Jeff Leatham

Every profession has a rock star!

Jeff Leatham

Assume that money is no object....who you gonna call?

For party planning, call the authority, Colin Cowie.  For starting charitable foundations, call Microsoft’s founder, Bill Gates.  For the perfect tuxedo, call designer and film maker, Tom Ford, or the world renowned, Mr. Georgio Armani.  For the spot-on bachelor pad décor, call Oprah’s favorite, Nate Nate of Nate Berkus Associates.  For visual merchandising, call Hallmark’s guru, David Jimenez.  For investment concerns, call Berkshire Hathaway’s, Warren Buffet.  For culinary assistance, call Omnimedia Living’s, Martha Stewart.  For plastic surgery needs, call me.  (Only kidding on the last one….just wanted to see if you were reading.  Ha!)  And, for floral arrangements, call THE superstar, Jeff Leatham.

http://www.casasugar.com/

I am definitely my mother's son; there must be some genetic love of flowers.   If I’m tired and stressed, my usual respite from the world is the garden store.  Despite my admiration of all things that bloom, my introduction to the majesty of Jeff Leatham’s designs wasn’t until last year. 

May 2011…. drinks at The Four Seasons George V…. Paris, France.   And… Oh-my-God… who did the flowers????

Arrangement from floral designer, Jeff Leatham, and my buddy, Josie Bowen, at the George V, Paris

Fortunately, Google to the rescue.   Jeff Leatham!

His gravity defying arrangements are simply breathtaking in person.  Because of his elaborate and unforgettable "floral groupings," he is the artistic director for the Four Seasons Hotel Chain and has worked for an impressive list of celebrities.  And, as you might imagine, amazing ain't cheap.  For instance, Chelsea Clinton, yes Bill’s daughter, hired Leatham for her wedding and the flower budget was a whopping $250,000! 

Flowers for Chelsea Clinton's wedding

http://www.bloomingflowersonline.com/_blog/Blog/post/We're_a_fan_of_Jeff_Leatham/

Leatham’s designs are interesting in their simplicity.  Huge groups of the same flower done in multiple vases -- a classic repeating element.

Leatham design for TLC's Flowers Uncut

http://yourspaceourdesign.blogspot.com/2010_04_01_archive.html

http://talesofthetastemaker.blogspot.com/2012/02/setting-table-with-jeff-leatham.html

http://lestyle-francais.blogspot.com/2011_10_01_archive.html

www.jeffleatham.com

And, because of that 'repeating element' idea, they are fairly easy to replicate.  In her blog, "SIMPLE DIRT, the observations of a landscape designer," Deborah Silver used red eucalyptus in this Jeff Leatham inspired winter garden display.

http://www.deborahsilver.com/bog/?tag=red-eucalyptus

If trying to replicate this idea at home: one “gravity defying” arrangement on the center of the table might look like you’ve been smoking crack.   However, multiple similar arrangements will look… purposeful, thoughtful, and spectacular.

My friend, Cathy, also loves his work.  Fortunately, he has authored a couple of books, and we were able to find them at Amazon.com.  

An interview with this creative Utah native can be found on the Channel Guide.  http://www.channelguidemagblog.com/index.php/2009/11/17/the-flower-filled-world-of-jeff-leatham

Sitting beside Latham designed peonies.  How did they know that peonies are my favorite?

Hmmmm... anyone up for a trip to the City of Lights?

L'Odyssée de Cartier

Celebrating 165 years of....

It's all about THE little red box.

"There's a story,

about a watch named Santos,

that was cre-ated for a flying pi-o-neer.

It launched a company,

and made men wealthy,

this classic style will never dis-ap-pear."

 By yours truly with props given to the Brady Bunch with a little Dr. Seuss inspired punctuation

Santos de Cartier wristwatch

"J'adore Cartier."   The etiology of my fascination is a tad baffling.  Generally speaking, I care about as much for jewelers as I do about the coin toss at a high school basketball game.   But, for some strange reason, Cartier is different. 

Some people have the ability to name the genus and species of famous orchids -- not me.  Others are skilled at quoting the statistics of every baseball player in the Major Leagues.  (Me, not so much.)  But.... I can spot a Cartier watch at 100 yards!

Why?   Well, I guess that I love a good story. 

Though founded in Paris in 1847, the House of Cartier didn't become famous until the early 20th Century.  It was around that time that a Brazilian aviator, Alberto-Santos Dumont, complained to his friend, Louis-François Cartier, about the difficulties of using pocket watches while flying.  In 1904, the Santos de Cartier was created thus becoming the first wristwatch.  And, the rest, as they say, is history!

As for those classic Cartier rivets...they were simply functional, making the watches easier to repair. 

Today, those little screws (or rivets) are as iconic as those coveted little red boxes. 

