On Monday night I was lucky enough to attend the opening of the Picasso exhibit at the Frick. The Frick is one of my favorite museums in New York and the exhibition was outrageously fabulous. “Picasso’s Drawings, 1890-1921: Reinventing Tradition” follows his work over three decades and with only 61 works on display it was an enjoyable and easy way to see Picasso.

Some of my favorite’s:

This one blew my mind. They had a drawing Picasso did when he was 8 or 9 years old. Hercules 1890 below:

Portrait of the Artist’s Father 1896 is below. Done only 6 years after the drawing above.  His talent grew incredibly- amazing.

Sorry about the size of the image… I loved this one in person, the colors and mixed media gave it such a wonderful feel. Portrait of Antoni Sabates 1899:

Seating nude and Standing Nude 1906 is below.

Yellow Nude 1907 below:

Still Life with Chocolate Pot below. 1909

The New York Times covered the exhibit today: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/07/arts/design/lines-that-kept-moving-and-knew-no-boundaries.html

Buy your tickets online and go see this exhibit before it is gone: http://www.frick.org/exhibitions/picasso/

xo,

S

And we’re back! I went to Nantucket this past weekend with my husband and daughter to stay with friends. The weather was truly gorgeous and we had an action packed weekend. Growing up in New England, Nantucket has always been a favorite summer getaway. I could go on and on…but I won’t. I have included some photos I took this weekend of a few of my favorite spots.

Above: The view of the harbor as you fly in.

Above: We spent some time at The Westmoor Club with our friends who are members.  The landscaping and facilities are amazing.  We played croquette on the grass courts next to the grass tennis courts and ate dinner in the club house.  The Colonial Revival mansion built in 1917 for Alice Vanderbilt is now the clubhouse ( the large dining room was added on when the club was built).  The following day we went out on the club’s 77′ classic wooden boat Belle and had lunch and watched the regatta.

The Chanticleer is my absolute favorite restaurant on the island. Located in Sconset, the charming old restaurant is beautifully decorated and sits amidst beautiful gardens of wild flowers.  The food never disappoints with their modern French menu emphasizing New England and Artisan ingredients. I had the beet salad which had goat cheese and a chocolate truffle glaze. Unbelievable.  For my main course I had the swordfish with an onion ring on top.  Perfection. I cannot get back there soon enough.

The Chanticleer: 9 New Street • Sconset • Nantucket, MA • 508.257.4499

Below are photos I took while walking the bluff in Sconset.  This is a great way to see some of Nantucket’s most beautiful homes and gardens.  The walk along the bluff takes you through every waterfront home’s front yard.

I am all ready missing it!

Here are some great cocktail table books so you can bring Nantucket home with you:

Nantucket: Island Living

Buy it here: http://www.amazon.com/Nantucket-Island-Living-Leslie-Linsley/dp/1584797231/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1314203080&sr=8-1

Nantucket: Gardens and Houses:

Buy it here: http://www.amazon.com/Nantucket-Gardens-Houses-Taylor-Lewis/dp/0316523348/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1314203200&sr=8-12

xo,

S

Hi all,

So sorry it has been such a long hiatus! We have been swamped with clients and haven’t had any time to post!  I am off to Nantucket for a long weekend to see friends and get some R & R.  I promise to have a juicy, ultra-fab post for you about my travels when I return!

I took the above photos during my last trip out to Nantucket.  Sconset is my favorite part of the island- so charming!

xo,

S

Hi all, Thought I would pass this gem of a website on to you. Taigan is a newly launched site that offers the best of the best. You would have to travel far and wide to collect all of the goodies you will find on their site. They have it all – home goods, childrens, [...]

Thank you TradHome and Lonny for including us in your list of Top 20 designers to watch. I am flattered and thrilled! Be sure to vote for SGI in the Duralee contest on-line and you will be entered to win $1,000.00!

To vote please visit: http://www.traditionalhome.com/design_decorating/howwelive/youngdesigners-sara-gilbane.html

The shoot with Lonny Mag’s Patrick and Michelle was as fun and laid back as you would expect something from Lonny to be.  This project was definately one of my favorite I have worked on.  The loft space is amazing and the client’s were a dream – great taste and excited about the design process.  It was wonderful working on this project and therefore very fulfilling to share this with Lonny, TradHome, and all of their readers.  A few more shots below:

If you haven’t read the article you can find it here: http://www.lonnymag.com/issues/19-trad-home/pages/1#p97

To see more images from the apartment please visit my website and view the TOWN section in my portfolio: http://www.saragilbaneinteriors.com/

xo,

S

I am loving the DIY aspect of antique dealer Karina Gentinetta cottage in New Orleans. Many people are afraid of the preciousness of antiques and shy away from them for everyday living. In the Home and Garden section of The NYT Karina shows how beautiful and livable antiques can be. Most pieces in her home were bought for a song after Katrina but look fabulous! A fresh coat of paint ( her favorite is Ralph Lauren’s Tudric Pewter), some belgian linen, and old thread bare rugs create a classic lived-in and well-loved look.

My favorite quote from the article is “Happiness is not a big house. It’s being in each other’s way. That’s what brings memories.” This could not be more true.

Read the article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/07/garden/07location.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&ref=garden

Visit Karina’s online shop at 1st dibs: http://disegnokarinagentinetta.1stdibs.com/store/furniture_search.php?FRID=ZmqXaGxpkZWW

xo,

S

I must post on the newly designed Lyford Cay Club by Tom Scheerer. Absolute perfection in chocolate browns, greens, shrimp, and pale pink! The living room is stunning.  He used grasscloth painted it chocolate brown, and then painted 20′ tall palm/ coconut-esque trees.  I am working on a project in Palm Beach and this has been a huge inspiration.  Quadrille, Peter Dunham, sisal, antiqued mirror, pickled cyprus, tented rooms….sigh.

xo,

S

Thanks Trad Home and Lonny for the nomination!  Keep your eyes peeled for the online inaugural May issue (which will be released in Mid April).  The issue will feature a new project of ours….Can’t wait!

