October 2008 - Remodeling Home Design

Tartan Plaid

<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263427157086109874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8lX17ECSresYFvF41KCp5Y6FVC2CMbhBrymf14NbQKMriwDxtLr5l3eK1q-ddnnj9i1hRg9Kuj0lHv5MlF_d61zF038SlrWFCOAQWcybNIDOKLI6IH1JvjS3SToQlAv2lkYzYSO_SWA/s400/berkshire+lamp+with+tartan+shade.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />I know tartans have been very popular lately but they've always been part of my life ( even my alma mater's mascot is a tartan plaid! seriously). Growing up we were very 'American 'and not very in touch with my Scottish heritage -but there was always an abundance of tartan plaids around especially at my grandparents. Maybe because of that I always associate them with Christmastime. <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263427161647952642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdb0dOjNkbWxkpzwlSCiZHbua5AsBNyvEAec44pXSXRflwQh01i0P8M9kNRkbVEpdSIg9bZxtR_vbglNhVIt3LmMXtkr1CkvDANo02redXWwwg70DCrYdYQl_5CdN-UiNHN7Qwi7K87Cw/s400/tartain+plaid+pillows.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /> <div><div><div>My favorite store, <a href="http://www.wshome.com/">William Sonoma Home</a>, is featuring some GREAT tartain plaids for the holidays. Aren't these just great, cozy little accessories for your home in the holiday or even all winter? (unfortunately the market has me in saving mode -not spending mode :-( )<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263427164900739634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1G22_ZKTljJETkH3GMlXQpCKNNHvhohCTuW9NAqcDz0mkNdgKVnYS0eEmJKuKakmK1bNDdHRh7sGgrzEeGAd28ywxasPkQ_RSoks3rM4gm3_1dsWH8FnOgI-YP8w9YfXbJzm5Uc0BZA/s400/tartain+table+linens.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></div></div></div>

Tartan Plaid

I know tartans have been very popular lately but they've always been part of my life ( even my alma mater's mascot is a tartan plaid...

21:05

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween

Photo via Silvino Mendonca Hope all of you get lots of yummy treats. Go here for a creepy treat from me. (Courtesy of one of my creative he...

05:06

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

"All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt" Charles Schulz

21:05

The Best Houston Shopping.

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gt7eA_0QKPA/SQp4mVpFFxI/AAAAAAAAD5k/AyEoaBwL_Rg/s1600-h/Picture+7.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class="on" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);"><img alt="Link" border="0" class="gl_link" src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" /></span></span><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263151714575652626" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gt7eA_0QKPA/SQp4mVpFFxI/AAAAAAAAD5k/AyEoaBwL_Rg/s800/Picture+7.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 395px; height: 650px;" /></a>In my opinion, anyway. Its time once again for the <a href="http://www.theurbanmarkethouston.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Houston Urban Market</span></a>. For those of you who have never been there, its a must see. Many local antique dealers come together to peddle their wares in the fresh air.  Being the shopper that I am, I try to never miss it. Click <a href="http://carolinaeclectic.blogspot.com/2008/02/urban-market.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">here</span></a> to see  my photos  from a previous  Market.  This started me thinking. I very often love to write about my favorite shops, so I am going to set up a link to <a href="http://carolinaeclectic.blogspot.com/search/label/Houston%20shopping"><span style="font-style: italic;">my previous shopping articles</span>.</a> I may not know much, but I know where to shop;) Hopefully, these links spread the knowledge.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gt7eA_0QKPA/SQp4ljivA8I/AAAAAAAAD5c/qqCw6ShniIg/s1600-h/Picture+5.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a></div>

The Best Houston Shopping.

The Best Houston Shopping.

In my opinion, anyway. Its time once again for the Houston Urban Market . For those of you who have never been there, its a must see. Many l...

20:15

Mirrored Walls

<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262746802232015714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPV2SwFTEbD0r1dNWUMGoUy02bQt6HNOT3YWK0Rg1Sw871yaIR7RvuT7ArbCnqwpmFGbYfGrp2kSRNt6jkQDs9Lo3JwkVJqlCNDbowBTZ5xlt2zbBld6voofJ8EPM4qLA96NH1HrqdD_w/s400/Miles+Redd+Bathroom.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />I've been thinking about mirror a lot lately. What do you think of a room that is mirrored? My mind goes instantly to those suburban dining rooms which are tragically mirrored...Or the city apartments that were mirrored back in the 80s - Oy Vey.<br />However, I think these images posted are pretty fab, don't you think? Look at the famous mirrored bathroom in Miles Redd apartment above, or this living room by Bunny Williams below.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262746787223502850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEatUzmANFfJVSrfdZbBuRUokYdquXyN0qKBon9KwNnygXeMECVxGMsvYojOV02K02D1PvuEy-LS3BGg0AiuoL0IzTnHIvhWsttz1wvDRoI6UWJcvU2zFr8NV3eFSpftWqzSFAabVPNyw/s400/bunny%252Bwilliams,%252Bmore%252Bbooks%252Bagain.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Remember I talked about mirroring my backsplash in the kitchen <a href="http://architectdesign.blogspot.com/2008/06/backsplashes.html">HERE</a>? I keep returning to that idea. So -yah, or nah?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-eXLR5PPEnBLhg4eVA6x0w1Y-YPPBczjmQ_-9OcVorWqp3bohctt7fOsG3GyQwvtC8ReuOS7WZr_Ic3wsW5WkwWICTcI6O6XUc89tjir6UsrnxFDZlksxod5Ye9x27mibQw0CP2rEVs/s1600-h/pr01_04z.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262746861453555090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-eXLR5PPEnBLhg4eVA6x0w1Y-YPPBczjmQ_-9OcVorWqp3bohctt7fOsG3GyQwvtC8ReuOS7WZr_Ic3wsW5WkwWICTcI6O6XUc89tjir6UsrnxFDZlksxod5Ye9x27mibQw0CP2rEVs/s400/pr01_04z.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 326px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVcS4QP9ZfmedckFQf-mC3ufQJOI8luwwlOBOobhA_CSbndgtovPupMXP3akT2t00vksvbRwvwIx6_MjA-vbNrcDLxaZyHsYHLEECoNg1T8pKyL0DEmUdxycFXmI0PZ2mkae-6QyE97C8/s1600-h/pr01_01z.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262746808065423650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVcS4QP9ZfmedckFQf-mC3ufQJOI8luwwlOBOobhA_CSbndgtovPupMXP3akT2t00vksvbRwvwIx6_MjA-vbNrcDLxaZyHsYHLEECoNg1T8pKyL0DEmUdxycFXmI0PZ2mkae-6QyE97C8/s400/pr01_01z.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 319px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262746800542637954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzn_KQlG4UtuUmzNqCrsNrRhKl32hMLYJJS6P31TSuAp4lOYBontb5MHlBRw5dXa681pFqheIhNx831_KeRsiI7phQbqXFkWcQ9zGaHRLwquDNkjG7APi4E9sAQ529XiKanQwD3SonLc/s400/hg7b.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 326px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262746794580323138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbXs3REQbIJiQqUYwXWD4ekwnBLg5RP8Y0o_cM2zOktfBFMuwQtt8sTzb4Bu30e_2Wrr4X6una-DFfEfZxUPNj0QQU_HNvVp6-vWNT0CSZkLs53eXBC7Obh1iV-KXXpOnk56Vel4Fpk4/s400/den.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 298px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></div>

