Nettle Benefits

Many of our customers associate nettle with hemp or jute, and although they're similar, nettle has certain characteristics that set it apart. Hemp and nettle are both food, fiber, and medicinal plants used throughout the world. Nettle is an English name used for the type of plants that have stinging hairs. Himalayan nettle, the type of nettle that we use here at Carini Lang for our carpets, grows wild in fertile forest soils in altitudes ranging from 3900 to 9800 feet in the Himalayas. The fiber is extracted from the stem of the plant and is stripped until the fiber is extracted. We choose to weave nettle here at Carini Lang because it is a beautiful material that offers durability, texture, color variation and creates a spectacular silky luster. 

The whole plant is filled with beneficial elements - the root, stem, leaves, and the flowers. In ancient Greek times, the stinging nettle was used mainly as a diuretic and laxative. In ancient Egypt, reports are found of nettle infusion for the relief of arthritis and lumbago pains. Today the plant is still used for these common ailments and several other illnesses including diabetes, and as blood purifiers. Drinking nettle tea is a common way of ingesting it's various medicinal benefits. Nettle was also used for everyday practical purposes such as durable rope and fishing nets for Europeans and Native Americans. 

Nettle fibers have been woven for centuries, and were the popular choice for clothing before the production of cotton. The fibers of the stinging nettle plant are hollow which means they can accumulate air inside creating a natural insulation. Nettle is a soft, light weight fiber which is what creates its silky luster. These qualities make them perfect for carpets, and bring a different texture and look to your interior. With our nettle carpets we dye the yarn in batches which gives the carpet a great color variation and abrash. Here at Carini Lang we process our nettle without any pesticides or chemical dying and we prefer to dye our carpets with vegetable dye.   The beautiful color variation of natural un-dyed nettle is even so appealing that we often use no dye at all and let the mix of unaltered nettle color variations shine through on their own! 

Nettle with border 

Nettle with fringe 

Indigo Nettle with border

Interlocking circles in Nettle 

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Brighten up your space with a runner

We all have those rooms or entryways that remain empty due to lack of inspiration - not to mention, a great runner can be hard to find!  A runner can warm cold feet, absorb sound, and be the perfect finishing touch to a smaller room or hallway. We're big fans of interesting runners here at Carini Lang and we believe that in long narrow spaces or under certain furniture pieces they can add visual interest and another layer of design.

When it comes to choosing a color for a runner, think about how you would like to compliment your interior and also keep in mind what colors and materials will hold up over time in a high traffic area . If you're choosing a piece for a hallway or small space that won't be in between the outdoors and your home then you can play with more delicate materials or lighter colors and pattern.

We recommend choosing a low pile rug for an entry way.  It will last longer and stay in great shape. If you have a long narrow entryway, then choosing a runner can make your space feel warm and can even make it feel wider. Adding a round rug can add an elegant touch and create the feeling of a grand entrance. An entryway rug, or hallway runner is a welcoming way to show your personal style as soon as your visitors walk in!

Here are some inspiration pics:

Designer Spotlight: Jacques Grange

That certain style that combines chic extravagance with toned down decor is exactly what Jacques Grange represents in the design world. The acclaimed French designer has acquired such clients as Yves Saint Laurent, Aerin Lauder, Princess Caroline of Monaco and Francis Ford Coppola - just to name a few. Grange was born in 1944 in a town called Saint-Amand-Montrond, located in the center of France. Grange took a strong interest in drawing as a child and frequently took classes in Paris. He recalls visitors such as Marc Chagall and Le Corbusier popping in. After completing his schooling at the école Boulle and the école Camondo,  Grange was hired as a draftsmen in 1968 at the interior design offices of Didier Aaron. Aaron encouraged Grange to go out and supervise his own projects early on in his career. 

It wasn't until 1971 that Grange met Yves Saint Laurent. Grange famously designed Yves Saint Laurent's villa in Marrakech and his Chateau Gabriel near Normandy. The two became close friends and Grange describes Laurent as his most enriching client. Chateau Gabriel was decorated in theme with the idea of recreating a Belle Epoque film set. It was lavish and filled with objects that were hunted by Grange and Laurent's partner, Pierre Berge. The living room walls were painted to resemble Claude Monet's Water Lilies. With a different theme in every room, the Chateau feels like you are walking through a storybook.          

