Lilly in pink

If you are unfamiliar with Lilly Pulitzer all you need to do is look at this picture. Lilly is noted for her signature shift dress. Lilly, who was married to the owner an orange grove, opened a juice stand in the early 1960s. Her clothes were often stained with the juice. She decided to design a dress with a colorful pattern that would hide the juice stains. The dress became instantly popular and the even Jackie O. was seen wearing them.

This dress is still popular today and I myself own two of them. I have always loved the colors of Lilly and even designed my childhood bedroom with her signature pink and green colors.  Since the early 1960s, Lilly has continued to design colorful classic clothing and accessoriess.

To my delight Lily has introduced a furniture line with HFI brand, which will be in stores in early spring of this year. There will be 200+ pieces to drool over. Here is a sneak peek.

Although not for those shy of color, all would agree I think, that these pieces  make one smile.  I am loving the sofas. I love the idea of framing Lilly's fabric designs in the lower right picture. What a great way to showcase all the patterns that one likes. 

Lilly also has teamed up with Garnet Hill for a bedding line.

What a colorful bedroom. So refreshing and perfect for a beach house.

I just love the pattern and design of this chair.....

and the perfect table to go with it.

I am linking this post to How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday, where you will find many other lovely pink things.

Have a wonderful colorful weekend.

21 Club

Today, I thought I would share with you my favorite restaurant, the 21 Club,  at 21 west 52nd street, in New York City. It is named "21" because that is the street address. It opened in 1920. My husband and I go here for our special dates. We will be going here this weekend to celebrate Valentine's Day.  I feel this is the most romantic and fun restaurant in New York City.

                                                                  The front of Club 21

I am a romantic and love legendary tales like the origins of the 21 Club.  I love everything about this place, including the outside of the restaurant. The jockeys adorning the entrance are more than just decorative pieces. In the 1930s the affluent horse set frequented "21". To impart their personal stamp on this speakeasy turned restaurant, many breeders donated jockeys as  symbols of their private horse farms. Over the years affluent horse breeders and 
"21" regulars donated a jockey.

The lounge is a large room to have a lite meal or wait for table and have a drink. It is red with a fireplace and so comfy and warm feeling. Below, a picture of one corner or the lounge.  

                                                                the lounge



The main dining room is called the bar room. It is a place of incredible stimulation. There are toys hanging from the ceilings, all donated by patrons, including President Kennedy.

Everywhere you look there is something interesting to look at. This room makes one feel happy and alive. You can feel the history.

                                                                 the bar


There are 32 seats in this section of the restaurant.   Below is a map of tables and their numbers.  If you are a Bill Clinton or Donald Trump fan ask for  table 11, where they always sit.  George Clooney sits at table 8 and the Kennedy Clan sit at table 31. 

"21" is noted for their wine list. If you are a wine lover  perhaps you should request the table in the wine cellar, where there is one large table. 

                            wine cellar




During the prohibition the owners had an elaborate system of destroying and hiding the alcohol if there was a bust. A secret underground area was built to hide the bottles of alcohol. This room is still in use today but for storage.

secret room

 If you are one of the regular elites, their may be a bottle of wine with your name on it, awaiting your next visit. See below, Liz Taylor's bottle in lower  middle left.

                                                                 private stock



My absolute favorite room to eat is the upstairs dining room. It is considered the room to pop the question.  There are beautiful murals of New York landmarks. The lighting is very soft and it is very quiet compared to the bar room. The service and food are exquisite. The tables are set up so that you really feel you are the only couple in the dining room.

                                           upstairs


This restaurant is just such an icon and I love visiting here. It has everything a diner would love, a comfy lounge area, an exciting lively bar room and an intimate dining room for a romantic dinner for two.  If you are ever in New York I would highly recommend it, and if you are with your honey eat upstairs!  During the holiday season, the decorating is gorgeous. 




I am linking this post to Pink Saturday for the Valentine Party hosted by Beverly at How Sweet The Sound.




Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!

Barbie's Real Dream House

I am  a big Barbie fan as evidenced by  a trunk full of old Barbies and her accessories.  In 2009 Barbie celebrated her 50th anniversary and Jonathan Adler designed a real life Barbie Beach House.  Being a house lover, I had to post this even though it is somewhat old news. I thought it would also be the perfect Pink Saturday post.


Here is a picture of the living room. I just love the Barbie fabric on the chairs. Do you notice anything unusual about the chandeliers?
If you look closely you can see they are covered in Barbie's hair.

Check out both sides of the fireplace. Do you see Barbie's poodle? I still have my Barbie poodle, it was made of soft plastic and was white.  Mine is grey now.  Look over the fireplace......

there is a mirror made with Barbie dolls. I so love this.

Now talk about a pink bedroom. This certainly qualifies, don't you think? 

This closet is something I could get used to. I wonder what is in the glass jars on the shelves. Anyone know?

Here is the recreation room. I am shocked that the pool table did not have more pink, but there are pink balls.

