Busy, busy, busy

Placeholder until such a time that I'm not.

Something for the weekend

Mission: Impossible

Seasons one through three. Why? Those were the seasons that Barbara Bain appeared as top model and actress Cinnamon Carter. So flawlessly chic in that knowing way.














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Now playing: Richard Kiley - Little Bird, Little Bird
via FoxyTunes

Winter wonderland

Alexander McQueen Autumn/Winter 2009-10





And by the looks of it the coming Spring is going to be glorious. Glorious in an American abstract expressionist way, that is.















GQ.COM















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Now playing: Simple Minds - Love Song

via FoxyTunes

Clam diggers

Linguine with clams in a cream sauce, served with sauteed samphire.
Arrange linguine in the centre of the plate, place open clams around the outside interspersing with the samphire.




Zoffany's Samphire

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Now playing: Tony Bennett - The Shadow of Your Smile
via FoxyTunes

Chatelaine

Flora Sissy Goforth is our mystery chatelaine.

Played to the absolute hilt by Elizabeth Taylor in Tennessee Williams's film adaptation of his play The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore (1963) entitled Boom! (1968). Appearing along side Miss Taylor are Richard Burton, Noel Coward (pictured above in his role as the Witch of Capri), and Joanna Shimkus.

The ravishing sets were created by the very talented Richard MacDonald, who had also previously worked with the film's director Joseph Losey.




While not generally well received in its own time, perhaps Boom!'s time has finally come. Perhaps this time as an opera.



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Now playing: Killing Joke - Requiem
via FoxyTunes

Through the keyhole

Who lives in a house like this?

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Now playing: Chaka Demus & Pliers - Tease Me
via FoxyTunes

Something for the weekend

Suddenly, Last Summer (1959) the film based on the one-act play by Tennessee Williams.


Mrs. Venable - My son, Sebastian and I constructed our days. Each day we would carve each day like a piece of sculpture, leaving behind us a trail of days like a gallery of sculpture until suddenly, last summer.





The Motels - Suddenly, Last Summer

Bijoux

632. A Pair of 18k Gold and Jade Earrings with Diamonds and Pink Sapphires

Perfect for an autumn ensemble of olive tweed, aubergine wool and amethyst silk.





501. A Pair of Spanish Colonial 18k Gold and Pearl Earrings

A black column of wool or cashmere jersey would do nicely for these.





582. A Pair of 18k Diamond and Ruby Cufflinks

Far too louche for a man, but perfect for a woman in a man's Sulka silk dress shirt with a set of ruby dress studs.





415. An 18k Gold and Diamond Bamboo Design Bangle Bracelet

One would be nice, but three would be better.



Jewelry should always have a little oomph.



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Now playing: Queen - Bijou
via FoxyTunes

Don't forget

In House by Mitchell Owens and Derry More is coming out soon.

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Now playing: Diana Ross - I'm Coming Out (Unreleased Chic mix)
via FoxyTunes

Even though he makes me feel old

I just love this kid.


2THEWALLS


Visit and be sure to press play.


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Now playing: Cocteau Twins - Pandora
via FoxyTunes

It's a date

Pedro Almodóvar's new film Los Abrazos Rotos (Broken Embraces)

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Now playing: La Lupe - Puro Teatro (Pure Theater)
via FoxyTunes

From A to C without Lucia

Dresser of souls led to...



The Wyndham Sisters: Lady Elcho, Mrs. Adeane, and Mrs. Tennant by John Singer Sargent

The symbol of the English clique known as The Souls.



Which in turn led to...




Clouds: The Biography of a Country House

The house built by Percy and Madeline Wyndham that would become known as the house of the age.




And finally ...




Cabinet designed by Philip Webb in 1861.

Philip Webb was the architect who not only designed Clouds but also William Morris's country retreat, The Red House.



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Now playing: Marconi Union - Buildings and People
via FoxyTunes

Dresser of souls

Lady Duff Gordon




Lucile: London, Paris, New York and Chicago








Stage costume by Lucile, circa 1915



For me there was a positive intoxication in taking yards of shimmering silks, laces as airy as gossamer and lengths of ribbons, delicate and rainbow-coloured, and fashioning of them garments so lovely that they might have been worn by a princess in a fairy-tale. - Lucile


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Now playing: Claude Debussy - Clouds
via FoxyTunes

Something for the weekend

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)


This time, if only for the sets. Which incidentally were done by Claude Carpenter, the very gentleman who would go on to also do Carmen Jones (1954) and Ash Wednesday (1966).

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Now playing: Della Reese - Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend
via FoxyTunes

Bright young(ish) things

Anna Piaggi and Karl Lagerfeld, photographed while making Lagerfeld's film Views and Interviews, 1977.


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Now playing: Gnarls Barkley - Neighbors
via FoxyTunes

Who knew?

Newport Single Pedestal Base





Kit Chair

Both from the James River Furniture Collection






MacDonald Made to Measure 100" Skirted Sofa
Alexa Hampton Furniture Collection






Sullivan Bookcase Frame
Thomas O'Brien Furniture Collection




Hickory Chair

Our style is still distinguished by an authentic, timeless spirit. And our furniture is still made to order and made to last, by a team of talented and attentive artisans in our workshop in Hickory, North Carolina.


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Now playing: Tears For Fears - Pale Shelter (Extended Version]
via FoxyTunes

Granny takes a trip

If she hasn't, she should. When using lots of antiques, especially those of the brown variety, one runs the risk of things getting a little fusty and dry. Better to liven things up with a good dose of colour, pattern and texture.



Lot No: 212
A George III mahogany tea table



Lot No: 218
A George III mahogany bureau bookcase



Lot No: 253
A Regency rosewood, simulated rosewood and parcel gilt dwarf open serpentine bookcase



Lot No: 265
A George III silkwork and mahogany polescreen



Lot No: 121
A George III mahogany and brass bound bucket




All set against citrine glazed walls and dragged white trim.








A sofa by Howard & Sons done in Lee Jofa's Sheba Plain.







A pair of chairs by Howard & Sons, like the curtains, done in Lee Jofa's Floral Bouquet.







Cloverleaf ottoman done in a red silk velvet and trimmed with a double layer of passementerie.







Lot No. 325, a pair of late 19th/early 20th century parcel giltwood fauteuils done in David Easton's outdoor fabric Flower Trellis.







Lot No. 250, a George III white and cream painted open armchair with a squab cushion in Lee Jofa's Bragance II Velvet.







And topped of with, Lot No. 146, an Empire style gilt metal and cut glass twenty light tent and waterfall chandelier.




All Lots from the Period Design sale at Bonhams.




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Now playing: Cameo - She's Strange
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