DGS Interiors

noreply@blogger.com (Dominique Williams) — Thu, 7 Jun 2018 12:47:00 -0700

Current Design Trends: To Velvet or not to Velvet?

"A throne is only a bench covered with velvet". - Napoleon Bonaparte

I have always felt a penchant for the visual and sensual attributes of velvet and I suspect that there are a lot of kindred spirits out there who concur. Not to everyone's taste, it may strike many as too weighty a fabric--overstuffed and old-fashioned. Historically associated with European royalty and nobility, it's production goes back farther to Asia and the Middle East where, because of the lengthy process of weaving velvet and the fact that it was predominately made out of silk, it was considered luxurious and therefore available to only the very rich and the very royal.

In the Renaissance and Victorian eras, velvet was indisputably utilized in fashion and interior decoration to more than mad abandon. Those were passionate times. But by today's standards it reads only as theatrical and not so practical. However, quite a few of us still possess a kinship to theatrically-themed design and why not utilize it in to a more practical lifestyle by adding personality and whimsy to your personal space? For those of you who may be reading this post and thinking this subject may not be your cup of tea, I assure you, accents of velvet here and there do have a place in minimalist design -- they can infuse warmth into what might otherwise read as a sterile environment.

19th cen. German hand-carved bench.

Contemporary velvet banquet.

Au courant, velvet products are everywhere these days in the form of home goods to men's and women's clothing. Notwithstanding some silly fashion trends out there, velvet remains classic and will always be fun. I just wish that my father had held on to his purple velvet Yves St. Laurent bell-bottomed suit from the late 1960's, I would have posted a picture of it! It definitely evoked regality infused with a pre-hipster sensibility evocative of the times.

Though I may be loathe to don a velvet dress or suit in summer, accessorization such as shoes, scarves and pocketbooks can easily transition into the warmer months. And wouldn't a bathing suit be cool in crushed velvet? Oops! looks like somebody stole my idea.

Vintage style bathing suit.

Not just a winter fabric, velvet is basically omni-seasonal with many options of pile, color, content and weight these days available in a wide variety of budget options. One of the biggest misconceptions is that it is too heavy for everyday use. I myself have always opted for velvet or chenille sofas and discomfort has never become an issue for me in the summer months.

The past and present meet: a successful fusion of contemporary and traditional elements:

Classic mid-century style chairs receive a warm upgrade.

Budget-friendly lucite benches upholstered in tufted velvet.

Some old standards:

Lee Jofa.

Kathy Kuo Home Products.

Beaumont & Fletcher.

Sleek styling: a glamorous interpretation of a classical theme:

Anthropologie

Image borrowed from thechosenclub.com

Plain old exoticism:

A gem of a footstool from Beaumont & Fletcher

Whimsical variations on a classical theme:

Images borrowed from House & Garden UK.

Velvet and satin gown by Charles James, 1946

*Thanks to Jennifer Vandemeer for catching my typos and tweeking my post!

A Splattering of Haunted Hotels for your consideration.

noreply@blogger.com (Dominique Williams) — Tue, 6 Oct 2015 13:36:00 -0700

Lizzy Borden Bed & Breakfast and Museum

The Andrew J. Borden house (built in 1845) is located in what was once the booming textile mill town of Fall River, Massachusetts. It is the scene of one of the most infamous murders of all time. Andrew and his second wife Abby were discovered to have been hacked to death in their house in 1892 by someone that obviously did not like them very much. Andrew's daughter, 32 year-old Lizzie Borden was promptly arrested and stood trial for the murders in 1892, eventually being found innocent in 1893.

The members of the investigation team were subsequently admonished for their careless handling of the crime scene including the obvious faux-pas of neglecting to check for blood stains on Lizzie Borden. 123 years on, the mystery of who committed the crime will forever be left up to speculation.

The Queen Anne style two and a half story Borden house has long since been turned into a museum and bed & breakfast. Not surprisingly, paranormal experiences at the Borden house have been witnessed on a regular basis. Though I do have an interest in visiting the house as a museum, I will not be spending the night there; way too much bad juju for me.

If you are really jazzed about booking a night or two there, the guest room in which Abby Borden was killed is currently up for grabs on eBay.

"Lizzy Borden took an ax, gave her mother forty whacks

When she saw what she had done, she gave her father forty-one."

Hotel del Coronado

Opened in 1888, the Hotel del Coronado, which is located in the city of Coronado, California, is one of the last surviving grand wooden Queen Anne-style seaside hotels in the United States. At the time that it was built it was touted as the largest beach resort in the world and over time, hosted various presidents, dignitaries and movie stars.

As if the history and the age of the structure would not be enough of a reason to call it haunted, there is a specific event that happened in the early years of it's existence that have triggered a series of paranormal experiences over the years. In 1892, a young woman named Kate Morgan checked into the del Coronado. Not long afterwards, her body was discovered on the steps leading to the beach with a gunshot wound to her head. At the time, her death was ruled a suicide as she had indicated that she had been waiting for her husband who in fact never showed up. Or did he?
Once again, we will never know for sure...

Kate Morgan

Both visual and audio hauntings have been reported by hotel guests and staff over the years. The light above the stairs where her body was discovered apparently never stays lit and a malfunctioning television as well as other electronics in her room (formerly room number 302, now 3312) have thrown off subsequent occupants over the years. Additionally, a maid at the hotel with whom Kate Morgan had befriended, mysteriously disappeared soon after Kate died. Sightings of the maid have also been reported. Her room is 3502 if you are interested.

Another reason to visit the "Del"? The 1959 Billy Wilder film, "Some Like it Hot" (one of my personal favorites), starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon was filmed at the del Coronado. This hotel certainly does have a spirited past.

Marilyn Monroe on break
from "Some Like it Hot".

Hotel Malmaison
Seriously? Located in Oxfordshire, England, this is a former Norman fortress built in 1071 during the time of William the Conqueror, turned Victorian prison, turned boutique hotel. It's interior décor is a blending of modern style infused with many of the original elements of it's grisly past. As elegant as it appears, it is hard to ignore the original shell of the old prison.

Needless to say, it's a no brainer that there might be plenty of spiritual commotion going on here: murderess Mary Blandy was executed at the castle in 1752 and there have been numerous sightings of her since.

Out of curiosity I might think about grabbing a drink here if I was to pass through Oxfordshire one day, but there is no way I would ever consider for one minute spending a night here! But go for it if you feel so inclined.

Hotel Burchianti

A 17th Century palazzo in the heart of Florence, Italy? I may have to make an exception. Ghost children giggling and skipping down the hallway, an old lady sitting in a rocking chair and knitting and a cloudy pink apparition in the fresco room all seem relatively tame in comparison to the aforementioned haunts. But as one of Europe's most haunted hotels, Pensione Burchianti has been host to some more aggressive spirits as well. Physical manifestations such as the sensation of ice cold breath on your face and pressure on your chest are reasons to hesitate when considering a stay here.

By the way, Benito Mussolini slept here.

Hotel Chelsea

Strangely enough, being that I am a native New Yorker, I have never once stepped inside the Chelsea Hotel, an imposing red brick building located on West 23rd Street in New York City. Originally intended as a utopian artists colony, it was built between 1883 and 1885 and at that time, was the tallest building in New York.

Architecturally, it is a blend of both Victorian Gothic Revival and Queen Anne styles and it's iconic façade is festooned with delicate floral ironwork balconies. The interior of the hotel boasts a magnificent staircase that makes it's way up twelve floors.

The Chelsea Hotel closed and opened several times under different owners over the years and has counted within it's walls the most notable and infamous of writers, musicians, artists and actors as residents. Dylan Thomas, one of the most famous of it's tenants, died there in 1953 due to complications from bronchitis and pneumonia. Sightings of the ghost of Dylan Thomas have supposedly taken place in room 203 where the illustrious poet and writer resided. In my lifetime, when Chelsea was a less than favorable neighborhood, Punk Rocker Sid Vicious stabbed his girlfriend Nancy Spungen to death in their room in 1978. Sid died soon after while awaiting trial, from a heroin overdose. Sightings of both Sid and Nancy have been frequently documented.

Photo from Vanity Fair magazine.

Sweet dreams.

Hotel Queen Mary

The grand luxury liner, RMS Queen Mary began her life in a shipyard in Clyde, Scotland and made her maiden voyage in 1936. The 1000 foot ship, which was larger and faster (and apparently more buoyant) than the Titanic, was host to the wealthiest and most famous of passengers. Greta Garbo, Clark Gable, Fred Astaire, George & Ira Gershwin, Queen Elizabeth and General Eisenhower are but a few of the many illustrious passengers that enjoyed it's early voyages. My grandmother traveled on the Queen Mary at that time and spotted the Duchess of Windsor taking tea.

The Duke & Duchess of Windsor aboard the RMS
"Queen Mary".

L to R: Charles Boyer, Loretta Young, Bob Hope
and ?? aboard the RMS "Queen Mary".

