September domino!

Photo: Simon Upton for domino, September 2008

Ok so lately I feel like a total Brag-geddy Anne, which is just GROSS, so I'm gonna make this quick but I did want to share my enthusiasm and appreciation for the Rubie Green coverage in the newest September issue of domino! And by the way, the issue is G O R G E O U S! It's almost too much goodness to take in one sitting.

Photo: Annie Schlechter for domino, September 2008

I was also thrilled to see my old boss, Tori Mellott in the issue! I've honestly never met anybody with a more innate sense of style, so it's been fun to learn from her and to watch her tastes evolve over the years. Her current West Village apartment is the epitome of chic :)

Photos: Annie Schlechter for domino, September 2008

It's fun to look at one of her previous apartments, featured below in the May 2006 issue of domino, to see where all her furniture, quirky finds and one-of-a-kind art has been placed in her new space! I'm in love with the bust and the Asian fish print, which are now both on the gallery wall above her sofa in her current apartment.

Photos: Annie Schlechter for domino, May 2006

I'm also a firm believer that great style has absolutely nothing to do with cost, so this photo of Tori's Ikea Expedit bookcase (yes folks, it really is Ikea!) always makes me smile. It's a solid example of how a little imagination can turn even the most inexpensive piece of furniture into a stylish focal point of a room.

And there you have it. Thanks again domino :)

J’adore Jonathan Adler

So WOW, I'm practically speechless. Being the design lover that I am, I have to say that today has been without-a-doubt one of the coolest days of my career, if not my entire life. I recently entered Jonathan Adler's Happy Chic Home Contest, by sending in photos of my teeny New York apartment along with a written description of how my decor is inspired by Jonathan. Little did I know that Jonathan Adler himself would post a writeup about my apartment on his personal blog!!! Having the opportunity to get design feedback from somebody that I have looked up to and idolized for years is beyond surreal and far better than anything I could ever win. Thank you Jonathan and thank you PointClickHome for hosting such an inspiring contest. For those of you who also adore Mr. JA, there's still time to enter by clicking here ;)

Blogging buddies

So I'm not really one to post personal pics, but I thought I'd make an exception this once to introduce you all to my best friends and their ADORABLE blogs! From left to right, Katie works for Ralph Lauren and designs jewelry on the side! Her blog Crave features some of the coolest indie jewelry design I've ever seen! The next nerd over is me, and to the right is Christina, who is also a fashion designer and completely blows me away with the ensembles she designs, sews and wears around town. Her blog DeSmitten is a daily dose of chic. Lastly there's Lauren, who is one of the biggest fashion risk-takers and happiest people I have ever known. Always the life of the party, this witty little handbag designer is known for her offbeat pairings such as digital watches with 4 inch pumps. Her blog Undeclared Panache is a "guide to East Village tongue and chic." Here's some of my favorite images from their postings :)

Ciao J.K. Capri

Have you ever seen a space that made you want to immediately sell off everything you own and completely redecorate?! Well that was the exact reaction I had while touring the J.K. Capri. I woke up at 6AM on my last day in Italy and hopped on a bus headed to the Marina Grande where the J.K. overlooks the water and boats below. I wasn't sure if I'd have the same luck as I'd had in Florence, but was pleasantly surprised to be greeted by the kindest (and hottest) employee who told me to make myself at home and even offered me some coffee. Nothing could have prepared me for the absolute perfection I was about to see...

First stop: the staircase. Built by architect and interior designer Michele Bonan, this Asian inspired staircase literally makes me want to get married right now and buy a house just so I can rip out the existing balustrade and replace it with this one. Priceless. The painting is called Portrait of a Lady by Stanley Grimm, and I love how it's paired with the more modern frames and photography.


The reception area is built with the same concept as that of the J.K. Florence, where the space is designed to look nothing like a standard hotel guest check-in. The walls are covered by a thick woven seagrass and paired with white wood detailing and sconces. The look is simple and sophisticated, and call me crazy but I think it would be the perfect style for a nursery! Imagine seagrass walls, white wood accents and furniture, and splashes of pink here and there. (Ok my friend just found out she's pregnant so I've got nurseries on the brain;)

Another view of the reception area. Loving the wingback chair designed by Bonan.


Next we have the insanely beautiful library, complete with furniture designed by Bonan and vintage accent pillows. Framed photos of Sofia Loren and other famous guests of Capri are sprinkled throughout.


Guests can choose from an array of carefully selected design and lifestyle books to read in one of the many chic lounge areas. I think if I stayed here I would probably never even leave the hotel!

Moving on we have another spectacular room, the lounge, featuring rugs and pillows by Dedar and furniture designed by Bonan.

The lounge also features an early 20th century Chinese console and saturated blue walls, the color of Capri.


A conversation corner with a floor lamp designed by Bonan for Estro.

Next stop, the dining room. The same Asian inspired side chairs as seen in J.K. Florence can be found throughout. Bonan designed them for Chelini. I love the wide wood plank flooring that connects all the rooms so seamlessly.

The dining room features a nineteenth century marble fireplace from France, and chandeliers designed by Bonan for Estro. How cute are the silver starfish hanging from the sconces! The black-and-white photos of shells found throughout the space are by Christopher Draghi.

You know I love gallery walls :) This one is spectacular.

Here's a great shot to see how seamlessly the floor plan flows. If you look closely, you can see all the way into the library at the other end of the hotel. I also wanted to show you the neoclassical touches in the dining room and the late 19th century ceramic busts.

And there you have it. Hopefully you were all as inspired as me :)

Ciao J.K. Florence

Ever since the day I read about the boutique J.K. hotels on Style Court I have been absolutely obsessed with the idea of visiting. As luck would have it, I'm actually in Italy right now visiting Florence, Rome and Capri with my family! Although we couldn't afford to stay at J.K., I was completely determined to check it out and share it with you! So, this afternoon while my mom and sisters were viewing statues and paintings, I ventured out with a map and camera (and a giant ridiculous smile on my face) to Piazza Santa Maria Novella in search of J.K. Florence. I arrived at the doormat above and was buzzed in by a friendly employee named Patrick, to whom I shamelessly explained that I am head-over-heels in love with the hotel and would give anything to snoop around. He was kind enough to give me a tour. Here's what I found...

The entryway corridor leading to the reception library. (How gorgeous are those chairs!) The hotel's general manager Ori Kafri wanted to create a space that felt like home, as if his guests had always been there.

Opposite side of the hall

This is where guests check in! They can browse through hundreds of design, decorating and fashion books to take to their rooms, or read in one of the many chic lounge areas. An Eighties piece in tempera hangs above the Regency fireplace next to a lucite lamp.

Nineteenth century "men of letters" are represented in these plaster statues which were cast from an ancient collection.

This is the first of many lounge areas, which also has a gorgeous black bookcase filled with design titles.

A highlighted book selection under a soft pink chandelier. I love the eclectic yet highly calculated decor.

More sitting rooms and amazing books

Check out the architectural details! The hotel was designed by Florentine interior designer and architect Michele Bonan. I wish I could build a replica of this and move right on in...

Loving the flooring and color palette and artwork and flowers and furniture and doors and and and and ;)

Check out the reflection of the ceiling in this mirror!

This is the breakfast room, featuring a walnut table from the nineteenth century and Chinese style chairs designed by Michele Bonan, produced by Chelini.

I can't get enough of this built-in bar. Check out the nineteenth century copper lanterns reflected in the mirror! The space was originally an internal courtyard, which Bonan covered with a glass structure and added pietra serena flooring.

And there you have it. Isn't this place stunning?! As silly as this will definitely sound, I was honestly so awestruck that I was shaking a bit while taking it all in. I haven't been this inspired by a space since my domino days, and am so grateful that I was able to check it out in person. Hopefully on Friday I will have as much luck taking photos at the J.K. Capri, which looks like it could be even more spectacular! Can't wait to share my finds with you. Ciao bellas ;)

{Caps}

Photo: Vogue, March 2008 via Ruby PR. Floral swim cap available here :)

Photo: Cig Harvey via Absolutely Beautiful Things. (I don't think I could BE more obsessed with this photo)

One of my all-time favorite photos: Arthur Elgort for Vogue Living Of course this post wouldn't be complete without my favorite lady, Jackie O! This is a rare Jacques Lowe photo that's still available signed, numbered and framed! Now, does anybody have a spare ten grand that they'd like to give Rubie? (didn't think so;)

Image via Absolutely Beautiful Things

Photo: Flickr via In(side) the Loop

Otomi Oh My

Photo: Cookie magazine, December 2005

In an act of procrastination tonight, I started digging through some old inspiration folders and was so excited to find this image above from Cookie! I used to have it pinned up on my inspiration board at domino and had since lost it in a folder under my bed. It was shot in Mexico at the One&Only Pamilla resort, and the fabric itself is called Otomi, as it is hand embroidered by Mexican Otomi Indians. Sometimes it is also referred to as colcha fabric. Thanks to Jacaranda Home, you no longer need to travel to Mexico to buy some for yourself! The site offers fabrics and table runners in an assortment of fresh summer colors.

Here's some more examples of these gorgeous fabrics in use! (Remember these images from domino, June 2006?)

Hats off to Patrick Cline!

All photography by Patrick Cline

For the past few months I've been working with my close friend and Rubie Green photographer, Patrick Cline, and am excited to finally share some of his incredible photography with you! While creating imagery for the RG website, we shot in Boston, Brooklyn, all over the West Village, Staten Island (yes, we took the orange ferry!) his New York studio and even the Hamptons! I couldn't be happier with the photos he took, as they help communicate what my brand is all about.

Patrick recently launched his own company called Brand Arts. He offers his clients photography, digital retouching services, printing and graphic design! It's basically a one-stop shop for all aspects of a brand, hence the name 'Brand Arts.' I met him last year on a domino shoot and was lucky enough to work with him on this project. Enjoy...

This was taken in Beacon Hill- one of my favorite neighborhoods in the world!

We found this pier while wandering around the north side of Boston and got some gorgeous shots! You can see a couple more on the Brand Arts site.

Love this shot. It's my best friend Ashley from college! I rented the vintage suitcases from a local prop house and we lugged them all over the city (while people gave us goofy looks of course!)

Patrick did such a great job with this shot. It reminds me of the vintage inspired Noa Noa photography from my earlier post.

There are so many well-priced, beautiful flowers to be found outside little delis in Manhattan! We must have stopped at a dozen of them to get the right shot :)

Ok how cool and chic is this woman?! Patrick and I spotted her in the West Village and he talked her into being photographed (I think it helps that he's British- haha.) If anybody knows this woman, please tell her that we LOVE HER!

We took this shot in the East Hamptons when it was just barely getting warm out and the beaches were practically empty. Patrick didn't want to take his shoes off in the sand. (Rubie did ;)

I'm absolutely in love with this photo, and will probably frame a print for my apartment! Patrick plans on selling his prints soon, so check his site now and again. Here's a few of my favorite photos he has taken for other clients (and for fun:)

Rubie Green on Daily Candy!

James Phalen House

Photos: Paul Rocheleau for The Houses of Greenwich Village

I recently popped into the Cooper Hewitt Museum bookstore and stumbled across a book called The Houses of Greenwich Village, in which I found a little treasure! One of my all time favorite homes, that of Sara and Paul Costello, is featured along with its tale as the historic James Phalen House of the mid 1800s! It was originally built in 1850 as the estate of James Phalen, and is a four story townhouse with two principal rooms on each floor and a rusticated basement. A passage to the rear of the property allowed access to the legendary "Pamela Court" prohibition era speakeasy! Regulars included literary figures such as Theodore Dreiser, John Dos Passos and Edna St. Vincent Millay. Pamela Court was eventually turned into a legitimate bar known as Chumley's, which has recently closed.

More impressive than the story of the James Phalen House is the decorating in the current Costello residence. Here are some of my favorite images from the book. (LOVE the living room!)

Rubie Green in Domino!

Photo: David Black for Domino, June/July 2008

Ok so it's official: A lifelong dream of mine has come true at the age of 25! My little company is featured in DOMINO this month!!!! I'm beyond blown away, and insanely appreciative of this opportunity. Thank you all for hanging in there as my posting has been...not so consistent...! I've turned into a human swatch-cutting machine and make more trips to the post office than a freaking mailman! But I couldn't be more excited to do so, and thankful for this time in my life. That said, check out the article! Thank you Domino!

