Duquette DECO-dence!

Oh my, my, my, my, my. I flipped when I came across these old photos of Bullocks Department stores.

In 1935 Tony Duquette was hired by Bullocks to change their interiors to reflect the seasons. Because Los Angeles has no discernible seasons, it was Duquette's job to make it appear as if they did.

Upon seeing his work, legendary decorator Elsie de Wolfe uttered the fated words, "Who is this kid, I've got to meet him." De Wolfe took Duquette under her wing and sent his career soaring.

How's that for some Deco Glam?


images from here

Have You Been to Claridge's Hotel?

This may be the week I should be paying attention to my horoscope or something. Between my friend Janet blogging about the lovely Fortnum & Mason, a friend inviting me to take a short trip with her to the U.K., and then reading about the remodel at Claridge's in London, someone is telling me it's time to go to London!

The legendary Claridge's Hotel was recently re-branded and I'm mesmerized! Forgive me, but I've had to take some of this content from the Full House blog where I discovered it.

London design studio Construct has given the branding of London's famous Claridge's Hotel a thorough overhaul, starting with the hotel's crest which has been redrawn.

isn't this mint green the prettiest color?

They introduced this gorgeous palette of mint green, gold, white and black. Chevron patterns appear on the inside of bags, envelopes and on various objects, publications and goodies only available at the hotel. Sadly not online. Here are a selection of images of some of the items available. I am in love with this color combo and the amenities of this 5 star hotel.

How yummy is this color combo?

And another part of the remodel are some of their recently renovated rooms designed by Diane Von Furstenburg...

London is calling my name...

And the crème de la crème, afternoon tea served on this gorgeous china. Simply scrumptious!

Have you been to Claridge's Hotel before? How about my U.K. blogger friends, eh? It looks absolutely divine!

photo credits: Claridge's Hotel, Full House, Construct

The Most Ornate Parking Garage

The former Michigan Theater in Detroit (built in 1926) is now an indoor parking garage. That's right. After a period of closures and re-openings, the Michigan Theater was permanently closed and partially demolished in 1976. Due to problems with the structural integrity of adjoining office building, the main hall and lobby were gutted and converted into a parking structure.

The ceiling is still the same, so one can get out of the car, look up and see the gorgeous inlay. Sad isn't it? I just hate to see old buildings destroyed, and yet in some way I appreciate the beauty of it.

image 1; Sean Hemmerle via Pinterest, image 2; Wikepedia

Cartolina Cards New iPhone App!

One of my favorite people, Fiona of Cartolina and Cafe Cartolina blog has just launched an amazing iPhone app. So exciting!! The app is all about sending beautiful messages using one of their customizable Cartograms in lieu of a plain email or text message.

The Cartolina app supports multiple languages and allows you to send to multiple recipients. Great for announcements and invitations. A customizable calendar with automatic reminders mean you'll never miss another birthday! There are so many lovely designs to choose from as well!

To view all the Cartogram designs you can visit their website here. Perfect for any occasion (you create the message), and for less than the price of a card, $2.99; click here for the iTunes link! {Also, available for the iPad in October!}

Congrats Fiona!!

Decodence!

I absolutely love Art Deco architecture. In fact that was one of the factors when buying our little 1939 Streamline Moderne house. With its geometric shapes, symmetrical or asymmetrical, nautical themes, glass block accents and vibrant colors, Deco architecture just thrills me.


Take for instance the historic Art Deco district in the South Beach area of Miami Beach. It contains the largest concentration of 1920's and 30's resort architecture in the world. Some years ago I had the opportunity to visit and was mesmerized by the rows and rows of colorful Art Deco hotels.

These gorgeous images of Miami hotels were photographed by New York-based interior designer, Lissette Carrera. Aren't they fabulous?

Perhaps it's time for some sun and fun in Miami Beach! No Autumn there!

image credits: Lissette Carrera via Flickr

Nesting Newbies Issue 4 + A Fabulous Day!

The fourth issue of Nesting Newbies is now LIVE! We can finally let the cat of out of the bag. This has been hush, hush...Try keeping a dozen bloggers mouths shut for 2 months!

Earlier this summer I was delighted to attend this amazing gathering of San Francisco bloggers hosted by Nesting Newbies, a lovely online magazine based here in the Bay Area. It was held at the spectacular Fogarty Winery in Northern California and we were treated like queens.

vines at the winery...

The mountain top setting was breathtakingly beautiful!

The tabletops were styled by Lotus Bleu and food was prepared by the amazing Chef Lea. The pink and green color combo was just lovely. Fabulous online video footage accompanies the preparation of the table settings and the meals...

The bloggers hanging out for our shoot. It was so much fun to hang out with some friends and chit chat with bloggers I knew, but never met in person.

And we got to be models for a day...something I've never done before. Oh yeah, that's me in the upper right with Rebecca of loving.living.small. Glad I knew Rebecca from before as we had to put on our "model smiles." Difficult to smile without actually talking!

The "Midsummer Mediterranean" dinner couldn't have been more divine. You must try each and every recipe of Chef Lea's!

We all oohed and aahed over the magnificent Creamy Lemon Champagne Vinaigrette. To die for! Melissa from Ruby Press said she would put this dressing on everything she eats!

Yummy chopped asparagus salad...

And who could resist Chef Lea's Bakla Pops?

If the food, wine and setting wasn't enough, amazing local shop owners donated gift bags chocked filled with goodies from Fogarty wine and macaroons, to gorgeous decorative gifts.

Be sure and check out the just-released fourth issue of Nesting Newbies here!

Meet the rest of the wonderful San Francisco bloggers, check out those divine Madeleine Weinrib rugs and cushions we're all sitting on, and try Chef Lea's recipes which will certainly inspire you!

Thanks Nesting Newbies (Jodi, Lea and staff) for a most wonderful day! It was truly one of the highlights of my Summer.

photo credits: Nesting Newbies