Mirrored Walls

I've been thinking about mirror a lot lately. What do you think of a room that is mirrored? My mind goes instantly to those suburban din...

21:05

guest bedroom inspiration

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3q-mqJ_E2Y3rd1qcwSE8CqNf6tFreVFjXgybbnko0j2Q5uzeA_kM_PC4Te6fQ8OaW8ZW7BxYT8VjazxpgtdJSGWamvcXov5ll3sAuiFerSC0VrL7a0YkyMnczJwmJLAI1l0QS2WSbUaOj/s1600-h/dark_bedroom.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262633662607749682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3q-mqJ_E2Y3rd1qcwSE8CqNf6tFreVFjXgybbnko0j2Q5uzeA_kM_PC4Te6fQ8OaW8ZW7BxYT8VjazxpgtdJSGWamvcXov5ll3sAuiFerSC0VrL7a0YkyMnczJwmJLAI1l0QS2WSbUaOj/s400/dark_bedroom.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 235px;" /></a>: : there's something about rooms with dark walls....having been inspired by the most recent<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span><a href="http://www.dominomag.com/galleries/paint/paint_color_combination?slide=8" target="_blank">domino </a>issue [see post below] I am seriously considering painting our guest bedroom dark blue. I love the <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">.soot.</span> color by benjamin moore in the <a href="http://www.dominomag.com/galleries/paint/paint_color_combination?slide=8" target="_blank">kitchen photo</a> above. I like the contrast of dark walls and crisp white trims. and I'd love to add a bohemian feel with a mix of different patterns, gold and silver. I like the rug in the domino pic above. maybe I can even convince<span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">.</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">iz</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">.</span> to let me put an open clothes rack in the room to hang my dresses, scarfs and hats on.<span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">.</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">iz.</span> could fit some of his suits too <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">*smile*.</span>

guest bedroom inspiration

guest bedroom inspiration

: : there's something about rooms with dark walls....having been inspired by the most recent domino issue [see post below] I am serious...

10:45

darks, lights & jcrew

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUcKRUtGPYU9NxeOFTrwOiRgBtyv3U0o2qprmCFVNivPOVoXhRJvQijlXECcIEgnLlFALuLOPgCpedV0Hsr2WGHE8lJvskxcC562V8J25wBRwcGaYZTLZc-fWtJlIM8xiJM1YlH2rAQvFE/s1600-h/jcrew_final.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262630921329727714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUcKRUtGPYU9NxeOFTrwOiRgBtyv3U0o2qprmCFVNivPOVoXhRJvQijlXECcIEgnLlFALuLOPgCpedV0Hsr2WGHE8lJvskxcC562V8J25wBRwcGaYZTLZc-fWtJlIM8xiJM1YlH2rAQvFE/s400/jcrew_final.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 383px; height: 400px;" /></a>: : i really enjoyed <a href="http://www.dominomag.com/magazine/toc/2008/11/nov" target="_blank">.domino's.</a> featured article [this month] on the home of j.crew creative director <a href="http://www.dominomag.com/magazine/toc/2008/11/nov" target="_blank">.<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">jenna</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">lyons</span>' home.</a> I particularly enjoy the high contrast between dark and light colors in almost every room. and it really shows that they were selective and chose pieces with care. pieces that feel as if they are part of the apartment.<br /><br />I was also interested to learn more about <a href="http://www.jcrew.com/index.jsp" target="_blank">j.crew</a> as a brand and company. they have come a long way in recent years. I apparently wasn't the only one who found their clothes "boring and plain" a few years back. whereas now, I can't even look through one of their catalogs without finding a few 'must-have' items [like the pink ruffled shirt in the top corner].

darks, lights & jcrew

darks, lights & jcrew

: : i really enjoyed .domino's. featured article [this month] on the home of j.crew creative director . jenna lyons ' home. I par...

