Howards Blend

I had to have these images of designer Howard Slatkin's New York City apartment on my blog to enjoy the view from time to time. If you are not already aware of it, these photos of Slatkin's apartment along with the "before" images were featured in the October 20th issue of New York magazine. The minute I saw the first picture, I thought of the Russian palaces in St. Petersburg. Low and behold, when I read the captions I learned there were Russian influences abound! I also thought of Tony Duquette's sumptuous interiors.

Slatkin's ability to blend and/or layer so many textures,patterns and colors together in such a harmonious fashion is amazing. I love the blue and white delft tiles on the walls and ceiling with the beautiful floors that replicate those in a seventeenth-century Dutch painting.

This is the library with the bathroom in the back. The floors are a marquetry pattern Slatkin saw at the Charlottenburg palace in Berlin. He had them installed by hand by Russian artisans.

The beautiful collection of porcelain birds on the Louis XVI and Regency wall sconces are Chinese exports that Slatkin inherited from his grandmother. To see more photos and the complete article by Wendy Goodman, visit New York magazine online.

Welcome To Prince Charles Town?

If you're a traditional design lover add Poundbury, England to your travel wish list. The latest issue of Travel & Leisure did an article on this small urban extension in England on the outskirts of Dorchester in Dorset county.

Championed by Prince Charles, this suburb is a master planned community that adheres to strict building covenants that require architectural designs embracing only traditional ideals.

The narrow streets are lined with neo Georgian , Victorian and Arts and Crafts style homes. Even though the oldest buildings are only sixteen years old, by design they look as though they have stood in the countryside forever.

Many facades are covered in vines and slate roofs have moss growing on them. Elements of modernity are hidden from view; no satellite dishes, meter boxes, exhaust vents on the sides of buildings or garbage cans are to be seen.

Of course, not everyone is as excited about Poundbury. Modern design architects have complained that Prince Charles is thwarting a democratic planning process by insisting on traditional building designs in the town.

Critics have derisively referred to it as Charleyville. Others describe the facades as resembling a Dickensian workhouse which were once found in Victorian towns.

Personally, I love the idea and would love to live here. I have a dislike for the planned communities I have seen here in California which die hard urban-ites refer to as "beige" neighborhoods. What I especially like about Poundbury is knowing you get a historic look with period architectural elements without the repair or renovation challenges. The best of both worlds.

All Hallows Eve Wishes

As I start to prepare for tonight's festivities, I wanted to take the time to wish everyone a very happy and safe Halloween from my family to yours.

98% (this is unbelievable...try this test and see if you come up with the same answer

At the end of this message, you are asked a question.
Answer it immediately.

Don't stop and think about it.. Just say the first thing that pops into your mind.

This is a fun 'test'... AND kind of spooky at the same time! Give it a try, then e-mail it around (including back to me) and you'll see how many people you know fall into the same percentage as you. Be sure to put in the subject line if you are among the 98% or the 2%.
You'll understand what that means after you finish taking the 'test.'

Now - just follow the instructions as quickly as possible. Do not go to the next calculation before you have finished the previous one. You do not ever need to write or remember the answers, just do it using your mind. You'll be surprised.


Start: How much is: 15 + 6
















21










3 + 56
























59







89 + 2































91







12 + 53











































65







75 + 26

































101





25 + 52

















































77







63 + 32













































95







I know! Calculations are hard work, but it's nearly over..





Come on, one more! ...















123 + 5







































128













QUICK! THINK ABOUT A COLOR AND A TOOL!

























Scroll further to the bottom....

































A bit more...

































You just thought about a red hammer, didn't you?

If this is not your answer, you are among 2% of
people who have a different, if not abnormal, mind.

98% of the folks would answer a red hammer while doing this exercise.

If you do not believe this, pass it around and you'll see.

Be sure to put in the subject line if you are among the 98% or the 2% and send to everyone, including the person that sent it to you .

Our Beloved Mary Poppins

LOVE NEVER DIES....Andrew Lloyd Webber's story continues

(from loveneverdies.com)

Today, Thursday 8 October, Andrew Lloyd Webber unveils his brand new production “LOVE NEVER DIES” at a global launch in London. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s long awaited new show will have its World Premiere in London at the Adelphi Theatre on Tuesday 9 March 2010 followed by New York on Thursday 11 November and in Australia in 2011.

“LOVE NEVER DIES” continues the story of ‘The Phantom’, who has moved from his lair in the Paris Opera House to haunt the fairgrounds of Coney Island, far across the Atlantic. Set 10 years after the mysterious disappearance of ‘The Phantom’ from Paris, this show is a rollercoaster ride of obsession and intrigue...in which music and memory can play cruel tricks...and ‘The Phantom’ sets out to prove that, indeed, “LOVE NEVER DIES”.

[Full Story]

Who Is André Le Notre?

