what’s so great about domino magazine?
only EVeRy single THiNg! and conde nast has no clue.
hey guys, happy saturday!
i’m not sure why the domino mag closing really got to me. i spent an hour looking for the shot of the pink daybed, and ended up hypnotized by the sheer magnitude of such a beautiful body of work. (can you believe it was the absolute last photo i found)?
i went to their website, glad it’s still up, knowing it will all disappear at any moment. i’d actually never been before and was incredible to dive into so many layers from the galleries, before and after projects, their blog and columnists, approachable decorators and real people at home.
not to mention inspiration for as long as you can click. it’s hard to believe they only put out 28 issues and made such an impression but going through these images i really see why. having editor deborah needleman’s impeccable point of view obviously helped. these shots are of her apartment as featured in the ny times. but that was then. this is now. her own designs are classic monochromatic but luckily her alter ego went to work and let domino be bold and whimsical, playful and luscious.
what is it that made domino so inspiring (i think) is that each place is shot so beautifully, with the right angle and light, and a perfectionist stylist plumping the pillows perfectly. but they always have a sense of humor and aren’t stuffy like every single other magazine.
collecting these pics got me really studying the angles of the shot, the perspective and seeing that you don’t have to include everything at once. something about domino’s style is completely recognizable, and accessible. it’s definitely inspiring me to work on my photography eye.
so here are a bunch of my faves. i hope that the if mags are going we’re gonna see a lot more of each other’s homes. i know you have great stuff and can whip up curtains and pillows in an hour, not to mention thrift and flea…
so simple and sweet
the above is do die for gorgeous but you can break it down , most are simple looks to achieve is what i’m saying
and lots of this is easy to do with fleamarket finds
or stuff you may already have
well some are a little more involved
(our table)!
things can be even more simple if you get rid of some ahem, accessories you don’t need. and make your own headboard
or use vintage linens
or paint a door turquoise
kelly wearstler’s before and after kitchen is easy to do
and of course use color, color, color!
love the curtain
this was the reader’s choice winner (above)
thanks domino crew.
this had to be from the marie antoinette shoot they did at alder manor:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1XRpr5RQ_g
it’s really all about the domino people isn’t is? hopefully they’ll be out passing on their talents on blogs and other forums. one of the best parts about the collective was their philosophy:
Domino’s Manifesto
- Home Should Make You Happy!
- We swear by the 3 R’s: repaint, repaper, reupholster
- Steal ideas from other people’s houses
- Even the insides of the closets & cabinets can be beautiful
- It’s ok to NOT BE finished
- TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS—ALWAYS!
- A chandelier is as timeless as a black dress
- Renters need not be second class citizens
- Sometimes your mistakes become your greatest inspirations
- DON’T BE AFRAID TO MIX STYLES (Louis XIV and Eero Saarinen should hang out more often)
and this was their website’s mantra, when they believed in paper and ether:
‘Through multimedia and interactivity, the site does what the magazine can’t. It brings to life decorating ideas and personalities with top-notch video house tours. It provides a constant design feed for avid fans, via the Daily Dose, our product-oriented style blog. It reacts to user feedback immediately, and it takes a long view of trends and patterns, bringing a sense of humor and irreverence to our shared obsessions.’
come on conde nast, snap out of it!
i never amounted to much
(photo from liberypost.com)
in terms of things like acquisitions or holdings, real estate or art, assets, jewlery…kids even.
but i still having everything.
happy birthday dad! you and mom mean everything to me!
allposters.com
hey guys! day 3 of my regime…(i was really inspired by diet tribe)!
i guess by now you’ve heard about the closing of so many magazines? i wish they’d keep the domino website up. sort of like a wickipedia reference where people could contribute content or something. online. i’m not sure why companies are closing instead of downsizing or just moving online.
maybe everyone will showcase their own home.
like this post by rachel ashwell. just detail shots of imperfections at home
maybe i’ll give it a harder try!
