Out and About: Art + Design = KMFA Soiree

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Ivy de Leon

They say that living without art, is like living without sunshine. I want sunshine, don’t you? What better place to find it than in the Hamptons. Happy to accept an invitation from the fabulous Kathryn Markel of Kathryn Markel Fine Arts, I drove out to Bridgehampton, NY. Kathryn is energetic and her love for art is immediately contagious. I met a group of art enthusiast and designers and we walked a few feet from her gallery to artMRKT Hamptons. Kathryn has over 35 years of experience and has galleries in New York City and Bridgehampton, NY.

Image via Kathryn Markel Fine Arts

We had engaging conversations about art and the artists in the exhibits. Kathryn was our personal tour guide. She really knows her stuff. Later in the day, we continued the conversation of art and design at her home over cocktails. Her home is filled with sunshine, art, and beautiful decor. I met some wonderful people, including her amazing assistants Debra Marcoux and Sann Van Deventer . Thank you Kathryn, Debra and Sann for a delightful summer soiree.

Visit Kathryn Markel Fine Arts’ new exhibit: Inside/Outside New Paintings by Stephen Pentak & Sydney Licht, August 3 – August 23, 2012. While you are there, don’t forget to stop by the Hampton Designer Showhouse.

There were many fabulous artist and galleries represented at artMRKT Hamptons. Here are a few of my favorite.

Marilla Palmer, Kathryn Markel Fine Arts

Stephanie Hirsch, Lyons Wier Gallery (made of small beads)

Irfan Ounurmen (made from tulle fabric)

Portia Munson, White Cosmos (made of real flowers, which are then scanned) Edition 1 of 3

Thanks for stopping by.

Posted in Decorating | Tagged art, Hamptons, Out and About | Leave a comment

Table Matters: Mint and Pink

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Ivy de Leon

Hope you are having a great summer with family and friends. I’m enjoying the pretty colors of summer. Mint and pink are in fashion this summer. The colors are happy and fun. I am bringing them to the table with tabletop ideas for a fun gathering with friends. I love the colors for a lunch party or a simple ladies’ night out with wine and dessert. Mix and match floral and garden china, the latest designer fabric, vintage napkins and gold details make a summer theme to remember.

ON SALE Antique French Damask Linen Napkins Set of 12 with Monogram

1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8

Thanks for stopping by.

Posted in Decorating | Tagged mint and pink, Table matters, tabletop | Leave a comment

High Point Market’s Style Spotter

Posted on July 30, 2012 by Ivy de Leon

Last week, I was chosen by the High Point Market Committee to be one of the 15 finalists in the search for the next High Point Market Style Spotter. I have been busy designing my room on Olio Board for the contest entry. High Point Market’s Style Spotters are home fashion trendsetters that showcase their favorite products and top trends at the Market. A Style Spotter posts and curates their favorite finds on Pinterest. I am honored to be considered and find myself in great company with some of my favorite blogs and designers.

1. @AModernHousewif — Christy Davis

2. @JRI_Design – Jennifer Reynolds

3. @DesignerSelma – Selma Hammer

4. @swaygrl – Olivia Millwood

5. @karaleann1 – Kara Legako

6. @CuratedHouse – Sarah Walker

7. @AphroChic – Jeanine Hays

8. @Time2Design – Carmen Christiansen

9. @theenglishr – Holly Hollingsworth Phillips

10. @reslightingmag – Laura Van Zeyl

11. @designLHM – Lisa Mende

12. @DeniseMcGaHa – Denise McGaHa

13. @IDHomeDecor -Ivy De Leon

14. @jbanksdesign – Joni Vanderslice

15. @nestnestnest -Tamara Stephenson

Follow us on Twitter and join the excitement on Facebook. Voting opens Wednesday to the High Point Market community for the 9th Style Spotter. The winner will be announced on August 23, at which time Olio Boards created by all contestants will be opened for viewing by the general public. Good luck to all.

Thanks for stopping by.

Posted in Decorating | Tagged contest, High Point Market Style Spotter, Olio Board | Leave a comment

Curated: Summer House

Posted on July 20, 2012 by Ivy de Leon

When summer comes around, I’m all into blue and white. Nothing says summer to me like rattan furniture. These white rattan club chairs are beautiful in crisp white. I like to display brass bookends with a coastal theme. Keeping the desk organized is a little more fun with a large brass anchor paper clip. Follow me on Pinterest for more Summer Home selections.

Furbish: Rattan Club Chairs, brass seashell bookends, Blue Geometric Wastebasket.

High Street Market: Large Brass Anchor Paper Clip, Extra Large Woven Square Serving Tray

Make your weekend amazing. Thanks for stopping by.

