One Room Challenge: Hanging in my Closet

With Iris Apfel, Rare Bird of Fashion event, December 2009

“Dress gives you the opportunity to express yourself – who you are, who you think you are or who you want to be.” 

– Iris Apfel

Over the years I have had the pleasure to attend some really fun events and meet some pretty cool fashion and design icons as a result of this little blog. When I posed with legendary interior designer and fashion maven Iris Apfel in 2009 at her “Rare Bird of Fashion” exhibit that I was covering as a blogger, I had no idea just how iconic she truly was – Iris is a master at remaining relevant even when what is fashionable comes and goes (have you seen her latest jewelry collection for HSN, put forth in her 90s no less?) Her words of wisdom spoken that evening seem fitting to me today, as I look at the clothes hanging in my closet, wondering which pieces will make the cut to hang out in my new master closet when my One Room Challenge project is complete (halfway mark already!) And yes, I still have clothes in my closet dating back to the year 2009! How does this happen???

Getting dressed for memory making.

I think the reason I have a difficult time letting go of outfits from my past is because many of them have special memories attached to them. Do I still wear these clothes? Some of them, yes. I’m just now realizing that only yesterday I wore the black jacket in the photo above to work and then out to dinner with friends! Other pieces have not been worn as frequently over the years, and to be completely honest some may not even still fit me, but they do still have a special place in my heart. When I look at them patiently waiting on their hangers, I’m reminded of times that were definitely outside of my normal routine. Times that were “pinch me” moments. Below are my top 10 outfits that I just can’t seem to part with ...

1. Black and gold zig zag dress with black ribbon bow.

Jason Wu NY Fashion Week

Design Blogger After Party with Brizo

2. Jewel toned wrap dress with braided leather belt.

Jonathan Adler NY Studio Party, Blogfest

3.  Classic gray pencil skirt with royal blue ruched top.

Twinning with Thom Felicia at Blogfest

4. Ikat patterned fitted shift dress (with pockets!) 

York Show House Ocean Inspired Teen Bath

5. Chevron patterned macrame-overlay dress.

Meeting design celeb Kelly Wearstler via BlogTourLA

See the full dress here

6. Silk ombre-colored dress with animal print vintage scarf.

My ode to motherhood ... wearing vintage scarf from my grandmother.

The Summer Nursery at Tapley Hall // photo credit: Eric Roth

7. Bright green banded cocktail dress with hot pink wrap.

My first design show ...

A Fairy Tale Event, May 2009

8. Black lace and sequined cocktail dress with cowl neck.

My last design show ...

Glen Magna Holiday Show House

Gala Preview Party photos

9. Classic grey sheath dress from Calvin Klein

(lampshade optional : )

BlogTourLA instagram photo with designers

Christian May and Ashlina Kaposta

10. Two-toned dress: black asymmetrical top over white skirt.  

More recently ... my consultant trip to Vegas with Rodan + Fields.

Hanging with some favorite characters snap via Instagram.

What “super outfits” are hanging in your closet?

Have you had a chance to see the latest Lego movie? Even Batman has a closet full of costumes that chronicle his personal career journey over the years (and he was quite attached to his wardrobe favorites, too, I must add).  Fashion has the power to transform. To create confidence. To provide super hero like protection as we face the world outside. It’s accessible armour, and on our best days it can be really FUN! So for now, I will be holding onto some of these rare occasion costumes and will be finding a special spot in my new closet for them, although I will be more than happy to add something new to my fashion mix when the next opportunity presents itself. I recently decided to give Stitch Fix a try, so I am hoping that helps me to break out of my fashion comfort zone a bit.

One Room Challenge media partner:

Back to my scheduled design makeover ...

So just how is my ORC makeover going? I don’t have much progress to show this week unfortunately, which is why I resorted to taking a good look at what I plan to move into the new space and ended up going down this memory lane rabbit hole of blogger fashion. I have, however, found a great way to get rid of unwanted items (I promise to try hard to find some!) My town has set up a few collection bin sites for clothing, shoes, purses, linens, fabrics, even stuffed animals. The money from donated textiles will benefit our school system (they will all be properly recycled). Now I can get rid of even my oldest fashions and worn to death shoes and not worry that they will end up unused or unwanted in some donation bin or landfill. If I was really motivated, I would try to sell the better items online, but I just don’t have it in me. I’d much rather bag them, drop them off, and move on (unless you see something you like here : ) Only my true favorites will be allowed to move up to the new closet. Once it is done. Please let it get done. 

