Time is ticking....

This baroque chinoiserie clock from the Getty reminds me that summer is ticking away. I've had so many things going on I've barely had time to write about any of them but look forward to some interesting posts in the near future!

Ramsign Giveaway

Much like jewelry on a beautiful woman, the right accessory on a house can really pull an entire look or design together. Details matter!

Ramsign, a small Danish company that has been producing porcelain enamel house signs for years has generously offered to give a house number plaque to a lucky reader here on ArchitectDesign.

The winner will be selected on Wednesday, June 8th in celebration of my birthday! To enter, simply leave a comment saying which house number you would pick if you won. Receive 1 extra entry for posting a link to the giveaway on twitter or facebook. Good luck!

p.s.This giveaway is international, so don't hesitate to enter!

Chinoiserie automaton

While working on a more in-depth post of a fantastic building I visited recently, I wanted to leave you with something just to let you know I'm still around! Located at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is a collection of ingenius bejeweled objects known as automatons. These machines, popular in the mid 18th century (as so many of my favorite things were!), were mechanical moving devices; a sort of early day robot! Often they were more than a mere toy and incorporated something useful, such as the clock seen here. Made by James Cox in London, 1766, this device still would fascinate and amaze the most ardent anti-antiquarian!

Is it Christmas yet?

I am so in love with this Carlson Etagere from William Sonoma Home! If only I had the space for it I would get 2 for all my design books (and china). Of course, if someone at WSH wants to cut me a huge deal I could definitely MAKE room! *wink wink, nudge nudge*

The details are just gorgeous, like these feet, gilded accents and worn ebonized wood finish.

They're on sale now, so make me a very happy little blogger and buy a pair for yourself and send me pictures!

St Louis crystal

I'm coveting these St Louis crystal tumblers and glasses featured in Classic Entertaining I mentioned on Wednesday. I never really liked colored crystal-but a large portion of this book is devoted to them. I think I appreciate them more in a rainbow spectrum such as this and not matched. I'm rethinking in COLOR

Day after Christmas leftovers?

This pretty dining room would be a perfect place for breakfast, don't you think? Featured in Classic Entertaining that I mentioned on Wednesday, this room features a rare lilac covered cheese dish-I assume it's Wedgewood Jasperware. Isn't it so beautiful? Love those amaryllis too!

Bette Davis STAMPS!

Guess what I got at the post office today?? Bette Davis STAMPS!! What a great way to glamourize your mail! I believe this photograph they used is from 'All about Eve' -one of my favorite movies! Run out and buy yours today!

Holiday gifts

Haven't started holiday shopping yet? Scared to face the crowds? How about shopping ONLINE! Do it soon so you can get it shipped in time, however, as a reminder, no last minute shopping should be done online! I've come up with a few suggestions ranging from a little to a lot ($).

Scented candles are always a terrific gift. I recommend 'Cleopatra' by Tocca or Pied a terre by Ralph Lauren. Both are in such pretty boxes you don't even need to wrap them!

As a splurge -who wouldn't love this Italian giltwood Chinese Chippendale Mirror from Coleen and company? It's a steal at only $1800

For the would be decorator, Mlinaric on Decorating is a really fabulous book for the beautiful photography alone!

Or for the girl who loves pink, how about this antique English clock with this beautiful pink and yellow painted pattern also from Coleen & co? Also a splurge though at $2400! I love that black and gilt face!

A bit more affordable but just as glamorous is this fornasetti tray, perfect for the hostess who enjoys a game of cards - found on EBAY.For the foreign film buff, I would recommend Not on the Lipswith Audrey Tautou - a super fun musical comedy.This malachite box from Coleen & Co. is really fabulous -anything malachite is just a perfect gift this season. At $475 this is a luxury item, but you can find less expensive versions. This would be great on a coffee table or nightstand to hold little odds & ends.

This fornasetti lamp would make anyone smile! Still a steal on EBAY!

For your wanna-be-socialite friends I would recommend the book 'High Society' by Nick Foulkes. Love this cover too!

For the modernist, how about a vintage set of Rosenthal Pottery that is signed BJORN WIINBLAD, the famous designer!

