Thursday, June 17, 2010

Filoli Ballroom

The ballroom at Filoli was one which I instantly recognized, do you? It's the home gym of Warren Beatty in Heaven Can Wait! The space was restored for the movie along with other parts of the house and impresses everyone who enters it, as it should!The flowers, seen best in the picture at top, were probably the most beautiful in the house. Not an easy feat as each room has a gorgeous bouquet fresh from the garden. The mixture of bright colors in the pale green room with gilded accents was really striking. Forget the Bagues chandeliers modeled on the ones from the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, everyone on the tour noticed the flowers first.The murals are the core of the room. They were completed in 1921 by Ernest Peixotto for the original owner Mr. Bourn after he suffered from a stroke and was unable to leave the house. The murals depict his daughter's beloved castle in Ireland he had gifted to her (Muckross, seen below) which he was unable to visit during his illness.
The maguette or model seen below of the Ballroom was gifted to Filoli after the artist's nephew saw the movie Heaven Can Wait and recognized his family's dollhouse! This scale model of the room was created so that Peixotto could work from his studio in the city and plan out the large scale canvases.
I hope you are looking forward to more of Filoli! Read more about the ballroom's murals on their website; click on 'ballroom' towards the bottom of the page.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

SPACES Kansas City

Many thanks to David Jimenez for including me in his article on color stories in the June/July 2010 issue of Spaces Kansas City Magazine. Not only is David a talented designer (see his beautiful portfolio here), he is a VP at Hallmark Cards, Inc and in his spare time writes for a magazine; Wow, now I feel lazy!The article is really useful for anyone who is thinking about painting a room with tips from practical application to color options. In the 2nd half of the article, he asks some bloggers we all know and love for their opinions (cleverly typed out in the very colors we recommend!).I recommended the use of a lovely warm French gray.
"A paint color I have used in three separate projects now (including my last apartment) and really love is the absolute perfect French gray color: Scroll Beige by Glidden. It's color that changes throughout the day but remains crisp and architectural - the perfect neutral. Pair it with white moldings and you have an amazing space."
Many thanks to David and SPACES for including me!

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Filoli: part 1

The greatest surprise of my trip to California was my visit to breath-taking Filoli. While renowned for its' appearances on screen (most notably the movie 'Heaven can wait' and the Dynasty series) and gardens, I was most taken with the house itself.Filoli was built as a country estate 25 miles south of San Francisco between 1915 and 1917 for William Bowers Bourn II and his wife Agnes Moody. Designed by Willis Polk in a Neo-Georgian style, the house normally fades discretely into the background for most guests, shown up by its' spectacular gardens.However, in a lot of ways, this is the perfect house in my mind: Elegant with a nice rational flow, generously sized rooms which are not too large, open to the beautiful outdoors and most important of all, comfortable to be in. It's a large mansion that feels like a home. The house doesn't bowl you over with showiness but rather impresses you with intelligence and simplicity.You can see the floorplan of the first floor HERE. I'll share some of the house and gardens in the next few posts as there is much to see. Trust me when I say the house deserves a visit in person and I'm only showing a tiny fraction of its charms!
We begin in the reception room, just inside the house from the small entry hall. Probably the most formal room in the house, special details such as this overdoor below would impress any guest who made the trek from the city. Only a few of the furnishings are original to the Bourns, such as the tapestry above the fireplace. Others were part of the Roths' collection (the 2nd and last private owners of the estate who gifted it in 1975 to the National Trust) but primariliy the furnishings you see were only put into place 10 years ago by a very generous collector, Melvin Martin; Previously the house was shown nearly bare.
2 barrel vaulted hallways move off of the central reception room which are wide enough to be partially furnished. The tall ceilings throughout the house help to naturally cool the space, as do the 4 feet thick exterior walls.
The most disappointing part of the visit is that guests are not allowed to see the upstairs! Wouldn't you love to walk up this staircase? I couldn't get enough.
More interiors later this week, but I thought I would share the back which opens up to the italianate gardens. The house forms a U in plan with the entry centered on the heavily planted courtyard.
If I were to build my dream house, it would be very similar to Filoli, albeit on a less grand scale! I love the elegant Georgian simplicity and rational with a touch of California breeziness. Look for more interiors here soon!

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Practicality

While on the train to Versailles, Heather pointed out the umbrella holders between the benches. Isn't this just great design at work, I was smitten! Be back soon.

Friday, June 11, 2010

Temples

Consecrated in 1845, La Madeleine is dedicated to Mary Magdalene and is one of the most famous churches in Paris. The Corinthian columns are each 64 feet tall: just immense!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Luxe

Place Vendome: home to the Ritz and numerous exlusive jewelers. Designed by the architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart in 1698 to house embassies, it was soon taken over by bankers creating their own homes. Who could blame them?

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Pont Alexandre III

The gorgeous Pont Alexandre III. Probably the most touristy location in Paris as the Eiffel Tower serves as the backdrop. I know we both took our pictures with it in the background: who could resist?

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

The Seine

My first moment in Paris was so special but admittedly uber touristy. I popped up out of the metro right on the Seine across from Notre Dame. THAT was my first impression of Paris (ok and since I was alone at 7am maybe I did a little dance right there)! Who could ask for a better memory? Throughout the trip, this lovely river was our pathway around the city.

Monday, June 7, 2010

While I'm away

Planning for my current vacation has had me thinking of my last vacation with Heather to Paris. So for the week, I'll be sharing some of my favorite views of the city with you. It's the vacation that keeps on giving!

Saturday, June 5, 2010

A beautiful dormer

I noticed this grade school in Georgetown the other day and loved all of the little details. Check out that terra cotta dormer with the greek key details! click the image to open larger
I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!