                     The pool area below, love the pink floor.

Here is a close up of the pink rose topiary at poolside.

Jonathan did not forget one detail including the "to do" list, written on pink paper and held with pink tape. I laughed when I read the list. 

Hope you enjoyed this pink post. For more pinks please visit Beverly's blog - How Sweet The Sound for some lovely pink posts.

House For Sale

I found the perfect post for Pink Saturday and you will see why in a moment. I have a guilty pleasure - watching The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. My favorite housewife is  Lisa Vanderpump.

 She is a very wealthy, beautiful, British lady whose nickname is Pinky. Do I need to say more?  She has the cutest little dog named Giggy.  Her 15,000 square foot mansion is on the market for a mere 29 million.

Lisa has two children who are now grown and is ready to down size. You will notice a color pattern in every room of her house - white and pink.

Notice the sprinkles of pink.

Above is her bedroom.

Check out this bathroom. I love it.

I would not mind a daybed in my bathroom at all, would you?

 Albeit small, the color pink finds it way in the room above as well. Do you see it.? 

Lisa loves fresh flowers and they are all over her house. Her arrangement above has pink and white flowers naturally.

 Even her landscaping includes the color pink. I just love the outdoor sitting area below. The chairs look so comfy.

                                Giggy has his own outdoor bed complete with     canopy. Doesn't Giggy look like a stuffed animal here? Why doesn't Giggy wear pink you ask? Because Giggy is a boy.

Pinky owns a restaurant named Villa Blanca in Beverly Hills.  Her restaurant looks like an extension of her home. It has the same color scheme and overall look.

Pinky's love of pink does not end at home decoration. She had a bakery make a cake in the shape of

pink Louboutin shoes.

Mr. Louboutin, apparently a close friend, autographed the bottom of a real pair of pink crystal Louboutins.......and she actually wore them!   

It is hard not to like Pinky, afterall she loves pink ..... and what about her cute  dog Giggy?

I am linking this post to How Sweet the Sound for the Pink Saturday party. Come on by and see all kinds of pinks.

Have a great weekend!

I Love Linen Closets

I love linen closets. I vividly remember the linen closet in my childhood home. It was in the upstairs  hall and had many shelves. A lovely aroma escaped when the door was opened.  I loved how all the towels and sheets were perfectly folded and piled on top of each other. My current home is nearly 100 years old and has only three closets. Needless to say, I can not spare one whole closet for linens.But that is what dreaming if for, right?

This closet is before my time but it still reminds me of my Mom's closet. I love how the towels and sheets are tied with a ribbon. So pretty. Check out the sliding drawers on the bottom.

                                               (Women's Home Companion,1942)
                                                     

While doing research for this post I found it difficult to find any real history of the linen closet. I did however find some history in paintings. In 1661 Dutch artist, Pieter de Hooch, painted "a Woman With Her Maid." After the artist had children the theme of his paintings revolved around domestic lines. It is safe to say that linens were important in the 1660s based on the care taken in this painting. The stand alone "linen closet" is quite impressive.

                                            "A Woman With Her Maid" by Pieter de Hooch, 1661

In 1906 the linen closet returns in art once again.  The artist, Carl Larsson, one of my favorite painters, choose to paint his wife Karin by their linen cupboard.

                                           "Karin By The Linen Cupboard" by Carl Larsson, 1906


The oldest photo I was able to locate was on the NYC Museum web site. 

                                                       Museum of the City of New York

In 1925, this upscale NYC apartment had shelf liners to enhance the linen closet. Notice all the linen is tied with ribbon.


    My perfect linen closet would house  Bella Notte bedding 

                                                                        Belle Notte

                                               in several different colors

Bella Notte

and styles. They would be folded with perfection
and tied with a pretty ribbon......

 Belle Notte

and placed next to my towels 

                                 and handmade blankets ......

                  

and carefully placed between shelf dividers. 

Domino Magazine

How about really doing it right and have breathable shelves to prevent moisture build up. These shelves are said to be made of rope. This incredible closet is from a Frank Lloyd Wright house.

                                                         Frank Lloyd Wright House

In my linen closet, beautiful shelf liners and edging would be an essential.

                                                                   Martha Stewart


     Vintage lace will work fine for the liner and edging and shades of pink only helps.

                                                                   source unknown

I would love to showcase some pretty vintage linens tied with lace.

                                                                 source unknown
                                                                    


For my perfect linen closet, cedar walls are required. Not only would there be shelf edging added to the closet but tags would be placed as well to keep everything organized.

                                                              Country Living Magazine

The last requirement in my dream linen closet would be the placement of several lavender sachets.  Each night while lying on the newly changed linen the sweet and calming scent would gently induce you into the most peaceful nights sleep.

Hope you enjoyed your visit.


I am linking this post to
My Romantic Home
and
French Country Cottage
and
Southern In My Heart
and
How Sweet the Sound