ridiculously expensive « Elements of Style Blog

Archive for the ‘ridiculously expensive’ Category

Monday, May 10th, 2010

I’ve been enamored of Sara Ruffin Costello for a while now- she of Domino creative director fame and this living room- probably the room most associated with her former employer:

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Apparently I am ridiculously clueless because I had no idea her husband was my FAVORITE interiors/lifestyle photographer Paul Costello. As if the living room + clever husband wasn’t enough to conjure some lifestyle lust, I then find out their West Village home in on the market- the one with the kitchen that is featured in the Domino book…… for $13 million bucks! Whaaaaaaaaaaat?!?! I still find it baffling and amazing when couples in their mid-thirties own homes with price tags like that. I did the mortgage calculator on that sale price just to amuse myself- and even if you could scrounge up the $2.5 million down payment- your monthly mortgage payment would be about $60,000. Am I the only one whose mind is blown by that number?

Anywhoo- here is the home. My question is…if you lived here, why would you EVER want to leave?

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1177618_127721_l Wonder if they are selling it furnished? :)

Posted in lifestyle lust, real estate, ridiculously expensive | 34 Comments »

Thursday, August 20th, 2009

Dear Sultan Chic,
I am madly in love with you and all your beautiful items. I am certain you would exponentially increase my daily joy. But yet, you torture me with prices I can’t afford. I guess our love will have to be from afar. *shedding tear*
xoxo,
E

Posted in online shopping, ridiculously expensive | 17 Comments »

Monday, February 16th, 2009

I hope you all had a lovely weekend filled with chocolates and flowers and big smooches. I was taken out to a lovely dinner by my hubby at Mooo, a steakhouse in the posh XV Beacon hotel in Beacon Hill. We were a bit skeptical since what used to be in Mooo’s place was an amazing restaraunt called The Federalist- we had one of the most spectacular dining experiences there many years ago and I loved the decor SO much! But Mooo really held it’s own (despite the giggle inducing name). The decor was sleek and calming and the service impeccable. Oh, and they served up the best rolls I’ve ever tasted which made me way too full for my entree (which included a steak and parmesean white truffle oil fries) and forced me to skip dessert! On Valentines day! The horror! Anyways here are some images:

Of course when I sat down I immediately took note of all the trimmings and was pleasantly shocked to see my favorite Match pewter trimmed plates! I love this place setting and kind of wish it had been on my registry when I got married instead of delicate fine china. Not to mention, they were sitting atop beige Chilewich place mats and set with my FAVE wine glasses by Schott! A perfect table setting!!!

Some images of the hotel itself- a great modern take on the old school Boston Brahmin look:

And in a sweet gesture, the hubby gave me one of the Dogeard necklaces I posted about a ways back, proving that he DOES read my blog and take note! :)

Posted in dinnerware, food and drink, ridiculously expensive | 9 Comments »

Thursday, November 20th, 2008

They say that hardware is like jewelry for your furniture- if that’s the case, these Baldwin Couture knobs and levers are the Cartier of hardware. Sleek, classically designed and drop dead yummy- and available to view in a 360 degree spin on their high tech site. Starting at $372 a knob though, it’ll take a Cartier wallet to pay for them too. Ahh, the price of beauty… ;)

Posted in because i love it, ridiculously expensive | 4 Comments »

Tuesday, November 18th, 2008

I’m just madly in love with the cover of the Domino decorating book, which happens to be de Gournay’s Portobello wallpaper. To me, there is nothing more fantastic that a dining room done in beautiful chinoiserie paper paired with more modern furniture- the play of the elegant and worldly with the modern and clean lined is just fantastic. However, affording to use one of these hand painted papers on four whole walls is another ball game entirely!!! Instead of forgoing rent/mortgage payments/cars/kid’s college funds you can get a similar effect from framing cuts of these papers. I found a wonderful selection from Decorator’s Secret on Vintage and Modern. Not only do they have full length panels available, they also offer harder to find smaller cuts of the papers, which would cost less to frame and are easier to find space for.

The long cuts – between $75-$1,000 (the blue one makes me weak in the knees…)

The smaller cuts, 30″h x 22″ w for $425!

closeups of some of the smaller cuts:

If you CAN afford to put some hand painted silk wallcovering in your home, another vendor to check out is Paul Montgumery Studios. I love his bright color choices and also his more subdued ones as well!

From PMS’s studio line I found this less expensive paper, which I think would be incredibly fun in a powder room or a woman’s walk in closet!

