Tommy's Turf

One of my favorite things that have come about because of my blog has been my friendship with interior designer Tommy Smythe.  I used to watch him on Design Inc. with Sarah Richardson and literally laugh out loud at all his funny quips.  Now I get to experience them in person and this time on his turf in Toronto. Not sure if he'll let me see his new home but I sure am going to try.  Until then, let's take another look at one of his previous chic homes that was featured in Canadian House & Home.  If that Hermes blanket is missing after my trip, I don't know anything about it. 

Photos by Michael Graydon for Canadian House & Home

Toronto Here I Come!

There's that joke that David Hasselhoff is really big in Europe.  Well, I don't joke when I say I'm really big in Canada.  I love my loyal readers to the north and can't wait to visit Toronto this week.  Besides my conversation with Tommy Smythe and book signing at Indigo Books, I look forward to visiting his sister Christie at Smythe and his office at Sarah Richardson Design.  I'm also being interviewed for CBC (talk about nervous!) and hope to stop by Canadian House & Home.  I can't wait to meet all my blog and twitter friends but most of all, I can't wait to luxuriate in my room at the brand new Four Seasons Toronto. Exciting eh?!

Join designer and TV personality Tommy Smythe in conversation with interior designer and style maven Heather Clawson (that's me!) about all things chic and stylish as well as her new book Creativity at Work on Thursday, November 8 at 7:00pm at Indigo Manulife Centre, 55 Bloor Street West,Toronto, Ontario, M4W 1A5.

Photo via Ryan Michael Cheung

First Look at Creativity at Work

My book publication is definitely feeling bittersweet.  I'm grateful for all the lovely emails and comments this week and for my electricity.  I'm very excited that everyone is loving Creativity at Work.  If haven't received your copy yet, you can get a first look at The Cut at New York magazine here.  

I also want to remind you of my upcoming book signings.  Join interior designer and TV personality Tommy Smythe in conversation with me about all things chic and stylish as well as my new book on Thursday, November 8 at 7:00pm at Indigo Manulife Centre, 55 Bloor Street West,Toronto, Ontario, M4W 1A5, Canada. Signing to follow the talk. 

I will be signing books at the fabulous new store Hudson Grace at 3350 Sacramento Street, San Francisco, CA 94118, 415-440-7400, on Thursday, November 15th from 5:00-7:00pm.

Stop by the wonderful Chicago store Jayson Home, 1885 North Clybourn Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614, for a book signing with me on Thursday, November 29th. Time TBD.

Other cities will be posted once they are confirmed.  Los Angeles will probably take place in January 2013. 

Thanks!

HC

Habitually Chic Book Signings

I'm thrilled to announce that my very first book signing will be this weekend at the High Point Furniture Market.  Creativity at Work will not be released until October 30th so this is your chance to get an advance copy and sip a glass of champagne in the brand new Design Legacy showroom.  They are one of my favorite vendors and I can't wait to see how they style their new larger space. The ribbon cutting will take place Friday, October 12th at 9:00am. 

Habitually Chic Book Signing & Celebration

Design Legacy Showroom

126 Virginia Place

High Point, NC 27262

(behind the BoBo building)

Sunday, October 14, 2012

4:00 - 6:00pm

If you can't make it to High Point, you have another chance to purchase the book and have it signed before the release date.  I will be signing books at Archivia Books, 993 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10021 on Sunday, October 28th from 3:00-5:00pm.  

You can also join interior designer and HGTV personality Tommy Smythe in conversation with designer and style maven Heather Clawson (that's me!) about all things chic and stylish as well as her new book on Thursday, November 8 at 7:00pm at Indigo Manulife Centre, 55 Bloor Street West,Toronto, Ontario, M4W 1A5, CANADA. A book signing will follow. 

I'm also currently working on signings in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, and Washington, DC. Once they are confirmed, I will post all the details. 

Chic in Canada

I was excited to see Christie Smythe and her business partner Andrea Lenczner featured on The Coveteur this morning.  They are the Toronto based designing duo behind the wonderful fashion line Smythe, worn by The Duchess of Cambridge on her trip to Canada last year.  But more exciting to me is that Christie Smythe is the sister of Tommy Smythe who you know from his HGTV shows with designer Sarah Richardson!  Here is a little look at Christie's home with a few pieces that even came from her brother.  As you know, The Coveteur features clothing and accessories over the interior design so I'll have to see if it's been featured anywhere else recently. But it's even clear from these few photos that chicness runs in the Smythe family! 

Photos from The Coveteur

Keith Haring at the Brooklyn Museum

When Canadian interior designer Tommy Smythe was last in town, he invited me along to the Brooklyn Museum to see the Keith Haring: 1978–1982 exhibit.  It was a bit of the blind leading the blind getting there but luckily we made it. I was familiar with Keith Haring's work but this show introduced me to so many more facets of his art.  It was fascinating to watch the videos of him painting in what can only be described as a methodical trance.  The pieces above was created from one long continuous length of paper and I love how you can see the drip marks from the paint. The exhibit also showcases his notebooks, photographs, and subway drawings, as well as his friendship with artists Jean-Michel Basquiat and Kenny Scharf.  Keith Haring died on February 16, 1990 from complications from AIDS at the age of 31.  A sad tragedy that we are lucky doesn't happen as often these days.  Keith Haring: 1978–1982 is lovely tribute his legacy and definitely worth the trek to Brooklyn. 

Keith Haring subway drawing above a work by Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Interior designer Tommy Smythe taking a photo. 

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic