Wesley Cadle

It's that time of year when we know our busy season has kicked back into full gear.  The change of fall floats swiftly through the air and we immediately jump into Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.  And, this year is no different...

The Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge is open and already seeing the likes of the fashion elite including Carine Roitfield and Heidi Klum   It's been wonderful to see so many people enjoying all of the work we have put into the Lounge.  It came out better than we could have ever imagined! 

This year was a unique experience in the fact that our team at Wesley Cadle, Inc. partnered with Architectural Digest to produce the Star Lounge.  While we designed the look - a mix of glamour and gilded gold - we had the team at Architectural Digest use their resources of to get some of our dream items to make the Lounge stand apart and take the look to the next level.  Hand painted panels from China, transitional furniture and amazing accessories.   

We think we hit the nail on the head...

We have had such a wonderful time working with the Architectural Digest team and, as always, the team at Mercedes.  Since it is just the beginning of Fashion Week, I wanted to show you an overall view of the suite.  We'll be touching base throughout the rest of the Week to keep you updated on our guests and some of the feedback we have received!  

This year the Star Loung was a perfect and cozy retreat away from the cold and snow that blew through New York during New York Fashion Week. When designing a space it is imperative to consider the environment that the spot is in, so that it is appropriate for the weather and culture and serves as a relaxing and comfortable spot. The warm heavy fabrics and rich colors of the Star Lounge were the perfect contrast to the chilling cold, and invited guests to sit down, unwind, and enjoy themselves.

  I’m home from Fashion Week, and this year was my favorite lounge yet.  Among the craziness that is Fashion Week I did have the opportunity to sit back and relax in the Mercedes – Benz Star Lounge, enjoy the space, and chat with friends both new and old. 

Heading to New York for Fashion Week means living out of a hotel for over a week. After the long days, filled with endless excitement, meetings and to-dos, it is important to have a comfortable home base where I can relax and rejuvenate each night.  I have created a list of 5 simple “To-Do’s” that help make a hotel a home- away- from-home.

  When you get to the hotel unpack your suitcase and get organized. Hang up clothes and make use of drawer space. Clear complimentary items, brochures, and leather bound books full of hotel or city information out of the way in order to make room for your own belongings. Make a mental note of what you are missing and what you need so that you can call and request these items, whether it is down pillows, extra towels, a forgotten toothbrush or an ironing board. 

  Don’t be afraid to rearrange a chair or that awkwardly placed lamp so that it better suits you and your needs. Lastly, bring in your own treats. A small throw doubles as a blanket for the plane as well as a comfy personal item to throw over a chair or the end of the bed. Pick up fresh flowers from the nearest store and put together a bouquet with a water glass. While at the store, grab wine, fruit and slices of cheese or meat along with any other snacks and stock the refrigerator. 

I packed my bags in a mad rush of excitement and am now in NYC for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. The Star Lounge is going to look better than ever, and we cannot wait to enjoy the final product once all of the finishing touches have been made. The Zen-inspired space will provide guests with a glamorous and relaxing oasis in the midst of the hectic bustle (and frigid air) surrounding Fashion Week.

As January is wrapping up and we are approaching February I’ve been busy dreaming up and working on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge. I’ve picked a palette of earthy terra cotta, warm cinnabar and black, paired with natural textiles of flax and mohair joined with Asian motifs. With these colors in mind I began a search for further inspiration and was struck by a look from textile designer Nicolette Meyer. She has a unique ability to take typical images and patterns and work them in an extraordinarily modern way.

Garden stools have been used in China for centuries. Once used merely in gardens, and possibly having evolved from the Buddhist garden tradition of using stumps and stones as seating, they are now a popular decorating item and versatile piece to incorporate into your home. 

Garden stools serve as a beautiful accent piece and can be used in absolutely any room in the house. I often use them as side tables in the living room, bedroom or patio. They also work wonderfully in the bathroom as a stool or as a towel rest next to the tub as well as in the office or library as a place to rest books.  Coming in a wide variety of colors and patterns it’s a quick and affordable way to add texture or pops of color to any space and I love them because they function as a quick extra seat! Garden stools are also beautiful as a purely decorative item. Pictured above, I mixed various styles of Garden stools together for the Fall 2012 Mercedes- Benz Fashion Week Star Lounge.

Ransom and I had a wonderful and relaxing break! We headed to the west coast to visit San Francisco and Napa Valley. Our time in San Francisco was short but wonderful. We particularly enjoyed touring the beautiful Napa wineries. The highlight of the trip was a hot air balloon ride early one crisp and clear morning. Experiencing the vineyards from above is truly breathtaking.

  Winter is easily one of the cheeriest times of years—until it’s the dreariest. Fight off the coldest and greyest of days by surrounding yourself and your home with an abundance of winter florals! Flowers are a necessity for brightening up spaces, a must have for entertaining, and a nice little treat for a Sunday spent at home. When designing winter- themed floral arrangements stick with warm tones and seasonally appropriate colors. Mixing deep, saturated colors, like the red flowers above, with lighter greenery is a foolproof way to create a striking holiday arrangement and will create a lovely accent to any winter soiree. Gerber daisies, tulips, and poinsettias all come in a ‘Santa hat’ red making them ideal for the holiday season. If putting together a mix of colors seems overwhelming, stick with a bouquet of winter white – Classic and beautiful.

This week and next I’m hosting a few little events at the Lifestyle Store, and like most of you this time of the year, juggling holidayparties, gift shopping and keeping up with work has left me with little time to thoroughly plan and, most importantly, decorate for my upcoming events.

This may come as a surprise given my line of work, however, it seems in the midst of planning other’s events and pouring over other’s homes mine tends to get ignored. But, as I often say, less is more and simple is always elegant and beautiful.

Rather than agonizing over ordering overly seasonal fabrics and items, search your home for rich reds, crisp whites, metallic and warm toned materials you may already have, and mix them together to create a seasonal palette.

The beautiful red Lili Allesandra pillows pictured above, combined with the Dash and Albert throw is unexpected and sophisticated, and the surrounding foliage paired with the red instantly nods to the season. A well-placed poinsettia or two, along with a luscious green wreath will immediately pull together your holiday look. Line your doorframe, mantle, or staircase with a string of lights and set out a bowl of candy canes and voila… Tis the season!