I completely forgot about Veronica Webb's gorgeous Moroccan inspired home until I picked up this week's New York Magazine. I always flip to the "Intelligencer/Party Lines" section where the rich and/or famous are quoted while lightly drinking at NYC parties. This past week, Veronica Webb was at the American Ballet Theater's 69th Annual Spring Gala at the Metropolitan Opera House and was asked if she is a good dancer. She replied, "I'm a great dancer. If I got on Dancing With the Stars, I could win." Hmmm....well, typically models on DWTS don't have the best of luck; however, Veronica's home in Key West, Florida, featured in the March 2009 issue of Architectural Digest clearly showcases her winning streak in at least the design realm.


Interior design by TW Black, Inc. and architecture by Bender & Associates.


"The home they created reflects the spirit found in the intricacies of French Orientalist painting of the later 19th century, with their diverse styles of Arab North Africa, Egypt and the Middle East--here mixed with touches of Muslim India."

The dome ceiling was produced in Morocco.




Straight out of Marrakech....but instead, Key West, Florida. Not to be snarky, but why Key West? You're the face of Revlon, Chanel and Vogue, surely you could find someplace a bit more glam? Um, British West Indies or Turks & Caico's?


Webb met her husband while on a modeling shoot in Morocco. Her husband established a foundation for preserving maritime history. Maybe that's the reason she got stuck in the Keys?

Oh my God. She looks like Cleopatra.




My question is: Would you rather build this home on a canal in Key West where property is cheap and you can afford all the bells and whistles OR own property on a secluded beach in Brazil where you can only manage a 2 bedroom, one bath with an above ground pool?

Photos and quotes from Architectural Digest March 2009. Support the continuation of print magazines. Subscribe or buy the back issue on their website.

Be Sweet founder, Nadine Curtis, is one of my heroes. I’ve blogged about her company before, but had to post again since she is now selling these amazing hooked cotton poufs made from recycled t-shirt fabric in Africa. Called the Mielie Cube, it’s customizable and sold as an empty cube that you can fill with cotton, fiber fill or even packaging peanuts to become the ever-versatile ottoman. And if that’s not your style, use it as storage for stuffed animals or clothing. Would look gorgeous in a white on white, eclectic California-chic living room!

Approx. 14” x 14” or 18” x 18”
Retails for $380-540


Be Sweet’s mission is to bring socially and environmentally friendly products to fashionable consumers. Nadine’s products evoke an individual style and help support community development around the world including several job creation programs in South Africa.

Says Nadine Curtis; "I started Be Sweet to support artisans by bringing their products to a wider market of conscience consumers interested in beautiful things that fund community development. Our products embody the ideals of beauty, creativity and resourcefulness."


Current Be Sweet Events:
Yarn Trunk Shows (knit samples on display): 

May 4: 2 weeks - Vintage Yarns in Lambertville, MI 734-854-5648

May 26: 2 weeks - Twist, Yarn of Intrigue in Manhattan Beach, CA 310-374-7810 



Since I've been posting a lot of ottomans/footstools this week, I thought I should go ahead and show some serious follow-through. Because really, what better way to gypsy-up your life than have some eclectic poufs - footstools - ottomans in your home?











Thinking about my previous post of Two's Company global-inspired ottomans, look what I came across while clearing out promotional material... A snippet from the Winter Market Preview in Design & Decor Magazine: More Asian ottomans!

Missing Kutch today...


Photo by Jessica Cepek Graeve

After the last New York Gift Show, I became a big fan of Two's Company, a mega-wholesaler to the gift industry. Their buyers seem to have a knack for eyeing what works in American gift boutiques. Since then, I've spied Two's Company items in shops from downtown Chicago to Red Hook, NY. I'm especially fascinated with their Salome Ottoman (retail price $300). It's quite similar to the ottomans I offer, but looks a little mass-produced for my taste. Nonetheless, would look wonderful in nearly any room of your house:

I haven’t been up this early on a Saturday in years! I managed to get in line for the Domino sale at 8:30AM. I was an hour and half early. Believe it or not, there were already 40 or so people in front of me. Yikes! Everyone in line (and the editorial staff, naturally) looked fabulous for what is technically a Saturday morning garage-sale. There was a guy next to me in line who looked just like Eric Maibus, actor “Daniel Meade” on Ugly Betty. Seriously, I think it was him.