Check out the latest Calling It Home One Room Challenge design updates for week 3 (invited designers) here and (guest participants) here. 

Setting a holiday table at the BDC

Mix natural elements with a generous serving of shiny objects, add a dash of artistic details along with a shot of traditional touches, and your holiday setting is sure to sparkle!

Last week I attended a Boston Design Center lecture and presentation featuring holiday table settings as influenced by Historic New England properties and collections. The table settings were displayed on the 6th floor of the BDC, where the yearly Dream Home event takes place (click here after reading this post to see views of designed spaces
from previous shows).

One of three tablescapes on display at the BDC

A Bauhaus-influenced Dining Room, circa 1938
The Gropius House of Lincoln, Massachusetts
{Photo from Historic New England website}

The Gropius House was the inspiration behind one of the three modernly-festive tablecapes. The Gropius House was the New England home of Walter Gropius, founder of the German design school known as the Bauhaus, and his family members from 1938 to 1983. His wife, Ise, willed the property to Historic New England (at the time it was called The Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities) to be used as an historic house museum. Wendy Hubbard of Historic New England presented numerous images of this unique property including this view of its modern dining room. Note the pair of Sori Yanagi Butterfly Stools by the fireplace, leather and chrome chairs by Marcel Breuer, and the round Eero Saarinen tulip table which were loosely interpretted with modern design pieces from the BDC, along with items from the collection of reproductions offered for purchase through
Historic New England.

Placemats were fashioned out of “Shoot for the Moon” wallpaper reproduced by Christopher Norman for Historic New England, and the outside was brought in with this table from Janus et Cie adorned with fresh cut greens, pine cones and faux bois silver candlesticks. Simple black and white ceramic Japanese place settings, as favored by Gropius, complete this modern winter tablescape.

In the second two vignettes, designers Susan Newberg and Phylllis Tracy of Neptune 1 Studios showcased pieces from their collections of decoupaged plates inspired by historical wall-coverings.

The dark blue colorway of “Shoot the Moon” provides a rich backdrop to this table setting featuring plates designed with scenic images captured from the 18th-century English wallpaper that still adorns the Jerimiah Lee Mansion in Marblehead, Massachusetts.

Susan Newberg, whose graphic design expertise has brought new-life to these historic wall-coverings, is pictured here with designer Rosanne Palazola. All of us have design pieces represented at New England Fine Living in Middleton, Massachusetts.

Nancy Faye Glass (a design friend of mine that I met while working on The Stevens Estate in North Andover) and Phyllis Tracy are both wearing designer fashions from the Peabody Essex Museum boutique. I recognized Nancy’s black and white wool dress-coat as a piece from the Iris Apfel collection.

Iris would love this third table setting adorned with birds, feathers, and jewel-toned glassware and botanicals. The plates are designed with sectional representations of the pretty and bright floral paper that graces the walls of one of the glamorous rooms in the Beauport Sleeper-McCann House in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Interior decorator Henry Davis Sleeper actually designed homes for members of Hollywood’s elite including Joan Crawford. His design sensibility was intelligently whimsical and theatrical.

I am putting “visit the Beauport”
on my 2011 to-do list!

Neptune 1 Studios Decor Chinois Collection is available at The Martin Group at the Boston Design Center and online through Historic New England. Click here for more retail locations.

Neptune 1 Studios at New England Fine Living:
JOJ Frost Collection and The Lee Mansion Collection

Neptune 1 Studio’s Ashley Bowen Collection
is also available at New England Fine Living

Contact Neptune 1 Studios if you are interested in carrying their line or commissioning a piece.


If you are in the design profession in the New England area and are interested in learning more about Historic New England and their curated collections, they have a new design group membership that includes visits to the historic properties on their register among other benefits. For more details on the Ogden Codman Design Group Membership click here.



{Images from Historic New England website}

For a wealth of information on historical architecture and design in New England, click here to view past issues of Historic New England Magazine online.

Room as artist's canvas ...

