Just because we haven't blogged H&H doesn't mean it isn't worth it. There are a few delicious morsels, and good articles on California Design as well as a contractor who specializes in getting high end renovations done by Labor Day.
TOP STORIES

- California Design's Endless Summer: Bill Hamilton tells us to check out a small exhibit celebrating California Design at the Pasadena Museum of California Art. He calls it, "an antechamber to lost riches of the last golden age of American design." (Slideshow here)
- In August, the Rich Race to Renovate: Due to the growing "wealth factor" high end apartments in high end zip codes are seeing more and more renovations.
Great quote: "I've sold triple-mint-condition apartments that have been gut-renovated, and the purchasers want to rip everything out and start over."
Most of this work must be done in the summer months and their are an elite few contractors who are helping clients get it done on time (and avoid paying fines).
- Washington Fiddles While Oil Burns: Oil prices are WAY up, Matthew Wald gives us the rundown on how the government has avoided dealing with new efficiency standards and how it all is going to affect our winter heating bills.
- Question - I'm 5-foot-1 and my husband is 6-foot-3. How do we keep our living room from being a jumble of furniture in extreme sizes? Never fear, we are told, furniture of varied sizes is "an admirable decorating goal."
- Personal Shopper - The NY Gift Fair Highlights: Ms. Rohrlich proclaims that a "back to nature" theme dominated the show, and shows off an intriguing assortment of accessories. We think this is a bit of a stretch, but like the Enchanted Forest Table by www.michaelaram.com.
Currents
- Shopping shows on the HSN channel are spreading to home decor in October.
- Aluminum cans recycled into furniture at Pylones, 69 Spring Street
- Grace Episcopal Church is cutting down the massive trees in their front yard to make way for an underground gymnasium.
- www.scottantiquemarket.com in Atlanta is a new and growing mecca for antiquers.
- Built has new "Thirsty Totes" for carrying around baby bottles.

- "Frederick Carder: Glass, Passion, Invention," opens Sept. 6 at the Gallery at Steuben, 667 Madison Avenue










I couldn't tell what they'd done, but I did notice that you could see more of Grace Church when I walked past it last night. I'm always sad to see old trees go, but you can actually see the church now, which is quite nice.
Not sure whether it was an overwhelming trend at the show, but I have been seeing lots of taken-from-nature designs and motifs in all the shelter mags, even at stores like Crate & Barrel (a way cool fuax bois console).
Maybe it's just because it's Retail autumn.