Quintessence is a lifestyle blog I really enjoy. Written by Stacey Bewkes, Quintessence focuses on “those special discoveries that make life just that much better.” After working as an art director in NYC for 17 years, Stacey left that world to raise her four children in Connecticut. She then created Quintessence to continue to say involved in every aspect of the world of design and fashion. Stacey attends design, lifestyle, and fashion events, and then blogs about them to bring the experience to her readers. She also shares content on topics from art to movies and food to books, meaning you’ll always find something new and interesting at Quintessence.
Quintessence appeals to me because it is very cultured. Stacey is worldly and involved and is always current on what’s happening. She really does her homework and is clearly knowledgeable. Her posts are interesting and relevant. Having had the opportunity to meet Stacey, I know she is a lovely lady, very passionate and direct!
Behind the Q
Before and after of Thom Filicia’s home, featured in his book American Beauty.
One of my favorite Quintessence posts was about NIBA rugs. It jogged my memory of a source I had seen before but hadn’t logged into my mental catalog of go-to rugs. I am so excited to incorporate some of these rugs into my interiors!
Hand knotted wool and silk rugs from NIBA.
Persian carpets from NIBA.
Showhouse dining room designed by Mabley Handler.
Study designed by Patrick Lonn at the Showhouse.
Guest suite designed by Jennifer McConnell.
Quarry lights by Benjamin Hubert.
Porcelain by Karen Morgan.
Hand blown lighting from Bocci.
It probably comes as no surprise that fashion and interior design are closely linked. A passion for one usually includes a strong interest in the other and we can see overlapping trends in color and texture. I know I’m not alone in my love of both fashion and interior design!
What is it about fashion that appeals to designers? I think it’s the creativity and individual expression allowed by both. Fashion designers often take risks, combining materials and colors in unconventional ways. They focus on details, on creating a certain mood or feel, and typically have their own signature style. Like interior design, fashion often includes unique uses of materials, layers of textures, and important accessories. You don’t see a model sauntering down the runway without jewelry, makeup, a hand bag, and a gorgeous hairstyle. For the same reasons, a thoughtfully designed room has its own accessories that are crucial to the overall design.
Being both a mother and a busy designer, actually wearing the fashions I love on a daily basis is sadly impractical. As much as I’d adore spending my days looking fabulous, some styles just aren’t meant for grade school concerts, installs at new construction, or afternoons at the playground. If I could have my way, however, these are some of the gorgeous fashions I’d be seen in!
LV - The skirt reminds me of a laser cut leather pillow I just installed.
Louboutins.
Love the metallic embroidered detail.
Enamel hand hammered ring - so cool!
Chanel
Alexander McQueen - Absolutely love the structure!
Victoria Beckham - Fabulous shoe!
Chanel - Arabian Nights
I may not be able to spend my days dressed as a runway star, but I do love my high heels. Anyone who knows me, knows I wear heels every day. It actually becomes comical sometimes when I visit new construction. The contractors comment on the heels and occasionally have to improvise platforms as we tour the site! I can’t run around in high fashion, but at least I still have my high heels!
*Cover image via Felicity Brown
I love just about everything about the 1920′s era. Art deco, flapper dresses, Elsie de Wolfe’s design, the carefree entertainment lifestyle. Rather than try to cover all of the fantastic things about this time period at once, I want to focus on one aspect at a time. And today, that focus is the fashion of the Roaring 20′s.
In order to understand the forces behind fashion changes that look place in the 20′s, you first need to understand the mood of the country at that time. The U.S. had just come out of WW I and was enjoying a time of prosperity and optimism which, naturally, led to relaxed social customs and morals. Prohibition was in effect but was widely ignored. Women finally won the right to vote. New advances in clothing materials such as rayon and easier-to-use fasteners like hook and eye closures and zippers made it easier to fasten clothing shut. This combination of a national good mood and modern convenience caused women to begin to abandon strict, formal modes of dress for more comfortable fashions such as shorter skirts and trousers.
By 1925, the style of the Roaring 20′s was in full effect, with dresses that allowed freedom of movement and short hair to fit under stylish cloche hats. Fashion icon Coco Chanel was one of the first women to reject the corset, cut her hair, and wear trousers. I can easily imagine how liberation from corsets would inspire women to kick up their heels and do the Charleston!
Bobbed hair, cloche hat
Flappers (image via corbis)
Love the black and metallic combination.
Unsurprisingly, modern fashion still takes inspiration from the 1920s. You don’t have to look far at all to find designers drawing from iconic flapper style.
Chanel Spring '12
1920's inspired
Rigate mammoth ivory and diamond cuff - so 20's!
Turquoise bib necklace from 1st dibs
Heather Clawson
The worlds of fashion, art, style, and interior design intersect, overlap, and influence each other in a multitude of ways. Finding a resource that incorporates all of these elements is always exciting. In that vein, Heather Clawson’s blog Habitually Chic is a visual treasure trove of glamor, style, and design. She uses the blog to chronicle her “musings on art, architecture, design, fashion, photography, books, events, and everything else habitually chic!”
From incredible artists and stunning exhibits to celebrity photo shoots of Demi Moore or Robert Pattinson, from gorgeous examples of chic advertising to courtyard doors in Paris, Habitually Chic showcases every conceivable facet of life as related to interior design. When combined with Clawson’s thoughts and opinions, the wealth of photos becomes one inspiration or idea after another.
Images from Habitually Chic
b Spoke is a blog that mixes what happens when life experience and interior design are combined. As a designer, I come across things that inspire my creativity almost constantly, whether it's the vibrant color of moss growing on a stone wall or that perfect find at a local antique dealer. Taking that inspiration and sharing it with a wider audience is how bSpoke came into existence. ~ Amy Hirsch
Copyright ~ 2013