Love bracelet by the House of Cartier

www.cartier.com

From its humble beginnings as a wristwatch maker, Cartier is probably better know for some of its more elaborate creations...the Taylor-Burton diamond necklace, for instance.  The 69.42-carat pear-shape diamond was cut by Harry Winston.  Cartier eventually won a bidding war for the diamond, attached a diamond necklace, and it was purchased by Richard Burton for Elizabeth Taylor.  In 1979, it was re-sold for $5 million. 

http://famousdiamonds.tripod.com/taylor-burtondiamond.html

The amazing history of this 165 year old company can be seen in Bruno Aveillan's l'Odyssee de Cartier which premiered last month at the Met in NYC.  The description seems fitting... " a journey between dream and reality.  For the very first time, Cartier has decided to create a cinema epic focusing on its history, its values and inspiration, its artistic and universal scope."



Happy birthday, Cartier!   And, may the content of those little red boxes continue to charm and amaze us.

Looking for a needle in a haystack

Looking for a needle in a haystack

Architectural Digest's green room for the 2012 Academy Awards.

This photo will make more sense in a few minutes....

http://www.finebooksmagazine.com/fine_books_blog/2012/02/inside-the-academy-awards-greenroom-library.phtml

So... trying to help my BESTest redecorate her office, I've been up to my eyeballs looking for the perfect coffee table, ottoman, or something that will go with a lovely, grey chesterfield sofa.  And, there are some requirements:  functional, pretty, space efficient, and non-overpowering.  Oh, and did I mention that there is a brown, beige, and black abstract painting that we are trying include in the space. 

Oh, hell!   Inspiration, where art thou?

So, gotta start somewhere.  Here's the sofa... or at least a close kissing cousin.

Chesterfield sofa in grey velvet.  Simply stunning!

My initial thought was to use Ralph Lauren's Peyton Ottoman.  We saw it in New York and immediately fell in love with it.  Looks like rattan but is as soft as a Tempur-Pedic mattress.  But... despite valliant attempts, it cannot be re-created in a custom size; the current size dimensions, 45 x 45in, are just too big for the room.  Son-of-a.........

Not very impressive in this photo from the Ralph Lauren website, but check out its close-up.

http://www.ralphlaurenhome.com/products/furniture/item.aspx?haid=6&collId=0&itemId=5681&sort=&phaid=0

Peyton Ottoman by Ralph Lauren Home featured in House Beautiful.

http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/house-pictures/san-francisco-victorian-ken-fulk-0611

Back to the drawing board.  I mentioned a concern that between the office desk, desk chair, book cases and so forth that the room was getting a little "leggy."  Needed something skirted or that would hit the floor to ground the furniture.  Then, what to my wandering eyes should appear?

Adam Levine's living room featured in Architectural Digest.  That purple velvet chesterfield doesn't look leggy at all... 

http://www.architecturaldigest.com/homes/homes/2012/03/adam-levine-hollywood-hills-home-article

So, it is time to rethink the strategy.  Maybe something clear... glass or lucite??????

Glass coffee table in David Jimenez's Kansas City home featured in House Beautiful.

http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/kansas-city-style-0807

Lucite coffee table.  Room by interior designer, Kashani Perera.  Me likey!

http://vi.sualize.us/view/efa65191fe7bed232f49373884d71de9/

Oh, wait.  I forgot... whe wants something that she can put her feet up on while watching TV.  {Grumble.}  So, let's try plan "C."  What about a trunk?

Stacking a couple of vintage Louis Vuitton trunks would be amazing.  But, since she hasn't won the lottery, lately, this might need to be a future addition to the room.

Plan D.  What about an upolstered bench?  Hmmmmm, that might work.  And, what if we took inspiration from AD's green room?  Instead of going for the "expected" color, maybe caramel colored leather with the grey.   Look at that photo at the top, again.  Might just be the cat's meow.

 Ethan Allen's L7068 Lazio Saddle leather

www.Ethanallen.com

Done on a bench like this one from Ballard Designs.  Mmmmm! 

www.Ballarddesigns.com

That definitely meets all of the requirements.  But, wonder if it a tad too masculine for a girl's office?  

Crap!  I give up...will worry about it again, tomorrow.  

You +1'd this publicly. Undo

Dear Restoration Hardware,

Dear Restoration Hardware,

What the hell are you thinking?

The RH Spring 2012 Deconstructed Collection

First, a disclaimer.  I love Restoration Hardware… but some of your recent product choices are making me question my allegiance. 

Case in point:  The deconstructed collection?  Really?????????   This product line sooooo taste specific that I predict that it will certainly NOT be a best seller.  And, other retailers, like Anthropologie and ABC Carpet & Home, have been selling this stuff for years.  Of all of the crazy products to promote, why why why choose the deconstructed line?  I’m confused.

And, other recent choices are equally troubling. 

Last year, you mailed out a 900 plus page Resource Catalog.  I am afraid to ask how much that cost to produce and mail.  But, it probably explains why you have been trying to sell tufted leather sofas for $12,000.

