Monogram, Inc.

(Image from Town and Country Weddings)

Not so long ago, I was a bit monogram crazy. Lampshades, cell phone covers--in my mind, no surface should go unpersonalized. Now that the monogram-everything-you-can-order-from-a-catalog craze has died down a bit, we can get back to the real deal.

The beautiful linens above are by Caroline Brackenridge of Monogram, Inc.. She gathers information about each client's particular style and can weave together any number of letters or symbols. Her artwork can then be transferred to linens, glass, stationary or whatever else you may desire.

One thing I never realized, is the monogram was originally created for utilitarian purposes rather than decorative. Initials were sewn or printed on the valuable linens of wealthy households to keep them identifiable when sent in to town for washday. 19th century French Royals were the first to add elaborate embroidered crests to their linens which furthered the evolution of the monogram as a symbol of affluence.

Crafty Devil

Just when we think we have Martha's Halloween game plan all figured out (hand-dipped candy apples, intricately carved pumpkins, etc.), she warps our fragile little minds with an offering of "glittered skeletal parts".



Thankfully she stays true to her brand by using "vintage glass glitter" for this project. (Careful kids--it's made of real glass shards). For more traditional decorations and recipes visit Martha Stewart Living.

In other Martha Stewart news, it has been announced that her team is joining E. & J. Gallo Wineries in a new venture, "Martha Stewart Vintage". Good thing? MSNBC has the details.

Lauren Library

The master of WASPy living shows us how it is done in Town and Country's preview of his upcoming book, Ralph Lauren. (Click on photo to enlarge).

Of his New Bedford library he says, "It's my refuge of old-world heritage and elegance, my dream of England but filled with American energy. English style grew out of an attitude about everyday living. Their houses, whether cottage or grand estate, were the same, filled with old polished furniture, faded textiles, old plaid blankets, books and family photographs. It is not a constant race for what is next but rather an appreciation of what has come before. These are the feelings I would like my work to inspire. This is the quality of life that I believe in."

For a clip of the Ralph Lauren Spring 2008 runway show, click here.

Friday Flair

In a 2006 issue of Domino, Julia-Carr Bayler of Belvedere listed vintage Flair Magazine as one of the "10 Things That Make Me Happy".

The brainchild of Fleur Cowles, Flair was dedicated to covering all the things the "style blogs" love: design, fashion, travel, art, literature and film. Produced between February 1950 and January 1951, the glossy mag was considered to be years ahead of its time due to innovative layouts, including novelties like fabric swatches, fold outs and removable booklets. Flair also hosted a vast array of contributing writers such as Gypsy Rose Lee, Tallulah Bankhead and the Duchess of Windsor.

Die-cut covers which opened to reaveal another scene inside are still a model of discussion for graphic design classes today.


Even though Flair was widely acclaimed as the peephole into the life of the jet set, the magazine's production costs ran at almost three times the cover price, resulting in an untimely demise. Vintage copies of the original 12 issues can occasionally be found on ebay and in 1996, Rizzoli published The Best of Flair, an exquisite (and pricey) compilation of the magazine's highlights.

Stable 1897

A piece by Michael Gibson hangs behind a Duncan Phyfe dining table. The inlaid commode is 17th century.




Artist Carolyn Carr in her home/studio, Stable 1897. (From Paper City, May 2006. Article "From Horse Stable, to Art Stable; The Evolution of a Loft" by Brooke Hortenstine)

Layers of contemporary art and family heirlooms make up the loft residence of artists Carolyn Carr and Michael Gibson in the Castleberry Hill neighborhood of Atlanta. Built in 1897 as a stable and feed supply, the 16,000 square foot building has had many lives in the 100 years previous to Carr and Gibson's inhabitance, one of which as a brothel and speakeasy.

Initially overwhelmed with the empty space, Carr dialed up designer Vincente Wolf (whom she had never met) for some decorating advice. Graciously, Wolfe took the call and told her to hang curtains and paint the walls with Benjamin Moore.

10 years later, Carr and Gibson's purchase of the building has given a lot back to the historic neighborhood, as well as the Atlanta art scene. Approximately half of their two story building is rented out to other artists while the street level exhibition space "Garage Projects" raises the doors during the monthly Castleberry Hill Art Stroll.

Scott Ingram

Speaking of drip painting...

A work of "nail polish on paper" by Atlanta artist Scott Ingram is the focal point of this lovely room by Suzanne Kasler.

A show at the Solomon Projects Gallery illustrates Ingram's technique.

Here is another Ingram installation seen at Apartment Therapy.

Being Jackson Pollock

Here is fun way to waste time (discovered on the Kate Spade website).

