So here’s the test post from my iPhone.
I have had a really busy and productive day and am hoping this is a successful conclusion to it.
The last pic is of us unwinding by the pool. Loving the 85 degree weather.
The others are moments from this past week.
On one of our house hunting trips, we got off the metro and saw a pair of deer.
See the pictures with the wild green? Those are part of a property of a housein Tacoma Park, MD. We saw the acreage before finding the actual structure is condemned.
Another one is of a bike ride Paul and I took to old town Alexandria waterfront from our house.
Ta
SO I am back, after what seems like forever. Even though I was MIA, I missed you all. Believe me when I say I’ve been crazy busy. House hunting (don’t ask! I know I know buying a house is never easy!), restructuring at work ( this comes with its challenges as well), web design projects (deadlines), interiors projects (deadlines), green card renewal (hopefully for the last time), travel.
Aah travel. The excitement of traveling has grown with the addition of iPhones to our Apple family (our house looks like Apple threw up in it).
My new travel and daily accessory (more like an extension of my palm) – iPhone promises to help me post on-the-go. The capabilities of the new iPhone have not only made life more efficient, but also I don’t know how I managed without it. The GPS is really helpful, as is dialing out by clicking on the number from a web page feature. I have been testing the Wordpress application on it and it looks great. Expect a “posted via Manvi Drona-Hidalgo’s iPhone post soon. 
Have any of you been using it for blogging? Do share!
So with all this going on, I still have time to think about Portugal, Buenos Aires, San Francisco and St. Thomas. Why? These are all the places I hope to travel to before the end of this year 
jasiot
kat on flickr
joana
theblacazar
Buenos Aires Design Center
Ritz @ St. Thomas US VI
Ritz @ St. Thomas US VI
French Laundry
Now back to design.
WINK – Wall Ink.
What if you could change your wall decor as often as you wanted? WINK decals let you change your walls, mirrors, floors, ceilings, and doors as often as you like.
Take a look at these designs and dont forget their work is completely customizable. Now if only I could find a house to WINK my walls with.
With a little imagination, these decals can add an interesting feature to your room. Thanks Surabhi Gupta from San Francisco for sending me their info.
I am amazed how intuitive Dwell Magazine’s design team is. Three days ago I updated my facebook status expressing frustration at some of the homes in the DC metro area and that I was looking for information on prefab homes. Yesterday, after reading Christopher Bright’s post on Method prefab homes on my Google Reader, I decided to search their site for more on Prefab homes. How did I not notice that they have a whole section on them? Thanks Dwell for the info.
I find the natural look of these homes appealing. Prefab homes or prefabricated homes are dwellings manufactured off-site in advance, usually in standard sections that can be easily shipped and assembled. Modern alternative to building from scratch. But am yet to assess the pros and cons. Do you know one way or another? Drop me a line in comments if you do.
Read more about prefab homes on Dwell.com.
Architects behind the Method (image 2) design are Balance Associates Architects based out of Seattle, WA. Take at look some of their other work. But prepare to not look at your current dwelling the same.
So many of you have sent me emails asking what Aspen is like in the summer. So I thought of compiling you these pictures to let them speak for themselves. The first image is Aspen in the winter by the pool at the Ritz. Can you imagine just skiing 2 feet away from the residence? And jumping straight into the jacuzzi after a full day on the slopes? Its pure luxury! Such a treat.
Instead of a regular interior design post, I thought I’d share some Aspen moments with you.
Poolside at the Ritz in winter
Aspen in the summer is gorgeous. I am yet to see such a wide variety of flowers in bloom anywhere else. Something about the Colorado sun really makes the colors of these flowers deeper and more intense. Great hiking and biking trails, shopping and lunches in downtown. And happy people everywhere. Its a designers vacation with all the art galleries and gorgeous kazillion dollar homes.
Poolside in the Ritz in summer
Family room at the Ritz residences
kids playing at the water fountain in downtown Aspen (photographs by Paul Hidalgo)
Shopping downtown Aspen
Farmer’s market
Bear sculpture made of nails
gorgeous retreat homes all around
Harvey Meadows Gallery for contemporary ceramic art
Aspen Antiques and Fine Arts Fair
This annual fair has something for everyone. Well everyone with really deep pockets and people who love to look at antiques. Paintings, sculpture, silver, furniture, porcelain, glass, collectibles, art deco, antique lighting and jewelery. The last image is of a an art deco card table that I fell in love with and tried real hard to get the best shot of it. That was all I could afford on this 150K plus antique.