When the war broke out in Europe in 1939, luxury cruising came to an abrupt stop and the "Queen Mary" was transformed into a Troop ship. In that duration the liner transported 800,000 troops at the beginning of the war and 22,000 war brides and their babies at the close of the war. It even participated in the invasion of Normandy. The ship's exterior had been painted a dull gray assimilating itself to wartime colors and it became known as "The Grey Ghost", (a very apt title for this vessel as it is purported to be one of the most haunted spots in the world).

In 1947, the ship was refurbished to it's original glory and resumed it's elegant transatlantic luxury cruises until it's final trip in 1967.

At least 150 different ghosts have been sighted over the years and no less than 49 deaths have been reported on the Queen Mary, now a floating hotel and museum permanently docked in Long Beach, California. The most intense "hotspots" include the boiler room, the engine room and the first-class swimming pool which has been long since abandoned.

Above: Early and present day photos of the first-class swimming pool aboard the "Queen Mary". There have been numerous sightings of early passengers in swimsuits.

Early photo of the ship's boiler room, the scene of
many accidental deaths.

Engine room

The magnificent Art Deco interior fully restored to it's original glory.

Bon Voyage

Copyright: Dominique S. Williams

"By the Sea, By the Sea, By the Beautiful Sea..."

noreply@blogger.com (Dominique Williams) — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 14:07:00 -0700

If you happen to be in the area of Rumson, New Jersey next month, do be sure and drop by the Stately Homes by-the-Sea Show house exhibit. You will not only enjoy a museum-like experience of being transported back to the bygone gilded-age era of the Robber Barons, but will also have the opportunity to see the work of over forty of the Tri-state area's top Interior Designers at the Decorators' Show House.

Decorator show houses sprung out of the concept of showcasing the visions and talents of interior designers and landscapers, but are also connected to fund-raising. A house is initially donated for re-decoration and designers are selected by the charitable committee. Each designer is then assigned a room to re-design and on completion, the house opens it's doors for public viewing in order to raise money for charity. In this case, the 'house' is Blithewald Mansion (seen above) and the charity, The Visiting Nurse Association Health Group.

Virginia Tesi, Allied ASID NY, NJ.

My friend, Virginia Tesi of Virginia Tesi Design, Inc. happens to be one of those designers. Tesi is currently in the process of designing one of the guest rooms in Blithewald mansion built by architect Edward L. Woodruff for financier David B. Keeler in 1883.

A native of New York City, Virginia is an allied member of NY and NJ chapters of ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) with 20 years of experience in both the fashion and interior design fields. She has a growing number of faithful clients and divides her time between her beautiful townhouse in Sea Bright, New Jersey and New York City.

When asked about her own design philosophy, she relates that her goal is always to make a space functional as well as beautiful and that one of the most important qualities an interior designer can possess is the capacity to listen to what the client is really looking for. For Tesi, creating a space according to the client's wants and needs spells success for her as an Interior Designer.

Design by Virginia Tesi Designs, Inc.

I may be a bit biased, but I can promise a beautiful creation by Virginia Tesi. Without giving too much away regarding how she will be decorating her room in the Show House, I happen to know that a silver ceiling is involved. Shh...don't tell!

The Designer Show House event runs from April 28 - May 31st, 2015.

www.statelyhomesbythesea.com

Virginia Tesi Design, Inc.
virginia@tesidesign.com

http://www.vnahg.org/

House of Horrors

noreply@blogger.com (Dominique Williams) — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 16:31:00 -0700

No words...

I recently came across this image of a frighteningly confused abode on Twitter and I couldn't resist posting it on my blog.

In fact, many words and plays on song and book titles come to mind:

How's about: "Hell House", "The House that Crack Built", "You Can Check in But You'll Never Check Out", "A House is Not a Home", "The House of 7 Thousand Gables", "Home Freak Home, "Home is Where the Tell-tale Heart is", "Fall of the House of Reason"?

And while we're at it, there's classic one-liners like: "Take my house, please", "This place is so scary even ghosts won't haunt it." "M. C. Escher, Frank Lloyd Wright and Antonio Gaudi walk into a blender. .."

Please feel free to jump in and add your descriptive two cents.

Unable to find out the history of "Dr. Caligari's McMansion-on-acid", I would venture to guess that judging by the adjoining house, it could possibly be located somewhere in Europe. If anyone knows of it's actual locale, please feel free to enlighten me. I am oddly torn between actually seeking it out or avoiding it all together.

Not your typical architectural atrocity, I am strangely drawn to it. By no means is it merely benign...but outright insane. #Fenestration gone asunder.

As for identifying it's amalgam of architectural style(s)? I'm not going to go there because there are none to identify.

The fun part is trying to locate the front door.

Happy Halloween.

Made in America: "Island Riches"

noreply@blogger.com (Dominique Williams) — Mon, 21 Jul 2014 08:43:00 -0700

If you are ever in the vicinity of Chebeague Island in southern Maine, do be sure to drop by "Island Riches," a quaint little shop filled with an abundant variety of handmade items hand-crafted by area and local island artisans.

While there, if you have a little time to stay and chat, you won't be disappointed. Proprietress Florence Rich is always happy to spend time engaging in conversation about her work, plants, family and the weather. Florence is supremely talented at a number of crafts herself--I have attended craft shows on the island and have been admiring her work for years. Confidently thoughtful and unassuming, Florence offers no hard sell at "Island Riches," which opened in 2010 and is located on her home property just steps from the Casco Bay boat landing.

Florence Rich pictured in her shop
with "Annie" (my mom's dog) in the foreground.

If you can't drop by, Florence additionally enjoys a worldwide following on her Etsy website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/islandriches Check it out!

If you come to the shop looking for T-shirts, you most likely won't find them here-- and that's really not a bad thing!

Florence and her husband Herb, a former boat builder and lobsterman, started hand-making napkin rings and jewelry out of their old flatware after their daughter gave them a new silverware set. Now one of the shop and website's most popular items, the recycled flatware items are very-reasonably priced.

This silver ring refashioned
from a rose-patterned utensil,
is one of my favorite purchases.

I love this hand-painted wine bottle
remodeled into ambient lighting.

Metal sculpture by Chebeague Island resident,
Clinton Jones.

"Let me live in a house

by the side of the road,

Where the race of men go by-

The men who are good and the men who are bad,

As good and as bad as I.

I would not sit in the scorner's seat,

Or hurl the cynic's ban;-

Let me live in a house by the side of the road

And be a friend to man." ~ Sam Walter Foss

To inquire about any of the items that you see here, please contact Florence through her website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/islandriches

Or email: islandriches@chebeague.net

Note: they accept custom orders and will ship internationally!

*Thanks to Jennifer Vandemeer for her editing help!

Mirror Mirror on the Floor.

noreply@blogger.com (Dominique Williams) — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 13:58:00 -0700

Before the invention of the mirror, a fascination with all things shiny began with the dawn of man and woman, when they first espied themselves in a pool of water.

Chinese mythology says that an alternate world existed behind every mirror -- a world filled with fantastical creatures which easily traveled between the two worlds -- until they began to wreak havoc. The portal would then be permanently sealed.

An updated stainless steel take on a
classic Chinese chair by ACF China.

Sideboard by Julia Gray Ltd.

In Greek mythology, Narcissus, not realizing that he was seeing himself, fell in love with his own reflection.

Narcissus marble by John Gibson,
1838.

Side Table from Century
Furniture.

Grove nickel-studded console.

Masters of the Surrealist movements from Jean Cocteau to René Magritte have utilized the mirror as vehicles to blur the line between dreams and reality.

Jean Marais in Cocteau's 1950 masterpiece, "Orphée"

By Rene Magritte, 1937.

"The Dangerous Liason" by
Rene Magritte.

Perhaps the mirror's position as between dimensions continuously draws us to them. Do they exist merely to satisfy our vanity? to check for fly-away hairs? cat hair on our black jackets? to re-apply lipstick? Or are they meant to convey a truth in a much more profound and ethereal way?

I don't know.

Mirrored console from Neiman Marcus.

For me, I've always been drawn to mirrored furniture -- perhaps because I am a fan of Old Hollywood. The past, because it is no longer in existence...at least in our dimension...has a romantic appeal which the glamour of Old Hollywood certainly satisfies. It was all about vanity and, let's face it, most of us are vain.

Accent tables from Neiman Marcus.

Haute House Claire mirrored
ottoman from Horchow.

End table from Hooker Furniture.

Side table from Arteriors Home.

Sophia Buffet available at Macy's.

Designer tip #1: Less is more when it comes to bold statements like mirrored furniture; if overused, mirror pieces can easily spill over the border into "tacky-land". However, if you dare to make an over-the-top statement, do it with taste. And for that, you may need to consult a professional...with taste.
Designer tip #2: No mirrors on the floor or ceiling.

*Thanks to Jennifer Vandemeer for correcting my grammar once again.

Picnic

noreply@blogger.com (Dominique Williams) — Thu, 29 May 2014 21:16:00 -0700

Where did the simple life disappear?

