Sea Island

09.30.2010

What fun is it that I’m actually en route to today’s Salvaged Getaway! My lovely friend, Caroline is marrying her charming southern gentleman, Robbie on Sea Island this weekend. I visited Sea Island for the first time a few years back and am so excited to go again, especially under these circumstances.

In 1911, Howard Coffin, the owner of the Hudson Motor Company, visited Sapelo, an island south of Savannah, and was captivated by what he described as “the gloom of the live oaks, beautiful, braided and woven.”

He began purchasing tracts of land on St. Simon’s Island in 1926, including a small sliver of land called Sea Island. Lots on the island begin selling, establishing a cottage community.

Original Cloister Building

The Cloister, a little friendly hotel designed by Palm Beach architect Addison Mizner, opened in 1928. With a grand gala opening in later October and a visit from President Calvin Coolidge during the holidays, the hotel thrived from the start.

Annual Sea Island Pie Eating Contest

One of my favorite stories about the island is how it survived the depression; they created their own currency and every business in the county honored it. This enabled the hotel to provide cash funds to guests who couldn’t access their bank accounts.

The original building was razed in 2003 to make way for a new building, which features the Addison Mizner style like the original. The idea of razing any building with a past like Sea Island sends chills up my spine, though admittedly they were able to maintain an incredible feeling of warmth and history in the new space.

The Spanish Lounge from the original building was dismantled and restored to it’s original condition within the new building. This I like.

Despite the shift in architecture, what remains on the island is a keen sense of the old south. Ya’ll I swear, those old oak trees have soul. There’s something magical about that land – it’s impossible not to be swept away.

Caroline’s parents rented one of the Sea Island Cottages for the bridal party. Among the wedding events are a low country boil and a bluegrass band at the rehearsal dinner. Needless to say, it will be the event of the season. This weekend, there will be one thing on that island more stunningly beautiful than Sea Island – and that will be the bride.

History and images via Sea Island.

Room Muse: Dora and Lytton

09.29.2010

Dora Carrington, from the archive at Kings College Cambridge of 'The Bloomsbury Group'.

She: a young British artist who graduated from the Slade School of Art in London, where she was irresistible to men with her cropped pageboy haircut. She was known as being troubled by her sexuality.

Lytton Strachey oil on canvas by Dora Carrington

He: a quirky writer and critic, known for establishing a new form of biography in which psychological insight and sympathy are combined with irreverence and wit. He was also openly homosexual.

She was in love with He. He loved her too, but he also liked her husband. They lived together for many years. He died of stomach cancer in 1932, she killed herself two months later.

I am writing of the artist, Dora Carrington and the writer, Lytton Strachey, of whom I just learned about through the fabulous movie, Carrington. I rather hate drawing my Room Muse inspiration from movies, because it lends an already established palette to my dreamed up designs. But these two were just too fascinating.

This is Ham Spray, the house Lytton purchased in the name of Nora’s husband, where Dora and Lytton lived together (with their significant others), and where Dora’s ashes are buried.

And this the living room I imagine for Dora and Lytton. Colorful landscape paintings by members of the Bloomsbury Group. Loaded bookshelves. A desk, an armchair, a footrest, an urn. Faded painted walls and bright florals. Beauty and complexity. Love and tragedy. Lytton and Dora.

On his deathbed Lytton Strachey is rumored to have said “I always wanted to marry Carrington, but never did.” Here, I imagine they are together.

Repurposed for a Party

09.28.2010

Tis’ the season! Last weekend my friends Amanda and Jack were married in Mississippi, and this upcoming weekend I’m a bridesmaid in Caroline and Robbie’s wedding in Sea Island, GA. Hearing about all the party planning reminds me of how much I enjoy wedding and party settings created by repurposing and salvaging materials. I especially love seeing unique antiques rented for parties – such a simple way to create a totally unexpected party space.