Kensington leather sofa in vintage cigar.  Price $12,095 (plus shipping and handling)

A couple of years ago, you changed all of the stores to THE Gallery Style.  And, while the charcoal grey walls and sparse decorations are certainly sexy, you lost half of your product retail space.  Furthermore, everything had to be ordered and you didn’t help out with the shipping charges.  Sometimes, it is fun to walk into a store, purchase something, and walk out the door with it.  (Just a suggestion!)

the Gallery style store in LA

Example of the RH's "Room Gallery"

There are some things which you do well.  No, great!   The Martine dining chairs are amazing… I own them and love them!

Martine Dining chairs

Your lamps are magnificent. 

Crystal Banister table lamp... and what a great idea, they were photographed in a room that people can recognize.

The bleached/distressed wood collections are hard for the average person to use.  It shouldn’t take a degree in Interior Design in order to mix and match your products.  The collected look is in…. not the “I have a dining room from page 382 and a living room from page 206 of the Restoration Hardware catalog.”

 Gun barrel salvaged wood collection

Camelback sofa collection

Why not stage more rooms like this one?

Trestle salvaged wood collection library cabinet

And less like this..... just how many people do you know who have monochromatic dining rooms with huge stone fireplaces?

Trestle salvaged wood dining room collection

Take a bit of advice from Pottery Barn and Ballard Designs.  They have recently started including paint color swatches on their pages and links for tchotchkes to compliment the look (Benjamin Moore paints and Etsy.com, respectively).  It helps people to see how their products could work in their own homes.

Though I think that the deconstructed look is an expensive misstep, credit must be given for the new "Big Style, Small Spaces" product line.  Simply fantastic!

Ok, I’ll step off of my frustrated soap box.  But, please, stick to great products, classic pieces, and that occasional quirky object.  

A devoted fan.... for now.

&^%* HOA Fees

Those HOA fees will kill you!

Huguette M. Clark

New York - "Huguette M. Clark, the mysterious copper heiress who became the subject of public fascination and police investigation after a century of life as a recluse, died Tuesday morning at age 104, registered under a fake name at a hospital in New York City according to several news organizations."  MSNBC

Huffington Post reports that her property holdings in New York City, alone, are believed to be valued in excess of $55 million.  Impressive!  But, even more impressive is that she was paying over $235,000 per year in HOA fees.  Cha ching!

According to the National Association of Realtors, the average Homeowner Association (HOA) fees range from $100-700 per month, nationally.  But, then again, when has NYC ever been considered cheap?

A few other "outliers" in the HOA world certainly deserve mention.....

San Francisco, California

http://www.socketsite.com/archives/2009

In 1924, Conrad Meussdorffer completed this Beaux Arts apartment building in Pacific Heights.  Each of the 11 apartments comprises an entire floor of the building and are approximately 5500 sq ft. 

The views alone make it one of the most spectacular buildings in San Francisco in an area sometimes referred to as Billionaires Row.

http://www.architecturaldigest.com/homes/homes/2012/02/suzanne-tucker-andrew-skurman-san-francisco-apartment-article

This apartment, recently featured in Architectural Digest, is owned by a tequilla entrepreneur and his wife.  It sold, privately, for between $8.5 and $12 million, in 2009.

HOA fees:  $4,907.85  (PER month)

While in the Bay Area, the St. Regis hotel now features a Penthouse Apartment for sale. 

22 foot ceilings in the living room.

A photo of one of the four terraces.

And, yes, it can be yours for the bargain basement price of $61 million... not including the HOA fees of $5020 per month.

Just for fun, a 20% downpayment is $14,000,000 a jumbo loan at 7.5% (today’s rate) gives $391,560 in monthly payments.

So basically, you have to choke up about $12,900 (mortgage) + $2,400 (property taxes) DAILY! + a twenty each time a valet parks one of our cars.

Assume you pay cash, it’s still $6,400 (amt over 30years) + $2,400 (taxes) daily. How much would such a place rent in daily, weekly or monthly fee? more than $8,800 a day? $61,000 a week? $240,000 a month?

http://www.socketsite.com/

Miami, Florida.

http://www.setai.com/

Penthouse A at the Setai in South Beach

http://www.bornrich.com/worlds-expensive-beach-apartment-sells-215-million.html

This little gem holds the title of being the most expensive condo sold in Florida.  The selling price was $21.5 million and the HOA fees are only $3025 per month.  Not bad for all of that sunshine!

New York City, NY

http://www.thecityreview.com/hearst.html 

The Time Warner Center

http://6starliving.com/the-most-expensive-apartments-in-the-world/

"In 2008, the most expensive apartment in North America, the 78th floor penthouse of the Time Warner Centre in Manhattan, entered the market with a staggering $65 million price tag or approximately $7,831 per square foot... Monthly maintenance fees and taxes for the pad is a jaw-dropping $30,000 a month...." 

Oh, that brings up the point..... real estate TAXES!!!!!  It is estimated that our late copper heiress was paying between $450,000 and $600,000 per year for her $55 million investment.   In NYC, apartments are taxed at 13.053% of their assessment value. 

Sweet Jesus!!!!!!   Robin Leach's Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous....... indeed!