a LIFE of STYLE

OMNI+ PRISM BY KARIM RASHID - $499.95I spent Saturday night in Williamsburg, Brooklyn at the launch party for Omni + furniture at the coolest mid-century minded furniture store - two jakes.   The Omni+ line is a welcome addition to the modernist minded shopper who appreciates clean lines and minimal clutter.  OMNI+ VAIL FIFTY BY KARIM RASHID - $599.95 Typically there is a great reality check when mid century decorating meets 21st century entertainment systems with cords and cables that could support life on Mars!  That's where Omni+ enters the equation.   Having been in the business of helping homes and offices clean up their act with mounts of all kinds for over 30 years as Omnimount, the company is no stranger to trying to achieve a more organized space.  

Williamsburg is always fun and there are a million things to do.   two jakes is a great destination for all things mid-century, industrial  and like minded accessories.   The store has a great selection of Eames furniture & Bisley cabinets - two of my favorite collections! Kimberly Fabiano, Betsey Banker, Jason Jobson, Anthony Santelli, & Christophe Pourny

Omni+ pieces were on display around the store that is oh so Williamsburg in it's laid back approach.   Omni+ enlisted design world superstar Karim Rashid to design some of the new collection and Rashid was on hand as well with his beautiful wife.  SUPER CHIC BETSEY BANKER Also in the crowd - Anthony Santelli of Martha Stewart Living and furniture restoration guru - Christophe Pourny. There was a big fashion infusion this night for a typically casual Williamsburg.    A few girls could have walked right off a Paris runway! 

Two jakes is enough of a reason to hop over to Williamsburg any afternoon.  WILLIAMSBURGER MINT SHAKEIf you get hungry, head to Williamsburger nearby.   They have the best burgers in the neighborhood, and mint milshakes - which is reason enough in my book to go to Brooklyn!    To check out the pieces from the new collection, click Omni+

Furniture restorer to the stars, Christophe Pourny, returns to the Martha Stewart Show today to share the age old technique of Linen Wrapped Furniture.   

CHRISTOPHE POURNY & MARTHA STEWARTA centuries old process that originated in the Far-East, the technique was used to prevent moisture from seeping into spices and dry goods loaded on ships setting sail across the world.    The French port of Marseilles was one major destination for boatloads of exotic cargo.  It is here that French merchants saw the linen wrapping technique - and saw it for so much more than just barrels and crates.    The middle of the 19th century saw the birth of the "leisure" traveler.   For the first time in history, rich, non-royals were planning excursions and setting up summer homes in more comfortable climates.     As this was long before the days of Fed-Ex and Wheelie suitcases - the logistics where nothing short of a nightmare. VINTAGE LOUIS VUITTON TRUNK  Custom built cases wrapped in water-proofed fabric changed everything.    Suddenly, there was a practical way to move ones belongings from one house to another.   The inspiration for the Louis Vuitton trunk was here!   Ironically, what was once the most "practical" invention evolved into a symbol of ultimate luxury.

Christophe Pourny has been restoring and creating furniture for his well heeled clientele for 15 years.    Born and raised in the South of France, Pourny calls New York home.     His classic approach, with a modern execution is what makes him a unique resource to clients.   LINEN WRAPPED TABLE - AT DUANE French Polish is a specialty of the studio, as is custom finishes, and custom furniture designs.

The two side table bases are Bagues, a French company known for their brilliant bronze work. The guys at Duane Antiques in Tribeca were kind enough to loan these two wonderful examples of bases in need of a new top.   The side tables would be a chic addition to any room.   charming on their own, or also placed together to create a coffee table.   The solid bronze Bagues bases with custom linen-wrapped tops, made for the Martha Stewart show by Christophe Pourny will be available at Duane.  The beautiful mid-century console table featured on the show was also from Duane.   Please contact the store for more information on these tables, or to inquire about their extensive inventory of furniture.

New York Antique Restoration Specialist Christophe Pourny is featured this week in the coveted "Saturday Shopping" section on www.1stdibs.com. As most of my readers know, 1st dibs is the premiere shopping site for antique and period furniture, estate jewelry, and now vintage fashion.   The brainchild of founder Michael Bruno, 1st dibs has a loyal following that stretches from Dallas to Dubai!   What better way to browse the collections of the worlds most discriminating eyes.  Especially when you can do it in your bathrobe, having your first cup of coffee.Modele Rue Jacob Mirror - Christophe Pourny

Saturday Shopping is a weekly feature on 1st dibs that showcases the favorite picks of new listings from an industry expert, this week- Christophe Pourny.

 It is a busy time for Christophe Pourny Studio.   Just last month, Pourny saw the first model in his new furniture collection hung in ID Collection in Dallas & Houston.   "Modele Rue Jacob" is a beautiful example of high gloss black lacquer, featuring 18k gold leaf.   A wonderfully proportioned mirror that is regal and modern at the same time.   Architectural Digest - November 2009

If that weren't enough, Pourny's work is also featured in the November issue of Architectural Digest.   The issue has Michael Jackson on the cover, as the magazine gives you a look inside Jackson's strange world and his large furniture collection.    While Pourny's work is featured in the story on NY designer Marjorie Shushan, coincidentally, Pourny had done some work for Michael Jackson in the late 90's when Jackson had an apartment in Trump Tower.  The issue is on newsstands now, and you can go "Saturday Shopping" any day with Christophe at www.1stdibs.com.

FRENCH LINES PRESS - EPOCA, SAN FRANCISCO The Basque (from Bilboa to Biarritz) and Toulouse (think foie gras & cassoulet) regions are only about 100 miles  from each other in the South West of France.   While relatively close by modern standards, the two areas probably seemed like different worlds just a few hundred years ago.  

I was recently in San Francisco and found a great example of  French woodworking rarely seen in the United States.   I was in the design district to attend a book signing by Susanna Salk.   Susanna is a well known design diva who regularly appears on the Today Show and is a major contributor for www.1stdibs.com.    Susanna's latest book - Weekend Retreats is a wonderful look inside some of the chicest second homes in Connecticut's Litchfield county.

The party was hosted by one of the largest stores in the design district - Epoca.   Known for it's unique collection and impeccable taste, Epoca is a must for anyone who is passionate about home decor.  

One piece that stopped me in my tracks was a French Linen Press in Walnut.   This beautiful example of French woodworking is rarely seen in the United States.   I was immediately reminded of a piece I know from NYC.   While the two look very similar, a closer look reveals there is a major difference.FRENCH LINEN PRESS - CHRISTOPHE POURNY, NYC

The piece at Epoca is from the Basque region, shown by the concentric circles prominently displayed.  The oxblood stain and the twisted carving shows a strong Spanish influence.

The second piece is physically larger, but the real difference  is found in the carving.    Pointe de diamant or Diamond Points is a very typical design found in the Toulouse region.   This piece is part of the private collection of Christophe Pourny.    Both are from the 17th century and fine examples of artisanal detail and would be the focal point of any room they would decorate. 

To see more items in the EPOCA collection, shop the store on their website -  EPOCA , or visit -1stDibs.  

To buy Susanna's book, click Amazon.