Saturday, November 10, 2012

Case Study Little Girls Rooms

I have a project to do a little girl's room. I asked Jenny Andrews from MFAMB Home what little girls like these days. She assured me that a canopy is a sure fire object of affection. And yes I think she's right. I remember wanting one when I was a little girl.

The house is a gorgeous modern home. Nothing shabby chic or trad about it. I've been engaged to add a mix and warmth.

Here are some images Jenny sent me, and some I gathered myself as a boiling point for thought bubbles. The little girl loves pink (of course), and her parents are partial to aqua and turquoise.

This bed from Anthrolpogie is one she can grow up with - We are going to use a queen size bed

This iron bed from Anthropologie is an all time fave of mine - the canopy comes off if she ever get tired of it, and I think the trad lines would be great for the ox on a mod house

This would work in the house - Pink accessories would make it little girl perfect

Love the  global mix the Novogratz did for this little girls room - I know just where to get a bed like one of these

This simple canopy idea could work with any upholstered headboard

Love this room - Painting the ceiling pink is sophisticated

Melissa Rufty did this room for her daughter - wallpaper is actually  a hand painted wall

Love the wallpaper, and some pink Moroccan poufs are definitely in order

Another Novogratz room - I would use Flavor Paper wallpaper in another pattern

A bit Preppy, but I like the rug

Jenny sent me this one and I love it

Jonathan Adler did an uber big couch bed for this little girl

These are the colors the whole family loves

I love the simple mix and warm feeling of this room

Love the idea of "adult" artwork in a kids room

I am so getting Susanna Salk's book today for more ideas

I am doing an adjoining sitting/playroom too
 
I want to add a disco ball - The whole house has recessed lighting and no ceiling hook-ups for chandeliers - I think a disco ball will add fun and ceiling interest in a very easy way - I prefer the gold disco ball
 
Please add my NEW address to your blog list:
http://thevisualvamp.blogspot.com
And please become a Follower again (or for the first time) on this new blog

Friday, November 9, 2012

Arched Window Mirrors

For a long time I have loved the large leaning arched window mirror. It's a way to add an instant architectural detail and reflective light to any room. They also make great headboards. I found a few of my favorites online. Just before the holidays we all get the urge to do some last minute decorating updating, and this couldn't be more simple or beautiful.

Arch mirror - Jane Aldridge
Grand Palais Arch Mirror from Ballard Designs

Grand Chateau arch mirror from Ballard Design

Grand Chateau used as a headboard

Villaine mirror opens up your room and fills it with reflected light. At just under 7 feet tall, this huge and dramatic mirror

Enhance your home with the Amiel Arch leaner mirror -  Sixteen antiqued mirror panes are framed in hand forged metal that is finished in a heavy maple wash with gold highlights and burnished details. - It stands almost 7 feet tall

Cathedral floor mirror from Wayfair (a terrific all purpose shopping site)

I love the way Jane Aldridge used two arch window mirrors in her living room

And so does Rue Magazine which featured her home in the issue dedicated to Texas

Please add my NEW address to your blog list:
http://thevisualvamp.blogspot.com
And please become a Follower again (or for the first time) on this new blog

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Why I Love Southern Women

I am sure many of you have already seen this, but it's still fun to watch again.

Go HERE to see what they have to say
Now will someone please do one for Yankee (California, New York, etc.) women?

Please add my NEW address to your blog list:
http://thevisualvamp.blogspot.com
And please become a Follower again (or for the first time) on this new blog

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

We Did It


So happy. Best quote from Facebook:
"vaginas everywhere have been saved. i have faith in my country again. and i didn't have to stay up until midnight to know it. best election day ever." Cassandra La Valle

Please add my NEW address to your blog list:
http://thevisualvamp.blogspot.com
And please become a Follower again (or for the first time) on this new blog


Tuesday, November 6, 2012

You Know What To Do


My naivete would like to see these changes -

  • Eight year term for the presidency, no re-election. Four years doesn't seem like enough time to get the job done, and after four years so much time (theirs and ours) and money are wasted for a campaign. 
  • Equal representation in Congress and the Senate, with each state and district getting one Republican, one Democrat, and one Independent senator/congressperson. Again eight year term limit, no re-election.
  • Lobbyists and lobbying abolished. Anyone running for office will be disqualified if it is found that any kind of lobbying (now illegal) is evident in their campaign. Any elected official will  have their time in office terminated if they accept any influence of lobbying (now illegal).
  • Only the six weeks before the election dedicated to campaigning, and a strict budget stated of the same dollar amount for all candidates, no exceptions or loop holes. Anyone exceeding the limit will be disqualified.
  • Voter registration made easier, and voting made easier. The Federal government might set the same fair policy for every state, so the things the current governor in Florida is doing would not be possible (cutting days and hours from early voting so long lines of four to six hours occur; screwing up absentee ballots; proposing voter registration changes that target certain segments of the population with fear tactics...). 
  • Voting rights of felons revisited. Plenty of convicted people do their time, are rehabilitated, and strive for lives as better citizens. Stripping voting rights for life does not encourage positive participation in society again.
  • The Electoral College? Yes or no? 

Polite, civil, and short comments only. No politicking or mentioning of candidates or parties. This blog is not Facebook. Thank you. We are all frustrated and hopeful.

