Collaboration Nation

Hang onto your wallets ladies because some of the better designer collaborations I've seen in awhile are all happening NOW.  Well, John Robshaw for Uniqlo is already live and Lilly for Target and Milly for Kohls debut April 19th and 23rd, respectively.

I guess it's not that surprising that some of JR's most distinctive signature textiles are being translated for his line at Uniqlo.  I just can't wait until we finally get our own store here this fall...

I'm forever a lover of Target (I grew up in Target land) and their collaborations, and Lilly (which I've loved for decades) is no different.  I have a feeling this line is going to disappear quickly.  I've stocked Mari's Lilly for this summer (they have awesome sales and then it is super easy to unload here), but I'll probably be squeaking in a few of these toddler girl pieces...

Milly (by Michelle Smith) for DesigNation at Kohls is a little bit edgier twist on Milly, though these two are decidedly not, though very cute.

Pattern mixing and subway tiles

For those of you who read for the infertility coverage, I apologize in advance, as I'm breaking my own rules (of not filling my blog with mag pics) again. But trust me, it's worth it. I thought it was time for some pretty pics. I find home design to be the nearly perfect opposite to infertility, kind of irrelevant in the whole scheme of important things, but it makes me happy (when done well, of course).

So my latest assignment for my design class was "pattern mixing", which is actually much harder than it sounds. And in catching up on all my magazines from the last few months, I found two homes (in NYC and the Hamptons) which jumped out at me and put a huge smile on my face, and show pattern mixing done well.

The first is the home of Nancy Tilghman (featured in the October House Beautiful), designed by Daniel Sachs. The second is of Cosima Von Bulow Pavoncelli (featured in November Town & Country), designed by Markham Roberts. They are each, in nearly every room, just chock full of John Robshaw and Peter Dunham textiles. I didn't stand a chance...

From House Beautiful...
I love the dark blue in this foyer, and am still looking for the perfect blue for our den (to become a boy's room, if needed). Some crisp white beadboard will balance it out and lighten it up nicely for a kid's room.







I loved this use of paper, and yes I had to run out and do this with our china cabinet immediately.









From Town & Country...






In case you missed it, in addition to having a very similar vibe (feminine colors, great patterns, global influences), they both have great white kitchens with nearly identical blue-gray subway tiles. I love these! When we finally redo our kitchen (replacing the old white cabs with new white ones), I am so getting these.
*HB sources

Good stuff

We stopped in Boston on the way to the Cape (in a successful attempt to time the weekend traffic). And since it was a sales tax holiday weekend, we went to Newbury Street. Who am I kidding? We probably would have gone there regardless, since it was too nice out to go to the ICA. I heart Massachusetts for not having sales tax on clothes. ;)

So I finally got to go to Sweet for a (mini) carrot cake cupcake (my fav). Heaven.


In Chatham, there's a seasonal shop called Shelter Island Home, which is ALL John Robshaw. OMG, love.

He's the new hot guy, I saw his textiles all over the Cape and Islands' cutest shops.

In another adorable little design shop in Chatham, I found this Dash & Albert tile rug and just had to have it for my bedside.

I have the unique (or maybe not so unique) ability to walk into any store and fall in love with the most expensive thing, without even trying, of course. I don't usually shop at the Gap, they lost me as a regular long ago. But S wanted to stop in, and of course I had to have this Band blazer. To me, it yells "back to school", which I am on Wednesday...


On the stroll back from lunch at Sayles Seafood between the Great Harbor and Nantucket Yacht Clubs, we happened upon Parchment.


Parchment profile on Wooster & Prince

I just had to have all of these...


The three papers are by Rossi Italian paper, and I'm planning on covering a large cork board with them to fill with inspiration pictures.

As for the rest...


French labels/stickers from Chronicle Books
Wooster & Prince Hither Creek trio list pad.

John Robshaw

John Robshaw is a guy after my own heart. Besides being absolutely adorable, he shares my love of all things Indian and designs gorgeous textiles. I'm so glad to see them showing up more and more, recently in Garnet Hill, Lonny, House Beautiful, among others. They are pricey, but oh so pretty.


A sampling of the lovely pillows from his online store...











As you can see, I have a weakness for geometric designs...