Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Pretty Wild

Imagine designing and living in your Paris atelier. The apartment is 17th century, the decor is a fusion of color over the years. 
Philippe Model, the exalted milliner to the stars and famed shoe designer, has gradually transformed what was originally two homes into his now atelier, showroom and photo studio.
Did I mention that he likes color?

The foyer is now used as a dining room. The funky pink wall was painted for a photo shoot.

The toile wallpaper was scraped back, exposing the original paneling. The love of details is evident in every room.

The color combinations are unusual, to say the least. It's fun to look closely to discern the layers of color.

I would have never guessed that I would like so many bright shades of green in one place, but it looks great here, offset by the light, carved stone fireplace.

Greys, greens and blues mix calmly.

Wow- mauve, purple, blue, green... for a now completed photo shoot. Why not?

It appears that this bright lemon corner is actually the most sedate area in the room.

The distressed patinas mix wildly! 

Instead of spending huge sums to restore the apartment's paneling, plaster and floors, Model decided to use his paint skills and rework the rooms as he went along. 
Color has certainly made a comeback here!

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Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Hide It

Appreciating the beauty of these hides and their use in today's furniture. 


An unusual screen, to say the least. 


Looking warm and cozy by the fire...


The Wassily chair, designed by Marcel Breuer (in 1925), presently manufactured by Knoll Studio

 I could totally get into this lounge chair...


Would you consider a piece of furniture using hides?

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Monday, February 27, 2012

Between the Water and the Flowers

in Puerto Rico, it would be hard to say which was more amazing...

What do you think?


As with most tropical islands, the water's color was intense- in a pretty way. The shades went from deep blue to aquamarine to various blue/greens. Talk about inspiring...



My favorite- a natural color gradient in the sea.


The interior portion of Puerto Rico is largely forested hills. In the midst of the narrow, winding roads up into the jungle, there are tropical flower farms that manage to grow amazing foliage and flowers. The folks who work these farms are devoted to their land and have to love what they do- it's hard work.



I apologize- I do not know the correct names of most of the flowers and plants.




Date palm

Date palm, close-up

Tree fern frond about to unfurl

Tree fern from below

Coconut palm

Flower of the coconut palm

Mangoes

Coconut palm's own fireworks!

I felt so fortunate to have seen nature in such a manner, 
so totally different from what I normally see. 

Thanks, Liz, for your link-up party at Fresh Cut Friday!

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Old San Juan


We just returned from a quick get-away in San Juan, Puerto Rico. My brother lives in Ponce (on the Southern coast), but family members have a condo in San Juan, right on the beach, where we had the privilege of staying and unwinding for a few days. One of our favorite things to do is to wander the old town area of San Juan, with its softly colorful buildings and beautiful iron details.
 
 A very typical scene- definitely a tropical setting

The governor's mansion

Love this mint green!

More pastel colors. Can you spot the huge cruise ship in the background?

One of San Juan's forts at the edge of the sea

 Not sure who this is, but he and the little girl below sure have a great patina!


Lovely iron sconces on this blue-grey building

Puerto Rico is not a very wealthy country. I think the country is beautiful, but its citizens do not quite seem to realize that it will be tourism that pulls them up. While it physically has lots going for it, I'd love to see it prosper more with hard work and focus. 

Tomorrow I'll take you into the countryside a bit... its interior is spectacular and is where the hubs purchases his fabulous tropical flowers and funky greens.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Plum Get-Away

The warmer climes call out and we are heading south for a mini blogation!
See you next Sunday.


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Sunday, February 19, 2012

Giverny's Flowers Up Close

Sharing a tiny glimpse of the fall beauty that we experienced for a few hours at Giverny, the home of Claude Monet located west of Paris in Normandy. From the blues to the pinks and yellows, with lots of green both in the water and out, the garden has enough inspiration to last a lifetime.

The garden's various rooms are laid out in swaths of color.
Enjoy...












And last, but not least, is my favorite picture of all- Mr. Snail caught hiding under the sunshine.


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