look how many visited in the last year since I've been counting - over 300,000 of you!

Welcome to Nest by Tamara

Welcome to Nest by Tamara
I have been blogging since 2008. Nest by Tamara is a lifestyle blog inspired by my busy, full life as a NYC interior designer. I muse about interior design, antiques, architecture, gardening, cooking and entertaining – all that encompasses “nesting” to create a well-lived life and a stylish home. This is not a DIY blog nor a super snobby, stuffy view, but instead a philosophy of infusing a relaxed elegance into your home through investing in high quality products but mixed with budget pieces because we are always on the prowl for a bargain, and all the while keeping creativity as your secret weapon. My posts help you to continue to be the style seeker you are, juggling it all, and yet, you long for the most beautifully set table, albeit sometimes your pot is bubbling over just as the guests arrive. I show you how to utilize your time, keep quality in your back pocket, and smile while you enjoy the fabulous ride! Email me at TamaraStephenson1@gmail.com

Tamara Stephenson interior design

Tamara Stephenson interior design
Please feel free to share my posts and photographs, but kindly link back - I'll do the same for you!

Summer is my favorite season -- What's on the agenda here on Nest by Tamara

Summer is my favorite season -- What's on the agenda here on Nest by Tamara
Lots of fun design musing over here on Nest. For starters, I'll be decorating a small project for a client's weekend get-away home, writing editorials for a few magazines including my East End Nest column for Dan's Papers magazine about the many design events around the Hamptons, heading to Memphis, TN in July with Brizo and the blogger 19 group, plan the decorations for my daughter's dorm room before she heads off for freshman year at Cornell University, painting my back porch, planting a flower and vegetable garden, throwing at least two summer soirees at the beach, primping for a photo shoot at my beach cottage, and lots more. And, of course, I'll be writing about all of it here on Nest -- so stay tuned!

Monday, December 10

design industry's love affair with Hermes continues - check out the new home fabric line available by the yard

Our love fest with the equestrian world
over here on Nest continues...
 
I have written before about our fascination with the equestrian world's
fastidious attention to detail, and the blending of nature with fashion.  
We have come to appreciate a well made saddle, a beautiful horse,
or the fine detailing of equestrian tack through the eyes of Hermes. 
Originally a saddle maker, Hermes has transformed over the years into
a fashion and design powerhouse. 
check out my fashion pinterest board  

"The Hermès family, originally Germans, settled in France in 1828. In 1837, Thierry Hermès first established Hermès as a harness shop on the Grands Boulevards quarter of Paris, dedicated to serving European noblemen.  He created some of the finest wrought harnesses and bridles for the carriage trade."
Wikepedia
There are few in the industry that have stayed the course
intuitively knowing what their consumer desires,
yet refusing to give up quality. 
Beginning with their exquisitely made handbags, from the formal structured
Kelly bag (made for Grace Kelly)
to the the equally popular yet more casual 
Birkin (made for actress Jane Birkin),
Hermes has their finger on the pulse of what is utmost in quality
as well as desirable for our fashion and home. 

Did you know the construction of the Kelly bag requires 18 hours to fully create? 
We have all heard the infamous stories of long wait lists and time for these fabulous hand bags that hopefully last a lifetime and become a family heirloom. Yes, they come with an expensive price tag to boot.  I have been smitten with the makings of the Kelly bag since I was in high school and watched a documentary on how each bag was made by hand.
 
It is exciting to note an Hermes' partnership with Italian textile company Dedar to bring together the fashion sense and patterns of many of Herme's quintessential scarves,
creating a home line of quality fabrics and wall coverings all available by the yard. 
A year ago while I was at Decorex I popped into the Dedar showroom in London and saw this beautiful fabric line, and at the time it was off limits to either photograph or sell in the U.S.  So, I've been patiently waiting for its arrival, and now here it is freshly hung on the racks at the Jerry Pair showroom in the D&D building (on the 5th floor).  The fabrics are also sold by the yard at select retail Hermes stores around the country.

Of course there are the fine silks reminiscent of a beautiful Hermès scarf,
but the upholstery-ready cotton, cashmere, wool and linens impress.   
Horse race scenes in unique colors,
large patterned elephants in royal regalia,
or heavy weight tone-on-tone patterns offer an eclectic mix. 
 I can visualize pillows, roman shades, tufted chairs and more swathed with these rich designs.
While the fabrics hold a hefty price tag,
it is refreshing to note the new wall coverings are set at quite reasonable prices.
Yup, now we can literally surround ourselves in Hermès.
On my "to do" list for 2013 is to paper a new client's powder room
in one of the chain link patterns seen above - possibly that cool, retro yellow! 


While in the Jerry Pair showroom, I fell in love with Dedar's other
new collections of cut velvets and fabrics

each pattern offered in many different color combinations





 
Looks to me like 2013 is promising a
rather grand start
in the design industry!
 
Happy Nesting XO
 
 vintage Hermes advertisement
 

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