Ali - East London

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yPTpUJfNgJU/TfCQG4Udg6I/AAAAAAAAA_0/8qnl5Rdj-BA/s1600/_DSC0015_new-aliraw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yPTpUJfNgJU/TfCQG4Udg6I/AAAAAAAAA_0/8qnl5Rdj-BA/s1600/_DSC0015_new-aliraw.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hirtpMa9Vjc/TfCVMEnDMII/AAAAAAAAA_4/TnM71w_FVCw/s1600/_DSC0022_INNEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hirtpMa9Vjc/TfCVMEnDMII/AAAAAAAAA_4/TnM71w_FVCw/s1600/_DSC0022_INNEW.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oA0tFaF_aH0/TeZGwwD6FsI/AAAAAAAAA-w/wXxtE1d1gdU/s1600/_DSC0024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oA0tFaF_aH0/TeZGwwD6FsI/AAAAAAAAA-w/wXxtE1d1gdU/s1600/_DSC0024.jpg" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JSkrjXaODKQ/TeZG09utAhI/AAAAAAAAA-0/mvg1KFmuQBc/s1600/_DSC0021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JSkrjXaODKQ/TeZG09utAhI/AAAAAAAAA-0/mvg1KFmuQBc/s1600/_DSC0021.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gJH9wXMuZ6I/TeZG4ZT_2oI/AAAAAAAAA-4/kpqayoz4CZE/s1600/_DSC0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gJH9wXMuZ6I/TeZG4ZT_2oI/AAAAAAAAA-4/kpqayoz4CZE/s1600/_DSC0005.jpg" /></a></div>This is a happy and a sad tale of a girl with two bedrooms. Ali, also known as <i><a href="http://alicocoepps.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Ali Coco Epps</span></a></i> is a master wordsmith, performer and filmmaker. She is probably someone I’d never want to play Scrabble with, as pondering over words brings her nothing but joy - even down to changing all the original words to cheeky anagrams on a menu board her brother picked up Islington.<br /><div class="MsoNormal">She is one of five inhabitants that live in this extraordinary space and has lived here for just five months. But as I took the pictures, the shed clock was ticking and by the end of the week, the little wooden bedrooms will be no more - meaning all the shed people have had to find new homes. She is very sad to leave this special place and the great people she has shared it with. But fortunately for Ali, her new pad is just one floor down, in this disused 1920’s factory building in East London.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">This is her new bedroom - equally as compact and as sweet as her shedroom. All that is missing is the bed, which I am sure is in there now.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-psnZ3iqdK9w/TedzHH0iGzI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/8L3bMVHdeaE/s1600/_DSC0053newpsd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-psnZ3iqdK9w/TedzHH0iGzI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/8L3bMVHdeaE/s1600/_DSC0053newpsd.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mfJGNrmBBys/TeZH2VH4JeI/AAAAAAAAA_A/uPrj1mNvuP0/s1600/_DSC0056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mfJGNrmBBys/TeZH2VH4JeI/AAAAAAAAA_A/uPrj1mNvuP0/s1600/_DSC0056.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wzMH_pKzFD8/TeZH66raHGI/AAAAAAAAA_E/8msEfsHLk_s/s1600/_DSC0061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wzMH_pKzFD8/TeZH66raHGI/AAAAAAAAA_E/8msEfsHLk_s/s1600/_DSC0061.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-koqRdx7l3Rc/TeZIAai7xkI/AAAAAAAAA_I/gcRgVcGdVhA/s1600/_DSC0062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-koqRdx7l3Rc/TeZIAai7xkI/AAAAAAAAA_I/gcRgVcGdVhA/s1600/_DSC0062.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KQbrt9kZODU/TeZIEsP8TBI/AAAAAAAAA_M/IbQBxM0AjbQ/s1600/_DSC0065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KQbrt9kZODU/TeZIEsP8TBI/AAAAAAAAA_M/IbQBxM0AjbQ/s1600/_DSC0065.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">She has collected some delightful things over the years, including the 1920’s circus outfit hung on the wall, and the red clock that <a href="http://alicocoepps.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>Ali Coco Epps</i> </span></a>and her fellow performers try to include in every film they make, some of which can be seen on the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/pattyandhills#p/u/2/1LzaA3dBigc"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>Patty & Hills YouTube channel</i></span></a>. <br />I asked Ali<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"> </span>what she’d save her bedroom were on fire? She said, “There is so much stuff, like my 1930’s dressing table, that I would carry on my back, along with the black and white photograph of my Mum - she sat for <a href="http://stephendwoskin.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>Stephen Dwoskin</i></span></a> in the 60’s, an avant-garde film maker. And every story I have ever written since I was three.”</div>

Ali - East London

This is a happy and a sad tale of a girl with two bedrooms. Ali, also known as Ali Coco Epps  is a master wordsmith, performer and filmmaker...

Read more »

Heading to Market

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_CyiisGYkC0svBzPjuxrEGepcEGpjFAXmBpPCv-N9zzuHTqDhQZQeHseFZXbhSX3eHTeSwJICG9eoeHNsV2OaN8H0TvGkr28b_AUlUMOloTjOZ51R8KbyK-7FqnPli1clNN1PMvQf9o/s1600/HIGHPOINT.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589875184563558050" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_CyiisGYkC0svBzPjuxrEGepcEGpjFAXmBpPCv-N9zzuHTqDhQZQeHseFZXbhSX3eHTeSwJICG9eoeHNsV2OaN8H0TvGkr28b_AUlUMOloTjOZ51R8KbyK-7FqnPli1clNN1PMvQf9o/s400/HIGHPOINT.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> April 2-7 is an important time for the interior design world: <a href="http://www.highpointmarket.org/">High Point Market</a> in North Carolina. Comparable to the fashion shows which fill Bryant Park each season, High Point Market showcases the latest wares being offered by furniture companies such as Century, Theodore Alexander, Sligh, and Hooker Furniture who are sponsoring a number of us design bloggers to attend this years events. Let me know if you are there, I would love to say hi! See you at Market!

