Designing Homes a Few Kids at a Time

If you love design and haven't heard of the Novogratz family, you need to listen up.

This week, the first season of this family fun series wraps on Bravo and it has been one wild ride. With a brood of kids in tow, seven and counting, the Novogratz are a couple who turn subpar, and often once commercial, spaces into stunning homes, working mostly in downtown New York City.

Image: Sixx Design

I love this show for a variety of reasons. For one thing, I love interior design and this show packs a lot of it into a 45-minute weekly dose. For another, the Novogratz have a bustling family life. With seven little ones bouncing around, they make time for things like basketball fundraisers, birthday parties, and playdates while also juggling the responsibilities of a growing design business. Notably, however, you don't see this couple hacking off their kids to their nanny 24/7, although they do have one. The children are a big part of the parents' lives and its evident in the way that the children are portrayed. When the husband and wife team go to London, for instance, they bring along their older children and take time out of their promotional touring to play tourist with their children. This show also features a happy marriage. Contrary to most family reality shows, the Novogratz aren't getting screentime for HD-quality fights. Instead, they seem to play off of one another's personalities in a mostly encouraging way, bringing out the best in each other and suggesting that they work better as a team than as two distinct parts. And yet, the Novogratz don't claim to have it all together, and readily admit that they make mistakes and have to roll with the punches. When you have lots of kids, that's pretty much a necessity, especially if you live in Manhattan.

Most of all, I love what the Novogratz' work proudly stands for: a sprinkling of design can bring hope and beauty to even the darkest places and serve as a catalyst for enriching homes and communities. The home is front and center in this show, and the Novogratz proudly display their knack for design by entertaining, helping friends decorate their homes and offices, and offering their home and their creative skills towards raising money for noteworthy causes.

To see more of the Novogratz' work, visit their website Sixx Design or check out their book Downtown Chic.

Sewing Hope Through Kenyan Fabric

Image: Suno, Fall 2010 Collection

On a recent trip to Barnes and Noble, I stumbled across the designs of one Max Osterweiss and found myself intrigued. In 2008, Osterweis launched a line known as Suno, which draws from Osterweis' experience gathering textiles from Kenya and working with Kenyan tailors. One of the things that immediately captivated me about Osterweis' line was his use of color and pattern to tell a story in his designs. Another more subtle tone, although still apparent, was Osterweis' commitment to the Kenyan culture. Osterweis' designs have a consistent bold feel to them that celebrates Kenya's heritage and traditions, while making them accessible to the Western consumer. I really love the richness of this brand and what it represents. Here's a quick excerpt from a 2009 interview Osterweis did with HandeyeMagazine:

H/E: Can you summarize the vision behind Suno for us?

MO: I’d like to create a visible and sustainable brand that produces high quality clothing out of Kenya while using and developing local talent. I was motivated to do something in Kenya after last year’s post-election violence, something that would help Kenya psychologically, economically, and cosmetically - in the sense that people from the outside would be able to appreciate and be introduced to a different side of Kenya. 

Osterweis' designs blend whimsy with elegance to create looks that make a statement. The styling on the Suno site reflects this approach, as many of the outfits mix patterns and palettes and pair already bold looks with vibrant accessories. Yet, the aesthetic feels approachable and fun. For a more everyday look, I imagine one of Osterweis' colorful skirts paired with a plain white tee and boots for a Friday night concert or one of his bright and cheery dresses with a simple ponytail and flats for a Saturday brunch with family friends. Regardless, i'm sold on Osterweis' intricate and interesting mix of colors and fabrics as well as his commitment to fostering Kenya's culture and economy.

Image: Suno, Spring/Summer 2010 Collection

Sugar with a Touch of Spice: A Gentle Blend for the Musical Pallette

This is a beautiful song, which was performed live at my alma mater in 2008. In many regards, I was a late-comer on the Avett Brothers wave, only truly getting into their music last fall. But, the more I explore, the more I am taken aback by the depth of their lyrics and by the tender, stripped down nature of songs like this one. Take a sip of their music, and you might leave with a hint of lemon on your lips; drink deeply and the flavors will meld in your mouth like a fresh glass of carefully steeped sweet tea that slowly burrows its way into many a southern repertoire. Enjoy!