Summer is coming to an end, and soon a new season will be upon us. Whether you are in school, or haven’t attended class in thirty years, September evokes memories of freshly sharpened pencils and books waiting to be opened. It’s that time of year when you want to fuel-up on new insights, vivid imagery and explore the unknown. So it’s no surprise that I have books on the brain.
A few months ago, the fall book preview for 2015 was released by all the major publishing companies and I was lucky enough to get a sneak-peek of the coffee-table and culinary books. My personal favorites were from Phaidon – the dreamiest of all publishing companies. Their showroom was a book nerd’s dream, chock-full of over the top vibrancy and curious content. After two days visiting multiple publishers, I knew that I was in trouble – every extra penny earned was going towards the new fall line-up of books. Lots and lots of sexy books.
So without further ado, here is a round-up of the best coffee-table and culinary books for Fall 2015:
ART, FASHION & PHOTOGRAPHY
Grace: Thirty Years of Fashion at Vogue by Grace Coddington
The biggest book in Fashion and it’s all about the iconic wonder-woman, Grace Coddington. 408 pages showcasing the greatest photographs ever published in British and American Vogue.
Release Date: September 28, 2015
Diana Vreeland: The Modern Woman: The Bazaar Years, 1936-1962 by Alexander Vreeland
A gorgeous book looking back on the legendary fashion editor, Diana Vreeland, and the three decades she spent at Harper Bazaar. Written by her grandson, the book highlights the glory days of fashion and Vreeland’s monumental influence on the industry.
Release Date: October 20, 2015
Fantastic Man: Men of Great Style and Substance by Gert Jonkers and Jop van Beenekom
Who and what defines masculinity in the 21st century? Over the past ten years Fantastic Man magazine has been portraying the stylish modern man through iconic photography and witty editorial. This book celebrates a decade of cool with 69 of the world’s most influential and stylish men.
Release Date: October 26, 2015
Daniel Ost by Paul Geerts
Daniel Ost is a magician in the floral industry. His works are not modest, nor will you find them on traditional tabletops. Ost constructs large-scale floral sculptures for some of the most prestigious residences, temples, exhibitions, and events in the world. The book will simply take your breath away. Comprised of 80 floral designs, paired with a descriptive essay that will take you through the wonderland of Ost’s mind.
Release Date: October 19, 2015
Map: Exploring the World by Phaidon Editors
Created by a panel of academics, curators and collectors from around the world, this book of 300 maps creatively pairs striking imagery, historical facts, culture and tradition. Throughout the book you will experience 5,000 years of cartographic drawings and the many reasons why humanity creates maps.
Release Date: September 28, 2015
LIFESTYLE AND DESIGN
Modern Taste: Art Deco in Paris 1910-1935 by Jose Marinas
Art Deco was the beginning of the modern era. A sharp contrast of previous styles, Art Deco forever changed the landscape of design and culture. This gorgeous book takes readers through a comprehensive journey of art, fashion, film, architecture, and design during one of the greatest artistic movements of our time.
Released: July 28, 2015
Sage Living by Anne Sage
Anne Sage is a profound writer, blogger and stylist. Sage Living is her first book and it is a must-read! Beautiful interiors, intimate stories and a welcomed perspective on design and how it affects our lives. Sage Living is more than a pretty picture book, it’s a guide that “helps readers decorate for the lives they truly want.”
Release Date: September 15, 2015
Styled: Secrets for Arranging Rooms, from Tabletops to Bookshelves by Emily Henderson
Emily Henderson is an interior stylist, TV host, and author based in LA. Known for her darling demeanor and commitment to approachable home design with a vintage kick, Henderson has become quite the style maven. In this book, she shares an easy ten step guide in “styling” any space. Decorating can takes months of planning, but styling only takes a few minutes. Enjoy trade secrets, over a 1,000 design ideas and 75 inspiring interiors.
Release Date: October 13, 2015
CULINARY
Bread and a Dog by Natsuko Kuwahara
“A quirky, photographic exploration of two beloved subjects: breakfast and dogs.” Food stylist, Natsuko Kuwahara, shares delicious breakfast recipes, tips and beautifully designed table arrangements. The catch? The book is 100 pages of beautifully styled food and Kippie…an incredibly well-trained dog that is fascinated with his owners work. A delightful book with a refreshing viewpoint on food and pets.