The interior of Chateau Gabriel

Francis Ford Coppola's 19th century Palazzo Margherita is located in his hometown of Bernalda in Southern Italy. Coppola enlisted Grange to turn the Palazzo into a grand hotel inspired by a combination of the Belle Epoque and a comforting family home. Grange explained the project as a restoration project but with a fresh summer feeling. Every member of the family was able to design their own room.  Sofia Coppola decided to go with a feminine suite adding wicker touches and pink accents. Roman, Coppola's son, requested Arts and Crafts details. Coppola's own suite has Tunisian-style painted ceilings and a zigzag tiled floor.   

Francis Ford Coppola's suite 

Sofia Coppola's Suite 

The Hotel bar 

In 1990 Jacques Grange was approached by the stepdaughter of famed novelist Colette, who passed away in 1954. She explained to Grange that Colette's apartment was meant for him. At first he didn't have the means to buy it so he rented it until 2008, when he decided to purchase the apartment overlooking the lush gardens of the Palais Royal in Paris. Since then Grange has made it his own, redecorating all five rooms. The rooms are filled with collected items from the 18th and 19th century and feels like the home of a collector. Grange describes his home: "It's now a place to display and balance in harmony the things I love." Grange has been able to change his taste through the years and adapt with the times. Unlike many designers Grange was classically trained, and has built his style up from this foundation. 

Interior shots of Jacques Grange's Paris apartment

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Why Bauhaus is Still Relevant

The Bauhaus design school is approaching 100 years since its founding and still to this day we're decorating our homes with the famous Wassily chair, designed by Marcel Breuer and famously named after his good friend Wassily Kandinsky. This chair was the first to use tubular steel for decorative purposes. The Bauhaus school and style is still relevant to design today, not just because of its history, but because of its philosophy that the marriage of form and function is still the back bone of taste and sophistication.  

Walter Gropius's Office 1925

The Bauhaus staff, 1919

The Bauhaus School, 1925

The Bauhaus was an art school founded by Walter Gropius in 1919. Gropius's goal was to 'create a new guild of craftsmen, without the class distinctions which raise an arrogant barrier between craftsman and artist.' The school's roots lay in the arts and crafts, but also combined modernism, and constructivism. In the end the reigning principles taught at the Bauhaus school were that design is in the service of the community, and the perfection and efficiency in geometry. Throughout this learning period Gropius grew weary that the school would be confined to its ideas instead of producing goods for their market. He wanted the goods produced to be accessible for all people.  

Mies van der Rohe, Barcelona Chair, 1929

Josef Albers, Club chair, 1928

Mies van der Rohe, MR Chair, 1927

Marcel Breuer, Wassily Chair, 1925

Marcel Breuer, Plywood Chair, 1935

The school had multiple locations throughout the years, including Dessau, an industrial town near Berlin in 1925. During this time students turned masters included Josef Albers, Marcel Breuer, Herbert Bayer, and Marianne Brandt. Although they had brought in teachers such as Wassily Kandinsky and Paul Klee to promote production, it was from this point on that the Bauhaus started to decline, beginning with Gropius's resignation in 1928.

At the time that Ludwig Mies van der Rohe was appointed as director, he had already designed the German pavilion at the 1929 Barcelona Exposition and his famous Barcelona chair. Although he began his directorship obeying the government's needs, things quickly spiraled as Hitler became more and more powerful. Many Bauhaus artists were exiled to America, and others were killed by the Nazis.  Luckily, in America, Bauhaus artists were able to successfully showcase their designs. 

Whitney Museum, Marcel Breuer

IBM Research Center, Marcel Breuer

Hooper House II, Marcel Breuer

Marcel Breuer followed his mentor, Gropius, to Cambridge where he joined the faculty of Harvard's Graduate School of Design. In 1941 Breuer left Massachusetts and moved to New York City where he maintained his practice permanently. From there on he has designed institutions, houses, and commercial buildings all over the world. He went on to design buildings such as The Whitney Museum in New York City in 1966, the IBM research center in La Gaude France, and The Hooper House II in Baltimore in 1959. During this period where Bauhaus artists were successfully disseminating their ideas, it was Florence Knoll who began to see the potential and asked who would design the interiors to these modern buildings? She decided to license Bauhaus and other furniture designs for mass production. To this day Knoll is still one of the only distributors of genuine Bauhaus furniture. 

