What a serene space for an Upper West Side haven, typical of Rixner’s work in that it mixes the contemporary with the classic in a manner that is consistently inviting. This project was done in partnership with designer Josie Natori, whose comfortably elegant hallmark certainly compliments the same in Rixner’s aesthetic.

The house is open to the public today through June 14. For more information please visit the show house site.

I snapped these at Carol Saunders Gallery a couple of weeks ago during Artista Vista. Christian Thee is a local artist who is never afraid of medium, subject or object. There is always a surprise or three hidden in his work.

The New Traditionalists have gained quite a reputation for combining an old world approach to making furniture with classic yet edgy style. Dining Table No. Two Forty Eight is just begging for you to sit down and converse with friends over a roast chicken made with herbs from your garden or to challenge your spouse to a post-dinner game of rummy (both things that we did last week, minus the incredibly beautiful table!). The table is handmade in New England with North American Oak that is hand-selected based on the finish process selected by the customer. The company’s Custom Tailor service helps you to individualize table details such as fabric and finishes that fit the personality of your room. The above piece features a Flame leather top and Solid Color Champagne glaze on the legs. For information on customizing this piece for your needs please visit thenewtraditionalists.com.

The return of colorblocking’s popularity has been interesting to watch. Did it ever really go out of vogue?

Issa Silk-chiffon Kimono dress. via net-a-porter

As color blocking has returned to the runway en force in these past seasons we are seeing it more and more in the interiors market. From curtain panels to sofas to cashmere throws, it’s becoming easier to add unusual color to a room with a single piece.

Svenskt Tenn sofa in 14 different shades of blue-green linen

How much do you love this Swedish furniture maker’s interpretation of color contrast? The color jumps but the change is just subtle enough. The theme from these ready-to-wear looks of the past couple of years is mirrored in the sofa, translating it perfectly for a fabulous room.

Gucci dress from Spring 2010 RTW; image via nymag.com

Showing off a Sprummer outfit selection from Coplon's

Winston’s Wish is working wonders for autism awareness in South Carolina. Together with community partners and volunteers the charity provides outreach and educational opportunities for families touched by all aspects of autism. The topic can be heavy and daunting at times, and Winston’s Wish stands out because of the positive attitude that is maintained along with a readiness to let their hair down– something that parents of autistic children deserve at every opportunity possible.

This Saturday the organization will be having some fun with G. Love and Special Sauce on the rooftop at Carolina Walk. This annual event has gained a reputation for being one of Columbia’s most fun concert fundraisers each year. Last year the headlining act was Big Head Todd and the Monsters.

It’s alriiiight!!

If you don’ wanna… go home…

It’s alriiight!!

If you don’ wanna…. be alonnne…

Whoops. Sorry. I just had a flashback to 1993. That tends to happen at the mere mention of BHTM. When you go to Sprummer this year I’m sure you’ll be singing the words to “Peace, Love and Happiness” for weeks. And you’ll feel great that you helped such a worthy cause.

For more information about the event (such as ticket sales!) visit WinstonsWishFoundation.com.

I spotted this on IntoTheGloss.com last week and my mind still wanders back to it. Giving objects such as this globe bar stand unintended uses adds a little smile to the day, don’t you think? The subject of the profile is Leigh Lezark, the model and DJ who is one-third of The Misshapes, who have spun records behind the likes of Debbie Harry, Courtney Love and The Killers. They have also been known to spin at haute couture runway shows and the breathtaking soirees of Moët et Chandon and The Metropolitan Museum of Art. This is a cool young girl (sorry, I’ve been feeling old this week!) with a fresh and worldly aesthetic.

The entrance to Slow Food at Indie Grits

When I was a little younger Sunday dinners were a bit more important in our house. My mother would cook a full breakfast before church and then depending on what the plans were for dinner, she’d start preparing for dinner. Maybe it’s a Southern thing but I always looked forward to those dinners – and the possibility that my mom would make some of her macaroni and cheese – and so when word got out that Slow Foods at Indie Grits would be on a Sunday I figured, what better day?

