David Katz Table Setting

David Katz was invited to do a table setting for WISH Magazine. For those of you who don't know who he is, he is best described as a collector, and makes his living picking art and home furnishings that he sells to designers, shops, and regular folks. In a way he is continuing a family tradition because his mother Karla Katz owns the best antique shop on Magazine Street here in New Orleans, where she sells French, Swedish, and Italian wares. David's dad collects (and makes) art, and his brother is a painter. He has been surrounded by beautiful things all of his life.

The table setting he did is very unusual. David is the classic bachelor who does not cook. In fact his kitchen is storage for the overflow of objects he buys and sells.  So he approached his table setting as an art installation, verging on Dada surrealistic lines.

Table setting by David Katz

David says, "The center piece is completely inspired by the Swiss, preeminent, Dada, artist, Meret Oppenheim's "Object" 1936. The piece was born of a compliment by fellow artists Dora Maar and Pablo Picasso to a fur cuff Oppenheim was wearing, where lore has it, Picasso remarked one could cover anything with fur, to which Maar replied 'Even this cup and saucer'."

David Katz  did a  fur place setting as an homage to Meret Oppenheim

A short time later, when asked to participate in Andre Breton's first surrealist exhibition dedicated to objects, "Object" was Oppenheim's entry. It's has always resonated with me in that the spirit to create something unique (and maybe thought provoking, but that emotion lies exclusively with the viewer) lives in the idea of realizing the opportunities to revolt against the dull, mundane, and ubiquitous are everywhere!  A phoenix of coolness may rise out of the ashes of uninspired doldrums adding a dash of anything-is-possible combined with objects readily around you."

The original Meret Oppenheim fur cup and saucer and spoon

He continues, "The serving plate under the homage to Oppenheim is a Gorham, Sterling plate, from 1934. This is from my private collection, but the best antique Sterling similar to this can be found at As Yo Like It, a shop on Magazine St. Old Sterling is not only the epitome of class, but a precious metal that has increased significantly in value over the past year. Get it to use and enjoy, and as a sound investment. I love Sterling. The white ceramic plate is Pridin Pale (France) and carried exclusively by the shop, Uptowner. I really like the shape and design of this plate."

I asked hm about the little sculptural heads in the table setting, "The head is a stone Bodhisattva fragment circa 9-13th C. and supposedly from Angkor Wat, a legitimate wonder of the ancient world. Those that know me well know I have an alien thing, and the alignment of Angkor Wat's temple complex has a striking similarity in alignment to the stars in the constellation Draco."

David Katz used an ancient  Bodhisattva head in his Dada-esque place setting

I love the flowers David used, and asked him if he arranged them, "Flowers are always a nice touch and should be de rigueur. These were done by the awesome Dunn and Sonnier, who let you take in their great antique store while they finish your flowers."

The napkins are lovely, and I asked David where he got them, "The napkins came from Mom. I am not good at buying napkins. She gave me these forever ago and they are great because they are bigger. People spill. Burgers are messy. A little extra napkin never hurt anyone. Thanks Mom!" 

David goes onto to say, "My Mom has a great antique store, Karla Katz antiques, and was gracious to help me with a few smalls to really help me visualize my dream table setting.  The raw, organic wood charger is actually a table top that Mom has at her store that has really cool, Warren Planter-esque, black, iron, stand that goes with it, but again,  I re purpose. This top was so great to use with the faux sting ray place mats. I think are awesome in their juxtaposition to use on a gorgeous, antique, more formal, walnut, table. The place mat is faux stingray I cut off a bolt of fabric. Why not think outside the proverbial box and choose a place mat that can be made from a bolt of fabric you love, and then throw into your rotation of place settings."

The horn cup with the Sterling  is gorgeous! It almost looks like an Ikat pattern, so striking against the "sting ray" print fabric David Katz used for the placemat he made for the table setting

Another special object is the horn cup of which David says, "The horn cup with Sterling rim, the pair of sterling bowls (I had a pair nearly identical I just sold...) and the antique tortoise-shell match book came from Karla's personal and private collection. To find little pieces as special as this there is no one store I can name. Exceptionally unique and cool pieces like this is why you make time to spend the day walking either Magazine or Royal Street with a friend and seeing what you may find!"

