Sunday, September 28, 2008

Grey Gardens












I know many of us have certain films we look to for visual cues and styling ideas, and one of my personal favorites is the cult classic Grey Gardens. It has all the East Coasty Havisham chic in it that you could ever ask for. The film is an intimate look at the relationship between mother and daughter, between social classes, and what happens when things don't quite go to plan. If you haven't seen it I suggest renting both that and the musical inspired by it which I find equally interesting visually. It's all very eau de decaying streetcar with a dash of whatever happened to baby jane. While watching the film at points is heart-breaking their eccentric style is unmistakable and has inspired both fashion and interior designers. If after seeing the film you find you want more there are two new books that may tide you over, Eva Marie Beale's Edith Bouvier Beale of Grey Gardens: A Life in Pictures and the cleverly named MemoraBEALEia: A Private Scrapbook About Edie Beale of Grey Gardens First Cousin To First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (that is a mouthful) from Walter Newkirk. By the time you have made it through both books you may be just in time for the film adaptation with Jessica Lange, Drew Barrymore, and Daniel Baldwin, to hit a theater near you.

Drew Barrymore, on set, as Little Edie in "Grey Gardens"

Monday, September 22, 2008

Poolside...


I have to say October is really bringing it pictorially in many of my favorite periodicals. One of my favorites right now is the Harper's Bazaar photo shoot/interview with Kirsten Dunst. For some reason there seems to be a lot of division on the interweb about Kirsten's personal style etc. I personally think she is both a talented actress and beautiful girl. In the Harper's photos she rocks one of my favorite Bill Blass Resort 2009 ensembles and the photos call to mind the photography of Slim Aarons and, dare I say it, the beautiful C.Z. Guest. While I may not be picking up any of the Bill Blass items from the photos I may invest in a one of the beautiful parasols from Bella Umbrella Kirsten carries while poolside.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Falling for Autumnal Colors

Every year as Fall approaches i want to repaint all the whites and blues to colors like aubergine or something the color of butternut squash, pumpkin pie, crisp and crunch apples, roasted turkey (ok maybe not roasted turkey). You might be able to guess what is governing my color choices; my stomach! But seriously, don't we all find ourselves gravitating to tattersall, glen plaids, and velvets in deep rich colors that say warmth and comfort? That being said I think sometimes these seasonal cravings take on a life of their own and become, dare I say, a touch contrived/kitschy. Somehow lumberjack plaids don't always equally convey comfort and elegance.

While flipping through October's House Beautiful I became so taken with Hal Williamson's design for a New Orleans home filled with dusky lavender, a strangely appealing mauve (?), and a beautiful apple color. It doesn't scream HAYRIDE! PUMPKINS! CIDER! but seems to whisper a seasonal shift in an understated versatile way. With simple seasonal editing of decorative elements this home has year round appeal. OK and to be honest even if these don't make you think of fall, who cares because are these disgusting gorgeous or what?

Photographs all John Kernick for House Beautiful

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Seven

With Halloween right around the corner my mind turns to the fabulous gothic creations of Douglas LIttle and Company. You may know him from his exquisite candle line featuring scents of poisonous plants as well as signature fragrances for Barney's and a special edition candle honoring Tony Duquette. For those unfamiliar with the young style maker, think of him as Oscar Wilde with a dash of Dickens and a gothic bent. One of my personal favorite's offered from Maison Little has always been his collaborative effort with Mrs. John L. Strong to create a set of stationary labeled with the seven deadly sins. The set also comes with seven black votives inscribed with the sins in gold script in a beautiful black silk box. It is of note that limited edition black dessert plates with the golden vices were available as well. In the last week as retailers have begun to set out the beginnings of the Halloween merch I have seen two different sets of deadly sins dishware. The first set below was actually featured in the Fall edition of O at Home and is available from Trixie Delicious at Etsy. The second set is from the ever ...ahem..."trendy" Z Gallerie. So is this the beginning of a trend? Or just something seasonal? Would you purchase any of them? And what does Mr. Little think about this all?





the real deal











Little Redux?