Chinoiserie & Mylar

I think this is a fabulous idea. Mainly because I really can't find the kind of Mylar wall-covering that I have looked for.

My mom had a condo with the living room , dining room and entry way wallpapered in the most beautiful shiny silver Mylar. The pattern was an all over traditional pattern of all white flowers over the silver Mylar. It was gorgeous when you first walked in and saw all 3 areas flowing into one another.

All her furnishing were fine antiques,
Sheraton (1785 - 1800) , Hepplewhite (1760–1786 ), and Directoire (1762–1853).
In all dark finishes, as they should be.

It is too bad I do not have photos of that condo, it would take an actual photograph for some people to truly understand how chic the look was.

It was HIP & Classy. ( kinda' like all of us designer gals and guys....right ? )

This may very well be when I developed my love affair with the combination of antiques and the contemporary.

There is an art to this I warn you.

It is much like a marriage, sometimes opposites attract and compliment one another, and sometimes it is a disaster

I use contemporary to accent or showcase the antiques/traditional or to soften the heavy feel that can happen when the antiques/traditional become oppressive.

The furniture lines ( legs , etc. ) must blend or contrast in just the right way, and let us not forget proportionally as well.

Now, if you do not care very much if it is the right piece or the wrong piece, have fun shopping....you may end up with the 'Pee Wee Herman TV Show Set', but you had fun hunting for all the wrong pieces anyway. LOL

What do they say ? It's not the destination but The Journey that is important.

An obviously gifted artist , Dianne Warner painted a Chinoiserie Scene over the Mylar Wall- Covering.

Imagine, you could custom color the artwork to coordinate with your fabrics and carpets.

Now, look at the top treatment on these window treatments, pagoda style Mylar covered cornices.

I will store that idea in my head for a future project !!
cha cha cha , chic chic chic ... and unexpected as well. And I really love that !!!!!

Dianne Warner's site : http://www.diannewarner.com/pages/thumbnails.html it is at the bottom of this page.

Renee Finberg 'TELLS ALL' in her blog of her Adventures in Design

The President of The United States of America; Barack Obama

Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.

Barack Obama

Let us not forget how unbelievably sad it is that his maternal grandmother ' Toot' who he loved deeply died yesterday morning at 5:00am. Seen here heading back to the plane from his visit to see her last Thursday.

Imagine just hours from his greatest accomplishment , and America's, The First Black President of The United States of America ! All the love and time she put into her Barry.....

This is the 1st time in 8 years that I can actually say that now, I am happy to be an American.

My heart is bursting with pride and joy for the U.S. and the possibilities that may now come to fruition.

The President & First Lady voting today, November 4, 2008.

Outside his voting precinct today, with his daughters.

Soon to be Barack Obama's new digs. The OVAL OFFICE.
Eat your ( if you have one ) heart out Republicans.

He certainly is presidential.

He is a thoughtful man.

We need a thoughtful man.

Barack Obama spending family time with his family on the phone while campaigning across the U.S. It seems to me that a person can not pretend to be the warm and loving husband and father that he seems to be. I do not think all that many people are genuine, I think he is .

It seems to me an overwhelming task, this election.

You know, there's a lot of talk in this country about the federal deficit. But I think we should talk more about our empathy deficit - the ability to put ourselves in someone elses shoes; to see the world through the eyes of those who are different from us – the child who's hungry, the steelworker who's been laid-off, the family who lost the entire life they built together when the storm came to town. When you think like this – when you choose to broaden your ambit of concern and empathize with the plight of others, whether they are close friends or distant strangers – it becomes harder not to act; harder not to help.

Barack Obama

This picture reminds me of his humanity, and vulnerability.

.Why do I think that he must be a gentleman, have impeccable manners ?

Somebody loved him, and took the time to show him the small things in life that are so necessary.

It's not just enough to change the players. We've gotta change the game.

Barack Obama

His grandparents, that raised him, loved him, and sacrificed to provide for him.

If you're walking down the right path and you're willing to keep walking, eventually you'll make progress.

Barack Obama

Who can forget the picture of President Clinton as a young boy, shaking hands with J.F.K. ?

Maybe this will be the picture this young man treasures, and safeguards until he show us in 30 years when he is making a run for office.

Hope in the face of difficulty. Hope in the face of uncertainty. The audacity of hope! In the end, that is God’s greatest gift to us, the bedrock of this nation. A belief in things not seen. A belief that there are better days ahead.

