selected aggressive black/gray and white marble for texture and pattern. The flat black counter creates a calm oasis in the midst of the active material on the wall. Carefully chosen accessories, neatly corralled on trays, keep the space tidy and functional. A magnifying mirror a must, so is a clock and an attractive tissue holder. The unusual lights and appropriate Deco Astoria lavatory faucet complete is elegant and very decorative space.

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