Posts Tagged ‘style’
Posted by Geoff Nelowet / Friday, March 30th, 2012
As spring starts to bloom here in NoVA, we’ve rounded up 7 of our favorite gardening accessories to help hit the yard in style.
by Lorin Drinkard
1. Alice Supply Co. Garden Tools
Cheery striped trowel and rake include their own picture-labeled drawstring bag. $28.00
Reuse empty plastic bottles with the help of neon colored spouts, turning them into instant watering cans. $15 for 3
3. Nature’s Finest 100% Cotton Canvas Tote bag
Use this organically grown cotton tote to sling around everything from seed packs to tomato plants. $34.95
Line your rows of veggies or planters with bright pops of color. $20.31
5. Red Envelope Monogrammed Gardening Gloves
Always know which gloves are yours with this lovely suede monogrammed pair. $29.95
Pruning has never been so much fun with these pretty patterned trimmers. $19.58
March 2012
Posted by Geoff Nelowet / Friday, March 9th, 2012
Featherweight Journey, Sephora, $130
Tired of making the choice between your blowdryer or that extra pair of getaway heels? Say goodbye to the styling hassle of the hotel wall hairdryer with the T3 Featherweight Journey. The already lightweight and proven hair-styling essential, folds up into a sleek, carry-on approved travel must.
Vera Bradley Laptop Travel Tote
Posted by Geoff Nelowet / Friday, February 10th, 2012
By Lindsey Leake
Photo courtesy of Vera Bradley
Most of us fly with laptops these days and it can be a real hassle to dig your computer out of your carry-on bag at each stage of airport security. With Vera Bradley’s new Laptop Travel Tote, you can now zip through security checkpoints in style. The tote’s interior splits in two, revealing a roomy, zip-top compartment on one side and a padded laptop sleeve on the other. Unzippable sides make it easy to slide out your laptop as you make your way through security and lock into place when you’re ready to board. The bag also boasts an exterior zippered pouch for added storage.
Features:
• A divided interior has a padded laptop sleeve on one side and a zip-top section on the other
• Sides unzip, dividing the tote in half for quick and easy security inspection
• Easy-access zipper on side locks into place
• Dimensions: 11 ¼” x 14 ¾” x 3” with 12” strap drop
• Available in Spring 2012 prints: Camellia, Ellie Blue, Island Blooms and Rosy Posies
Laptop Travel Tote, www.verabradley.com, $85
Image depicts tote in Rosy Posies.
Best Looks for Your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Thursday, February 19th, 2009
Time doesn’t have to be the enemy
We don’t have to surrender to the slaughter of our skin, or give in to defeat by dull hair. Like these timeless beauties, we can victoriously seize our best assets and defy the years.
Text by Renee Sklarew / Research by Maria Scinto / Photography by Jonathan Timmes
Hair by Jon David Salon / Makeup by Stella Kae and Mei Shields
20s
Kate Ziegler
20; Great Falls
Olympic swimmer and student
Style-savvy Kate Ziegler looks like the average girl next door. Looks deceive. Ziegler is a world-champion competitor who shattered the 1500-meter freestyle world record in 2007. She swam for the U.S. team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. A George Mason University student-turned-pro, Ziegler boasts a lucrative sponsorship with Speedo. She travels frequently, competing and volunteering as a Clean Water Ambassador for the Global Water Foundatio, but still finds time for studying psychology and interior design, along with shopping, her favorite hobby.
Skin Care: Ziegler asserts, “Wash your face before bed.” Chlorine from the pool dries out her skin, so she applies Grandel Azulene Crème to her face by day and Retin-A Micro at night. Ziegler likes Nivea and Aquaphor body lotion. For a treat, she likes the Hot and Cold Stone Massage at the Ritz-Carlton or facials at Red Door Salon.
Makeup: Her advice: “Have fun with makeup and style.” She uses Bare Escentuals with SPF and Diorshow Mascara. She says many women her age wear too much eyeliner. She prefers subtle lines, explaining, “It’s great to experiment with makeup if you’re going out, but allow your natural beauty to shine through.”
