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Showing posts with label museums. Show all posts
Showing posts with label museums. 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
Monday, September 16, 2013

You too can live artfully with Marjorie Merriweather Post!

You may remember I posted about the latest exhibit, Living Artfully, hosted by my neighbor Hillwood, Marjorie Merriweather Post's house. This Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013 you can join a host of distinguished curators to learn both how Marjorie lived so well and how to incorporate this into your daily life. Details below.

Classic Chic:  Interior Design for Living Artfully, will explore French-inspired interior design and the 20th century’s great designers September 21 from 10:30 am - 4:00 pm at the renowned DC treasure, the Hillwood Estate, Musuem and Gardens.
The day will be led by Hillwood curators Liana Paredes and Estella Chung who will discuss Marjorie Post’s Hillwood and the antique and design firms French & Co. and McMillen Inc., whose opulent French interiors combined with modern amenities made it one of Washington’s most memorable homes when Marjorie Merriweather Post lived and entertained there in the 1950s and 60s.

Next James Archer Abbott of Evergreen Museum and Library will highlight the work of global design house Maison Jansen, about whom he has written. 

Following a lunch break and opportunity to look closely at the Hillwood Mansion interiors with the design experts, New York interior designer Michael Simon will discuss the importance of incorporating history and a knowledge of the past into contemporary design, much as Post did at Hillwood.

Lastly, the curator Estella Chung will moderate a round table discussion with the speakers about mid-century design classics and contemporary applications. Hope you can make it!
Unknown DC, designers, events, hillwood, history, museums, Washington
Friday, August 30, 2013

Hamilton House museum, South Berwick, Maine

Hamilton House was built by Jonathan Hamilton, a shipping merchant, in 1785 but that is not where its fame nor interest really derive. Sitting on a hill overlooking the Salmon Falls River the setting is as picturesque as can be imagined and so caught the attention of 2 ladies in the early 20th century who turned it into what it has become today.
Emily Tyson and her stepdaughter, Elise, purchased the house as it had been marvelously kept intact since the 18th century.  They imparted their own version of the 18th century on the house and inserted their fascinating collection of furniture and decorative arts.
Photographs aren't allowed inside Hamilton House so I found 2 images from the website to share with you and perhaps entice you to visit! The central entry hall spans the depth of the house and features this crazy architectural wallpaper the Tysons had recreated from a sample found.
The highlight on the interior for me are murals on the dining room and parlor walls depicting both Greek & Roman scenes and other local historic houses and ships. All of the woodwork found throughout the house is original to the 18th century; I particularly like the decorative arches in the parlor flanking a fireplace. The Tysons built the shelves hidden behind them during their occupancy where their books still lay!
 Even on a gray, rainy day like we experienced the gardens and setting are stunning.
The gardens were well published in the Tyson's day, as was the house, as examples of Colonial Revival style.
 After Emily's death, Elise and her husband kept summering in the house until her death in 1949.
 Elise had left the house and its contents to Historic New England so that we can all enjoy it and the surrounding forest to this day.
The highlight of the garden is this formal patch between the house and the garden cottage built by the Tysons from other salvaged 18th century houses.
The cottage was as charming as could be and one could easily imagine having it as their own summer get away. That huge window in the main room was especially inspiring.
Be sure to visit Hamilton House and other Historic New England houses while visiting Maine!
Unknown Gardens, history, house, House and Garden, Interiors, Maine, museums, vacations
Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Louvre staircases: It's a factor of scale

The Louvre is totally overwhelming; Not just the collections which are astounding but the sheer scale of the building.
The entry under the I.M.Pei pyramid is probably the most stressful place in all of Paris. Not just because of the crowds but the pickpocket warning signs posted EVERYWHERE are rather disconcerting.
Once you enter the museum itself you can find pockets of calm, such as in the Marly Courtyard above.
The most amazing thing in the building to my eye are the numerous staircases.  Even the smallest of these, such as the Lafuel staircase, are on an enormous scale.
Here you can take a deep breath away from the crowds and just enjoy the beautiful building.
Because you step out of the stairways and even on a weekday this is what you encounter; hoards of people RUSHING towards you!
The Daru staircase is also of an immense public scale. It reminds me of a drawing by M.C. Escher.
And of course the tourists with their cameras (who cannot look at an artwork EXCEPT through the eye of their camera lens for whatever reason) are continually falling down the stair or else stepping on you.
The vantage points through these spaces are amazing.
I think much of this architectural detailing is overlooked in favor of the amazing collection of artwork. Save a day for art and a day for architectural looking perhaps?
The LaFuel courtyard is unfortunately not open to the public although visible from the galleries inside. Wouldn't this make a great cafe?
Loved the columns on the porte cochere above.
Speaking of cafes this staircase had a lovely cafe ringing its upper level.
Wouldn't you love to have a meal here? It must be one of the prettiest cafes in all of Paris (and thats saying something).
The ceiling decorations throughout are amazing.
And all of the abundance of natural light keeps the museum from feeling too cold.
What have your impressions of the Louvre been on your visits? Are there certains days to go which are better than others?
Unknown Architect, designers, history, Interiors, Louvre, museums, paris, vacations
Friday, July 12, 2013

Louvre: Apartments of Napoleon III

One thing not to miss at the Louvre, out of many items not to miss, are the state apartments of Napoleon III. I've visited a lot of opulent places in my travels but never seen something on this scale and so completely over the top.
Built between 1854 and 1861 by the architect Hector Lefuel, the set of rooms was basically built for partying and entertaining. How could you fail to impress guests of the State when this is the setting?
Long hallways lead you past anterooms designed for large scale gatherings through a stately enfilade until you reach the Grand Salon.
 Every square inch is ornate; designed to within an inch of its life. And it's totally magnificent.
The ceiling of the Grand Salon is a painting by Charles-Raphael Marechal depicting the building of the wing itself:  The Reuniting of the Louvre and the Tuileries by Napoleon III.
I love the filtered light through the many windows. The low light from the now electrified chandliers almost appears as candlelight at this time of day.
 The view out the windows isn't so bad either.
I loved this little side table nestled between pilasters; a perfect spot to place your drink at a party or more likely for a candelabra.
 Small rooms dot the enfilade, such as this card playing chamber.
 The small dining room features magnificent wall murals.
The apartments have been faithfully restored and the upholstery and gilding looks brand new; probably the same as in the 1860s (minus the smog).
The grand dining room features an immense table and a ceiling painted by Eugene Appert depicting exotic birds in flight.
 The paneled opening at the end of the dining room sets the symmetry of the space as the entry is off center.
The large sideboard of course would have been loaded with cut glass, silver, and exotic fruits to impress guests.
This service hall of sorts runs the length of the apartments and dining room. Even the underside of the circular stair is decorated; no detail overlooked.
 At the end of the apartments is a gilded bed and balustrade from the throne room of Napoleon I. Not your standard 1 bedroom apartment.
Before visiting the Louvre, make sure the apartments of Napoleon III are open on the day of your visit as they close periodically.
Unknown Architect, design, furniture, history, Interiors, Louvre, museums, paris, travel
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