10:35

Mirror Magic

<p align="justify">Not much has been written about the merits and sheer magic of using mirrors as focal points and works of art in rooms. So I would like to dedicate this post to the beauty, genius, and magic of mirrors. Everyone has either seen or heard of the famous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hall_of_mirrors" target="_blank">Hall of Mirrors</a> in the Palace of Versailles, built by Louis XIV in 1678. The principal feature of this famous hall is the seventeen mirror-clad arches that reflect the seventeen arcaded windows that overlook the gardens. Each arch contains twenty-one mirrors for a total of 357. In the 17th century, mirrors were among the most expensive items to possess and at the time and the Venetian Republic held the monopoly on the manufacture of mirrors. The expense in manufacture of mirrors has come a long way since those days. </p>  <p align="justify"><strong><font size="3"><span style="font-size: 100%">Mirrors over fireplaces:</span></font>      <br /></strong>One of the places in a home most adorned with a mirror, other than the bathroom, is over the fireplace. It is the perfect focal point in a room to strategically place a mirror. Depending on the room and the orientation of the fireplace, a mirror hung over the fireplace can reflect other important areas of the room and create drama and atmosphere. In the <a href="http://www.patriciagrayinc.com/projects/laurel.html" target="_blank">living room</a> below I used a laser cut mirror above the fireplace, which echoes the filigree pattern in the framed wallpaper panels on either side of the fireplace. I painted the wall behind the mirror a deep chocolate brown to further define the edges of the mirror. The curtains are the same rich chocolate brown color and are made of silk taffeta which further adds to the shimmery effect at night. </p>  <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPiGXL7PHGuwLIT8EdoIULShHjy_92-pKjebZW8zVbEESzGNgFjkCQpLC2pHPALVei9IExgGeDFogHYU8-pZ0gkcgpl_P-eex-6r5wQ_kGv2mYVB2NjMbI_WYHQ1LFIWvkQnhjs4uluqu/s1600-h/Laurel%208566%5B9%5D.jpg"><img alt="Patricia Gray Inc" border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcN7VNJSprEsJqkWKQi1k67TCGvSz0b8kndGHDYLkzTO0blhaeeu37u1uszbXVWNxSJZNAOSUKJqBq0TFs2jyTGB2Hy3mY0AF1GUihZ_6AkJV4AB0MjypDdilPk3AwTQEvGfyzkvrCtk-/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Patricia Gray Inc" width="500" /></a>  <br /> </p>  <p align="justify"><span style="font-size: 100%"><font size="3"><strong>Mirrors in Bathrooms:</strong>         <br /></font></span><font size="2"><span style="font-size: 85%">Bathroom mirrors come in every size and configuration. In my designs I try to come up with something unique, while still being very functional. In this</span> </font><a href="http://patriciagrayinc.com/projects/index.html" target="_blank"><font size="2">bathroom</font></a><font size="2"> my client wanted a 3 Way mirror. So handy if you want to get a 360 degree view of yourself. The mirror over the vanity is double sided circle, that echoes the shape of the matching back to back sinks. The mirror is attached to the ceiling and to the vanity at the top and bottom with clear glass. </font></p>  <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFgKxjpBYsgYaQu2oay2SYJYVVqQJVsB4KCiEo4hvTIFywA8dPgeiVxVPrWSMsZ8L7m2xKNiAuT-CSn2yo5LFU-Nir7LHDFh81kafTbwajAoZom5zlMSNFhawj5YE_vLJeTMcf4MDQyBJt/s1600-h/louie2%5B6%5D.jpg"><img alt="Patricia Gray Inc" border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj7AbS7Y8RI5mqrystyn6D_PSkGj4fvrKbBMowahLoj7PtWS_Ubddetp-Wj4hnHPa-Mxl4-P1Ot2a0qYwJwOQwcB2o3E3zXL-Nnv2hUEXvJNiBmHNiZ9V62gCUUJPzLNB4BxporAStgzfW/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Patricia Gray Inc" width="500" /></a>  <br /></p>  <p align="justify">What do you do if you have a window in front of your vanity? Below in my own bathroom I used California shutters for the window covering. I love the look and feel of California shutters. I designed the room so that the sink was centered on the length of the window. I had the stile of the shutters made to line up perfectly with the center of the sink, then I had my glazier design a special mounting that would allow the mirror to be attached to the stile, while still allowing the shutters enough space behind the mirror to open and close. The mirror appears to be floating in front of the shutters.  </p>  <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU69fEiGq8lrTgK3j1Svk9CHZbGC-V1lkhL7dkIcXwDM2bjE6MxoycIqULI7fSY31VetD-HnkIPP-aqFAR4qxUuJr3YFA10qCjAShSeK7N0NXR3O1ivMIKPH2_xWy5R_cdyGdHsKaXLyPD/s1600-h/image1%5B6%5D.png"><img alt="Patricia Gray Inc" border="0" height="660" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEelAyYpUdycRWrvRK_v_9mIJYdWdfir-_2VHaD8MiFdIiI9cBp9lAv_f9Xk7LnT9O_qmekXSF1vPWxK23ku4W2ZtxSAsApbEbfgibAwKktwBsmnWvNYVrDFCLnAfKG45vrk6BXj0-29Fs/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Patricia Gray Inc" width="500" /></a> </p>  <p align="justify"> </p>  <p align="justify"><span style="font-size: 100%"><span style="font-size: 85%"><font size="3"><span style="font-size: 100%"><strong>Mirrors in Dining Rooms:              <br /></strong></span><span style="font-size: 100%"><span style="font-size: 85%">This is a picture of the breakfast area in my own home. The mirror helps to enlarge this small space and bring in the view of the garden. By placing a lamp on the table in front of the mirror it creates the illusion that the room continues. The lamp also creates some drama and makes it a cozy spot to sit and linger in the evenings. You can read more <a href="http://patriciagrayinc.blogspot.com/2007/12/lucite-lamp-my-kitchen.html" target="_blank">here</a>, where I talk about my Lucite lamp and mix of chairs.</span></span><span style="font-size: 100%"><span style="font-size: 85%"> </span></span></font></span></span></p>  <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwEgKtyWXfBfkItpakQaW63EU2IFuHe_xC7wGhIWrNoTL-Y7H7bmXgpcH2W8T7xeqKqp-5XHH5fehOaGOyg-ocMT1Tq74A7puWlmkq5kFVW_wZutCNoa0bafN5ckZKDezMCCmlaptrZct/s1600-h/kitchen1%5B8%5D.jpg"><img alt="Patricia Gray Inc" border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqS46Dipe7o39mqXl_Ni1FpYgFprzzKsFprUyjo7hvExGFgqWpb0U0JgPzfslLY7yLY3SNiYntVst8Azut-mzY6DdkXtUsikg5bCZZ1DE-VR5bc9ryycT9WUCRP9blRmJmool2ZwXUqeQe/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Patricia Gray Inc" width="500" /></a> </p>  <p align="justify">The mirror I designed and had built for my client's <a href="http://www.patriciagrayinc.com/projects/laurel.html" target="_blank">dining room</a>. It perfectly reflects the magnificent Murano glass chandelier hanging over the custom built large square dining table. It also captures views of the adjoining living room for people that are sitting with their backs to it. When you are making mirrors this large make sure that they will fit through the front door. I made that mistake once and that was enough to learn a very valuable lesson: check and double check every detail!! If it still won’t fit, I have the mirror made on-site. The draperies are made of chocolate brown silk taffeta with a padded valance, the ceiling inset is lit around the perimeter and painted with gold leaf.</p>  <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSxSvBvJBeOKkWwhnHDa8mwv-PTFv1hJEyNdn280LjrenRwUNU88tnzG7h2w8_070GCw21kYe80hcxhNP7J1wvAv5ChEaKBmceJlahDZoqVYk1TDSOuHDd8Iu7VNQo9S_RBtOvJryBQDx/s1600-h/Laurel%208525%5B7%5D.jpg"><img alt="Patricia Gray Inc" border="0" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50oBdVxL80JFIWWcC-y33xDRIt5S8mVJ6uykzE1eDfj2nfByocDhhOmkQQJBhf97J5iQMxMKwii-Pgp7kjlE7k_FhvARTjjCVW0UqzwcrfXVX7teuvzJscg476lc3ItgzspJQptN_d-my/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Patricia Gray Inc" width="500" /></a>  <br /></p>  <p align="justify"><span style="font-size: 100%"><font size="3"><strong>Mirrors in Bedrooms:</strong> </font>      <br /></span><span style="font-size: 85%"><font size="2">In this </font><a href="http://www.patriciagrayinc.com/projects/coal-harbour.html" target="_blank">bedroom</a><font size="2"></font><font size="2"> I placed a full height mirror for the client to use as a dressing mirror.</font></span></p>  <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvfFpUFDgC4BXF_nocuD38819kRR94J0XqqzWxZQ4UkkF5UZAmMtjUoVNVPvF3pMX2WQN0CeNxYAfA3WJm9ORyuCS8zxlhi2rwXlgWumpj02HWh5bVfnxgt8g_qkRUPLn16PmVdNLGH_Dy/s1600-h/Laurel%208502%5B6%5D.jpg"><img alt="Patricia Gray Inc" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2yJLjfcDiJa_ZxzJzgVEoMbpyXrqzzNI8XhK7pVfQoaj79LlQf2dHtLhlJkTM6hSBazL9jQMP8q4EFxhFwnr9FrwUpYidkFIeE-ShfxhpO7VZQLl2Pm2D2VKyGkF_8kwHDsElC1fWdsaz/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Patricia Gray Inc" width="500" /></a>  <br /></p>  <p align="center"><a href="http://patriciagrayinc.com/"><font size="1">PATRICIA GRAY INC</font></a><font size="1"> is an award winning interior design firm writing about lifestyle and     <br />WHAT'S HOT in the world of interior design, architecture, art and travel.      <br /></font><a href="http://patriciagrayinc.blogspot.com/"><font size="1">2011 © Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog™</font></a></p>