i had to do it again
hey gang! you know, as much as i travel there’s just no place like blogland. what a world of wonder! yesterday’s high made me want to keep my wu tang strong today. working out then working in. and it got me here for another guilt free hour to blog! today brought some new friends, some i knew and others are brand new. either way they’re radically inspiring!
gardiner-draperier.blogspot.com
ok back to biz, the new boutique is going to my server tonite and i’m not done so,
have fun!
i wish every day could be like this
hello chère friends! i hope your week is going well and that life is taking it easy on you at the moment. they can’t all be great days but this one started very early and i was up for 3 hours before checking anything electronic! it meant sunrise, a long bike ride and yoga on the beach. yesterday an important lost receipt led to a full blown coma-ending blindness about the state of my files. suddenly all i want to do is be organized and not just at the end of the year. i spent all day yesterday on tedious book keeping.
anyway, the best part was that it gave me some free time and finally the chance to accept the honor of a blog award from my friend, petunia with out having internet guilt. soooo without further ado, i get to tag some for same honor! i just randomly chose a few blogs off the recent comments and i could go on and on! some are friends and others my first time visiting. i have to get back to micromanaging but i hope some new friends are made today!
the first picture and these shoes are from her blog. need i say more?
oh yeah, and you can fantasize about the real estate she finds…go back in the archives!
then there’s the talented lisa golightly who i met in san fran last week. her work is so beautiful. so is she! hey girl! can you believe i left the paper we bought on the plane?
i’m not a josephine lover per se but was glad to get to this new land
enchantedbyjosephine.blogspot.com
i mean, she had this shot too, come on…
oh and nicole was a new and exciting discovery. her portraits are magnificent!
another new friend with pretty things to say. and edward at the helm
fromthehouseofedward.blogspot.com
oh and isa! great to meet you too, these photos are spectacular!
well this is zara home but it’s from her blog
another of my idols, vicki is coming out with a new book soon…
carolyn and i met in paris for some blogger fleamarketing between groups last year. we had so much fun! hang on there you little tomatopie!
and i guess it’s not hard to see why meeting samantha was wildly cool. check out
and of course a great big thank you to petunia for bestowing this just when i needed it, i was really feeling like the girl she featured below but thankfully now feel like the girl above. nothing’s changed but perspective so it wasn’t too hard! xoc
designers on top
it’s monday so i’m cleaning up my act. first is clearing my desktop! a bunch of random designers ended up being the bulk of it so in no particular order, here are just a few things they’re up to in paris:
the maison et objet is having a karl lagerfeld photography exhibit next week. i usually take a small group but bowed out this january. it’s so cold in paris now, i wish they’d change the show to the spring…. this is a video monsieur karl did a few years ago in a gorgeous paris mansion. i’m sure his photos will be stunning.
it’s time to start planning the spring trip to paris so the hunt for apartments is back on. i get google alerts and this just came in. it’s interesting to see how the designers design. this is marc jacobs‘ apartment in paris.
and christian lacroix is selling his above. this was his inspiration: christian-lacroix.fr/english/maison
and last but not least is yves st laurent and his legendary art collection. i thought it was a little weird that his partner would sell everything but sort of understand how these pieces are just ‘things’ to him now
independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/saint-laurents-meaningless-art
also had no idea that they turned his place into a museum with one of my favorite designers, jacques grange who did the hotel costes
and back at the ranch, my chairs are finally recovered and the layers are starting at liz’s
i have to take better shots, it’s a hard place to get the right angles
guess who uses appreciates the chairs the most?
ok i know that was really random but i feel lighter already! xoc
keys to our castles
hi guys! i just wanted to send a little weekend love and un grand merci to bonnie for helping me discover alder manor. it started out as a place i’d heard about from a friend. he didn’t know the name, just that an anthropologie catalog was shot there.
do you have someone like bonnie in your world, someone you can ask to find anything and they actually do it with nothing to go on? well, that’s her. all i knew is that there was some sort of semi abandoned estate in upstate ny. she got out her old catalogs and started looking. she not only had the catalog but sent it to me! i took some pics, they’re pretty bad but you get the gist…
she honed in on the place, and we both learned a lot along the way. at least i sure did! seems we have our very own ruins and castles here in the states.