Release Date: October 5, 2015
Nopi by Yotam Ottolenghi
Another breathtaking, mouthwatering cookbook by Yotam Ottolenghi. This time, Ottolenghi joins forces with Chef Ramael Scully and creates a book with an unusual fusion of Asian-inspired and Middle Eastern dishes. Exotic spices and wild pairings, this is definitely a book you want to add to your collection.
Release Date: October 20, 2015
The Nordic Cook Book by Magnus Nilsson
Chef Magnus Nilsson, the man behind the famous restaurant Faviken Magasinet, saw a great need for a geographical cookbook and one that was properly translated. So, he travelled throughout the Nordic region collecting recipes and photographing the magnificent people and landscape of the north. In this book, Nilsson explains (in a way that has never been done) Nordic heritage, ingredients and techniques that allow readers to recreate these recipes with ease. A beautiful combination of rich cuisine and culture featuring 700 recipes from Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenleand, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.
Release Date: October 12, 2015
Tacopedia by Deborah Holtz and Juan Carlos Mena
Everything you would ever want to know about tacos and more! Known as the ultimate taco guide, Tacopedia is a fun cookbook with 100 authentic Mexican recipes, vibrant photos, interesting stories, interviews, illustrations, maps and quirky infographics. Whether you love beautiful graphics or excellent Mexican food, this book will captivate any audience.
Release Date: September 28, 2015
Toast by Raquel Pelzel
Who doesn’t love toast? Morning, noon, or night, savory or sweet, the possibilities are endless when it comes to toast. Award-winning food writer Raquel Pelzel features a delectable cookbook of 50 fresh-ingredient recipes on how to fix toast. Pelzel explains that toast is so much more than bread and butter, it’s a canvas of culinary opportunity. Toast is the cookbook you’ve likely been dreaming about.
Release Date: September 14, 2015
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Have you been to Milk & Honey in Chattanooga? If not, I’d say you should hop in the car and head to Chattanooga, TN. immediately. But guess what? They are coming to Nashville!
Milk & Honey is a sweet shop created by the restaurateurs, Mike and Taylor Monen (owners of Taco Mamacita). Known for “where pure gelato, craft coffee and fresh fruit popsicles are made from scratch daily”. Aka, where one goes to find heavenly dessert bliss. If sugar and caffeine are not your thing (crazy talk, I know), they also have a divine breakfast and lunch menu that will make your taste-buds swoon. Locals, and myself included, rave about the Farmhouse Biscuit – M&H breakfast sausage, Benton’s bacon, tomato jam, egg, arugula, white cheddar, caramelized onions and shallots on a homemade buttermilk biscuit.
And don’t get me started on the handmade, locally grown gelato. The Counter Culture coffee is so good, it’s sinful. Everything at M&H is made in-house, using as many local ingredients as possible, and the menu rotates seasonally.
One of my favorite things about this little shop, besides their incredible desserts, is the décor. A warm mixture of classic and modern styles, with a dash of humor. Upon entry, you are met with “Order here, honey!” in vintage typography. The cheery space is lined with retro bar stools, high-back booths and penny tile, reminiscent of an old-fashioned soda shop but with a twist.
I won’t forget the first time I stepped into M&H. I was immediately welcomed by the southern charm and delightful energy. I grinned from ear to ear as I glanced around – sleek furnishings, an indoor/outdoor bar, vivid high-contrast colors and not a single piece of barn-wood in sight. Yes, I said it. You know it’s true, the rustic-industrial epidemic needs to end. It’s for this very reason, I crushed on M&H so quickly. They were quite clever in how they introduced farm-to-table in their design while retaining a space that is both contemporary and chic. It’s a refreshing aesthetic, and I can’t wait to have one in Nashville.
So when and where is the big question, right? Milk & Honey Nashville will open in Summer of 2016 in the Gulch. Originally slated for spring of this year on Church street, the Monen’s decided to move to the Gulch for a larger space and open at a later time. The Nashville location will be three times larger than the one in Chattanooga, as it will serve as a restaurant and gelato shop. The Monen’s finalized a deal to open their Milk & Honey concept in a roughly 5,000-square-foot space at 214 11th Ave. S. in MarketStreet Enterprises’ new Gulch Crossing building.
For those of you who cannot wait a year, make that trip to Chattanooga. The drive is so worth it!
