Urban Cowboy
Every now and then, even the most
sophisticated style takes a wild ride, and this mahogany occasional chair has done just that. Upholstered in brown-and-white hide, the chair boasts a spontaneous combination of materials that brings both irony and balance into a chic downtown loft or a quaint and cozy cottage. Sofas & Chairs, 4116 Canal St., 486-9622.
Crewel Intentions
Crewel stitching transforms the scrolls of an antique iron gate into an interlacing graphic design. Stitched onto white plain-weave cotton, the fabric is casual and comfortable with a cool medium weight. The pattern appears on the front of each piece, but all pieces reverse to crisp solid white and close with natural shell buttons. Williams-Sonoma Home, 888/922-4108, or go to www.wshome.com.
Bringing the Islands Home
Given that Indonesia is home to 40,000 species of tropical flora and fauna, it’s only natural that it’s commonly referred to as the birthplace of ancient herbal treatments and beauty rituals. Inspired by Indonesian botanicals, JUARA skin-care products and treatments fuse sacred recipes and remedies with modern science and present them in eye-catching batik-patterned packaging. Duke Morgan, 3607 Magazine St., 309-9394, or go to www.juaraskincare.com.
Well-Contained
This charming wrought-iron log holder is equally at home in rustic and refined settings, and its function is just as versatile. Aside from safeguarding kindling next to the hearth, it can be used to contain magazines or to tidy rolled towels or blankets. The Plant Gallery, 9401 Airline Highway, 488-8887, or go to www.theplantgallery.com.
California Dreamin’
Edgy texture and traditional shapes define Union Street Glass’ Urchin Collection. Hand-blown in a 10,000-square-foot studio in the Golden State, the glassware combines sparkles and spikes with vibrant splashes of color to create ethereal and contemporary home accessories and lighting. Available at LeMieux Galleries’ second location, 200 Metairie Road, Metairie, 837-4044, or go to www.unionstreetglass.com.
Clean Lines
Carved from a single block of Carrara marble, Stone Forest’s Bordeaux vanity redefines the classic console by incorporating minimalist design trends. The vanity is built to work seamlessly with the popular Palmer-style legs and hardware in satin nickel for a look that’s squeaky-clean. Ferguson Enterprises, 901 S. LaBarre Road, Suite 205, Metairie, 849-3060, or go to www.stoneforest.com.
The New Traditional (Clarkson Potter, $45)
Attorney-turned-interior designer Darryl Carter has enjoyed recent acclaim for his restrained, distinguished and livable environments. Carter is known throughout the design world for seamlessly mixing the modern with the classical, and his book The New Traditional presents a comprehensive guide to creating a home that balances individual comfort with a timeless aesthetic. By focusing on comfort as the essential element of a successful interior, his newly released book becomes an accessible resource for making an elegant, inviting home that’s responsive to the people who live in it every day.
Raw Beauty
Shell-encrusted accessories are anything but trendy. Throughout the ages, artisans have been using oceanic elements to beautify decorative objects. This oyster-shell-studded candelabra sheds light on this theory by bringing shots of both glamour and natural splendor into a room. Nancy Robbins Inc., 1291 N. Causeway Blvd., Suite 1, Mandeville, 985/727-4565.