The Hilfigers Modern Miami Abode


Rear Façade


Bright colours and bold patterns are synonymous with Martin Lawrence Bullard designs and Tommy and Dee Hilfiger’s sweeping modern beachront residence just north of Miami endorses that notion.  The couple saught a space to house their colorful, large-scale Pop and post-Pop collection by Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, to name a handful that was sitting in storage.

Dee and Tommy Hilfiger

A collaborative painting by Warhol and Basquiat is center stage in the spacious living room.  The painting’s vivid hues and lavish swirls complement without going over the top. Buillard also commissioned reeditions of classic sofas by Vladimir Kagan and side tables by Willy Rizzo to inhabit the space.

Kitchen
Vintage Vladimir Kagan stools, 1970s Robert Sonneman chandelier.

Tommy Hilfiger's Office
Martyn Lawrence Bullard–designed desk, vintage Harvey Probber barrel chairs clad in a Holly Hunt leather, Art work by Jean Dubuffet is displayed in Tommy’s office.

Master Bedroom
Series of Marilyn Monroe photographs by Bert Stern, Paul Evans four-poster, Willy Rizzo cocktail table, and Vladimir Kagan sofa are all vintage.

The home is a playground, Hilfiger states, “We’re here for the weather, the Latin flavor, the art, and the palm trees.  Most of all we’re here for the fun.”  The Hilfigers will also be close to their newest business adverture, the Art Deco style Raleigh hotel in Miami Beach.  Renovations are scheduled to to begin in 2015.
xx,

B
If you would like help in creating a home you love, please contact me at Brenda@atelierdhautedesign.com

A Brand New Week, Plus 5 Must Visit French Châteaux’s


Bonjour mon amis!  I hope you had a lovely weekend!  There is something I love about Monday’s ~ it’s the beginning of a new week, new projects are underway, and being refreshed from the weekend.  This weekend, I did some shopping, last minute school shopping for the kids, new bedding for our bedroom, and a few other things.  The weather was rainy and humid so we didn’t make our midnight bike riding event… maybe next year.
On my “to do” list is to visit many of the historic châteaux’s of France.  I’ve compiled a list of my top 5. 

Châteaux de Fontainebleau


From King Francois I and Louis XIV to Napoleon Bonaparte, Château de Fontainebleau was one of the largest and favorite residences of the French sovereigns.  King Francois I hired the best French and Italian artists to embellish every inch of the palace interiors with gilded woodwork and marvelous frescoes and paintings.  Spend the weekend in this charming town for a perefect for a weekend trip.

Châteaux de Chantilly

Located 25 miles north north of Paris, Châteaux de Chantilly and all of its charm is reflected upon its surrounding moat. Built in 1560, the châteaux features lavish rooms donned with exquisite chandeliers and ornate carvings.  A stroll in the lavish gardens leads visitors to the astonishly beautiful fountains, stables, and sculptures.  A must-see is the collection of paintings and book illuminations in the fine art gallery of Musée Condé.
Châteaux de Chenonceau
Known as the most romantic châteaux, Châteaux de Chenonceau was built during the 11th century along the River Cher in Indre-et-Loire.  Also the most visited and photographed Châteaux in the Loire Valley, it is often described as ‘the ladies chateau’ as throughout its history it is they who have most influenced its design and its destiny. It was given to Diane de Poitiers, mistress of King Henry II {son of Francis I}, and Duchesse de Valentinois.  The châteaux was saved from destruction of the Revolutionary Guard by de Poiters, however, was taken from her by the widow of Henry II after his death.  It later became the property of the French Nation.

 Châteaux de Versailles
The most famous and opulent palaces in France, Versailles, is a royal château located in the Île-de-France region of France.  The official residence of the Kings of France from 1682 until 1790, Versailles was originally a hunting lodge, built in 1624, by Louis XIII and expanded by Louis XIV beginning in 1669 that sits on 250 acres of manicured lawns and fountains.  Also home to The Hall of Mirrors, a stunning chapel, The Grand Apartment, and an opera auditorium.  The palace was stripped of most of it’s furnishings during the French Revolution, and Tuileries in Paris became the royal residence. Versailles is now a national museum.  A perfect weekend trip.

Châteaux de Chambord
Built in the Loire Valley, Châteaux de Chambord is famous for its French renaissance architecture, barrel-vaulted ceiling, magnificent north-west facade, and the double helix staircase designed by Leonardo da Vinci.  Châteaux de Chambord, built to serve as a hunting lodge for François I, is a fortress featuring 440 rooms, 365 fireplaces, 13 staircases, and four towers, and is nestled in the largest park in Europe and surrounded by a wall with 6 entrance gates 22 miles in circumference.  Inside, the land was drained and streams diverted to create canals and lakes. These supplied water and fish as well as being for recreational use.  King Francois 1st emblem, the salamander, and initials embelishes the ceilings and walls.