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Photo Credit: Coco + Kelley and Barrington Blue
Whether your interior is modern or traditional, there is always room for the rich texture and intricate designs of a Kilim. Kilim, pronounced kee-leem, is one of the oldest woven textiles in history, dating back to 3000 BC. They are a pileless slit-woven rug with bold geometric patterns and colors made mainly from vegetable-dyed wool. The no-pile construction was designed specifically for high traffic areas and to last for a considerable amount of time. Many “vintage” kilims you find today are actually antiques – some are well over a century old. Although these textiles come mainly from Turkey, they are also found in the Balkans, North Africa, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan and various regions in China. Each country has a variation of pattern and color, but the traditional craftsmanship, symbols and flat-woven technique are consistently the same.
Common symbols found in Kilim rugs and gorgeous pillows from Leif Shop
Kilim rugs have stood the test of time. Global trends have come and gone, and yet Kilims never seem to go out of style. Their exotic designs represents a world gone by – nomadic dwellings lined in bold, bright colors enriched with deep heritage and traditions. Although many of us love our modern conveniences, there is something very alluring about the nomadic life. Kilims have a siren-effect, calling us to take part in their unfamiliar world and ancient stories. No matter what your style may be, these tribal designs will magically find a place in your home.
Rug from Chairish, Chair from One Kings Lane and Shoes by Artemis
Once a Kilim rug has run its course, artisans will then use it for upholstery. They will crop the areas that have thinned and torn, and use the remaining portions to cover chairs, sofas, and stools. Or create pillow covers, handbags and even shoes. It’s incredible that after a century, a textile can simply be trimmed, applied to a piece of furniture or an accessory and then continue for many more years looking as beautiful as ever. I don’t know how it happens, but when a kilim goes from a rug to upholstery, it becomes textile porn. Yes, it’s that good.
Stool and Chair from Dot & Bo, Sofa by Urban Outfitters and Dutch home featured on The Style Files
Kilim upholstery is one of my favorite design elements to use when designing a space. The pops of pattern and color in small applications allows you to bring in bold patterns without overwhelming the space. Add a few Kilim pillows to a modern leather sofa and you immediately have warmth and texture. Place a Kilim chair in a traditional living room and awaken a sleepy space. Wear a Kilim handbag with a neutral dress, and voila! Instant panache. The options are endless, and best of all, every piece fashioned from a vintage Kilim is one-of-a-kind.
Pillows by Barrington Blue and Handbag by Artemis
Note:
Many of the items I have featured in this post are made from vintage Kilim, so the designs will vary and the availability will be limited. If you find something you like but the item is sold out, don’t fret. Many companies that sell Kilims will give you the option to be notified when the item will be restocked. Just remember the designs are vintage, so no two items are exactly alike.
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Summer has officially arrived and it is HOT!
If you live in Nashville or anywhere in the South, you know that come mid-June the weather is going to suck the life out of you. With temps rising above 90 degrees and 100% humidity, many of us will be shutting-in like it’s the dead of winter. But instead of heavy snowfall, it will be sweat running down every inch of our bodies in the most unattractive way possible. And guess what?! This is only the beginning.
So what to do? Beat the heat and find a pool!
Photo Credit: Kelly Golightly
Instead of standing in front of the AC vent all summer long, embrace the great outdoors and jump into a refreshing body of water. One, of course, that serves cocktails, fresh towels, has divine lounge furniture and is bug free – also known as the glorious hotel pool. For all you nature folks, more power to you for choosing the lake and river. But for me, humidity, bugs and water moccasins are not my ideal way to cool off. Swimming should be a carefree experience, not a battle against nature.
When searching for the right hotel pool, do your homework. Recently, I stayed at the Atlanta Hyatt Regency downtown. Although the hotel was nice, the outdoor pool was not. The pool was on the lower level of the hotel and was completely shadowed by the surrounding buildings. Most of the day the pool was without sunshine. And a pool without sunshine is a very sad thing. So research, find photos, look for a place that has a lot of style, and ask the hotel about all of their poolside amenities and policies. A pool that prohibits alcohol would be just as bad as the lack of sunshine.
Not a hotel guest? Although hotel pools are for “guests only”, you might be surprised that many of them offer day specials to the general public. For instance, the Omni Nashville Hotel Pool gives access to the pool Monday through Thursday if you buy one of their spa packages. In New Orleans at the Le Meridien, the hotel opens their rooftop pool to the public on Sundays from 11am to 5pm for $10. And in Atlanta at the W Hotel, you can buy one of their weekend day tickets.
