September 24, 2012

Full Speed Ahead

Nearly a decade after introducing the Phantom Series I, Rolls-Royce has executed an elegant, if subtle, makeover of the line. Outside, the Series II models still boast the brand's trademark grille, but the round headlights have been squared off and out...
September 24, 2012

Book Smart

View SlideshowBefore the advent of minimalism, soaring real estate prices, or the Kindle, the books one kept on their shelves made them, well, a kind of open book to their guests. Will Schwalbe, founder of Cookstr.com and previously the editor in ...
September 21, 2012

Cocktails with Valentino

View SlideshowLast Friday evening, Editor in Chief Margaret Russell hosted a cocktail party in honor of Valentino Garavani and his October cover story at the home of Susan and John Gutfreund. The elegant setting served as the perfect complement to...
September 21, 2012

New Growth

What is a garden? One that is well designed is not merely a collection of plants, but may also offer a shared environment, structure, a sense of privacy, audible cues, and a connection to the natural world. Or maybe not.Storm King Art Center’s Li...
September 21, 2012

Vreelandia

Living in the shadow of a legend isn’t easy, especially when the legend in question—Diana Vreeland, the high-octane editor in chief of Vogue from 1963 to 1971—is a family member. Treading carefully and respectfully might be the best approach. But...
September 21, 2012

Links We Love: What we’re reading this week

1. Curbed previews Frank Gehry’s controversial designs for the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial in Washington, D.C.2. As artist Ken Price’s Doola goes on display at Philip Johnson’s Glass House in New Canaan, Connecticut, The New York Times looks ...
September 20, 2012

Bill Bensley designs the Danag Sun Peninsula Resort in Vietnam

Vernacular artistry abounds at the Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, a new InterContinental property overlooking the pristine beaches of Son Tra in central Vietnam. Inspired by nearby temples, designer Bill Bensley filled the 197 rooms, suites, and villas w...
September 20, 2012

Heavy Petting

View SlideshowAmerican philanthropist Brooke Astor lived long, married well, and gave away money with uncommon panache. She also had a passion for animals, from the live variety (dachshunds were her favorite breed of dog) to charming simulacra rang...
September 19, 2012

Artist Ai Weiwei’s first U.S. survey opens at Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden

Ai Weiwei, the Beijing-based artist and activist, is known for stirring the proverbial pot. He is also famous for destroying one—an ancient Han-dynasty urn that he allowed to ceremoniously fall from his hands and shatter into pieces. A 1995 photograp...
September 17, 2012

Three lavishly illustrated new interior design books range from studied simplicity to all-out opulence

“When I think about what moves me most in my life, it is beauty,” writes California-based interior designer Barbara Barry in her debut book, fittingly titled Barbara Barry: Around Beauty (Rizzoli, $65). In addition to presenting tours of several re...