i’d love to go and see the place myself along with a bunch of the other beauties in the region. i guess it’s well known in the industry as a great place to shoot.
but the best was this morning when she sent this video from a domino mag story that was shot there. i couldn’t help but finally share this masterpiece and knew you’d appreciate it! they also rent it out for special events. lynn and i talked about a blogger’s conference where we can all come and help each other promote and network. could be a great place to do it!
just goes to show that with the right bones almost anything can work!
well, almost
but most are so pretty
and sweet
i found these just now by photographer kate ryan
this could be us!
hope you enjoy it as much as i did!
ps i just found this link dupontcastle.com/castles/index.htm thanks to petunia. it lists all the castles of the us, i had no idea the treasures each and every state has!
these were in massachusetts
some are still there
this was in new jersey! anyway it’s a whole new world i never knew existed. have fun if you’re in the mood to get lost =]
as time goes by
these boulangeries are everywhere, really affordable and authentic french food. the croissant and baguette sandwiches were great!
hey guys! seems like i just got here and it’s over right this very minute! i forgot my camera on so many occasions that i almost gave up posting about san fran. but when renee called to check in yesterday she was not hearing that! she convinced me to retrace my steps. i accepted the challenge, hopped on a bus (love the one that goes up van ness. it’s $1.50 in coins), and started shooting!
on the bus i got a call from lynn who was ready to run around again so off we went on another adventure by car! these are some random hilights
chinatown
market at the UN on wednesday
passing by the pretty old theaters
off the bus you can see so much more detail of course, like adorable toy stores. this was a puzzle in a train specialty shop
great displays
got off on polk street by union and ran into a great store called jak. turns out the exterior was designed by the man who did the carvings at the hearst mansion. he didn’t want to live on site so he created this little workshop that jack now rents. it’s all in the book below:
polk turned out to be a great street with lots of amazing places
swallowtail can really merchandise, making me want everything in the store
tiny crowns in ‘past perfect’ antique collective. lynn is a crown expert and i always look at them when we’re together
carol at interior visions may end up carrying some tpa stuff! glad i went back and revisited afterall and will post the rest later. and now to the airport!
i’m so into it
i didn’t realize it would hit me this hard but i’m just so fascinated by the new admin and the general sentiment of happiness everywhere you go. i’m still in san fran and have forgotten my camera on practically every outing so even though i walked from one end to the other have nothing to show for it except memories. but people are talking and there’s a unity that’s been thrilling to experience even today after all the pomp and circumstance. it’s amazing to have someone in charge who you want to listen to! (ok, and watch :)
for more great photos check out charlie’s design diary.
below is the couple as newlyweds i just had to pull from her collection…
we have a dream
welcome mr. president. good bye and thank you mr. bush. happy birthday mlk. times they are a changin.
martin luther king memorial in yerba buena
photo from bill at flickr.com
the best part about blogging
is meeting your blog friends in the flesh! yesterday lynn from paris hotel boutique (ok she was a friend before blogging) and lisa of lisa golightly met me for lunch and shopping. boy did we have a good time. and thanks lisa for the fruit from your own backyard! it was all delish!
lisa just started her blog and makes gorgeous pieces she sells on etsy. and thanks, lisa for teaching me how to add text over photos in photoshop!
now off to check out san fran with my friend’s little sweeties who seem to turn french whenever we’re together. they begged for these berets the other day, maybe i’m rubbing off on them? hope they rub off on me, they’re so darn cute!
keys to the castle
castle, chateau, crib, call it what you will but the good news is we’re going in! tomorrow night hgtv is going to air a new season of ‘keys to the castle‘ where they take us inside these living fairytales.
this is one they feature, i don’t know how many we’ll tour per episode but it looks like pure bliss
check out more of the gardens here (this shot from perseverando on flickr)
below is chateau brissac, another fantasy come to life
how exciting to get to go inside!