And everyone, women and men, please vote today if you have not already done so by early voting or absentee ballot.

Please add my NEW address to your blog list:
http://thevisualvamp.blogspot.com
And please become a Follower again (or for the first time) on this new blog

Monday, November 5, 2012

Copy Cat John Dickinson

It's amazing how certain things come back. John Dickinson tables are widely collected by design savvy folks. Oly Studio knocked off a version that was a bit pricey. All good things come to those who wait. Now Z Gallerie has a sweet little table for only $99. that is very much in the wheelhouse of John Dickinson.

Z Gallerie Hoof Legged Table $99. - It totted over to my house!

Hoof feet on furniture has been around for centuries. From The LA Times:

Hoof feet on furniture is an early style of furniture foot, carved to resemble a realistic animal hoof (typically that of a deer); it developed along with the cabriole leg, with which it usually appears, towards the end of the 17th century; most characteristic of Régence, William and Mary, and early Louis XV and Queen Anne furniture, although it continued throughout the 18th century - This classic French table has just the suggestion of a foot


"Furniture based on the anatomy of wildlife dates back 3,000 years to the creature comforts of the animal-worshiping Egyptians, whose beds stood on carved bull legs, gazelle hooves or lion feet. Four-legged beasts also influenced the design of chairs and tables of the Greeks and Romans, who used them for strength as well as decorative detail.

This is my dining table with a hoof foot - I have loved hoof feet on furnishings ever since I saw a claw foot bath tub as a child - It was so funny and magical to me -  photo Sara Essex Bradley


Although legs were often stylized representations of animal limbs, feet were rendered realistically. Bird motifs dominated in the early 18th century: A three-lobed drake foot was a feature of Queen Anne furniture, as was the claw and ball, commonly seen on Chippendale and early American furniture derived from Chinese sculptures of dragons clutching crystal orbs.

This is the Chinese version of a hoof foot table

"In the mid-1700s, horse hooves became popular. Lions' paws were common in Continental neoclassical styles of the late 18th century. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, as archaeologists unearthed relics of ancient civilizations, furniture makers revived animal motifs. Big-game safaris made zebra and leopard hides a sign of status, and furniture took eccentric and extreme forms such as umbrella stands made out of hollowed-out elephant legs."

A classic French style hoof

Another classic French style table with hoof feet from queen of all things French  Cote de Texas

Classic hoof footed furniture - love it!


 "Animal feet can be seen even during the Modernist period, says Angela Past, 20th century decorative arts specialist at the Bonhams & Butterfields L.A. auction house. 'T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings and John Dickinson re- created ancient animal motifs for a modern setting,' she says."

Trad and mod mix with a hoof footed table

Contemporary hoof footed dining chairs


Contemporary hoof footed arm chairs

John Dickinson table

Hoof footed stool in a kitchen

John Dickinson three legged tables

Z Gallerie three legged table

I bought the table! It's quirky and fun. It has a more glam high gloss finish than the powdery plaster finish of John Dickinson pieces, and the faux plaster look done by Oly.  I love it, and for $99. how can you go wrong?

Isn't it cute?

Cholo likes it!


Nature always inspires


Please add my NEW address to your blog list:
http://thevisualvamp.blogspot.com
And please become a Follower again (or for the first time) on this new blog

Friday, November 2, 2012

Two Fridas

Alberto and I love to costume for Halloween, Carnival season, and Mardi Gras. We have had some good ones over the years. Our collection of wigs and masks and costumes has taken up more and more space in our closet. We almost never have to buy anything new anymore.

This year I was inspired to dress us alike.

Frida Kahlo working on her painting The Two Fridas  

Alberto is a good sport, and he has dressed up like a woman many, many times.  Among my favorites -  he was once Ugly Betty; we were a pair of tango dancing nuns; he dressed as me for a "Come As Your Favorite Woman" party. So when I asked him if he would be one of two Fridas this year he said sure.

Two Fridas                      

I got the idea when I saw the idea for a little kids costume.

This little girl is adorable
So off to the Salvation Army store to find a couple of Mexicali Rose skirts and tops. We spent $10 for the two of us. Then off to Walmart where I got some fake flowers and a shawl for Alberto (which I will wear this winter). We had wigs in our costume closet. I recycled Alberto's Ugly Betty wig for him to wear, and for me I used a wig I had from a tango show we did years ago.  I added necklaces and bracelets from my jewelry box. A black eyeliner pencil and some red lipstick were the finishing touches.

Alberto in his Frida costume - Work that skirt!

Valorie in her Frida costume

Of course we got a lot of laughs. Sad to say some people had to be told who we were (one squealed "Oh look it's Carmen Miranda"), and who Frida was. But most people got it and loved it as much as we did.

We went to a party in the neighborhood, and had a wonderful time. When we got home we took these pictures. We tried to pose like Frida, who seldom smiled. She was an intense beauty.

Serious Frida

Frida Kahlo intense beauty

Channeling the self portrait of Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo self portrait

I know a lot of people back east missed Halloween this year, with so much more to deal with. If you are looking at this I hope our silly costumes made you smile. Things will get better.

With love from Alberto and Valorie

Please add my NEW address to your blog list:
http://thevisualvamp.blogspot.com
And please become a Follower again (or for the first time)