The Seagram Building, Mies van der Rohe and Philip Johnson 

The PanAm building, Walter Gropius 

What we consider the classic modern look began with the Bauhaus school, and it spans into every art medium; architecture, interior design, graphic design, textiles, and fashion. One of the school's main philosophies was that the relationship between teacher and student was a collaborative one, and in the end it was about reaching a common goal. For this reason, the Bauhaus school was successful and impactful - they looked at a world they thought could be better and worked to improve it in their way. They broke down the elements, simplified them, and then built them back up.  

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Muse of the Week

The king of cool is our muse this week - Steve McQueen continues to inspire us with his delinquent-turned-thespian history. McQueen found his niche in Hollywood in the 60's by becoming the go-to symbol of rebellion and he continues to represent "cool and unruly" even decades later. During the 1960s, McQueen built his reputation by playing cool, loner characters in films such as; The Magnificent Seven (1960), The Great Escape (1963), and Bullitt (1968). Early on in his childhood he was troubled and rebellious, being bounced around from home to home, and from reform school to the U.S Marine Corps. For McQueen, acting saved his life and eventually enabled him to give back to the same reformatory school where he spent many years himself.  

McQueen eventually became one of the highest paid actors in Hollywood, but his career almost didn't take off due to clashing egos, and a lot of missed opportunities.  In addition to his prolific acting career, McQueen was also known for having close calls with the law and for dangerous motorcycle racing. In an eery Hollywood coincidence, McQueen's life was also at risk during Charles Manson's murderous reign. McQueen was invited to visit the home of Roman Polanski and Sharon Tate for dinner the night of Tate's notorious death, but he cancelled last minute. He found out later on that he was on the top of Manson's so called 'death list.'

Throughout the various challenges in his life, McQueen defined himself by being contrary to the status quo, and blazing his own trail - brave qualities that inspire us and hopefully others!

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BAROQUE REVIVAL

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We are embracing this season's Baroque trend, whether it's with our shoes or our furniture pieces. The Baroque style is characterized by dramatic and opulent colors, gilded and ornate accessories, and lots and lots luxurious textiles. Originally this style was adopted by European royalty in the 17th century and was the design preference for many palaces and churches. This season were taking the best of the Baroque and making it work in our own space.  

Trying to mix Baroque with modern elements can seem daunting, but combining crown molding and gilded mirrors with classic settees can actually create something beautiful. If you want to be bold, paint your walls a deep red or purple to create a mood, and bring in velvet furnishings with hints of beaten brass. In our room setting below we put together furniture pieces surrounding our Aquarium Metallic design. We chose this carpet for this trend because of how its golden details on the rich warm brown field bring to life the Baroque feel. With the carpet's organic design and captivating motion we think this would be the perfect start to a Baroque inspired room.  

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The Rococo movement evolved from the Baroque style, and it kept the opulent details but incorporated pastels and lighter color palettes with fun and whimsical pieces. We recommend going bold and starting with a solid silk gold carpet - shown below is Carini Lang's 200 knot carpet - and bringing pastel colors into the furniture pieces. It screams glam and Baroque all at the same time.  

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The Baroque style was typically extravagant and theatrical, and intended to leave an impression on guests. This was a common way to flaunt one's wealth too, and we recommend you flaunt your inner aristocrat and go Baroque!

 Looking for more ways to incorporate Baroque style in your home? Take a look at some Carini Lang styles below that certainly fit in the world of Baroque: 

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Carpet of the Week

This week we are falling in love all over again with our Brushstroke carpet. In this abstract design, sweeps of tawny brown drift over a field of steely blue to comprise our "Brushstroke Blue" color way. The color palette is inspired by two of nature's basic elements - earth and water. It's organic movement makes it a work of art that you might even want to hang on your wall. Try incorporating furniture with geometric elements to create an interesting contrast with the flowing design, or add large landscape photography and some plant life to complement the organic feel.  

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Walk on The Wild Side

Animal prints are seen everywhere nowadays but the history of animal prints started during the ancient days of cavemen. Early humans skinned their prey and wore the furs and pelts for warmth and protection. These skins were thought to bring strength and power to the human who wore them. The animal skins were mostly worn by hunters or pharaohs, kings, and rulers over centuries. Animal prints have been a popular accessory through the years and today we're exploring the reasons why their popularity has spanned different cultures and decades.  

