Friday, March 27, 2009

Super Jet

By Erin Ferucci
Celebrity Lifestyle Designer

It seems like everyone is talking about the Super Jet, and with good reason. The Airbus A380, AKA the "Super Jet" is the largest passenger plane in the world. With 2 full levels and 239 feet of length the Airbus has the equivalent space of two full tennis courts put together. It's huge! But it's size isn't the only thing that makes it distinctive. It is the epitome of luxury travel.

Designer, Marc Newson, a London based designer but native Australian was hired by Qantas to head the project. Newson is known for his retro aesthetic and extremely wide variety of projects, everything from interiors to the fuel efficient cars of the future. On the Qantas Airbus there are 14 exclusive first-class cabins, each with personal storage a dining table that seats two, a leather chair that contains converts to a bed and a 17 inch LCD television. In business class there are 72 private lounges with leather sofas, sky bed seats, large video monitors and self serve bars.
The Super Jet has already changed the way in which we travel, and I’m not just talking about the windows in the first class bathrooms! It seems that the new plane is so gianormous that additional service roads and runways have to be closed in order to land the Airbus at LAX, causing disruptions for other airplanes and general traffic!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Purple Fashion

By Erin Ferucci
Celebrity Lifestyle Designer

Okay, I'm almost over purple...but not quite.

And it really is everywhere....

Open any magazine...

Purple is hot right now...In every culture, in every shade...it's all about PURPLE!

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Decorating With Doors

By Erin Ferucci
Celebrity Lifestyle Designer

Okay, I admit it. My latest decorating obsession is with doors and door frames. They are able to enhance any space in a really creative way. These door frames are from India and could be used as mirrors.I also love the idea of just incorporating the door frame in your own doorframe at home or in a restaurant or hotel. Anywhere would look great.....I’m a little in love with doors right now. As a design element they’re really fun and flexible. They are economical and environmentally sound. And best of all they are almost always a conversation piece.Whether they are functional doors that separate spaces…. or displayed artfully on the wall.
Doors are the hit of the season!

Friday, March 20, 2009

Floral Design

By Erin Ferucci
Celebrity Lifestyle Designer

Christian Tortu, one of my early favorite floral designers was an absolute innovator. He basically started the whole fruit mixed with flowers movement. In 1991, I was living in Paris, as often as I could I would check out the windows of a shop owned and named "Christian Tortu" (His home fragrances are the best in the world!!!- really) Most girls were checking out the collection in the windows of Balman, Dior, and Lacroix...while I was over at Tortu!! on the left bank. I am sure this too happened to Jeff Leatham, who was visiting Paris in 1995, That was when his whole world changed, literally. The Four Seasons in Beverly Hills gave Jeff his first break. After four years The Four Seasons Hotel in Paris called. George V, came calling.Jeff moved to Paris, and the rest is History.
Jeff now has seven assistants and receives over 150,000 flowers a week, creating one hundred compositions daily. Now you see, the first thing I do when I land in Paris is get a chocolate croissant and walk the Hotel George V and admire the flowers. ahhhh Paris......
Photographs by Gilles Trillard

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Easy, Inexpensive Floral Art

By Erin Ferucci
Celebrity Lifestyle Designer


We’ve been talking about hosting a dinner party elegantly, effortlessly and economically. Just because we’re all being frugal doesn’t mean we have to be dowdy! One of the easiest and least expensive ways to dress up any table is with fresh flowers. And it’s so easy to get great results! I love Calla Lilies; they come in a wide variety of colors and can artfully be thrown into unique glassware. Move them around creatively and .....Viola!Presto! For only a few dollars you have a beautiful centerpiece. Don't be afraid to push the flowers around, they aren't going to get mad at you. Push them around until you've reached a creative balance. You'll know when you get there. You don't want to over do floral arrangements. Have some confidence and keep it simple.Choose colors that go with central theme. I love these amaryllis blooms submerged in cool water in a lovely glass bowl. Quick, easy and inexpensive, these flowers elevate any table from ever day to special occasion.

Friday, March 13, 2009

The Art of the Dinner Party

By Erin Ferucci
Celebrity Lifestyle Designer


Enough with the recession! Isn’t it time for all of us to take a little break and enjoy good friends, fine food and a relaxed environment? I think it’s more important than ever to practice the fine art of the dinner party.The great thing is you don’t have to spend a fortune to pull it off with panache! And it’s a great excuse to do a little spring cleaning. Make your home inviting by clearing away any leaves that have accumulated during the winter. Here in California it’s time to open up the house and let the fresh air in. I love these pivot doors, talk about bringing the outside in and the inside out! I love it! Simple food, with seasonal fresh ingredients from your local farmer's market will keep costs down. It's beautiful, healthy and affordable.You can even have guests bring a side dish, but take the time to display the food on beautiful, simple white dishes. White dishes are my favorite. They allow the food to shine and they're available everywhere from Cost Plus World Market to Crate and Barrel. They're inexpensive and elegant, totally cheap and cheerful. Presentation is everything! Gather with good friends and enjoy!

Friday, March 6, 2009

Dining Room Design on a Dime

By Erin Ferucci
Celebrity Lifestyle Designer


All great dining rooms create a mood. In these challenging economic times why not bring the focus back to entertaining at home, by throwing a dinner party. Is there anything more fun than having friends for dinner? Every one needs support and encouragement right now. This is a great time to get together casually with friends and enjoy good food. You don't need to recreate your dining room or spend a fortune. You can easily create a dining room that sets a mood without having to break the budget.
Start with accepting your dining table and chairs as a given. You may not love them but let’s face it, dining room tables are expensive and you can’t just run out and buy a new one every time you feel like changing the design of your dining room, especially in this economy. Adding color to your simple dining table is easy...with colored glasses, plants, food, and flowers...

Of course, a beautiful setting always is inspiring too....

Stay tuned to the next blog when we discuss simple floral arrangements that will make your table look like a million bucks for just a few dollars.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Out of India Slumdog Rugs

By Erin Ferucci
Celebrity Lifestyle Designer

I know I am couple of weeks late, but many many congrats to "Slumdog Millionaire".....



It was one of my favorite movies of the year, maybe even in my all time top ten. It was really lovely. And has me thinking about about Indian textiles... For many years, I have been purchasing these rugs from Michaelian & Kohlberg in Los Angeles.
They are designed by Teddy Sumner, the grandson of the late legendary Frank Michaelian, one of the true pioneers of the 20th century carpet industry. Out of India rugs are hand woven with the Mahindra weave, using a Persian knot, approximately 121 knots per sq. inch. The wool yarns are hand spun and dyed almost entirely with vegetable dyes indigenous to India. Michalean & Kohlberg is committed to seeing that any labor associated with their rug production is legal-no underage workers- and that the workers are treated with dignity and fairly compensated. A percentage of the total proceeds received for these rugs shipped out of India is donated to a children's welfare program overseen by the government.