Since his recent return from Paris, one of my favorite bloggers, Stefan of Architect Design has been sharing his wonderful explorations with his readers which has had me daydreaming about visiting Paris and the Versailles again soon. For now, I can only experience it through his eyes as well as some of my other favorite bloggers such as French Essence, Paris Parfait and The Paris Apartment. Stefan's last post on the Temple Of Love inspired me to google more images of the Versailles grounds which introduced me to a landscape architect named Andre Le Notre.

When he died in 1700, at the remarkable age of 87, French landscape architect Andre Le Notre left a legacy as the finest designer of French baroque gardens. Perhaps, his most famous was the park at the Palace of Versailles. However, his portfolio went well beyond that single example of jardin à la française.

Le Notre's talents can still be seen at the gardens and parks at Château de Chantilly, Fontainebleau, Saint-Cloud, and Saint-Germain. At the Tuileries he extended the westward vista, which would later become the avenue of the Champs-Elysees and comprise the Axe historique


(garden at Versailles)

^{Le Notre made use of compartmentalization by having numerous separate garden space and pools separated by paths and terraces. He famously channeled water from terrace to terrace as it passes through cascades and fountains. Royals throughout Europe clamored to emulate and surpass the Versailles gardens. When I think of my visit to the dramatic parks at the Peterhof (another personal favorite) in 2007, I now recognize the influence of Le Notre's style. As I remember walking from the Peterhof Palace down the terraces and through the park out to the Baltic I can see jardin a la fracaise style. Clearly, the Russian royals were impressed by Le Notre.}

(garden at Versailles)

(another angle of the same garden )

(A view of the garden looking toward Versailles)

(gardens at the Petit Trianon)

(Chateau de Chantilly garden)

(garden on the Tuileries grounds)

(garden at Chateau de Saint Cloud)

(A garden at the Chateau de Saint Germain)

(Fountainebleau)

(The Peterhof palace gardens inspired by Le Notre.)

Chicago's Primitive Fashion

(Japanese wood block prints "Kuchi-e" 1890-1915)

This Sunday, my two year old toddled off with his aunt to a Greek Festival and I had some free time! Out came my growing pile of unread periodicals. I started with a months worth of the New Yorker . Then, after reading the article entitled "Chicago Style" in the September 14th issue by columnist contributor Patricia Marx, I was compelled to put down the magazines and hit the world wide web. She mentions many highlights of the city, but it was her use of a quote by another writer to describe Primitive that got me out of my chair and to the computer to learn more. She relied on Julian Street's 1941 description of Marshall Field & Company as "a phantasmagoria of things with which civilizaiton has encumbered the human race" as an apt pictorial of Primitive. The owners, Glen Joffe and Claudia Morgan have traveled the world and sell items they have acquired from the one hundred and fifty cultures they have visited.
From Tantric crowns(shown left) to Kuchi-e wood block prints, the inventory is mind boggling. So, while my little one went to a Greek Festival, I followed Glen and Claudia's footprints across the globe as I browsed their merchandise. While I enjoyed seeing a bed(shown right) from the Senufo people of the Ivory Coast, I am happy to retire to my traditional four poster with a mattress and box spring rather than on that piece. I truly admire the owners' travels and their stated mission of presenting the items they found "meritorious and meaningful".

East side on the second floor


Alcove sculpture to Ante room.

Buddha room located on the second floor.

Buddha room

The Buddha "events" room which is available for private parties.


For more information about the store and its amazing collection, visit BePrimitive.com

Media-Family Room

Happy Friday everyone! These are photos of the room where our family spends time together before heading up to bed. I posted these on HGTV's Rate My Space last month and received both good and not so good comments from the visitors.


I was honored(and a little surprised) to have made the top 3 highest rated spaces for a couple of weeks. I've since removed the photos of my spaces from the popular site as (in my opinion) most of its visitors preferred younger and more modern surroundings. I felt out of place.


In fact, modern seems to be the network's main focus as oppose to the traditional styles it showcased with its debut shows that included Chris Madden & Joe Ruggiero. Those were my favorites because of their appreciation for classic traditional designs.


Oh well, such is life. As always, thank you for stopping by and have a wonderful and stress free weekend.

TableScape Thursday "The Round Table Book & Supper Club"

Happy Tablescape Thursday! For more tablescapes, please visit Between Naps On The Porch hosted by the lovely and talented Susan.

Welcome to the Round Table Book & Supper Club

Table for 4 by the bay window in the study/library area of our home.

Dinnerware: Excel China (3 piece(dinner,salad & soup) set for 7 for $82.00 on Ebay)
Flatware: Cassetti by Godinger (Horchow.com)
Ruby wine hocks: Waterford (William Glenn)
Water stem: Mikasa (Macys)
Cordial stem: Purchased at a crystal shop on the Nevsky Prospekt in Saint Petersburg, Russia
Soup tureen: Naples by Royal Doulton
Chargers: Z-Gallerie(ruby) Godinger(Silver)
Florals by Fisher Price


















Thank you for visiting my tablescape. I hope you enjoyed it. Again, for more creative and unique table settings, please visit Between Naps On The Porch or click on the image below.