#hetravelschic | The Black Beach of Vik, Iceland

If you have been following my posts, it is probably pretty obvious at this point that black is my color of choice.  So you can clearly imagine my excitement when I discovered the black beaches of Vik . This magical place is definitely in the top five on my #hetravelschic list.

Close to the shoreline are large, protruding basalt rocks that have been pounded by the seas over the years.  The black beaches that stretch along the shores are made from eroded black basalt sand.  If this mythical island isn’t awe-inspiring enough, the Katla volcano also lies underneath.  Cliffs and caves play neighbor to the rougher seas surrounding the island, and provide insane vantage points to stop and take in the beauty.  The sandy shores are also home to a variety of wildlife, including one of my personal favorites, puffins. Aside from being a highly evolved and fascinating species, puffins also totally #chicapproved with their black, white and grey coats.

With cool, wet summers and milder winters, Vik offers the perfect setting for exploring and shooting.  Black beaches, caves, cliffs and puffins? How could you not want to visit this mystical island?

X,

#hefindschic

Photo Cred | Jon Reid

Welcome, You've Clicked for #chic

You’ve clicked for #chic.  In design we have the freedom to be creative and evoke emotions through our art.  Working within the design world as an interior designer allows me to see and experience this everyday. I wanted to create another outlet, though.  One where I could actually speak the language of #chic through words and pictures.  So what is #chic? It’s quite simple, actually. Impeccable design, effortlessly cool fashions, game changing products, visceral music and mouth watering food. I envision it as a “dictionary of chic.”  A sort of hit list of things- both tangible and intangible- that offers the #chicfactor.  Once you start following this blog, you’ll get what I mean. If you just finished reading this post, you’ve already allowed for #chic to come into your life. Welcome in.

X,

#hefindschic

#colorchic Upper West Side Apartment

One of the most exciting and inspiring parts of my job as an in-house designer for Homepolish is that I am able to connect with amazing clients all over the city. I recently had the privilege and opportunity to work with #chiccouple, Becky and Justin, on their Upper West Side pied-à-terre. Since the apartment is a haven away from their main NJ residence, they wanted something a tad different and exciting. Although they did not have an exact vision for how the apartment would ultimately look, Becky and Justin did know that color needed to be involved in a chic way. An incredible art collection that the couple had curated over the years provided me with all the color inspiration I needed to transform the blank and empty space to something #major.

After selecting key pieces such as the sectional and bookshelves, I started working around the white and teal color palette. Wanting to add bolder pops of color, I purchased the coffee and side tables from the MoMa store. I then added the tulip dining table featuring a custom, marble top and solid brass base to bring an element of luxury and sleekness into space. ABC Carpet & Home never fails to deliver with their endless rug selection, and I was able to score the perfect patch-work rug. Finally, I am always inspired by vintage floor lamps so I knew I hit the #jackpot when I found a 1960’s chrome floor lamp. To give the illusion of one solid piece, I purchased chrome-tipped bulbs to up this antique’s #chicfactor.

Although I felt like I had a strong team of pieces, I knew I needed a #captain. When Becky and I walked into Jonathan Adler and saw these beauties, we both squealed in glee. The Rider dining chairs were the #kingsandqueens of this apartment and added a final touch of worldly sophistication. In addition to the fab poufs that we also scooped up at JA, the room was almost complete.

If I knew one thing for sure, it was that Becky and Justin’s incredible and colorful art collection needed to be front and center. By leaving the walls painted a clean white, I set the rooms up for the colors to speak the loudest. Following a method I use for most of the gallery walls I work on, I strategically laid each piece out, first. Designer tip: When positioning a gallery wall, I’ve learned that by placing your smaller pieces in the center of your gallery wall, you can more easily arrange your larger pieces around them. The variety draws your eyes into multiple places, instead of a just one, central focal point. In the end, you’re left with a much more dynamic and #chicapproved arrangement.

The master bedroom needed to be light, comfortable and an extension of the living and dining rooms. When I design, it is very important to me to keep consistency between the rooms. Since #teal was the wining color for Becky and Justin, we bought this insane tufted headboard. In addition to adding some masculinity into the room, the nightstands also reflected the texture of the patch-work rug in the living room. Two DWR lamps, a concealed standing desk and simple vanity + floor mirror combo added functionality without compromising the aesthetic of the room. After spotting the perfect bedding at ABC Home, we were almost to the finish line! Handcrafted in Vietnam, this abcdna bedding collection added the subtle pop of color we needed for the room. With its chic, pink-dyed threads & needlepoint black stitching, this bedding definitely brought the design together.

Adding accessories to this #colorchic apartment was the final touch. A couple accent lights, an ombre throw, some books and fresh florals brought an air of warmth and hominess. My favorite detail, though, was the rich black chalkboard succulent pots I found to house the green beauties we picked up. Since art played such a central role in the apartment design, as well as in Becky and Justin’s lives, I thought it would be a fun and #playfulchic idea to write the names of their favorite artists on the black pots. Perched in strategic places around the #colorchic apartment, Degas, Rumi & Picasso now have front-row seats to #chic. Enjoy the show, boys.

X,

#hedesignschic

Photo Cred | Claire Esparros

#hebeachchic

Summer is here and for the East Coast, that means BEACH TIME! We all rally our friends for day trips or week long stays here in NYC, and head out to our go-to summer beach spots.  The one thing I think we all stress about is what to stuff in the beach bag.  You know that nagging fear that you are forgetting something? Or, that you just haven’t packed enough?  I go through this headache every year and I wanted to share some picks for this season’s #hebeachchic bag.  Ok ok, maybe not all of the items are what’s  in my bag (i.e., the uber chic Alexander Wang surfboard), but a guy can dream, right? Of course, everything is #chicapproved and guaranteed to make you stand out on those sandy shores. So, when are we #beachinit?

Links below.

X,

#hefindschic #hebeacheschic

TOP 10 ITEMS

1. Alexander Wang + Haydenshapes-Marble Surfboard
2. The Mirrored Sunglass-Leonard Round-Frame Matte-Acetate Mirrored Sunglasses
3. Beats by dre-Studio Wireless
4. The universal fitted flat brim hat-1K Hats
5. ASOS Swim Trunks-Trunk w/ Stripe
6. Bitch Repellent-Secret Mix
7. Black & White Beach Ball
8. Gore Dean Home-Black & White Stripped Towel
9. Metallic Shoes-Zara Metallic Boat Shoes
10. ASOS Backpack-Column Backpack

#helistenschic

Anytime I’m staging, installing a project or even just running to catch a subway, I always need my chic playlist on. Into my own creative wonderland I go. I’m definitely working through a moody, indie-pop phase right now. A bunch of UK indie vocal artists are especially #makinmyheadroll.  People often ask what I’m listening to, or want me to send them some of the non-mainstream artists that I’m listening to at the moment. I want to share a monthly playlist on the blog —

#helistenschic.  All you have to do is search for #hefindschic in Spotify, subscribe and stream for #chic. This is the most current list of artists and songs I’m working to right now and I think you’ll find them pretty head roll-worthy, too.

#helistenschic

#listenchic