To see curbed magazines coverage and the other 19 nominees visit their website: http://curbed.com/archives/2011/02/02/sneaking-a-peek-at-trad-homes-20-new-traditionals.php#trad-home-17

xo,

S

I am looking forward to the launch of High Gloss Magazine tomorrow February 1st.  Featuring spreads on both Tia Zolden and Alexis Traina in the first issue…sounds promising. Sounds promising… Visit their site and subscribe: http://www.highglossmagazine.com/ xo, S

In New York it is snowing, freezing, and all together nasty. The winter doldrums are upon us and everyone needs a mental break. Sping is one of the best seasons in New York. The Winter storms let up and with the disappearance of the last snowflake you can feel people’s spirits rising. The Spring 2011 add campaigns get me in the mood for a tropical vacation. Stripes, bold colors, and fun accessories are my cure for the winter blues. Prada’s collection has me particularly excited. I could definitely rock any of their Spring shoes or cocktail dresses. Bold colors and raffia are a great combination!

xo,

S

House Beautiful asked me to style a sofa for their most recent issue (Jan/ Feb 2011). It was a fun project as it challenged me to get my personal style across with just throw pillows.  As you can see from my portfolio, I love color, texture, and fabrics so I thought it best to try to find a combination of the three.  There are many fabulous throw pillows out there but these caught my eye as something fun, chic, and different.  I am a fan of pairs of pillows and on a white sofa I love a solid color to make the throw pillows pop.  The deep eggplant ostrich feather pillows are so much fun.  Both the color and the feathers jump off the clean ivory linen sofa.  Layered in front are some of the most beautifully embroidered multi-color throw pillows I have ever seen.  The embroidery adfds another layer of texture.

I often advise clients who are in rental apartments/ homes to go with a neutral color palette for their base so they won’t have to reupholster their sofas over and over as this can be expensive.  Stick with a neutral on the sofa and you can completely change the feel of your next apartment with throw pillows and paint colors.

To see the other 5 ways to refresh a sofa visit House beautiful: http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/home-makeovers/pillow-decorating-ideas-0211

To purchase the Dransfield and Ross throw pillows you can visit my shop:  http://saragilbaneinteriors.bigcartel.com/

I took it one step further and selected additional items I would furnish the room with:

I would go with a deep teal grasscloth on the walls ( as seen in the background) to add an earthy texture in a bold color.  Taking a cue from the glam ostrich throw pillows I would bring in the capiz shell light fixture, gilt foo dog table lamps, and antique mirrored desk.  A desk chair with a fun shape upholstered in acidy yellow pulls out the color from the embroidered throw pillow.  The rug from Van der hurd studios adds another pattern and so unbelievably soft.

xo,

S

While reading the New York Times this morning I came across an article written by Penelope Green in the Sunday Styles section.  As a designer it hit home with me as I am on a constant quest for beautiful books to fill clients custom libraries and bookshelves.  We spend so much time creating these beautiful spaces with endless shelving finished in high gloss paint, wallpapered backs, french oak, brass or nickle and we are then left to fill the spaces to create a cozy, well read library.

Many clients have their own books which end up looking sloppy or sad in the newly finished shelving.  We hunt down books by the yard to fill their shelves and the end result is beautiful.  The Strand book store in Union Square NYC has a fabulous selection but hearing about Juniper Books is a godsend.  Thatcher Wine will wrap your books or you can select from a vast collection of his.

A few of my favorite’s below:

Above: Custom Blues

Above: Kids Collection

Above: Da Vinci

Above: Fabric wrapped books in linen- how perfect would these be in a beach house?

Above: Pattern wrapped books

Visit Juniper Books:  http://juniperbooks.com/

xo,

S

Thank you Elle Decor for publishing my New Years resolution. Happy New Year to all!

http://www.elledecor.com/elle-decor/articles/interior-resolve

http://www.elledecor.com/image/tid/5974?page=5

Xo,
S

In the most recent APT with LSD on vogue.com, Amanda Cutter Brooks’ Adirondack home is featured. Looks like a lovely place to spend Christmas. All photos were shot by the talented Claiborne Swanson Frank.

See more of Claiborne’s work at her website:

http://claiborneswansonfrank.com/work/

xo,

S

Time has slipped away from me and I cannot believe Christmas is right around the corner.  I will be spending the next few days finding the perfect (last minute!) gifts for family and friends.  Below are a few images to get you in the spirit, if you aren’t all ready in it!  If you are havoing a holiday party you may be able to pick-up a few last minute ideas for the decor.

Elle Decor

Elle Decor

Elle Decor

I absolutely love the red and white paper wedding bells affixed to the bannister. What a fun way to add a dash of Christmas fun without pine needles and leaves to clean up!

Another fabulous twist on Christmas- feathers around a mirror- beautiful!!

As seen in House Beautiful

A Miles Redd Christmas below as seen in Elle Decor with amaryllis, miniature evergreens, and wreaths!

Above: A tiffany blue christmas as seen in Veranda

As seen in Martha Stweart

As seen in Better Hoes and Gardens

Below:  Richard Keith Langham’s Christmas as seen in Veranda

Below: Suzanne Rheinstein’s Christmas as seen in House Beautiful

For those of you in warmer regions two images from Costal Living below:

Merry Christmas!

xo,

S