Once upon a time, we were able to experience the gentle rapture of a summer breeze in an almost religious manner. We knew how to stay still, to be quiet, and to close our eyes and actually feel our natural surroundings. When the breeze blew strands of hair into our eyes and mouths, we didn't mind--it was just par for the course. After all, isn't it nature's job to both comfort and tease at the same time? Family and friends once gathered easily at a picnic to enjoy nature in it's purest state . Little was needed to sustain us other than amiable company: a sandwich and a thermos of apple juice. A transistor radio, book, drawing pad or a Frisbee, provided additional entertainment.

Sylvania model 454 portable radio

Vintage Hitachi radio from
Apartment 528

Some of the best pictures from our
family album were taken with a
Polaroid camera. Bring it back!
This is the classic SX-70 model.

Circa 1950's transistor radio.

But it seems the world has become much more complicated, and our capacity for relaxation, subsequently contrived...

Vintage metal picnic basket.

Picnic basket for four from Martha Stewart.

Sure, the insects were always pests, but we understood that we might have to share our picnic blanket with the ants...up to a point of course!

Ant paper plates from
Crate & Barrel.

18-piece wooden picnic
flatware from Crate & Barrel.

Ants picnic blanket from Crate & Barrel.

Vintage coordinating napkins
from etsy.com+

Think of our quest to assimilate ourselves once again with nature as a kind of cognitive therapy: it may seem put-on at first, but eventually it will become second nature (pun intended). I believe we can bring it back...the spiritual experience of the simple picnic. Go hug a tree and don't forget to put the cell phones on vibrate.

Wine purse from Uncommon Goods.

Don't like "ants-in-your-pants"? Here's an option:
folding portable picnic table from One King's Lane.

Dance scene from "Picnic" (1955) with Kim Novak
and William Holden. To view this romantically sexy
scene, click on the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DBoMIi8bYc

Still from one of my favorite movies: Peter Weir's
1975 "Picnic at Hanging Rock".

Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Sitting on a Park Bench...in Paris.

noreply@blogger.com (Dominique Williams) — Thu, 7 Nov 2013 08:19:00 -0800

It's fall and the weather has segued into brisker temperatures here in the northeast. But with a minimum of bundling up, it permits sitting outside; perhaps to read a book or to write a love song smoking a Gauloise. OK, I'll take us out of the 1960's to save our lungs and replace that cigarette with its modern electronic counterpart, and the book with an iPad, but you get the picture.

Banc bench from the Le Jardin collection at Cote France.

At any rate, this is what came to mind when I espied this whimsical take on a traditional park bench from French furniture company Cote France. Like a refugee from the island of lost toys, "Banc" is its furniture counterpart. Intentionally forlorn and asymmetrical, it is functional sculpture. Instead of a traditionally weather-worn wood look, it asserts itself into a 21st century garden with a bold splash of color; very simple and exceedingly clever.

Though I was unable to locate a photo of Jacques Brel sitting on a park bench (I am sure he did sit on a park bench at some point), it took little or no effort to locate one of him smoking...perhaps a Gauloise. Don't try this at home, folks.

"Je ne suis pas a vendre. Vous comprenez? Et je veux vivre ma vie comme je le veux." ~ Jacques Brel

*Edited by Kristi Saare Duarte. Check out her awesome travel blog: http://amongbuddhasandbabas.wordpress.com/

Ghost Town

noreply@blogger.com (Dominique Williams) — Mon, 7 Oct 2013 13:25:00 -0700

At first glance you might surmise this to be the remains of an old abandoned Tuscan villa. Majestic and antique, it looks like a house I would like to own. But then again, maybe not: this small scale version of an Italian-style villa was erected for the "soul" purpose of housing the remains of those who have passed on.

Happy Halloween.

Its just one of hundreds of mausoleums situated in Buenos Aires' La Recoleta Cemetery. Recoleta Cemetery, which has been around since the 1700's, is purported to be one of the most beautiful and architecturally exciting above-ground cemeteries in the world. It is the resting place for a plethora of the once wealthy city's most elite Argentinian families. It's infamous residents range from that of former presidents, dictators and statesmen to renowned actors and writers, and even a grand-daughter of Bonaparte.

Evita slept here.

Eva Duarte remains one of it's most infamous inhabitants, and though the Duarte family tomb is aesthetically less pleasing than some others that span the cemetery's 14 acres, it is an important destination point nonetheless.

If you are as big a fan of old cemeteries, as I am, you can only imagine my bitter disappointment during a 1980's trip to Paris: a chance to visit the city's famous Pere Lachaise Cemetery was unintentionally thwarted. The most visited cemetery in the world, it includes the graves of the most illustrious figures in the Parisian art, literary and music world. The likes of Chopin, Moliere, Modigliani and Colette have found their final resting place here...not to mention Jim Morrison.

Visits to the cemetery in Recoleta have given me plenty of solace since that missed opportunity in Paris so long ago. Like Pere Lachaise, it reads as a miniature version of it's own city; showcasing Buenos Aires' various architectural styles and former opulence.

Clearly, at one point, money was no object; Byzantine, Art Nouveau and Neo-Gothic themed monuments are but a few of the many architectural styles represented here.

City of sighs against a bustling Buenos Aires skyline.

Eternal companions in the form of weeping ladies and guardian angels offer peace to the living and the dead.

Now this is frightening...it looks like no one has been
in to dust for awhile!

*Edited by Jennifer Vandemeer.

** All images snapped by yours truly.

Theo Stavropoulos: Offerings of Light

noreply@blogger.com (Dominique Williams) — Sun, 25 Aug 2013 08:19:00 -0700

"Offerings of Light" a memorial exhibition of the paintings and studies of Theo Stavropoulos is being hosted by myself and the Lehman College Art Gallery in Bronx, NY where the artist taught for 25 years. The exhibition will run from September 3 - 26th. For further information and the artist's biography, here is the link to the press release: http://www.lehman.cuny.edu/vpadvance/artgallery/gallery/

Update: Here is a link to a review by Xico Greenwald for the New York Sun:
http://www.nysun.com/arts/artists-calling/88398/

Notes about the artist’s works:

Theo Stavropoulos, c. 1976.*

After suffering an early introduction to the atrocities of war, a foundation could have been set for a potentially dark existence. But early on, art became Theo’s diary and the theme of inner light his personal arsenal against the abyss of negativity until the end of his life. Theo, who embraced a philosophy that no time barrier actually existed between the past and present, felt that inner light was a pathway to that connection as well as one to humanity.

A strong religious foundation, revisited later in his life, and two significant mentors had the strongest influence on the evolution of Theo’s work. His earliest mentor was his first art teacher in Greece: Giorgios (Yorgos) Gounaropoulos, a surrealist painter and pioneer in the Greek modern art movement in the 1930’s. His works encompassed classical elements from antiquity and modernist thought infused into light-flooded, dreamlike imagery gently abstracted by “Gounaro”.

Theo Stavropoulos, Shield, 1976.* Photo by: Eduardo Duarte.

"Landscape" by G. Gounaro, 1935.

Gounaro’s influence is apparent in Theo’s artwork; light as a dominant tool in explaining the coexistence between past and present, resulting in a subtle play between two dimensions.

“A painter paints because he has no time not to paint.” ~ Josef Albers

Josef Albers, a pioneer from the Bauhaus school and father of color perception, was another profound influence in Theo’s life and art. Besides being a father figure to Theo, the tremendous impact of Albers’ philosophy, teachings and disciplines helped to shape the body of his work and subsequent role of teacher.

Albers explored the relativity of color and its endless possibilities within the format of simple geometric confines, the most notable example being in his “Homage to the Square” series. In Albers’ ground-breaking testament to the magic of color, he focused on color as an infinite entity, not merely as a tool used in defining objects. It was Albers' mystical thought that profoundly affected the way Theo would ultimately perceive the world without and within and then translate it on to his own canvases. Theo typically only used a minimum palette of colors in his paintings but was able to make a color appear that may not have started out on the canvas to begin with. This was another example of Albers’ influence.

"For Dominique", 2001, acrylic on canvas.* Photo by Eduardo Duarte.

This exhibition is presented in mostly chronological form, spanning nearly five decades of the artist’s work. While Theo’s earliest paintings evoked a more gentle homage to classicism in contemporary form, works produced in mid-life saw an emergence of bolder abstraction, many of his canvases containing an unearthly emission of light. The evolution of Theo’s abstracted figures (both in his paintings and countless notebook studies) are an integral part of this exhibit. They have taken on many forms; some lyrical and some unapologetically uncomfortable and have been the artist’s constant companions for the last two decades of his life. Works produced by the artist in his last decade revisited former experimentations with undulating inanimate forms, organic imagery such as in the floral themes, fragmentation of light and finally, his decision to embrace a bolder use of color.

Untitled, c. 2000 - 2006, acrylic on canvas.* Photo by Pat Genova.

Theo’s evolution as an artist encompassed constant rediscovery and experimentation combined with the revisitation of aspects of his early artwork. From his earliest known works containing warm tones and classical elements that reflected his cultural heritage, to seemingly otherworldly imagery in the form of inanimate and human-like apparitions, they are a visual testament to the artist’s personal journey through life.

Unititled, c. 1990 - 2005, acrylic on canvas.*

Unitled, 1991, wash and ink on paper.* Photo by Pat Genova.

