LYRA MAG.

Smart Designs for Coffee Lovers Premium Presses/ Eco Containers...in transit or at home. OUR LATEST OBSESSION-for tabletop, home decor-or life on the road=the beautiful functional designs by NY based  SOMA. SOMA's newest design-the  BREW BOTTLE ($40) is a portable durable double walled glass coffee/tea  12 oz container-tricked out with a patent pending strainer- press (stainless steel)- capped up with a slide opened screw top. Chic and the prefect way to make perfect pour over or cold brew-or loose tea. Choices in colors available.  Comes apart for easy cleaning too. WIN WIN This company's stunning 10 cup water pitcher-made from recycled/sustainable materials including bamboo handle-uses a degradable (eventually) coconut shell based filter .  Sold at Crate & Barrel with water filters sold separately-or by   yearly subscription  it's popular on wedding registries and makes a great house gift! SOMA  is s  Certified B Corp -with 1% of profits donat

Part 3 Historic homes and sleek contemporary dwellings can co-exist with modern and antique pieces. Visually and functionally. These key takeaways from Celeste Alexander's led panel on the Modern Approach to Time-honored Design   appropriately- took place at the STYLE LIBRARY showroom -aka the home for those glorious William Morris archival prints. Observations by participants Joy Moyler , Raymond Boozer , and Tyler Hill - Michael Mitchell  also noted how clients are often very savvy, inspired by travels (and Instagram), have key artworks to design around, can have family heirlooms ( "... respect them...and know about them ahead of time" Joy Moyler).  and either are willing to live with antiques (with comfortable modern primary seating -Hill/Mitchell) or not ("millennial don't want antiques" Raymond Boozer). New: Color by Nature 16 paint colors-a Farrow and Ball' s x Natural History Museum's (London) collaboration  of tr

Part 2 DDB Building Fall Market 2019 FABRICUT SHOWROOM It's not easy to cause home envy in a crowd of professional decorators. BUT  Kendall Wilkinson (San Fran. based with a signature beauty/comfort  MO garnering West Coast- Rocky Mountain clients), Tina Ramchandani (NY full service designer known for it's 'soulful minimalism') and Jackson Hole WY based duo Klaus Bauer and Rush Jenkins ( WRJ DESIGNS -" Natural Elegance " personified)...managed a few lustful gasps-during an informative slide presentation last week. As summed up by keynote host  Brittany Chevalier McIntyre (Executive Editor of Luxe Interiors)-vacation homes are  the ultimate dream abodes - with a design must of comfort AND a place to work- for today's work life balance.   AKA "...living the same life in different homes...beginning with location and architecture." SOME HIGHLIGHTS A desire for LESS TECH by HIGH TECH honchos -noted Kendall Wilkinson; "they

That irresistible high-low matrix of how we dress, furnish homes and EAT-from chef table multi-course extravaganza to quick food truck bites. Is so true for the most popular sweet candy -chocolate, too.  INDULGE: Two themed chocolate 'kits' satisfy desires for the sublime and the fun. For the gourmet and wine connoisseur   - the luxury Belgian chocolate maker Neuhaus-clinks glasses with Advanced Sommelier Sarah Thomas of NYC's Michelin's 3 star rated- Le Bernadin- for its beautifully packaged Wine Collection.  INSIDE-24 creamy melt in your mouth  pralines... in six palate pleasing assortments-blessed with hints of unexpected ingredients (Earl Grey tea, saffron, acacia honey etc). To savor with ( and enhanced by ) specific wines...these gift worthy treats include an informative booklet- that offers up varietal suggestions and flavorful descriptions. Sophisticated--and approachable btw. One way to slow down (and appreciate more) our usual fast inhalation

(Plus Home Offices AWAY FROM HOME ) Part One The design professionals across several industries-including residential -commercial designers (and architects), and tech firms-creators of software/artificial intelligence that impacts the way we all live now ...have more commonalities than not. To make life easier, to work better, transition from environments- seamlessly-surrounded by all the comforts of home-whether actually at home. Inspirations: A Concept Applause and laughter greeted  "...well-traveled and citizen of the world" Robert Coutrier 's succinct answer to what inspires him..."THE CLIENT!!!" Unbelievably to us-it's usually not that answer  of this often asked question-from what we heard at the jam packed bi-annual DD Building Fall Market 2019. But this fab keynote presentation on the theme of "The Global Future of Design,"  hosted by House & Garden's Editor-In Chief Hatta Byng-at the Lee Jofa and Brunschwag & F

NYC Coffee Festival  Mix It With : A 90's redux- 'retro' and new alcohol brands- serve it up to a new generation (or two). remember when Red Bull and vodka dominated the two buzz drinks' category? MR. BLACK -updates that combo w/ cold brew and vodka (roasted + distilled in Australia) FYI vegan, vegetarian and gluten free. Cocktail moue Even the thought of pouring a dram of Scottish whiskey over an ice cube -was scandalous. Now that Bourbon has replaced Scotland's aromatic export as a fav of 35 and under-one of the premier brands  imported single malt whiskey- Oban  ( Diageo owned)- is targeting that demographic-with cocktail suggestions. It reminded us of how Sherry is gaining traction-as an alcoholic ingredient in craft sips. For a sweetish  take on winter's staple Irish Coffee-add Coole Swan 's combo of Irish whiskey, Madagascar vanilla,  Belgian white chocolate + double creme into a steaming mug half filled with java. Good over ice c

NYC COFFEE FESTIVAL The same humans that grew up with 'smart'screens- swiping ... are  becoming coffee (and tea) drinkers = born after Starbucks ubiquitously introduced caffeine consumers to better brews. Tastebuds have - evolved further (Starbucks now  'gets' that with its Reserve Roasteries) PREMIUM QUALITY-transparent chain supply-exceptional designs . Travelers sipping  un caffé  better tasting than the average American 'joe,  caring about sustainability+sourcing directly- and the specialty foodie culture- have all contributed to the wonderful world  of more coffee deliciousness. Part One: Single Origin=Small Batch : coffee beans (and chocolates) from a distinct region yield flavors-nuanced and bold. Similar to wine descriptions-(and what we wrote about recently -in coverage of the Fancy Food Show )-coffee beans have  distinct aromas and palate hints beyond dark-medium-light-courtesy of soil, altitude, climate and roasting techniques. Hints of da

Portugal has been 'trending' as a tourist and ex-pat destination for years...even before Madonna moved there for it's sporty expertise. HERDADE DAS SERVAS VINHAS VELHAS 2015-made by the Serrano Mira family estate (since 1667!) A jaunt abroad might not fit into schedules/budgets-but experiencing a country's largesse can be tempted via one's palate. A recent Wines of Portugal tasting on this side of the Atlantic-turned up many surprises-from easy to drink light bodied inexpensive selections to elegant and sophisticated blends -staring Portugal's native  250 grape varietals . Like many European countries- many many many Portuguese wines are  labeled according to designated controlled   regions (DOC...Vinho Regional). Additionally official Portuguese wine classifications -rated by a panel of regional wine commission members... indicate the "outstanding organoleptic characteristics," ---or in the instance of Grande Reserva rating-add an &qu