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Showing posts with label artists. Show all posts
Showing posts with label artists. Show all posts
Friday, January 31, 2014

The Heard Museum, Phoenix Arizona

In the same historic neighborhood that I blogged about earlier this week HERE is the most famous museum in Phoenix, The Heard Museum of American Indian art and history.
Founded by Dwight and Maie Bartlett Heard in 1929 the museum dedicates itself to the art and culture of native people, particularly in the Southwest.
Much of the building was built later by noted Southwest architect Bennie Gonzales in his distinctive style which blends so well with the climate. Courtyards, arches, screens, and arcades are reminiscent of both native styles as well as Mediterranean architecture.
The central courtyard is probably one of the most beautiful spaces in Phoenix. Birds sing from trees which shade one from the glare of the sun while tinkling water trickles through an interesting central water feature.
One of the most noted restaurants in Phoenix lies here and I spent an enjoyable January afternoon outside eating delicious Posole in the sun while Washington DC suffered a cold snap which I barely escaped!
The older parts of the building feature 1920s Spanish style ironwork and details such as this charming Juliet balcony. I was such a northeastern tourist and the sight of every orange tree just made me giddy.
The eclectic work of Gonzalez blends in well with the older Spanish style of the original building.
 What I assume to be the original entrance featured these handsome ironwork gates.
 And another small shaded courtyard now was silent with the entry activity confined to the large addition.
Definitely check out the Heard Museum on your trip to Phoenix to learn more about native cultures and don't forget to try the Posole and prickly pear lemonade!
Unknown architects, architecture, Arizona, art, artists, museums, Phoenix, travel
Thursday, December 12, 2013

Christmas Greetings

Do you send out Christmas cards? I admit my list dwindles each year as I slowly move into the digital age (ironic as I'm an early blogger!). Patricia, that wonderful artist who writes PVEdesign and in fact did my blog banner, was kind enough to send me an image for use on my card this year!  You may remember a few weeks back I posted about adding 'That touch of black' to your fireplace and showed the change to my own fireplace at home.  Patricia magically imagined my mantelpiece at Christmas and I have to say the results are charming.   So please consider this my Christmas Greeting to you and your family with hopes for a very happy new year!
Many thanks to Patricia for this image which I treasure. You might consider contacting her to create your own image!
Unknown artists, blogging, my apartment, PVE
Monday, December 2, 2013

Holiday Decorating: Renaissance style

I always think the weekend after Thanksgiving is the perfect time to decorate for the holidays. For exterior decorating it's not too cold yet (hopefully) and it leaves the decorations up for the longest for everyone to enjoy!
Recently while in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, I noticed the fan of fruit above the front door of the Bank of Alexandria Building  (1792) seen in the images above.  Commonly referred to as "Williamsburg over-door fans" these decorations actually date to the early 20th century thanks to House Beautiful magazine!
For the Holiday issue of 1926 House Beautiful encouraged its readers to decorate like Lucca della Robbia, an Italian Renaissance sculptor known for his use of fruit wreaths (see above for an example of his work). In the late 1930s Christmas decorating competitions were held in Colonial Williamsburg and many of the participants sourced House Beautiful and created these fruit decorations which would have been thought quite odd and wasteful in hard Colonial times!
The pineapple is often used as a sign of hospitality, perfect for the holidays.  These over-doors are also similar to the magnificent carvings of sculptor Grinling Gibbons who achieved ultimate realism in his carvings of fruit and flowers in early 18th century England.  What do you think -would you use fruit in your holiday decorating?
Unknown alexandria, artists, Christmas, clever ideas, DC, decorating, flowers, history, holiday, Washington
Saturday, May 18, 2013