In the Tibetan culture, motifs in art and textiles show tigers migrating from the south, meaning from India. Tigers embody power and a balanced mind and are usually depicted as alive or as a full tiger skin. The origin of Tibetan tiger rugs go as far back as Tibetan carpet making itself. These tiger rugs were used as meditation mats, and it is believed that the tiger provides that person with protection while they meditate. They were also used as a status symbol for Tibetan or Mongolian high officials who were usually pictured sitting atop rugs like these. Carpets with traditional tiger stripe motifs can be seen at ritual dance performances of Tibetan festivities.   

Over time, animal prints and their beautiful and bold design elements naturally translated into the fashion world and since the eighteenth century we've seen these prints in clothing and accessories.  Through the years a stereotype also developed that when wearing these prints a person gives off a statement of confidence, a "center of attention" aura, and a certain sexual appeal - a "wild thing" so to speak.  Even in today's fashion world, wearing animal prints represents an independence of spirit and wild-child sensibility. Christian Dior was one of the first designers to introduce the leopard print into a wearable dress instead of just an accent piece or actual fur.  If you're going to wear leopard, why not all over? 

In the same way that animal prints in clothing show a boldness of spirit, so does an animal print in your home.   From the earliest days of bear and tiger skin rugs on the floors of caves, castles, and fortresses, pelts and animal prints have translated into the realm of modern day interior design as well. Animal prints in home interiors can be versatile or add an edgy, exotic element. If they are overused or mixed inappropriately then can turn dated and gaudy. One way to introduce an animal print into a space is to start with the rug. Rugs form the foundation of a space and you can choose to go with a literal color way - black and white zebra, orange tiger, classic leopard pattern - or with something more abstract, like a bright pink Zebra design. If you want to incorporate the animal print but with a subtle flair, choose a rug that is tone on tone.  Even in a toned down palette, animal prints give a stylish flair and leave their mark.

Carini Lang's Tiger Caramel carpet shown in an interior designed by David Scott 

Check out some of Carini Lang's animal print options! 

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The Benefits of Using a Statement Rug

A carpet can transform a room-  turn a space from drab to fab, if you will. Like a work of art, a statement rug can capture your guest's attention with a bold color or a textural change. A rug can be THE piece you need to change up your interior. We urge you to keep in mind what's underneath your feet when decorating and to think about how a carpet or area rug can enhance your home!

A statement rug should have a presence - a striking pattern, or unusual color combination. If you're working with a space where color is limited, such as a kitchen or dining room, unrolling a powerful statement rug can be the key to enliven your space. Choose a boisterous floral, bold stripes, or even a high contrast black and white pattern to add an eclectic touch. 

Check out some examples above of projects with dynamite rugs, including a few with Carini Lang carpets. On the left, our Fishskin design is shown in an interior designed by John Beckmann from Axis Mundi.  The color contrasts beautifully with the eclectic furniture pieces. The interior on the right showcases our Big Chrysanthemum design in an interior designed by Andy Goldsborough. Andy uses our floral design as the statement piece against solid furniture elements.

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The Color Red: A Brief History

Red is an extreme color, and is recognized as a color that represents passion, love, seduction, violence, danger, and anger. Red is one of the primary colors of light and can vary from light pink to dark maroon. This color is also one of the few colors that represents both spectrums of emotions. Red represents the devil to some people, but in other cultures one would wear red on their wedding day.  

This color goes back to the prehistoric ages, and is one of the first colors to be used by humans. Cave art was made with red ochre and it is believed that early humans used this color to conjure their fertility. Red ochre gets its reddish color from the mineral hematite, which is an anhydrous iron oxide. Another common belief during the Neolithic times was that the color red had protective powers. Animals, warriors, and their weapons were covered in red paint, or in the blood of slaughtered animals to protect them during war. During the Roman Empire, gladiators drank the blood of their dying adversaries to take over their strength. And In Germany, during the middle ages, red bed clothes were used to project women from illnesses, fever, and miscarriages.   

