It is probably just me

but I think, that Gwyneth, she just might be a bit of a Jonah.
RIP House & Garden.


I was just reminded by the lovely PM that Kathy Griffin does a hilarious bit about Gwyneth and Stella McCartney in her Allegedly show.

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Now playing: Connie Francis - Who's Sorry Now?
via FoxyTunes

All The Fine Young Cannibals

This movie is a must see. Loosely based on the life of Chet Baker. From dirt poor to idle rich. It has just absolutely everything. Great sets and costumes. An hysterical performance by Susan Kohner of Sarah Jane fame from Imitation of Life. And if that wasn't enough, Miss Pearl Bailey as the terminally ill Ruby Jones sings her heart out.

Salome - "Why are you laughing?"

Chad - "It is less painful that way"

Just fabulous.

Look for All The Fine Young Cannibals on TCM.

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Now playing: Fine Young Cannibals - Ever Fallen in Love?

via FoxyTunes

Dame Edith Sitwell: so perfectly English

With Edith - Morrissey on stage.



Portrait by Horst
Backstage Pass for Morrissey's Kill Uncle Tour.


Just recently, I was thinking of having some jewels made up out of some 15Th Century bits of carved bone, some scarabs, and some antique Chinese coral and ivory clasps. Nothing fussy or precious, just big and bold. How can one person be so completely and continually out of step? Why would I knowingly choose to create something so rarefied and impossible to sell? I can just picture those soccer moms pouring over them at Portobello on a Saturday morning. What a joy that would be! Another opportunity for the unworthy to dip into my bucket? I think not. I think we can all agree the last thing I need is one more reason to despise people - especially in such close proximity. That is just asking for trouble.

As I know who would not buy my baubles, I wondered what type of woman would? Dame Edith Sitwell, of course. Perfect in all her Plantagenet glory. I could just picture my creations on those amazingly graceful hands and on those kooky little turbans of hers. Still to this day an iconic figure; I think due in part to the fragility of, and there being something almost religious and martyr like about, her image. She was without a doubt a triumph over form and function and proof that beauty can be nothing more than a force of sheer will.

“Why not be oneself? That is the whole secret of a successful appearance. If one is a greyhound, why try to look like a Pekingese?”



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Now playing: Morrissey - To Me You Are a Work of Art
via FoxyTunes
This is not the best version - it is so much better on the album

While I haven't been here

I have been here,

Spilling the Beans was a wonderful read; I knew it would be. I was devoted to the Two Fat Ladies and I simply adore women like Clarissa Dickson Wright; they are bright, forthright, and thoroughly disarming. Always of a certain age and background - women like her are the antithesis to the useless modern size zero clacker.

and here,

As Amy Tan is not as nearly as prolific as I would like her to be, I am in constant search for books that tell the tale of Chinese immigrant life. I approached Sweet Mandarin with some trepidation because I was not sure how the British aspect would colour the story. The trepidation was unwarranted; the story of the three generations of family is beautifully told and proof that the story is indeed universal.
My friend Patty, who also happens to be Eurasian but from Hawaii, always said how different our lives would have been had our respective families been in the restaurant business. Sweet Mandarin is proof, for me at least, that the differences would have only been superficial.



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Now playing: Shirley Bassey - The Living Tree
via FoxyTunes

A green and pleasant land

Perfect English by Ros Byam Shaw with photographs by Chris Tubbs.
Described aptly as the "English style of decoration is practical and informal, designed around the people who occupy the rooms rather than to impress. These houses are lived in and loved, with interiors that are relaxed and not afraid to be pretty."
An obvious, but oft neglected, tenet of decorating.
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Now playing: Marianne Faithfull - Broken English
via FoxyTunes

A green and pleasant land

Perfect English by Ros Byam Shaw with photographs by Chris Tubbs.
Described aptly as the "English style of decoration is practical and informal, designed around the people who occupy the rooms rather than to impress. These houses are lived in and loved, with interiors that are relaxed and not afraid to be pretty."
An obvious, but oft neglected, tenet of decorating.
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Now playing: Marianne Faithfull - Broken English
via FoxyTunes

To be or not to be?

I am not sure if Vivienne Westwood's manifesto of Active Resistance to Propaganda is the definitive answer, but it does seem like an interesting possibility and a good place to start. It has been over two years since her manifesto was first launched; surely, enough time has lapsed for the rest of us to have caught up?
The manifesto begins:

"We shall begin with a search for art, show that art gives culture and that culture is the antidote to propaganda.

– Dear Friends, We all love art and some of you claim to be artists. Without judges there is no art. She only exists when we know her. Does she exist? The answer to this question is of vital importance because if Art is alive the world will change. No Art, no progress."


Click to read the Guardian interview and listen to an audio clip of the Lady herself.

