Back in a Bit

I'm headed to Barcelona for a week to visit one of my best friend's in the world. I hope you all remember to check back with me next week to see and hear everything about my trip!!!

Just for fun!!

Well, just to prove that I'm not all seriousness and boring, last week I had a FUN, SILLY good time at the SPICE GIRLS concert!!!!'anticipation'

I think most people my age will remember how popular they were back in jr. high and high school - so imagine my surprise when the audience was comprised of mainly 12 year old girls!! They were what, 5 yrs old the last spice girl's album in 2000? So they did all their standards of course from their 3 albums and changed outfits LIGHTENING fast for each song! It was really pretty amazing. They were very energetic performers if not the best dancers. I really was expecting some crazy choreography from them!

At one point they all did a little solo and Victoria Beckham ( POSH SPICE ) did Ru Paul's 'Super model' - you can see her strutting it here. Everytime she was up on the jumbotron screens the little girls went NUTS -I really felt bad for all the other Spices -it was clear who the favorite was! She was SOOOOO skinny, Posh needs a burger!

Anyway -it was a really good time and hopefully these pictures attest to that! I got a spice girl's coffee mug to bring to work and give me something to smile about on those rough days!! Spice up your life!!

Covet...

TIMOTHY RICHARD'S ARCHITECTURAL MODELSthe Tempietto, Rome

Timothy Richard's is an architectural artist working in the UK who creates wonderful models of well-known architectural sites using plaster but also the actual building elements such as glass, copper, lead, etc.

Kennsington Palace doorway, London

Casa D'ovo facade, Venice

Royal Hospital for Seamen , Greenwich model

Palais Royale, Paris facade section

These are incredibly precise and detailed models - ranging from models of just doorways to entire buildings. The prices unfortunately also range from $150 for a small model of a doorway or simple bookends to $10,000s for the larger models ( which of course are the most exquisite! ).

temple of the 4 seasons, UK, modelSt. Bride's Church, London, model
Casa Battlo, Barcelona, facade
Lutyens Temple, Buckinghamshire, England model

While many of the models are British in origin, the continent is well represented and my own Washington DC! Someday someday.........I love anything in miniature like this!

White House doorway, Washington, DC
Decatur House, Washington, DC. facade
Supreme Court, Washington, DC. facade

You can check out his website at http://www.timothyrichards.com/

pictures courtesy of timothy richards

ONCE

In case you didn't see the movie -here is the song in question that is SO amazing and won for best song. This is a really charming movie - a realistic love story about the creation of a song. The melody is, as I said before, haunting.

SAVE THE MOUNT!!

I just want to post a plea for help for the people at the MOUNT - Edith Wharton's estate. I recently read about this on Pigtown's blog; This is on my top 10 places to visit and I sincerely hope they don't have to foreclose! I am making a donation today and hope that everyone who reads this does the same! Even just a little bit! Edith Wharton basically started the interior design movement and brought great design down to the masses to enjoy! Her home was her laboratory and it's so imporant that this remains open to the public. Our history is our future. Make a donation please! Send in a check or call and make a credit card donation (thats my plan). More information on their website at

http://www.edithwharton.org/

Princesse de Lamballe

Similar to Marie Antoinette's Petite Trianon, her best friend, the Princess de Lamballe had her own little retreat. I recently found out about it in this month's issue of 'World of Interiors' (easily my favorite magazine and one which I HOARD). Created in 1780 on her estate Rambouillet near Paris, the adorable little cottage has an amazing room decorated using shells. Unfortunately she didn't get to enjoy it long before having her head cut off, so sad. I'm not talking about a few little shells glued onto a fireplace surround either....i'm talking an ENTIRE room - totally over the top!!

Sticking to the Louis XVI style - it is incredibly detailed and precise. No kindergardeners were at work here! Look at this detail!

Probably my favorite part of the room is the 'mirror' over the fireplace created using mother-of-pearl. How beautiful and creative is this!

pictures courtesy of World of Interiors, March 2008

Covet....

So it's been awhile since i've visited my blog.....I think I felt I was turning into a boring old history professor with smelly clothes, facial hair and spectacles and thats not entirely how I wanted this blog to go and I needed a little breather to regroup. I need some variation....

So I found inspiration in this BEAUTIFUL cabinet!!!! I don't know what excites me more.... the tiger wood, the antiqued mirrored shelves and top, the beautiful green interior, the wood tracery on the glass doors, the leather handles or the metal feet. This would be the perfect showcase for a collection of books, china, and just little bibelots that everyone has. 2 flanking a doorway would be really special or one nestled in a corner or beside a bed in a bedroom with all your treasures sending you off to sleep.

sigh with me now - *pretty*!!

I found this on this fantastic girl's blog who also has a furniture collection - Tracy Porter

slim and trim!

All pictures courtesy of her website, until I can get space and a spare 3k for the cabinet...probably not happening!

ps -even the back is beautiful!!

High and Low

Every Friday I look forward to the newest New York Social Diary designer's house feature. This week the home of architect Gisue Hariri is featured.
I really loved this apartment because it seems so REAL. While I could use with a little more stylistic mix ( maybe a few great antiques, preferably wood to warm up the whiteness ) I love the mix of high and low that is shown -which to me is very true to life. The fact that NYSD features homes 'as is' and not staged really helps warm them up as well.

There is a mixture of high quality vintage furnishings ( the Saarinen table and other classics which you know I love and the Bertoia chair ) and some Ikea finds ( some chairs and wall-clocks ). Of course if there were 1 or 2 18th century antiques thrown in or at least a klismos chair or two I wouldn't complain! Those aged stone floors are just BEAUTIFUL too!

I also love the open feel of the apt. While the views aren't 'million dollar views' they really are great; facing some interesting buildings and providing TONS of natural light. The simple window treatments also help with this open feeling.

The expanses of white are always a great city calming wall treatment and the punches of bright color really enliven the apartment. This is like..the stereotypical architect's apartment done to PERFECTION!

Check the weekly designer at home article online at
http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/nysd/nysdhouse

Auto Harp

You've probably already had enough candy and need to zone out to some pretty music this valentine's day! Have you heard of an Auto Harp?
The auto harp is just a collection of crystal glasses with water at different heights. Surely you've rubbed your fingers along the rim of a glass and made 'magic' as a child. Well - this used to be a very popular instrument in the 17th and 18th centuries. Mozart actually wrote his first music for use on the auto harp! Imagine that!
A few summers ago I ran into someone playing some Mozart on the auto harp in Old Town, Alexandria VA on the wharf -it was really magical! I've found this video online of someone playing the autoharp - enjoy! Now THIS is talent!!

Musical Crystal Glasses Like Never Before

Happy Valentine's Day!

This has always been one of my favorite 'holidays'. I hope everyone remembered to wear something red and don't forget to let everyone know how much you care for them: friends, family and others! I hope everyone has a very special day!