of course i got off the track researching this endlessly inspiring topic. below is chateau d’ usse, said to have inspired Jean Perreau to write fairytale “Sleeping Beauty”. i didn’t see this one listed on the series but got pulled into it anyway.
and i just fell in love with this picture of chenonceau castle by eric rousset on flickr
maybe we weren’t the lucky ones born to live in these beauties, but staying in one is closer than you may think. for a special occasion, visit castles for rent and maybe live the dream yourself one day!
ps: special thanks to bonnie for all your help on this post with links and pics! ok back to reality in sunny san fran!
it’s a tropical paradise
the first 24…
(neiman marcus above)
it’s 8 am and i’m already rushing out! i just wanted to say hi and post a few pics from yesterday.
i wandered around union square and discovered maiden lane, a little alley filled with boutiques and cafes. i’m loving san fran for it’s glorious weather (it’s setting record hi’s in the 70′s), palm trees and uber friendly people.
these were a couple shops on maiden, so charming and i guess i was pulled in by the slightly french vibe let’s face it
one thing i love about traveling is hearing and reading different viewpoints. the ads on tv are different, articles in papers are different and in cali they’re always talking about everything from electric cars to healthy living.
i hope to meet kelly, lisa and lynn who are natives for coffee then head out to see my college roomie & her family
as you can see it’s just heavenly and full of sunshine. it’s got a little bit of everything here from ny to paris to miami, but there’s a vibe all it’s own. one thing i’m a sucker for is a tropical city. and there are palm trees everywhere!
meanwhile it’s been amazing to watch the sun rise and set from our room in the middle of it all! i’m feeling pretty spoiled and loving sf. now if i look carefully for signs…i might stay if only it was always sunny! more later, xoc
wintertime will be a love in there
(image by darwin bell)
bon soir, gang
wish i had some energy but after an exhausting day working with liz when her assistant fell thru i can’t even look at my laptop. so i’m off to bed with a hello with the last bit i can muster. tomorrow it’s off to SF for the week and i have a couple things more to do before i pass out sitting up…sweet dreams! xoc
the kitten chronicles
bon soir everybody! hope if you’re somewhere cold you’re snuggly tonite :)
i’m trying to figure out how to upload videos to post kung fu panda kitty”s typical afternoon. i got a flip to take to paris last time but never learned how to make anything happen past shooting. it’s got a usb that just plugs in so it should be easy but…well i’m determined to try and this is as good a reason as any!
hi again, i just sent it to utube, my first time! i think it may have to be approved or something but anyway i got this link so far, quel thrill! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QC_3wXQpNG4
a little off the top
off the desktop that is!
hi guys, can i just take a moment and tell you how much i adore you? without you it just wouldn’t be any fun at all! thankfully you are here and please know i’ll be there to visit too, i really fell behind with the holidays and am back at cruising speed, at least for tonite.
and thank you mom and dad for all you do. i know i’m a lot of daughter. =]
i got these images with about 30 others from the manhattan picture library when i was there for the holidays. i had a big article due and my dad scanned them all perfectly somewhere between chopping wood and making the feasts. these are two i had a hard time parting with. they weren’t originals but they were really old and hand colored, really small and detailled like tiny blueprints. these pics don’t do them justice, but the scans do!
the picture library is amazing. it’s across from the main branch on 5th ave and is a goldmine for illustrations and pics from every area of life. and you can borrow them for 3 weeks! i just mailed mine back today, i loved having them around but they were due last week so i bid farewell. i can’t post any more cause they’re for an article i always wanted to write and finally finished. my editor pushed me and i bucked but am glad it’s in the can as they say! (i have a hard time finishing anything)! anyway it’s on a subject i just adore, the french salon hostesses.
these sketches weren’t salons but i imagine it did look a lot like it…this artist probably frequented a few himself
i think one’s a wedding and would love to know exactly what they say. melanie? dad? traduisez sil vous plait ;)
well i better get back to it, blogging i love but a site i must build…what with my big mouth and all. but guess that’s what it might take to finish it, just like the article! i’m leaving for san fran on thursday for the fancy food show and to see my college roomie, mb so it’s now or never with a second shift from 6 to midnite! bon nuit and sending you love, c
where there’s smoke there’s mirrors
hey guys! hope you’re weekend is still in full force and you’re enjoying every second of it!
