More Living Ideas

Our editors share their inspirations every day

Home Design with Kevin Sharkey

Entries from the ‘Experts’ Category

Book Friday: Michael S Smith

Posted by

Recently I had the pleasure of meeting designer Michael S Smith and he gave me a copy of his latest book, Michael S Smith Kitchens and Baths published by Rizzoli.  Page after page are filled with jaw dropping inspiration that every home can benefit from!

517RfQQcevL._SL500_AA300_
Back
1 of 7
This is such a serene bathroom.  (Photo by Brian Doben)

1 This is such a serene bathroom. (Photo by Brian Doben)

The Asher striped marble Michael used in this bathroom is absolutely stunning. (Photo by Michael Mundy)

2 The Asher striped marble Michael used in this bathroom is absolutely stunning. (Photo by Michael Mundy)

These metallic tiles are very glamorous in the bath. (Photo by Michael Mundy)

3 These metallic tiles are very glamorous in the bath. (Photo by Michael Mundy)

This Italianate home in Laguna Beach, California boasts a kitchen inspired by villas along the Amalfi coast.  (photo by Grey Crawford)

4 This Italianate home in Laguna Beach, California boasts a kitchen inspired by villas along the Amalfi coast. (photo by Grey Crawford)

I really like the clean lines of this palm Springs kitchen. (photo by Grey Crawford)

5 I really like the clean lines of this palm Springs kitchen. (photo by Grey Crawford)

The Moroccan tiling on the walls makes this room adds a layer of pattern. (photo by Simon Upton for The World of Interiors)

6 The Moroccan tiling on the walls makes this room adds a layer of pattern. (photo by Simon Upton for The World of Interiors)

An idyllic setting. (photo by Michael Mundy)

7 An idyllic setting. (photo by Michael Mundy)

The Perfect Note

Posted by

When sending a thank-you note, I want my stationery to reflect my level of gratitude; I want something special. And having been the recipient of the kindness of others often, I am direly in need of new letterhead for notes! So, I went with my colleague Rebecca Robertson to the famed letterpress shop, Mrs. John L. Strong.

At this a store of this caliber, one needs an appointment with a letterhead consultant to work through the process of customizing a look. Here are some pictures from my time at the store, sifting through samples and choosing the particulars of my own. I can't wait for these to come in!

Back
1 of 30
Arriving at the Madison Avenue storefront. Mrs. John L. Strong first opened a woman's dress shop before transitioning into a letterpress business.

1 Arriving at the Madison Avenue storefront. Mrs. John L. Strong first opened a woman's dress shop before transitioning into a letterpress business.

I love the crisp, elegant packaging on these boxes. Calendar cards would make great gifts–the holiday season is upon us!

2 I love the crisp, elegant packaging on these boxes. Calendar cards would make great gifts–the holiday season is upon us!

Upstairs we perused the most incredible displays of note cards and envelopes in Mrs. John L. Strong's famous color range.

3 Upstairs we perused the most incredible displays of note cards and envelopes in Mrs. John L. Strong's famous color range.

The inside of every envelope is hand-lined. I love the attention to detail.

4 The inside of every envelope is hand-lined. I love the attention to detail.

Boxes of these cards are made for gifting. Other themes included Social Butterfly, Engaged, and Welcome Baby (The Goddess was my favorite).

5 Boxes of these cards are made for gifting. Other themes included Social Butterfly, Engaged, and Welcome Baby (The Goddess was my favorite).

Mrs. John L. Strong makes these incredible paper seal stickers in all different colors and icons.

6 Mrs. John L. Strong makes these incredible paper seal stickers in all different colors and icons.

Surely this reminds you of someone you know? We laughed at how everyone needs a set of these for when party guests don't behave.

7 Surely this reminds you of someone you know? We laughed at how everyone needs a set of these for when party guests don't behave.

I am in thank-you-note Heaven.

