Style and Substance with Margaret Russell

With Margaret Russell of Elle Decor
at the Boston Design Center

The Kravet showroom at the Boston Design Center hosted a designer lunch and book signing yesterday with Margaret Russell after she presented some of her favorite images from her numerous years as editor-in-chief at Elle Decor magazine, images that are now found in the pages of her new book, Style and Substance published by Filipacchi.

This image of a space designed by Victoria Hagan, photographed by Michael Mundy, sold the most copies in Elle Decor history when it graced
the Aug./Sept. 02 cover.

One of Margaret’s favorite images from the book ...

Interior designer Vincente Wolf
Photographer Peter Estersohn (Dec./Jan. 95)


And here are some
of my favorites ...

I found the image below quite striking. It even incorporates a few ideas I had for my kitchen remodel ... gray counters, white cabinets, white walls. And while I hadn’t considered turquoise ostrich leather
(by Coach) on the chairs, I like it!

Kitchen designed by Delphine Krakoff
Photographed by Reed Krakoff (Sept. 06)

I keep coming back to this elegantly subtle room ...

Designed by Fox Nahem Associates

Photographed by Laura Resen (May 01)

Oooh la la I love it ...

Designer Steven Gambrel

Photographed by William Waldron (June/July 04)


The contrast of hot and cool always gets me ...

Paris dining room of Creel and Scarani
Roger Davies (Dec. 08)

And here is a perennial blog favorite: the dining room of Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick with that amazing antique Egyptian chandelier ...

Designed by Eric Hughes

Photographed by William Waldron (Oct. 05)

And look what I found around the corner
from Kravet at the Grange showroom ...

The Sara Chandelier

I took this photo of Margaret with designer Rosanne Palazola who I met last year at the North Shore Design Show. This year, Rosanne will be designing a space (as will I) for Danvers Historical Society’s Reflecting on Danvers History through Interior Design showhouse at Tapley Memorial Hall which will take place July 11th through August 1st. I will post more
info about this event later!

For now, here are some stylish spaces that I discovered during my BDC visit to Ralph Lauren, whose actual home was featured a number of times in Margaret’s slide show. This season, the RL showroom is decorated with a clever mix of equestrian-themed prints and furnishings, dazzling lighting, and cozy fabrics.
I loved it all!

The collection of artful sketches above a velvet sofa was captivating in its stylish simplicity.

Head of a Woman by Picasso available at Art.com

As Margaret explains, good design is timeless, strategic, mindful and creative. Having the eye of an editor plays an important role, as well!