Wishing you a beautiful week ahead!

xx,

B

If you would like help in creating a home you love, please contact me at Brenda@atelierdhautedesign.com

Bon Weekend, Plus Couture Cocktail


Bon Weekend, I hope it’s beautiful where you are!

bikes
Couture Cocktails

Pink Peacock

1 oz gin
3/4 oz Crème de cassis
3/4 oz Pavan or citrus liqueur
1/2 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
egg white

Combine gin, cassis, Pavan, lemon juice and 1 whole egg white into a cocktail shaker; shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds. Add ice and shake for an additional 5-10 seconds. Double strain into a chilled coupe or sour glass.
Notes: Pavan is easily substituted for orange liqueur like Cointreau or Triple Sec, but the cassis is irreplaceable. As for the egg white, pick up a dozen at your local farmer’s market for a gorgeously foamy cocktail. Cheers!

Photo via here, recipe via here

This Week’s Musings, Plus Roland Moure’st Capsule Collection for Banana Republic:


I hope you had a great week and a better weekend planned!  We’re thinking of attending a midnight bike riding event downtown tomorrow night.. not sure if that will come into fruition, depending if rain is in the forecast.  Otherwise, we will see where the weekend takes us…


At the boutiques:

I’m feeling the need to add a Clare V clutch to my wardrobe and this lovely little elecrtic blue number caught my eye… it’s a perfect addition for fall.


here, and another here and here.

These are said to be the Worst Things to do in Paris.  Do you agree?  http://bit.ly/1pGGULX


We don't really feel that much for the City of Love's Avenue des Champs-Élysées
Packing for the perfect summer picnic begins here: http://bit.ly/1r7CVHg

.
Photo via Pinterest

Falling for…

Remember my foster Frenchie, Mac, who was adopted last April?  My heart melted when his dad posted this photo of him against an ice cream truck.  Tell me that’s not one of the most handsome faces you have ever seen?  Love and miss him each day but I’m so happy to see him doing well {*sniff, sniff}.  Luckily we do stay in touch, otherwise, I’m not sure how I would survive.  Seriously.  I know all of you dog lovers understand…
  

Decoding: The Secret Language of Flowers: http://bit.ly/1ojRqdL


Roland Mouret for Banana Republic:  The nearly 30-piece collection debuted in stores on yesterday.  The chic collections features structured dresses, pencil skirts, tops and pants.  My favourite pieces…


Roland Mouret for Banana Republic
Sloan colorblock dress, $140

Roland Mouret for Banana Republic
 Sloan Lace Panel Dress, $165 {always been a fan of this neckline}

Roland Mouret for Banana Republic
Sloan pink sheath dress, $140

Roland Mouret for Banana Republic
Sloan zip jacket in black, $130, and Sloan high-waisted legging in black, $89.50
Roland Mouret for Banana Republic
Sloan one shoulder dress in black, $140

See the rest of the collection here.  Will you be heading to the boutiques to view it in person?

xx,

B

If you would like help in creating a home you love, please contact me at Brenda@atelierdhautedesign.com

Photos via Pinterest

Five Favourite Parisian Pâtisserie Recipes

Crepes - sweet with jam, nutella, chocolate and chantilly cream, fresh lemon and suga, Notre Dame special, flambée
If you’re like me, you dream of the luxurious and decadent array of confections from Parisian pâtisseries and tea salons.  Here are five favourites you can make at home that will transport you to the City of Light.
Ladurée Choux a la Rose
Recipe via here
Pierre Hermé Croissants

I can promise you, these buttery perfections are worth the effort.  Warning: You will cringe at the thought of store bought from here… nothing else will due.
 