Red also has strong religious symbolism. In Greek Mythology the God of War, Mars, is depicted covered in red paint in honor of his achievements. In the Catholic religion, cardinals wear red to represent their devotion to the church and to symbolize that they would shed their own blood for God - thus the color 'cardinal red' is famously named after them. During the French Revolution, red became a symbol of liberty and personal freedom. Many of the radical parties wore red caps and painted their guillotines red. Throughout the years, this color was common in political parties and social movements. In the mid-19th century, red became the color of Socialism to represent strength and dominance.

Progressing through the 19th century, the use of red was a way to show emotions, especially in art. As an example, Vincent Van Gogh used reds and greens in his Night Cafe (1888) to represent the 'terrible human passions.' Artists such as Henri Matisse, Mark Rothko, and Renoir incorporated red for emotional impact as well.  In our culture today, red is mostly seen as a color that attracts viewers. Red dresses, red lipstick, red carpet; the color is used to grab attention, which is why it's also used on fire trucks and road signs. No matter how it is used, it is a powerful color that never goes unnoticed and has the ability to change the way you feel when you wear or look at it!

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Thursday's Retreat: Provence

In the south of France, especially Provence, there is a certain atmospheric sensation that hits you. It might be that the air is fragrant with lavender and jasmine, or maybe the scent is coming from tables of farmhouses filled with grapes, cheeses, and country food. In Provence stone terraces are lined with hygrandeas and the 19th century paintings we love come alive.

The best way to grasp the nuances of a different culture is to submerge yourself within it, but for today we are bringing you the next best thing: photographs. Today we're showing you the beauty of Provence with photographs of country interiors, lavish houses and the charm of Provence, France. Enjoy!   

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5 Female Interior Designers Who Changed the Game

ELSIE DE WOLFE

According to The New Yorker, "Interior design as a profession was invented by Elsie de Wolfe." This is not quite the truth, but with Elsie's social status and impressive contacts she was able to obtain this status. Born in New York in 1859, early on in her life Elsie grew tired of the Victorian aesthetic of her childhood. As her portfolio developed, her interiors became characterized by a brighter, cheerful, less cluttered look that made entertaining friends much easier. Instead of dark heavy drapery and overcrowded spaces Elsie incorporated paler walls with large mirrors and wicker pieces for a lighter feel.. Her impressive roster of clients included Amy Vanderbilt, Anne Morgan, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and Henry and Adelaide Clay Frick.     

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DOROTHY DRAPER

Dorothy Draper is not only famous for her exuberant style but also for creating one defining style movement known as American Baroque. Draper's interior design style was the absolute opposite of minimalism. Using only bright vivid colors and large prints, Draper created dramatic interiors. She started by decorating her own home, and then in 1925 created her own decorating business. Her first big break came when Douglas Elliman hired her to decorate the Carlyle Hotel.  The famed Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia also hired her and maintained her as their interior designer from 1946-1960. She strongly believed that the energy of a bright and vivid room would bring happy thoughts and cheerful memories.  The bold and colorful personalities of Draper's interiors were witnessed in her work on homes, hotels, department stores, restaurants, and theaters.  

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BARBARA BARRY

In 1985 Barbara Barry formed her own company in Los Angeles, California and since then it has taken the design world by storm. Barry is mostly self taught and is known for emulating the elegance and livability of the California style. Barry has collaborated on product designs with companies such as Baker Furniture, Kravet Fabrics, Ann Sacks Tile & Stone, and Bloomingdales with her bedding collection. Her clean and sophisticated designs are seen all over  California, but she works worldwide as well. Barry has also published several books that represent her beautiful taste and design ideas.  

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VICTORIA HAGAN

Victoria Hagan has been in the design business for over 20 years and has been respected for integrating architecture and interior design. "My work is all about comfort, function, and scale," she told Architectural Digest back in 2014. Hagan has designed projects throughout the country from urban residences to country retreats. Her design philosophy centers around the use of refined materials and innovative silhouettes that have a strong sense of the American style. Hagan's book, published with Rizzoli and entitled Victoria Hagan: Interior Portraits, shares a wealth of classic yet current interiors. Carini Lang has worked with the Victoria Hagan team for over a decade now and we always look forward to new projects.    

