designsmack

Notes on Blogging

2008-05-14T15:56:00.000-07:00

When I started my blog it was just for the simple fun of looking at beautiful things and photographs. It was a lot of fun to meet other bloggers and read everybody's comments.

It's hard to know the exact rules of blogging - it's not like writing an academic essay in which I know the rules back and forth, but I knew, even as a new blogger, that whatever pictures showed up on Design Smack I needed to credit the source. In each post that I've done I've taken pains to add the photo credits and source, but sometimes that's not enough as I've recently learned, and for those out there blogging too, sometimes in the dark not knowing all the ifs and buts, I wanted to just post a warning about the Set Decorators Society of America images. I had 2 posts which featured Set Decorators images, Down With Love and The Aviator. I received an email asking me to remove the images I used from the Set Decorators set or "else" kind of thing. Not a nice email to get, especially when you don't intend to infringe on or "steal" anybody else's work.

There was a charge that most of the images on this blog were taken from their site, when in reality it was only for two posts on set design. As I understand it, the images from The L.A. Times (Miss Pettirgew) are also a no-no, so perhaps this means any and all film stills - in any case, I have deleted almost all of the posts relating to films. Since those Miss Pettigrew pictures ran in a national paper, I'm confused as to why they are so off limits - does that mean everything is off limits for blogs? I have no clue. Whatever the rules or the reasoning, I have removed every single image connected with Set Decorators on this blog. All pictures that remain are from their respective sources.

So that's my friendly warning for everybody else out there, especially the lovely blogs just starting up. At this point, I'm a little gun-shy to post about anything else. Like all good things, it was fun while it lasted! I hope you enjoyed reading my blog as much as I enjoyed doing it ;)

Event Inspiration: Cameo Appearance

2008-05-13T00:59:00.000-07:00

Looking at Jenna Bush's lovely wedding, reminded me I (sadly) bought the last Martha Stewart Weddings mag. The purchase was based on two important things: (1) the cover was dripping in diamonds - sometimes I swim in the shallow end of the pool! And (2) the piece about Black + Cameo being the new 'it' colour scheme for weddings.

I've never been a big wedding person, but I've always thought I'd do one of two things - a Tuscan theme wedding in Italy or a black and cameo theme wedding at home. And now it's popular! It's completely ruined it for me, and I own some pretty nice cameos. Grrr.

It's like being a big weirdo and picking out your future children's names before meeting your partner/husband... which I've totally done, only to have friends who've already wed, publicly talk about naming their soon (or at least sooner) to be born offspring those very names.

It's like that SATC episode when Charlotte's baby name gets "stolen", lol. Except, I will never fight someone for the name, Shayla. Ever.

{images from Martha Online}

Jenna Bush's Ranch Wedding

2008-05-12T11:49:00.000-07:00

I couldn't resist taking a peak at Jenna Bush's wedding photos over at Celebitchy via D-Listed. We're roughly the same age, we've chosen the same profession, and we're both daughters of the president (one of those is not true) - and, surprise, we both prefer low key wedding ceremonies. Some of the comments on the site ridicule the pictures. I'll admit they aren't the best, if compared to some of the stellar photography featured in the wedding blogsphere. Yet, I think she looks so... normal. And happy. And the dress is is beautiful. She could have opted to be the centre of attention and have a huge event wedding, but she chose something more modest. What does everybody else think?

Eclectically Chic

2008-05-12T03:24:00.000-07:00

This living room is fresh and cute like spring. Not loving the carpet as much as the rest of the room. Those green ceramic and glass bowls are my favourite things. Lots of throw pillows, but no buttons! (And see what I mean about Cdn House + Home going overboard with the big ole article titles? I think they greatly obstruct the beautiful pictures).

She has a bench of her very own! Awww, lol.

Green accents in one room, turquoise in another. Modern (retro?) chairs paired with a more traditional sideboard. Again, not loving the carpet, but the overall look is pretty smart.

{House + Home June 2008}

Sunday: Good Things

2008-05-11T18:43:00.000-07:00

* Ever heard of Mad Men? When I did my post on "smart" TV shows I left out AMC's Mad Men - sort kinda on purpose. (Oh, and the TV show post? It got lost in what I affectionately, bitterly call The Purge - as in when the Dharma people were gassed by Ben on Lost. For those who don't know, it was a lovely picture deleting mess that wiped out every single image on this blog, and it's one of the ones I didn't redo). But, I digress.

Mad Men's first season was set in 1960; think: US election season Nixon vs. Kennedy, the birth control pill, and men who freely got "business drunk" in between sexually harassing their secretaries and wheeling and dealing in the ad industry. (Mad Men refers to ad men on Madison Avenue). The reason I left it out of my original list is because there was a little (huge) twist during the season finale that I just didn't buy. However, I'm excited it's coming back for a second season, if nothing else I can at least immerse myself in the decor and fashions (there's a rumour the timeline will jump forward a year or two). The June issue of Vanity Fair has a beautiful picture and article on the show. You can check out an excerpt here. Mad Men returns on AMC this July.

