America the Beautiful

...even in the rain.

Somewhere near Dillard, Georgia, May 31st, 2010

Happy Memorial Day!

Mod South

Architectural photographer, Julius Shulman doing his thing. California, 1960.

And one of the resulting images, Case Study House #22

When I wrote about the Julius Shulman documentary back in September of 2009, I had no idea it would take so long for it to come to Atlanta. But come it will in June to the High Museum. (As much as I love Atlanta, I hate waiting for movies to wind their way around to us). The good news is, not only is the screening free, but it will be a part of Modern Atlanta 2010.

While MA is only in its fourth year, it is quickly becoming one of my favorite design events in town, the highlight of which is the Modern Atlanta Home Tour. You may remember this home from last year's tour, photographed here for Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles.

Yes, this is the same house. Business up front, party in the back.

The interiors use the same logic, morphing from traditional turn-of-the-century roots into something unmistakably modern. I could not get over the guest bedroom, suspended in glass above the kitchen. While Atlanta is not really known so much for modernism, we do have a few surprises to share.

For more on the house and designers, visit Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles and the BLDGS website.

Modern Atlanta events run from June 1st to June 6th. Hope to see you there!

Colorphobia & Chocoholism

I am a bit behind on my shelter mag perusal, but this Brooklyn brownstone caught my eye while taking the Eyjafjallajokull reroute home. All of a sudden I want to paint every surface that is not made of textured wood and tobacco-hued leather, pure white. (From New York Magazine, photographed by The Selby).

Also, there is this...


Holy drawer full of Côte d’Or! I love that he keeps it in the vegetable bin. (Different house, same magazine).

Omm

One of my favorite things about Barcelona is that every era of architecture and design is celebrated. You can visit the carefully preserved ancient city dating from 600 A.D. in the morning, a Gothic palace at noon, an early 20th century Gaudi masterpiece late in the day, and then retreat to a post-modern hotel for the evening.

Here are some images of the Hotel Omm, winner of multiple design awards and a prime example of how Barcelona's architecture continues to flourish beyond the ages.

The Omm Lobby doubles as swingin' bar and lounge until late in the evening. Great for multi-cultural people watching!

Many of the guest rooms look out on Barcelona's L'Eixample district, brimming with 18th and 19th century architecture. The hotel lies within the famous Quadrat d'Or (Golden Triangle), with what has been called the world's greatest living museum of turn-of-the-20th-century design.

Other guest rooms overlook the quiet courtyard, which serves as a garden for the hotel's restaurant, Moo. The glass boxes are actually skylights which naturally illuminate the restaurant below.

Moo has a Michelin star and the cuisine looks as contemporary as the space in which it is served. Just about every meal we had in Barcelona was unbelievable.

The Omm's rooftop terrace has a view of the top of Gaudi's biomorphic La Pedrera, built between 1906 and 1910. Gaudi made even the ventilation towers look interesting.

Another picture of the roof with Philippe Starck Bubble Club Chairs in the foreground and Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia in the background. I am pretty sure a crane or two was photo-shopped out of this picture, as the Cathedral has at least another sixteen years before the next phase will be complete--just in time for it's hundred year anniversary.

And finally, we have the view from the street and the visitor's first impression. The limestone facade looks like the pages of a book being opened. I think that is an appropriate metaphor when visiting any new city, but especially one as rich in design history and inspiration as Barcelona. Hopefully we will return one day--perhaps to see how La Sagrada Familia's construction is coming along.

Beautiful Barcelona

Finally, something to blog about! Just got off the plane, but thought I would post a few photos from our trip to Spain before I try to catch up on my sleep. That damn Icelandic volcano had me tossing and turning all night, but all turned out well. Barcelona rocks! More to come...

Meeting of the Minds

Tina Barney's brilliant photographs of Tory Burch's Spring 2010 line in Tory Burch's famed New York apartment are almost too perfect. View the shoot here.

In somewhat related news, former Atlanta gallery owner, Fay Gold (where I first saw Tina Barney's work in person) will be curating the upcoming show at The Besharat Gallery with works of the artists she used to represent. The "Onward" show begins March 18th in the Castleberry Hill arts district.