8 I am in thank-you-note Heaven.

This treasure-chest houses some of the more notable client stationery from the company's repertoire, including some of the most famous actors, politicians, and businesses of the 21st century.

9 This treasure-chest houses some of the more notable client stationery from the company's repertoire, including some of the most famous actors, politicians, and businesses of the 21st century.

Decorating & Home Editor Rebecca Robertson and I perused all options, selecting a few favorites to begin with before settling down to discuss my design.

10 Decorating & Home Editor Rebecca Robertson and I perused all options, selecting a few favorites to begin with before settling down to discuss my design.

First, we flipped through pages and pages of exquisite artwork that can be applied with your name or initials.

11 First, we flipped through pages and pages of exquisite artwork that can be applied with your name or initials.

These four-leaf clovers captivated me on my last visit, but I'm looking for something new this time.

12 These four-leaf clovers captivated me on my last visit, but I'm looking for something new this time.

Some of the cards Rebecca and I were inspired by; I'm always attracted to intuitive architectural lettering.

13 Some of the cards Rebecca and I were inspired by; I'm always attracted to intuitive architectural lettering.

I recognized this house emblem!

14 I recognized this house emblem!

It's Martha's, a New England showhouse that she restored and presented!

15 It's Martha's, a New England showhouse that she restored and presented!

Our contact at Mrs. John L. Strong, the lovely and spirited Barbara, who guided us through the consultation. I knew I was in the right place when she brought me a Coca-Cola.

16 Our contact at Mrs. John L. Strong, the lovely and spirited Barbara, who guided us through the consultation. I knew I was in the right place when she brought me a Coca-Cola.

Colors! I loved this part. I ended up with far less bright colors than these, though we went through a great number of greens.

17 Colors! I loved this part. I ended up with far less bright colors than these, though we went through a great number of greens.

Good thing we allotted ample time for this process! So many decisions to be made...

18 Good thing we allotted ample time for this process! So many decisions to be made...

Citrus, Aloe, Aspen and Envy Greens, in the tissue-paper lining.

19 Citrus, Aloe, Aspen and Envy Greens, in the tissue-paper lining.

This is serious business, choosing colors to represent yourself. The strength of this stationary is all in the details. The colors, paper weight and luster, typeface and placement are all carefully embellished to make a card that represents each customer, simply and elegantly.

20 This is serious business, choosing colors to represent yourself. The strength of this stationary is all in the details. The colors, paper weight and luster, typeface and placement are all carefully embellished to make a card that represents each customer, simply and elegantly.

Mrs. John L. Strong is conveniently located next door to my favorite place in the world (Hermès), so we were able to enjoy their beacon and flags fluttering out the window.

21 Mrs. John L. Strong is conveniently located next door to my favorite place in the world (Hermès), so we were able to enjoy their beacon and flags fluttering out the window.

But it was fun! Barbara was a tremendous host.

22 But it was fun! Barbara was a tremendous host.

Now I'm checking out the selection of fonts; I tend towards modern, sans-serif lettering.

23 Now I'm checking out the selection of fonts; I tend towards modern, sans-serif lettering.

My two favorites, Medium and Heavy Gothic.

24 My two favorites, Medium and Heavy Gothic.

Here I'm looking over a selection of cards in these fonts to help me narrow down my creative juices.

25 Here I'm looking over a selection of cards in these fonts to help me narrow down my creative juices.

Barbara rifles through the color deck to choose an ink that they will hand mix for my letterhead.

26 Barbara rifles through the color deck to choose an ink that they will hand mix for my letterhead.

Some of my favorite brown and gray ink options.

27 Some of my favorite brown and gray ink options.

The final product! A soft gray envelope lining, with two varied gray inks for the typing and the double border (recall the Gucci card I loved). After all, there's a Martha Stewart paint called Sharkey Gray!

28 The final product! A soft gray envelope lining, with two varied gray inks for the typing and the double border (recall the Gucci card I loved). After all, there's a Martha Stewart paint called Sharkey Gray!