Paris vacation - day 5

Day 5 started with a long overdue visit to the Rodin Museum located in the historic hotel Biron.  Despite ongoing restorations (half of the museum and gardens were closed) it was an awe inspiring visit; great house, great art, great story. 
One thing I have to say is that it was nice to see a place that actually looked OLD, at least on the interior. Most things I find here are 'restored' to a state more pristine than their original form.  Whats wrong with old sometimes? Being a museum since 1918 has left it a little worn though.  The entry foyer was a beautiful space seen above.
The art is amazing of course. The movement found within the pieces is my favorite aspect; these large hands were so expressive and probably my favorite piece.
A (quick) stop next door to the Invalides is also recommended, but you don't need to spend too much time here (unless you're interested in military museums).  Check out the chapel and Napolean's tomb (you can't miss it, under the dome!).
After a quick lunch at a local bistro, we jumped on the subway to the Marais to check out the Cognaq-Jay Museum. Often overlooked, the charming museum is housed in a renovated hotel particuleur and is full of 18th century decorative arts and furniture (you KNOW I loved that).  Light on substance perhaps but lots of pretty.
Across the street is the enormous Carnavalet Museum - the museum of the city of Paris. The central garden courtyard, seen above, is gorgeous.  I had avoided this museum on past trips thinking it would be a dry but I was so wrong.
The museum tells the story of the city through its people and events, not dry numbers and facts. Models of the city and its monuments, paintings of celebrities, period rooms, ephemora from the revolution and different time periods: altogether a fascinating look at an interesting but dramatic city.
The period rooms are lovely, this boiserie was highly detailed. The photo above was of Proust's bedroom recreated along with a number of other celebrities.
A bust of architect Mansart lines one of the many stair wells. Don't miss the Carnavalet! Lesson learned.
Unknown Architect, artists, Gardens, Interiors, museums, paris, travel, vacations
Monday, December 10, 2012

Dale Chihuly at the VMFA

One of the exhibits I was excited to see at the VMFA was Chihuly. I've long been a fan of Dale Chihuly for the way his glassworks manipulate light, color, and space. 
 The exhibit is brilliantly lit against dark backgrounds; this really brings the colors to life!
  Looking closely at these spheres in the Ikebana piece shows the incredible detail in the glass.
His flowerlike Macchia bowls are always a hit. They look like enormous flowers!
I had never seen this exhibit simply entitled Reeds on Logs. The logs are salvaged western red cedar from his home state of Washington.
The blaze of color and shapes brought smiles to everyone's faces.
Many of the pieces have intricate parts, such as these sea creatures.
As you can see in the almost child-like, smiling faces above, this is art to be experienced and enjoyed.
 We all need to have a little fun sometimes!
See the exhibit at the VMFA thru Feb 10, 2013.
Unknown art, artists, museums, Richmond, VMFA
Thursday, November 22, 2012

Jonathan Adler opens in Georgetown!

 I'm very excited to report that one of my favorite design shops, Jonathan Adler, has opened in Georgetown!
I've always loved Adler's fun pots, accessories, and furnishings, and it makes a great addition to my neighborhood.
 Midcentury with fun pops of color and whimsy is his base design guide.
 This bed looks pretty cozy though, no? The store is HUGE with lots of furniture groupings.
 I loved this zigzag sofa.
 Everything looks great against navy blue.
 I love love these candlesticks.
 And his pillows are the best and most fun around.
 I loved this fun art piece; sunny yellow feathers that look like a giant dandelion on the wall.
Don't forget to stop by the shop while on your holiday shopping run in Georgetown. The shop is located at the corner of Wisconsin and N Streets NW.
And if you'd like to meet Jonathan Adler himself,  he will be in the shop all day Tuesday, November 27th signing copies of his newest book.
Unknown artists, DC, Interiors, shopping, Washington
Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Spoils of Market

While at market, other than checking out the latest trends I did some shopping for myself.  One of my favorite shops is the reproduction company Van Thiel & Co which also carries a selection of antiques which is where they got their start.  I picked up a fantastic framed watercolor signed E. Rotsaert from 1927 of a winter landscape at sunset. It arrived last night and I immediately hung it in my bedroom.  I love how it looks against my wall color, the sunset just pops.
Oddly enough the wall color is 'Tiffany Blue' from Sherwin Williams in their new Emerald label paint (which is the most fantastic paint to work with) even though it bears no resemblance to what one thinks "Tiffany Blue" should be. I hung the watercolor under my framed print by Jeremiah Goodman.
Have you found any treasures lately?
Unknown art, artists, Interiors, market, my apartment
Tuesday, October 9, 2012

The Lamps of Louis Comfort Tiffany


Just in time for Christmas, Vendome has released a new book looking at the Lamps of Louis Comfort Tiffany by 4 experts in the field, Martin Eidelberg, Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen, Nancy McClelland, and Lars Rachen.
Art glass lamps have received a lot of ire in the past few decades, due to the plethora of bad, cheap copies (remember the lamps Wendys had in their restaurants in the 80s?). However, none other than modernist architect Philip Johnson has said that "These objects are now regarded with fashionable horror. Such horrors are, however, unjustified. It is only that the proper perspective on the period is lacking" (page 35).  This book adds plenty of gorgeous perspective!
The authors delve into Tiffany's inspiration, his garden on Long Island, and other works the Tiffany studio was producing; not to mention over 70 examples of some of the most amazing lamps you've ever seen.  Definitely add this to the shopping list, you won't be disappointed!
Photography by Colin Cooke
Unknown artists, books
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