Mirror Magic

Not much has been written about the merits and sheer magic of using mirrors as focal points and works of art in rooms. So I would like to de...

09:16

Beau Brummel: this charming man

<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262578103387842466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDGIg8Smd5YLamKByoetZY5UtFHTNUjoVsPh31aElmR_1aAm5vPj1m0DdrLIxqRw5fjtX5s_g5-8FdSx3kHG9rXCWrJgorw0k4NVKJagWkCMkV5vAhiVphxEsnwe0C24bHk0RsFJD-xU/s400/cover.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 220px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />I recently watched a wonderful dvd "Beau Brummell: This charming man" about the life of George Brummell (nicknamed Beau for obvious reasons). This movie was a BBC Television drama made in 2006 and based on the biography by Ian Kelly. You've probably all heard of this famous man, but aren't sure why. <div><div><div><div><div><div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262578101966146418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGn5qFV1Fw3Cypwk7hVy_ECRpXaOfqf1UOmom3w72geq2UYJ4xtBnQEXvULTidg1EWlsv9wE8LagxOPV2fMZbYEPd0xISlHMChxPut7Bcp_GxREWZ49wHS5y7-g2v88bpWPSBU-zFH8gY/s400/brummell.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 350px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 258px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />The handsome James Purefoy (from 'Rome') plays the Regency England dandy who changed male fashion. In an era when men relied on powders, wigs and perfumes in order to appear well groomed and fashionable, Brummell's comparatively simple regiment of common-sense elegance and frequent washing was revolutionary. Matthew Rhys (from brothers and sisters) co-stars as a conniving Lord Byron while the delightful Hugh Bonneville plays the prince and future King George IV.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262578099974460850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbM2mtrNP1S9GsseulNVfItfcuTAWAHLqZQcw4M0TpzBgm_nOl6djJPxTnjsCYKNm2rI4dqBZ6PdEPv0EJRpWBnzWWUvCWFl6j-kAs4wcYfy89EAPOTE4A0uPKooweradFfl5zYuxM3og/s400/21773878.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 283px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></div><div></div><div>'Beau' Brummel (1778 - 1840) established fashion that exists today of men wearing understated, fitted dark suits with pants instead of knee britches adorned with an elaborately-knotted tie. He was known to take 5 hours to dress (while being watched by admirers, CREEPY!) and said that it was best to polish shoes with champagne (ever tried that??). He met the Prince Regent while serving his time in the military in the Tenth Light Dragoons. Through this friendship, he soon was promoted to captain by 1796. He resigned shortly afterwards and took up a house in the fashionable Mayfair in order to stay in London. He shortly burned through his rather large inheritance by gambling and shopping. After loosing the patronage of Prince George ( he called him fat to his face - ouch!), he no longer had a get out of jail free card or anyone to pay his debts. He had to flee to France in 1816 to escape debt collectors who threatened his life where he used his friendships once again to get a job as consulate in Caen. Here he died penniless years later in 1840 from complications due to Syphilis in a madhouse, not a pretty way to go.<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262578098444368098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKCX71hOlexLpi9NYvUfS0TDxCnvFreQNIEIT7ZT-p2kU4YBavN4MnDpWkFV2Kcd7uAdqkZn9BGfQuLV-u6mL47OO4MBSU1jefrDRwzNDHl5g93bE7834OJwW3R8oX2k2srWfIJnjezM/s400/277px-BrummellDighton1805.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 185px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><em>An 1805 caricature of Brummell - compare him with James Purefoy in the movie below<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262578207419763458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyi6VvF5EMgaOuqjm8d0gcmiDGrVrMbVt-KSsRl4XADqlLzhvpokIppqT1ucZ09wBt01IspSnkG_foxBUXBbdQBRLCpLAZrFr2KItp_f7mfz3w0PM7nMct22JmMDiXAAwfsrGtunw1JzE/s400/visiting+the+prince.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 396px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 188px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></em>We all owe a debt to 'Beau' as he went against the times and promoted daily grooming: brushing your teeth, taking a daily bath and shaving. He also advocated pants for men and a more natural style (no wigs, powders and perfumes - those were left for the ladies!). <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262578103564116162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-wws18HoHTJfzEkhnLO-U5DwPbtrJNphpfqZ3QqLqLFw5lBpj5w12euH8acobUaMEz0U-hZ576-TS5DKHtSwI-CA_thmzAdkalzyNb4foAK3NwNzhByWAQH0_kbzaiirp8AmijvnSHJo/s400/king+george.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 350px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 258px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></div><div></div><div><em>Hugh Bonneville as the Prince in the previous 'fashion'</em></div><div>This movie is very well made and entertaining filled with great acting and nice eye-candy. Definitely check it out!!<br /></div><div>REVIEWS: <em>Nancy Banks-Smith writing in</em> The Guardian<em> said the film was exquisite to see and very easy to enjoy, stating that, it was one of those plays where the director of photography and the costume and set designers, who normally bring up the rear, led the whole parade. She also compliments Hugh Bonneville for his frighteningly feasible Prince Regent. She concludes that, the Georgians had a natural beauty in their lives which makes ours seem ugly.<br />Jodie Pfarr writing in </em>The Sydney Morning Herald<em> describes the film as an engaging costume drama romp, which provides a fascinating account of the relationship between Brummell and the prince. He calls the show,</em> Queer eye for the straight guy <em>18th-century style, and concludes that the moral of the story is all can be fine and dandy until you tell someone they're fat<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262578195951523042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2ArIuJWno8hO4s0tSlpRQ7WgNEGKq8Dg7uPrTktiuItR4ZLPsDJfPfDBNFk3j9Y07FRH4RKOdW2nTx_WfBWmwzYL76Rle8fPOcu2wnkc0iwZOb0rw4HvUwhV2Bs253B3Z_IEQRqpsUk/s400/purefoy_beau086.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 371px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 399px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></em></div><div>Visit the website for the movie at the BBC <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/cinema/features/beau-brummell.shtml">HERE</a> including some clips from the movie.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>

Beau Brummel: this charming man

Beau Brummel: this charming man

I recently watched a wonderful dvd "Beau Brummell: This charming man" about the life of George Brummell (nicknamed Beau for obviou...

06:10

Marble, Marble Everywhere.

<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gt7eA_0QKPA/SQfaj9zC5nI/AAAAAAAAD5E/QIrsCYJj96M/s1600-h/Picture+3.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262415001024652914" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gt7eA_0QKPA/SQfaj9zC5nI/AAAAAAAAD5E/QIrsCYJj96M/s720/Picture+3.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 430px; height: 518px;" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gt7eA_0QKPA/SQfakkrf1OI/AAAAAAAAD5U/NhFhsMIP10s/s1600-h/Picture+4.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262415011461977314" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gt7eA_0QKPA/SQfakkrf1OI/AAAAAAAAD5U/NhFhsMIP10s/s720/Picture+4.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 411px; height: 460px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gt7eA_0QKPA/SQfakd2ZFlI/AAAAAAAAD5M/wSLkkbvfQWc/s1600-h/Picture+2.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262415009628624466" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gt7eA_0QKPA/SQfakd2ZFlI/AAAAAAAAD5M/wSLkkbvfQWc/s720/Picture+2.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 482px; height: 370px;" /></a><br />My next kitchen will be decked out with marble like this, no matter what!<br />Pictures via <a href="http://www.idanikospiti.gr/article.asp?catid=10225&subid=2&tag=7636&pubid=1420724"><span style="font-style: italic;">Idaniko</span></a><br /><br /></div>

Marble, Marble Everywhere.

Marble, Marble Everywhere.

My next kitchen will be decked out with marble like this, no matter what! Pictures via Idaniko