 "...vino is not only equal, but possibly of paramount importance when it comes to fueling the dinner parties you never forget!"

It's not often you seen cigars paired with wine in a table setting, David told me, "The wine is an amazing bottle that came from Wine Seller via Ben Lazic. The stogies come from Mayan Import Company on Magazine Street. I love the way a few them look in my old Tortoise shell caddy, which comes from my  collection of wares, and is for sale at Karla Katz Antiques."

Tortoise shell cigar caddy for sale from David Katz - what a great Christmas gift!

I love the approach David took to doing his table setting, and hearing his thought process was fascinating. I might have to try that fur on the plate idea!

David Katz collector and seller of art and beautiful and interesting things for the home - Wouldn't you love to stroll Magazine Street and Royal Street with him to look for special treasures for your table?

Contact David Katz to inquire about what beautiful things he is selling at dhknola@gmail.com

All photos from WISH

Please go to Between Naps On the Porch for more great tablescapes, that Susan features every Thursday.


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Black And White And Glam All Over

What is it about decorating in black and white that makes it feel so pulled together and often glamorous? It's almost the equivalent of wearing the perfect little black dress with the perfect string of pearls, and the perfect pair of heels.

Is it easy to do? I mean really, it's just two colors, with maybe some accent color thrown in with the eye of Coco Chanel taking off one too many accessories.

Here's a round up of three spaces of black and white designed homes, all of them in New York City. New York does seem fitting, since the workaday and nightlife dress code is often black in the cool months, and white in the warm weather.

First up is the apartment of Dallas fashion mavens Jane and Judy Aldridge.They are daughter (Jane) and mother (Judy). Jane has the crazy hot wonderful fashion blog Sea of Shoes. Judy writes the blog Atlantis Home. Both are avid shoppers, lovers of collecting, and very feminine. They have a wonderful mother-daughter relationship. I imagine their New York apartment is a pied-a-terre.

The New York apartment of Sea of Shoes - Love the patent chairs - elements to use if you do this - hide rugs, white floor, metallics. black and white furniture, mix of vintage, modern, and antique

The office area of the New York apartment of Jane and Judy Aldeidge - The white bookshelf, white chair and white desk, combine with the painted white floor, and are easy enough to do

Jane and friends in her New York apartment all done in black and white with a few well chosen accents of color

The second apartment Kelly Framel's home. comes from another fashion blogger , the glamourai.

Kelly's New York apartment has some of the same elements as Jane's - black and white hides. metallics. back and white furniture - Yet they have different vibes, and both look totally chic - I love the low hanging art, and how the practical and  simple window shades almost become an art-like installation

It seems small dogs are an important design element

Accessories are the jewelry of a space and these fashion mavens have a very good eye for choosing them

Love this version of a gallery wall, with some of the art on the floor layered and leaning

The kitchen gets the black and white treatment - the hand object on the pedestal cake stand is genius

I could not do a  post about black and white decor, especially in New York, without including Nicole Cohen of the blog Sketch 42. I have seen the apartment in person over two years ago, and it still looks fresh and exciting. Nicole would argue, because as a highly creative person she would love to re-do the place as her vision shifts. She is a designer, painter, a fashion lover, and a mother of two young children, and of course an avid blogger. I think she has struck the perfect note of the classic in her black and white design that could withstand the years, and  remain glam, functional, and well designed.

The black and white apartment designed by Nicole Cohen

All the classic elements of designing in black white - hide rug, metallics, see-through furniture. black and white furniture

Another view of Nicole Cohen's black and white living room - her painting adds the right amount of color

Nicole Cohen's kitchen - Love the black and white pendant lighting, and the combination of vintage, antique and modern elements used throughout the apartment - and having the marble counter top go all the way down to the floor is so glam!

The black and white master bedroom (Nicole Cohen) - Black on black Imperial Trellis wallpaper is timeless - LOVE the brass wall mounted lamps over the headboard - the mix pf prints in this room elevates the black and white design

Here's an apartment Nicole is working on for client- Love the hand painted wall she did - More of us girls are writing on our walls since we first saw crazy hot wonderful Kelly Wearstler do it in her home!