Wood and Furniture via Green Wedding Shoes

Wood_JasonandAnnaPhotography)GreeenWeddingShoes

Painted Wood Backdrop via Green Wedding Shoes

Cut Wood Stage Backdrop by David Stark

Fencing via Green Wedding Shoes

Lattice, source unknown

Metal via Green Wedding Shoes

Doors via Salvage One

Door_Drawersjessica_claire_wedding_01GreenWeddingShoes

Doors and Drawers via Green Wedding Shoes

Windows via Green Wedding Shoes

Newspaper_david-stark-party-01_rect540recyclednewspaperart_AT

Newspapers by David Stark

Rented Antiques via Design*Sponge

Pretty in Pink?

09.27.2010

I’ve always been drawn to darker rooms. For instance a library with dark paneling, red wine colored accents and a thick, antique oriental rug, is just my cup of tea. Dark, brooding, cozy. It’s no wonder that, years ago, I painted my kitchen a rich, moss green and my bathroom an inky black/blue.

But if you follow me on Twitter, you may have heard the rumblings of discontent… pink…. peach… All I could think about was brightening up one of my rooms and a pinky peach was where I was headed. I began to collect photos like the one below from Velvet and Linen, which I would send to BC with the note “Would it offend your manhood if you had to use a loo painted this color?”

Fortunately, he trusts that I wouldn’t go all frills and lace in my apartment’s only bathroom. Up went a full spectrum of pink/peach colored paint chips. Should you ever go the route of pink/peach in any room, I’d suggest you leave the paint chips up for a full week and evaluate each color at least a few times of day. Benjamin Moore‘s Odessa Pink was the only color, in my opinion, that could hold it’s own day or night. By night it was a warm, nudey pink. And in the daylight it didn’t wash out completely.

But BC made a good point; the Odessa Pink has a good bit of brown in it which means it could potentially be a little drab. His suggestion was a color called Fairest Pink, it was the lightest of the bunch, I thought it may even turn out almost white. In the end we decided that drab would definitely be bad.

Ya’ll, it was reeaaalllly pink. The pink became electric and then it ate all the men in the apartment! I was about 2/3 of the way completed before I called BC in to consult; either to talk me down or to agree with my assessment.

So back to the paint store, and back to Odessa Pink, as well. The picture above doesn’t do it justice – I love it. It feels warm and feminine but not ultra girly. We got the print from a Williamsburg sidewalk vendor for $10! You can’t tell from the picture, but the tram script is a bright blue that jumps out of the frame. I have some ideas for the other elements…

I’m on a mission to prove that pink can be both pretty and masculine.

Quiet on the Set

09.24.2010

BC’s sketch comedy team filmed one of their upcoming Halloween shorts at my apartment this week. The image above is a sneak peek of my “set design” and I’ll be sure to post the videos once it’s completed. Must say, I’m impressed with how it came together. Just don’t look too closely at the book titles.

Speaking of set design, have you ever seen Fanny and Alexander, the 1982 Ingmar Bergman classic? From the very first scene, I was struck by the rich and lush design! It’s no surprise at all that the movie won set designer, Hal Erickson an Oscar!

Happy birthday to my intrepid little brother, Trey! He’s celebrating his birthday in Buenos Aires, where he’s living for the year, teaching English as a second language. Happy birthday Trey-Baby!

Have a wonderful weekend all!

Art Deco

09.23.2010

Last week BC and I went to see Vampire Weekend at Radio City Music Hall. (Thank you Carly for hooking us up with AMAZING near the front orchestra tickets. BC didn’t even need his binoculars!)

If you’ve ever seen Annie, you have an idea of what it’s like to visit Radio City Music Hall. It’s ten times more magnificent in life and it feels rather inappropriate to be there wearing anything other than a sparkly evening gown.

Inspired by this tremendous space, I thought we’d explore Art Deco – there’s a lot I didn’t know.

Like many amazing things art deco design came out of The City of Lights. Specifically, at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes (International Exhibit of Decorative Arts and Modern Industries), organized by designers and artists to discuss the evolution of design.

