RSS

Fred and Ginger

0 komentar

ginger's "skirt"


I generally dislike Frank Gehry -there I said it. I do agree that his buildings' form in the past 10 years are unique and stunning but after seeing the documentary about him and his way of working and his blatant love of publicity(more suited to britney spears ) I really dislike him and think he gives architects a bad name. He may bring architect's closer to 'art' but I think his connection to what a REAL architect is is thin at best. He gives the impression to the general public not associated with architects ( and other designers as well ) that architecture is play and 'drawing pretty pictures'. The fact that his part of the process is crinkling a piece of paper and then getting the credit is a little bit unnerving to me. However.......that being said.....My love of old movies and the sheer whimsy of this apartment building in Prague really speak to me. I love the fluid lines and how easy it is to read Fred grasping Ginger and twirling her around the dancefloor. One of these days I'll get to Prague to admire it ( then later talk about how over-rated Frank Gehry is! ).
close up of 'fred'
Continue Reading...


True Love

0 komentar

To start out the week, I thought I'd post a lovely song from one of my favorite movies, High Society. Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly
Continue Reading...


A friend's apartment

0 komentar

My friend Henry has amazing taste; these are some pictures from his apartment. It's very similar to my apartment because it's a studio in the middle of the city and space is at a premium. He decided to maximize the space by having a stylish futonbed which doubles as a couch.I just love the mix of colors, the tiffany blue and white with the wood floors. He installed the moldings himself for interest and installed the chandelier. For storage he has a mixture of white shelving and galvanized steel boxes. The white-painted table really lightens up that corner and leaving the chairs natural is a beautiful contrast. I think the whole effect is really elegant and chic! Hope you enjoy!
Continue Reading...


Old school glamour

0 komentar

Do you know what I miss? Glamour I'm talking 1930 -1940's movie glamour. We know that it's made a comback in interiors (hollywood regency, mirrored furniture, Miles Redd ) but what about in personal style? Even movie stars go to walmart in flipflops and baggy sweatpants. You never saw Grace Kelly or Fred Astaire go ANYWHERE in either of those items ( and I'm sure they'd prefer Target to Walmart anyway! ).
That is why I love Dita Von Tease. She may be the burlesque queen but she has STYLE in spades, even while stripping I'm sure. Just to prove my point, these are pictures of her out and about -some candid shots and some from special events. Total knock-out, knock-down GLAMOUR ( I'm not screaming, it just deserves all CAPS ). You just know she has a beautiful mirror-encrusted decadent bathroom ala. Miles Redd and a huge paneled walk in closet.



Maybe we don't all need to walk around totally 'done' -but no more grubbiness ok, take some time with your appearance! Life is too short to be so ugly!





If Dita is too old-fashioned for you - we'll always have Posh!
Continue Reading... Label:


turquoise & red

0 komentar


One of my favorite color combinations is turquoise with red accents; very French. I realized while going through my files that this combination comes up quite a bit -even if just in small touches such as turqoise lamps with red shades like here in Charlotte Moss's office. I have a set of cafe table and chairs from my grandparents that is turqouise with red cushions on the suits - super chic, I've always loved it! Unfortunately it's in storage as I don't have room for them. I'll always have my inspiration files though!
Miles Redd's old apt. had lots of red and turquoise accessories!and a more sedate form from Katie Ridder to finish with :-)
Continue Reading... Label:


Easter Parade

0 komentar

Instead of a traditional easter post ( one of my favorite holidays! ) I thought instead I'd talk a little about a great movie, Irving Berlin's "Easter Parade" from 1948 ( and yes, it's in COLOR )Fred and Judy

This fantastic movie has a little bit of romance, a little comedy, singing & dancing, great costumes and sets and is a whole lot of fun! Starring Fred Astaire, Judy Garland and Ann Miller ( who I met a few years ago! ), this movie has one of those 'showbiz' storylines which seems to help in a musical as it gives a REASON for all the singing and dancing -they're performing of course! Ann Miller doing what she does best!

Check out this movie sometime -you won't regret it :-) Read a full synopsis of the movie online at: http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=56612
Continue Reading... Label:


This room

0 komentar

Today I am loving this room - beautiful scale, high ceilings with beautiful moldings, large french doors to a garden, comfortable couch and cozy rug. Could it be more perfect?
Continue Reading... Label:


Rene Gruau

0 komentar

One of my favorite artists is Rene Gruau. He could depict a glamorous scene with just a few simple penstrokes. You could almost call his drawings 'high calligraphy' expanding on the victorian artform. Born in Rimini, Italy on February 4th 1909 to an aristroctratic father and legendary french beauty mother -he was christened Renato Conte de Savagli-Ricardelli. He had to support his mother after his father left them at age 15 and so abandoned his given name and took his mother's last name, Gruau as an act of revenge ( and also because it was shorter! ). Early in his career he came upon what would become a signature when in signing a piece a huge ink blot escaped his pen onto a finished drawing! He worked with it and called it his lucky star and kept it his entire life.




After a brief stint in fashion design in London in the 1930's -he soon started his career as a fashion illustrator in Paris for all the major magazines ( back when photography wasn't the staple it has become today ). He befriended Dior and actually encouraged him to start his own fashion house in 1947. He later became the primary illustrator for Dior and would do the illustrations for their perfume campaigns until the early 90s! After fashion magazines moved to photography for their fashion spreads, Gruau found his niche market in advertising -creating glamorous drawings that would leave readers lusting after the products they depicted!

While I couldn't find any evidence, I suspect Gruau was one of the girls ( gay gay gay ) as he was friends with all the couture designers who were known to be 'girls' and the only hint I could find was his obituary in the british 'guardian' that stated simply that 'His private life remained discreetly private.' Hehe, we know what THAT means!

Gruau passed away on March 31, in 2004 at the age of 95. While there have been several expositions of his work and many of his original drawings hang in prestigious museums, there is little published about his life or his work and he's not even on Wikipedia!!

Continue Reading... Label:


Clutter or visually interesting?

0 komentar

I abhor clutter.......I also dislike stark minimalism - it's BORING. However, I think there is a fine line between a visually interesting space and a messy, clutter-filled room. Style isn't a factor here - modern vs. traditional -elle decor vs. traditional home - comfort is key!
Color, treasured possessions, books, scented candles, fresh flowers and comfortable furnishings with cushions are the life of a room! Presentation and organization are key! I realize a lot of this is personal taste. I prefer the visual warmth of personal belongings displayed to their best advantage - it lends an air of personality and charm.

I think you would say my own apartment is a well organized but full of PERSONALITY. Hopefully no one would call it clutter-filled! ya, these pics are not my apt! lol I WISH!Compare the charm of Miles Redd to Armani home -big difference, huh? Which would you rather spend time in?
Continue Reading...


 
Return to top of page Copyright © 2010 | Flash News Converted into Blogger Template by HackTutors