This card had me mesmerized. It was incredibly thick, with a black beveled border, heavy gothic type, and a patent shiny black envelope lining. Statement-making.

29 This card had me mesmerized. It was incredibly thick, with a black beveled border, heavy gothic type, and a patent shiny black envelope lining. Statement-making.

Dear Barbara and I made such a great team picking out the perfect stationery details! Can't wait until they arrive...

30 Dear Barbara and I made such a great team picking out the perfect stationery details! Can't wait until they arrive...

Behind the Scenes at The Martha Stewart Show

Posted by

A few weeks ago, I started my day at the TV studio where we film The Martha Stewart Show. Getting ready to be filmed on live TV is not as nerve-wracking for me as it once was, but it's still just as exciting! I thought you might like a behind-the-scenes peek at what goes into filming one of these episodes. So today I'm sharing some pictures of the process.

This episode focused on promoting Martha's new book that you've heard so much about, Martha's Entertaining, but it also included a cooking segment and a feature with yours truly on fall flower arranging. It was a great audience that day and a really dynamic episode, so I hope the images project that! Has anyone had a chance to get the new book? It is gorgeous!

Back
1 of 27
A glimpse into my dressing room at the Martha Stewart Show.

1 A glimpse into my dressing room at the Martha Stewart Show.

My hair stylist Anthony Sorensen coifs my 'do, while Producer Barbara Fight makes sure he doesn't miss any stray hairs. Getting ready for TV can be so laborious!

2 My hair stylist Anthony Sorensen coifs my 'do, while Producer Barbara Fight makes sure he doesn't miss any stray hairs. Getting ready for TV can be so laborious!

Barbara and Kyle Ramdeen, a Production Coordinator at Martha TV, pose for a minute with me and the new books!

3 Barbara and Kyle Ramdeen, a Production Coordinator at Martha TV, pose for a minute with me and the new books!

This image gives you a pretty good idea of all the nuts and bolts that turn a studio into a stage. These lights are the reason you absolutely must wear TV makeup when shooting.

4 This image gives you a pretty good idea of all the nuts and bolts that turn a studio into a stage. These lights are the reason you absolutely must wear TV makeup when shooting.

Barbara subs in for Martha during our staging takes, so the camera men can get an idea of where and how to shoot. Petite as she is, Barbara needed a footstool, so I decided to hop on one as well!

5 Barbara subs in for Martha during our staging takes, so the camera men can get an idea of where and how to shoot. Petite as she is, Barbara needed a footstool, so I decided to hop on one as well!

We talk through the script. During this episode, Martha and I prepare a set of fall flower arrangements, so we're probably discussing who is going to be talking about what, and when.

6 We talk through the script. During this episode, Martha and I prepare a set of fall flower arrangements, so we're probably discussing who is going to be talking about what, and when.

The TV studio has various sets that can be used for cooking, gardening, and interior home shoots, plus lots of the furniture moves around during production. Here I've swung into the kitchen to discuss plans for my Halloween dinner party with Chef Pierre, who was also there for the Book Launch episode.

7 The TV studio has various sets that can be used for cooking, gardening, and interior home shoots, plus lots of the furniture moves around during production. Here I've swung into the kitchen to discuss plans for my Halloween dinner party with Chef Pierre, who was also there for the Book Launch episode.

We recreated this table setting from the pages of Martha's new book just for the TV special. Martha loves the faux bois tablecloth that's draped under everything.

8 We recreated this table setting from the pages of Martha's new book just for the TV special. Martha loves the faux bois tablecloth that's draped under everything.

Looking into the test kitchen before filming, all the cooks are wearing black. And look under the counter–remember the big pickle jar my colleague Yvette found in a flea market? I told you Martha loves them!

9 Looking into the test kitchen before filming, all the cooks are wearing black. And look under the counter–remember the big pickle jar my colleague Yvette found in a flea market? I told you Martha loves them!

