'History Lesson in Houses'

Out of Long Island’s North Shore, Jeffrey Bilhuber created a home out of a seventeenth-century house by melding it with his own past, present and future.

The New York based decorator led Vogue’s Hamish Bowles on a grand tour of a country mansion named ‘Hay Fever,’ tucked under a blanket of beech wood and dogwood trees. The carefully executed renovation of the house structure and its interiors are a source of inspiration.

House-hunting Bilhuber settled on ‘Hay Fever’ for reasons many buy historic houses – its quality. “The houses got bigger,” he told Vogue. “But none of them got any better.”

The house was originally a one-story structure, built by Captain John Underhill in 1668 and added onto throughout the centuries. It was a private boys’ school in the 1840’s and later belonged to antiques collector and dealer Jane Robinson, known for her stone house on East Sixty-First Street in Manhattan, which is now the Abigail Adams Smith Museum.

But it was only until the 40’s when the house, nearing demolition, was acquired by Edith Hay Wyckoff and earned the moniker ‘Hay Fever.’

Bilhuber kept the house’s venerable past in mind – he had every tile and floorboard carefully removed so the infrastructure could be restored. For appropriate paint colors and trim of the period, Bilhuber did some leg work, consulting with curators.

The mansion has old English charm with tufted chairs in the living room in a shocking Prussian blue and purple hue, or charcoal gingham chairs in the playroom. In the bedrooms upstairs, Bilhuber mixes large florals, enlivened by wicker furniture and indoor fauna. Even the wallpaper in many of the rooms were a take on old classics – a lemon lime ‘Cadiz’ print and a red ‘Climbing Hydrangea.’

Perhaps the most breathtaking arrangement can be found in the Empire master bedroom, where incredible bolts of crimson linen create the illusion of a four-poster bed.

Amidst Bilhuber’s clever mix of old and new, the decorator is sure to include family heirlooms and precious keepsakes. A framed set of christening robes from his father and uncle hang above a pillow on printed with the British flag sitting on a sofa in the living room. Not far is a portrait of Johann Christoph on the wall, the decorator’s great-great-great-great-great- great-grandfather.

“I thought about all my ancestors when I thought about this house,” he told Vogue. “We all bring these memories that stay with us forever.”

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of vogue.com

'Fit Like A Glove'

Are you afraid of a little nip and tuck?

No, I’m not talking about visiting a plastic surgeon. I’m talking about the relationship you have with your tailor.

Yes, there are many people who have few qualms when it comes to investing in plastic surgery. Far worse, there are the beauty and hair addicts with their vanities overflowing with creams, sprays, peels and wraps.

Surprisingly, most accessory and clothing queens do not have a tailor’s phone number and address filed into their Blackberry’s. I don’t. But that’s because I could hand-sew a zipper into a woman’s dress blindfolded.

In the latest August issue, Instyle Makeover ran a clever spread with the help of expert NYC tailor Jean Kormos on how a little snip and a tuck can transform any garment. The spread compared the garment before and after, and outlined the cost of each simple alteration.

Shortening the hem of a dress might cost $24 in New York, or typically $10 and up elsewhere. Kormos’ expert advice on alterations, however, is invaluable.

If finding a tailor through word of mouth doesn’t pan out, Kormos suggests visiting the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals Web site (paccprofessionals.org). Scheduling a consultation with the tailor and asking to see examples of the tailor’s work are strongly suggested. Always ask for an estimate – some heavily embroidered or embellished pieces may be too costly.

Once you’ve settled on a tailor, dry-clean the garment first before handing it over. This will relax the fibers and help the tailor in providing the best fit.

Tailors do not only fix hems and cuffs. They also cinch in the sleeves of a blouse, trim the waist/bustline, shave excess in jacket sleeves and narrow the inseam of a pant.

For hemming pants or the taking in of a bust line, be sure to bring the shoes and bra you intend to wear. Otherwise, the hem might fall too short. The bra, similarly, might make the new bust line look even more ill-fitting.

Other pointers: The sleeve of a jacket should always hit the wrist. The cuff of a man’s dress shirt should show a quarter of an inch from the jacket sleeve.

Most garments can be taken in up to two sizes without changing ‘the integrity of the garment.’ You will need to shop a smaller size if the piece needs to be altered more than two sizes.

Still afraid of a little nip and tuck?

-S. Gonzalez

'A Royal Hanging'

If it’s status that you’re seeking, then a tassel is what you need.

Just like King Louis XIV had silk and woolen tassels fastened onto his imperial garb, the noble and wealthy classes have long used tassels to flaunt their pedigree. Hanging from cushions, upholstered headboards and carriages, tassels with gold and other vibrant braids became popular in interiors for its royal reputation.

The tassel is still considered regal and luxurious, sometimes found dangling from a military coat or leather loafer (see vintage Bally loafers below). And in the home, tassels are a sought-after accessory on drapes, upholstery and antique furniture.

Décor Innovation’s newest arrival is a collection of hand woven tassels ($14.99 below) in colors like sage, chocolate, fuchsia and peach. And recently added, a set of single eight-inch tassels and crystal-embellished tassels.