Kelly Wearstler paints the walls that inspire us bloggers

So there you have it! Black and white and glam all over. How many of you have black and white decor schemes? Anyone outside of New York?

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WWL-TV Thanksgiving Ideas and Shopping Guide

Did another spot on the Morning Show on WWL-TV about setting your Thanksgiving table. One segment was about centerpieces, and the second segment was about table settings. Here is a round up of everything I talked about and where to get some of the things I showed.

The first segment was about centerpieces. I talked about three things to do: The non-floral centerpiece perhaps using things you already have n a different way; the second idea had to do with deconstructing the super market bouquet and remaking it into something chic; the third idea is one of my favorites, ordering the perfect bouquet from your florist.

Idea # 1: How many of you have a dusty cornucopia in the closet? The orange pumpkins and faux leaves. Chinese lanterns,  and berries were left over from my early Fall/ Halloween decor - Time to recycle them for Thanksgiving - note the white platter holding it all together

The same cornucopia and bounty updated with a coat of white paint! The beautiful French tray comes from Tommy's Flowers in the French Quarter- I love holding a centerpiece on a tray so you can easily lift it off the table when the food arrives - Pumpkins and leaves from Michaels

A look at the beautiful tray from Tommy's before I put the centerpiece on it - Tommy's is a wonderful flower shop, but the best kept secret is the wonderful selection of home accessories they carry- Call them to order anything you see 504 522-6563, or stop by at 533 Rue St. Louis, and tell them the Vamp sent you!

Detail of white Thanksgiving centerpiece done by Valorie Hart ,The Visual Vam
Call 504 289-8979 to have The Vamp style your home on time for the holidays

Idea # 2: Deconstructing the super market bouquet - You can get a affordable bouquet of mixed flowers at any super market everywhere - to make them look more special, take the bouquet apart, and clip single blooms and put them in small containers - This perfect collection of five small white vases comes from Tommy's

Use one type of flower in each small vase - You can use small bottles of jars too - Scatter them on the table or put one in front of each person's place as a party favor

Here's another look at the collection of small white vases from Tommy's - They are sold as a set of five, and I love the classic and Chinoiserie lines of them  - the set of five is $39. and you will use them over and over again

Idea #3: Order a centerpiece from your florist - Here's a closer look at the beautiful one I got from Tommy's Flowers - I asked that it be low and abundant using the jewel tone colors of Fall - I left the design and flower choice up to designer Nancy Seegers at Tommy's who always does the most incredible job - Call 504 522-6563 to place an order for your own centerpiece, or call them to send flowers to your friends and family - Tommy's delivers everywhere in the metropolitan New Orleans area - Out of town folks call Tommy's to send flowers to someone in NoLA

Here's another look at the centerpiece from Tommy's flower shop - Flowers include hydrangea, dahlias, several colors of roses, rose hip berries, an ornamental cabbage, zinnias, acid green bottle brush. all arranged in a glass cube vase

Another non floral you can add are these preserved boxwood topiary from Tommy's - the come in a chic French pottery pot, and they will last forever - you can use them many, many times - I added super market mums and a little bird also from Tommy's - Topiary around $20., and little bird $7.

Scatter these little birds around (from Tommy's) for non floral table decor - The green Moroccan tea glasses are used as candles holders - just pop in a tea light - these come from Discoveries on Rampart Street

In segment two I talked about table settings. I showed three different settings. I showed how to make different generations of dishes and china work together. I showed a table setting using paper plates, because maybe you are just starting out and don't have any dishes. And last I showed a table setting using decorative plates that should come down off the wall for the holidays.

Three generations of plates - The large plate is a  modern one I bought, the second plate is 1970's from my mother - the small plate is  1800'a  Limoges from my grandmother - White brings them all together, the white napkin with a rustic twig ring, and the white turkey covered dish that you could use for soup - place cards are simple to make  - I cut index cards to size and just fold to make a tent style - I chose three colors for the table: White, brown, and green, and then added bursts of accent colors

Detail of the three generations of plates - Large is modern Italian ceramic; dinner plate is 1970's Crest Wood Eternal Wheat made in Japan - I bet you have something similar that you never use - and the salad plate is 1800's Limoges - the gold decoration on two of the plates unifies them - Also note the old style champagne glass, 1970's with a  gold wheat sheaf frond

How fun is this! The turkey print plates are paper! The napkin is tied with hardware store twine - And don't you love the Weekend Waterford (from Tommy;s) - Just set the table for the holidays even if you don't have much to work with

How cute are these paper plates and the Weekend Waterford?