20:36

Dior, the talent

<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261879798594616338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgDGVTX3v7vDyXPFcirpZM00ar3YyWfHLYxKEdj06Cfp70uUZlYu5XNKKU7L26cg2I6eCAAo2gdW-xXZfQC1vhhim9xMfQ4CcffJayZYnKeYPQT12uBiqkHUl4JBuq3r6b-A3MIj3tbE/s400/dior+with+model.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />While I can barely do him justice, especially in such a short post, I would like to just talk briefly about Christian Dior as I'm currently reading his autobiography from 1957.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwAcxSs534ZWAJduVYNPISxo4CyyP7EoKQn5to9Cy1kQXs6QInn0nPoQtqlK2wbJtwK-EUzWeC-VagBehqPx30TP-HJ01jsVMumG915pFxCFodAU8DaNCUzRPhCrb-8CVDCm9y73TFt0o/s1600-h/shoe.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261879946645819586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwAcxSs534ZWAJduVYNPISxo4CyyP7EoKQn5to9Cy1kQXs6QInn0nPoQtqlK2wbJtwK-EUzWeC-VagBehqPx30TP-HJ01jsVMumG915pFxCFodAU8DaNCUzRPhCrb-8CVDCm9y73TFt0o/s400/shoe.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Dior believed that accessories MADE the outfit. After coming up with the initial sketches of a dress, he would then go on to chose the accessories right away, even before seeing the finalized dress! He worked with Roger Vivier often for shoes, such as this cheetah printed silk show above. Notice the beautiful details such as the rhinestone button and beautiful catch.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSriWmbQUPKDfsu8E-O1GPbVcqFMr7d53Fv5WRTDBNsdh7MG3c5_Ccr15ILzT1-IGvJYeb0Uyfft5z9LHc63r-eXYA-HCsNZKlSYloWr8_FdODP2b_5d7RoPa5JySEyNMohbsb3in56M/s1600-h/moulin+rouge+1954.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261879926070915666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSriWmbQUPKDfsu8E-O1GPbVcqFMr7d53Fv5WRTDBNsdh7MG3c5_Ccr15ILzT1-IGvJYeb0Uyfft5z9LHc63r-eXYA-HCsNZKlSYloWr8_FdODP2b_5d7RoPa5JySEyNMohbsb3in56M/s400/moulin+rouge+1954.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 276px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> This is a detail photograph from 1954 of his dress called ' Moulin Rouge'. He wrote that he wanted to make women happy and gave his dresses fun, exotic and happy names.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXZu5i7QM8daxygZi220-_lPyuwoyllbSJuN-FEG-01rCJdx-DBNBpfiavL6aasUVVeERM1ffBDKncw6VenvujoXCBfPFD3y7gIAwqxTvak5Cht7q-ssoVb6DMY_F_MR8AmO37-gDzO8/s1600-h/ispahan+1947+by+gruau+in+%27adam%27.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261879815107033106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXZu5i7QM8daxygZi220-_lPyuwoyllbSJuN-FEG-01rCJdx-DBNBpfiavL6aasUVVeERM1ffBDKncw6VenvujoXCBfPFD3y7gIAwqxTvak5Cht7q-ssoVb6DMY_F_MR8AmO37-gDzO8/s400/ispahan+1947+by+gruau+in+%27adam%27.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 270px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> This sketch by Gruau shows Ispahan from 1947 for the magazine 'Adam'. From the start of the Dior salon, it was a huge success. He wrote that after 1 year of business, it was such an established brand that he would hear people talking about it as if it had been around since the turn of the century! All he ever wanted was a tiny, small exclusive salon -he never expected or wanted all of the publicity and growth of his company.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieJNRLmUMXdRxTM4Azcy2vMNiDoYi1mwhfLH8rvCare18q2wkroOsQOpgHudcRpcXOd5EH0kcd7f6KxcilFgPBJHKcHSFEybeIIUb5V_XofaVH5W9SXs4FuOFMFmF22IUtSLKjM0dUsc/s1600-h/grand+boutique.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261879807639572418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieJNRLmUMXdRxTM4Azcy2vMNiDoYi1mwhfLH8rvCare18q2wkroOsQOpgHudcRpcXOd5EH0kcd7f6KxcilFgPBJHKcHSFEybeIIUb5V_XofaVH5W9SXs4FuOFMFmF22IUtSLKjM0dUsc/s400/grand+boutique.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 282px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Entry to the boutique. Housed in a grand  but sedate mansion /townhouse at 30 Avenue Montaigne - he wanted it to be a simple take on tradition ala the style of 1910: Everything in shades of gray and white.<br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OREaVcBD1Vxro29NhPqo3N7_BVVBC9qpBMM468onpC2Uav-yeMxqjxN6rP0PAfZZKtBvwVwDv1uw1FkFMHOsc33IVINhWMzFWTJJn3vzE9CacxHeYCIMNhIl-N-IO2fXubdt-8OyVO0/s1600-h/cachotier+1951.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261879784771541698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OREaVcBD1Vxro29NhPqo3N7_BVVBC9qpBMM468onpC2Uav-yeMxqjxN6rP0PAfZZKtBvwVwDv1uw1FkFMHOsc33IVINhWMzFWTJJn3vzE9CacxHeYCIMNhIl-N-IO2fXubdt-8OyVO0/s400/cachotier+1951.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 280px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Cachotier from 1951 - I love this very architectural dress with the ruched gloves. It must be so uncomfortable though!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdoNkltAaOckIbJaGQF88p9QXZF-xeQs4BGdVc93faBCXhZBDys24kVCO6ay6a22Ih5DGmGsbvELCXUHLaZj0LiocK-zEkUkTzdY_kbGd8I1yW8oSlsYI_dBUmDk-RiyisZM4eY5t8GzE/s1600-h/Autumn++winter+1954.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261878745856860690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdoNkltAaOckIbJaGQF88p9QXZF-xeQs4BGdVc93faBCXhZBDys24kVCO6ay6a22Ih5DGmGsbvELCXUHLaZj0LiocK-zEkUkTzdY_kbGd8I1yW8oSlsYI_dBUmDk-RiyisZM4eY5t8GzE/s400/Autumn++winter+1954.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 285px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> A dress from Fall / Winter 1954 -this shows the finished product on the right and the process on the left. Primarily known for his evening gowns, Dior was in the group of the moneyed classes who were throwing grand balls after WWII to forget the horrors and atrocities they witnessed -society wanted fun! Dior provided the dresses.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOl0QKn48VDXhKQFOrWDhFuwHkX0mzS4Wx5O6rhbVeyZxvF-TzVJeCGZ14Mxo10d-rohjdM_rgZzAzjkI3xybiPHCTDOc7OFE5ZplDsOWw2FHFIT4P8daz8wU2aHJyiFJQCmJ4U4Ed_U/s1600-h/1960+shoe+ad.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261878748331176610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOl0QKn48VDXhKQFOrWDhFuwHkX0mzS4Wx5O6rhbVeyZxvF-TzVJeCGZ14Mxo10d-rohjdM_rgZzAzjkI3xybiPHCTDOc7OFE5ZplDsOWw2FHFIT4P8daz8wU2aHJyiFJQCmJ4U4Ed_U/s400/1960+shoe+ad.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 256px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> An ad from 1960 for shoes by Vivier for Dior. Drawn by Gruau of course.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-pgI-WL3Q2FrJM-nujaur2Ry8uWjORbQCzMtc11wigwwj5xHksX7Z4frEb8qZMeHqnvUc4xt5lw-j9wJqXcEH7y0sEgotQ5o6muwTVjs0P6L8xVElJWB_RW7bEVOwSK47cSJ1z5y3MQ/s1600-h/1957+time+magazine.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261878736651876354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-pgI-WL3Q2FrJM-nujaur2Ry8uWjORbQCzMtc11wigwwj5xHksX7Z4frEb8qZMeHqnvUc4xt5lw-j9wJqXcEH7y0sEgotQ5o6muwTVjs0P6L8xVElJWB_RW7bEVOwSK47cSJ1z5y3MQ/s400/1957+time+magazine.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 310px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Dior made the cover of Time magazine in 1957 -the year of his autobiography<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261878727801513602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAh42FdraDUu0cTwTEE-EYtucPoNHQbnZqqG7iJRdn8rmVcKScYIuEyCIqsJl5pI9BHzzehgQxV0dI7m2W0PRCMDkqrOMH5w914Wx6ufkRE9vJVNQov4O10JuGy-wwaL0EUQwYqjFOp1M/s400/1957+models.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 279px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />The models of the house of Dior from 1957. I love the model with alabaster skin and red lips in the black dress! So chic. Her name was Lucky!<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261878725952460210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfZgzD30fVRw5z2KSj9qGaoBp1pJc-AEL-jiInNfb0b-BsiXtK5SEzqVD1ruV_x9K751EYo0zEFkdmGtpFh_nv5iiyqajiMZlBcqJBToq_iTV4taSf9SjTDqVfBlUv9XRAL34dkbPG9M/s400/1951+sketch.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 288px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /> A sketch by Dior for the 1951 collections. Such expressive lines, evocative of Gruau.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261879804671293314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2lDWi-Yy-nRuqgku8ofBJ77YBsperiFVrYODc_IsD41yf2srQYbrwwV8Ec7wCFGvVoFN45xpBNMngChZi448sQjCXqyPdPEy_OjYKwbp7rR1CzKhhlqwn1X9CqrTV-maDdERS8wLz5lQ/s400/dress.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 281px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>All images from the book 'Dior' by Universe of Fashion by Marie-France Pochna; forward by Grace Mirabella. You can find this great little book online <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dior-Universe-Fashion-Marie-France-Pochna/dp/0789300656/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1225127665&sr=8-1">HERE</a> very inexpensively used.

