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Izola on One Kings Lane

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The Izola sale began yesterday, but the shower curtains will remain on One Kings Lane until Thursday.  Aren’t they wonderful?  And surprisingly inexpensive!  I always have a hard time finding shower curtains I like.  They are either way too much of a commitment or completely uninspiring.  I had to laugh when I saw the London Underground.  When I lived in Manhattan, we had a shower curtain of the NYC Subway (I actually used it often; it was so handy). 

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Lucy Williams

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Elle Décor featured Lucy Williams, a British artist, in June's issue.  Her works demonstrates a painstaking attention to detail and a resourcefulness in use of materials.  Her subjects center around mid-century architecture—geometric and constructed.  As Peter Terzian (the author of the piece in Elle Décor) remarked, somewhat humorously, “[h]er scenes are always depopulated… .”  In other words: no people!  Its hard to appreciate from the pictures, but her work is three dimensional, a collage with layers of materials, even needlework.  Here are a few of my favorites.

Peter Terzian. “Lucy Williams.” Elle Décor. June 2011. 94-96. Diving Pool 2004. Library 2009. The Diving Tower 2007. House of Glass at Twilight 2009.

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MET Costume Gala

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I’m quite behind the times; but, I couldn’t help myself, I had to show you some of my favorite dresses from the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  Lace, cut-outs, and belts were everywhere. I enjoy the theatrical overtone of the event.  Admittedly, I most enjoy the ensembles that don’t get too literal.  I don’t even know if I have a favorite;  I like them all.

Pictures courtesy Vogue

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Bergere

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Bergere (n): The French name for an upholstered armchair, introduced in the 18th century and often reproduced thereafter, and comprising an upholstered or cane back and sides and a deep seat with a SQUAB cushion.  In Britain the term is often only applied to examples with a caned back and sides.

The bergere comes in almost any style one could desire: modern, delicate, or demonstrative.  Choose your poison.  The form is the unvarying aspect of the piece; the aesthetic of the form can vary with one’s whim.  I’ve found us a few examples.

“Bergere” A-Z of Antiques and Collectibles. 2008.

Right to Left, Top to Bottom: Duane on 1stDibs. Gilles Nouailhac. Artfire. George Davis Antiques.

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The Blender

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I was checking to see if Williams-Sonoma carried a cookbook I’m dying to purchase and stumbled upon their blog, The Blender.  I hosted my first dinner party in my new place this last Friday; I had forgotten just how much I enjoy entertaining.  My girlfriend and I moved 100% of the furniture in the family room to my bedrooms and then extended the table.  Replete with crystal candlesticks and fresh gardenias, we enjoyed grouper, red potatoes, salad, and carrot cake.  Check out The Blender, they have videos, recipes, and updates on events in the world of cooking.  The sangria recipe posted on May 13th looks ridiculous!

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Tush Tush

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We’ve talked about Tush Tush at some point in the past; but, I thought, tonight, because I’m tight on time, we’d revisit this artist’s amazing work.  Tali is the artist behind these beautiful paintings; she lives in Tel Aviv, Israel.  She seems to have an innate ability to capture the essence of an expression; don’t you agree?  I bought a print for my sister for Christmas; it's incredible.  Here were a few of my favorites from her Etsy shop.  Tomorrow, we will get a little education on the bergere.

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Atelier

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One can scoff at couture as frivolous and unattainable, or they can merely appreciate it as art, an expression of sophisticated handywork.  I prefer the latter and Chanel’s Metiers d’Art collection is the perfect justification for the preference.  Atelier is French for “workshop.”  Seven Parisian ateliers—houses of refined embroidery, hats, shoes, button, feathers, metal ornaments, flowers, and jewelry—were purchased by Chanel, as a preservation of the arts.  Each atelier’s work is incorporated into the annual Metiers d’Art collection.  You may have seen a peak of their recent show this past December.  Lonny featured its byzantine aesthetic in the March/April 2011 issue.  It was breathtaking.  You can watch the whole show on Chanel’s site.  I admire the appreciation of creativity—the desire to make things beautiful (‘cause financially, couture is a loss-leader).

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The purchases…

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I wanted to fill you in on the items I recently purchased for the new abode.  Unfortunately, due to the size of the place, I was unable to utilize my oversized leather couch, or ridiculous mid-century chairs from my grandmother.  So, we improvise. 

My first find was the couch.  I knew I needed something petite and I also knew this was a perfect opportunity (one I’m not likely to be able to seize in the future) to buy something quintessentially feminine and pretty.  The Elton Settee, from West Elm, works perfectly.  I’m enthused by the idea of it later fitting in a porch or master bedroom.  It wouldn’t be a man’s first choice of seating for the Super Bowl! 

The next purchase was the rug.  Terrazzo is incredible to clean, coordinate with, and cover.  It is not my aim to cover all of it, or even most of it.  But, the hardscape without some softness, is, well, hard.  I was so excited to find the rug below at Target!  $100.00.  The geometric shapes tone down some of the estrogen in the room (crystal, pink, flowers, tassels, hahahahahaha). 

Lighting.  Because of the age of my place, there are only two rooms with overhead lighting—the kitchen and bathroom.  So, I am relegated to lamps or light fixtures that plug in.  The crystal pendants—ok, they are actually plastic--were from Something Different, located on Lake Ivanhoe, here in Orlando (where I also purchased the coffee table and dining table).

I was hoping, in order to juxtapose the femininity of my French chair and the couch, to find something decidedly mid-century.  This was it.  The brass capped slender legs made it irresistible. 

The dining table is also mid-century.  I was drawn to the ability to make it big or very small; drop leaf tables are convenient.  So, as it rests, for my everyday, it seats two.  However, for guests, the leaves pop up, and two additional leaves can be added.  I think it could probably seat 8!  I enjoy the detail of the the wood, as well as the skinny legs.

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Welcome Home!

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Yes.  My door is peach.  I’m moved in, so here is a little peak.  Everything, rooms and hearts included, is a work in progress.  So, I can’t quite show you each room (bahahahaha, only 4 rooms in the house total). My bedroom is lacking inspiration at the moment.  My living area—yes, this includes lounging, sitting, dining, etc.—is set for now.  I’m pleased.  Do you see all my windows?  My God is too gracious to me (this could never be overstated). Let me know what you think.