Heading to Market

April 2-7 is an important time for the interior design world: High Point Market in North Carolina. Comparable to the fashion shows which f...

Read more »

Off-Beat Market: Colin Schaelli

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://shop-ch.colinschaelli.com/wp-content/uploads/wpsc/product_images/T-723-X3-01-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="505" src="http://shop-ch.colinschaelli.com/wp-content/uploads/wpsc/product_images/T-723-X3-01-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Its Friday and time for another <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1772865789">O</a><i><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1772865789">ff-beat market</a></i>. Check out the furniture of <a href="http://www.colinschaelli.com/"><i>Colin Schaelli.</i></a> Honestly, these images say it all and don't need me to add much more. Wow!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://shop-ch.colinschaelli.com/wp-content/uploads/wpsc/product_images/T-723-X1-03-3-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="506" src="http://shop-ch.colinschaelli.com/wp-content/uploads/wpsc/product_images/T-723-X1-03-3-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I posted this photo on my <i><a href="http://a-volar.tumblr.com/">Tumblr site</a></i> and it sort of stuck in my mind. I had to research where it came from and was glad to find this fantastically minimal series of furnishings. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://shop-ch.colinschaelli.com/wp-content/uploads/wpsc/product_images/R-1425-3-3T-01-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="506" src="http://shop-ch.colinschaelli.com/wp-content/uploads/wpsc/product_images/R-1425-3-3T-01-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.colinschaelli.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/contemporaryfurniture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://www.colinschaelli.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/contemporaryfurniture.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Occasionally, I'm asked why something as stark as this furniture; appeals to me. What about some color or decorative details? Here's the thing, when there is a beautiful form without too much decoration, my  imagination has the freedom to fill in the details. An overly decorated piece can become static in a way, it is what it is. Is this making sense or am I rambling? Maybe, I just don't like being told what to think:) I would love to know how some of you feel about this.</div></div>

Off-Beat Market: Colin Schaelli

Its Friday and time for another O ff-beat market . Check out the furniture of Colin Schaelli. Honestly, these images say it all and don...

Read more »

