What Happens When One Swiss, One French and One Dutch Architect Get Together in Korea
March 10, 2010 | 6 Comments

I spent the day today at the Leeum (Samsung Museum of Art). I’ve been wanting to go ever since I first read about it a few of years ago. (I also had a very successful shopping day yesterday so it was a good way to give my credit card a much needed break!)

The contemporary, modern and traditional collections were just the right size – not overwhelming and not lacking.

As if the artwork wasn’t enough of a draw, the complex was designed by none other than Botta, Nouvel and Koolhaas. Yes, all three of them. Where else can you get so many greats at one site?

Seoul got a lot of snow overnight and the entire city was dusted in white. The mountains and rooftops looked really pretty but the streets were really slushy so it was a good day to spend indoors. And there’s just nothing like a dose of good art!
(Photos: 1&2 The Leeum 3.Korea Times 4.Choson Ilbo)
10 Corso Como
March 9, 2010 | 13 Comments

10 Corso Como, the coolest concept store on earth, only has 3 locations: Milan, Tokyo and Seoul. So you can bet I am hightailing it there ASAP.

Between the store,

the bookstore,

and the cafe,

I’m setting aside a good part of the day!

I’ll let you know what I find!
Greetings from . . . the 2010 World Design Capital!
March 8, 2010 | 17 Comments

No idea where I am? Okay, I’m in . . . Seoul, South Korea! Why, you ask? Well, I’ve had an idea brewing in my head for the longest time and I decided it was time to do something about it. I don’t want to say too much right now because I personally hate it when people hype something and then nothing comes of it. So for now, let me just say I’m here doing some preliminary research and if it pans out, you’ll be the first to know!

Aside from my research , I’ll be eating, shopping and taking in a lot of contemporary art, design and architecture. As I said, Seoul has been designated the World Design Capital for 2010 and the place is really buzzing with creativity.
I’m looking forward to showing you around!
(Photos: from the book Seoul Design Essence)
Sometimes, I Really Miss Living in Paris
March 5, 2010 | 28 Comments
Okay, make that a lot of the time. When I get in one of these moods, I like to revisit some of my favorite Parisian interiors.
Starting with my favorite, Christian Lacroix’s:

Loulou de la Falaise’s:

Erin Featherston’s:

Inès de la Fressange’s

(A girlfriend and I saw her once near Place de la Madeleine and she was even more statuesque and fabulous in person.)
Well, I’m not going to Paris this weekend but I am off another trip. For now, let me just say that I’ll be blogging from half way around the world next week. Tune in Monday to see where! Until then!
(Photos: 1.New York Times 2.Daily Mail 3.Domino 4.the Selby)
Room Love
March 4, 2010 | 26 Comments

I’m kind of surprised that I like this room as much as I do. But after I studied it for a while, I realized why:
1. the Missoni bedding. I actually bought the shams (not the duvet but just the shams) a few years ago in Paris. Love the pink pillow too.
2. the gold chairs with the orange upholstery
3. the brass/gold bench at the foot of the bed
4. the linen upholstered bed
5. the wall sconces
6. the hardwood floors and exposed brick and ductwork.
The only thing I would change is the nightstand and also maybe the black frames. The black seem a little dark for the space. What do you think?
I love the feel of this room so much that I’m starting to think I want to use warmer colors as the backdrop for my house instead of the black & gray I had my heart set on. Orange is my favorite color, after all. Seriously. Could I change my mind any more??
(Photo: Southern Accents)
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Updating Our Dining Room Furniture
March 3, 2010 | 35 Comments

One of the big items we got from my parents as part of their downsizing is an antique dining set. I was happy to get it since the white table and chairs we had in our old dining room have gone into the eat-in area of the kitchen and we needed something in the space. It’s a very lovely set but very traditional so I have been trying to think of different ideas for updating it.

One look I’ve always liked is white painted chairs with dark wooden tables. These are some examples I’ve found.

Our chairs are not these styles, but you get the idea.

(And look at all the gold frames – this could have been part of Monday’s post . . . )
Being obsessed with white, my first thought was white paint for the wood but then I saw this image and it made me think that gray may be nice:

I had the walls painted a very soft, light gray (something between the curtains in this room and the walls outside) so I think gray chairs could work really well. But then again, that might be too matchy-matchy so I will probably just go with white.
Of course all this is if I can get up the nerve to paint these beautiful old chairs. (My mom is going to be horrified!) I just feel bad about painting antique wood furniture. I would probably have less of a problem if they weren’t family pieces. But for the sake of aesthetics, I think I can get over it(!) Does anyone else feel guilty about painting antiques?
(Photos: 1. Marie Claire Maison 2&3.via Centsational Girl 4.via Things that Inspire 5.via House of Turquoise)
Orange Crush: Orange Jieldé Lamps
March 2, 2010 | 33 Comments

Welcome to this month’s edition of Orange Crush brought to you by From the Right Bank and Down and Out Chic. Today, I thought I’d combine my love of orange with my love of Jieldé Lamps. I love these classic lights for their amazing quality and industrial good looks.
They come in an array of great colors but I especially love them in orange!

I think this one might actually be red but let’s just go with it:


And see it peeking out from the corner here:

How gorgeous is this room, by the way?
Don’t forget to visit Down and Out Chic today for orange wardrobe ideas for spring. And as always, if you have any requests or suggestions for this series, please let us know.
(Photos: 1.Martha Stewart 2.Skona Hem 3.Popwuping 4.Hus & Hem 5.Lili Diallo)
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