Dior, the talent

Dior, the talent

While I can barely do him justice, especially in such a short post, I would like to just talk briefly about Christian Dior as I'm curren...

21:05

new england fall

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJPvbiOIwQu-2OIzvfd0S3A7uBUrPuSBYpJhxSWix6qUaLmiBBPVW1HbUSSn18qpmg20BGIxiGQDla3ookcAAeZWKWqhf5nO0H2X2Ed_6tAnlNnHLXzbJmX30-QZhwrQvQ5yaHvbKnVuW/s1600-h/october.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262029747454385618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJPvbiOIwQu-2OIzvfd0S3A7uBUrPuSBYpJhxSWix6qUaLmiBBPVW1HbUSSn18qpmg20BGIxiGQDla3ookcAAeZWKWqhf5nO0H2X2Ed_6tAnlNnHLXzbJmX30-QZhwrQvQ5yaHvbKnVuW/s400/october.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 246px;" /></a><br />: : October in Boston this year has been one of the best months of the year. we've had warm weather, sun, crisp air and all the beautiful colors that come with fall. I know this is the favorite season for many. For me, nothing will ever beat summers in Sweden, but fall in New England is  in second place and getting better and better for every year.<br /><br />we spent this past weekend with friends at a house on a river in New Hampshire. and had a lot of fun playing around in the leaves.<br /><br />spice up a regular bouquet of roses with maple leaves and some greens.

new england fall

new england fall

: : October in Boston this year has been one of the best months of the year. we've had warm weather, sun, crisp air and all the beautifu...

19:42

Looking Back.