Photo: Akira Yamada and Lucas Allen.
Our latest print, the Delavan Stripe, was named after a certain Domino editor ;)

Photo: Akira Yamada and Lucas Allen.

PS- check back on June 9th for our full e-commerce site launch! I'm so excited to share it with you all!
PSPS- I promise MA Belle will not turn into a giant Rubie Green blog! I will continue to deliver fun decorating ideas, but am excited to share my news with you along the way :)

Feeling Bikey...

Photo: Patrick Cline for Rubie Green

Photo: The Sartorialist

Carrie Bicycle Basket, the Conran Shop

J. Crew catalog shot

My good friend Lauren Walsh! She showed up at my stoop today in this adorable ensemble ;)

Latest craving: Bicycle necklace by Cynthia Rowley. Love it.

Decorating a la Ms. Bradshaw

Photo via Zimbio

With only nine days left until the release of the Sex and the City Movie, I couldn't help but watch some old episodes!!

Photo via HBO

While taking a closer look at the interiors of Carrie's apartment, I noticed that she appears to have reupholstered her bench in Peter Dunham's classic Fig Leaf!

Photo via Style Court

The decor in Carrie's apartment was meticulously selected by Production Designer Jeremy Conway. In an HBO article, he explains "We realized that what Carrie has in her apartment is not what she's all about. She's not a decorator, but there's definitely a sense of style in the way she's put things together." The walls are a soft shade of celery green washed with a lavender iridescent glaze.

Photo via HBO

Conway found many of the pieces in Carrie's apartment in local New York flea markets and thrift stores! He wanted to achieve a "lived in" look, and didn't want her apartment to be perfectly neat and tidy since, after all, "We know that Carrie would have some deadline or date to meet. She doesn't have the time to neatly arrange her products or stack her shoes in the closet. She's more of a 'Leave 'em where they fall' kind of woman. It's what we like to call organized chaos."

Photo via HBO

Photo via Sex and the City: Kiss and Tell

Carrie always had a Diptyque "Baies" candle near her bedside (as seen above in my blurry photo!)

Photo via Sex and the City: Kiss and Tell

Egg Chair: 50 years of style

Photo: Ditte Isager for Vogue Living Australia, Jan/Feb. 2008

Photo: Ditte Isager for Vogue Living Australia, Jan/Feb. 2008

Photo: Paul Costello

This year the Egg Chair celebrates its 50th birthday and I've gotta say, she has never looked better ;) I love how the homeowners above toned down the modern looking Egg by pairing it with rustic wood, vintage finds and a neutral palette. Perfection.

Rubie Green on ThreadBanger!

Day at the beach

Photo: Patrick Cline

This weekend I rented a mini cooper and drove to the Hamptons with my RG photographer! While I can't unveil all my rubie green photos with you yet, I can share some inspiration! Below are photos from the Summer 2008 collection from Danish brand Noa Noa. OBSESSED is not even the word...

Rubie Green + J. Crew

Rubie Green "Patsy" in green. Photo: Patrick Cline

Ummmm WHOA. How random is this?! I raced on over to check out J. Crew's latest collection, and my jaw dropped when I saw this! How cool! Rubie Green is apparently like J. Crew for the home ;)

Here Comes the Sun {do do do doooo}

Photo: Paul Costello

Photo: Mel Yates for Living etc, April 2008

Photo via Decor Amor

Photo: Mel Yates for Living etc, April 2008

Source unknown (perhaps Style Court?)

Photo: Paul Costello for domino, November 2005

Kate Spade ad

Designer: Nate Berkus

One of my all-time favorite Oscar de la Renta dresses

{Thank you}

One of my favorite bloggers, Habitually Chic, has recently started a series of posts on what it means to "Become Your Dream," and she has chosen to feature yours truly as her first entrepreneur interview! I am incredibly flattered, appreciative and thrilled to be a part of it :) This whole experience still feels completely surreal, so to see my whole start-up story written up so beautifully is unbelievable. Thanks HC!