Woody: The New Modern Kitchen

There is something so earthy and natural about a wooden kitchen that engorges me with happiness and comfort.  I love wood.  Not that kind of wood, but this kind, shown here in these updated versions of classic wooden kitchens.  I love everything about this room.  I spend a large quantity of time in the kitchen, so ideally, I'd like for it to be as inviting and comfortable as possible.  Kinda reminds me of something Frank Lloyd Wright would approve of.

art.jazz.life: Louis Armstrong's Fancy Kitchen

Stumbled into this article on The Kitchn today, and I fell in love with this piece.  Its jazz.  Its art.  Its epicurious.  Its Louis Armstrong's 1960's kitchen that has been preserved as part of the Louis Armstrong House Museum in Corona, NY.  All the doors on the glossy blue custom cabinets are mounted on piano hinges - snazzy!  See the slideshow here.

Magazine Death, TV Life

Sad to say, Gourmet, one of my favorite magazines, is going bye bye. This is the second magazine loss that I've dealt with as of late (Domino was the first). Hate to see it go, but at least Bon Appetit is still going strong..

With any loss, there is always gain. Glad to know that although I am losing a magazine, G. Garvin is back on

TVOne with Turn Up the Heat. This show has been on hiatus or something for like, two years, so I'm glad to have it back. This time around, it seems fresher. Yay G.

Also, my absolute favoritest designer is [semi] back with [semi] new episodes. I love, love, love Kim Myles and

I don't really understand why she isn't forefronted more on HGTV. She is better than many other designers on the network, yet she can't seem to get her shine. Myles of Style is innovative on so many levels, and the creative aspect of it is far more entertaining/beneficial to the average viewer. I don't want to have to pull the race card but...I'm just saying.

MK Solaire

I didn't get to see this the first time it came to town, but now its back. Michelle Kaufman's MK Solaire Smart Home is planted directly in front of the Museum of Science and Industry as part of the Green + Wired exhibit. She was actually living in it during the debut...not sure if she still is. Hauteness.

Let's Do Lunch: Kim Myles

I absolutely LOVE Kim Myles. Kim is fiercelessly fabulous and chocked full of creativity, grace, and mostly, style...Hence her show, Myles of Style on HGTV. Winner of the second installment of the HGTV hit show, Design Star, Kim Myles is doing the damn thang. Fashionista interiour. Former hairstylist and hopeful actress, Kim has managed to turn HGTV into one of my most favorited channels. She can do your hair and your living room in one fell swoop. I have seen Kim do things with buttons that will turn your life around. Kim has that round-the-way feel, like you've known her your whole life. I'd just about die if I could have a sit-and-chat with Kim over Rooibus tea.

Check out Kim's HGTV mumbo jumbo here and check out Kim's personal site here, which has access to her haute blog.

This Old House: Frank Lloyd Wright

File this under "Damn, I Didn't Know" - there are Frank Lloyd Wright houses in my backyard. Oak Park, to be exact. Anyone with an eye for design will appreciate this. Went on a mini excursion with my boss today, and she introduced me to this hidden treasure. Believe it or not, these houses (shown here) were built in the 40s. Call me late, but better late than never. I will be taking a tour this summer.
























From top: Weltzheimer - Johnson Living Room, Weltzheimer - Johnson Bedroom, Pope-Leighey Kitchen

Let's Do Lunch: B. Smith

I have been a B. Smith lover since childhood. Something about this lady was just amazing to me. B. Smith is the Black Martha Stewart...not to throw shade on Martha (cause that's my girl, too) but B. is that deal. If ever I am in Sag Harbor, I will definitely stalk out her house, and invite myself over, lol. I have her books, and I loved her show, B. Smith with Style on TVOne. Although her show no longer airs, B. is still featured in Essence and other publications. B. reigns supreme as a spokesperson for Lawry's and Kraft Foods. B. also has her own Home & Living line at several retailers. She does everything from weddings, to crafts, to decor, to cooking, to (insert action verb here)..now THAT's a bad B.

See some of B.'s goodies @ Shopstyle.

Photos of B.'s NY Restaurant.