David Patrick Columbia

Yesterday I had the pleasure of having lunch at Michael’s with New York luminary David Patrick Columbia, founder of New York Social Diary. Hardly a person passed by our table without stopping to shake his hand or say hello. His chronicling of New York and society began in 1993 as a monthly society column in Quest magazine. Then in 2000 David decided to become independent and take his project online. Each day, with the help of his business partner, Jeffrey Hirsch, David documents society with his unique personal reflection.

NYSD was a huge source of inspiration to me when I started All the Best four years ago. After a long lunch, book shopping at Archivia and much talk about the online world, I realize that it was very much like meeting a long lost friend. What a thrill to read his account of our lunch this morning. Thanks David.

Photo: New York Times

Thank You New York Social Diary

A huge thank you to David Patrick Columbia for recently asking me to become a contributor to New York Social Diary. I have been reading the online version of NYSD since it launched in September of 2000. David's quest for the best and tireless focus on interesting people was one of the inspirations in founding All the Best four years ago. As you can imagine, it is quite an honor to now write for someone I have long admired.

You can read a more detailed account of my visit to La Castellane and Picnics in Provence on today's NYSD. Now I have to start dreaming of the next place to visit...

Fox News Names ATB Top 10 Design Blog 2010

A HUGE thank you to Fox News iMagazine for naming All the Best one of the Top 10 Design Blogs for 2010. What a wonderful surprise and honor...I am in good company.
Thank you,
Ronda

Thank you Kravet

Thank you for including me in the most recent issue of inspired.news. You can read the entire piece here on page five.

Mary McDonald: The Allure of Style

Like so many I have been counting the days until the release of Mary McDonald’s first book The Allure of Style. Now the wait is over! Mary’s exquisitely photographed book includes her own refurbishment of Buster Keaton’s legendary villa, as well as an extraordinary range of client projects.

Mary’s flair for combining old-fashioned elegance with bold patterns, chinoiserie and contemporary style is second to none. Vibrant color and whimsical designs, married with an impeccable sense of style is evident on every page. This book is a must for any design library.

A very special thank you to Mary for including me in the acknowledgments. Unnecessary, but very much appreciated. Mary you are the best.







Photo 1: Simon Upton
Photos 2, 3, 4: Miguel Flores-Vianna
Photo 5: Victoria Pearson

Thank You Mrs. Howard

Thank you to everyone who attended the SFERRA party at Mrs. Howard in Atlanta. And a HUGE thank you to Leah Kennelly for all of your help and to Phoebe and Jim Howard for hosting!

I have been a big fan of Jim and Phoebe’s phenomenal work for a several years, and seeing it in person is better than any photo. Both have become widely recognized in the design world, and their work is synonymous with inviting, yet sophisticated Southern style.

The three-story building that houses Mrs. Howard is designed to look like a home, with each room offering a distinct look. The attention to every single detail in each room is astounding. Mrs. Howard was the ideal location for the SFERRA Lose Count event—truly a perfect pairing. Phoebe’s bedrooms are sheer perfection—refined, tranquil, and always dreamy!

If you are in Atlanta, you must stop by and see for yourself. You can also, visit their other locations. Not only will you love Mrs. Howard the store, you will also love Phoebe. Her sense of humor and honesty are both fun and refreshing. You can see more photos on All the Best Portfolio.

Leah Kennelly (soon to be mom) with Phoebe and Jim Howard

Happy New Year

It was three years ago today that I started All the Best and began writing my very first blog post—All the Best Champagne. Honestly, I could never have envisioned the paths that my life would take as I typed away that New Year’s Day. 675 posts later I am still delighted by the daily journey and grateful for the amazing opportunities that I have been presented.

In the last few years ‘design’ blogs have grown by leaps and bounds. In the beginning there were a mere handful of bloggers, grateful for a creative outlet and a community of likeminded individuals to contribute ideas and share a passion. For most who write a blog I still believe that to be the case.

Most recently 648 design blogs were nominated for Apartment Therapy’s 2009 Homie Award—648! It’s truly amazing when you considered that writing a blog is a labor of love. While a few bloggers have gained ‘superstar’ status, garnering thousands of hits everyday, most quietly go about their daily hobby that brings a bit of joy to our lives.

I know that I have been very fortunate in the last few years. Thanks to my blog I am now writing professionally and growing a business creating bespoke partnerships. Often times, due to time constraints, I am guilty of not reading new blogs or commenting as often as I should, a lapse that I plan to rectify in 2010.

An Aesthete's Lament has challenged bloggers everywhere (and their followers) to make a resolution (one that hits home for me): “Visit your favourite blogs often and leave comments, even if they are negative ones (constructive negativity, however, not abusive).”

Happy New Year! I hope 2010 brings you all the very best.