STEVEN VOLPE

Although I have my own design practice, I cover other designers in my blog every so often.  Three designers keep coming to mind, to my mind anyway, as creating some of the most important interiors in the country.  I am referring to Ken Fulk, Jay Jeffers, and Steven Volpe.  Their individual work is full of personality not to mention glorious antiques and important art works.

All images via Elle Decor.

In the dining room, vintage armchairs, aluminum bookshelves, and a 1950's light fixture.

Piero Fornasetti cabinet, Diego Giacometti sculpture, and galvanized tin console by John Dickinson.

Solarium featuring an Idris Khan photo and table by Kurt Ostervig.

Oh-Void chair by Ron Arad with an aluminum and marble table by Hiquily.  Floor lamp is by Arne Jacobsen.

The living room features a Volpe designed sofa in a wonderful Gretchen Bellinger linen velvet.  The cubes are by Martin Szekely and are made of cork.  Vintage Mongolian lambskin chair by Franco Albini.

A photograph by Christian Marclay.  Cabinet by Marc du Plantier.  Jansen  brass lamp.  And brass and marble table lamp by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings.

Bleached mahogany cabinets in the kitchen with a Calacatta d'Oro marble backsplash.

Barstools by Knoll.

Gallery featuring artworks by Jan Schoonhoven and Diane Arbus (photography).  Furniture designers include Gilbert Poillerat and Angelo Mangianotti.

Bed design by Volpe upholstered in Rose Tarlow leather.  1950's comode by Jacques Adnet.

DECORATING WITH ANTIQUE MIRRORS

Joy of Nesting has a guest writer today.  Welcome to Joy of Nesting, Jennifer!

"Hi all!  I'm Jennifer and I write for Design Shuffle, a social media site that chronicles the work of top interior designers around the world.  I've been writing about home decor since graduating university and have loved it ever since.  I'm addicted to patterned fabrics, Jonathan Adler, chaise lounges, old doors, milk glass jars, antiques, and more.  I'm a huge fan of Joy of Nesting (because I'm guilty of nesting) and I've always loved Shiree Segerstrom's great posts.  Now it's time to reflect on decorating with antique mirrors!

One of the best decorating ideas that's easy and makes a big impact is using antique mirrors-because of their often ornate beauty and aged character they instantly become the focal point of any space.  As part of den design or even bedroom design, antique mirrors turn the ordinary into extraordinary.

Make a big statement the moment guests enter your home with a wall of antique mirrors.  Some additional interior design ideas include a few vintage red chairs, a stylish table lamp and an urn overflowing with fresh blooms.  Flashy entryway (image above) via Eclectic Revisited."

"There's no shortage of elegance in this formal dining room, with the gold accents, incredible architectural detailing, wall lights, and over sized mirror.  Opulence ten-fold (image above) via Frog Hill Design."

"Decorating with antique mirrors doesn't mean screaming it from the rooftops-a subtler mirror, such as this rope-framed one in a casual sitting room, can be just as pretty.  A touch of reflection (image above) via Decorpad."

"Dress up a cozier water closet with a wall of antique mirrors in different shapes and sizes for striking bathroom design- perched on several shelves, they act like lighting fixtures when reflecting the adjacent outdoor sunshine.  Wall of mirrors via Martha Stewart."

"This vertical antique mirror has two functions- it's not only a beautiful addition to this playful dining room, which mixes a traditional wood table, ceiling light and pastel painted chairs, but it also helps the space appear bigger.  Delish' detail via Trendey."

"A long mirror turned sideways can pull double-duty as a piece of art when positioned above a couch that is equally as long.  The main event via First Sense."

"There is no shortage of timely trends in this bathroom, which includes an ornate antique mirror as well as a vintage chair, a 50's-style diner blue accent wall and contemporary crystal wall lamps.  Spanning the decades via A Perfect Gray."

"Crisp white lace bedding, lighting fixtures with white shades, stained glass cabinet doors, and antique mirrors above a white fireplace all come together to create the dreamiest of bedroom designs.

This post comes courtesy of Design Shuffle, where you can find top tier interior designs from around the world- from New York interior designers, Los Angeles interior designers, and more, check out the latest at Design Shuffle.  Dream colour palette via Empty Fashion."

HIKING the RUBICON TRAIL plus... avocado boats with shrimp and cucumber!

My baby treated me to a week in Lake Tahoe recently.  We hiked, swam, and ate entirely too much but no matter.  With all the activity I managed to lose a little weight and came back with a killer tan.

I had never hiked around this part of Lake Tahoe before.  Last year, we hiked around Emerald Bay but the views of this portion of the lake are especially lovely. 

In person, the water is the most amazing shades of turquoise and cobalt.  With a purported 100 feet of visibility you can see the large granite boulders along the coastline, just beneath the surface of the water.  

I am much too wimpy to swim in snow melt water but we did take a dip in Harrah's heated hotel pool everyday.  And some splendid naps were had on the lake front beach.  One evening we had an outdoor dinner at the Beach Cafe' just steps away from where we napped in the sand.  The Greek salad with salmon was amazing.  The wine list was not.  I noticed our neighbors had a bottle of Raymond red but when I inquired, I was told they had "brought their own". 

One evening we found a sidewalk cafe serving Cesar salads and pizza and another night we went to the top of Harrah's and waited the 45 minutes to have their buffet.  I loaded up on fresh shrimp, pineapple, and sushi.  David had three helpings of prime rib.  How does he stay so thin!

The walking stick is to fend off bears.  I've been petrified of bears since I was a pre-teen and heard about the grizzly bear attacking and killing three teenagers in their sleeping bags. 

The best part about hiking is that you get a really great workout without even knowing it.  You are so enraptured with the scenery, you forget you're exercising.  It builds up a great appetite and is a nice bonding experience for partners.

Our hike around Fallen Leaf Lake produced some beautiful images too.  We saw lots of Salvia, wild roses, and Indian paintbrush.  For some reason the shallow waters near the damn created some interesting shots.





Right before we left for Lake Tahoe my refrigerator broke down.  I have been home without a refrigerator since Sunday and have been subsisting on odds and ends.  One little meal I made was quite nice and I wanted to share it.  I've dressed it up a bit for readers...

Avocado Boats with Shrimp and Cucumber

Romaine lettuce

Avocado

Shrimp

Red onion

Fresh lemon juice

Olive oil

Cucumber

Cocktail sauce with horseradish

Create a bed of romaine lettuce and dress with fresh squeezed lemon juice, olive oil, and plenty of fresh ground sea salt and pepper.  Place avocado halves on lettuce bed and fill with good quality shrimp cut into 1" chunks, finely chopped onion, and peeled and seeded cucumbers cut into chunks.  Serve with cocktail sauce liberally spiked with fresh lemon juice for dipping.

This is a perfect summer meal, deliciously tangy and cool.