~ Dominique Stavropoulos-Williams

This exhibiton is sponsored by Dominique Stavropoulos and curated by Professor Pat Genova, BMCC, CUNY. Special thanks to Flavia Bacarella, Susan Hoeltzel, Susan B. Stavropoulos, Claudio P. Williams and Amei Wallach, Art Critic and Filmmaker and last but not least, the Lehman College Art Gallery.

~Edited by Kristi Saare Duarte.

*Rights for reproduction remain with Dominique Stavropoulos Williams.

www.theostavropoulosart.com (currently under construction)

Spring/Summer 2013: Flower Power.

noreply@blogger.com (Dominique Williams) — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 11:57:00 -0700

Floral patterns, one of the most popular design trends for 2013, couldn't arrive at a better time as far as I am concerned. After an excruciatingly bleak winter, a sorry excuse for a Spring, and a monsoon-like start to Summer, these metaphors of hope and regeneration are a welcome antidote to our collectively cloudy mood. Art imitates nature (and then some) as dramatically-bold botanicals are splashed across anything ranging from furniture and accents, to floors, walls and ceilings:

Most of us experience an elated mood around flowers, but a behavioral research study at Rutgers's back in 2007 backs this up: it provided documented proof that flowers promote an overall sense of well-being and satisfaction, as well a heightened outlook on life. According to the study, flowers were found to encourage relaxation, reduce anxiety and depression and boost energy, among many other positive findings.

"I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers." ~ Claude Monet

"The Earth laughs in flowers." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Flowers provide a welcoming atmosphere in the home and instantly brighten and warm up a space--and elicit genuine smiles!

"The flower is the poetry of reproduction. It is an example of the eternal seductiveness of life." ~Jean Giraudoux

"I hope some day to meet God, because I want to thank Him for the flowers." ~Robert Brault

*Dresser by Cote France, chrysanthemum table by Odegard, Peony rug by Roubini,, Anthropologie folding chair and pillow, John Lewis sofa, Cole & Son wallpaper, Graham and Brown wallpaper, Marc Phillips rug.

*Edited by Jennifer Vandemeer.

This Caught my Eye.

noreply@blogger.com (Dominique Williams) — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:02:00 -0700

"Garbo's Eye" Natural linen.

Recently, while web surfing, I came across the page of a fabric and wallpaper company called the "Cecil Beaton Fabric Collection". I stopped short on the image of a wing chair upholstered in a simple linen fabric, printed with a mad repetition of eyes. The name of the print is "Garbo's Eyes". Pictured against a portrait of the iconic silver screen star, the photo was taken by Cecil Beaton in the 1930's.

I was immediately drawn to it's obvious quirkiness and bold design statement. That this particular textile design did not read 'creepy" surprised and delighted me. Could it be because it is a representation of the divine Garbo--her ocular allure skillfully captured by the great Cecil Beaton? Taken from one of many of his whimsical designs, "Garbo's Eye" is from a series of charming sketches he created. The licensing for the sketches was acquired by the UK-based interior design company, Beaudesert, and they have created a delightful collection of inspired fabric and wallpaper designs.

Add caption

Cecil Beaton may be most famous for his photographic portraits of celebrities, but he was also an award winning costume designer, interior designer and diarist. A very close friend of Garbo and later, her lover, it's likely the sketches of her eyes were drawn from life.

www.cecilbeatonfabrics.com

Greta and Cecil in the 1940's

*Edited by Jennifer Vandemeer

Happy (belated) Birthday, Grand Central!

noreply@blogger.com (Dominique Williams) — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 13:56:00 -0800

Grand Central Terminal, one of the world's most beautiful train depots and surely one of New York City's proudest architectural achievements, is celebrating it's 100-year anniversary. As tempting as it was to present an abridged version of my design school paper on this magnificent Beaux-Arts masterpiece, I chose instead to spare myself...and you. Due to the centennial celebration, there is currently a wealth of literature and information out there and one more post about it may seem a tad redundant.

OK, I plead some redundancy, but I promise not to be boring. I offer some lesser known anecdotes about Grand Central, hence the post's subtitiling: "Did You Know..."

Fit For Emperors:

The layout of the station and many architectural elements--including it's abundance of columns, archways and vaulted ceilings--were modeled after the elaborate baths of Imperial ancient Rome.

Floor plan and reconstructive rendering of the Caracalla Roman Bath.

Grand Entrance:

Two pink marble grand staircases modeled after those in the Paris Opera House were designed for the station's main concourse, but only one staircase was originally built. As we know, a second staircase has since been installed. Who can guess which one is the original?

Area 61:

Beneath Grand Central rests a hidden platform containing the infamous unlisted "track 61". Once directly linked by private elevator to the Waldorf Astoria's garage, it was made available to the likes of FDR and other illustrious VIPs of the era. It has long since been sealed shut, but still houses the original presidential train car and elevator constructed to accommodate FDR's armored Pierce Arrow--for secret trips between the hotel and his home in Hyde Park, NY. So why can't the train car be transferred to the surface for viewing by the public? Because it weighs too damn much--to the tune of 142 tons! Apparently a glimpse of the abandoned platform is possible when leaving the lower level of the station. Keep your eyes pealed for it when traveling on the Metro North!

Franklin Roosevelt's private train car on track 61.

The Four Faces of Seth:

Did you know that the faces on the four-sided clock at the information booth are made of opals? Designed by Connecticut's famous Seth Thomas Company, the clock has been estimated by Christies to have a whopping value of $10-$20 million dollars.

Stairway to haven:

Did you know? within the information booth on the main concourse is a hidden staircase to a room inside the lower booth on the dining concourse level. It was designed as a break room for the station's booth employees. No doubt a day's full of stupid questions can take a toll on your sanity!

Luxury Rental:

Though not exactly a secret these days, once in awhile I like to get a drink at the slightly "hidden" and off the beaten-path, Campbell Apartment. Located on the balcony level on Vanderbilt Avenue's side, it was first leased by John Campbell in 1923 from William Vanderbilt (whose family built Grand Central). The interior was remodeled by Campbell to evoke 13th-century Florentine palazzos. It is a sight to behold with it's massive leaded windows, baronial fireplace, painted wooden ceiling beams and other Neo-Gothic design elements. From rush hour on up, and at week's end, it is quite crowded and can be a bit of a struggle to get a drink at the bar. There is actually a waiting list to sit down for drinks in the main living room which has been tastefully refurnished in Art Deco style. Not surprisingly, the bar is pricey, but the opportunity to enjoy the opulent splendor of America's robber barons, is a real treat.

The Campbell Room in Grand Central Terminal.

Saint Jackie:

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

Jackie Kennedy Onassis was a key figure in the fight against the proposed demolition of Grand Central in the mid-1970's. It was slated to be replaced by yet another banal steel and glass building typical of the era of anti-adornment. After New York's Penn Station had met a similar horrific fate in 1963-1966, Jackie went to bat in 1975 and together with a host of New York's glitterati, formed a preservation committee in order to save the threatened Beaux-Arts structure. A long hard battle was fought which eventually found it's way to the supreme court. Victory was won in 1978. Brava, Jackie!

Here is an excerpt from her letter to then mayor, Abe Beame:

"Is it not cruel to let our city die by degrees, stripped of all her proud monuments, until there will be nothing left of all her history and beauty to inspire our children? If they are not inspired by the past of our city, where will they find the strength to fight for her future?"

Jackie with Bess Myerson and Ed Koch on the right. Can anyone identify the gentleman with the groovy glasses to the left?

Grand Central Terminal during wartime. This surely solves the query about the second staircase.

Grand Central almost empty at 6am, Saturday morning, after work on an overnight shoot in Manhattan.

*Edited by Jennifer Vandemeer.

Gastronomic Desire at the Drugstore

noreply@blogger.com (Dominique Williams) — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 20:29:00 -0800

My husband and I recently took a trip to historic Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay, a charming seaside village settled by the Portuguese in the 1600's. After checking into our hotel, we asked the concierge to recommend a good restaurant in the area. "You must go to El Drugstore," he responded, "you'll really like it". ("El Drugstore"--Uh, okay, thanks, we'll be sure and check it out...maybe). Hoping to avoid a potentially over-priced tourist trap, we decided to pass on that. At the nearest café, we instead enjoyed perfectly good traditional fare: chivito, an artery-hardening but incredibly delicious Uruguayan sandwich: a thin slice of churrasco beef, with cheese, olives, totatoes, ham, mayo and a fried egg. This was accompanied by papas fritas (French fries) and a bottle of agua con gas (seltzer).

Chivito

Our homeless amigo is also a fan of chivito and waited patiently for our leftovers.

The following day, while taking in the sights of this truly enchanting city, we happened upon two antique cars parked on a cobblestone street--one of them filled with flowers in the trunk. I love old cars...I mean, I really LOVE old cars, so I went over to inspect them and take a few pictures. At some point we realized that we were standing in front of the very restaurant that had been recommended to us back at our hotel. "El Drugstore" had me at the 1929 Model A Ford. It's interior was set up for an intimate dining experience for two, complete with table and place settings. To my dismay, my husband steadfastly refused to eat in a car. After several attempts to change his mind and a tolerable amount of moping, I finally gave in and we ate dinner inside the restaurant that night.