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Now playing: Curtis Mayfield - (Don't Worry) If There's A Hell Below We're All Going To Go
via FoxyTunes

Caught In Time

Images © National Museum & Gallery, Cardiff

The father and son collaboration of Leopold (1822-1895) and Rudolph Blaschka (1857-1929) produced some of the most beautiful examples of natural history specimens ever created. The Blaschkas not only supplied the Harvard Botanical Museum with some 4,400 replica flowers, but over a period of 50 years they created thousands more of their remarkably realistic glass flowers and sea creatures for both private collections and natural history museums as far afield as India.

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Now playing: Antony & The Johnsons - Cripple and the Starfish
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Polly and I went to the circus

Last week London was one great big fairground attraction. Here a fair, there a fair. Everywhere a fair...Under the Big Top in Regent's Park The Frieze Art Fair was being held. For those who are unaware Frieze is held every October. "It features over 150 of the most exciting contemporary art galleries in the world. As well as these exhibitors, the Fair includes specially commissioned artists’ projects and an ambitious talks programme."
Well, I suppose, that's one way of looking at it. Another view could, quite possibly, be that of a freak show (normally a fabulous thing) of pretension and arrogance (neither of which is ever fabulous) that takes its self all too seriously? Hmm, possibly.
My humble opinion? In many cases, but not in all by any means, it is just a little too reminiscent of The Emperor's New Clothes. Which amazes me because of its cynicism, and surprises me at my lack of it.

One piece, however, that I did particularly like was
Medusa (below) by Tue Greenfort, represented by Johann Konig. It reminded me of the wonderful pieces done by Leopold and Rudolph Blaschka in the late 19Th Century; only this time with a message.


Medusa, Murano glass 2007

"The pink jellyfish Pelagia noctiluca is currently forming rapidly growing overpopulations. For lack of natural enemies such as turtles and tuna fish, whose populations have seriously decreased due to over-fishing and water pollution, as well as rising water temperatures which are ascribed to the climate change, it finds optimal reproduction conditions in European waters. Its function for the marine biology has been explored by natural history museums for a fairly long time by means of preparing exemplars in alcohol. Thanks to its aesthetic properties, glass reproductions of this species can be found in souvenir shops in many popular seaside resorts." Gallery description.
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Now playing: Rickie Lee Jones - Juke Box Fury
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Blog Action Day: The Environment

Imagine how many trees it takes to produce your favourite five monthly magazines. I am willing to reduce my number of magazines from ten to eight; maybe seven. What are you willing to do? As there is no such thing as a free lunch, and it is highly unlikely we will all stop purchasing our beloved periodicals, let's at least try to eliminate all the junk mail and those insidious magazine inserts from our lives. It is the small things that make a difference. Americans get 42 billion pieces of junk mail a year, the equivalent of 100 million trees. Say No To Junk Mail.

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Now playing: Talk Talk - Life's What You Make It
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Dimitri From Paris - Une Very Stylish Fille

Mirror, mirror, on the wall...

To arms girls, to arms!

While perusing Life in a Venti Cup, this screamed out to me. And needless to say, it anoyed me.
Target has a decorating division, Target Commercial Interiors, that aims its services at the medium and smaller commercial client. Ann Zimmerman's article for the Wall Street Journal stated that, "The unit's more than 100 employees, many of them certified interior designers, don't shop at Target stores for their decorating supplies. But they do leverage the company's scale and sourcing ability to get good prices and find cutting-edge products -- an advantage in an industry dominated by regional and local design and architecture firms."
Mark my words, this could in fact be the beginning of the end for a great many of you (not that you are likely to see or read this). It's one thing for the design community to endorse retailers that champion affordability, it's quite a different thing when that retailer chooses to become the competition.
This is a battle worth fighting. It is time to close ranks and reclaim the mystique that decorating once held. Ruthlessly banish the mass produced and its producers from our oeuvre. This is war.


Jasper Johns Target with Four Faces, 1955

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Now playing: Stereo MC's - Step It Up
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Miss Daisy, I presume

For my sixteenth birthday I received a fully restored black 1964 T-Bird (identical to the one below); a huge style statement for one so young, to be sure. Thankfully, I appreciated it as much then as I do now. I have owned five cars in my life and have managed to total four of them; not always my fault, I hasten to add. Car number three is not included on the wreckage list because I lost it in LA. For the life of me I could not remember where I had parked it. I'm sure that car was stolen; some might say rescued.


Despite my dismal record and the fact I am a terrible driver, I do love an old car. I love the 1964 T-Bird because it was the car from the old Perry Mason television drama; so unashamedly American. If we lived in the states I would have another one in a heartbeat.


The Citroen DS is one of the chicest cars ever made. Both of my Grandparents had one when we lived in Paris. My Grandfather's was black with a black interior and my Grandmother's was black with a red interior. So recherche. I do think, though, they are best suited to the Continent. Even with a driver, conducting one of those down the rat runs that pass for streets here in London would be just too harrowing.


The Morris Traveler, so English and so perfectly suited to life here. I love them.