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KELLY WEARSTLER

Kelly Wearstler has grown her brand tremendously since launching in the mid-1990s. The New Yorker dubbed her "the presiding dame of West Coast interior design," and she has become known as a "celebrity designer" since then. Wearstler's design aesthetic can be characterized as over-the-top elegance that adds a contemporary sophistication, combining the past and future seamlessly. She began building her reputation designing hotels throughout California and from there she has designed for clients such as Cameron Diaz, Gwen Stefani, and Stacey Snider. Wearstler has published four books and has collaborated with companies such as F. Schumacher & Co, Pickard China, and Ann Sacks Stone & Tile.   

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David Scott Interiors Featured in NYC&G!

For their September issue, New York Cottages & Gardens featured David Scott's Chelsea Walker Tower project. Chelsea's Walker Tower was built in 1929 and was converted from commercial spaces to multi-million dollar lofts in 2013. David Scott's client is an executive for a Fortune 500 company and is an avid art collector. Throughout the interior you can see his vast collection and how David Scott complimented each piece seamlessly with custom furnishings. 

David Scott paired the wood herringbone floors with custom Carini Lang area rugs. We are always excited when David comes to us with a new project, and this time we really focused on the material and stuck with a solid concept throughout. Shown in the living room is our solid wool with a silk border design. For the bedroom the carpet is a solid silk and wool twill in a lush periwinkle blue, and for the guest bedroom Scott chose to go with a solid silk 100 knot carpet.       

photographs courtesy of New York Cottages & Gardens 

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All That Glitters

From gunmetal to rose gold, metallics are popping up everywhere and they're here to stay. The design community is continuously putting out interiors that showcase key metallic pieces, and we are loving it! There are tons of options to incorporate this look into your own home in either subtle r more obvious ways. You can go with the industrial chic look with exposed beams and iron girders, or you can do a monochrome  look in your favorite metal. Today we're going to break it down by looking at each metal; gold, silver, and bronze. 

GOLD

Gold is rich, adventurous and timeless. By approaching your interior with this shimmering metallic color you can create a stunning design. Unlike silver and chrome gold brings a warm and inviting character to your home, and the color also represents money and wealth. By mixing gold with pastel colors or adding a rustic wood piece or wicker element it can stay along the lines of glamorous and rustic without going overboard. 

SILVER 

A little silver never hurt anybody and is definitely not just for the holidays. Silver can be anchored with charcoal or pewter, or you can use silver to freshen up a white palette. Different texture and color varieties can add visual interest and a timeless appeal. Silver can act as a neutral tone and can meld different rooms together to create a flow around your house. One way to add silver into your interior is with carpeting, choosing a carpet with silvery accents or with gray tones can add an iridescent element.    

BRONZE 

Incorporating bronze into your home is the perfect compromise if gold is too much and silver is to shimmery or cold for you. Bronze is a bit more understated and still gives you the metallic look you crave. When using bronze, adding more colors into your interior is never a problem. Warm or cool, burgundy or deep blues, color can enhance the bronze or brass designs. Whether or not you go big or stay small, brass and bronze accents are a great way to add sophistication and spice to your room!  

More carpets to spark your inspiration:

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Aquarium Gold

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Seychelles Oak

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Scratchout White 

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Aquarium Dark Silver

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Double Portal Neutral 

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Japanese Asterisk 

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Tractor Trailer

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Ocean Jasper 

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Using Rugs as Wall Hangings

Did you ever fall in love with a rug but thought it was too much for your space? Or loved the color but never knew where to put it? Today we're making the case for using rugs on the wall! Quality rugs are essentially woven art and can easily be the secret weapon that enhances your interior. Instead of going with a typical gallery wall try turning that favorite rug into a wall hanging. It can be vintage or brand new but either way it adds an interesting element and fills up a white wall.  

If you're working with a bedroom space then we suggest hanging a narrower flatweave rug or taking a rug and flipping it horizontal. This way you're filling more real estate and still creating a focal point in the room. Using a rug or textile is a great alternative for a headboard and adds a unique and textural touch, not to mention the benefit of muffling unwanted sounds and it keeps the heat in and the cold out.  As early as the Middle Ages, those lucky enough to own woven tapestries and wall hangings used them not only for decoration and to inspire moments of personal reflection, but also for warmth to line drafty rooms and halls.

