The Luscious Life of Paulette Tavormina

I just had to share these luscious still life photographs by Paulette Tavormina with you.

I love this photograph by Paulette Tavormina

from the press release:

Tavormina's dramatic images reflect the sumptuous detail of 17th century Old Master paintings. Using a contemporary medium and a modern approach, her vibrant photographs of food and flora are reminiscent of Dutch, Spanish, and Italian still-lifes of the Golden Age.

“I have long been fascinated by the magic of everyday objects, the majesty and delicacy of nature, and the world of culinary delight,” said Tavormina. 

 “I have blended decades of photography and food styling with a love of 17th century Old Master paintings to create these still-life photographs.

"My greatest influences have been Francisco de Zurbaran, Adriaen Coorte and Giovanna Garzoni, in particular Zurbaran’s mysterious use of dramatic light, Coorte’s unique placement of treasured objects and Garzoni’s masterful composition and color palette. The works of these artists remind us of the irretrievable passing of time – tempus fugit.”

Tavormina’s photographs are in museum, corporate and private collections and have been exhibited all over the world, including shows in New York, Paris, London and Moscow. They have been featured in The New York Times, Boston Globe, L'Express and Martha Stewart Living. Tavormina was the winner of the Grand Prix at the 2010 International Culinaire Photography Festival in Paris. She lives and works in New York City.

To create these luscious compositions, Tavormina collects “props”—such as butterflies, shells, dried flowers and ceramics—which evoke the still-life vernacular and imbue each tableau with allegorical meaning. There is a wonderful disorientation as Tavormina’s contemporary pieces evoke the trompe l’oeil effect of Old Master still-lifes.

Perfect for a home in New Orleans

If you are in San Francisco go see these lovely works of art in person.

Which one is your favorite?

Event Information:

Photographs by Paulette Tavormina
Opens March 14 and will be on view through June 1, 2013

at MARCH, 3075 Sacramento Street, San Francisco, CA, www.marchsf.com

ABOUT MARCH

Sam Hamilton’s MARCH provides exquisite items for the kitchen, pantry and table. Curated and collaborative collections include pottery from Victoria Morris, clothing from Matt Dick, pots from Brooklyn Copper Cookware, leather accents from Rene Holguin, bespoke butcher blocks by Union Studio, ceramics from Brickett Davda, and table linens from Boxwood Linens. MARCH also presents iconic slow cookers from AGA and cast iron cookware from Lodge, along with the new MARCH Pantry label, which includes jams, vinegars and spices. For more information, please visit: www.marchsf.com.


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Sources For Refreshing An Art Filled Home

Thanks for the positive response to the revamp project Refreshing An Art Filled Home. Here are some sources that some of you asked about. The homeowners like to shop locally as much as possible, so that's what we did.

Leopard stair runner from Modern Flooring, ask for Tom

Metal and stone tables from Eclectic Home, ask for Michelle, cow hide rug from Tandy Leather on Airline Drive

Custom pillows made by Leonels - Robert Allen fabric from Fabric.com

Re-upholstery on French chairs by Leonels - Orange fabric on chairs Interior Fabrics New Orleans

White linen for drapes from Interior Fabrics New Orleans, drapes (and Roman shades not shown) made by Shading Places

Sitting room

Sitting Room chandelier and reclining Buddha from Eclectic Home, ask for Michelle

Sitting Room chandelier from Eclectic Home, ask Michelle

Slip covered club chairs ordered from local Pottery Barn

Pieced cow hide rug fro Argentina Lifestyle By Cara

Mirror (in the room but not shown), side table, and lamp from Eclectic Home, ask for Michelle

Sideboard painted by Mitchell Settoon, art char by Ashley Longshore, both in New Orleans

Zentique Louis Tufted ottoman purchased locally at Eclectic Home, ask for Michelle

Large blue metal ottoman tray from Eclectic Home, ask for Michelle

Guest Room

Lamp and nightstand Eclectic Home, ask for Michelle

Second nightstand - I used two different ones - from Eclectic Home, ask for Michelle

Existing brown furniture repainted by genius Mitchell Settoon

Other things not shown in photos:

Chinoiserie light fixture for upstairs hall from Eclectic Home, ask for Michelle

Chaise for master bedroom from Eclectic Home, ask for Michelle

Chest for back entry hall from Eclectic Home, ask for Michelle

Back entry Hall

Since some of you asked about the rest f the house, I'll try to go back later and take pictures of the family room and the dining room and kitchen. Thanks again for your comments.

