"A Mini-Break . . . "

Greetings,

There might be a few of you out there who DIDN'T have a crazy week - and if so, I kinda don't wanna hear about it . . . lol.  For the rest of you who, much like myself, seemed to be in a spinning, and somewhat unending, game of chase-the-to-do-list - I'm going to book each of us a little cyber-vacation for the next few moments . . .

Some time to lounge in the bed, reading the paper.  Enjoy a piping hot cup of coffee.  And maybe a shockingly unhealthy carbohydrate.  Remember, there are no calories on the internet . . .

So come.  Relax.  Enjoy.  Wander . . .

Coopers Beach, Southampton NY, 2010  (photography by Scot Meacham Wood)
If you happen to be on the East coast - maybe 
a long walk along Coopers Beach in Southampton . . . 

And for those of us out here on the west 

coast . . . let's just use Carmel.  It's closer . . . 

Southampton, NY  (photography by Scot Meacham Wood)
We could take a quick jaunt around town on a vintage bicycle.

Presidio Heights Project, SMW Design   (photography by Nicolas Smith)
And plan a little lunch - al fresco . . .

Marina Project, SMW Design  (photography by Eric Hooten)
Or, if it's too warm, we could just have a quiet lunch inside . . . 

Miles Redd, New York
Clearly, we'll need a place to curl up and 
read a book in the afternoon sun . . . 

Southampton, NY.  (photography by Scot Meacham Wood, 2010)
Or we could just take a long walk around town . . . 

Michael Smith, for Elle Decor
Clearly, there will be multiple venues for lounging . . . 

The Surf Lodge, Montauk NY  (photography by Scot Meacham Wood, 2010)
And we'll need more food.  clearly.

Coopers Beach, Southampton.  Just after sunset. (photography by Scot Meacham Wood)
See.  We've spent the entire day relaxing 
together . . . and it only took a few moments.

Breathe in.  Breathe out,

Scot

And a giant 'THANK YOU' to everyone who supported my One Kings Lane Tastemaker Tag sale this week - btw, there's still a few things left - so head over and make sure you didn't miss anything good. 

"I'm Gonna Wash That Man . . . "

Greetings,

We all have our morning rituals.  Mine are quite simple.  Up around 6am - to the sound of my iPhone barking like a dog (don't know why, but it's my favourite alarm sound!)  A quick cup of blindingly hot English Breakfast tea . . . maybe a bit of oatmeal with almond butter.  A quick run of a couple of miles - just to get the heart up and pumping - and get the old "grey matter" functioning.

Then - I head to the shower.  There's not a better way to start my day than with a hot shower and clean hair.

A while back I posted a collection of bathroom images - but, the focus seemed to skew a bit more towards bathtubs - and someone rightly commented at the time that we, as a culture, seem to be much more of a 'shower' crowd.  So, I promised then that a 'shower posting' would be in the works - and thus, today little missive was born.

So wipe the steam off the mirror - and have a look . . .

Betty Lou Phillips, for House Beautiful (photography by Nathan Schroder)

Steven Learner, for Elle Decor (photography by Pieter Estersohn)

SMW Design,  Lake Tahoe

Lela Rose, for Elle Decor
(photography by Pieter Estersohn)

SMW Design,  Lake Tahoe

Michael S. Smith, for House Beautiful

But, if you're in a pinch, you can always see if Robert Redford is 

around to help with any hair washing issues.  Seriously.

Cheers,

Scot

"Indoor. Outdoor. Indoor . . . "

SMW Design, East Hampton Pool House
(in R. Lauren Patio Stripe Indoor/Outdoor fabric)

Greetings,

Been shopping this week - with a very particular focus on indoor/outdoor textiles.  And let me assure you, these aren't your mother's outdoor fabrics!  Gone forever are the stiff, board-y fabrics that felt more like a body scrub than a poolside chair.

So many of these versatile fabric would be perfect for any indoor use as well.  Personally, I've used them  to upholster sofas in the family room, and they can be the perfect answer for hard working dining chairs!

Here are a few favourites from last week's shopping:

Ralph Lauren "Patio Stripe" (available through Kravet)

Perennials "Hissy Fit"

Perennials "Row Stripe" (in Sea Grass)

Pierre Frey "Hossegor" (in navy)

(click on any of the "names" for more information.)

Miles Redd, New York.

From House Beautiful.

SMW Design, Presidio Heights - Outdoor Dining.

SMW Design, Presidio Heights Outdoor Dining
(with Rug from Ballard Designs)

Joe Nye, from House Beautiful 

Michael Smith, for Elle Decor.

Don't forget the sunscreen,

Scot

"L.A. Story - Michael Smith . . . "

Michael Smith, for Elle Decor
(photography - Simon Upton)

Greetings,

As we approach the end of our tour of some of my favourite LA designers, we come to the profoundly talented Michael Smith.  I've always been a fan of his work - and this wondrous home on a bluff just north of Malibu, from Elle Decor - has always charmed me.  The clear, bright blues of the ocean and sky.  The murky corals and purples from an undersea reef.  And the unifying neutral of sand coloured linen to unite everything perfectly.

Enjoy . . .

Cheers,
Scot

from Elle Decor, photography by Simon Upton

"Town and Country . . . "

Hackett of London

Greetings,

Urban or Rural.  Modern or Antique.  

Finely edited / Lushly layered.  Polished chrome / Hand-rubbed brass.  

Sometimes I feel pulled in both directions.   

Past or Future.  Yin / Yang.  Sports car or Jeep.   

Sidewalks / Dirt paths.  

"Town or Country?"

London, England

The home of New York designer Robert Passal

Ralph Lauren Collection, Fall 2011

SMW Design, San Francisco

Menswear Designer, Michael Bastian
(photographed by Ian Allen)

Hackett of London

John Jacob Interiors

Ralph Lauren Home Collection

Velvet Slippers, from Del Toro

Windsor Smith, from Rue Magazine

Michael Smith Design 

Ralph Lauren's home, from Architectural Digest

SMW Design, San Francisco

Denton Gardner, for Elle Decor

Actor, Matthew Goode

SMW Design, San Francisco

Glen Feshie Lodge, Elle Decor

Gant by Michael Bastian, Fall 2011

The new Ralph Lauren Restaurant in Paris

Roger Banks-Pye, from Inspirational Interiors

Decision . . .  decisions . . .
Scot


(Some of these have sources - unfortunately, many do not - if you happen to recognize one, let me know!)