World’s Most Expensive Beds

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The Most Expensive Blog (The home of World's Most Expensive and Luxury) presents World’s Most Expensive Beds.<br /><br />A person typically spends a third of their life sleeping, so why not make the most of that time by spending a ridiculous amount of money on an extravagant bed? Each supremely expensive bed is luxurious in its own way, and we’re certain almost anyone will find one of these beds most desirable.<b> </b><br /><br /><b>Parnian Furniture bed – over $210,000</b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXwMG6kLjpZvRDxJJFcHuXMnq1-uREkYnXg9C_re8egQ9a1jSdgsvhx0waOQUG5XzdDIDHVgPQbR3UZH0rRfOmhs7JcuMGsKGb0PHfQSjDqBpZ1aC-ikKAf8BWeKCGZUtR0ao2DV7FUg/s1600/expensive-bed-parnian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXwMG6kLjpZvRDxJJFcHuXMnq1-uREkYnXg9C_re8egQ9a1jSdgsvhx0waOQUG5XzdDIDHVgPQbR3UZH0rRfOmhs7JcuMGsKGb0PHfQSjDqBpZ1aC-ikKAf8BWeKCGZUtR0ao2DV7FUg/s400/expensive-bed-parnian.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">  </div>Furniture designer Abdolhay Parnian treats his furniture like works of art and it shows in the final product. It’s taken him two years to design this bed and I think you’ll agree that it was well worth the wait. It’s not only visually striking, with the eyelike headboard that will surely dominate any bedroom, but also equipped with features sure to intrigue even the most jaded of millionaires. The purchaser may choose from a variety of materials, including the ebony, sapele and curly maple in the pictured display model, as well as technological features such as iPad holders and charging stations, hidden compartments and pop-up swiveling televisions and computer monitors.<br /><br /><b>Jado Steel Style Gold Bed – $676,550</b><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMv5UY6ITf3lZLy3QwLRh4fuoH7OWukxsq5Pme-Z-kPsltRbEj5nRqEud1u31Q2-f-S1waH2H9PcQUMlr5AnuLikNBYYBDlEgRdhaRZY-_scIW7cG3n_WXP8dKn1stFQCFkrbyyqcmMBg/s1600/expensive-bed-jado.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMv5UY6ITf3lZLy3QwLRh4fuoH7OWukxsq5Pme-Z-kPsltRbEj5nRqEud1u31Q2-f-S1waH2H9PcQUMlr5AnuLikNBYYBDlEgRdhaRZY-_scIW7cG3n_WXP8dKn1stFQCFkrbyyqcmMBg/s400/expensive-bed-jado.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">  </div>If you want to go all out with a bed that conveys wealth like no other, you can’t go wrong with the Gold Bed. As its name suggests, the luxurious waterbed is coated in 24k gold and features Swarovski crystals along the sideboard. It’s equipped with a DVD player and Bose sound system, Blu-ray player, Playstation 3, a foldaway plasma television coated in gold and can even be connected to the internet.<br /><br /><b>Magnetic Floating Bed – $1.6 million</b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Yj9LZl0aWQpa2LNi2rB5wZPzQO_D9cT86JcKJ3uj0Enz8i71dgjcLhe2V0cNTBUM3kRQekLKJ4uZjnmZmd_0mYbHFfYgM5lmSdTCZXse9_O2PWvEaKZ49rdNtzLScwNWDCG-ZgJZB64/s1600/expensive-floating-bed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Yj9LZl0aWQpa2LNi2rB5wZPzQO_D9cT86JcKJ3uj0Enz8i71dgjcLhe2V0cNTBUM3kRQekLKJ4uZjnmZmd_0mYbHFfYgM5lmSdTCZXse9_O2PWvEaKZ49rdNtzLScwNWDCG-ZgJZB64/s400/expensive-floating-bed.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">  </div>The 2006 Millionaire Fair in Kortrijk, Belgium saw the debut of a magnetic floating bed that pretty much takes the cake for the coolest bed in the world—and the most expensive. Conventional beds and mattresses haven’t changed much over the years, and that’s where Dutch architect Janjaap Ruijssenaars comes in. The goal in his project was to make a usable piece of furniture that wasn’t constrained by the laws of gravity.<br /><br />Ruijssenaars reportedly worked on the technology for six years in collaboration with Bakker Magnetics. Permanent opposing industrial-strength magnets allow the bed to float around 1.3 feet off the floor while holding almost 2,000 lbs. This aesthetically pleasing technology could also be applied to other areas in home furnishings like coffee tables, sofas, and Japanese dining tables. How cool would it be to eat sushi and drink sake off a floating table?<br /><br />While the expensive bed will run you €1,200,000 (US $1.6 million), a smaller unit, one fifth of the full size, costs €115,000 (US $153,000). If you are a millionaire and simply must have this eye-catching bed, the people at Universe Architecture would be happy to make it happen for you.<br /><br /><b>Baldacchino Supreme – $6.3 million</b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWDFaMK-RZ5blP50yml8TStB7aBmc9JG7pxiz_gnK6OJLKqjX9vzJtDAwkCqdppsQZWlPOFWB63FxYLNpabfCYn6cky6H5sbo9r9w2ot9czD-tgDZk6dfnFacOODKestEDoK0bpzJyk-k/s1600/expensive-bed-baldacchino.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWDFaMK-RZ5blP50yml8TStB7aBmc9JG7pxiz_gnK6OJLKqjX9vzJtDAwkCqdppsQZWlPOFWB63FxYLNpabfCYn6cky6H5sbo9r9w2ot9czD-tgDZk6dfnFacOODKestEDoK0bpzJyk-k/s400/expensive-bed-baldacchino.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">  </div>After four years on the top, the magnetic floating bed has been unseated by luxury designer Stuart Hughes. whose collaboration with Italy’s Fratelli Basile has created nothing short of the most expensive bed in the world–the Baldacchino Supreme.<br /><br />Fratelli Basile’s Hebanon furniture evokes the timeless qualities of 18th century furniture while making use of modern craftsmanship. This bed, with its chestnut structure and ash wood canopy, is no exception. The exterior is lacquered, patinated and decorated with 107 kg of 24k gold. The bed also features the finest Italian silk and cotton. <br /><br /><b>Similar Posts: </b><br /><br /><a href="http://themostexpensive.blogspot.com/2011/01/worlds-most-expensive-wood-flooring.html">World’s Most Expensive Wood Flooring</a><br /><a href="http://themostexpensive.blogspot.com/2011/01/worlds-most-expensive-shopping-mall.html">World's Most Expensive Shopping Mall</a><br /><a href="http://themostexpensive.blogspot.com/2011/01/most-expensive-celebrity-real-estate.html">The Most Expensive Celebrity Real Estate For Sale</a><br /><a href="http://themostexpensive.blogspot.com/2010/12/michael-jordan-buys-penthouse-in.html">Michael Jordan Buys A Penthouse In Charlotte</a><br /><a href="http://themostexpensive.blogspot.com/2010/12/dubai-property-15th-most-expensive-in.html">Dubai property 15th most expensive in the world </a><br /><a href="http://themostexpensive.blogspot.com/2010/12/dubai-in-worlds-top-ten-most-expensive.html">Dubai in world's top ten most expensive office markets</a><b> </b><br /><br /><b>Save and share World’s Most Expensive Beds</b><br /><br />To share this post with your family and friends, click the button below to send them an email or save this to your favorite social network.</div>

World’s Most Expensive Beds

The Most Expensive Blog (The home of World's Most Expensive and Luxury) presents World’s Most Expensive Beds. A person typically spends ...

Read more »

A grand instrument

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzuhUR2EMt1va2g1BvuWhsSmg2TXSLfBcXRZahDk2KcJh8ZOS9MF_2lXfxs4gHw25ojtNBLLCWtB20oU-yGa5InKs0c-1rrFDz635U-begD5q3OI8lHLUvylAnSmgTb1IxAj3KFJTUMqY/s1600/aesthetic+movement.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559698474211102322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzuhUR2EMt1va2g1BvuWhsSmg2TXSLfBcXRZahDk2KcJh8ZOS9MF_2lXfxs4gHw25ojtNBLLCWtB20oU-yGa5InKs0c-1rrFDz635U-begD5q3OI8lHLUvylAnSmgTb1IxAj3KFJTUMqY/s400/aesthetic+movement.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> In 1903, Roosevelt had a very grand piano commissioned from Steinway & Sons for the <a href="http://architectdesign.blogspot.com/2010/12/white-house-east-room.html">East Room</a>. Steinway commissioned noted Aesthetic artist <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Dewing">Thomas Dewing</a> to paint the inside of the gilded case in a patriotic theme which he entitled <em>America receiving the 9 muses</em>.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCIiNiGlS7qAd-_y2tLxZOFDzReq5pv91t9P_spB1L4cvskzMdKaZewwoNQoj_FVtF-ezOjvJB7o_koeCsB9tKkNpu4RHLiMdlbMw_S69jaAu0LJxCDTirZxk7VjnJQIrC3ATCRt8S9Y/s1600/steinway+piano.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559698470939632210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCIiNiGlS7qAd-_y2tLxZOFDzReq5pv91t9P_spB1L4cvskzMdKaZewwoNQoj_FVtF-ezOjvJB7o_koeCsB9tKkNpu4RHLiMdlbMw_S69jaAu0LJxCDTirZxk7VjnJQIrC3ATCRt8S9Y/s400/steinway+piano.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> In the painted scene, women in colonial revival gowns representing art, music, poetry and learning pay homage to America, the new steward of western culture, as represented by the seated woman. The piano now resides at the <a href="http://www.npg.si.edu/">National Portrait Gallery</a>, but I think it should be brought back to the White House, don't you?</div>