Upon entering the restaurant, one encounters a strikingly funky décor; a kind of fun-house chic style interior with walls painted in primary colors--every inch of them awash with bold paintings and posters. The café has four rooms, some tables covered with polka-dot tablecloths accompanied by coordinating folding chairs. The rooms in the back are decorated with an unapologetic plethora of furniture styles, accented with assorted found objects ranging from children's toys to object d'art.

There was Frida...

And Geisha....

Marrakesh....

And Spanish Rococo...

Anyone who knows me well knows that I tend to seek out restaurants and bars with plenty of atmosphere. As a designer, I am inclined towards the aesthetic by default and it would follow that I need to have my visual senses satiated. "El Drugstore" certainly did not disappoint on that front, and even though it bordered on over-the top-eclecticism, I was delighted by it's fun and quirky style. That aside, when it comes down to brass tacks, if the food isn't good, a restaurant is bound to fail. I certainly will not return to a place that does not have good food. I have seen mixed reviews regarding El Drugstore's extensive menu, which includes seafood, tapas, fusion and vegan fare. But as far as we were concerned, our gastronomic experience was nothing short of orgasmic. While I enjoyed the chivito a day prior, I am not typically a big meat eater. So at El Drugstore we opted for a mélange of seafood platters, one of which was a sumptuous platter of gambas al ajillo (shrimp with garlic). We accented our meal with a excellent Clerico (white sangria). Muy rico!

Even the menu was cool...

There's no denying it's a tourist destination, but the prices were manageable, and our meal was great--not only would I recommend it, I'd go back in an instant.

"El Drugstore" has an outdoor café, music at night and takes reservations.

179 Vasconçellos
Colonia, Uruguay

TEL: 011-598-522-5241

Paradise Lost: City Hall Station

noreply@blogger.com (Dominique Williams) — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 21:10:00 -0800

"The only paradise is paradise lost." ~ Marcel Proust

If ever there was an inclination to compare a New York City subway station as an underground Shangri-La, downtown Manhattan's abandoned City Hall station comes close to earning such a title.

In 1900, construction began on New York City's City Hall Station in lower Manhattan. It opened October 27, 1904, as the city's showpiece terminal stop. It celebrated a newly innovative system of underground travel within city limits.
Part of the first subway line operated by the Interborough Rapid Transit Company (IRT), it ran between City Hall and 145th Street. Originally named the "Manhattan Main line", it is now known as the "Lexington Avenue line".

The architect and builder Rafael Gustavino, an immigrant from Valencia, Spain, designed the City Hall station. Gustavino was noted for his use of self-supporting vaulted arches and his patented "Tile Arch System". This system represented a brilliant structural, aesthetic and economic innovation. Gustavino adopted and improved upon the rediscovery of 14th-century Catalan system of timbrel vaulting and renamed it "cohesive construction". He substituted bricks with 3/4- inch thick terra cotta tiles, and traditional mortar with Portland cement. He then layered the tiles over one another in patterns that followed the curves of the ceiling, resulting in wider arches and vaulting. The comparatively lighter weight of the tiles to the traditional brick and stone construction likely explains this achievement.

Underworld opulence: several stained glass skylights emanated a heavenly light from above. It was additionally lit with eleven chandeliers.

Early construction photo of City Hall Station.

Old photograph of station's ticket booth.

In 1945, the station closed due to lack of use; at the time, only 600 or so passengers used the station daily, and this was at the pinnacle of subway travel in New York City. Additionally, train cars had been widened and lengthened for a growing population. The train platform was not only not long enough to accommodate additional train cars, but it also had such a tight radius it was difficult for the trains to loop around the station in order to head back uptown. Plans by the New York Transit Museum to reopen the station to the public were cancelled in the late 1990's. Today it remains abandoned and unused.

Original entrance outside of City Hall.

If you would like to catch a glimpse of this magnificent station, you have several options. One would be to take the #6 train down to the last stop, Brooklyn Bridge station. Remain on the train and it will eventually loop around, and, as you head back uptown, you'll be able to catch sight of it. Another option is riding on the #4 and #5 trains heading from Brooklyn. Finally, you can actually enjoy a tour of the station if you become a card-carrying member of the MTA Transit Museum.

This blog post was inspired by the recent hurricane that devastated much of the New York tri-state area and is dedicated to the victims of Hurricane Sandy. Many people suffered losses of their homes, belongings and lost water and power. Three weeks later, many residents of particularly devastated areas such as Far Rockaway in Queens, are still without heat, electricity and water. Much help is still needed if you'd like to volunteer and/or donate. I am posting links to a few of the many organizations through which you can assist in the relief effort. Thanks in advance.

http://www.redcross.org/templates/render/render.jsp?pageId=11400031&scode=RSG00000E017&subcode=paiddonationsearch&gclid=CNOvrYm0x7MCFQyk4Aodh1YA7A

https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/donate/onetime.cfm?source=AZD120000S02&gclid=CIjdqfizx7MCFQWe4Aod6xsACw

https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=2692

http://www.ujafedny.org/hurricane-sandy-volunteer-opportunities/

http://www.americanhumane.org/about-us/newsroom/news-releases/keeping-pets-safe-during.html

*Edited by Jennifer Vandemeer.

Some of My Favorite Haunts

noreply@blogger.com (Dominique Williams) — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 15:29:00 -0700

It's Halloween time and I wanted to share some of my most favorite places that have left a deep, and yes, lasting haunting impression.

Kioni windmills in Ithaki, Greece

In 1989, I travelled with my father to the island of Ithaca, Greece, to meet my Greek relatives who had a house there. In the Ionian Sea, Ithaca is host to the Kioni windmills that were possibly constructed in the 12th or 13th centuries. No longer operating in their utilitarian capacities, they now grace the landscape as haunting mementos of antiquity having long since fused into organic extensions of this magnificently rugged island.

Hotel Boulevard Atlantico in Mar del Sur, Argentina

Hotel Boulevard Atlantico, Mar del Sur, Argentina

In 2007 I travelled with my husband to the sea resort town of Mar del Sur--a good five hours drive from Buenos Aires, Argentina. I had heard enough about this idyllic, unspoiled spot and its resident imposing Neo-Classical structure known as the Hotel Boulevard Atlantico. I knew I would instantly fall in love with it. The Hotel Atlantico was built in the 1880's as a luxurious destination stop for the wealthy that could afford to flee the heat of the city and its cholera outbreaks. Ultimately, the train, which was intended to reach Mar del Sur, never made it that far and ended instead in Mar del Plata--a resort city 45 minutes away. The hotel's history is lonely and forlorn: it really never functioned as the luxury resort that it was built to be due to financial ruin of the original owner and it basically went downhill from there. After a few short stints as a hotel, it was a hospital for cholera victims, many of whom are buried in the back of the hotel. But it's most notorious tenants included Mafioso squatters in the 1990's. Ultimately, time, the elements, and human indifference destroyed most of the structure. Yet, it still remains standing today as an imposing reminder of a once glorious past in a very humble town. The last time we tried to get a tour with the current owner of the hotel, the city had condemned the building. Some palms might have been greased, as the owner is back to conducting tours in order to raise money for renovation of the grand hotel and I look forward to finally seeing the interior of this magnificent building on our next visit.

Morris Jumel Mansion, NYC

This is the house where my ancestor lived. Built in 1765, the Morris-Jumel mansion that sits atop a hill in New York City's Harlem, is reputed to be very haunted, and yes, George Washington slept there. My ancestor was Aaron Burr, who lived in this house with his wife, a member of the Jumel family. Though I did feel the presence of spirit in the house--how could one not? --I experienced no particular paranormal incidents. That said, it has been known to be fairly active in that respect, and I look forward to future visits.

Interior of a jail in Jerome, Arizona.

Ruin in Jerome, Arizona.

During Easter vacation in the mid-1970s, my mother and I traveled to Arizona to visit my great aunt Alice. One day, we drove through the town of Jerome, a partial ghost town. I never forgot the fascination of experiencing both the unease as an unwelcome stranger passing through an inhabitated ghost town, and the urge to stop and explore this dilapidated town. It appeared so unreal, it resembled a movie set. But, it was the home of the living, and the dead, who regarded us as unwelcome strangers and beckoned us if we dared, come forward. While driving through, a few Native Americans peered at us dully from their broken, windows as if to say: there is nothing here to see, white man, keep moving along. We kept moving along and I am sorry we did as it's now a bustling tourist destination, and being far too crowded, the ghosts, I am sure, have long since moved out.

Fallen structure on Little Chebeague Island, Maine.

Little Chebeague is a small island connected by a sandbar to Great Chebeague island in Maine's Casco Bay. Once a bustling summer colony and year-round home to a handful of farmers, the United States Navy took over the island for recreation and training during World War II. Sadly, the houses fell to ruin and no one returned, so the island eventually became a state park. I have spent practically every summer on Great Chebeague Island and always went on a pilgrimage to Little Chebeague, where we explored and crawled through its decaying houses. When I was a child, many of the houses were still standing with paint and plaster on the walls, and even full of some furniture. I imagined who lived in the houses, what their rooms looked like, how they decorated their homes...