Barack Obama

Meaning of the name “Barack”: One who is blessed

Barack's nickname when he was young: Barry

Birthdate: August 4, 1961

Birthplace: Honolulu, Hawaii

Height: 6’1”

Alma Mater: Columbia University (1983); Harvard Law School (1991)

Marital Status: Married

Wife’s Name: Michelle Obama

Date of Marriage: October 18, 1992

Children: (2) Malia Ann Obama, born 1999; Natasa Obama (known as Sasha), born 2001 Residence: Chicago, Illinois

Parents: Barack Obama. Sr., from Kenya, and Ann Dunham, from Kansas (Mother and father have passed away)

Religion: Christian

Hobbies: Poker and basketball

Go here to watch and listen to Obama's speech : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SD2glkaKvTg

Go here for his sense of humor : http://www.barackobama.net/barack-obama-humor.html

TIME Interview with Joe Klein :http://www.time.com/time/photoessays/2008/obama_klein_multimedia/

Renee Finberg 'TELLS ALL' in her blog of her Adventures in Design

VOTE

Unless your are a convicted felon, you can vote.

Do not let anyone tell you otherwise, and if they do, REPORT IT.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AS AN AMERICAN !!

Renee Finberg 'TELLS ALL' in her blog of her Adventures in Design

Elsie de Wolfe

Or 'Lady Mendl', how she was known after her marriage to Sir Charles Mendl ( a diplomat ).

She is often credited with inventing the profession of interior decoration, though some say this is an exaggeration.

In 1926 the New York Times described de Wolfe as " one of the most widely known woman in the New York social life", and in 1935 as " prominent in Paris society".

Elsie de Wolfe’s marriage to diplomat Sir Charles Mendl was on page one of the NEW YORK TIMES ( March 9th 1926 ) and it read, “Elsie de Wolfe to Wed Sir Charles Mendl; Their Wedding Is Set For Tomorrow in Paris”.

1935 – Considered to be the best dressed woman in the world !

Elsie de Wolfe did not become an Interior Decorator until she was 40 years old.

Her youth was spent as a stage actress, which was considered not too very lady like, when you had grown up in the Victorian Era.

She worked out daily and made it a mission of it to always look fabulous, in the very latest fashion. Always beautifully dressed, she was considered to be the best dressed woman in the world in 1935.

Her clients were Anne Vanderbilt, Anne Morgan,
the Duke of Windsor ( who gives up his throne as the king of England for an American woman )
and Duchess of Windsor ( THE AMERICAN WOMAN ),
and Adelaide and Henry Clay Frick ( of the Frick museum ).

In 1941 Elsie de Wolfe (Lady Mendl) and her husband Sir Charles Mendl were forced to leave their house "The Villa Trianon" at Versailles when the Nazi's occupied Paris.

Wanting to be with the royalty of America, which were the movie stars, Elsie and Sir Charles purchased a home in Beverly Hills and named it "After All".

When Elsie de Wolfe - Lady Mendl was 80 years old and in Beverly Hills,
She met an artist named Tony Duquette, she and her husband liked him very much and introduced him to absolutely 'anyone' that was Anyone' . She had him carry out her wishes on the design of 'After All'.
Go here to see pictures of ‘After All’; http://tonyduquette.com/elsie.htm ( and his consequent success's )

The famous Elsie parties were always magical. A master of self promotion, and trendsetter, Elsie always made sure that Vogue magazine was kept abreast of her legendary parties; who was invited; what was served. As a result, women everywhere followed the Elsie style of entertaining.

New York was the most exciting city in the world, the cradle of Modern Times, where milk was still delivered daily in horse-drawn wagons to every doorstep while at the same hour socialites and showgirls were being delivered to their doors in shiny new limousines called motor cars or automobiles or machines with names like Pierce-Arrow, Packard, Cadillac and Lincoln. There was no television for the masses. Radio and the movies were the rage as popular entertainment.But the high life and the nightlife in New York meant theatre, nightclubs and parties, parties, parties. The rich had no embarrassment about being rich, despite the ubiquitous presence of soup kitchens and men selling apples on street corners.

Elsie de Wolfe was not only America's 1st Interior Decorator , but she went on to write the 1st book written in the United States on the subject.