Hair Care: Ziegler has curly, dry hair. She shampoos with PureOlogy Hydrate System, and conditions weekly with Kerastase Masquintense, both good for her highlights. To straighten, she uses Straight Sexy Hair Power and John Frieda Frizz-Ease Thermal Protection Serum. When wearing her hair curly, Ziegler uses Aveda Be Curly. She’s a loyal customer of Bubbles Salon.
Beauty Philosophy
“I think being yourself and being confident is beautiful.” Also, Ziegler recommends wearing SPF now to save yourself from wrinkles and skin cancer later. She believes in taking time for yourself, whether it’s a trip to the spa or going hiking.
Kate’s Style
Her career hasn’t affected her style much. She wears sweats and workout clothes at the pool but loves fashion and getting dressed up. Ziegler describes her style as simple and classic.
Can’t Live Without
Perfume
“I really love it, but too much gives me headaches.”
Retail Details
“I love taking other people shopping and giving them makeovers.” She spent years working on her mother’s look. Her favorite stores are Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom. Favorite designers: Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren and Paige for jeans.
30s
Kelly Owens
31; Fredericksburg
Assistant Director, The Wizard Girls
Bubbly Kelly Owens stays in motion. By day, she works as sales manager for Fredericksburg radio stations WGRX and WGRQ; by night, she choreographs the Wizard Girls. A former Redskins cheerleader and Wizard Girl herself, Owens is incredibly fit. Although fearful of flying, she once traveled to the Middle East to perform. “There’s no audience like the troops,” she says. She volunteers for Capitol Movement, providing dance scholarships to inner-city children. Owens examplfies inner beauty outshining outer beauty.
Skin Care: Loyal to Mary Kay products, she starts with Nia 24 Physical Cleansing Scrub, Mary Kay Purifying Refresher Formula 2 and Balancing Moisturizer. As a performer, she swears by Mary Kay’s Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover, which requires no scrubbing. Owens recommends Skinfinity for occasional microdermabrasion treatments.
Hair Care: Owens uses Garnier products on her stick-straight hair and never blow dries. She prefers hot rollers before a performance, and sometimes uses hair spray on her bangs. Although still searching for a salon to call home, she praises The Parisian Spa and Salon in Fredericksburg.
Make Up: She uses MAC “Nylon” or Trax” eye shadow and eyeliner, but no foundation. “Don’t cake stuff on; it’s not good for your skin.” She moisturizes everyday with Nivea or Johnson 24-Hour Moisturizer. Her favorite lip gloss is MAC Lacquer in shimmery Poco Pink, “It is versatile enough for sales calls and on stage.”
Kelly’s Style
While business oriented at the office, by night Owens prefers a laidback style. She prefers Fossil jeans and likes to look trendy, but not intimidating.
Beauty Philosophy
The biggest mistake people make, according to Owens, is using too much makeup. “Less is more,” she stresses. Owens defines beauty by the physical things you do for others without any expectation of reciprocation.
Can’t Live Without
Hand sanitizer
Having spent months in the hospital when her father was ill, she started using it to protect him. She still keeps bottles of it everywhere.
Retail Details
“I love shopping when I have money,” Owens says. Her favorite store is Express. She loves EDITOR pants and has a pair in every color, citing them as a great investment because they last. Nor can she resist DSW Shoes. “I am a shoe-a-holic, the Carrie Bradshaw of radio!” She’ll wear heels and ballet flats but “goes for uniqueness.”
40s
Galeet BenZion
41; Vienna
Education expert and former elite ballerina
Elegant and exotic, Galeet BenZion completed her Ph.D. in education at American University, then worked as a consultant specializing in mathematics and arts education. BenZion published research papers on movement and math, and until late 2008 served as principal at Shepherd Elementary School in Washington, D.C. Formerly, BenZion trained as a ballerina performing with international dance companies in the U.S. and abroad. An outdoor enthusiast, she spends time with her daughters riding bikes, planting their balcony garden and “having meaningful conversations that only mothers and daughters have.” She is currently writing, publishing and working in Northern Virginia.
Skin Care: BenZion is a fan of simplicity. She removes her eye makeup with Neutrogena’s oil-free product and washes her face with Cetaphil. Her skin and body remain in excellent physical condition by rafting, hiking, skiing, swimming and doing Pilates.