Style Moderne (it wasn’t called Art Deco until the late 60′s) was the marriage of luxury and functional design.The style on a whole is eclectic, inspired by a variety of sources, which is why it’s a favorite among collectors. Art Deco can easily fit into a myriad of personal styles.

Post-War America embraced the movement. Certainly Victorian was too stuffy to convey the values of contemporary America! Art Deco has come to represent this time of revelry and celebration.

Not surprisingly, there are a great many American landmarks built during this time period and representative of Art Deco style.

How does one recognize art deco? Just look for the defining materials; aluminum, stainless steel, lacquer, Bakelite, Chrome and inlaid wood.

via Anne Hauck Art Deco

And these defining elements: over-all symmetry, ziggurat (stepped) rooflines, glass block, decorative sculptural panels, eyebrows, round porthole windows, terrazzo floors, curved edges and corners, elements in groups of three, neon lighting (used in both exteriors as well as interior spaces).

A few years back I was on a 20′s kick (who am I kidding, I still am), and at the time I was reading Bobbed Hair and Bathtub Gin (which I’d highly recommend if you’re interested in time period). I remember sitting at home on a Tuesday night and all the sudden feeling like I should be out. Somewhere. Out on the town like Lois Long. At the Round Table like Dorothy Parker. Or perhaps swimming in a fountain, like one Zelda Fitzgerald. There was an exuberance to these times. All so wonderfully captured in Art Deco design.

Beat Up Creations

09.22.2010

Today I’m so happy to introduce you to Angela of Beat Up Creations. Angela uses a digital transfer and heat technique to apply old images to found plates. I LOVE how she alters the images (had a difficult time picking a favorite). But I’ll let Angela tell you all about it herself…

Angela, what was the inspiration for Beat Up Creations? How did you get started?

I never thought that I would be an artist or craftsman but I recently lost my job and needed to do something. I found Etsy and began making and selling stuff almost a year ago (December 2009). I always wanted to create but I just never had the time because I was so lost in the 9-5 shuffle. Both my brother and father are professional artists, real talented artists and I just never thought my creations or ideas were good enough to pursue.

This idea started because my mom was an avid antique collector and dealer. She recently downsized and had to get rid of loads of stuff, in that “stuff” were many old plates. Some of which were old portrait plates with demure ladies posed in proper positions and big fluffy dresses. They were all beautiful with hand painted details, gold accents, wonderful porcelain but in reality they did not exactly match my modern, urban style. So, were they useless? No, I must make them cool again…. alas the idea began.

Angela's first original art design: The Zombie Contessa

Where do you find your plates? Is there anything you look for in particular?

I have the greatest time searching for plates in antique shops, thrift stores, yard sales… I just look for plates that catch my eye. I particularly love old hand painted plates with gold accents.

How do you decide which images to use?

I love the contrast between the old vs. new, pretty vs. ugly, soft vs. hard. I love the working with images of punk rockers, circusfreaks, monsters, zombies, famous rebels, sci-fi characters etc. These all give a great contrast or juxtapose feel to them.

Sid and Nancy

What is the process for creating the plates? How long does it take to complete?

Most of the images are my original art pieces, digitally altered images. I use a digital transfer and heat technique. It has taken me months to get the process to something that I am totally comfortable with but now it is smooth and I can complete several plates in a day (always depending on my mood…)

Have you gotten any strange custom requests?

OMG seriously… weird requests… I think my most favorite was this sweet older man who is an antique dealer and specializes in antique plates, so he wanted the best of the best plate. I was so uncomfortable spending so much on just one plate but he wanted it and he said that price was not an issue so it was this totally awesome French Limoges 19th century Charger and I altered an image of him into a Bouguereau painting in the middle of a bunch of beautiful young nymphs. But the wierd thing was the image of him was in the hospital gown with a catheter and attached to a standing medical pole with all the tubes and everything. He even had a baseball hat on…

Lucinda the Giraffe

What’s your favorite design period?

I love the mixing of time periods… I love to see antiques mixed with modern I think it makes for such a rich feel.