you know how hard it is when all you do is work. sometimes it’s thankless (well most of the time) but once in awhile you get a little cherry just when you need it. i have some good news and of course couldn’t help but share it. it’s business news, so maybe not all that juicy, but tpa was featured in both house beautiful and instyle this month for products we manufacture!
it’s just a knob but still a thrill to be included in a great spread on vamping up your closet by those trendsetters at inStyle
and two of our chairs are featured in this HB article (and shhh, my guys make 4 other pieces on this spread)!
here’s the slideshow from their site: housebeautiful.com/decorating/looking-for-lucite
after all this time, lucite seems to be returning and appreciated as a real art. it’s been around since the 30′s but got a real bad rap after the 80′s. (below katie is on the original helena rubenstein chair from around 1935. ours was modeled after it).
and i do see that the prices for lucite have been going up, making it not such an affordable option even with vintage pieces. maybe cause it’s a hard material to work with as there’s zero margin for error.
and since it looks like we all could use a little to freshen up a room, (according to HB of course)! i’m taking this opportunity to celebrate by discounting (to my bloggers) all my lucite benches by 50% and incorporating layaway plans. (if you’re interested in specifics let me know).
another cool thing in HB was a spread on some design bloggers and their homes. so if you’ve ever wondered how mrs. blandings, decorno, habitually chic and designsponge are living, check it out. the issue is also loaded with beautiful pics!
finally, i did hear from the producer i mentioned a few posts back talking about a show. (i made a couple pilots before with the travel channel and had pretty much shelved the idea of doing that ever again). they liked the idea of doing some green/fleamarketing and reno/decor stuff, but i was wondering what you think you’d like to see? i watched a lot of hgtv lately to see what’s current and am curious to hear what you like and loathe!
also, she does want to hear your pitches so if you have something and want her info, just say the word.
ok that’s it! back to the stocks and thanks for always letting me share my little successes with abandon! xoc
change of scene
i love this room. but then, i’m a sucker for navy. it ‘s mary macdonald’s adorable guest cottage on pink wallpaper, sent to me by renee finberg.
i had the good fortune to meet the elusive renee on the spur of the moment last week. (turns out we both hate being tied to a date so after a couple tries we went for it). of course we hit it off the second we met. she’s an uber talented designer and a ton of fun! we met on her turf sand hit ft lauderdale’s consignment shops, antique stores and beautiful neighborhoods all afternoon. the one thing we meant to do was take pics but sadly after the first store, we just couldn’t shut up long enuf to stop and shoot!
miami.craigslist.org/mdc/apa/961268625.html
it was one of those days that gets the mind going, imagining a different life. now that i’m free again to move, i’d like to be between hollywood and palm beach. there’s so much to see and do in south florida but living in miami, i tend to stay there, what with the bells and whistles and all.
anyway it’s fun to surf and see what’s available, my only requirement is an ocean view. hey a girl can dream right?
ok, well, back to the grindstone, hope you have a fab sat nite and if you stopped by and i haven’t been over to see you please forgive me, my inbox is ridiculous. i’ve bee procrastinating and now it’s an avalanche!
oh and one more thing, i know times are tough for everyone but didn’t imagine a legend like the rainbow room would ever be in danger. it looks like they may lose their lease somehow! if you haven’t been there, it’ s an art deco masterpiece and the perfect spot for a special occasion. or any occasion really…
louis’ lusty ladies
or maybe was louis’ lust FOR the ladies
hi guys! i was so happy you’re so into LC too that i was inspired to do another post on his work.
