Chic Design Reality Show Scoop

I really don't like design shows on television. If I see one more messy house or piece of painted plywood furniture, I'm going to go postal! That's why I was excited to hear that some of our favorite designing divas are currently shooting a pilot for what they are touting as a "chic design reality show." Former Domino editor Sara Ruffin Costello and former House & Garden editor Kim Gieske, who also do design work, will pull back the curtain on the design world of New York which will include appearances by their equally chic friends including Celerie Kemble, Cynthia Frank and Lucy Sykes. No word yet if their designer friend Miles Redd has agreed to be join the reality show realm but I am definitely keeping my fingers crossed! I bet he'd be fun to watch! I do know that they will be shooting at Sara's show stopping townhouse in the West Village, seen here, and at ICFF so if you see some chic design people being filmed, make sure you say hello!

Photos by Paul Costello and The New York Times

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Chic Design Reality Show Scoop

I really don't like design shows on television. If I see one more messy house or piece of painted plywood furniture, I'm going to go postal! That's why I was excited to hear that some of our favorite designing divas are currently shooting a pilot for what they are touting as a "chic design reality show." Former Domino editor Sara Ruffin Costello and former House & Garden editor Kim Gieske, who also do design work, will pull back the curtain on the design world of New York which will include appearances by their equally chic friends including Celerie Kemble, Cynthia Frank and Lucy Sykes. No word yet if their designer friend Miles Redd has agreed to be join the reality show realm but I am definitely keeping my fingers crossed! I bet he'd be fun to watch! I do know that they will be shooting at Sara's show stopping townhouse in the West Village, seen here, and at ICFF so if you see some chic design people being filmed, make sure you say hello!

Photos by Paul Costello and The New York Times

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Tastemaker's Tag Sale: Hamptons Edition

The weather report is a little iffy for this weekend but if you are still headed for the Hamptons then you should put the Tastemaker's Tag Sale on your agenda. The group from Domino is at it again this Saturday and if you missed their first famous sale, now's your chance to pick up a cast off treasure from Dara Caponigro, Tom Delavan, Chase Booth and Tori Mellott, in addition to Christiane Lemieux of Dwell Studio, fashion publicist Jennifer Carlston and photographer Matt Albiani. If you are lucky, maybe some of his lifeguard friends will be there!

Tastemaker's Tag Sale

75 Main Street

Amagansett, NY

(On Rt. 27 across from La Fondita)

Saturday, June 13th*

9:00am - 2:00pm

No Early Birds!

Cash Only!

*Rain Date is Sunday, June 14th

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Weekend Finds

Everyone keeps asking me about the Domino sale so here is the scoop. I got up early and my friend Lori and I cabbed it downtown and got on line at 9:00am. At that time the line wasn't too bad but I heard later that it wrapped around the block. We were met by Stefan Hurray who writes the blog Architect Design, his friend Eric, my friend Jessica and man about town this weekend, David Jimenez. Before the doors opened at 10:00am, we were told the upstairs floor had the more expensive items but decided to check it out anyway which is where I found the pair of Asian cups and saucers. It's hard to tell but they are gold rimmed and look old. I made sure they weren't something from Pearl River before I bought them and they have a very cool pattern in the middle that might be my inspiration for a future HC logo. I also bought a cropped black Chaiken jacket upstairs.

Chase Booth and his vintage megaphone announcing the rule for the Domino sale.

Downstairs was the free for all floor of madness! I think most people grabbed stuff and then decided if they wanted it. I snagged the painting in the gilt frame with linen mat above for $40. There were a lot of bolts of fabric, throw pillows and covers in addition to decorative items, books and lamps. David Jimenez snagged a great curtain panel that he's going to make into pillows. We also ran into Tori Mellott and got to catch up with her. It was a bit crazy and none of needed any of the things we bought but it was fun and now we have other reminders of Domino besides are coveted back issues of the magazine.

Waiting patiently in line. Thank goodness it wasn't raining!

After lunch, everyone dispersed so Stefan and I took a walk through the West Village where we stumbled on the Perry Street flea market. The Perry Street flea market is a sort of urban legend. You can never tell what weekend it will be there and you can't find any information online. What's really funny is that I was just about to tell Stefan about the my favorite Carstens drip glaze vase (model 550-16) I found at the Perry Street flea market a few years ago when I looked down and saw the same exact vase! I can't believe I found another one in the same place and I am very excited to have a matching pair! You just never know when it's going to be your lucky day!

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Style Star Lili Diallo

I loved stylist Lili Diallo's apartment when it was featured in Domino and now I am excited to check out her work on her new website! It's fun to see all the stories she's styled that I didn't even realize were her work. She has a great eye so I hope other magazines will hire her now that Domino is no longer with us but it looks like Livingetc magazine has already realized her talent. She's featured in the March 2009 issue. Check it out!

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Domino Dearly Missed...

I love that Page 6 continues to chime in on the demise of Domino. Maybe it will persuade the powers that be at Conde Nasty to change their mind and bring the the fan favorite back from the magazine graveyard.

The ads might not have been there, but the readers were. Barely a month after Condé Nast folded Domino magazine, more than seven fan sites of the chic home-design magazine have sprung up, including a Facebook bereavement page. Many fans wonder why Si Newhouse shuttered Domino, which despite seeing ad sales decline had rising newsstand and subscription numbers. We doubt that if Newhouse pulled the plug on one of his other foundering books - like, say, Portfolio- such an outpouring of grief would occur.

Part of the gossip is that Portfolio is a favorite of Si Newhouse and that he would rather shutter other magazines to keep it afloat. (Does anyone even read Portfolio???) Rumor has it that Allure might be next. The real irony is that Domino subscribers will now receive Architectural Digest, the anti-Domino and the magazine most hated by the Domino demographic.