*********************************************************************

De Wolfe, Elsie, (1865-1950) writes several books , the first being; The house in good taste(1914) I have posted a few pages from her book, and at the bottom of this page are the links to the photographed book pages. ( This site has photographed every page of Elsie de Wolfe's book for you to explore. )

She was immortalized in popular songs of the day. In Irving Berlin’s Harlem On My Mind the singer professes to prefer the "low-down" Harlem ambiance to her "high-falutin' flat that Lady Mendl designed."
One of the color schemes she popularized was the inspiration for the Cole Porter
song "That Black and White Baby of Mine" (whose lyrics include the lines "All she thinks black and white/She even drinks black and white")
......Also "ANYTHING GOES".

(And I so desperately need a Time Machine , I want to be there)

Her Famous Sayings:

"Never complain, never explain."

and

"I am going to make everything

around me beautiful,

That will be my life."


Go to this site to read the online book:
http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/DLDecArts/DLDecArts-idx?type=gallery&entity=DLDecArts.deWolfeHouse.p0312&id=DLDecArts.deWolfeHouse&posn=curr&curr=DLDecArts.deWolfeHouse.p0312&isize=M
This one is great :http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/node/3603
Another suggested site : http://www.canadianinteriordesign.com/kwi/Page_2/Elsie_De_Wolfe.htm
There is a great deal on Elsie de Wolfe, like the homes she lived in , etc , etc.

No doubt about it, Elsie certainly had a fascinating life.

The sites that I have provided are loaded with pics and info.,

( click on any picture to enlarge )
Renee Finberg 'TELLS ALL' in her blog of her Adventures in Design

The Greek Key Is The Sign Of The ' Meander '

In Design And Architecture, a 'Meander' is a decorative border constructed from a continuous line, shaped into a repeated motif.
Such a design is also called The Greek Key or Greek Fret.
Versace's swimming pool with Greek Key tiled border.

This is an auction item, double click to enlarge for info.

I think this French piece is to die for, and guess what it has ? That's correct, Greek Key detailing. Everybody used it and always will.

Meanders are common decorative elements in design, and are considered to Neoclassical. This design is as popular today and at anytime in history.

(( These are exterior or commercial doors with the 'meander' detail around the glass. $ 10,000.00 a pair. From http://www.decodame.com/ )

Nice contemporary corbel.

Tumbled marble in Greek Key Design.

Greek Key application for custom wood flooring.

Beautiful wood molding carved with the Greek Key design.

The Greek Key is on many of the finest antiques as well as reproductions, it is often leafed in gold or antique silver.

Antique silver is my particular favorite. I am drawn to this over and over.

In case you don't know what it is , imagine silver with a very, very light soft pale gold glaze over it , just enough to soften the bright silver It is absolutely dreamy.

( Double click on pics for info.)

It was the most important symbol in Ancient Greece, symbolizing infinity and unity: most ancient Greek temples incorporate the sign of the meander.

Greek vases, especially during their Geometric Period, were likely the genesis for the widespread use of meanders.

The shield of Philip, (602 BC – 640 BC) the second king of Macedonia, was decorated with multiple symbols of the meander .

Let's just say this design literally is 'old as the hills'.

The name "meander" recalls the twisting and turning path of the Maeander River. Where it gets it name.

Not quite a complete Greek Key pattern, but certainly worth a mention.

Sooooo Tasteful.

I have done this on a sofa, it was gorgeous, and elegant.

Crazy Greek Key wallpaper.

You don't have to spend a fortune to have the classic Greek Key Design in your life.

It was the most important symbol in Ancient Greece, symbolizing infinity and unity: most ancient Greek temples incorporate the sign of the 'meander'.

Absolutely Faboo Lus ! What a great mirror !

Scalamandré Fabric

1930's or 40's , they are FABOO !

I would love a set of these sheets.

....and towels.

Such a glamorous pooch. xx

It is everywhere.

On buildings , jewelry, cakes, fabrics, furniture, you can stencil it on walls too.

Just look, you will find it.
Because it is there.

see this great post on greek key bedrooms, fabrics, carpets, 2011

Suggested sites:
http://www.walltowallstencils.com/stencils/new.php Stencils are great , you can apply to walls or a floor .

http://www.homeportfolio.com/catalog/guide/Architectural_Elements/Moldings_&_Wainscoting/Design/Greek_Key.jhtml

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_key

Renee Finberg 'TELLS ALL' in her blog of her Adventures in Design