A grand instrument

In 1903, Roosevelt had a very grand piano commissioned from Steinway & Sons for the East Room . Steinway commissioned noted Aesthetic a...

Read more »

A Victorian treasure

<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542973524003789362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kHX1VuxE6B6t9s3Mv-Bw6WlRMIwKpcXNeW5fRVmXKD2nPXR47pLruU7w1DMS5umst9P6TDucbmNpFSZmVOTpbfvKE5XXrR-uitIU-RgGOHQLtqRMhMsPF0nthlb48QRiZpD-KwhLrAE/s400/living+room.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 230px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Last week I had the pleasure of attending an event at a house which is stuck in time; 1898 to be precise, the last time anything had been changed.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvsIpso-WWfnvqqgT6HT1d-OjQZDmOV7gemVe-CWF1XJCoLgj6L96capsr8NDw-cCafznmujZzQw8MMn2eyaT_wPtwJyRiIXf9uiFVERY8rEl7yYlgu28BHwb3Knf-V3qLV7d2Ev8BfU/s1600/victorian+sitting+room.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542973579578303938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvsIpso-WWfnvqqgT6HT1d-OjQZDmOV7gemVe-CWF1XJCoLgj6L96capsr8NDw-cCafznmujZzQw8MMn2eyaT_wPtwJyRiIXf9uiFVERY8rEl7yYlgu28BHwb3Knf-V3qLV7d2Ev8BfU/s400/victorian+sitting+room.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> While these rooms feel dark and heavy to many of this today, at the time they were safe and warm. Not just the wealth of the owners is on display, but they also show how far industrialization had taken our society.<br /><div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542973509849608738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_vSjpUVeKoHg_GlTei2tUv4WRcsaf0oexxC3ppu0_csqsAD2HJZAQI7qDxtg7x3TPFDSeyR0E7a-cwnFgt0EovbzFX7fLz1FtDbYXUnCh3h0FQjf1x4DpAkF4HOOcC_HXA2TVhbAnD8/s400/dolls.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 242px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />The little girl's room had dolls set out for a tea party which was pretty charming (although reminded me a bit of a horror movie!).<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MCLVrL7O1gvrLkVxVgORl_wogvFnFxWipPgGj8UGa31_aCsmFNEKTu1uzTqLYJb2B53KmfJu1NI-fmT-7n6V6CpDV1sLWynWHO-wXNCVgVPZfi9BXK7YuITggv5OJoYo8dcduyMflCw/s1600/german+murals.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542973515774489506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MCLVrL7O1gvrLkVxVgORl_wogvFnFxWipPgGj8UGa31_aCsmFNEKTu1uzTqLYJb2B53KmfJu1NI-fmT-7n6V6CpDV1sLWynWHO-wXNCVgVPZfi9BXK7YuITggv5OJoYo8dcduyMflCw/s400/german+murals.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>The servant's dining room in the basement showed the heavy German influence of the family.<br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRGbccraGrkMRUUaJ5iAS-44sPLZC0bgFV7l_ml2ySPtsrA9vTl04Pxtgp2R5o17FVr-yz93IDgH5g8OfbUd3BI28nc08DSo322kWR1jZCy9ip4JZqrsEl_V9ka9vSEtxKjBizecUvwAg/s1600/detail+shot.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542973504479865426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRGbccraGrkMRUUaJ5iAS-44sPLZC0bgFV7l_ml2ySPtsrA9vTl04Pxtgp2R5o17FVr-yz93IDgH5g8OfbUd3BI28nc08DSo322kWR1jZCy9ip4JZqrsEl_V9ka9vSEtxKjBizecUvwAg/s400/detail+shot.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>While it may seem overwhelming as a whole, if you narrow in on details one is struck by how every piece has been paid attention to; Pretty extraordinary!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9gMLZmz7lGs2keJ0eyBtbiNVhWU1mEJrl0eyXp0eStCT2HGoI7aVkbhATCowGMCH4_wxxAM1UrhdRl0gT6bI7ttkV4rLWSY79YEt2egMG-HPAEqbcPYCJ98NAHG4CX7UzfjUuItxFGuA/s1600/ceiling.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542973499287408610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9gMLZmz7lGs2keJ0eyBtbiNVhWU1mEJrl0eyXp0eStCT2HGoI7aVkbhATCowGMCH4_wxxAM1UrhdRl0gT6bI7ttkV4rLWSY79YEt2egMG-HPAEqbcPYCJ98NAHG4CX7UzfjUuItxFGuA/s400/ceiling.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> The ceiling in the front salon was particularly pretty. I'll be offline for the holiday but will be back next week! Happy Thanksgiving!</div></div></div></div></div>

A Victorian treasure

Last week I had the pleasure of attending an event at a house which is stuck in time; 1898 to be precise, the last time anything had been c...