as much as he was peaches and cream
he also had another side one that was fascinated by the mysteries and sensual charms of of women
striking risque poses
and wearing whisper thin dresses
without a care in the world, especially the dangers of smoking =p
he painted an age of folly and it was a new and exciting time
especially for a generation who were shocked at an exposed ankle
not to mention a glimpse of stocking
sometimes the paintings are almost dark
but they’re always playful
but these ladies weren’t playing
when it came to love and seduction (i actually have the one above signed and framed on consignment in ny. if you like it let me know)
his body of work is endless!
he did it all,
whether it’s the weather,
paris
or just plain capturing glimpses of beauty,
there’s always a new one to discover
well i better go, stay cozy and have a great weekend! i’m gonna sequester myself cause my new web boutique is going up next week and so i have a lot to dot and cross! xoc
louis’ lovely ladies
hi friends! i know it’s pretty cold for so many right now so i hope you’re tucked in warm and cozy tonite!
yesterday i started cleaning off my desktop and was happy to see you enjoyed it. today i started working on some of the folders. so many of the images aren’t hi res so they can’t go to print. soooo the next best thing is to share them with you! i wish i could figure out how to get them to blow up when you click but it seems like wordpress may have changed that feature.
so tonite it’s louis icart, one of my favorite artists. he captured moments of contemplation,
trepidation
elation!
and anyone who loves dogs, well…
he painted women so delicately but still kept them strong
i have tons more so if you like him too let me know and i’ll finish up that folder tomorrow!
for tonight, stay dreamy
don’t work too hard
and enjoy your friends in person or on their blogs! love you!! xoc
cleaning up my desktop
Alfred Stieglitz
bonsoir good friends! hope you’re having a good night in when you read this :)
above is nyc in winter of 1892. it’s my first out of new york in 20 years!
you know how you collect stuff every day and then start to lose it in folders and the shuffle? i’ve been tying make a couple of deadlines and focus on finishing things (my achilles heel). i keep saving things on my desktop, i have no idea where they’re from but just wanted to post them instead of filing them away. they’re just inspiration for me, hope for you too. of course there are about 100 more but i really should get back to work!
but i have the links in my history and will add then when i get a chance. right. i will try!
wouldn’t these would be cool for a coloring book? or is it just me…
digital.library.upenn.edu/women
goodbye to eartha kitt
louis icart
just thought you’d enjoy them before they’re ether somewhere
these are miniatures! charlesmatton.com
i do love a tiny world! check this out if you have a minute
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DK8UpqS0hs8
ok c’est tout, sweet dreams!
cherry blossoms in chambre bleu
there’s something about her that i just adore.
i think cause she’s living the life i built my fantasy on…maybe it’s time for me to live my fantasy…
hi everyone, hope you’re having un weekend fantastique! i discovered this site before the holidays thru another blog but can’t for the life of me remember where. if it was you let me know =]
anyway if you get a chance, go get lost in her world. it’s a sweet and beautiful dream come true!
she also mentioned another adorable site, the french factory, where she got this birdcage
ok well i’m gonna focus on a little work now since i had a morning of RnR so i’ll check in later!
xoc
ps just came across these of drew barrymore, another princess
thecraftycameleon.blogspot.com
on the flip side
hi guys! hope you’re having a great new years’ day and are kicking back by now. i’ve been trying to maintain my new outlook for the past few days and it’s slowly kicking in. more breathing, less freaking…
these pics are from a place in france a friend of mine goes for her yoga retreats in the south of france. i’ve always been intrigued about it and think this year i’ll put something together there, hopefully with her and hopefully with you! it’s a departure from the shopping trips, but why not do both?
i’m not sure how it will work yet or the costs but going through the site was pretty inspiring. the idea of doing something that’s not business, just pleasure. since yoga seems to be the one thing in life that’s super grounding, i’d like to have a lot more of it in mine. i got a crunch membership today which is month to month which is great, but a rendezvous here would really kick practicing up a notch :)
i’m gonna try to put a trip together for late summer/early. if you think you’d be into it, let me know what time of the year is best and we can build it together!
if you go to their site you’ll see a lot more pics and maybe get inspired too. i personally think it would be so much fun to be there together!
do you? xoc
