Weekend Retreat

What better way to start of the weekend but with photos of the weekend lake house of Susanna Salk and her family. The author of A Privilaged Life: Celebrating Wasp Style, is currently working on two new books for Rizzoli, Weekend Retreats, which celebrates country weekend homes and the people who retreat to them, and Rooms of their Own, which will celebrate fabulous children's rooms. Bon Weekend!

Photos by John Gruen

Thank you!

A big thank you to all the readers of The Nest magazine who voted Habitually Chic one of their favorite home blogs! Be sure to check out the list for more blogs to help you waste time at work!

The Heights

I almost ordered the ridiculously expensive Ralph Lauren dresser today for the Bachelor Pad but I decided that perhaps I should double check again that it will fit through the vestibule and into to the bedroom and more importantly into the freight elevator. Otherwise, we're going to have a very expensive living room console instead.

I did however take the opportunity to inform our showroom rep that since I was going to be ordering such an expensive item that she should finally get me a replacement knob for the Equilibrium lamp that she had yet to find for another client. That lit a fire under her! Of course the knob is now costing $5,000 but at least we're finally getting it!

I won't tell you exactly what piece I am ordering yet but it is part of the Pacific Heights Collection all of which is perfect for a bachelor including the bar above, although that one is a bit too small for him.

I need to start looking for beautiful vintage or vintage-looking bar accessories soon. If anyone has any good sources that are insanely expensive, please let me know. I'm on a budget remember.

I don't love some of the chairs in this collection but that dining table is pretty spectacular. I saw a Milo Baughman version that was similar but now he wants a round table...for better dinner party conversation...I'm not sure who's he's going to get to help him throw these imaginary dinner parties so if he expects me to lend him a hand, he should start by being a little nicer to me.

Love this wardrobe but the chair, not so much. I also love the black and white photography in the silver frames. I'm definitely making a mental note of those for later.

The Equilibrium Lamps are used as bedside lamps in this bedroom, a trend that I wrote about recently that seems to be becoming more and more popular.

I think the bed linens here look pretty bachelor appropriate. I stopped by Schweitzer Linen last week to take a look but everything looked too feminine. I also stopped into Restoration Hardware today for another client and was pretty impressed by their bed linens. I may be going back to pull together some options. They also have a great box spring cover that I was looking for so I immediately ordered one for the bachelor pad. Now if he would just make his bed, we'd be all set!

Bachelor Pad Update: Making Progress

We're starting to make some progress on the Bachelor Pad. The painting was finished last week and now we're onto buying furniture. While waiting for some of it to be delivered, I've been keeping busy with little projects including fixing up the bathroom. I bought new towels and accessories, took down a mis-placed towel bar, spackled, painted, hung some art, and generally made the room more visitor friendly.

Half of the time on this project, I feel like the decorator fairy. I come in while Bachelor Boy is at work or golfing and spruce things up and wonder whether he'll notice the changes when he gets home. Meanwhile, realizing that he will have no idea how hard I worked or how exhausting it is to run around all over town looking for white lacquer Jonathan Adler bathroom accessories that are sold out everywhere! The other half of the time, I feel like I'm playing the lead in a Doris Day movie where we're still in the bickering stage. (Bonus points if you can figure out which one!) Makes for some very interesting stories to say the least!

Next up, is ordering a fabulous Ralph Lauren dresser that is a major splurge (even with the 40% designer discount!), figuring out a new dining table option, and finding someone who doesn't charge an arm and a leg to possibly fabricate a built-in looking console along the back wall of the dining area. A decorator's work is never done!

Minnie Dresses

As my friends know, I never met a dress I didn't love and now I have new dresses to love designed by socialite Minnie Mortimer. They have a great shape and a great price point. And the shorts are cute too! Too bad they don't come with those legs!

Georgia Dress $200

Tommy Shorts $165

Tatiana Dress $240

Happy Father's Day!

I want to wish a Happy Father's Day to my dad who first took me to Fallingwater as a child and again as an adult. Who took me to museums and instilled in me a love of great art and design. Without him, I wouldn't be who I am or where I am today! Thanks Dad!

Burke Decor

Everyone keeps asking me about the yellow Thomas Paul pillow in my living room and while that exact pattern is no longer available, Burke Decor carries the widest selection I have yet to see. They also sell wonderful furniture, home accessories and even photography, in addition to amazing wallpapers many of which are priced at $60 a roll! A fabulous great deal! Check them out!