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Refreshing An Art Filled Home

I got a call to help get a home in shape for an upcoming wedding. The groom's parents would be hosting a lot of social events in their home. They had done substantial remodeling after Hurricane Katrina, but now wanted to update and refresh some furnishings. As with all of these type of jobs, many things the homeowner already has are used.

A cozy room at the front of the house near the kitchen had been used as a formal dining room. It was really never used much, and the dining table became a clutter collector catch-all. The furniture was passed along. The idea was proposed to turn the room into a morning sitting room.

The new sitting room now

A snap shot of the room then - I moved the sideboard to the other side of the room and got Mitchell Settoon paint it

Sitting room then - I moved the sideboard under the art installation already n the room - The leather chair was passed along, art work rearranged, and objects edited

The room in progress - The painted sideboard in its new spot, and the ottoman arrived, and the new chandelier was installed

Sideboard then

Sideboard now - Painted by Mitchell Settoon - Metallic cow hide chairs with embroidered fish are by the artist Ashley Longshore - she searches for vintage and antique frames to work her magic on

I had Mitchell Settoon paint the sideboard which had to remain. I moved it to the other side of the room, and purchased two husband approved slip covered club chairs from Pottery Barn. One of the conditions of the revamp, was that the husband had to be able to sit on any chair before it was purchased.

Two custom art chairs done by Ashley Longshore were brought in. The couple collects local artists, and loved the idea of these chairs becoming a part of their collection.

Other new pieces include a chandelier, a side table, a new lamp, an ottoman, a tray, a pet friendly pieced cow hide rug, and some toss pillows. I had plenty of  great art to move around from other rooms.

Here's another look at the "now"

I did many small things that added up to a big refreshed look in just about every room of the house. I had to keep and work with a beloved leather couch, a pair of French chairs, and other furnishings in the living room.

The living room then

Then - One of a pair of French chairs

Then - The stairs in the living room

The living room and stairs now

The changes in the living room: New white linen drapes; French chars reupholstered in pet friendly outdoor fabric with a linen look; pet friendly cow hide rug; pair of stone top tables; new lamp shade; large toss pillow in Robert Allen indoor/outdoor fabric (which I also used in the kitchen open to the living room for Roman shades to replace mini blinds); and leopard print carpet on the stairs.

Large pillows help update the leather couch

Some changes in one guest room - The couple bought the bed when they were first married, so it stays  - We added new nightstands and lamps, and curtains - I had Mitchell paint some other  brown French style chests in the room, - I simplified the bedding

A detail shot of the wonderful work of Mitchell Settoon

The guest bedroom then

The guest bedroom now

Respecting homeowners possessions while doing a revamp and an update is an exciting challenge. I love making them fall in love with their stuff all over again, while giving them the thrill of new ideas.

Other changes we did:

• Resurface a dark concrete floor in a dining room to a lighter finish to match the Travertine tile floors on the lower level of the house
• Custom build a wall of bookshelves and a place to put a 60" TV in the family room
• New modern pretty recliners for the family room
• Switch out rug in family room
• Add a new small chest for a back entry hall
• Install new white linen drapes in the front entry hall
• Venetian plaster for a guest bathroom
• Remodel an art glass light fixture for the guest bathroom
• Re-purpose "new" art in guest bathroom
• Add a new Chinoiserie chandelier for the upstairs hall (the couple travel to China and collect Chinese objects)
• New chaise lounge for the master bedroom
• And I did the wedding decor

Small changes make a big difference

Leave me a comment if you would like to know sources.

And tell us about how you work with what you have to make it fresh again.

PS All the "now" photos by Sara Essex Bradley

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