Saarinen & Scott Ingram

I have saved so many images of Eero Saarinen's Pedistal Table, that I had to create a separate file to hold them all. So naturally, I was excited to see that one of my favorite Atlanta artists had included the iconic Tulip as subject in his most recent show.

Scott Ingram's "Saarinen Table/Floor" on paper.



Along with Ingram's "Architectural" series are the Nail Polish Works that have made him an interior designer favorite. Shown above is a piece in a home by Suzanne Kasler & William T. Baker.

Scott Ingram is showing at Solomon Projects through March 13th.

Photo credits: Top, Paul Massey, 2nd from top, Lonny Magazine, 4th from top Solomon Projects, 5th from top, Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles

Spanx

The Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles blog just brought the girlie-glam offices at Atlanta-based Spanx to my attention. Now, if only the product packaging was as cool. LOVE Spanx, but I always feel like a bit of a rube buying any undergarments featuring a winking cartoon on the cover.

Related Interior Design article and photos here.

Right on the Mark

Digging these retro guest bathrooms at The Mark. Fresh off a redesign by Jacques Grange, they include my favorite new bathroom accessory...Disappearing Mirror TVs!


I know there has been a lot of discussion as to who actually watches these things, but I am sure I would. Blow drying and straightening my hair can get really boring. And now that I know that sitting and watching TV can increase your death rate, it makes sense to view those thoughtful programs while engaging in another activity.

Also loving The Mark's chic website & illustrations.

Happy New Year!

Another Atlanta designer has made our city proud! More of Jill Brinson's gorgeous home can be seen in House Beautiful and on this week's Skirted Roundtable.

You also may recognize the grounds from the Garden Tour last May. (Ahh, remember Springtime?) More inspiring images of the gardens can be viewed on The Architecture Tourist's Flickr page.

Miles and Miles

Please don't get me this for Christmas. I'm being serious. I know I am a big Miles Davis fan, but I really don't think I can make it through SEVENTY CDs!! (Although, it's fun to look at the mini-LP replica jackets).

Miles Davis: The Complete Columbia Album Collection available November 24, 2009.

Westside Story

To some, Atlanta has the reputation for being made up of a series of soulless strip malls frequented by overweight racists. While I am sure you can find an unfortunate bit of such in the South, The actual city of Atlanta has come a long way in terms of art, design and culture. For every clear cut, metro-area suburban cul-de-sac, Atlanta has an artist, gallery owner or restaurateur determined to leave their unique stamp--despite that fact that it can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. This is why I was especially proud to find Atlanta's burgeoning Westside Arts District featured in today's Sunday Times. More photos here.

Photos by Erik S. Lesser for The New York Times

Flowers and Candlight

A friend asked me about the little wood "vase" I used to hold roses earlier last week. Funny they should ask, because it's actually candle packaging that I thought was too pretty to toss. There's a watertight vase tucked inside, but I thought the grainy wood gave my yellow roses a more autumnal feel than the usual glass or silver.

The candle is by Voluspa's James Boyce Collection. I bought mine at Gramercy Fine Linens & Furnishings. In case you are not in Atlanta, they are also available here.

While it is generally considered a faux pas to burn fragrant candles while cooking or eating, this line was designed specifically for that purpose by chef James Boyce. (Sounds like a good Thanksgiving host gift to me!)

And if it makes you feel any better, the boxes are made from sustainable Palownia wood without the use of stain or lacquer. My scent of choice is "Herb Garden", which is very fresh and subtle.

Happy November!

Armour & Co.

It's always interesting to see how Atlanta's shop owners decorate their own homes. Jayme Armour Leffler, owner of Armour & Co. Home Emporium let the Atlanta Journal and Constitution into her 1920's cottage and it's actually refreshing to see that it's not a "showroom". She mixes the items she sells in with her personal collection of antiques for a very approachable feel.

See the rest of her house in the AJC Lifestyle Gallery.


Armour & Co. is located in the Virginia Highlands neighborhood of Atlanta.