And surprise, surprise, the first thing that made it’s way on to my plate this past Sunday was “Mima’s Mac and Cheese.” The dish, a long with the chestnut cake I sampled, were a part of the potluck provided by Slow Food Columbia, the Columbia chapter of an international grassroots membership organization promoting good, clean and fair food for all. While it wasn’t my mother’s mac and cheese, it still was delicious, as was the cake.

Taste's Ali Borchardt, CamilleMaurice's Shani Gilchrist and The Shop Tart's Anne Postic

Anne Postic and Mikelle Street

But after some gentle – and sometimes not so gentle – urgings from my friends I quickly moved on to some of the sustainable chefs’ showcase featuring chefs who make an effort to support local sustainable and/or organic farms. This came manifest with dishes that included ingredients from places like Adluh, Caw Caw Creek and Wilmore Farms.

One of the first chefs I tried was Chef Benoit St. Jacques from the Rosewood Market and Deli. He had a shrimp burger, a bit of gazpacho – it was my first time trying it – and a buttermilk biscuit. I have to say the shrimp burger stood out.

But maybe it’s just something about South Carolina shrimp. Chef Mike Davis, the owner of Terra presented us with a Port Royal white strip, Anson Mills polenta crouton and creole coulis that he couldn’t seem to keep on the table. The shrimp had barely cooled before they’d all been swiped by waiting attendees.

Some of my other faves included Chef Blake Faries of Saluda’s Manchester Farms Quail Roulade with Rawls Farm collard green and Basil gel as well as Frank’s Hot Sauce Foam, which was explained to me as “a southern take on sushi” and then of course the Ragu di Funghi from Rosso Trattoria, which was an assortment of mushrooms with bacon and potbelly over polenta, which is a traditional meal.

All photos courtesy of Jonathan Sharpe Photography

Last Thursday we attended the kickoff for Columbia’s Indie Grits Film Festival and celebration of the start of 701 CCA’s Open Studios tour. Here is Mikelle’s report from the event:

Mikelle Street with Jennifer Baker

Indie Grits and 701 CCA’s Open Studios kicked off on Thursday April 11 with the trappings of a Flock + Rally Events and Communications shin-dig. The women over at F+R combined their event planning skills with the special place in their hearts for all things local, to add an indie-artsy twist to the night.

Art created by party guests

Flock + Rally partner Tracie Broom with Jernell Simmons

For those of you haven’t yet heard about Indie Grits, it is a juried independent film festival that has been taking place in Columbia since 2007. As word rapidly spreads throughout the region and country about the festival, it is becoming know for creating an exhibition opportunity for smaller films that may not fit other festivals. Throughout the course of the event, which runs through April 29, there are screenings, discussions, parties and performances that are all progressive and entertaining.

The 701 Center for Contemporary Art co-hosted the party, whose purpose was also to kickoff Open Studios, which offered the opportunity for the public to tour any of 69 artist studios throughout the Columbia area this past weekend. It was a big splash of a celebration bringing Columbia’s growing art culture into the spotlight.

The Grand Hall of  the historic 701 Whaley building was made over into what can only be explained as an interactive map of Columbia, which served as the floor, with a couple landmarks as stand alone structures.

CamilleMaurice's Shani Gilchrist (far right) with friends

Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin and WOLO anchor Alicia Barnes

Scott Hall Catering set up a fancy grits bar (fried leeks anyone?) next to a make-your-own Lite Brite station.  The playlist was diverse… apparently the DJ’s instructions were to play a little background music, but this soon gave way to tunes that went with the unanticipated dance floor that sprang up and went on for hours.

Drew Lamm, Anne Postic (aka, The Shop Tart) and Kim Jamieson on the dance floor

Overall it was a night of celebration of Columbia’s progressive arts scene and unique personality. As Indie Grits has progressed throughout the week it has maintained the energy created at the April 19 and then some. For more information, please visit indiegrits.com.