Posted in Decorating | Tagged Furbish Studio, High Street Market, Pinterest, Summer House, Summer Style | Leave a comment

Out and About: Chinoiserie Chic

Posted on July 19, 2012 by Ivy de Leon

I’m out and about at One-Of-A-Kind in Princeton, NJ. They have a fabulous assortment of furniture and accessories. Come visit them at 301 N. Harrison Street, Princeton, New Jersey. They are open late Thursday nights. Enjoy the Summer Courtyard Concert Series and stop by One-Of-A-Kind and say hello. You’ll be delighted by the friendly service and great finds. Love Chinoiserie, you’re in luck. Pick up some of these pieces to get the look.

Get the Look

Need help? Contact me at ivy@ivydeleon.com

Thanks for stopping by.

Posted in Decorating | Tagged Chinoiserie, One-Of-A-Kind, Out and About | Leave a comment

Gardening: Evening Gardens

Posted on July 17, 2012 by Ivy de Leon

When the days are hot, it makes it virtually impossible to sit outside and enjoy the garden. Evening is the perfect time to enjoy your garden after a long day. An evening garden is a great place to unwind, have a quite talk, and enjoy a drink. Use white flowers and silver foliage in your garden for twilight magic.

A few of my favorite plants for an evening garden: Hardy Hydrangea: Hydrangea paniculata, Champagne Wishes Shrub Rose, Fantasia Mixed Colors Delphinium, Hosta: Frances Williams, Great Expectations, Forget-me-not, Impatiens ‘Xtreme White’

Hosta Hosta

Source: 1/2/3

Thanks for stopping by.

Posted in Gardening | Tagged bhg, evening garden, Gardening, summer gardens | Leave a comment

Happy Monday. Back from Maine

Posted on July 16, 2012 by Ivy de Leon

Good morning. Happy Monday. I’m back from my family camping trip to Mount Desert Island, Maine. The temperature was perfect and food delicious. Mount Desert Island is the second largest island on the East Coast of the United States, behind Long Island and ahead of Martha’s Vineyard. Acadia National Park occupies half of the island. It has 30,300 acres on Mount Desert Island. We did a little hiking, biking, and running.

The views are amazing. My husband and kids, climbed Cadillac Mountain. At 1,530 feet, Cadillac Mountain is the tallest mountain in the park. It is also the tallest mountain along the eastern coast of the United States. We have enjoyed Mount Desert Island for three generations. It’s no wonder that Conde Nast Traveler includes it among its “12 Enduring Edens” — islands that have both extraordinary popularity and abiding beauty.

Thanks for stopping by.

Posted in Decorating | Tagged Acadia National Park, Maine, Mount Desert Island, Mt. Desert Campground | Leave a comment

Curated: In the Kitchen

Posted on July 6, 2012 by Ivy de Leon

Household items can be both beautiful and practical. I am in love with the individual Doris Berry Bowls, from Snowbound Pottery. They are perfect to drain berries and beautiful to keep on the kitchen counter.

Individual Doris Berry Bowls, Photo by Anna Kasabian

Organic Italian Oregano Organic Italian Large-Leaf Basil Organic Lemon Thyme

Add fresh organic herbs to your kitchen. Your cooking will be flavorful with fresh ingredients. Plant your herbs in a natural willow planter. Pick up Kristen Kidd’s book Weeknight Fresh & Fast for quick healthy meals.

Williams-Sonoma

Cheer up your kitchen with beautiful blue and white pottery. These would look divine on top of the kitchen counter.

Wisteria.com

Sister Parish Design

A chic dust pan will speed things up in the kitchen. Have fun selecting your favorite pattern, from Sister Parish Design Home Collection.

Cosmopolitan Cocktail Board

One Kings Lane

Naturally antibacterial and antimicrobia bamboo cutting board. Cocktails anyone?

Thanks for stoppying by. Have a fabulous weekend.

Posted in Decorating | Tagged bowls, cookbook, cutting board, dust pan, herbs, Kitchen | Leave a comment

Out and About: Camping Trip

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Ivy de Leon

Hope you had a wonderful 4th of July. We are thinking of taking a little family vacation. We’ll be camping in Acadia National Park in Maine, if all goes according to plan. We love the outdoors. I’m a little nervous about the camping. (It has been several years since our last camping adventure.) Acadia is the perfect place to hike, bike, and canoe with the family. Camping will be an opportunity to unplug from technology and get back to basics. The fresh air, the smell of pine trees and the sounds of birds singing and greeting you in the morning are magical.

Marcus Nilsson: Country Living

Acadianationalpark.com

We’ll bike and stop to take a rest on the lawn at Jordan Pond. We’ll have lunch at the Jordan Pond House and enjoy popovers, seafood, and homemade ice cream. Bar Harbor, Maine and Acadia National Park are located on Mount Desert Island, a top Maine travel destination.

Thanks for stopping by.