As I return year after year, I tend to feel the spirits strongly attached to their homes, long after so many of the structures have at last disappeared.

Ye Waverly Inn, Greenwich Village, NYC.

Having grown up in New York's Greenwich Village, my family dined many times at the historic Ye Waverly Inn, located on the corner of Bank Street and Waverly Place. It was a favorite place to go when my grandmother came to town and took us all out to dinner. She favored American food and I remembered that their specialty was chicken potpie, which she always loved to order. I continued to frequent the restaurant well into adulthood and went back fairly recently for a drink at the bar. It had been newly renovated and really looked lovely. But I miss the the musty old place with splintered benches we once sat in for our quiet dinners by the fireplace. I understand it is now uber-trendy. Reputed to be one of New York City's most haunted places, I wonder if there is indeed any room for the spirits of the paranormal variety with the current influx of "A-list" celebs? There goes the fourth dimension...

Ansonia Hotel, NYC.

At first glance you might think this building is in Paris, but it is in fact the Ansonia Hotel in New York City's Upper West side. To me, it is one of the grandest, most dominating structures in the city. All my life I have felt not only in awe of the magnificent Beaux-Arts architectural masterpiece, but also, felt a bit of fear and intimidation whenever nearby. My heart would actually start to beat, faster. Well, maybe I need some past-life therapy to look into the fear factor, but it is safe to say it is one of my most favorite buildings in the city.

Before it became a luxury apartment building, it was built as a residential hotel. A little known fact is that it was also intended as the original "green hotel" in that the architect envisioned a self-sufficient structure boasting the only known rooftop farm. Many luminaries stayed and lived in the hotel, including Babe Ruth, Theodore Dreiser and Igor Stravinsky.
I had a personal relationship with the hotel; I attended many dance auditions back in the day when the building was somewhat rundown and renting out studio spaces. Thankfully, the plan to demolish the building (a popular thing to do in the 1960s and 1970s) was fought-off and the hotel became a landmark in 1980.

St. Louis Cemetery in New Orleans, LA.

Ladies decorating a grave in St. Louis Cemetery in 1900.

'Je suis la papesse de voudoun' ~ Marie Leveau, a permanent resident of the St. Louis Cemetery ('I am the pope of Voodoo' in Creole)

The Saint Louis Cemetery in New Orleans, Louisiana, is the name of three Catholic cemeteries, the earliest of which was opened in the late 1700s. They are exquisitely architected above-ground cemeteries designed in the European tradition. One of the reasons I find above-ground cemeteries so fascinating is because they resemble small cities. I remember being in New Orleans during the Jazz Festival and could only view the moonlit tops of the mausoleums behind stone walls. New Orleans is a city that can safely be described as one of the most haunted in the U.S. I had the pleasure of visiting three times, but the St. Louis cemetery only once, due to the fact that cemeteries are closed during festivals such as Mardi Gras and the Jazz Festival. It's best to go during a quieter season if you want to partake of the ultimate haunted experience in New Orleans.

Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, Holland.

“Look at how a single candle can both defy and define the darkness.” ― Anne Frank

The house where Anne Frank spent several years in hiding may be haunted with her spirit but not as a spirit in unrest, despite the horrendous eventual cause of her death. This catacomb of both hope and despair where she spent the bulk of her teenage years, fostered an illumination of thought virtually unmatched today. She was basically a prisoner in her own home long before her family was sent to the camps. Like a prisoner in a jail cell, she suffered very little privacy (more than devastating to a teenage girl) and was only able to look out from the darkness into the light of the bustling world outside. No longer did she have the luxury to enjoy the gift of everday life. Yet, she was so evolved that she was able to not only record her daily thoughts and grievances but to also move ahead of them: she found a light which included a deep understanding and love for all of humanity, despite what some of humanity was capable of at the time.

Bosque Energetico, Miramar, Argentina.
Photo by Dominique S. Williams

The Bosque Energetico is an energy forest located in Miramar, Argentina. Although I can't say that I had a life- changing experience, I did witness some unusual instances within this small forest along Miramar's coastal road. There is a definite energy there as we, on numerous occasions witnessed twigs and branches of all sizes and weights level out right before our eyes when placed on the tips of pointed tree knots. The energy was so blatant, it was almost visible to the naked eye. I did also feel a certain sense of calm and serenity within the forest but it is a forest and trees are good for grounding ourselves--it never hurts to hug a tree especially if it contains paranormal energy. If you are ever in the area, check it out--it's worth the trip, and not far from a spectacular beach.

The Grand Canal, Venice, Italy.

I would be remiss if I were to not include the city of Venice, Italy in my list; one of the most magical and haunted cities I have ever visited. Sorry, Disneyland, I have no interest in visiting you, for this is the real magic kingdom. Hey, Venice survived plagues and occupations, Casanova and floods. What's not to love about the ghostly residue of this truly gorgeous city? It was even so beloved and revered that it avoided being bombed by enemy forces during World War II.

I would love to hear your feedback as well as your own favorite haunted spots!

"It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness."

Conversation pieces

noreply@blogger.com (Dominique Williams) — Sat, 16 Jun 2012 08:49:00 -0700

Sometimes we talk a lot and say nothing and we write a lot and say nothing, but it sure looks pretty on fabric:

Fauteuil from Cote France
http://www.cotefrance.com/

Several thousand years ago, writing was invented as an alternate means of communication to oral and illustrative forms traditionally used in historical documentation. The invention of writing implemented the typographic use of symbols and signs in order to translate language two-dimensionally. Without going into depth about the evolution of the use of the written word since the high times of Mesopotamia, it is safe to say that we have repeatedly enjoyed it's use in art and interior decoration over the subsequent centuries:

The writing is on the wall: This fabric can be used to upholster furniture, as a window treatment or wallcovering:

Document brown design fabric
http://www.ballarddesigns.com/

$153.85
http://www.etsy.com/

Shades of the past:

Shaker rug
http://www.bddw.com/

Empire lampshade
http://www.ballarddesigns.com/

The role of a writer is not to say what we all can say, but what we are unable to say. ~Anaïs Nin

bonjour bon nuit burlap pillow

Conversation rug

http://www.overstock.com/

Dresser
http://www.anthropologie.com/

There seems to be something inherently comforting about being surrounded by visual conversational companions in the form script writing on the wall and on fabric and alphabetic characters on furniture and accessories. They are inanimate, they do not communicate audibly, they seem in fact, nonsensical. But is that really true? They do not seem to make a statement in the obvious sense but perhaps in a far more abstract one. What was formerly invented for the sole purpose of communication now finds itself regenerated as tangible poetic residue, ever reminding us of our important connection to one another. And though nothing replaces human companionship, the evidence of one of man's most important visual inventions created from the mysterious vault that we call the mind, breaks down the walls of cosmic dimensions.

Talk to me:

Bookcase

http://www.saporiti.com/

Vintage container for metal parts, $165
http://www.etsy.com/

Be obscure clearly. ~E.B. White

The famous Belgian surrealist artist, Rene Magritte, used the written word in many of his artworks in order to impress a philosophical statement that what one might perceive to be real, was in fact not. This was a familiar theme in the philosophy of surrealism. His famous paradoxical series: "Ceci n'est pas", used the written word as art in order to impress upon the viewer that what was thought to be a recognizable object in the painting was not really what it seemed to be, but in fact, a mystery that might never be solved. In this case, the written word is used as a vehicle not to label or record what it is, but what it is not:

Signs of the times: Ce n'est pas un signe. (This is not a sign.)

Signage, once created solely for identification, as a warning or for directional purposes, have in present times experienced a morphism into unique forms of decoration in many homes and commercial institutions. Ordinary objects now became artistic statements, a classic surrealist concept. These ghostly apparitions of their former occupations now act as poignant reminders of the paradox of existence and non-existence.

Coming or going?

Enter-Exit Welcome Mat, $19
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/

$1,095 http://www.1stdbs.com/

Ok sign, $2,400
http://www.1stdbs.com/

Vintage bus destination map, $1,800

http://www.hollywoodathome.com/

This just about says it all.

A Mansarded Italianate in Maine

noreply@blogger.com (Dominique Williams) — Tue, 15 May 2012 08:20:00 -0700

The United States Customs House

I have spent almost every summer of my life in Maine and a good portion of it in the city of Portland where incidentally, I was born. After my parents retired and and moved up there from New York City in 1990, I have since enjoyed every season up there and to this day, it remains to be one of my all-time favorite cities. From the time of my childhood up until now, Portland saw a tremendous evolution in it's massive renovation from being a virtual ghost town back in the 1970's (which purely for romantic reasons, I confess to missing) to a bustling tourist and cruise ship destination which, according to a New York Times article written a few years ago, boasts the highest amount of restaurants per capita in the United States. The restaurants are good, too.