I also talked about table coverings, showing how you can take 2 yards of your favorite fabric and throw it on the table. Depending on the size of your table it will be a full size tablecloth, or a generous size runner.

Idea # 3 - Take the decorative plates off the wall -  Many people have oyster plates in New Orleans - They make a pretty show plate, and of course serve oysters, or deviled eggs, or anything on them - LOVE this pink oyster plate on top of a white square French plate - both come from Tommy's in the French Quarter

Love the pink oyster plate - white covered turkey dishes shown throughout come from eBay

White is the unifying color when putting a table together. I used white napkins and dishes. I also used a collection of mismatched glassware. The idea is to use what you have, whether it's grand or humble, whether you are one person eating on a TV tray, or two to a houseful. Make a little effort for yourself and your loved ones during the holidays.

Here's an oyster plate in turquoise - You can get it at Tommy's

The oyster plate looks fabulous with the the white square under plate

French square plate from Tommy's

Set the table two days before Thanksgiving. It is the most fun and pretty thing to do, and you should devote enough time to enjoy doing it. Once it's done, it will inspire you to cook (or order in) a nice meal. Doing it two days ahead gives you more time on Thanksgiving to cook, and maybe grab a quick shower before dinner is served.

Set the table two days before Thanksgiving

Get a couple of yards of your fabric for an instant tablecloth or generous size runner - This cost around $10.

You can also purchase this very affordable tablecloth at Tommy's - it comes n several great colors and sizes - It's hand printed with indigo dyes - This color is called French Gray and I love how it pairs with the Imperial Trellis in my breakfast area

Mix it up! Arrange glasses according to height - Unify it all with white - I chose white, green and brown as the main color scheme, adding bursts of jewel tones - Use place cards to make your guests feel special - Add non floral objects like the turkeys and the little birds and topiary - Add candlelight - And call me if you need help putting it all together - 504 289-8979

Thank you WWL-TV, and thank you George and Nancy at Tommy's for all the beautiful things you loaned for the presentation.

Tommy's Flowers
533 Rue St. Louis (in the French Quarter)
New Orleans 70130
504 522-6563
No web site, but phone orders are welcome and friendly

Sally Ann Rogers and Valorie Hart on WWL-TV Morning Show HERE

Go to HERE two see the WWL-TV segments featuring The Visual Vamp (thank you Alberto for putting this on You Tube)

Stay tuned for my Christmas segments on WWL-TV in December.

All photos in this post by Valorie Hart

For more great Thanksgiving tablescapes go to Between Naps On The Porch

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A Noguchi Copy Cat Lantern You Can Afford!

I love the Noguchi Akari Lantern, especially the oversize one. The largest one measures 39" in diameter, and that really is the one to have to make a design statement. It sells for $985.00 from the Noguchi Museum store.

Noguchi Akari Lantern

However, being the queen of the high and the low, I found a round paper lantern for you that is 42" in diameter and only $39. HERE  Add a very affordable light cord kit, and voila you are in business!

I've used these lanterns since my student days decorating my first apartments, and then I used hundreds of them for my event design work. Clean and classic, it makes a wonderful visual statement.

the 42" round copy cat of the Noguchi lantern - only $39. !

Here's a round up of some large Noguchi Akari Lanterns to inspire you.

A large Noguchi lantern in the Swedish apartment of Mats Gustafson as seen HERE

A large Noguchi lantern in the Swedish apartment of Mats Gustafson as seen HERE

Noguchi lantern over a dining table

Noguchi lantern looks wonderful in thus open floor plan space

Some Noguchi lanterns in a shop

UPDATE
Apparently link I gave to buy oversize lantern is out of stock;
Try this one - they have a 30" and 36" in stock (that would work very well for the lok) and you can get cord kit here too. xo xo

http://www.paperlanternstore.com/36whirripala.html
http://www.paperlanternstore.com/36--even-ribbing-round-paper-lanterns.html
http://www.paperlanternstore.com/15whcoforla1.html

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