Chocolate dust: Pierre Herme's croissants
Recipe via here

Paris Brest

Recipe via here

Angelina {inspired} Hot Chocolate
Recipe via here, photo via here

Julia Child’s Master Crepe Recipe

Recipe via here.  Want to kick it up a notch?  Nutella and caramelized bananas, recipe here

xx,

B

If you would like help in creating a home you love, please contact me at Brenda@atelierdhautedesign.com

Fashion Inspiration:


Alice + Olivia Fall 2014 Ready-to-Wear
Alice & Olivia designer, Stacey Bendet, staged this aspiring presentation by renting out the McKittrick Hotel, home to theater production Sleep No More, to tell the magical and fairytale story of her Fall 2014 RTW line.  Inspired by the illustrated pop-up books of Benjamin Lacombe, Bendet wrote her own fairy tale: Enchanted: The Search for the Golden Monarch and was presented on a paper scroll, each chapter played out by models.
I discovered Lacombe during our trip to Paris in 2009.  I saw beautiful, dark, and inspiring artwort on a store front and, drawn to it as I am with this collection, we walked in.  There was an artist working inside, he looked up and began drawing again without speaking a word.  I wondered if we shouldn’t have come inside so we quickly left but before walking away, I snapped a photo of the artwork on the window so I could later look up the artist.  I did research after we returned home and found it to be the work of Benjamin Lacombe.  I began following his work on Facebook after that and continue to be inspired…


I fell utterly in love with the black jumpsuit below, on the left, and the gold sequin skirt.


Also smitten with the fifties-silhouetted ensembles, particularly this cute mohair sweater paired with a shiny cobalt blue circle skirt {loving the colour this season}.
xx,

B
If you would like help in creating a home you love, please contact me at Brenda@atelierdhautedesign.com



Establishing a Pampering and Beauty Routine


Life can become chaotic and we can sometimes forget to take care of ourselves.  This was especially true for me when I was in school full-time.  I have found it is useful to schedule a consistent pampering and beauty routine in my day, week, and month to help me feel and look my best, otherwise, I get off track.  It’s amazing how much better you feel after you do this for yourself, isn’t it?  I’ve recently shared my favourite beauty essentials and today, my routine.
 
Daily:  I devotedly remove my makeup every evening, a perfectly cleansed face is most important for me.  After removing all make-up, I wash with salicylic acid facial wash, tone with pure rose water, apply Retin-A Micro, a good eye cream, and hydrating moisturizer.  I don’t wash my face in the morning after my shower, a quick, cool rinse is enough.  I wait five minutes before for applying Glycolic Acid, eye cream, wait another 10 minutes to apply an SPF.
I also take various vitamins and calcium.  You should check with your doctor about which ones are best for you.
 
A few times per week:  I use my Clarisonic brush, especially helpful with peeling that can happen as a result of the Retin-A Micro.  I also use a Glycolic Acid body wash a few times a week.  Mostly because it’s difficult for me not use my favourite scented body washes.
Dry brushing is said to tone skin, fight cellulite, give a youthful glow, and rejuvenate your lymphatic system.  I love the way my skin feels after I do this and always add a few drops of essential oils.  One of the most relaxing things I do is take a warm bubble bath with a glass of bubbly and a good book.  I try to remember to shut the door, otherwise, I have two French Bulldogs swimming with me.  Although they’re happy as can be, that can take away the relaxing part.
To soothe a chapped kisser, pierce a Vitamin E capsule with a pin and dab on the contents on your lips.  You can do this nightly but I find a few times per week is enough for me.
 
Weekly {I try to do this on Sunday evenings}:  I sleep in Kérastase Nutritive Masquintense Fine.  Although this works fine, I’m currently searching for something new.  
Manicures and pedicures, and I always bring my own tools and polish.  Are you familiar with the Ped Egg?  This does wonders for my feet to keep them soft and smooth.  One of the best inventions, ever.  After I polish my feet, slather with a moisturizing creme {Eucerin, Nivea, cocoa butter} or vaseline, I cover with thick socks.  For me, this works best before bed.
Self tanner ~ I do this at home or at a spa for special occasions.
 
Monthly:  Massages are a great way to relax muscles.  I notice when I’m in school that my muscles tend to get stiff and sore from lack of sleep and stress.
Eyebrow wax and shaping.  Eyebrows are one of our most defining features and it’s incredible the difference they can make!  They frame the face, and, when shaped properly, make the eyes look brighter and the cheekbones more defined.  Unless you are an expert, this is left to the pros.  I admit, I’m a menace to the eyebrow society and only touch up when need to.
 
6 months:  Teeth cleaning and whitening.
 
   For salon appointments, I make them 6-8 weeks in advance so I’m able to get my preferred day and time of preference.  My hairstylist is a magician with colour and quickly books up so this is a must for me.
 
I’m a huge fan of coconut oil.  I’m currently using it in new beauty .  I will keep you posted in the coming weeks on ways I’m going to incorporate it into my routine!
 