The ornate tassels have a decorative appliqué at the top of the mould. A ribbon wraps around the body, suspended by a double-braided cord. At the bottom, decorative pompons and galloon trim give way to a two-toned fringe skirt. Unlike single tassels, the collection consists of dual tassels on each end.

There are the obvious places a tassel might be found: around curtains, valences and other window trimmings. Weavers continue to use a weaver’s knot (the tassel’s predecessor), which for thousands of years would finish the ends of rugs, blankets and clothing.

For a classic, opulent look, a tassel might be attached onto the end of a table runner, or used as a napkin ring. It could be more practical and be tied to the pull of a ceiling fan or table lamp. A tassel makes an excellent ornament, bookmark, or accent on an invitation or gift.

Ever thought of using a tassel for a necklace or belt on a long, full skirt?

It should not come as a surprise why the tassel, for all its infinite uses, has survived the test of time. I challenge you to find your own use for a tassel – whether in your home or wardrobe. And discover that with one, two, or three tassels, you’ve been upgraded.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photo courtesy of teenvogue.com, decorinnovation.com

'Easy, Breezy, Beautiful Cover-Up'

Tanning lotion? Check. Straw-brim hat? Check. Caftan, tunic, maxi dress, robe and sarong? All check.

With a variety of cover-ups in punchy colors and flattering shapes dominating the swimwear market, the bikini is at the bottom of everyone’s vacation packing list.

But cover-ups are. Why?

Maybe because this season’s swimwear cover-ups can be sexy, yet comfortable – sheer, yet versatile. The bathing suit can stay on while you explore the beach resort, dine with friends at a seaside café, or venture round the cruise ship.

An oversized T-shirt and bath towel do not have that same kind of staying power.

You can find cover-ups in fabrics that range from a delicate silk or chiffon to a lasting jersey or crocheted cotton. The purpose of the cover-up is to not only compliment the color and cut of the suit, but to play up the little bit of bathing suit showing underneath.

A frilly cover-up like this one from Aspara resembles one of my own favorites, which I bought from a Zara during a trip to Toulouse, France. The silk top’s blue paisley print against a sheer white background instantly drew my attention. The blouse had balloon sleeves, grazing my wrists in a torrent of ruffles. I typically stay away from most ruffled numbers, but after trying it on I had to have it.

Another kimono-style cover-up finds its way into my luggage whenever I make my yearly pit stop to Miami’s South Beach. The draping of the Japanese-inspired dress creates long, elegant lines along the body. Similar to LaBlanca’s pink version, my white dress molded perfectly to my body. Yet, it was far too transparent to wear casually. But when worn over a bikini at the beach, I no longer felt self-conscious.

The maxi dress in solid or prints is this summer’s biggest hit. The dress is flattering on most shapes, with the only longstanding question being whether you prefer spaghetti strap, halter, or cross-back. No need to worry about finding the perfect strapless bra here. Although, I do suggest that if you’re petite: Stay away from heavy fabrics and opt for a sheer dress like this one at Tucker Paisley.

You’ll find that with so many swimwear options, packing for summer vacation was never such a breeze.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of wwd.com

'Baby Babble'

“I can’t make another trip to Baby’s R Us,” I thought. “I just can’t.”

I stared back at my pregnant cousin, who had just revealed that another close family friend would be expecting. My cousin’s cheeks were flushed from delivering the good news. Eight months pregnant, her baby shower was only two weeks away. She would host the shower alongside her older sister, who was coincidentally seven months along.

In less than a year, I had been to four baby showers for some of my closest friends and family. Never mind the weddings.

Familiar with the routine, I asked my cousin about her impending shower and she quickly rejected my mentioning of a baby registry. “No, Sophia,” she said. “I want you to pick something out. I trust your taste.”

Oh, boy. I now had to come up with an ingenious gift list. And fast.

My first thought drifted towards the nursery from what she had once described: a haphazardly-painted room with unopened boxes of baby furniture mounting in a corner, hardwood floors in need of a cushy rug and bare, bland walls.

Not that I suggest my cousin transform the nursery into a ‘Winnie the Pooh’ or ‘Thomas the Engine’ themed baby room. The room should be multistage – unless you want to redecorate the room frequently. And incorporating different colors, textures and objects is the best way to do so.

Drawer pulls for under $10 in decorative butterflies and lions can be easily taken down once a child outgrows them. Storage baskets with removable liners can store diapers now and school books years later. A wooden toy chest could be used in a similar fashion.

But what about those must-have baby essentials?

Sure, everyone remembers to buy the teddy bear or princess bedding. Not everyone thinks to buy extra bed covers (see left) for the crib. Babies are neither mess nor accident-proof. I tend to look for organic cotton – some babies have sensitive skin and develop rashes from synthetic fibers.

With babies also come guilty pleasures.

For some, it’s strapping a newborn in an outfit with their favorite NFL team. For others, it’s reminding others that ‘Grandma is no. 1’ or ‘Daddy is the best.’ For me, it’s the cute factor. A set of onesies stuffed in a box like cupcakes (above right) or a bucket with a hat, onesie, bib, T-shirt and socks that are rolled to look like flowers always elicit ‘aww’s.’

Now that I have my list, it’s time to do some online shopping.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of msn.com, blissliving.com and decorinnovation.com