New West Hollywood Restoration Hardware Store. Wow.

A spectacular new Restoration Hardware store has opened in West Hollywood, California and it is quite something to visit. The garden is filled with ideas and the interiors are extremely dramatic. It sure is worth a visit. When you do visit, ask to see the Sunbrella fabrics.

Fresh Seafood in Barcelona.

Nothing better than a simple shrimp salad with avacado and greens.
In Barcelona, there are many outdoor cafes to enjoy these dishes and tapas. Small plates or various foods to sample. I love the Croquettes. But it is the seafood that is prepared beautifully with simple enhancements.

Grilled Shrimp with herbs and a little lemon.

Those giant shrimps or crayfish are only found in Spain prepared this way with a light pasta. Wow.

Chinese Gardens in Shanghai. Created in 1550.

Spectacular Chinese Gardens. The Yu Yuan Gardens in Shanghai were built in 1550 and it took eighteen years to create. The design is in the Souzhou style. I felt the gardens in Pasadena, California at the Huntington had the same feeling, although much smaller.

Photos: New York Social Diary

Interesting Article On New Head Giverny Gardner.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/27/world/europe/27giverny.html

Hamptons Showhouse Opens With Understandable Style

Beth Brenner, Publisher of Traditional Home and her husband Bob; (far right) Jay and Ginnie Reardon; Jay is the President of Hickory Chair Company and one of the nicest, most accomplished men in the furniture business.

Lovely designer Raji created a simply stylish Ladies Retreat.

Long time friends, Ann Maine, Editor-in-Chief of Traditional Home Magazine, Mario Buatta famed decorator, and Alexa Hampton, knew her father well.

Robert Stilin (above) and the other designers who participated seemed to address real homes and real living. I found the rooms understandable and liveable.

Ladies' Choice for Blue & White JR/Sunbrella.

At the opening of our Joe Ruggiero/Sunbrella Gallery famed photographer, Karyn Millet was attracted to our Sunbrella pattern Chevy/Marine. I wonder why. Her jacket sure looks a lot like the same pattern. Thanks Karyn for the nice comments.

Check out Karyn's work at www.karynmillet.com

Those "Al Fresco" Meals That Where Thrown Together.

As the summer is almost half over, thoughts of elegant outdoor entertaining remain in my head. Gathering a group of friends on the terrace for lunch in those days seemed so stylish. Why not put on a jacket... do it up right; set a fancy table and enjoy wonderful food, wine and good friends.

Designer's Breakfast To Check New Sunbrella Colors

Joanne MacCallum and Elena DeMattos enjoy breakfast before the presentation. This was a great way to meet local California designers and answer questions about the new Miles Talbott introductions.

Pat Crane, Joe Ruggiero Collection Sales Representative and Greg Rosendale JR/Sunbrella Brand Manager present the JR Collections at the Designer's Breakfast.

Kathy Love Jarvis (left), Interior Designer and Jennifer Ziska (right) join the rest of the designers to see the new Joe Ruggiero Gallery at PTS Furniture, Thousand Oaks California. We were able to show the new Sunbrella colors and present our collections for Miles Talbott and Gat Creek.

We Open Our JR/Sunbrella Gallery With Color and Good Cheer.

Joe Ruggiero, Pat and Joe Palucci greet Friends, Family and VIP Customers who came out to help us launch the new JR/Sunbrella Gallery at PTS Furniture. We toasted, visited and displayed the latest Joe Ruggiero Collections and enjoyed the very warm wishes for continued success.
Pictured are: the Palucci Family, Pat Crane JR Collection Sales Representative, Barbara Ruggiero, Karyn Millet.

Joe Ruggiero Products featured:

Sunbrella Fabrics

Miles Talbott Upholstery

Gat Creek Wood Furniture

Craftmade Lighting

Textilery Throws

Colonial Mills Rugs

W.King Ambler Art

PTS Furniture

250 Conejo Ridge Road

Thousand Oaks, California 91361

805-496-4804

Oscar de la Renta on Melrose Place, California

The Oscar de la Renta shop on Melrose Place is a "treat" to visit. The store is part of a Hollywood Regency complex that was built in the golden era of Hollywood. The details in the dresses are amazing and the views of a secret garden are like no other shop I have been in that features such designer couture. Worth a visit.

Our Sunbrella "Maliblues" Hit The Hamptons.

The benefit Party at Jack Lenor Larsen's Long House certainly brought out the blues in South Hampton, Long Island. We have been talking about our Sunbrella "Maliblues" and now we see them popping up all over this Summer. So Refreshing!!

Scott Louis Brown: Sedum & Succulent centerpieces

Scott Louis Brown: Sedum & Succulent centerpieces

Succulents Like The Hot Weather!

With our warm weather here in California the succulents seem to be doing fine. They do like water however. They can stand alone or are great mixers in our moss baskets with the Martha Washington geraniums.