Annette Jaffe's Blog

The New Roger Williams Rooms….

Annette Jaffe — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 19:33:32 +0000

The model room has been approved and the new renovation is going to start after the new year. Very exciting stuff. It’s amazing who completely different The Roger is going to look…

The Hang

Annette Jaffe — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:18:58 +0000

The Hang, by MSM at the showhouse in Old Brookville came out great and the response has been so positive. Thank you to all the vendors who participated and our friends, old and new, who have been so complimentary and supportive.

Showhouse

Annette Jaffe — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 17:12:58 +0000

For some reason we’ve never done a showhouse, but we’re doing one now. In September, MSM will be presenting a room at the 2011 Designers’ Showcase in Upper Brookville, Long Island and you have to go check it out. The showhouse features various Interior Designers within a historic host mansion, currently named Chestnut Manor. It’s pretty spectacular with hidden safes, staircases and more bedrooms than you’d want kids for. Originally called Wolver Hollow, the mansion dates back to 1914 and has been a home to four different residents through the past 85 years including Pia Zadora. The decor was somewhat compromised with each resident’s alterations, but the bones have stayed true true to classic Gold Coast glamour. We’ve been preparing the room for the past couple weeks, and so far it’s been a great experience. Hey, I’m my best client if you know what I mean. I think all the ideas are genius and I always agree with myself.

We’re still debating the room’s name, but we’re thinking of either “Modern Cave” or “The Hang.” The room has some unusual angles and is going to be terrific. We’re using wood paneling, a Morrocan shag rug, building a terrarium desk, bar, and putting in a smoking hot media system.

Chestnut Manor

Previous Owner Pia Zadora

Take a peek at our construction site!

A Salty Aftertaste

Annette Jaffe — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 13:57:12 +0000

Cascabel’s trendy tequila has got salt on my brain!

Opaque, transparent, metallic, red, purple, green, yellow, black or blue, these frisky ionic compounds are wild to study. Because salt is created through the neutralization reaction of an acid and a base, it can be sweet, sour, and bitter…interesting, huh? It’s used for industrial purposes also, like in the production of paper, soaps, and detergents. I’m loving sea salt on caramel and on chocolate covered pretzels these days. My thighs..not so much.

Check out these variations:

The mining of salt is a fascinating process where salt is obtained naturally from formed deposits (the evaporation of ancient salt lakes). Water is sometimes being injected to speed up the process. Both Deb and Marta from the MSM office have visited mines in the U.S. and Europe:

Let’s Get Real

Annette Jaffe — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 15:27:25 +0000

I don’t know why my last post about Cascabels came out so sweet!

If this blog spot is going to have any credibility I’m going to have to tell it like it is.

So here it is people, let’s get real:

The salt on the margarita was a cool color, but other than that, this trendy taco joint was pretty much a bust.

They didn’t have all the types of tequila offered for the tequila flight, and the meat was SO dry. When we complained, they brought more over for us to taste and it was STILL dry.

They couldn’t have been nicer, but it took a lot for me to order pork butt in the first place…dry pork butt – I don’t think so!

The chairs were cool, and the trays were cool. But the tables were too small for the trays, and the service was so fast it made ya wonder!

When we left, Lucas Billheimer, the chef from Parlor Steakhouse (NYC) was there, and he was lovin’ it. I guess Lucas giving it his blessing made me question myself.

I love Lucas. I love Parlor. But I wasn’t really feelin’ the love for this place.

Cascabel Taqueria: Trendy Tacos and Tequila

Annette Jaffe — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 20:20:57 +0000

While lounging outside on one of Cascabel Taqueria’s multi-colored seats (margarita within close proximity), the streets of New York seemed to slowly transform to a fun and flirty beach scene. This NYC eatery on Second Avenue offers a casual environment to kick back and enjoy some good fun and some solid Mexican street food. The tequila flight was a great starting point, and the interesting salt on the margarita glass made for a unique presentation. The tacos were served on cafeteria-style trays, great design tactic! While the atmosphere was enjoyable, the pork butt and steak tacos were dry… I have a feeling you’ve got to be good and loaded to indulge in the flavors! They had their restaurant reviews posted, which was much appreciated. All in all, for a late Sunday night, it was a wonderfully spent summer evening.

Avant-Guarde exhibit at the Guggenheim Museum in NYC

Annette Jaffe — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 20:56:51 +0000

I adored the show, The Great Upheaval, at the Guggenheim in NYC which explores art from 1910-1918 . With over 100 pieces of art, by the likes of Kandinsky, Picasso, Marc, Chagall Seraut, and so many others, the works reflect the artists explorations during this wonderful moment and startling brief time. Artists groups start to emerge as they begin to exchange ideas and gain strength from seeing each others work. The diversity and volume of art, in such a brief time amazed me. Many of these artists had moved to Paris for opportunity, but still brought with them their local traditions and interests. Each piece of artwork tells a different story, whether it is regarding the mind, the World Wars, or just basic shapes fitting together. These works all come together at the exhibit and are a reflection of the manifestos and ideologies being written during this time, the emergence of cubism, modernism as well as the influence of the war. If you’re in NYC it’s a do not miss.

Mixing it up on the Upper East Side

Annette Jaffe — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 21:59:46 +0000

Not photographed yet by anything other than my phone, MSM just finished a beautiful renovation in Manhattan. The owner was set on using modern furniture he had from another home but had a few sentimental pieces he wanted to mix in. We placed his grandfather’s footstool, complete with needlepoint done by his mother, in his bedroom by a reading chair. His grandmother’s mailstand works great in the bedroom foyer. The apartment will be up on the site soon! Mixing it up makes the home feel warm, eclectic and infused with the owner’s personality.

Ireland

Annette Jaffe — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 18:14:47 +0000

On a recent trip to Ireland for a client I came across an antique shop that had a terrific selection of slipper chairs. I often add a slipper chair to a room as a charming way of having extra seating and playing with scale.

There was also a great magazine stand that doubled as a stool.

Flying in I was astonished to see how little of the land has been developed. The stones found on the land have been used to create boundaries throughout the country and from the air it looks like a giant patchwork quilt. The people were incredibly warm with a ready laugh.

Check Out MSM Handiwork for Hotel Oceana Santa Barbara on Blik website

Annette Jaffe — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 18:06:48 +0000

Blik wall appliqués are wonderful for residential and commercial spaces. They can be easily applied, don’t cause a mess, and are perfect for the “commitment-phobic” as they are not as permanent as graphic paint designs or wallpaper.

One of our hotel renovations is featured on the Blik website.

Here you can see photos of the wall graphic that we chose to be featured in the guest rooms of Hotel Oceana Santa Barbara. For more photos, be sure to check out our website at www.msmpd.com.

Check out our work on the Blik website at www.whatisblik.com/customize/hotel-oceana-santa-barbara/.