For other spaces we recommend going with a runner to place horizontally above your couch or furniture pieces. This creates the illusion of higher walls and would be an alternative to artwork. If your looking to do something with an awkward space then add a smaller rug that separates that space from the rest of the room.  

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House Tour: Ernest Hemingway

It was the advice from a fellow "Lost Generation" ex patriate that persuaded Ernest Hemingway to visit Key West, Florida. He arrived in Key West in 1928 from Havana, Cuba. During this time he was in the middle of writing A Farewell to Arms, and had recently married Pauline Pfeiffer. After about three weeks and meeting several interesting new acquaintances the newlyweds decided to look for a permanent residence.  

The Hemingway home was built in 1851 in the Spanish Colonial style and was constructed of native rock hewn from the grounds. When both Pauline and Ernest took ownership of the house in 1930 the home was in shambles and needed a great deal of work. Many of the unique furnishings are European Antiques from their stay in Paris. True to form, Ernest Hemingway decorated his home with trophy mounts and skins from his African Safari's and numerous hunting expeditions. 

Along with the grand home Hemingway also incorporated beautiful gardens and a large pool to his property. The swimming pool was the only in-ground pool in Key West and was planned by Hemingway himself. The garden was filled with indigenous flowers from around Key West. Flowers included hibiscus, gardenia, jasmine, water lily, and caladium.    

Hemingway was given a six-toed cat from a ship's captain and from there 60 cats descended and still live on the property today. Hemingway was known around town for his reckless behavior and uncontrollable drinking habits. He was known for hanging out at the local watering hole, 'Sloppy Joe's.

Hemingway and Pauline divorced in 1940. Hemingway moved back to Cuba and eventually went on to marry his third wife Martha Gellhorn.

Hemingway understood that sometimes the beauty of a story, or of a picture, is in its small simple details. Hemingway took this sentiment into account with his home.   

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Carpet of The Week: Night Sky Light

Today we're highlighting our carpet of the week, our favorite dreamy design, Night Sky Light. Reminiscent of the galaxy and serene puffy clouds our Night Sky Light design is perfect for those looking for a mix between subtle color changes and an abstract pattern. Our Night Sky Light is woven in a combination of silk and wool and can be customized to reflect your favorite sunset or starry night. 

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China: Through the Looking Glass

As Fashion Week continues we can't get enough of fashion inspired blogs so this week we are taking a look back at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's China: Through the Looking Glass 2015 exhibition. Harold Koda, Director of the Costume Institute since 2000, is set to retire in the early part of next year and this is his last summer exhibition with the museum. Koda was first trained under Diana Vreeland when Vreeland was beginning to transform the institution from frumpy to chic. His successor will be Andrew Bolton who is best known for working on exhibits like Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, and PUNK: Chaos to Couture. Koda ended his reign on a high note - this exhibition broke the museum's record of attendance, a placement previously held by the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition. 

Alexander McQueen 

Jean Paul Gaultier 

Through the Looking Glass explored the impact of Chinese aesthetics on Western fashion and China's impact on fashion's ongoing imagination. This exhibition was a collaboration between The Costume Institute and the Department of Asian Art and fashion pieces from designers such as Yves Saint Laurent, Roberto Cavalli, Givenchy and Tom Ford were shown. If you missed this one then you missed a great one, but not to worry - we put together a photo summary below!  

Videos from Wong Kar Wai's lush drama In the Mood for Love and clips from various other films that incorporated visions of China through pop culture were showcased throughout the exhibit. Multiple mediums were also highlighted - high fashion juxtaposed with Chinese paintings, porcelains, cinema, and other art to reflect Chinese imagery. The fashions shown above are from the designers Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent and John Galliano for Dior.  

“The show was about a fantasy, it really wasn’t about the real China, it was the China that exists as a collective fantasy.”

— Andrew Bolton

True to form, the Costume Institute did not shy away from using reflective surfaces, cinematic lighting, and winding corridors to immerse visitors into this fantasy world. Along with the costumes themselves, the visual appeal of the setting and effects is what makes these exhibitions come alive. The dresses shown above are by the Chinese Couturier Guo Pei and Givenchy.

Like the title, Through the Looking Glass, you really do feel as if you are falling into another realm made up of intoxicating aesthetics and mysterious shapes. This exhibition was the largest one to date for the Costume Institute, and we can't wait to see what they have up their sleeve for next year!  

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