<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gt7eA_0QKPA/SQVhcWAWMbI/AAAAAAAAD48/_9ED0yjmiFc/s1600-h/***Quiet+Room.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261718879223558578" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gt7eA_0QKPA/SQVhcWAWMbI/AAAAAAAAD48/_9ED0yjmiFc/s320/***Quiet+Room.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 353px; height: 189px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Well, I can hardly believe it; but over the weekend my blog turned <a href="http://carolinaeclectic.blogspot.com/search/label/First%20posting"><span style="font-style: italic;">one year old</span></a>! Wow! I'm amazed at the opportunities this little blog has presented to me. I've met so many wonderful people, both virtually and in person. I can't honestly tell all of you how much I enjoy hearing from you. When I started writing this a year ago, I had no idea how much enjoyment I would get out of it. I really feel like I have found a world wide family. So I just want to thank all of you for stopping by and reading all of my crazy ideas:) Last weekend, I walked through the <a href="http://aiahouston.org/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Houston AIA home tour</span></a>. I was a little disappointed, but did love the serene bedroom above. The blue wall and linen covered chair were beautiful. Although, one year ago my second post was about a fantastic house featured in the tour.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gt7eA_0QKPA/SQVYMByo3-I/AAAAAAAAD4M/061R5dxtxF0/s1600-h/***Allen+B.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261708703314796514" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gt7eA_0QKPA/SQVYMByo3-I/AAAAAAAAD4M/061R5dxtxF0/s800/***Allen+B.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 374px; height: 498px;" /></a> You can check out the full article <a href="http://carolinaeclectic.blogspot.com/2007/10/aia-home-tour.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">here</span></a>, but I decided to re-post a few of my favorite shots. Given that it was only my second post, I'm sure 99.9% of you didn't see it. I remember how uncomfortable I felt asking for permission to take photos, for a blog that consisted of one article. Thankfully, the home owners and architect were very gracious.<br /></div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gt7eA_0QKPA/SQVY2am1fZI/AAAAAAAAD4k/gbXz-DgdzAk/s1600-h/***Allen+B2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261709431530683794" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gt7eA_0QKPA/SQVY2am1fZI/AAAAAAAAD4k/gbXz-DgdzAk/s400/***Allen+B2.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 382px; height: 509px;" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gt7eA_0QKPA/SQVY205wsTI/AAAAAAAAD4s/7atfXGKh7HQ/s1600-h/***AllenB4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261709438589382962" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gt7eA_0QKPA/SQVY205wsTI/AAAAAAAAD4s/7atfXGKh7HQ/s400/***AllenB4.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 481px; height: 360px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gt7eA_0QKPA/SQVY3Lc8xZI/AAAAAAAAD40/441yfXHXyJE/s1600-h/***AllenBbath.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261709444642555282" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gt7eA_0QKPA/SQVY3Lc8xZI/AAAAAAAAD40/441yfXHXyJE/s400/***AllenBbath.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 371px; height: 494px;" /></a>Here's to one more year!<br /></div>

Looking Back.

Well, I can hardly believe it; but over the weekend my blog turned one year old ! Wow! I'm amazed at the opportunities this little blog ...

22:55

Mies van der Rohe library

<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261542502213912962" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvmQcZL8_Set8XwDltHfJHPeAzwk1RFMmI8tpOs-ZEaSaGMQ0os4J1jw75IcP4Dt4oDZoIRNivfwVfdAKqCI-aLB1kWCCWUAVxVOwKlpPliN6x4X7iDj-vUJIuhFO8hftMH8Bg_8qdho/s400/142-4277_IMG.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />This past weekend I finally went to the library to check it out. It just so happens that my local library is the main branch of the DC library system and was designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe! Completed in 1972, the library measures in at 400,000 sf and is the only public library ever designed by Mies. <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261542180150953090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirC3J7N5_piWL_Eja4oWsyi3ZeIzIqB9ZJkicKPUqX8ujLnAYfHXFe1pYVeVF1959p6EQa_OFVywwe12JaB4Sye-2yQIN4x74lgw_PZPGfVZ4CoCIBzDMkuWy6s7XQGp9suWE8ZKOs0WU/s400/142-4270_IMG.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261542179062943730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6TownsYkfYuqt_8M_TSLWcz8-kxqnWJ53mwQdL_OkaLfp-MVqXCw5pTKWoVR1inUB8_6GTUvmYElAtKOFbOOrqulXrUgTcNSjilclAUccvT4O4fmkoW8WF1BvM3kD4cySXppuGFydKo/s400/142-4272_IMG.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Steel & glass with some brick privacy walls at the first floor, this is a rare example of modernism in dc replacing the old Andrew Carnegie donated 1903 beaux arts building nearby (which unfortunately is vacant). The building is typical of Mies's style -with a grand exterior public entrycourt. The interior is delightfully open and filled with natural light.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261542502631003650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdhffJOzJ5ifqKaV4mwi6vzP2EsNWblu7Zt02vCBaHa4CMUry4T5CJPvP42bDvMmAmi3I4E6Dl0uywn8dqD5SyaAThcSZ0UjKsfBRTBkpm81OqB6XFJ1XGOqdsiL8oTeWH4INaHtIclM/s400/142-4275_IMG.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /> <div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>In 2007 it was designated a historic landmark by the district and rightfully so. Unfortunately, while the upkeep on the facility is adequate it seems to have been bastardized. The grand spaces are littered with subpar clutter and tacky lighting belying Mies's modernistic vision: not a barcelona chair or table in site! It's still a great space though I was surprised to find!<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261542176235855186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wFRfczruMMNT8TIiZ-mHyFBZminYPciit7VdSJCF5fJFXTvSmpnKSAAGrBA8JfHrCRpllfW8daJb1WE3tvJfQ_zIfurQ8W0_j-fAJj2i8Pr8BITznE4BhxDLgkSTX70Vs3K7Lk3fPu8/s400/142-4269_IMG.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /><em>The library seen through 2 more typical traditional dc office buildings.<br /></em><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261542506345128146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcaF_NjDLQ77478kke8qIMZslITBGIwRkycGzSUBunw0ypZFxZeDwBQ3GtQbgydTIpuASxUfkLOaHpsYywjzPg5fy17fnLzm4tE7hQSqVytMtzpQonu34WU4d532B83VWHUpEiph2MlvU/s400/142-4278_IMG.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></div><div><em>the open interiors (entry lobby)</em> </div><div>The library is great -who needs blockbuster or amazon??!! I got 2 great books as well as numerous movies and cds. I'm reading <em>'Dior by Dior'</em> - the autobiography of the designer first published in 1957 - it's incredible to read the backstory and his rather modest take on his abilities! Also checked out <em>'Antoine's alphabet, Watteau and his world' </em>which is a historical fiction based on the life of the painter. Both definitely are worth a read!<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261542179717631842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdHJhmSFvuO7O5OfSjngPiFBY516aprar_8j33pyVLLAGiFbux3MxlPv89gbU6fEBqfRvWRk0nWPj5GZ2-f8RzshXtdHePhM7z_lmfRW4ggLiMXw_COrNvTlVFhbWEhz4tjK9YZk_r18/s400/142-4273_IMG.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></div><div>Sorry for the poor picture quality, it was pouring rain and I was juggling an umbrella!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>

Mies van der Rohe library

Mies van der Rohe library

This past weekend I finally went to the library to check it out. It just so happens that my local library is the main branch of the DC libra...

21:05

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Top