Portland, Maine once enjoyed the status of being one of the most important seaports in the country with a rapidly growing customs business in the 1800's. After a massive fire destroyed most of it's commercial buildings in 1866, the city was rebuilt.

A city rife with mostly Victorian style structures, it hosts an amalgam of many different revival styles conducive to the architectural era. The Customs House is one such prominent example. The Italianate style building that still stands today near the city's waterfront was completed in 1872 under the architectural supervision of Alfred B. Mullett.

Palazzo Ducale in Genoa, Italy

The Italianate style derived from the Renaissance Italian palazzos and was one of the most popular revival styles in the Victorian Era from the mid to late 1880's. The buildings were boxy in shape but had a more open and airy feel as well as less symetrically rigid design than the Greek Revival style. Most notable architectural details included the use of wide cornices, doors and windows with overhangs with the wide use of ornamental brackets underneath them. The building is dominated by rounded windows which are framed with attached doric columns and a balustrade surrounds the entire building.

The Neo-Baroque and Second Empire style became a popular architectural vogue in the United states in the 1870's and was heavily influenced by the fanciful architecture built under Napoleon III in the 1850's and 1860's in France. One of the most prominent characteristics included the element of the Mansard roof which is a steeply sloping roof shingled with slate as seen on the cupolas on the Customs House. Mansarded roofs became highly popular in both Europe and the United States after the construction of the Musee de Louvre in Paris and were designed to functionally create more interior space than traditional sloping roofs.

Mansard roof on the Louvre Museum

The Mansarded roof has always held a deep fascination for me as it strikes me as a mysteriously handsome design, yet also an elegantly disfigured and spooky one. The evolution of this roof style historically traces back to the Gothic era. Today, we think of it as the archetypal element for haunted mansions infamously portrayed in such scary movies such as in Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho" and the majestically decaying abode that houses the twistedly wholesome Addams Family, one of my all time favorite cartoons created by the inimitable Charles Addams. Perhaps this is one reason it holds such a ghostly allure for me, but as an architectural enthusiast, the real-life counterparts are always a joy to behold.

Restoration of the building was begun in 1998 and it is listed in the National Registor of Historic Places. It has maintained most of it's architectural integrity due to very little changes made to it.

312 Fore Street, Portland, Maine.

Huh?

noreply@blogger.com (Dominique Williams) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 17:31:00 -0700

I was looking at a design trend report today when I happened upon this um...chair from a well-known modern furniture company and felt compelled to feature it on my latest design post. The identity of the company and the designer shall remain nameless of course, but I do want to thank them for providing me with yet more comedic material.

You could look at this as a Rorschach test: for instance, to me, it looks like someone went out and shot the Michelin Tire Man, quilted him and then recycled him into a "cozy armchair suitable for any space". OK, that might be an extreme interpretation, but extremely tacky furniture is bound to foster some modicum of emotional imbalance.

Going forward, I feel inspired to do a regular post on what not to furnish your space with. Perhaps I could call it: "The latest abomination of the week"? "Furniture from Hell"? or, "Why oh why was this not on the Titanic"?

Hey, this reminds me of the classic "Puffy Shirt" episode on Seinfeld.

OK, I'll stop.

Orange Crush

noreply@blogger.com (Dominique Williams) — Tue, 3 Apr 2012 20:41:00 -0700

It's official: Orange is the new black!

PANTONE, the world's most renowned authority on color, named "Tangerine Tango" the color for 2012. These days, the bold reddish-orange hue is found worn on clothing, lips and nails and used in interior design to make a unique design statement.

http://www.tibetfurniture.com/

Hand-blown confetti glass, set of 4, $34
http://www.directfrommexico.com/

Ottoman cube covered in vinyl fabric.
http://www.etsy.com/

Color trend decisions are not random: there is always a method to such choices and timing. Orange is a bright, warm and exotic hue. Countries known for embracing and encorporating bright, warm colors such as those in Central and South America have become popular destinations for many Europeans and Americans. Argentina is one such example. For the last several years it has been saturated with tourism, not only due to the strength of the monetary exchange but also due to the enticing blend of both ethnic and European architectural and interior styles. Additionally, tango dancing has become a craze all over the world, and I am personally jonesin' to take a few classes myself!

Orangentinian tango (ouch...I know).

Orange colored wallpaper

Orange, a color traditionally used in signage and advertising, by it's sheer brilliance, commands attention. Psychologically it is a color associated with self-confidence, cheeriness, warmth and flamboyancy. These are traits much needed these days as our forlorn global economy has reaked emotional havoc on our collective psyches. Whether you are a fan of bright orange or of the more subdued variety, there is an orange out there for everyone and it blends and complements others very well.

Oushak Carpet
http://www.1stdibs.com/

Catch episodes of "Mad Men" on AMC

Immensely popular TV shows such as "Mad Men" which premiered in 2007, have catapulted the world into a renewed love of 1960's style. Items with bold patterns and coloring typical of the mid-century fashion and "Mad Men chic" have flown off of the retail shelves in the last few years. It is no surprise that a hue such as "Tango Orange" would have eventually found it's debut as color of the year.

Tangerine colored telephone
http://www.sagemcom.digital.co.uk/

http://www.zarinfabrics.com/

Shag rug.
http://www.homedepot.com/

Murano glass orange chandelier
http://www.lamurrina.com/

Chair, sample sale: $1,950
http://www.brightchair.com/

Beaded Moroccan Mirror, $100
http://www.etsy.com/

Antique Amalero Pots
This wall color would make a bold
statement in an entranceway, small
room or on one wall!
http://www.mexicanstyle.com/

House in the Czech Republic

Why shouldn't orange animals be in vogue too?
To help save the orangutans, go to
http://www.orangutan.org.uk/

Green Day

noreply@blogger.com (Dominique Williams) — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 07:58:00 -0700

"For 'tis green, green, green, where the ruined towers are gray,

And it's green, green, green, all the happy night and day;

Green of leaf and green of sod, green of ivy on the wall,

And the blessed Irish shamrock with the fairest green of all."

~Mary Elizabeth Blake

Anglepoise lamp
http://www.limedesign55.co.uk/

Gorgeous green bathroom tiles.

Door in Morocco

We all know that green symbolizes the Emerald Isle and St. Patrick and consequently, it is the most pervasive color in the natural world. No wonder it is one of the top two favorite colors next to blue.

And yes, it is easy being green. It is considered soothing and relaxing and it is the color used most frequently in hospitals and health care facilities as many years of research have proven it to be instrumental in lowering stress and anxiety levels. 'Green' is also the poster color for the ecology movement because of it's abundance on the planet.

Alternately, there are several instances of the use of the color green when referencing envy and jealously. In ancient Greece such emotions were believed to cause a buildup of bile in the system thus causing skin to turn a green, sickly pallor. The poetess Sappho cited the color green when describing a forlorn lover and Shakespeare referenced the "green-eyed monster" in Othello and "green sickness" in Antony and Cleopatra.

Outdoor pillow from Pier 1
http://www.pier1.com/

Fringed Matisse shade, $49.95
http://www.anthropologie.com/

"What color should be seen

Where our fathers' homes have been

But their own immortal Green?"

~Author Unknown

Green lantern, $20
http://www.realsimple.com/

Set of two mod stacking chairs, $67.99
http://www.target.com/

Lime green telephone from the 80's
sold on Ebay.

Crystal wine glasses from Waterford.

Lantern, 29.91
http://www.lampsplus.com/

St. Patrick's Day in New Orleans
Photo by Taylor S. Kennedy for National Geographic.

May the Irish hills caress you.

May her lakes and rivers bless you.

May the luck of the Irish enfold you.

May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Winter Blues sale

noreply@blogger.com (Dominique Williams) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 20:12:00 -0800

"The Blues is Life."

~ Brownie McGhee

"Winter blues": a term commonly referred to these days as "seasonal affective disorder," affects millions of people who otherwise spend the rest of the year in a relatively healthy mental state. It is a syndrome mainly associated with the winter months and the accompanying emotional malaise that results from the proper lack of exposure to sunlight. I confess to a profound susceptibility to the winter doldrums myself, at times feeling compelled to jump out of a first floor window.

But I digress...

Although the color blue has commonly been associated with sadness and a sense of hopelessness, one should also be reminded that it also serves as a metaphor for creativity, wisdom, heaven and optimism for the future.

Chiffonier Noir et Cuir on sale. To the trade
http://www.cotefrance.com/

Regarding the psychology of the color blue in interior design, it is considered a clean and relaxing hue; great for bathrooms and bedrooms alike as well as for children's spaces. Blues tend to radiate an overall calming influence conducive to inspiring study and higher work production. It is also a color generally favored by both sexes as it inspires a feeling of serenity. In fact, blue has been documented to lower the heart and body temperature rate.

http://www.grange.fr/

I've noticed that one of my most popular posts is "Who Doesn't Love a Sale?" What better incentive to leave those those blues outdoors whilst releasing a few endorphins and shopping a great sale? I will be happy to keep you informed of any exciting home design or floor sample sales that fall within my radar.

