Friday, February 25, 2011

The Chic Beach at Soho Beach House

It's raining in New York and I really wish I was still in sunny Miami.  My absolute favorite part of the Soho Beach House hotel was the beach and not just because it was 80 degrees.  It was adorable and will also be going in my furture beach house inspiration folder. Stripes seem to be a subtle them at the Soho Beach House and extend from the hotel's tile floors to the beach chair cushions and towels.  The blue and white color scheme is punctuated with pops of red in the form of trays for magazines and the pièce de résistance, the red vintage coolers that house cool drinks and fruit. There are watering cans at the end of each row to clean the sand off of your feet and the bar runs on solar power.  Doesn't get much better than chic and eco-friendly!  Bon Weekend!























Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Mark Your Calendar: Kips Bay Decorator Show House Dates

The Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club announced today that the 39th Annual Decorator Show House will take place April 28 - May 26, 2011. It will take up residence in an striking, neo-Federalist style mansion at 163 East 63rd Street. The four story home was once owned by John Hay "Jock" Whitney and boasts unique historic details acquired during his travels abroad. I've walked by this home many times and always wondered what it looked like inside so I'm very excited for this year's show house.  No word yet on which interior designers have been chosen to decorate the 16 room house but I will definitely keep you posted!

Kips Bay Decorator Show House
163 East 63rd Street
New York, NY 10065
Open to the Public April 28 - May 26, 2011
Tickets $30

Black Tie President’s Preview and Dinner – Thursday, April 21
Opening Night Cocktails – Wednesday, April 27

For ticket sales and information, please call (718) 893-8600 ext 245
Or visit: www.kipsbay.org

Spring has Sprung at Talbots

I've been quietly shopping at Talbots for about a year now.  Ever since my mother dragged me into the Shadyside store over Christmas and I realized that they had cute dresses, their petites fit me perfectly, and the prices couldn't be beat!  I just received their Spring catalog yesterday and it looks like Julianne Moore is also a fan.  I think I might have to head to the store today for that yellow skirt.  My days of wearing shorts are over but you young fashionistas need to buy those suede shorts!  They are tres chic! Happy Spring!








Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Chic in Miami: Soho Beach House

When Stefan and I were in Miami, we stayed at the Soho Beach House in Miami Beach.  It is the perfect place for those who want to stay in a quieter and less over the top hotel.  It felt like we were staying in a friend's home. Before I show you the hotel itself, I thought I would start with our room and the chic hallways.  Martin Brudnizki designed the hotel but I was told that all the special little touches were due to the owner, Nick Jones.  The result is beach house meets English country mansion that somehow completely works. 

There are gallery walls of art all over the hotel including in the elevator lobbies on each floor, above.

I loved the pale blue tufted leather walls in the elevators or lifts as the British like to call them.

Hallways are an often overlooked decorating opportunity.  I absolutely loved the chic beachy look of the hotel hallways.  This is definitely going in my beach house file for future use.  It's so simple but perfect.  The seagrass runner is actually inset which means there is no curled up edges to trip over. The pale grey and white tile set on the diagonal also refers back to the tile in Cecconi's.

Even the simple doors were perfect.

How fun would it be in a big beach house to number the doors so your guests can find their room easily?

Instead of blue like the hallways, our room was green.

The grey and white tile floor was cool and reminded me of nautical flags.

The details such as the hooks and leather umbrella stand were definitely English touches.

We had a big room that included a seating area, not that we sat much in Miami Beach!

The best part of the room was that it really did feel like you were staying in a very chic but comfortable home.

We loved the vintage suitcases under the bed!

They even supply a beach bag to use during your stay.  Just wait until you see the pool and beach areas.  Talk about chic!

The armoire was the closet.

I read that Nick Jones's favorite color is petrol blue which reminded me of the color of the old leather on these chairs.

You can either watch the view or the television.

We preferred the view which included the pool area and ocean.  We also overlooked Cecconi's.

I loved that the chairs sat on a round seagrass rug.

The fabrics added to the English feeling in the room.

The bar was very chic.

You could even have someone come and make you drinks!

We had real crystal glasses in our room.

I loved the knobs on the bar.

This little chair was adorable.

I'm sure the tub in your room would be romantic if you were staying with your partner and not your friend!

The leather desk was chic too!

Another look at the comfy bed.

After dealing with the small bathroom on the cruiseship, we were most excited about the spacious bathroom!

Two sinks was a treat!

We both fell in love with the Cowshed Spa products!

We joked that the shower stall was as big as our entire bathroom on the cruiseship!  I took a shower even when I didn't need to just because it was so fabulous! I especially loved the dry waiting area to the side. And even the WC, below, had its own sink.  

As an architect and designer, Stefan and I were most impressed with all the details and special touches in our room and throughout the Soho Beach House.  Just wait until you see the rest of the place!

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic