La La Land

elicious agony is the only way to describe my experience this weekend and my trip to the newly opened 
Ladurée on Madison Avenue. One of my favorite excursions in Paris has come to the UES. Same lovely interiors, same colorful macaroons on display and the same long-ass lines. But well worth every second. What's the agony you ask? The fact that I'm on a strict diet starting this very instant! I will limit myself to one macaroon a day. Impossible? Time will tell.
And every trip to this macaroon heaven reignites my passion for Jasperware. Something about the creme medallions and various hand-painted accents on the walls & ceilings against that lovely shade of muted green is soooooo yummy and happens to be my favorite color combo of the Wedgewood classic. And French is never more French than pastels with accents of black. Je Meurs!

Marbelous!

roclaiming that I hate Mondays seems redundant. My mood on this day, the day after a lovely weekend no less, is just what it always has been. Try to change this mood and you risk decapitation (or at least a snarky comment). Is there nothing that can lift my spirits? Why, yes!!! The remedy: Marsotto Edizioni. Showcased at the 2011 Salone Mobile this italian company produces the most uplifting designs that one could imagine and all done in marble. White Carrara marble. Minimalism and extreme simplicity matched with precision to craft are what makes these pieces so equisite. Still, even a few of them evoke a very industrial feel to me. Monday blues gone!

Tuft Love

 

lease don't ask me to explain my various and sundry obsessions. For, some of them have just been an evolution of my taste level and make no real sense. And, the more I am introduced to quality designs, the higher that bar is raised. Case in point - tufting. I adore it. I want it. I covet it. I want to lie naked on it so as to leave a pattern of tufting all over my body. Yes, I realize this is crazy and someday I will end up in a padded (and hopefully tufted) cell. And yet, it's not so absurd to have such feelings I think. Especially when this technique is applied with a level of perfection as is in this sofa by Italian designers Alessandro Castello and Maria Antonietta Lagravinese of Castello Lagravinese Studio. Many of their designs marry the art of tailoring with the sensuality of draping. I love how modern and crisp these looks can achieve and yet feel so causal and comfortable. Adding in some architectural elements like nail-heads lend a more masculine touch to another of their designs I love. I'm also completely bonkers for the birdcage-like low slipper chair - in gilded gold no less. I will happily succumb to the men in the white coats as long as I know these pieces will be waiting for me once I get to the asylum. Hopefully, that nasty Nurse Ratched will have retired.

Giving Me A Boner

eems many designers are hip to the chevron pattern of late. And, while I love a good trend, this one is becoming somewhat too obvious for my taste.  So, I send my energy out to the universe to put an end to my visual boredom and before long the Gods answer these prayers and present me with another classic re-envisioned in a modern way - HERRINGBONE (sister of sorts to the chevron). Longtime fan of Czech crystal, the company Artel has created a variety of colored glassware and barware. My favorite, of course, being the Herringbone tumblers (in Aqua and Olive, please). I don't drink and these are quite expensive for glassware, but I venture to think you could buy just one and be in possession of a beautiful vase. With my birthday looming in the near future readers of this blog should take special note. Cheers!

It's Showtime Folks!

re you cock generous? Then you would identify with the character of Joe Gideon in Bob Fosse's masterpiece, All That Jazz. I had the pleasure of finally seeing this film on the big screen last night as part of IFC's Queer/Art/Film Summer 2011 line-up. I admit some of the musical numbers were not my cup of tea and the constant smoking made me want to light up every 5 minutes alongside Joe, but I was totally enthralled with the set design and interior shots. It was so New York, so late 70's, so stylized and so ME! Now, I don't endorse anyone walking around dressed like a Judith Leiber bag (enough sequins!) but I'm now determined for my next apartment to be a loft. I was loving the juxtaposition of the modern furniture elements all mixed in with the industrial lighting and antique rugs. And the set design of the stage numbers with the large, bright lights were just so over the top and wonderful. I was reminded of the floor lamp that Tom Dixon designed. Like stacked disco balls. Tom is one of those designers who creates the kind of pieces that everyone needs to have in their space. I'm not generous with my cock, but I would be very generous with my Dixon.

Tasty!

etish for wallpaper. Check. Propensity to go gaga over everything 70's-funky. Check. Urge to do cartwheels over Flavor Paper's new line of digital wallpaper. Check, check. I've always been magnetically drawn to murals - wallpaper or otherwise. I think my first memories of a mural wallpaper was some funky ones in my childhood dentist's office. They had scenes of islands and dolphins. Very weird, but distracting so I suppose they served their purpose. The Rogue Beauty ocean-wave and the Boone Speed designs currently showcased on the new FP website are totes boho-chic and in line with my current surfer obsession. An obsession born after spending a few days in Virginia Beach in close vicinity of a gaggle of 16 year old surfer boys with bodies that make me want to slit my wrists. I weep for my lost youth! Er, anyhooooo, I also love the Rex Ray designed papers. Super fun, colorful and quirky x 10. I'm thinking of splurging on the Bucote design for my kitchen backsplash. Certainly one roll wouldn't break my bank....or would it?

Outside and Proud

 

 

 

ehold, the Lanai! A fancy and tropical-like way of saying porch. It also happens to be the location of some of the most hilarious scenes from the Golden Girls. I always hated the terra cotta flooring, but saw great potential for the wrought iron patio furniture - altho' not horrific in their original incarnations during the run of the show (I prefer the button tufted version.) Recently, I came across some lounge chairs quite similar to the ones from the GGs, but opted not to pay the $400 seeing as how I'd have to strip off years of rust and totally refurbish them - giving me little time to devote to several yet-to-be-finished projects. Instead, I restrict myself to fantasies of owning NEW versions of these classic pieces. McKinnon and Harris, a company based in Richmond, VA are serving up outdoor chic in ways that could make a city-boy like me want to spend as much time in the backyard as possible. Mostly made from iron, these delightful additions to the outdoor experience evoke classic detailing and still feel totally modern to me. The Benedict Arm Chair is Preppy meets Goth at its finest!!! I'm recently a sucker for prints and could imagine cushions in a baroque Thomas Paul for Duralee fabric. And the color turquoise against a garden of green grass makes me happier than a Golden Girl marathon. Not that I need a marathon. I own all episodes on DVD and play them on repeat 24/7.