Read more »

Most Expensive Office Chairs

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-dVgGYgNBJHW4E90t7rqZtd930BcHOUAMuJRGkHpjvBJxtVPL9K99P332cnkP305G2xbvTJG-VUsyoI89Ukg08SewIcL-vLsuatFzOkLdgsHXoVnCcDRtdR0RCrlsR3Zb85pWa_x1jM/s1600/expensive-office-chair-pininfarina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-dVgGYgNBJHW4E90t7rqZtd930BcHOUAMuJRGkHpjvBJxtVPL9K99P332cnkP305G2xbvTJG-VUsyoI89Ukg08SewIcL-vLsuatFzOkLdgsHXoVnCcDRtdR0RCrlsR3Zb85pWa_x1jM/s1600/expensive-office-chair-pininfarina.jpg" /></a></div>How much time do you spend in your office chair? For some, the comfort offered by an office chair is important as that of a bed. After all, anyone with a desk job can spend over half of their day in one or the other. If that sounds like your typical day and you happen to be a millionaire, then the world’s most expensive office chair may be right for you.<br /><br />Created by Pininfarina, an Italian car design firm best known for designing luxury cars like Ferraris and Cadillacs, the Aresline Xten could be the most comfortable chair ever made. The Dynamic Synchronized Tilting system allows users to tilt the back and the seat independently while the Technogel in the cushions makes them conform to the shape of the user. The chair is also made from a durable fabric called Dynatec, which is also used by Olympic athletes.<br /><br />The most expensive chair in the world is priced at $1.5 million. Unfortunately for the rest of the world, it’s also only offered in the UAE—as if there’s a market for luxury items in places like Dubai.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQfPNCxwHdZiS-PMDdH2DwN5MvbWRNsnYnri52hy2U0-Q_AsNWHYLOGIx6hvEOkk5P9IZec6YXWyeF4DueMht_Fqc31j3jqEKmYKjy2IB871zjqpNPo2V1_F39pRT6ljKTSLrKCAwlWE/s1600/expensive-office-chair-teherani.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQfPNCxwHdZiS-PMDdH2DwN5MvbWRNsnYnri52hy2U0-Q_AsNWHYLOGIx6hvEOkk5P9IZec6YXWyeF4DueMht_Fqc31j3jqEKmYKjy2IB871zjqpNPo2V1_F39pRT6ljKTSLrKCAwlWE/s1600/expensive-office-chair-teherani.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you’ve considerably less to spend on your office chair but you still want something expensive, then check out this chair by award-winning designer and architect Hadi Teherani of Germany. As far as we know, it’s the world’s second most expensive office chair at a (relatively) low price of $65,000. Instead of high-tech features and rare leathers, this chair is just well-designed. Of course, it also features silver and gold plating. That can’t hurt the price.</div><br />If you’re interested in purchasing one of the most expensive office chairs in the world, check your company’s expense account policy first. You never know, they might approve it.

Most Expensive Office Chairs

How much time do you spend in your office chair? For some, the comfort offered by an office chair is important as that of a bed. After all, ...

Read more »

Most Expensive Chair

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2s-wCakbrUrSRR-A5Dd3bas82nQ5TGpDfH-NwM_FqMVkBt6P4bXUG_gGvshnU8eASUCibxUdSFilhBkLNjUTBeN8_WDH6oaNPdHxYGMCA4fJWSVR85_reu7VaLPBtg2097p0wbgIeIQ/s1600/Most+Expensive+Chair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2s-wCakbrUrSRR-A5Dd3bas82nQ5TGpDfH-NwM_FqMVkBt6P4bXUG_gGvshnU8eASUCibxUdSFilhBkLNjUTBeN8_WDH6oaNPdHxYGMCA4fJWSVR85_reu7VaLPBtg2097p0wbgIeIQ/s1600/Most+Expensive+Chair.jpg" /></a></div>A chair belonging to late and great French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent has just made history as the world’s most expensive chair.<br /><br />The founder of the eponymous YSL luxury brand, Saint Laurent died in June of 2008 just a few days after marrying his partner and co-founder, Pierre Bergé.<br /><br />The expensive armchair had belonged to a Paris-based art dealer before finding its way into the hands of Saint Laurent and Bergé. Reportedly, that very same art dealer is the person who paid ten times the chair’s estimated value to procure it at a Christie’s auction.<br /><br />The chair was made by Irish designer Eileen Gray sometime between 1917 and 1919. Called the “Dragons” chair, it is one of Gray’s masterpieces and was expected to sell for €2-3 millions.<br /><br />At Paris’ Grand Palais, held February 24th, the most expensive chair in the world was sold for €21.9 million—that’s US $27.8 million!<br /><br /><b><a href="http://themostexpensive.blogspot.com/2010/11/most-expensive-pool-table.html">Most Expensive Pool Table</a></b><b> </b><br /><b><a href="http://themostexpensive.blogspot.com/2010/11/most-expensive-vase.html">Most Expensive Vase</a></b><b> </b><b> </b><br /><b><a href="http://themostexpensive.blogspot.com/2010/11/most-expensive-trash-can.html">Most Expensive Trash Can</a></b><b> </b><b> </b>

Most Expensive Chair

A chair belonging to late and great French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent has just made history as the world’s most expensive chair. Th...

Read more »

Naomi - Hampshire

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eI1SrlS42zM/TN0MJ2j-MKI/AAAAAAAAAp4/i4LYsLlpwzE/s1600/24173_109267865771203_109250082439648_127386_7338172_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eI1SrlS42zM/TN0MJ2j-MKI/AAAAAAAAAp4/i4LYsLlpwzE/s1600/24173_109267865771203_109250082439648_127386_7338172_n.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Drawn by her own fair hands, this is an illustrated snippet of Naomi's bedroom in Aldershot. She has a clever Twitter called, </span><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/i_learnt_today"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>i_learnt_today</i></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and you can find her really great work </span><a href="http://www.no-me.co.uk/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><i>here</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">.</span></span></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I asked Naomi what she would save if her bedroom were on fire, she said, "I would grab my beanbag frog that belonged to my Dad."</span>

Naomi - Hampshire

Drawn by her own fair hands, this is an illustrated snippet of Naomi's bedroom in Aldershot. She has a clever Twitter called, i_learnt_t...

Read more »

Helen - East London

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eI1SrlS42zM/TN0MtUKqtLI/AAAAAAAAAp8/8JrdRM_Q-8M/s1600/IMG_3197s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eI1SrlS42zM/TN0MtUKqtLI/AAAAAAAAAp8/8JrdRM_Q-8M/s1600/IMG_3197s.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eI1SrlS42zM/TN0MyD99RoI/AAAAAAAAAqA/s2xQvutLSjg/s1600/IMG_3211s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eI1SrlS42zM/TN0MyD99RoI/AAAAAAAAAqA/s2xQvutLSjg/s1600/IMG_3211s.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eI1SrlS42zM/TN0M3IWtJ9I/AAAAAAAAAqE/q6M0vvj62ZQ/s1600/IMG_3202s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eI1SrlS42zM/TN0M3IWtJ9I/AAAAAAAAAqE/q6M0vvj62ZQ/s1600/IMG_3202s.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eI1SrlS42zM/TN0PVlI6PXI/AAAAAAAAAqI/yqJBTG8dYSg/s1600/IMG_3214s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eI1SrlS42zM/TN0PVlI6PXI/AAAAAAAAAqI/yqJBTG8dYSg/s1600/IMG_3214s.jpg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I met Helen at a party in Dalston and when she told me her bedroom was her secret shame, I knew I had to photograph it. She lives in a shared flat in Hackney and says that she tries to be tidy but it's just not her and although it looks a mess, she knows where everything is - even her filing system that lies somewhere down the side of her bed. She is a keen knitter and also has a penchant for teaspoons - her obsession started when she went to a café and the teaspoon they gave her was so fancy that she stole it, since then her friends keep buying them for her. She now has a box full on top her wardrobe. I was quite taken by the knitted test patch and teaspoon ensemble hanging from her wardrobe doorknob - strangely good. If Helen’s bedroom were on fire, she would save a small stool that she made, she’s very attached to it and said, “I just really like it, my old house mate couldn’t believe I wanted to take it with me when I left, but I like it and I like the way I’ve attached a cushion to the top with wool.”<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Times;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div>

Helen - East London

I met Helen at a party in Dalston and when she told me her bedroom was her secret shame, I knew I had to photograph it. She lives in a share...

Read more »

The Curious Vignette

<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gt7eA_0QKPA/TH_frUsA1pI/AAAAAAAAF40/Lybqv40A2r0/s1600/Picture+29.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512370404305458834" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gt7eA_0QKPA/TH_frUsA1pI/AAAAAAAAF40/Lybqv40A2r0/s800/Picture+29.png" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 470px; height: 625px;" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28662850@N04/3049419493/in/pool-1538417@N22"><span style="font-style: italic;">(Maxime Clair)</span></a></span><br /></div><span style="font-size:85%;">I finally did something I've wanted to do for quite a while. I started <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1538417@N22/pool/"><span style="font-style: italic;">my own Flickr group!</span></a> Its been on my mind for a long time, but I couldn't decide what the theme should be. Finally, this week it hit me, how about photos of unusual vignettes! As is often the case, I thought of this for myself first. I wanted a group for the many photos I take of "curious" moments. So I'm inviting all of you who like to preserve these types of configurations to check out my group and maybe join it!</span> <span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1538417@N22/pool/"><span style="font-style: italic;">(Here)</span></a></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gt7eA_0QKPA/TH_fqfSCGyI/AAAAAAAAF4k/ZjEuy-1634M/s1600/Picture+32.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512370389969410850" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gt7eA_0QKPA/TH_fqfSCGyI/AAAAAAAAF4k/ZjEuy-1634M/s800/Picture+32.png" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 483px; height: 325px;" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/yataro1/4889405603/in/pool-1538417@N22"><span style="font-style: italic;">(Yataro1)</span></a></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gt7eA_0QKPA/TH_fpskuW7I/AAAAAAAAF4c/tDmPJOopzIA/s1600/Picture+33.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512370376357600178" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_gt7eA_0QKPA/TH_fpskuW7I/AAAAAAAAF4c/tDmPJOopzIA/s800/Picture+33.png" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 440px; height: 641px;" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22429780@N02/2571325519/in/pool-1538417@N22/"><span style="font-style: italic;">(Carolina Eclectic)</span></a></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gt7eA_0QKPA/TH_fpMljt3I/AAAAAAAAF4U/9aeYLpSvX4k/s1600/Picture+34.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512370367771162482" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gt7eA_0QKPA/TH_fpMljt3I/AAAAAAAAF4U/9aeYLpSvX4k/s400/Picture+34.png" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 437px; height: 721px;" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kaylovesvintage/3230401819/in/pool-1538417@N22"><span style="font-style: italic;">(Kaylovesvintage)</span></a></span><br /></div>

The Curious Vignette

(Maxime Clair) I finally did something I've wanted to do for quite a while. I started my own Flickr group! Its been on my mind for a lo...

Read more »

Is it Christmas yet?