Hair Care: Among her other talents, BenZion is good with the shears. She cuts her own hair and styles it. She’s “blessed with wavy hair” and uses VO5 vanilla shampoo and conditioner with L.A. Looks hair gel. In addition, she says she loves the feel, scent and results that come from Biosilk Silk Therapy.
Makeup: BenZion prefers Prescriptives makeup brushes “because they are fantastically suited to the skin.” She uses MAC eyeliner and for blush, “I go by the seasons; summer reddish, and bluish and brownish colors for fall.”
Galeet’s Style
Believing it’s what’s inside that counts, BenZion keeps her look simple and quick.
Can’t Live Without
neutrogena Makeup remover comfortable shoes
“My dancing career led to hard-to-accommodate feet. A shoe must fit like a glove and feel like fluffy socks the first time I try it. I do not believe in breaking in shoes. Life is too short for that.”
Retail Details
Favorite stores include Macy’s, Bebe Miller and Old Navy. For a professional cut, she recommends Jones New York, Kaspar, Anne Klein and Tahari worn with a scarf, pearl necklace and earrings. For weekends, BenZion sports unique, handmade jewelry from Israel.
50s
Martha Raddatz
55; Arlington
ABC News senior foreign affairs correspondent and author
Slender and fresh-faced, Martha Raddatz has reported from Iraq 17 times since war was declared and wrote best-seller “The Long Road Home.” Raddatz shares “the nasty bathrooms” in a trailer at Iraq’s Camp Victory, “a prematurely named military base,” she jokes. In protective body armor with temperatures soaring to 130 degrees, Raddatz says makeup drips off. “The photographer can’t wait for you to repair it.” Her sense of humor belies the seriousness of her work. “The worse you look, the further away you stand.” The mother of two reports from Iran, Pakistan and other high-risk locations, insisting on seeing foreign policy on a level that’s both up close and personal.
Skin Care: Raddatz uses Clinique and Aveeno products for moisturizers and sunscreen. Working outdoors in a variety of climates, Raddatz demands a low-maintenance routine. Her one extravagance is body lotions, which are a must in heat and wind. Her favorites include Molton Brown and Crabtree & Evelyn. “If it smells good, it makes me feel better.”
Hair Care: Pantene hair products is all she needs.
Makeup: “We have great makeup people in the studio, but I normally don’t wear foundation.” She likes MAC chocolate-brown eye shadow and eyeliner and uses Lancome products.
Martha’s Style
Keeping it low-maintenance, Raddatz wears, simply, what makes her feel good.
Can’t Live Without
Clinique Comforting Cream Cleanser, Clinique Take the Day Off makeup remover, Aveeno Positively Radiant Moisturizer
Retail Details
Raddatz and other ABC employees frequent Betsy Fisher in D.C.’s Dupont Circle. She buys casual clothes from J.Crew. For formal functions, she likes Neiman Marcus. Her favorite color is pink, and when traveling requires a head wrap or cover-up, she brings along her favorite pink scarves that she found in Pakistan.
60s
Gaye Adegbalola
64; Fredericksburg
Blues musician and teacher
Regal, stunning Gaye Adegbalola laughs when asked her beauty secrets. “I am interesting looking,” she says modestly, “but if you knew me you’d never ask.” For a recent photo shoot, she donned sunglasses instead of makeup. Her album “Bitter Sweet Blues” was termed “brilliant” by critics, and Adegbalola still performs solo and locally with the band Saffire. Formerly an award-winning high-school science teacher, Adegbalola is a breast-cancer survivor. She and her partner of 17 years live together in old Fredericksburg.
Skin Care: Adegbalola uses Cetaphil to wash but no moisturizers on her face. For her body, she likes Queen Helene Almond Massage Cream because “black skin is typically dry, and Queen Helene isn’t sticky or greasy. It’s a bargain at Sally Beauty Supply, only $4.99 a jar.”
Hair Care: Her partner Suzanne cuts her hair every third week in a distinctive, triangular-shaped style designed by her son Juno. She keeps it looking shiny with Carol’s Daughter all-natural products and Proclaim coconut hair oil. To keep her locks from fading, she washes with Clairol Shimmering Lights shampoo.