Posted in Inspirations, because i love it, ridiculously expensive | 6 Comments »

Thursday, October 30th, 2008

I was at the Schumacher showroom yesterday chatting with the lovely manager when she excitedly told me she had something to show me. She came out of the back with a new book called “Nest” which are these unbelievable new “wall coverings” (I feel silly calling them that because covering a wall in them, while totally fabulous, would be the cost of a new car). Each panel, which is roughly 118″x38″ is paper backed and covered in the most amazing little feathers you’ve ever seen (don’t worry, no birds are harmed, they probably in nicer conditions than most humans). Pictures do not even BEGIN to do this stuff justice- it is so magnificent. Imagine framing a panel and putting it in an entryway…talk about a statement piece!

Feathers are huge right now in fashion, again, showing the translation from runway to hallway…

Images via F. Schumacher, Style.com and J.Crew

Posted in crazy awesome, ridiculously expensive | 8 Comments »

Thursday, September 25th, 2008

I came across the site for Architectural Artifacts in Chicago while perusing a magazine- I finally went onto the site this morning and uncovered a great selection of furniture, architectural elements and accessories from around the world and throughout history. Adding older, worn antiques to your home, especially a new construction home, is a wonderful way to give it depth and weight, not to mention boatloads of character. You don’t want everything to be bright, shiny and new- or all very expensive (or all very cheap, for that matter). The high/low-old/new mix is ESSENTIAL to creating a personalized, rich space that you feel comfortable enough to really LIVE in, but also proud to show off!
Here are some of my finds from the site-enjoy!

Adding an architectural salvage mantle to a new construction home is a great way to add character!! Below are polished iron and limestone ($28k!) mantles

Also, using old doors and gates can really individualize a space- this door below made me swoon, as did this pair of gates!

Putting some modern, new dining chairs around an old table (the top one is an old candy making table from Argentina) can look so special and unique.

This glass and iron cabinet below is something I might give up my first born for. LOVES IT!

Imagine this container rack in the ultimate chef’s kitchen for spices, sugar, flour, etc.

Wooden garden obelisks- amazing.
I wouldn’t mind having this old 1930’s sign in my office! :)

These hanging iron garden chairs are from an ice cream parlor in Argentina! How charming is that back story?

Posted in antiques, design tips, renovation resources, ridiculously expensive | 7 Comments »

Tuesday, September 9th, 2008

I saw this FABULOUS pink woodgrain desk (below) in O at Home Magazine and had to check out the website of the company that makes it called Duc Duc. Turns out it’s a youth desk (big enough for an adult-as is all the youth furniture) and their stuff is INSANELY awesome, and really expensive- naturally.

The interior drawer colors below are customizable and I am dying over this bench seat!

The fabric panels on all the furniture are COM- imagine the possibilities (if you want to spend $1,500+ on a crib- which I will- sorry honey!)

The leather strap details on this daybed are such perfection.

A perfectly hip nursery.

A incredibly chic kids room.

Posted in modern furniture, nursery, ridiculously expensive | 3 Comments »

Monday, July 21st, 2008

(images from Traditional Home Magazine)

I have always loved conservatories. They are the definition of charm and fine living- on a sunny day or rainy one, sitting inside one with a stack of magazines and some music would be pure heaven! I saw an article in Traditional Home about one of the owners of Marston & Langiger, the premier glass building company, home office and just about died of jealousy. I love how her office isn’t in one of her fancy conservatory outbuildings, but rather an old barn with doors refitted with glass panes. However, I wouldn’t mind working out of any of these:

They also have a line of furniture, accessories, paint, lighting and amazing doors! I am loving the beaded trim pendant below for a country-chic kitchen!

Posted in Inspirations, amazing find, antiques, architecture, ridiculously expensive | 3 Comments »

Tuesday, September 11th, 2007

Jane Birkin. Jackie O. Grace Kelly.

Some of the most fashionable women in history all adored, and ultimately inspired, this brand. But Hermes is much more than just beautiful silk scarves and handbags with 6 year long waiting lists. It seems these days you can’t open a shelter magazine without seeing the Hermes “H” wool and cashmere blanket (above) draped over a couch arm or end of a bed. If I had this $900 blanket, I’d probably drape it over MYSELF and wear it every day for that price! It’s simple color block scheme is very modern; and the subtle, yet in your face branding is desirable- for those of us who can pay $900 for a throw. But no watching movies with buttery popcorn snuggled in this beautiful number…no, no.

True to the iconic label’s history, the look they present in their home and personal accessory lines is pure, classic good taste- and that, my friends, you can’t put a price on.

Posted in ridiculously expensive | 3 Comments »