"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. 

"SMW on OKL . . . "

Greetings,

First, get out a pen.  And find your calendar.  Open it up to next week - in fact, next Tuesday, the 31st, in particular - and make a note.

One Kings Lane.  Tastemaker Tag Sale.  Featuring Scot Meacham Wood.  (That's me, by the way!)  At 6pm here in California.  Or 9pm on the East coast.  You fine folks in the middle will have to do your own math.   And the best part - you don't even have to leave the house!  You can shop for everything online! 

The sale features items curated from my own collections . . . framed artwork . . . antique tartanware boxes . . . a parade of decorative pillows . . . vintage china . . . selected furniture . . . and much, much more.  Many items are one of a kind - so be sure to shop early. 

Mark your schedules - next Tuesday evening - May 31st - at 6pm PT. And you can shop from home in your pj's - it's almost like having me over for a mid-week slumber party.

 Until then,
Scot

"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

"Enchanted . . . "

Greetings,

From a very groggy day at SMW Design. Been here at the office most of the day - on about 4 hours of sleep (from 4am to 8am!) but wanted to share some of my favourite images of this morning's wedding.

So - let's take things in some kind of order here -

The Dress.

I loved the dress.  It almost felt like a combination of two of my favourites, Grace Kelly's dress & the wedding dress from The Sound of Music.  (you can see them both here.) Traditional yet still modern.  And it highlighted her incredibly beautiful figure.  And the fact that it was from the house of fashion designer Alexander McQueen was a huge tribute to British fashion.  Well done. 

The Pageantry.

This might be one of Britain's major exports - lol.  All uniforms and marches and national pride - no one on Earth puts on quite the same show!  But, I also love the intimacy that was still clearly present in the service.  I've actually had the privilege of attending worship services at Westminster Abbey when I'm in London - and in fact - I usually sit just behind the musicians in the Quire seating.  And even though the space is clearly massive - the experience still feels amazingly personal.  

The Abbey.

Okay, coming from someone that regularly fills his home with multiple trees each and every Christmas - I just about lost my mind when I saw this.  Seriously.  It felt imaginative and brought an air of enchantment to the entire service.  Love. 

The Couple.

It all seemed perfectly charming.  And personal.  And at times almost humorous.   I wish them well - and hope that we all (myself included), get caught up on our sleep!

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

"Studying . . . "

Greetings,

Quite often I'm asked from where these little musings come.  And, of course, there's rarely an easy answer to that question.  Sometimes it's an interesting trend that I've noticed in a design magazine.  Or a movie or concert that I've recently seen.  But, most often, it's directly connected to things happening here in the office.

Sometimes we're measuring for light fixtures.  Sometimes I'm toiling at my desk, designing custom furniture for a client.  And clearly, sometimes I'm just staring at the grass outside - lol.

But, for the last few days I've been researching traditional English studies and libraries.  I have two current clients in need of the classic style and easy elegance of these amazing spaces.  A place to retreat from the hectic day.  Escape into an amazing novel.  Or just sit and survey the memories of a lifetime of travel.

Chatsworth House, 1995

SMW Design, Nob Hill (photo credit - Nicolas Smith)

Ralph Lauren Home Collection, Fall 2008

SMW Design, San Francisco(photo credit - Nicolas Smith)

The Library of Gil Schafer

Duff House, Scotland

Ralph Lauren's home, from Architectural Digest
(photo credit - Durston Saylor)

SMW Design, San Francisco
(photo credit - Nicolas Smith)

Darin Geise, for San Francisco Magazine
(photo credit - Philip Harvey)

SMW Design, Nob Hill  (photo credit - Nicolas Smith)

Cheers,

Scot

"The Grass is Always Greener . . . "

Greetings,

Sometimes design inspirations come from the simplest places.  It can be just as easy as opening your front door.  And then opening your eyes.

And behold . . . .

SMW Design, East Hampton Residence
(photo credit - Scot Meacham Wood)

Sheila Bridges, New York, NY

"Do, Re, Mi."
 from The Sound of Music

SMW Design, Mountain View Residence
(photo credit - Eric Tagan Hooten)

"The Green Room"
The White House, Washington DC

Sherrill Canet, New York NY

Ralph Lauren Advertisement, from 1984

SMW Design, Presidio Heights San Francisco
(photo credit - Nicolas Smith)

Jon Hamm and January Jones, from Mad Men

South Hampton, NY.  June 2010
(photo credit - Scot Meacham Wood)

Kelly Wearstler 

Oscar de la Renta for Lee Jofa
Design by Miles Redd

Cheers,
Scot