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZe2MYqf7TYaqUOkrO59oXaKfs1PvK5Ag9uqBYTel89zFtxH9-rOccdvav7whINs5v5A6HfE479qX9TZIbtpSVoQ5163DOih8EbKl9mklbKvG0KfI2KwtQWlpVB6Ozp0Y0m12S8nEGew4/s1600/Carlson+Etagere.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507487472433739154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZe2MYqf7TYaqUOkrO59oXaKfs1PvK5Ag9uqBYTel89zFtxH9-rOccdvav7whINs5v5A6HfE479qX9TZIbtpSVoQ5163DOih8EbKl9mklbKvG0KfI2KwtQWlpVB6Ozp0Y0m12S8nEGew4/s400/Carlson+Etagere.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> I am so in love with this <em><a href="http://www.wshome.com/products/p9264/index.cfm?cm%5Fsrc=rel">Carlson Etagere</a></em> from <a href="http://www.wshome.com/">William Sonoma Home</a>! If only I had the space for it I would get 2 for all my design books (and china). Of course, if someone at WSH wants to cut me a huge deal I could definitely MAKE room! *wink wink, nudge nudge*<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVL1KA-Zzu4dc4HAgSv3vwLQ8QRT9J_8KGQ6MMWIKQmdCMeO0HDj40E8TWBQw38s6ybM3Z5eLoGlzugA777dZK8i86YJLzGIdMpNjK5s5Yzs-Zf5NUwhVod1IcWeXnCqZj5gN5ZudC9w/s1600/shelf+feet.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507487464905770594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVL1KA-Zzu4dc4HAgSv3vwLQ8QRT9J_8KGQ6MMWIKQmdCMeO0HDj40E8TWBQw38s6ybM3Z5eLoGlzugA777dZK8i86YJLzGIdMpNjK5s5Yzs-Zf5NUwhVod1IcWeXnCqZj5gN5ZudC9w/s400/shelf+feet.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> The details are just gorgeous, like these feet, gilded accents and worn ebonized wood finish.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5nmaWVNgl3kPCEZzwmJpZOMWsMbLyejY2ULu5R-EBqWDZWd4u1S_wjoCWzWhdFoIVZUmkOwaZEFFQxgeRpceMiaMH8Pl2_zMr1T9r8RPq_NWtvTEC6okhI8QnPGPlwQP9AL0bsle8Mw/s1600/shelf+detail.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507487462293899794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5nmaWVNgl3kPCEZzwmJpZOMWsMbLyejY2ULu5R-EBqWDZWd4u1S_wjoCWzWhdFoIVZUmkOwaZEFFQxgeRpceMiaMH8Pl2_zMr1T9r8RPq_NWtvTEC6okhI8QnPGPlwQP9AL0bsle8Mw/s400/shelf+detail.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> They're on sale now, so make me a very happy little blogger and buy a pair for yourself and send me pictures!</div></div>

Is it Christmas yet?

I am so in love with this Carlson Etagere from William Sonoma Home ! If only I had the space for it I would get 2 for all my design books ...

Read more »

Filoli Library

<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485788992121857906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjephyphenhyphenA2eXue6MnOSNjthIf-nqrxu_4qM5LV9J7m1OhyphenhyphenrFoT_8pQpl9AT3N4YrybHyPrWJ5wh0r7-2-mGFOJNpuf73L9wC3JQb9_9iIxUslJtPNMTfZUkBGiXjZUpdwBrdPlhjP81nxwkg/s400/bookshelf.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />The walnut paneled library at Filoli was the favorite of everyone on the tour, including our guide! The room is a copy of the library at Denham Place, England and was purchased before the house was even built by Mr Bourn. The intricate carvings depict roses, tulips, and daisies intertwined with leaves.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485788996478494306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyXTlmZF2akTmzqSPMyXtBHKliiZxkI2dlc_ZA6MLpgP86obO5APSacIMbjnNRSYYPox-Ptyy96Rp54J2mvrZFII3P15RmsVkULx2pxZYftWfGSnalxr7cHzOIzGn8W82EFMmHEygzJs/s400/lamp.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 290px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />I think the reason it remains so popular is it feels the most like a home; it's personal. The room is littered with family portraits including this sketch by Sargent on the wall, above. Also, there is just something about a room filled with books, don't you think? I believe the saying "never trust anyone who doesn't have books in their house". <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485789017504065618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyG9i8eGyzw66EcjE4fSmxTJZrBMyEiz45qT9eiT9Mtv4Pij2wAxNuix4wkJxLV_32ZWfsqpACDeAL9nyk74UyP7dfDRvJXFJR35fCDN9Zt9fTbcKdXdA50ZQ3LpcElB4OfbvHXvYn6U0/s400/paneling.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />The Isfahan patterned carpet in the room has a vivid history. It formerly lived at Osborne House, on the Isle of Wight, after having been woven in Agra, India especially for Queen Victoria. It is one of the items original to the house, having been purchased by the Bourns.<br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXZEbji45rVsMPshlGY0Oy1zsXyJTK-vLdyzqdgj5YBu5eaVO6enivW3kk73aGfARV6DAvef3KVLmzdjcSU-_tGXAlgDiw6p0F8mcupnBNLAAR1ZHTVDFiKVMJLOck-DC4UekUO85BXQ/s1600/library.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485789001414716882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXZEbji45rVsMPshlGY0Oy1zsXyJTK-vLdyzqdgj5YBu5eaVO6enivW3kk73aGfARV6DAvef3KVLmzdjcSU-_tGXAlgDiw6p0F8mcupnBNLAAR1ZHTVDFiKVMJLOck-DC4UekUO85BXQ/s400/library.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 293px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>I imagine many happy hours were spent on this sofa in front of the fireplace, curled up with a teatray and a stack of books. Thats where I'd be!</div></div>

Filoli Library

The walnut paneled library at Filoli was the favorite of everyone on the tour, including our guide! The room is a copy of the library at Den...

