have a seat! | New York furniture and accessories dealer Liz O’Brien has expanded her line of Frances dining chairs, named for decorator Frances Elkins and featuring a modern twist on the Queen Anne style. Finishes include ivory, ebonized wood, and cerused oak, made more playful by fabrics in Easter egg pastels and the latest introduction, hot-pink leather (center). From $3,500 (c.o.m.), at Liz O’Brien, 306 E. 61st St., NYC, 212-755-3800, lizobrien.com.
On the Block: William Haines | The Hollywood decorator William Haines designed this lustrous pair of 1940s lacquered wood, copper, and vinyl armchairs for actress Joan Crawford. Haines, a onetime actor himself, became lifelong friends with Crawford when the pair met at MGM Studios; after switching careers, he designed furniture and decorated homes for many Tinseltown luminaries, including all of Crawford’s residences. The chairs (est. $5,000–$10,000) are included in an April 17 sale at the auction house Doyle New York, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. For more information, go to doylenewyork.com.
Showroom Spotlight: maya romanoff | The Chicago-based wall-covering guru Maya Romanoff has just unveiled brand-new digs in New York’s D&D Building. The design firm marquardt+ created an utterly seductive space where clients can shop for Romanoff’s trademark offerings, from elegant, ethereal patterns in mother of pearl to exuberant papers studded with thousands of tiny glass beads. 979 Third Ave., Suite 922, NYC, 212-588-9707, mayaromanoff.com.
A Tale of Two Shops | Forest Avenue, Locust Valley’s main drag for design and decoration, just added two new stores to its already impressive roster—and it’s only an hour away by train from New York City. Meg Braff Designs is the brainchild of decorator Meg Braff, known for her polished, Palm Beach meets Park Avenue aesthetic; expect to find everything from Chinoiserie seating pieces to sunburst mirrors to Philip Graf wallpapers within its cheery confines. A stone’s throw away, Ellen Niven’s Locust Valley Design Shops features a rotating collection of wares, such as Quadrille pillows and accessories by BeeLine Home, as well as “shop in shops” curated by such decorators as Elizabeth Ainslie and Jeff Lincoln. “Locust Valley has a surprising amount to offer,” says Niven. “People from Connecticut and New York City are coming here more to explore and enjoy—not just the great shops, but also the incredible architecture and history of the Gold Coast.” Meg Braff Designs, 92 Forest Ave., 516-801-4939, megbraffdesigns.com;Locust Valley Design Shops, 96 Forest Ave., 516-671-1620, locustvalleydesignshops@gmail.com for more information.
A Tale of Two Shops | Forest Avenue, Locust Valley’s main drag for design and decoration, just added two new stores to its already impressive roster—and it’s only an hour away by train from New York City. Meg Braff Designs is the brainchild of decorator Meg Braff, known for her polished, Palm Beach meets Park Avenue aesthetic; expect to find everything from Chinoiserie seating pieces to sunburst mirrors to Philip Graf wallpapers within its cheery confines. A stone’s throw away, Ellen Niven’s Locust Valley Design Shops features a rotating collection of wares, such as Quadrille pillows and accessories by BeeLine Home, as well as “shop in shops” curated by such decorators as Elizabeth Ainslie and Jeff Lincoln. “Locust Valley has a surprising amount to offer,” says Niven. “People from Connecticut and New York City are coming here more to explore and enjoy—not just the great shops, but also the incredible architecture and history of the Gold Coast.” Meg Braff Designs, 92 Forest Ave., 516-801-4939, megbraffdesigns.com;Locust Valley Design Shops, 96 Forest Ave., 516-671-1620, locustvalleydesignshops@gmail.com for more information.
A Real Plum | Michele Varian’s shimmery linen throw pillow with hand-cut leather appliqués is a pretty accent piece in any room. $345 (22’x22′), Michele Varian, 27 Howard St., NYC, 212-226-1076, michelevarian.com.
Viva Italia! | Shine by S.H.O.’s striking Milan buffet is sure to spark conversation at the dinner table. $3,950, at Nest Inspired Home, 20 Purchase St., Rye, 914-921-6378, nestinspiredhome.com, or shinebysho.com.
Hello, Darlington! | Madeline Weinrib’s cotton Darlington flat-weave in abstracted chevrons and diamonds comes in heavenly blue. From $375, at Madeline Weinrib Atelier, 888 Broadway, NYC, 212-473-3000, madelineweinrib.com.
French Twist | Leave it to the French: Sébastien Siraudeau’s French Flair ($45; Flammarion) proves the point that effortless style is a native trait.
Natural Beauty | Nothing beats the organic grace of a teak table. $1,290, Andrianna Shamaris, 121 Greene St., NYC, 212-388-9898, andriannashamarisinc.com.
Sleek Chic | Roche Bobois’s new Syntone sofa is a study in seduction. From $5,882, Roche Bobois, 200 Madison Ave., NYC, 212-889-0700, and 1180 Northern Blvd., Manhasset, 516-365-9755, roche-bobois.com.
Night-time Drama | Side table No. 840 from the New Traditionalists merges classic lines with saturated color. $1,885, the New Traditionalists, 524 Broadway, NYC, 212-226-1868, thenewtraditionalists.com.
“T” for Turk | These cotton Turkish bath towels have never looked fresher for spring. $68 each, at John Derian, 10 E. 2nd St., NYC, 212-677-8408, johnderian.com.