Michelle Nussbaumer’s work as featured on 1st Dibs,
photograph by Miguel Flores-Vianna


“I see myself as an artist and the client’s home is my canvas and all the furniture, antiques, textiles and artwork are my palette.”– Michelle Nussbaumer

One of the design themes of my space at the upcoming North Shore Design Show: Favorite Spaces is how decorating a room is just like creating a work of art. Colors, textures and objects combine to paint an emotional picture. A lot of designers feel this way. Take a look at this 1st Dibs interview with Michelle Nussbaumer of Ceylon et Cie where she expresses the same sentiment. While you are there, check out the impressive list of Style Compass interviews with top designers and trend setters, some of whom I have met in my travels like Iris Apfel, Barclay Butera, Nate Berkus, and Kathryn M. Ireland. Plus there are lots of inspiring stories (with amazing photos!) from other prominent decorative artists, many of whom I would love to meet in the future ... wouldn’t you?!

A show of fashion ...

Anticipating Iris at the Peabody Essex Museum ...

Here are my paparazzi shots from the Iris Apfel event at the Peabody Essex Museum last Friday night. Since photography is not allowed in the actual exhibit (which was five rooms of fabulous!) I hope these glimpses of glamour satisfy those of you who enjoy people watching. And for some cool snapshots and interesting background information on Iris and her well-traveled life, take a look at the PEM video/interview.




I created this polyvore set to illustrate Iris’ design philosophy (or a day in the life – take note of all the accessories!) Iris is a master at combining equal parts haute couture with unique flea market finds, while referencing the amazing designer fabrics and trims that one might find on the pages of a glossy interior design magazine (the ones that are still in publication, that is). Her fearless use of vibrant colors and bold patterns is truly inspiring.


The irreverent Iris Barrel Apfel and I after the show.
This high contrast black-and-white jacket is actually sold at
the PEM shop. “Fuzzy dice as design accessory” from
Salem vintage fashion boutique Modern Millie.

I have to say, the crowd was dressed-to-the-nines ... I almost felt conservative in my black blazer, silk top and dark denim jeans — at least I had my smiley-face-yellow ruffled handbag with me! This exhibit is all about dressing with creative confidence (think “butterfly” as opposed to “caterpillar”) so if (or I should say “when” ; ) you make it to the PEM, feel free to put on your best dress, your blingiest-baubles, killer heels, and most outrageous accessories.


Stylish hats (and handbags) were everywhere ... I just wished we hadn’t reserved our seats behind this model-tall member of the audience (although I must admit her beret was tres chic)!


Love the haircut. Love the outfit.


Nicely done ... chignon and chinoisserie.


More members of the
well-dressed crowd.


Lauren Beesley was striking in this
feather headband by Tracy Vest.


Lisa Langone models some of her favorite fashion finds.
Her black feather bag – discovered at a vintage shop
in Boston – started many conversations.



Carrie Cabot looked fab in this fuchsia dress
from Modern Millie and faux fur hat
from her grandmother. Shawl was
purchased on ebay for her fall wedding
(congrats on that anniversary!)



The crowd was treated to a lively conversation between Iris and fashion designer/artist, Michael Vollbracht. Above, one of Michael’s most requested dresses. The two discussed tips on dressing age appropriate and also dressing without reservation (an interesting contradiction!) The final verdict was to celebrate life, the body you are in, and to have fun ... this is fashion, folks, so enjoy the show!


The little black dress gets dressed up.


Exquisite embroidered details on a Michael Vollbracht
designed dress – happily worn by a PEM model.


I want this coat! Modern Millie is auctioning fashion pieces
from the runway show online. Shall I place my bid?



FYI: If you go to a fashion show, pick a seat next to the open center aisle for the best view. Have I learned nothing from watching season after season of Project Runway, Gossip Girl and Housewives of New York??? The models were confidently gorgeous and their hair and makeup sparkled (sorry I can’t illustrate it with better pictures – next time!)


The final act ... all the models wore Iris-inspired specs.



Thanks for a great evening of fashion!

The talented director behind the runway show ...
Christine Robidoux, owner of Modern Millie.

– check her blog for more “peek-tures” –


Own it girls!

Buy it for yourself
at Modern Millie or
at the PEM shop ...


I love this illustration.


What Iris wore.


Remember these?? This handbag by Couture Planet
features press coverage from the show.

Put this darling on my wish list.

More of my favorite new design trends.

Sweet.

Bold colors and beading
... very Iris-like.

“Dress gives you the opportunity to express yourself – who you are, who you think you are or who you want to be.”

– Iris Apfel

Rare Bird of Fashion:
The Irreverent Iris Apfel
at the Peabody Essex Museum
now through Feb. 7, 2010