So wherever you are this summer, and for however long, find a gorgeous pool that serves fantastic cocktails and beat the heat in style.
Below are my favorite hotel pools in the south. Enjoy!
Nashville: Omni Nashville Hotel
Rooftop swimming pool with beautiful views of downtown Nashville. Enjoy the lounge, cabanas and the seasonal bar & grill. And for all you locals, buy a spa package and enjoy the pool M-TH.
Atlanta: W Hotel Wet Deck & Wet Bar
Atlanta’s only all-weather rooftop pool and bar. Sip as you dip into the zero-edge pool and enjoy the panoramic views. During the summer, you can purchase a weekend day ticket and enjoy games and cocktails on Saturday, or chill pool side and do a little yoga on Sunday. Tickets are $18.
New Orleans: Le Meridien
Relax in a rooftop cabana, order a delightful lunch and enjoy the warm Louisiana sunshine.This hotel has beautiful views and luxurious amenities. Sundays are Adult Swim, which means the pool is open to the public for $10 from 11-5pm.
Dallas: Joule Hotel
Looking for an exciting swim? Experience the glass-fronted pool that cantilevers eight feet beyond the hotels structure. Enjoy your meals and cocktails poolside, or bask in the sunshine while lounging in their luxurious modern furniture.
Miami: Delano Hotel
7000 sq. feet of pure luxury in the glorious South Beach Miami. Enjoy a swim in the deep end or dine in the shallow end of the pool. Direct access to the beach, a decadent assortment of cocktails and a long list of outdoor amenities. This is the perfect modern oasis.
Alys Beach: Caliza Pool
Although located in South Walton Florida, you will think you’ve been transported to an exotic oasis. The Caliza pool area has a 100-foot saltwater pool, a shallow family pool, a 75-foot lap pool, a spa whirlpool, private cabanas, beautiful outdoor furnishings, and an open-air restaurant/bar – a breathtaking experience that is worth every penny. The pool is only available to Alys Beach vacation renters and home owners. But! The restaurant and bar is open to the public for dinner Tuesday through Saturday.
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If you missed my 12th & Broad piece last week on Wilder and Pennyweight, this is a must-read!
Josh and Ivy Elrod of Wilder continue to break the mold in the Nashville retail scene. Less than a year old, the contemporary design boutique in Germantown has already been featured in W Magazine and the New York Post. Progressively innovative, always connecting, and giddily pushing boundaries with non-obvious pairings – Wilder is transforming the traditional market place in our fair city.
So it is was no surprise when they announced the summer long collaboration with the incredibly talented stylist, blogger and creative consultant, Elise Joseph of Pennyweight . A three-month Pennyweight pop-up curated by Elise Joseph at Wilder. This is what I call summer bliss!
The pop-up kicked off on Tuesday, May 26th and will run through Sunday, August 16th. Just a few weeks in and the response from the public has been incredible. The pairing of this dynamic trio has created a lot of buzz not only locally, but nationally as well.
“As soon as we met Elise we knew she was a natural person for us to collaborate with,” said Josh and Ivy Elrod, owners of Wilder. “The most exciting part of developing Wilder has been the energy and inspiration we get from encountering new people and vibing together.”
The Nashville native is also collaborating with designers to create several limited edition pieces, exclusively for the event. “It is such a dream to be able to take aspects of what I do online and share it in person – to connect with people in a more authentic way,” said Elise. “I’m thrilled beyond words to team up with Ivy and Josh, and think my collection will pair nicely with their cool, modern aesthetic.”
Pennyweight will offer select pieces from emerging designers like Jesse Kamm, Kieley Kimmel, Wal & Pai, Kathleen Whitaker, Lauren Winter, 7115 by Szeki, Another Feather, Beatrice Valenzuela, Electric Feathers and more. Local designers include Annie Williams, Jamie & The Jones, Josi Faye, Ceri Hoover and Elizabeth Suzann.
“We want Wilder to be a place that sparks us as people and as artists, and incorporating Elise’s keen eye into the mix is layering a dynamism to the already lively conversation,” said Josh and Ivy.
So don’t walk, run to Wilder. This limited edition of decadently high-quality goods won’t last long. I can tell you from experience, a trip to Wilder will not be disappointing. The shop is more than a room of beautiful objects, it’s a transcendent experience.
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