The House that Highlighter Built

If you've ever used a Touche Eclat highlighter pen from YSL, then you already know Terry de Gunzburg. She created the iconic pen while she was creative director of Yves Saint Laurent Beauté. In 2001, she founded her own beauty company By Terry that is poised to become the next global beauty brand. The London home she shares with her scientist husband and family, looks like the home of a creative person. She had help decorating from long time friend Jacques Grange. It's featured in the February 2014 issue of British Vogue as well as a previous issue of AD. It's worth checking out just for the Francis Bacon paintings alone. 

Photos by Martyn Thompson

Chic at Christie's: Michael Inchbald

Not only do I love to peruse auction catalogs for possible purchases but they are great sources for inspiration.  The Michael Inchbald: A Legacy of Design sale at Christie's in London next week is yet another example.  I was not familiar with the British interior designer Michael Inchbald who passed away last year. He worked on projects for the Savoy and Berkeley Hotels but is probably best known for designing the first class saloon of the QE2. The Queen's Room on board was described as the "most successful marine interior ever conceived." These images from his home in Stanley House might also be described as successful and very chic. And if you having the winning bid, some of it might be yours. 

Images courtesy of Christie's Images Ltd. 2014

Chic in London: Edition Hotel

One of the places I was most excited to stay while I was recently in London was the new London Edition Hotel. It's a collaboration between Marriott hotels and hotelier and Studio 54 founder, Ian Schrager. There are bits of it that remind me of the Public Hotel in Chicago that Mr. Schrager also designed (read my review here). The pops of green and artwork by Belgian photographer Hendrik Kerstens are similar but the Edition is taking the chain hotel to a chic new level. The New York Times has more on the story here. The London Edition is the first of many Edition Hotels with Miami set to open this year and New York in 2015. After staying first at Firmdale Hotels in London, the Edition was a sexy switch up with a party going on day and night in the lobby.  I highly recommend staying on an upper floor to escape the sound. Even if you don't stay at the Edition, you should definitely make a dinner reservation at their restaurant, Berner's Tavern, which is the talk of the town. I can't wait to see what they do in New York.

Berner's Tavern

The check in desk and hallway to the elevators. 

This is what my room looked like during my stay. I was very excited to find plugs on both sides of the bed and an American outlet by the desk. Not having plugs on both sides of the bed in hotels is my biggest pet peeve while traveling. 

Photo by Hendrik Kerstens.

My bathroom did not have a tub so it's nice to see that some rooms have one.