Wrap Sesh

In a 1999 article, Vogue announced that the pashmina was officially "dead". I was fairly mournful at the time, considering I had only recently embraced the trendy wrap. However, I now believe that this declaration was a conspiracy designed to steal the fashion fad back from the department store masses (like myself) in order to restore it to the Park Avenue set that made it popular in the first place. (Scroll through the photos of Park Avenue Peerage and you are bound to spot one hanging from the arms of a skinny socialista).

Josephine Bonaparte wrapped in pashmina, a gift from the governor of Kashmir in the 1790's.

Despite being sooo last decade, pashmina shawls and blankets have been produced in Northern India since the 17th century. Each spring, Himalayan mountain goats shed their winter coat. Fibers are collected by villagers and hand-woven into pashmina shawls. High altitudes create fleeces of very fine fiber, making pashmina the softest grade of cashmere and a naturally renewable resource. Because of the rarity and expense of pure pashmina, cashmere and silk are often woven together to create a similar weight and sheen.

Kate Middleton in a Katherine Hooker paisley shawl, March '07

New York Woman on the Street, from The Sartorialist.

Angelina Jolie arriving in Spain, June '07

The versatile and lightweight wraps are particularly useful in mild fall temperatures and airline travel.

Madeleine Trehearne and Harpal Brar combine traditional hand-woven and embroidery techniques with contemporary color and design (seen in a recent Vogue, natch).

Case Study

Notice any similarities? It appears that Brad Pitt is a fan of architectural photographer, Julius Shulman.

Shulman is best know for defining the image of the mid-century modern California home. In particular, his photograph Case Study #21 (top photo) is a portrait of suburban life within the context of 1950's design.

The writers at Goldenfiddle speculate as to how the idea for the infamous, July 2005 W Magazine photo spread, "Domestic Bliss" came to be. The 60 page essay, featuring the newly anointed "Brangelina" was conceptualized by Pitt and photographed by Steven Klein.

Pink Fans

I am usually not a fan of pink in decorating, but how about these pink fans? Powder room is by Woodson and Rummerfield.

Bedtime Stories

TV producer Lisa Wagner had these built-in bookshelves added to the bedroom to accomodate her husband's book collection of several thousand. Personally, I do not know if I could sleep with all of those books staring at me. (Photo from Martha Stewart Living, Sept. '07).

Bill Blass (1922-2002) kept books near his favorite reading place, the bed, in his 18th century Connecticut residence. (From At Home with Books).

Fun Fact: In 1994 Blass donated $10 million dollars to the New York Public Library. At the time, it was one of the largest donations ever made. "Books change peoples lives" said Blass. Right on!

I Married Adventure

Courtney first introduced me to this lovely little book by Osa Johnson, and requested to see how others have it displayed. Here are a couple of photos of my beloved copy, currently resting beneath a pair of antique bronze finials.

2 Days in Paris

Written, directed, scored by and starring the lovely and talented Julie Delpy, 2 Days in Paris is the funniest film I have seen all summer. Delpy and real-life boyfriend Adam Goldberg play a New York photographer and interior designer on the last days of a stressful European vacation. For a more thorough review, check out Stephen Holden's at The New York Times.

Also, don't forget to set your TIVO for the premier of Tim Gunn's Guide to Style tonight on Bravo.

Crowned

Move over, princesses. Elizabeth, The Golden Age is set to hit theaters this fall, reminding us that it is better to be Queen.

From Top:
Tocca "Stella" Eau de Parfum, iomoi "The Crown" Stationary, J. Crew cashmere sweater with crown motif label.

The Golden Isle

Just returning from St. Simons Island, I realize the beaches of Georgia's Golden Isles are an acquired taste for many (think gray sand, murky water and a sulfury, stickiness to the air). But while the shore is a bit lacking, The Cloister resort on neighboring Sea Island has managed to transform swampy land into a first-class destination. Racking up every top-notch hotel honor to be had, The Cloister has become the shining star in Georgia's travel trade.


First built in 1928, the mediterranean-style hotel was recently reconstructed in 2006 to incorporate 21st centrury luxury with the original Addison Mizner design (as well as to satisfy modern-day hurricane codes).

Edward Coffin, founder of the Sea Island Company, was fascinated with "the gloom of live oaks, braided, woven and beautiful" on nearby Sapelo Island, which inspired him to buy Sea Island and commision a hotel. His hope was to encourage guests to stay on the island long enough to sell real estate along the five-mile stretch of beach.

Much of the hotel has been completely reimagined, like the award-winning spa.


Other details have been painstakingly rebuilt from the original structure, such as the famed Spanish Lounge with it's coffered ceilings.

Many current and future presidents have vacationed at the hotel, including Barbara and George Bush on their honeymoon in 1945.

Beacause the island is private, the best way to visit the Cloister is to book a room at the hotel.

Bon voyage.

Moi

The ubiquitous, anonymous blogger photo.