You will be tempted to touch.
This past weekend we were in Aspen. I love Aspen in the summer almost as much as I love it in winters. Walking through downtown Aspen is always filled with cultural and culinary treats. I could spend days in the art galleries there. This one in particular. Pismo Fine Art Glass. This gallery exhibits sculptural glass art from various designers. Each piece is so unique and intricate. I am curious to visit a studio and experience the process behind this level of skill, patience and imagination. I was told that the Denver gallery exhibits an even larger collection. I know what I am doing for half a day when I’m in Denver for Thanksgiving.
This last one is by Dale Chihuly. I find his work fascinating. Some of his work appears to come straight out of a modern day Alice in wonderland set. Some of the pieces don’t even look like glass. And the wonderful use of colors bought to life by light. Here are some of his installations.
If you are in Colorado, close to Denver, Beaver Creek, Vail or Aspen, take some time to visit the Pismo Art Gallery. Even the best pictures don’t hold a candle to seeing these fragile pieces in person.
“Les Indiennes”
“When Mary Mulcahy first developed an interest in Indian textiles, she wanted fabrics that were as she envisioned them – fresh and simple, authentically Indian, yet pleasing to the western eye.”
Mary together with Indian designer Srinivas Pitchuka design eco-friendly fabrics using the ancient art of Kalamkari.”Kalamkari is an intricate process, requiring 40 days, great skill and untold patience. Sun bleached naturally dyed cottons are hand-blocked with carved wood dipped in Ayurvedic dyes derived from plants, roots, earth and rock.” Isn’t hand-blocking fun? I think I will plan a hand-blocking party soon. I wish I hadn’t changed my mind about picking some hand-blocks up in Delhi or ABC store in NY. Next time then.
I am in love with their bedding. So Summer in India. If you are familiar with FabIndia and Jaipuri prints you will love their collection. I have been meaning to feature decor8 for sometime and when I saw her post on my google reader today I felt this is the best post to introduce you to decor8 and Les Indiennes. Holly, thanks for introducing them to us. I am addicted to decor8. Read decor8’s post and flip through Les Indiennes collection on their website.
I’m off to Aspen this weekend and am looking forward to Ritz service.
From 212 new york skyline dinnerware to everyday glassware, airline flatware to T-shirts, Fish’s Eddy is a must see store in the Flat Iron/Union Square area of Manhattan.
I just have to stop by the store even when we are running really late. And I always come back with an eclectic mix of coffee cups, shot glasses, sauce cups, and an olive boat (pic soon).
Their signature pattern is homage to the skyline of New York City. And these are worth the extra block or two walk from union square park or coffee shop.
The story of how the owners started Fish’s Eddy is uniquely inspiring. They got their first collection from a barn somewhere in the midwest. Though the barn had recently been ruined by a terrible fire, it had dinnerware that survived and screamed for a new kitchen! Stacks of plates, cups, platters from hotels, restaurants and diners. The adventure resulted in a youthful, eclectic, fun store filled with surprises and treats.
Don’t forget to dish it out at Fish’s Eddy. Pick up a grand central, central park and Brooklyn platter. They are located at 889 Broadway, New York, NY 10003 (corner of 19th street).
Amy Lau Design is no stranger to the blogsphere or tv, or any other media. How could she be? She’s got Central Park to Chelsea, Greenwich, to Elie Tahari and even Miami chanting praises for her work! Rightfully so – her designs are inspiring, vibrant, and so..alive! I share her passion for nature and designing around elements from nature. She uses interesting light fixtures to create drama. Look how fun her work looks with those geometric shapes. Here is a peek at her portfolio.
I’m curious to find out if this coffee table is from Kings Road Home. A really inspiring find in SoHo. I had featured some of their work a while back under store spotted.
I’m off to the big bad apple tomorrow for the long weekend. Will be back with a bunch of goodies and stores spotted for you. I haven’t packed yet and we are leaving early afternoon. I hate packing. I want a packing aayah (nanny).
Meow!
