All the Best + SFERRA Party

I cannot begin to tell you what an amazing week this has been for me, both personally and professionally. Coming off a high from the fantastic LA All the Best + SFERRA party, I wondered how New York would compare. Answer-it was superb! I was beyond delighted by the turnout this past Wednesday. Todd Romano graciously opened his showroom for our fabulous fête. A huge thank you to everyone who hosted me this week for teas, lunches and dinners. I especially appreciate everyone who came in support and celebration of the SFEERA All the Best partnership. You all are the best!

More photos on All the Best Blog Facebook Fan Page. I've had several emails asking about my dress. It was designed by the super talented Josephine Sasso, and it's made of upholstery fabric. Thanks Josephine for making me look so good.

Thomas Jayne, Kim Huebner and Pierre Frey

Brad Ford and Aaron Stewart

Matthew White, Janice Langrall, Frank Webb

Alexandra Wernink, Ronda Carman and Sallie Giordano



Aaron Stewart, Creative Director for SFERRA; Ronda Carman; Paul Hooker President of SFERRA

Susan Moolman and Michael Devine

Todd Roman, Ronda Carman, Miguel Flores-Vianna and Georgia Tapert

Alison Minton, Michel Witmer, Melissa Morris, Dino Rivera and Mark Dean

Sophie Donelson and Orli Ben-Dor

Ronda Carman and Alex Papachristidis

Thomas Burak, James Andrew and Kristen McGinnis

Aaron Stewart, Amanda Nesbit and Todd Romano

Philip Gorrivan

Ronda Carman, Freddy Victoria and Susan Victoria

David Duncan and Michael McGraw

Lori Reich and James Andrew

Frank Webb and Robert Passal

Brendan Kwinter-Schwartz,Andrew Boepple and Dara Godfrey

Alix Lerman and Julia Noran

Alan Rosenberg, Ronda Carman, Joan Michaels, Kristen McGinnis and Jane Michaels

A Wonderful Weekend

First let me apologize for the lack of posts. It's been a whirlwind of a week. Thankfully my wonderful friend Melissa Morris and her sweet husband Chappy invited me to Connecticut for the weekend to recharge. Mel, Chappy and the adorable Monty Morris were wonderful. They hosted a lovely dinner party on Saturday, followed by a private tour of Philip Johnson's Glasshouse on Sunday.

It was a perfect autumn day for touring and catching up with friends. You can see more photos on Mel's blog. Tonight is the NYC All the Best SFERRA party and it looks to be another great turnout. Photos to follow.

All the Best + SFERRA Cocktail Party

Last night was the first SFERRA + All the Best cocktail party to celebrate our partnership. The wonderful Nathan Turner hosted the event at his delightful store and celebrity chef Lulu Powers turned out some amazing food. Our special guest Kelly Wearstler, who is truly lovely and gracious, was there to show her new line of SFERRA linens.

The weather was absolutely perfect and the guest list stellar (more photos on Wire Images). It was beyond fun to meet many of the bloggers that I have only known via the World Wide Web, including Brooke of Velvet and Linen (and 3rd place winner of the All the Best bedrooms contest); Megan of Beach Bungalow 8; Christian of Masion 21; Scot of Tartanscot (2nd place winner of the All the Best bedrooms contest); and Jill the LA correspondent from Material Girls. You can see a great group photo on Christian’s blog.

Today I am heading to NYC and we will host another party next week at Todd Romano’s. Thank you to everyone who came out last night (there were over 200 people). It was wonderful to see many friends and talented people. Thank you for coming and for letting me share with you a little more about the wonderful SFERRA.

Aaron Stewart, Creative Director for SFERRA, with the great gift bags.


Beautiful Kelly Wearstler for SFERRA pillows.




Aaron Stewart, Lulu Powers, Nathan Turner and Ronda Carman

Brooke Giannetti, Megan Arquette and me

Coffee with Kathryn Ireland

The other day I received a facebook message from the wildly talented Brian Ferrick to say,"You should know my friend Kathryn Ireland." Having been a fan of Kathryn’s for a while now, I was more than happy for the introduction. Yesterday Kathryn invited me to her amazing Santa Monica home for coffee and a visit - what a treat!

Kathryn is a master at blending ‘English manor’ and ‘French farmhouse’ with a California bohemian vibe. She is also a ball of energy and very down to earth. It was a real treat to actually meet her and to see her home in person. What I loved most was the feeling of stepping into a house that is very much lived in and loved.

After coffee we headed over to her Santa Monica studio for a tour and peak at her new fabric and wallpaper collection. All of her fabrics are so beautiful, fresh and fun. It was great to see all the bolts of fanciful fabrics line the walls of her warehouse. I will be posting some of her new lines very soon. I have included a few snaps of her home for you to enjoy.

Dinner at Dawnridge

A few weeks ago I received an email from my friend Michael Billings asking if I would like to have dinner at Dawnridge with Ruth and Hutton Wilkinson. Immediately my heart began racing and my hands shaking as I typed my reply, “I would LOVE to have dinner at Dawnridge!” The email was followed by a loud shriek that sent my husband running into our lounge.

What I love about blogging is the thousands of like minded ‘friends’ who share a small part of your world, and at times, in your excitement. I have been bursting to share my news with all you for days. However, afraid I might jinx myself, I kept it quiet. Finally the day arrived (after a 13 hour flight) and I was a guest at Dawnridge last evening.

It is almost impossible to describe the splendor that looms behind the large front door. I was seriously breathless as I stood in the famed 18-foot high drawing room. The entire house was aglow with candlelight. I found it wonderfully overwhelming as I tried to focus, but with so much beauty fighting for my attention it was difficult. I felt like Alice after stepping through the looking glass.

Like his mentor and friend Toy Duquette, Hutton is very much a Renaissance man. Before dinner Ruth and Hutton lead us on a tour of the exotic grounds and gardens. To actually see the pavilions, pagodas, sculptures and Tony Duquette's 28' tall sculpture The Phoenix Rising from Its Flame, amidst a jungle-like rain forest, is spectacular.

Ruth is such a beautiful woman and Hutton is mesmerizing. To be seated next to him at dinner and listen to stories of Tony and Elsie de Wolfe was priceless. Many thanks to Hutton and Ruth for a lovely and unforgettable evening. Sometimes dreams really do come true.