And finally the Nissan Pao, just perfect in its retro styling. Though, I would only have a cream one. Not terribly butch, but far better than any new car out there. New cars are now just too vulgar, period.
Cars are like dogs they should be chosen because they match your nature and character. Some will be harder work than others, but ultimately your life will be far richer for having had them.
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Now playing: Grace Jones - Pull Up To The Bumper
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Why, House & Garden? Why?

Of all the recent posts on Gwyneth Paltrow, which to my eyes is tantamount to a drive by shooting with bullets of smugness, this has to be my favourite; succinct and to the point. Though Decorno's post ran a very close second; but ultimately too forgiving.

An excerpt from the article written by Jay McInerney with my comments interspersed.

You don't expect someone like Gwyneth Paltrow to posses the normal domestic virtues, Ah, why not? but the Oscar-winning actress was intimately involved in the creation of her serene new Hamptons home. Oscar or no Oscar, isn't everyone intimately involved with the creation of their interiors? "I've become an encyclopedia of design for my friends," she says. And I suppose if she said the moon was made of cheese, we are meant to believe that as well? I am not sure which is harder to swallow the 'friends' part or the 'encyclopedia of design' part.


Paltrow, in a Marc Jacobs dress, sits on Thomas O'Brien's Farra cocktail ottoman for Hickory Chair, in front of her Odessa sofa by Les Migrateurs. The art is by Andy Warhol.
With all those names on the floor who needs flooring?

Clearly a member of the neo-trendsetter tribe; if not its queen.

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Now playing: Kirsty MacColl - Designer Life
via FoxyTunes

The Anniversary

Well, at least you can't say it has been boring!

Mary, Mary quite contrary...

Today on the Peak of Chic the talk was all about fashionable flowers.
Everyone loves them, everyone has them, but no one really needs them. A true luxury, but at what cost?
Do we know where and how they were grown? Do we care? If not, we should; this is a hundred billion dollar industry that impacts not only the environment but also impacts entire communities. That inexpensive bunch purchased from the supermarket? Will undoubtedly have a higher price to pay somewhere down the line. When possible, be a part of the process by supporting the smaller specialist local growers, and the florists who support them. You will notice the difference and be rewarded with more natural scented blooms.

Country Roses
Local, and my absolute favourite.


The Organic Flower Company


California Organic Flowers

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Now playing: The Cult - She Sells Sanctuary
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Leigh Bowery at the Athony d'Offay Gallery

The most extraordinary living work of art that was, Leigh Bowery. A creative genius beyond compare that never ceased to amaze or to inspire.

In Xanadu...

did Kubla Khan a stately pleasure-dome decree...

Receipt for an unashamedly pretty Dining Room:
George III Chinoiserie bookcase cabinet
An Italian porcelain and bronze lantern - just that bit chicer than a chandelier
A pair of Jansen corner cabinets
An ebonized Directoire table
Painted Directoire style chairs covered in John Boyd's Ermine-black horsehair
All set against Zuber's Hindustan panoramic paper
Some London blinds in shrimp linen to complement the perfect antique Savonnerie or Ax minster carpet you will spend the next three years looking for
Soft chalky whites for the woodwork and a pale shrimp glazed ceiling, and voila!



All furniture from Kamelot Auctions

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Now playing: Frankie Goes to Hollywood - Welcome to the Pleasuredome (Escape Act Video Mix)
via FoxyTunes

Dear Zaha,

I don't know how to say this - but I think our all too brief affair is over.
It's not you, or your fault . How could it be, you are perfect and amazing.
It's me. I just don't think I'm right for you.
Had things been different, who knows what might have been.
What I do know is that there will always be a special place in my heart for you.

Always,
HOBAC

I went to see the newly arrived Moon Unit sofa by the incomparable Zaha Hadid at the very salubrious B&B Italia showroom. As a sculptural object it was beautiful, but to my great disappointment, as a sofa it was too impractical.
It was far too low to rise from with any dignity and the choice of fabrics was far too limited. If the saleswoman, who struck me as more of a PR person, was indeed correct the choice of fabric was either ugly vinylized gold or ugly vinylized purple. While I realise this wet look fabric is part of Ms Hadid's aesthetic, I think there should have been a more practical alternative, as both colourways showed the slightest indentation or mark. I had hoped to be able to do this sofa in a mohair; evidently this is an impossible task.
Given the ground breaking design, I do think B&B Italia should have invested in developing a fabric that is as equally revolutionary. The structure is an ingenious example of engineering. Unfortunately, I can not get past the solid foam construction. After ten years I fully expect something to need refreshing; not, to need replacing.
At the moment, given the limitations and the fabric options I can really only see it working for a certain type of client; but unfortunately there aren't any pimps, drug dealers, or fashion victims on my books at the moment.
Had things been different, who knows what might have been.

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Now playing: Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart
via FoxyTunes

Dedicated to all you Gucci bag carriers out there...

The Cramps - You Got Good Taste, a favourite of mine from clubland when I was a door whore extraordinaire.