Makeup: Adegbalola doesn’t wear makeup unless she’s on stage. Then she uses mascara, under-eye concealer and eye shadow from Fashion Fair or Clinique in shades of blue, gray or silver. She wears prescription Persols explaining solemnly, “Blues musicians wear sunglasses to hide their tears.”
Gaye’s Style
She shoots for comfort and a style that has meaning, like wearing African tops and jewelry.
Beauty Philosophy
“I have been blessed to do what I love,” says Adegbalola, who links that line of thinking to her appearance. Her style is always “guided by comfort.” She takes vitamins, climbs stairs and believes in regular health care. Keeping up with pap smears and mammography saved her life.
Can’t Live Without
Silver hoop earrings
She has seven holes in one ear and an ear cuff in the right.
Retail Details
Favorite stores are Kohl’s and Walmart. Adegbalola loves her African bracelets from Ghana. At home, she’s in red high-top sneakers, Birkenstocks or bib overalls. On stage, she wears one of five “hot outfits,” including white tails or black pantsuits with interesting tops. “I’ve still got some pretty good moves for an old broad.”
(February 2009)
Posted by The Editorial Desk / Friday, December 12th, 2008
These days, it doesn’t matter if you lean toward shabby chic or city sleek—or both. Satisfy all your decor dispositions without looking overdone. Fuse your fashion tastes without squandering your savings. Why hold back? Spring forward!
Fusion, Fabric, Flair and Frill
By Ashley Nichols / Portrait Photography by Hana Jung
What if we told you that you don’t have to choose between your passion for Guatemalan prints and French fabrics? What if you discovered a place for both your Antony Todd coffee table AND your Victorian chandelier? In this fabulous age of daring decor, it’s true … you really can have it all.
Fusion Design Combines the Best of Both Worlds
Most homeowners find themselves intimidated when they hear the expression “fusion design.” Maybe the word “fusion” conjures memories of junior high science lessons. Or maybe it’s a fear of not knowing how to balance anything outside of traditional decor. Combining decorative pieces pulled from different parts of the globe is a delicate art form, but the outcome can be absolutely spectacular. We turned to local designers who know their stuff when it comes to using fusion in design to see what tips they have to offer. Read on to see how they achieve great looks, and learn how you too can transform a drab space into an eclectic convergence. It’s not as difficult as it seems. And we promise—no protons. Once you let go of your fears, you just might be in for a cultural awakening.
Maureen McGough
Southwestern Contemporary
Maureen McGough of Maureen McGough Interior Design recently completed her vacation home in Scottsdale, Ariz. She couldn’t resist incorporating some subtle southwestern and American Indian details into her contemporary two-bedroom, two-bath house. McGough selected most of the furniture from Kravet’s contemporary collection, created with clean lines and soothing hues. In contrast, she incorporated pops of rust, turquoise and gold in pillows and other accent pieces. On her sectional sofa, she used pillows with Navajo-type beading and leather fringe, as well as rust-colored pillows with silver studs. In addition, she brought in a coffee table from French company Art Concept Design. The table is metal and has etchings of arrows and curvy lines that remind her of cave drawings.
The breakfast area also combines contemporary and southwestern styles by pairing a pedestal table and rustic chairs with a Navajo rug. McGough carefully selected her pieces to create a space that has southwestern inspirations but could just as easily be found in Northern Virginia. As advice to those wishing to use fusion in their design, she says to “let your environment be your inspiration, and always try to do something different.”
Carolin Schebish of Design Exchange Inc.
Asian American
Perhaps the most recognizable and popular fusion design today is found in rooms that include Chinese- and Japanese-inspired pieces. “Influence from the Orient is everywhere these days,” says Carolin Schebish of Design Exchange Inc. in Fairfax. She credits the trend to the serenity Asian design invokes. “Rooms also become less cluttered when we infuse this type of design.” People want to come home from their hectic days at work to more calming environments.
For one client, Schebish helped incorporate an obi (Japanese sash worn with a kimono) into a contemporary American room by having it stitched so that it hung evenly (and safely) over a rustic wooden rod above the fireplace. The walls of this family room were painted a Chinese red with a gold over-layer. These accents were grounded with contemporary furniture by Baker with soft, comfortable upholstery. A custom area rug with a minimal pattern and a black and gold table with curvy legs also proved to pair well; a Buddha statue served to complete the look.