***UPDATE: If you call Conde Nast, they will gladly substitute whatever magazine you choose to replace Domino and you will not be stuck with AD if you already subscribe to it or do not want it. Take that Paige Rense!

The photo from The Devil Wear Prada seemed to suit this story. That's all.

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Fini

I received the final issue from Domino today with a lovely little note from the PR team. Knowing that it would be the last one I would excitedly open as if it was a present on Christmas morning made me a little sad. I will treasure all my back issues and want to thank everyone who worked so hard to put each issue together. I look forward to hearing about their new adventures and checking out the new blog from Nick Olsen! Thanks for the memories Domino! Sniff sniff.

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"I feel like I'm going to cry!"

This has got to be the worst day in New York. It's snowy and raining. There is at least six inches of muck and slush on every street corner. I think I may have ruined my boots. And it's the day that word came that Domino is to cease publication after the March 2009 issue. I was sitting in the chair at the hair salon trying to enjoy a little pampering when the first death knell email of many arrived. The sentiments were all the same. Everyone is very sad and upset. Domino was a favorite among my friends and although we had heard the rumors it might fold, I hoped they would make it for a few more months or even a year. But alas it is not meant to be.

I just don't get what is wrong with American magazine publishing. Why does it seem like European magazines are doing fine while American magazines continue to fold. I would paid more per issue to keep Domino alive. It spoke to my demographic. I could relate to the designers and people profiled. I could afford the items they featured. As much as I love Elle Decor, which I picked up on my way home, it's very aspirational. That's not the way any of my friends or I live right now. Maybe someday but not today.

The worst part is that many people had just had their homes photographed for the designers to watch series for the April issue. I've already told them that I would be happy to post them on my blog. I already mentioned that I want to feature more original interiors and young designers on my blog this year so this news just makes me more determined to support, encourage and champion them and anyone else who is talented, creative and inspiring.

So if there is anyone out there who dreamed of having their home or designs published in Domino, feel free to email me. Since there aren't many shelter magazines left, I'd be more than happy to start posting them on my blog. But right now, I think I'm going to go take a look through all my old issues of Domino and mourn the loss of my favorite magazine. I might also have a good cry while I'm at it. It's a very sad day.

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Domino Holiday Issue

The Domino holiday issue is a present unto itself. Inside is their great gift guide and lots of fabulous interiors too! Happy Holidays!

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Domino + J.Crew = Uber Chic Party

Domino magazine hosted a private little soiree last night at the new J.Crew Collection boutique at 79th and Madison to honor their November 2008 cover girl and J.Crew Creative Director Jenna Lyons and the launch of their new Domino Book of Decorating. I can honestly say that it was bananas! (I already miss Rachel Zoe!) The store is beyond chic with vintage art and books mingled among the Collection clothes and accessories. The dressing rooms are painted grey and pink and the store even has an amazing Serge Mouille chandelier!

The guests were also chic and cool. Jenna Lyons set the tone in a fabulous gold dress and grey tights with multiple necklaces. She held court with the Chairman & CEO Mickey Drexler, who I am sad to say I didn't get to meet. I wanted to ask him if a home line is in the works! Katie Lee Joel caused quite a stir when she arrived in wool hot pants, tights and 5 inch heels...and on the coldest day of the year no less! She's makes me never want to eat again! Anyway, super sibling blogging duo Hollister and Porter Hovey were also in attendance, as was the always dapper John Derain. Fashion designer Chris Benz made an appearance too. He used to work for J.Crew and Marc Jacobs. Talk about talented! It was nice to finally meet Pierre Frey, the grandson of THE Pierre Frey, since I actually wrote about him in The Next Generaton story for Domino. And I'm so glad that I was able to catch up with uber-talented photographer Matt Albiani, who is really good friends with my old roommate from Boston. Small world! Hopefully, we can collaborate on a future blog post. Stay tuned! I also met Lauren Bush who couldn't be nicer! She has a new fashion line coming out called Lauren Pierce.

And of course, the talented and lovely staff of Domino magazine were all in attendance. Deborah Needleman is one of the nicest editors I've ever met! The best part of the evening was that they actually gave each guest a copy of the Domino: The Book of Decorating! How chic is that?! I don't think I've ever been to a book party that actually gave away the book! Thanks to Domino and J. Crew for a fabulous party! And to my wonderful friend Kelly Reynolds of Carleton V and Dorothy Draper who is always the chicest party companion! XOXO!

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Thanks Domino!

As I alluded to in my Gossip Girl inspired post, the November issue of Domino has a great feature on bloggers and while I not profiled, I was very honored to be included as one of their noteworthy blogs. I won't ruin it and tell you who made the cut because I am sure they want to announce it on their own blogs but I know you will enjoying peeking into their fabulous homes. Thanks Domino!

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Spotted...

domino
Habitually Chic here, your one and only source into the fabulous lives of Manhattan's design elite! Which up and coming designers and bloggers were spotted at the Domino Book of Decorating launch party at The Conran Shop tonight and who will be featured in the pages of the November issue? I'll never tell so I guess you'll have to wait until your copy arrives. XOXO, Habitually Chic

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The Book of Decorating

I received my advance copy of The Book of Decorating from Domino yesterday and I definitely think everyone will love it! There are tons of great interiors from the magazine all in one place now and many new fabulous designs too. The Decorator's Handbook in the back is the perfect reference guide for the average homeowner who wants to learn how to do it themselves but also a nice refresher for the professional.

Even better is that the launch party for the Book of Decorating is open to the public! Stop by The Conran Shop, 407 East 59th Street, on Wednesday, October 15 from 6:00-8:00pm for chic cocktails, conversation, discounts, and prizes! See you there!

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