All photos courtesy of Jonathan Sharpe Photography

I flew up to New York last month for the Architectural Digest Home Show in March, which was a design glutton’s dream. Luckily, we have a direct flight from Columbia to LaGuardia, so I was able to fly in, drop my things off at The Carlyle and get to the Pier 94 in time for Marys & Mimosas, hosted by the lovely folks at Modenus. After drinking on an empty stomach and having been up since 4:30am, the logical next move was to meetings on the show floor, right? Don’t worry, I still ended up with a mound of information for various projects.

Detail of a range worth coveting at the La Cornue booth

Another portion of the booth designed by Karen Williams and featuring a 24K backsplash by Sicis (via La Cornue)

The New Traditionalist booth made me want to sit down and sip bubbly for the remainder of the day (via The New Traditionalists)

Table by HBA for the DIFFA DIning By Design section of the show

A couple of weeks later the young fashion and public relations talents of Columbia were in the spotlight for the world to see. The Fashion Board at USC hosted their 4th annual fashion week, which included a student designer competition, a doggie fashion show that benefitted Pets, Inc., a symposium with Hunter Bell of Hunter Dixon and a sponsor show that featured local boutiques. The public relations machine created around this week of events hummed more smoothly than many that I’ve seen created by post-graduate professionals. The same can be said for the styling of models, the decorating of event venues and the logistics that kept the week together. That’s right, the entire week is organized by college students.

The 2012 USC Fashion Board (photo courtesy of Fashion Board at USC)

Awaiting the next scene at the sponsor show

Models pausing for a pic before hitting the runway (via Fashion Board USC)

Detail from Just The Thing (via Fashion Board at USC)

I was able to attend the sponsor show on the last night of the week, which featured items from local boutiques such as VanJean, Just The Thing and Bohemian, to name a few. The styling was nothing short of fabulous. If you are in Columbia, keep an eye out for next year’s event. It’s not to be missed! If you’re not in Columbia, keep an eye out for these students. Many of them have already completed internships with the top publishing companies in New York, and we are sure to be seeing their handiwork on glossy pages in the upcoming years.

*Current USC Fashion Board President Melissa Karl and incoming president Danielle Minter

Oh, and this mysterious project? Well…{{{insert drumroll}}}. This summer will bring a new venture for some of us restless creatives around here. During a long conversation with Gretchen Opgenorth after a meeting I’d had downtown, the brilliant idea came about to put together a web publication called Taylor + Huger. South Carolina has a bustling art scene, a slew of design enthusiasts and has harbored a love for all things green and local since well before this was the trend. I have the pleasure of teaming up with Katie Alice Walker, Chip Oglesby and Anne Postic to showcase the upscale and bohemian chic that South Carolina sends out into the world. We are looking for this to be a biannual project that features designers, D.I.Y. projects, Southern-born brands and so much more. For updates on our progress, please head over to our Facebook page and “like” it. We are so excited to bring this to the world!

Phew! Alright. Time for more work. I’ll see you around soon. Stay tuned for more posts… it’s Indie Grits Film Festival week and the fashion board’s VP of Public Relations, Mikelle Street, will be doing some guest posts on the events.

*Thank you to The Shop Tart for this photo. Shame on my camera battery for dying half way through the event!

There are just too many wonderful and thought-provoking images floating around Pinterest to not discuss, so I thought we’d try a little experiment. For a while I’ll post a ‘Pin of the Week’, featuring my favorite thing from the previous week’s activity on my Pinterest account. I’d love to hear your opinions on what you see!

Above is a shot from John Pawson’s book, A Visual Inventory (Phaidon), which I found on Nowness.com. These stairs are in the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel in London. What a riot of pattern and color! The gothic revival staircase was designed by 19th-century architect Goerge Gilbert Scott. Do you see where the tile ends and the carpet begins?