For Schebish, fusing an American look with Oriental accents requires a fine balance. One of her favorite looks is a table with just two unevenly shaped planks that join together to make a Japanese-style table.
Smart Travel
How to Purchase Souvenirs with Design Savvy
By Cathy Cruise / Photography by Jonathan Timmes
McLean native Vern Yip of HGTV fame suggests making these considerations when fusing multi-cultural influences in the home: stature, passion and color scheme.
Planning an exotic summer trip? If you’re like most people, you’ll lug home an assortment of beloved souvenirs. Like that Chilean mask gazing down on the Grecian urn resting on the Guatemalan tapestry…
Hmm. Perhaps a few photos would suffice?
Don’t sweat it. It’s not hard to merge eclectic elements into stylish presentations. Designer Vern Yip of Trading Spaces fame (now on HGTV’s “Deserving Design” and “Design Star”) says successful fusion decor begins with preplanning.
When traveling, “keep basic color cues in mind,” Yip recommends. “The more disparate the elements in your room, the more you have to find a common thread, like color, pattern, sheen. I love finding things in white or neutral that will work with my color palette.”
And, he urges, think big. “People buy small items because they don’t want to carry large ones home. But little things never make a statement, and end up being just a bunch of things on your table.” Instead, the former McLean resident advised, purchase one larger, meaningful piece, and have it shipped.
Buying things designed for the tourist industry is another mistake to avoid. “Too many people shop at the airport,” he says. “Buy something that showcases the artisans of a region—silver work or embroidery, wood carvings, whatever. You may not make that journey again, so buy something great.”
Most importantly, choose with passion. “Only bring home things you absolutely love. There should be a story behind any memento.”
Rebecca Hubler of Designed Interiors
Euro Eclectic
For Rebecca Hubler of Designed Interiors in Annandale, a client’s taste is the most important element in the process. Most of her designs are what she considers eclectic and incorporate items that are significant to her clients. Whether that means a particular piece of furniture or a child’s craft project, she finds a way to create a room where the client’s favorite finds are at home.
Many European designs on the market are statement pieces. A white plaster bust of an Italian artist or a handheld Spanish fan can find its way into the mix and bring in European appeal when paired with a contemporary American look. As long as you follow the basic rules of design—a substantial piece here to balance out a lighter look there and a good room flow—the actual style or medium (antique wood, glass, brass) doesn’t matter in an eclectic room, Hubler says. What matters is how much you like each piece. And if you’re inspired by the new wave of European designs, there’s no harm adding them to the mix.
Turkish Hungarian
Last summer, Janet Browne of Janet Brown Interiors in Richmond traveled to Budapest and fell in love (with their designs, of course). She toured palaces where she saw gorgeous turquoise tile work. What took her breath away was the intensity of the tone. She had always thought of turquoise as an accent color, but in this case it worked as the primary color, with red as an accent.
The combination has been a hit in the design market. Ann Sacks completed a collection of tiles for Kohler based on it. Called Iznik after the Turkish town where they originated in the 16th century, they are hand-painted in rich colors and create a dramatic backsplash or bathroom wall when laid.
For a Hungarian fusion, these colors alone can inspire a room. Balance their richness with more neutral pieces of furniture, then add in accent pieces that repeat the turquoise and red, such as pretty pillows with intricate beading or Hungarian artwork.
June Shea of Shea Studio
African Western
When Springfield designer June Shea of Shea Studio Interiors worked with a gentleman client from Mongolia, the two strove to bring elements of his heritage into his new western abode. For his fireplace, they painted images of traditional African tools, utensils and musical instruments onto the surrounding tiles. In his kitchen, they did the same for his backsplash with an image of a cooking vessel. For his powder room, which would be seen by several of his international business guests when he entertained, they combined a traditional wallpaper and border with a cheetah print ceiling, a wrought iron sink base resembling a tree, and locally bought African-inspired artifacts. “I try to use an eclectic mix in everything,” Shea says. “In this case, fusion was about including things that were personal to my client.”