What is the one thing in your home that you’d like to see passed down to the next generation in your family?

Well, both my parents were avid collectors of art and antiques so I have so many hand me downs that are just spilling out of my wee little house. I have hundreds of things… As far as art: my dad did a huge portrait oil of my mom done in the old school way but it was the 60′s and she had the cutest little pixie haircut (they are divorced now so neither of them want it so…mine) and as far as antiques: I think a cherry red eames chairs that is soooo comfortable (you would never think comfort with a wood molded chair but its like a total lounge chair.)

Burger Queen

Thanks so much Angela! I especially loved hearing about how Beat Up Creations was started. Way to take a bad situation and turn it around!

You can see more of Angela’s awesome designs at her shop or on her website.

All images via Beat Up Creations.

Restoring A House In The City

09.21.2010

I think it’s safe to say that once you’ve lived in New York any length of time, you start to envy the people inhabiting the townhouses of this city. You peer in their open windows. You look wistfully at the their front stoops and tall windows. You wonder what kind of secret garden they have out back.

What I would do to be able to buy and renovate a Brooklyn townhouse!

Reading Ingrid Abramovitz’s Restoring a House in the City is a small glimpse into the world of townhouse owners and includes some great information for would be renovators.

My favorite story was the one about the lady in Brooklyn who purchased an apartment within a brownstone. Her family thought she was crazy and some months she could barely get by because of the cost of her mortgage. But the other building tenants eventually moved out, she purchased their spaces, and.. viola, there you have it. She owned a townhouse. I think that’s one of those cases where the house decides to keep the owner, rather than the other way around.

The chapters of the book are thoughtfully divided by the type of renovations shown; Restoring Tradition, Old Meets New and Modern Reinventions. I think it’s important to realize that renovating or restoring doesn’t mean recreating the time period to the T. Rather, it’s about balancing the meaningful elements of design with our new way of living.

One renovation I found particularly inspiring was the homeowner’s decision to use the elaborate dark carved wood moldings to create glass cabinets (complete with retro looking subway tiles in the back), instead of pulling them out all together. (Page 186 of the book, the image above is not the renovation I’m referencing.)

I plan to get some use out of that Renovators Resources section in the back of the book one day.

UPDATE: If you’re looking for a copy of the fabulous Restoring a House in the City, I found mine on Amazon. But Ms. Abramovitch herself tells me you’ll soon be able to find it at West Elm as well.

Images via Ingrid Ambramovitch.

Austin Modern

09.20.2010

I hope your weekend was lovely, as always. My friends Jeremy, Mindy and I went to an awesome karaoke place in Red Hook, called Hope & Anchor. The hostess was named Dropsy and there were a lot of disco balls (i.e. it was a-mazing.) Plus two meals catching up with visiting friends and a Dance Dance Party Party on Sunday. Bon week-end, for sure!

To start the week on a good note, these are a few of my favorite things… from Austin Modern.

All images via Austin Modern.

Ruins

09.17.2010

Isn’t this photo (from The Ruins of Detroit by Marchand and Meffre) just devastating? I feel like I just witnessed the moment when the piano leg finally gave out and the whole thing just toppled over.

I’m going out to Red Hook with some friends tomorrow night. I love that neighborhood. When I’ve run through the area in the early morning or walked along Van Brunt in the wee hours of the night, there’s this sense of desolation that I find intoxicating. Yes, I am looking forward to it!

Also, remember my post about Tree House Point? Well, be sure to enter their contest to win a stay in the Temple of the Blue Moon treehouse! All you have to do is take a picture of you kissing, hugging, swinging, loving your favorite tree and post it to their Facebook page. This reminds me of MY favorite art print, Steven Beckly‘s Hug.

Image via Steven Beckly's Etsy shop

I’m saving up to buy a 30″ x 30″ canvas print – It’s going to look sooo amazing above my bed!

Hope you have a lovely fall weekend!

Salvaged Grace

Monthly Archives: September 2010