Currently, here are a few of my favorite on-sale picks...in blue of course. They are sure to chase away some of those nasty 'ole winter blahs. Bring on the blues...

Block print bolster. Sale: $138.75
http://www.gracioushome.com/

Wallpaper. Sale: $69.95
http://www.anthropologie.com/

Raccan Ottoman
To the trade
http://www.profiles.com/

Commode with folding doors
http://www.niermannweeks.com/

Tufted ottoman. Sale: $174.95

http://www.jossandmain.com/

Large cobalt Blenko glass vase.
Sale: $300
http://www.1stdibs.com/

Duvet cover. Sale: $29.99

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/

Mesh back eco-friendly computor chair.
Sale: $89.99
http://www.bizchair.com/

Pillow. Sale: $55.95
http://www.jossandmain.com/

Fez canister. Sale: $30
http://www.berbertrading.com/

Recycled glass tiles
10% off
http://www.susanjablon.com/

Burst 5' x 8' rug. Sale: $161
http://www.fab.com/

Mahalo Painted Economy Ukulele.
Sale: $21.99
http://www.amazon.com/

"My blues are so simple, but so few people can play it right"

~ Muddy Waters

If you need help designing your space in blue or otherwise, do not hesitate to contact me as I can save you time doing research. I will work with your style and budget in order to create a beautiful and harmonious environment just for you. I have access to the trade showrooms and have knowledge of a wide range of resources both in the US and abroad. I will be happy to give you an additional 20% off of my trade discount when applicable.

I invite you to contact me with any questions you may have regarding any of these items.

Sustainable love

noreply@blogger.com (Dominique Williams) — Fri, 3 Feb 2012 21:23:00 -0800

When I was thinking about what to write for my Valentine's Day post I couldn't help but be reminded of the day's status as a Hallmark holiday; created solely for commercial purposes rather than for any deeper significance. It's not that I haven't enjoyed my share of the typical celebratory indulgences that accompany the Day. In fact, I have no problem with red roses, chocolate truffles, and receiving a nice piece of bling now and then. Additionally, I see no reason not to enjoy a nice glass of extra Brut champagne and dinner at a romantic restaurant.

Acacia Heart Bowl, $18
http://www.serrv.org/

But nowadays, as a recovering hedonist, age and the economy seems to have brought about a change in my overall outlook regarding the blatant commercialism of so many such modern day contrivances. The plethora of visually tacky reminders in the form of store displays that accost us for weeks preceding Valentine's Day seem to burst the bubble of any genuine romantic inclinations that may have come naturally.

How the origin of the the discovery of the concept of romance progressed from a day created to honor a martyred saint is curious. But as it did eventually evolve into one commemorating love during the Middle Ages, it begins to stand apart as something purer and and more meaningful

Beeswax Heart Pillar Candle
$16.95
http://www.planetonegifts.com/

This scenario of searching for the real meaning of a Hallmark holiday brings to mind Linus' explanation to Charlie Brown about the real meaning of Christmas as it does the Grinch's famous epiphany that "Maybe Christmas...doesn't come from a store..."

The good news is that Valentine's Day is very good for the economy and that this year more than half of US consumers will be spending money on Valentines day gifts, up over 10% over last year. So in honor of this Hallmark holiday, hope for a restored economy and the celebration of love, I have come across some sustainable and socially conscious Valentines gifts that are unique and affordable not to mention good for the soul.

Pictured at the top of the page: Soapstone from Kenya

The Fatrine Self Help Group soapstone artisans are located in Kenya. They produce custom made, beautiful soap stone carvings such as bowls and plates for local and export markets. They provide work for about 15 families, many widows suffering from HIV and AIDS. One goal is to eradicate poverty in the surrounding community and for each member to be able to have health insurance.

http://www.giftsoflife.org/

Fair Trade Felt Flowers, $8
http://www.globalgoodspartners.org/

Sweetheart Gift Box of chocolates,
$22
http://www.serrv.org/

Stone Hearts Set: Hearts for Haiti
$14
http://www.globalgoodspartners.org/

Valentine Dog Toy, $12.50
http://www.olivegreendog.com/

Red Rose Cushion
http://www.starfishfairtrade.co.uk/

Gorgeous Goat
http://www.bynature.co.uk/

•In Sudan and Bangladesh, a goat can be a lifesaver, providing enough milk to keep the whole family healthy. Goats can also be bred and sold, allowing poor parents to generate the income they need to pay for education and vital medicines for their children.

"The One"
Ethically sourced flowers
http://www.arenaflowers.com/

All you need is love.

All you need is love, love.

Love is all you need.

~ The Beatles

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Shadow People

noreply@blogger.com (Dominique Williams) — Wed, 4 Jan 2012 16:23:00 -0800

Why are we so fascinated with our own silhouettes? After all, aren't they just opaque manifestations of our own likenesses? We live with our own shadows daily yet we often times forget that they are there at all. Still they remain faithfully attached to us; constant and quiet reminders of of our solid representation in the universe. They appear and dissipate at will, as ghostly apparitions often do. Steadfast in following us everywhere as ethereal appendages to the end of our days, our shadows are at times so distorted from our actual form, they at times serve to act in both frightening and comforting capacities.

Ironically, the art of silhouette making was created in France in the late 1700's as a cheap alternative to traditional portraiture. "Silhouette" came to be synonymous with anything made or done cheaply thanks to Etienne de Silhouette, Frances prime minister who had imposed harsh economic sanctions upon French citizens. So despite our current fascination with such elegant and seemingly aristocratic looking art pieces, they are instead traced to the most humble of circumstances.

Sihlouette portrait cutting competition circa early
1900's.

Cameos and the art of silhouette-making have enjoyed waves of popularity over the past couple of hundred years. and Once again we are seeing a resurgence of them in both fashion and interior design

A simple solution: a silhouetted
neo-classical figurine upholstered on the back
of a side chair creates a very elegant design
applicable to both traditional and contemporary interiors.

Osborne & Little wallcovering

The implications of the shadow are vast. It has historically evoked connotations of both good and evil and of separateness and unity. In Jungian psychology, the shadow acts as a complementary element to our conscious persona: the absence of inner light implies a lack of awareness and connection to our own capacity for thought, sensitivity, and compassion. Yet without the acknowledgement of the shadow there lacks the potential for complete awareness and wholeness. Neither light nor shadow can exist alone. Therefore the connotation for good or bad is negated; the shadow, connected to the light, exists within a neutral and mutual partnership.

Acrylic on canvas by Theo Stavropoulos

“What is your substance, whereof are you made,

That millions of strange shadows on you tend?” ~ William Shakespeare

Photo by Everett McCourt
http://www.everettmccourt.com/

Wallcovering by Duralee
http://www.duralee.com/

Wallcovering from Osborne & Little.

"Best in Show" by Osborne & Little, $163 a
roll.

For further information on the wallcoverings available to the trade, please feel free to contact me.

Barbara Barry chinaware

A simple lamp and shade from
Target which I refashioned.

My friend Martha Hamilton created these exquisite Lace-like silhouettes using the ancient craft known as "Scherenshnitte" (German paper cutting).

For more information on purchasing her artwork, please contact her at ChebIs32@aol.com

Iconic silhouette of
Alfred Hitchcock

Happy New Year.

noreply@blogger.com (Dominique Williams) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 13:13:00 -0800

But can one still make resolutions when one is over forty? I live according to twenty-year-old habits. ~Andre Gide

This post is short and sweet due to a rather hectic end of the year, but I just wanted to share with you a few festive products and images for New Year's Eve. I am thrilled to have 19 countries plus viewing my blog, Please continue to stop by, I would love to hear from you. I want to wish everyone a very happy, healthy and peaceful new year!

Dominique

New Years Eve Party Glitz And Glam Hats by Booptey Lu, $25
http://www.etsy.com/

1700s Paris Inspired New Years Eve Printable Cupcake Topper
And Wrapper Set by PaperScissors Cake. $4.99
http://www.etsy.com/

I made no resolutions for the New Year. The habit of making plans, of criticizing, sanctioning and molding my life, is too much of a daily event for me. ~Anaïs Nin

Crystal champagne glasses festooned with 700 white and pink
diamonds, $400,000. (Yes, you read right!)

"Champagne...the wine of kings, the king of wines."

~ Guy du Maupaussant

Vintage lustre champagne glasses, $19
http://www.ebay.com/

"three be the things I shall never attain: envy, content, and sufficient Champagne".

~ Dorothy Parker

http://www.sandlegowine.net/

http://www.laurentiwines.com/

Above left: Krug Champagne Clos du Mesnil 1.50L 1998, $2,124.00....a tad above your budget? Mine too. Above right: May I suggest this excellent value which was a most welcome guest at my own wedding: Duval Leroy NV Brut Champagne, $28.95

"too much of anything is bad, but too much Champagne is just right"

Mark Twain

New Year's Eve in Paris

"Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right". ~Oprah Winfrey

Times Square on New Year's Eve, 1950's

New Year's Eve ball, Times Square, NYC.

Vintage noisemakers, $19.00
http://www.ebay.com/

Nouvelle année heureuse, mes amours!