Do you have a routine or favourite tips?
 
xx,
 
B
If you would like help in creating a home you love, please contact me at Brenda@atelierdhautedesign.com
 
 

For the Love of Lucite


I hope you had a lovely weekend!  I was able to catch up on a few projects and enjoy downtime with my family.  A perfect way to begin a new month…
Lucite has been one of my favourite materials for years.  It is often associated with Hollywood Regency glamour and iconic furniture designs such as the beloved Helena Rubenstein, both favourites of mine.

Helena Rubenstein Chair
  First developed in the early 1930s by DuPont and Rohm & Haas, it is created from synthetic polymer of methyl methacrylate, also known as polymethyl methacrylate.  During World War II, Lucite was common use for military applications such as airplane windshields and submarine periscopes.

mirrored mantle + light fixture + lucite coffee table + creamy white walls and drapes
Little Bits of Lovely: Wednesday Workspace {understated glamour}

Branded as Lucite, this colourless, highly transparent, and solid material has high dimensional stability and good resistance to weathering and shock.  Today, Lucite is used in interiors of varied styles.  One of it’s wonderful uses is that it’s a perfect solution for small spaces, disappearing from the eye and making them feel larger.

Luxury dining room with large marble floor & stunning ocean view! It's clean, airy, bright & so elegant!!!
La Maison Gray - Interiors ....pretty corner
 Manufacturers like Kartell are keeping acrylic furniture around the design scene.  In 2002, they produced Philippe Starck’s wildly popular Louis Ghost collection.

http://www.kleynprojectmeubelen.nl/bargainhunt/Kartell+Louis+Ghost+aanbieding/
Less expensive to produce than Bakelite, Galalith, and Catalin and more chemically stable than celluloid, Lucite made these earlier jewelry plastics obsolete.  In its pure form, Lucite is translucent, resembling glass or rock crystal, but it can be dyed in a wide range of colors and opacity.

This Lucite purse was made in the 1950s by Charles S. Kahn, a Miami, Florida-based manufacturer whose showstopping bags were often designed with a solid metallic color and spun silk-like finish. Plastic handbags designed by Kahn are often identifiable by a distinctive clasp, which features three metal balls. Kahn's paper labels were placed inside the purse below the hinge of the lid.
1950s handbag by Miami based manufacturer Charles S. Kahn

             

Spring 2014 Runway Exclusive: Courtlyn Cuff | Womens Fall 2013 Pre-Order TORY BURCH
Tory Burch, Spring 2014

xx,

B

If you would like help in creating a home you love, please contact me at Brenda@atelierdhautedesign.com


Bon Weekend, Plus Couture Cocktails

Touring Florence, Italy
I hope it’s beautiful where you are!

Couture Cocktails

Cocktails created with fresh ingredients are much tastier than those made from a mix.  This is particularly true for margaritas and this one is delicious, especially if you like a kick to your cocktails.  You can adjust amount of jalepeno’s to your liking.

jalapeño cilantro margarita | www.prettyplainjanes.com
  • Cilantro Jalepeno Margarita

  • ½ oz cilantro syrup {1 cup water, 1 cup sugar heated until sugar is dissolved. Steep a cup of cilantro leaves in syrup for 10 minutes, cool and store for up to a month in refrigerator. Or use simple syrup you have on hand, heat and add cilantro}
  • juice of 1 lime {plus more for garnish}
  • 2oz of good quality tequila
  • fresh jalapeño strips { plus more for garnish}
  • salt to rim glass
  • ice
  • cilantro sprigs for garnish
  1. Rim glass with lime than dip in salt. Fill glass and cocktail shaker with ice.
  2. Add cilantro syrup, juice of lime, tequila and jalapeno strips to shaker – shake vigorously for at least 20 seconds. Pour through shaker strainer into salt rimmed glass and garnish with lime wedge, jalapeno ring(s) and cilantro sprig. This makes one 4 oz cocktail – adjust to glass size and amount of margarita consumption necessary.
jalapeño cilantro margarita | www.prettyplainjanes.com

xx,

B

If you would like help in creating a home you love, please contact me at Brenda@atelierdhautedesign.com


Photo via here, and recipe here

Welcome August, Plus This Week’s Musing’s

So cute!

I hope you had a great week!  We began the week with a short trip to my parent’s lake home, our last visit before new schedules begin.  Can you believe August is already among us?  Where did summer go?  I ask this question every August 1st as I can never quite remember, but mostly, because I’m sad to see summer slip away.  I’m also reminded to get in the last events with the children because school is around the corner.  Never quite ready to let them go back.

pink vespa!
Dior Couture Backstage, Lucas Lefler
Gorgeous
Ladurée
What are your weekend plans?

xx,

B

If you would like help in creating a home you love, please contact me at Brenda@atelierdhautedesign.com


Photos via here.
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