Hue: Dans Le Noir

Clockwise: Marseille // Moderne // Drago // Hickory Chair // Etoile // Peacock Feathers

Last night I had the most interesting experience. I dined in the dark at Dans Le Noir in NY... in a pitch black dining room. I mean, not a shred of light. I was with a group of friends, which made the whole thing fun but I would be lying if I told you that I wasn't very uncomfortable. At least in the beginning.

As the meal went on I became more settled, relaxing into the experience. I allowed myself to close my eyes, because frankly keeping them open and straining to see in vain was almost painful. My friends and I talked about how our other senses were incredibly heightened to compensate for our lack of sight. I've never been so acutely aware of my sense of smell and touch. It was also so interesting to try to hold a conversation without the ability to take visual cues from eye contact and body language, and feeling unsure about when you can interject or who at the table is not otherwise engaged in a conversation.

Our servers were all blind, and they acted as our guides - leading us in to our seats and telling us where the bottles of wine (very important) and water were on the table then allowing us the highly entertaining experience of pouring for ourselves. Eating our meals became a sensory endeavor as well. We laughed, admitting that there was lots of using our fingers and general messiness happening as we attempted to eat. It was truly freeing knowing that no one could see me, which allowed me to eat at my own pace and enjoy my food in an unexpectedly enjoyable, and very personal way.

At the end of the evening when we finally emerged into the light I can say that I was honestly quite effected by this experience. It isn't something I will soon forget and it most definitely falls into the category of going outside of my comfort zone and finding new ways to experience this world that we live in. I am grateful for last night and even more grateful than ever for my sense of sight which is so tightly linked to my passion for interior design and the beauty of textiles.

So of course this whole process led me to start thinking about my design sensibility. And while I wouldn't normally consider a post on pitch black textiles, today I am doing so in honor of my dining in the dark experience and the recognition that it has led me to have a new appreciation for the dark.

These shadowy fabrics make you search a little bit harder to see their nuanced beauty, don't they?

Fab Five: Oh, Suzani!

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 & 5 ... for even more suzani inspiration, check out this Pinterest board.

Role Models: Iris van Herpen

Fashion: Iris van Herpen // Fabric: Kelly Wearstler for Lee Jofa Groundworks

Fab Five: Deep Blue Sea

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5

Mamounia

Morocco is one of the top places on my must visit list. It's no wonder with all of the incredible architecture, culture and not to mention textiles! Doesn't this incredible set of Moroccan doors remind you of Martyn Lawrence-Bullard's equally beautiful Mamounia Petite fabric?

Happy weekend.

Update: Thank you to Stacy from Studio Four for pointing me in the right direction on the source of the image of the doors. They are at the entrance to the Royal Palace in Fez, Morocco.

That Bench

I can't stop thinking about this incredible space designed by Digs By Katie, but especially that bench! The entire home that she created for this world traveling family, in fact, is pretty much perfection. You can check it all out here. And for more on what makes Katie Katie, check out her recent Proust on Design questionnaire.

Don't Mess Up No. 6

1 // 2 // 3 // 4

How crazy cool is Don't Mess Up No. 6 (#1 above)? It's a free hand micron pen drawing on rag board created by DellyWares on Etsy and it totally reminds me of Martyn Lawrence Bullard's fabulous Faux Bois in Plum (#3 above). Loving this whole combo, if I do say so myself.

Fab Five: Pillow Pops

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5

There is no easier, less expensive or more immediate way to add pops of color & pattern to a blah living space than by throwing on a few pillows. Which one would be your preferred pop?

Role Models: Elie Saab

Elie Saab Fall 2012 // Victoria Fabric from Donghia + Vintage John Robshaw Pillows

This Elie Saab dress instantly reminded me of my own living room. Exotic, with its combination of oranges, deep reds and purples, + touches of gold. Love it (obviously... it's my own)!

Fab Five: Pretty In Pink

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I've always been drawn to pink - in both clothing & interiors. What about you? Would you ever have a pink living room? Here's 5 pretty in pink spaces for inspiration.