Shea also works for clients who travel frequently and come home with objects of inspiration. In both types of cases, she aims to balance homeowners’ interests and create a signature look. For Shea, fusion is a way to make design personal for a client. Setting something striking against traditional decor allows the conversation element, say a cheetah ceiling, to stand out.
Be Smart About Art
Investing in art can be a daunting experience. Will you still like it in 10 years? How should it be framed? Before you dip into your savings, keep a few of these tidbits from designer Carolin Schebish in mind.
It isn’t always art that’s pricey. Sometimes framing can run a pretty penny. Never buy a cheap piece of art just to make it look better with an expensive frame.
Try seeking out local art. Look for originals or limited editions.
Don’t buy inexpensive reproductions of famous paintings. Everyone knows they’re not originals.
At the end of the day, it really comes down to whether you love something. Don’t buy it if you can’t say that you absolutely do. If you really love it now, then you’ll still love it when you’ve had it for 20 years.
Another good idea is to shop around on www.etsy.com. Several new artists and craftsters sell their wares through stores on the sites, and some offer very unique pieces for fair prices.
Invest in one good piece that you really like, then hang other accessories to complement it. Try Oriental screens or antique plates that add character to the wall without breaking the bank.
Defining Decor
Understanding a New Era of Design
Just what does “modern fusion” mean anyway? What, exactly, qualifies a room as “contemporary”? Before you call the interior design help line, improve your vogue vocab with our nifty glossary.
Modern
Think modern and contemporary are synonymous? Think again. Modern is for those who like bare, striking decor, like stark white walls with industrial ceilings and minimalist furniture. Peggy Golden of Golden Interiors in Fairfax Station says polished, stainless steel furniture made of unexpected materials like Lucite is common in modern decor, and recommends it for commercial over residential spaces. Modern design is often found in New York, whereas Northern Virginians tend to soften it by mixing hues of softer white with ivory throws, or using tone-on-tone fabrics.
Traditional
Susan Ashley Donelson of Cleveland Hall Design in Alexandria says her clients want “elegant but not stuffy.” They continue to use Oriental rugs and wood-framed furniture with detailed legs, antique casegoods and reproductions, but with more functional updates. Furniture is slightly distressed, not “antiqued,” a quality that is more forgiving to scratches. Upholstery fabrics like chenille and ultrasuede are more resistant to spills. Floors are protected with custom sisal or seagrass rugs and carpeting. The lines are soft, but the feel is not old-English stiff.
Contemporary
As builders construct larger and larger homes, a need for designs that look good in oversize rooms is rising. Golden notes that a contemporary look offers clean lines and comfortable seating. Technological advancements like flat-screen plasma televisions call for sectionals and sofas with low arms that allow for relaxed reclining. In the kitchen, granite countertops and stainless steel rule the roost. On walls, contemporary designs lean toward faux finishes.
Art Deco-Inspired
Art deco, which has origins in France, often uses clean, architectural lines and repeat geometric shapes in fabric. Characteristically, the look calls for accents like sunbursts and dramatic use of glass. Kathy Alexander of Alexander Interiors in McLean says the look is now done with a more limited palette. Very popular today are mirrored pieces of furniture, which work best with blacks and neutrals. Alexander advises clients not to overdo it. “Oftentimes people will just keep buying more stuff to try to achieve a look,” she says. “I go in and have to remove almost 50 percent of the accessories.”
Get That Look
Dabble in Design with a Few DIY Tips
Don’t let the thought of redecorating send you weeping into your faded drapes. Consider a few pro tips for do-it-yourself tricks.
Modernize
Whether you want to go a little more modern in your design, or you just love white, be sure to pick a shade that will be pleasing, not harsh, to the eye. One trick Peggy Golden preaches is trying to aim for a peachy-pink white. People tend to look good against it, and you want to feel like you look good in your own home.
Customize
For a cohesive feel in a large contemporary home with hardwood floors, have custom area rugs made. Repeating the same medium, like seagrass or sisal, with a thick border can give your home a styled appeal and create a flow from one room to the next.
Downsize
Take the size of your room into consideration, and never shop without a measuring tape. Kathy Alexander says that she often sees clients who have fallen in love with a sofa that is simply too large for their living room. Likewise, for a house with high ceilings and large windows, have curtains made to completely cover the frames.