* When I put up The Aviator pictures I forgot to add this sideboard, an art deco piece from Anne Hauck, which was used in the film. Anne Hauck Art Deco specializes in - you guessed it - art deco furniture and accessories. I could browse all day!

Happy Mother's Day

2008-05-11T00:15:00.000-07:00

I've got money in my pocket,
I like the colour of my hair.
I've got a friend who loves me,
Got a house, I've got a car.
I've got a good mother,
and her voice is what keeps me here.

"Good Mother" by Jann Arden

{photos by Virginia Macdonald}

Designer Kate Stuart for Sarah Richardson Design

2008-05-10T19:36:00.000-07:00

If you're like me and watch Sarah Richardson's Design Inc. on HGTV, you've probably seen this room before. It's client Majorie Dixon's long and narrow living room, and sunken, open-concept dining room. Designer Kate Stuart did the two rooms up in neutral glamour, mixing shinny silvers and gold (which I like), and adding pale greens and blues to the white carpet and furnishings. The fireplace wall was spruced up with pistachio green wallpaper; very contemporary choice for such a traditional room! The symmetry of the chairs and architectural prints on either side of the fireplace is right up my alley (a phrase sponsored by my mother).

The crazy button accent pillows strike again! These curtains are formal and lovely. I can't image fraulein Maria ever daring to make play clothes out of them. I prefer a solid coffee table to stools - where else am I going to store the obscene amount of magazines and books I've hoarded?! But I can understand that if you entertain regularly, stools are a practical choice for extra seating.

The symmetry and glass/mirrored pieces continue in the dining room.

I'm going to be showing more things from the Style at Home June '08 issue eventually, but I really have to recommend it to everyone because it's been one of my favourite issues (and magazines) this year. The cover features design editor Samantha Pynn's home and it's absolutely gorgeous! The articles are very well done, and the pictures are, to quote a certain celebrity I can't stand, Off the charts! If you don't get Style at Home, you can check out their website here.

{scans from Style at Home June 2008; photography by Donna Griffith}

The Alpeter House in Traditional Home

2008-05-09T15:56:00.000-07:00

A blast of colour tempered with black; I seem to really be attracted to rooms like this lately. The Alpeter family renovated their 1934 home with bright pinks and greens and some California (it feels Moorish and Spanish influenced) groove.

How snazzy are the two pink ("Scallop") Barbara Barry chairs? And doesn't the "Scroll" coffee table by Thomas Pheasant look like the one Sarah Richardson was displeased with in that episode of Design Inc. because it went to the wrong clients (the ones with the flea market style taste, and blue and green dinning room-living room) and was painted green by mistake? Yeah, I watch that shop wayyy too much.

This looks like the green-tiled kitchen Nate Burkus did for Kirstie Alley. Again, why do I remember that?

The colour palette - fuchsia, gold, citron green, and some orange - was inspired by the living room’s original stained-glass windows.

This room gives me a high, but it feels more like the perfect decor for a girly martini lounge, no? I'd buy the chairs and sofa in different colours - “Camelback’’ sofa and the “Tufted-Back’’ side chair both by Thomas Pheasant.

{photographs by Susan Gilmore for Traditional Home}

Dorothy Draper & Co.'s Carlton Varney is Oscar Worthy

2008-05-08T16:15:00.000-07:00

For the 80th annual Academy Awards, Carleton Varney, of Dorothy Draper & Company, evoked Old Hollywood glamour in the Architectural Digest Green Room backstage at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles. Table and benches are both by Kravet. Now, if I've learned anything from my favourite design blogs and books, this is all in the style of Hollywood regency, no?

The mirror and lamps in the sitting area are vintage Draper pieces. Varney adapted the dishes and glassware from Draper designs. Other pieces include: a Nourison carpet, LG televisions, at Abt.com. White satin, red Ultrasuede, sofa fringe, sofa and tufted chairs, Kravet. Low table and rattan chairs from Ficks Reed.

The pedestal table is an original Draper design, as is the sconce; while the doors and chandelier are Draper replicas.

The bar was inspired by a Draper design. Room credits: the lamps, banquette, slipper chair and leather on bar, Kravet. Carleton Varney by the Yard floral fabric; Carleton V green silk.

{Photography by Mary E. Nichols for Architectural Digest June 2008}

The Aviator: Costumes + Art Deco Era Design

2008-05-07T19:35:00.000-07:00

The Aviator (2004) spans the life of Howard Hughes from 1927 to 1947. Above, Kate Beckinsale channels one-time Hughes girlfriend, Ava Gardner, lounging on the set of her glamorous Hollywood home.

Gardner's character had my favourite wardrobe pieces. I love the deep green and rich red they put her in!

Set Decorator: Francesca LoSchiavo SDSA

Production Designer: Dante Ferretti

Director Martin: Scorsese

{film picture credits: Entertainment Weekly, Yahoo Movies, Ruthless Reviews and Week in Rewind}