This is the set where I filmed the flower arranging segment for this episode. It's meant to feel like a greenhouse with a view of the city in the background; it works, don't you think?

10 This is the set where I filmed the flower arranging segment for this episode. It's meant to feel like a greenhouse with a view of the city in the background; it works, don't you think?

These orange Chinese Lanterns and Dahlias are some of my favorite flowers to decorate with, especially in this season. Remember them from the arrangement at my dinner party?

11 These orange Chinese Lanterns and Dahlias are some of my favorite flowers to decorate with, especially in this season. Remember them from the arrangement at my dinner party?

All of these wines are under $30 per bottle and are available at Pasanella and Son, Vitners, located at 115 South Street in New York City. (www.pasanellaandson.com)

12 All of these wines are under $30 per bottle and are available at Pasanella and Son, Vitners, located at 115 South Street in New York City. (www.pasanellaandson.com)

Barbara fills in for Martha again, in our seating arrangement for the opening segment of the episode. She, myself, Deputy Creative Director Ayesha Patel, and Chef Pierre Schaedelin sat at this table to discuss our favorite images from the new book.

13 Barbara fills in for Martha again, in our seating arrangement for the opening segment of the episode. She, myself, Deputy Creative Director Ayesha Patel, and Chef Pierre Schaedelin sat at this table to discuss our favorite images from the new book.

The studio audience starts to file in before the episode airs live.

14 The studio audience starts to file in before the episode airs live.

In this image, I'm filming what's called a

15 In this image, I'm filming what's called a "bumper shot," which is when the camera pans on you coming back or heading to a commercial break.

Action! Now that the episode is being filmed live, all the kitchen workers have suited up in purple shirts. Martha is all about the details.

16 Action! Now that the episode is being filmed live, all the kitchen workers have suited up in purple shirts. Martha is all about the details.

The wonderful Joey Kola works the crowd during commercial breaks.

17 The wonderful Joey Kola works the crowd during commercial breaks.

Joey had everyone in fits of giggles between takes; he roamed the audience, handing out freebies and keeping spirits high.

18 Joey had everyone in fits of giggles between takes; he roamed the audience, handing out freebies and keeping spirits high.

Martha makes her entrance and welcomes the crowd. This book is such a personal one and you can tell she's thrilled to present it.

19 Martha makes her entrance and welcomes the crowd. This book is such a personal one and you can tell she's thrilled to present it.

We've now launched into our favorite book segments, and here I'm describing one of my favorite photos, in which I'm passing off an enormous flower arrangement to Martha.

20 We've now launched into our favorite book segments, and here I'm describing one of my favorite photos, in which I'm passing off an enormous flower arrangement to Martha.

The flower arranging segment begins!

21 The flower arranging segment begins!

Martha's arrangement was small, composed and leafy, whereas mine was (per usual) loose, sprawling, and colorful.

22 Martha's arrangement was small, composed and leafy, whereas mine was (per usual) loose, sprawling, and colorful.

I love that this image captures us in-between takes; cue cards and direction from Barbara are indispensable when filming live!

23 I love that this image captures us in-between takes; cue cards and direction from Barbara are indispensable when filming live!

The four of us have reconvened at the dinner table (note the rollers to move it around) to discuss that particular party from the book: the wine, the food, and what a great time we had.

24 The four of us have reconvened at the dinner table (note the rollers to move it around) to discuss that particular party from the book: the wine, the food, and what a great time we had.

Thanks for coming! Pierre, Ayesha, myself and Martha take a few question rounds from the audience at the end, and that's a wrap!

25 Thanks for coming! Pierre, Ayesha, myself and Martha take a few question rounds from the audience at the end, and that's a wrap!

The entrance doors to the TV set were decorated like the cover of Martha's book. Stunning!

26 The entrance doors to the TV set were decorated like the cover of Martha's book. Stunning!

Martha, Ayesha and I pore over a particular spread in the book.

27 Martha, Ayesha and I pore over a particular spread in the book.