Okay, so this is how I imagine this conversation went!
This is undeniably a beautiful kitchen. But a few things worry me. Shelves in front of windows? Whats going on there? Like -take your dusty shelves and put them in the BRIGHT light. Also, I don't like blocking windows in general like this -you can't enjoy the beautiful view! Also, this is obviously a renovation of an older house -but do you really need to block the windows with the cabinets? You can see that the windows go BELOW counter height - YIKES. Thats just a formula to get dust and crumbs stuck down there - plus looking at the house from the exterior -those windows will look WHACK. What do you think? I love the look of all the white dishes though, those huge windows (A shame they block them with counters, dishes and shelves) and the TALL ceilings!
If Sex and the City was the best movie of the summer, then Mamma Mia is the MOST FUN! It's always really upsetting to me that my favorite movies get LOUSY reviews....including this one. Well don't listen to the critics -this movie is good fun! Sure, it's a bit campy and corny but it's a musical. Isn't it a law somewhere that musicals need to be a bit corny and campy and hilarious? Trust me -this is one to see if not just for the BEAUTIFUL scenery of Greece! I need to go to Greece!
The one thing I could do without is Pierce Brosnan in the movie. I LOVE me some Pierce Brosnan (my favorite 007) but the man is not a comedian and can NOT sing. The only time he got laughs were when he tried to sing (no joke, for real). Everytime james bond broke into song (or a silly outfit) the entire audience broke into laughter!
Meryl Streep is the real star of this movie. She can sing very well (was trained as an opera singer in her teens!) and as we all know she can ACT supremely. I am not embaressed to admit she brought a tear to my eye a few times. 
And I won't give anything away, but stay for the credits; one of the best parts of the movie happens during the ending credits. Also -the soundtrack is amazing (of course). The cast brings some great ACTING to the songs - great updates of Abba classics! check that out too!
all photos courtesy of the main movie website linked above.
I came across this image on yesterday's NYSD's home tour. Jonah Bushwick's dance studio front door has this really clever name plate- scrabble pieces! I really love this, how fun!
Yes, this is the outside face of a landfill. Puente Hills
The inside face of Puente Hills after a day's work has been covered with 12" of dirt
the 5 steps of trash
Here is 'Big Mike' -one of the characters interviewed in the article. A day's worth of trash at this ONE site is so enormous, you can't even imagine. Waste, Waste, Waste!
The LOSER from the competition was Jerry - a really really pompous designer who really was the most annoying person I've seen on tv in a long time. I was so happy he was kicked off! You gotta have the goods to backup your talk, Jerry. Like they said on the show -it looks like a psycho killer's outfit.
This was the winner's outfit by Kelli. Hard to tell from the photo, but the details were beautiful. However, the coffee filters make a flat chested model look even MORE flat chested. bad move.....
I secretly loved this dress by Kenley. Isn't this a fun party dress? This was probably the prettiest model, too! Turquoise and red -my favorite color combo!!
This was the runner-up (for being the loser) -the designer, Stella -was REALLY whiney. Like - work with it lady - she kept complaining but didn't work at all! No wonder the dress turned out awfully. I think maybe the bones of this piece were ok, but it was cut very unattractively. It looked like the garbage bags it was. And I'm sorry, but those shoes are SOOOOO ugly!!
This had poor ratings on the bravo website, but I loved this piece as well by Emily. I see great things coming from her hopefully. The dress itself was cute and the little sweatery neck thing is colorful, fun and pretty!
This dress by Korto was probably the most fabulous. The dress itself was magnificent - great workmanship. Then she was the only designer to up the ante of the challenge -she used fresh produce! While that's sort of icky -it was the challenge!! This kimino style dress in yellow with the green and red accent (done beautifully for being garnish, literally) is really really probably the most couture piece in my book.
Props to Daniel for this beautifully done dress. While not produce, it's an unusual material ( plastic solo cups) and meets the requirements in a sophisticated manner. He seems like his workmanship will be impecable.
Can't wait for the rest of the season!
BAMO -fun name huh? It's an inventive architecture and interior design firm in San Francisco. I recently came across an intriging pavilion they did for a client in Marin County via desire to inspire and was so intrigued I looked it up. Their portfolio reads:
Um, wow....I have so many feelings about this amazing place -I would love to attend a party here! I love those wall panels backed with mirror, the huge french doors, the whimsical lizards crawling up the exterior and their use as handles on the beautiful forged iron doors(It's all in the details). 
This reminds me of the post Cote de Texas did on conservatories, orangeries and poolhouses; I think this falls under the label - expansive windows and a seperate pavilion if not entirely glass as her examples show. This especially reminds me of the famous garden pavilion she wrote about from the sound of music in Austria (if a little more exotic)!
Recently I started getting HOME magazine (it was only $5 for a years subscription) and was rather disappointed with last month's issue; basically it felt like the 'home' part of 'better homes and gardens'. However, this past issue was pretty fantastic. As I live in a studio, I'm always fascinated by articles about small-space living and the August issue of HOME had this great apt. of Chris Menrad from NYC. 
I think the issue with studios is making them feel like a home and a great place for guests without it feeling like a bedroom or college dorm room. I think Chris has dealt with this very successfully. Here is another angle of the living room so you can get an idea of the main space (14'x19'). There is room for a bed area, dining area, office area and main seating area. Now who needs a whole house when it all fits so nicely here! It helps that he doesn't seem to have a lot of 'stuff'.
The bed is probably the most interesting feature to me. While it is a murphy bed (which I detest) I love that he put it sideways (queen sized mattress). The storage above is a good idea as well. I think with the cushions along the back wall it almost looks like a daybed. I would have not done the murphy mechanism and put storage under the bed as it is shown here. Every square inch is used, as shown here by the cubbies alongside the bed below. (hey, you need someplace for your china collection!)
The kitchen has been stylishly but modestly laid out. There is only an under-counter fridge and the stove is efficiency width. Shelving instead of cabinets were used to make the kitchen feel larger.
The bathroom has been completely redone but keeps the vintage styling. I love that sink! Pedestals make a bathroom feel larger and more spacious than a vanity. Interesting shower curtain too. I love a white bathroom with black accents!
This past weekend I headed down to the National Mall to see a new exhibit about Jim Henson and his creations (muppets, fraggle rock, seasame street, etc). Photography wasn't allowed in the exhibit but I thought I would share a few of my other photos as it was a beautiful day!
exotic palms surrounding an urn near the smithsonian castle.
these roses were so fragrant you could smell them from 20 feet away!
one of the castle's towers (rear entrance)
an exhibit in the castle of some of their random 'treasures'.
entrance to the exhibit in the international galleries underground beside the castle
a great quote from Jim Henson that summed up the exhibit - it reads
entrance to the exhibit
Posts
All Comments
.png)
.JPG)