Read more »

Marie Antoinette's desk

<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462785664406861394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJDCZfaqca2fmaBeFo5mjJLXRjolI7notcSPGR1NJZU8uhDWYaEYrcYwwjM6GSMbbScrAEPNoGFy7vvpPV58SGcW22N7kaLjN-iM36yeOL0GqZg0sgmYktCWIUQ09CAZHx75E5ZWIPUU00/s400/Corner,_showing_gilt_bronze_rope_beading,_end_of_arcade_and_wood_inlays.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 261px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /> <div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><em>You may remember an apartment I featured awhile back that belonged to my friend Henry, </em><a href="http://architectdesign.blogspot.com/2009/02/friends-apartment-aquisitions.html"><em>HERE</em></a><em>. Henry is interested in the age of enlightenment and in the arts of the time period; remember his visit to Versailles where he shared some of his pictures of the beautiful </em><a href="http://architectdesign.blogspot.com/2008/08/versailles-details.html"><em>woodwork</em></a><em>? He was kind enough to put together a post for me about a recent piece he saw that he thought we would all enjoy.</em> <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462785779092168850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4B4Ka06HxCyd7qcNqhAkNyhQp3R0B14QkfNqimY_9iwuaQ5cgACvVSoGlAc-rnwrzLP9pl02vJ50cRxEUEoRHiiWVVtHkpEGk0g2SnnZF9VfgYqCEJ4d9ggfIQYZI9PS7c3VgmmELS3QP/s400/Front,_side_and_table_top.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 391px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Here is a delightful <a href="http://www.nga.gov/collection/gallery/gg14a/gg14a-1567.html" target="_blank">Louis XVI writing table</a> I discovered at the <a href="http://www.nga.gov/" target="_blank">National Gallery of Art</a>. Superstar cabinetmaker Jean Henri Riesener made the table for Marie Antoinette in 1785. The table was at the Tuileries Palace, where the royal couple lived three years until their guillotine visit in 1793. <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462785670228858946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYxda_e2cN7ACpsLrsyPyOMhUOQbFR-BtN6DaQtsEQ3rXo9DT40MmmlAcO19KGQIEiifuAvV_mHeyWAWZLtgcsXjToiJBn3Ytq4FPRIDir84yi4gOngrauqIa6cwslzuY0Y0cnvYuKA0W/s400/Front.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 341px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />The table is a perfect example of the Louis XVI style. It is symmetrical and rectilinear; and outlined in gilt bronze rope beading. <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462785650133168530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1sUpytWXP2hjcWUZ5RC8SEnm0lUeCiuJrYQIS_Tmb4h5OjCBHaIDc0Lp1HiwgSq8TlqvilkIusfxzr6w6_3IwiFZYUIBzF8Kc9eWjq-O2f73QJux0HRK_lDzZRiGCUgacw13u9-NhRN5/s400/Closeup_of_inlaid_tabletop_and_arcade.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />A parquetry trellis pattern covers the tabletop, fenced three-quarters by a gilt bronze gallery.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462785654688054850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4sKlSVhSAi1RD_N6GD6jwgjuOi9EHQ0tABzFL7BicllbjxSdelQLAKITMJPPF_f4fIMW2M4KFpWRgGEKWbFWoBSpCsk8ChmHw4t7Q9Ryvo7Q89yV1kHm5u8lmSB3H4TP3CVcA52FcohVa/s400/Closeup_of_palmettes_and_fluting.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />On the table’s sides, gilt bronze bas-relief putti play musical instruments in the clouds, flanked by “grills” of alternating palmettes and fluting. <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462785659045093186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvige7sy0HZsfy4XjDGngblekVThaFtjpkFcNrPXtLsPgbeb0IyOfFmcCOlbDJtzbAi6rR0uwQQ_UrzCdqynxUYZD3ZjNlKbiqfBqejSf6sKHAuIdDdbj5HVYkVSHuNM5kSvZ6AiSwzUvx/s400/Closeup_of_putti.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Two-toned parquetry echoing the tabletop edge lends depth to the tapered legs, which terminate in gilt bronze leaf-cast sabots. In a candlelit palace, the elegant table would shimmer in delicate golden outline. <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462785802531996370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicW6FiNsCk3wOO-J-jJP7REQbcXZx40-rEFFvsXI2Js1FglpadS7I0ohSa5UoUIeA9zODhsxHXrs_pzdABkldnLCpNTitHyjTE788wCN5N0KhVVeaOHOfwibVWsh_3PMMXdejum7HjWNQS/s400/Right_(drawer)_end.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette idealized virtue, simplicity and reason. They associated these ideals with the ancient Romans. In furniture design, Roman motifs like fluting, putti and acanthus leaves symbolized these ideals. The symbolism was ironic in the context of the controversially lavish royal lifestyle. <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462785785120607234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRIAvYaz1ywz1c_SsxpkQq_ePoIxgzol4Z-GhrFOfn-X_Bw1T_XLi07TfT3jo5WZlPeN2B60DSPKXIO_eYTKdUVtu6I8M41HpFzoDqx5aaY_kGIT0Jnoe-xFHRVqYme4uqIRkIVMuRUvz0/s400/Front_bas-relief.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 174px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Marie Antoinette’s writing table (Widener Collection 1942.9.407) is on display in <a href="http://www.nga.gov/cgi-bin/ploc?object=1567" target="_blank">Basement Gallery 11</a> at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462785789567221586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgup6tkVIPhoY48lzc9j75xYUXdv6ru-rkM-5CiSSWA2_LRBoT2JTs8SlXcu8mlvHQQbKjWHfgf_YMP7-TRBbwRphiju8gbr2JH2OBywOJaZwmXRwA8pg6PKn618uv6YzduQY9dZYvg_wJ3/s400/Leafed_sabot,_rope_beading_and_inlays.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 139px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>

Marie Antoinette's desk

You may remember an apartment I featured awhile back that belonged to my friend Henry, HERE . Henry is interested in the age of enlightenme...

Read more »