This antique wedgewood jasperware vase in my favorite cobalt color would make my heart flutter, also from ebay.

The new Comme Si de Rien N'Etait album by French first lady Carla Bruni would be great for any music lover!

For your wild 'arty' friends, this photography book 'NYC go-go' is really fun and a little naughty!

This version of Mozart's Don Giovanni is the best opera on DVD I have ever seen. Perfect for the movie lover, music lover, opera lover or lover of classical architecture as it is filmed on location in a number of Palladian Villas, including the Villa Rotunda. It stars my favorite singer, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.

For the record, I would be thrilled with any of the above gifts and imagine your loved ones would be as well! Now get shopping!

Tartan Plaid

I know tartans have been very popular lately but they've always been part of my life ( even my alma mater's mascot is a tartan plaid! seriously). Growing up we were very 'American 'and not very in touch with my Scottish heritage -but there was always an abundance of tartan plaids around especially at my grandparents. Maybe because of that I always associate them with Christmastime.

My favorite store, William Sonoma Home, is featuring some GREAT tartain plaids for the holidays. Aren't these just great, cozy little accessories for your home in the holiday or even all winter? (unfortunately the market has me in saving mode -not spending mode :-( )

Check out this HOUSE!

So one of my favorite hollywood couples, the perfectly adorable Jennifer Garner and cutie patootie Ben Affleck, are probably purchasing the most perfect family home west of the Mississippi! Located in swank Holmby Hills in LA, this beautifull restored home from Hollywood's golden area makes me drool with envy!! I spotted it here on the Real EstalkerThis foyer is so beautiful! I love the marble floor, that glamourous hollywoody staircase for grand entrances and the furniture; Those mouldings are really nicely done and I love the lantern!This cavernous master bedroom is really cozy -i love the french doors out to the deck! What a cheerful room to wake up in :-)This is the 'his' of the 2 bathrooms in the master suite. I LOVE this dark wood and the sink -not so crazy about that marble in the shower but I'd live with it. I'm just glad it doesn't have a black toilet to match the marble. I think black toilets are the most disgusting cess pools of disease I've ever seen -ugly too -never look clean!
This is the 'her' bathroom in the master sweet with dressing room beyond. This is really a beautiful room - i love the fireplace next to the bathtub with garden views! My grandparents who have been married for 67 years attest their long and happy marriage to having seperate bathrooms -I could not agree more! If you can afford it, it's one of the things I would look for in a home!

The back of this home is really pretty nice, I LOVE the poolhouse -but notice anything missing? umm - landscaping? Is this a soccerfield? First things first - hire a landscaper! So much potential!! I see some trees, bushes, a rose garden, big lilac bushes, an herb garden -there is room for it all! Make it lush! Hope you enjoyed the home tour! Hopefully it will be in some trashy celeb magazine in a few years for us all to check out!

WS Home 2 - ARGH!

So, I got an answer about the basket shown in the Williams Sonoma home catalog - it's not offered for sale by them!! The ONE thing in the entire catalog that is not sold by them is the thing I desperately want! I received this polite email today

Thank you for contacting Williams-Sonoma Home. The magazine basket you have inquired about is a photographer's prop and is not currently offered for sale through Williams-Sonoma Home. Please know we have not been provided any information as to where this item was obtained. However, we have forwarded your suggestion to our Corporate Buyers for review and possible inclusion in future marketing plans.

If anyone knows what this basket is, please let me know!

WS home

I love WilliamSonoma home - I anticipate the seasonal catalogs from them like it's 'World of Interiors' , 'Domino' , 'Elle Decor' or some other publication! Check out these beautiful nickel and glass trays. I am so resisting getting the rectangular tray for my coffee table! It would be SO BEAUTIFUL THERE!!!!
The Presidio bed, alone in leather and in a room setting


I especially love their Presidio collection of furniture. I hate when everything is matchy matchy -but I really love each piece so much. I want the bed, the chair, the couch and the settee/daybed! I guess you could always mix and match velvet and leather, etc. I love the clean and classic lines of them -they're very architectural!
However there is one thing in the catalog I can't find on their website or in the print version. In this photo below you see that basket beside the couch with all the 'architectural digests' in it? (yes, my eyes are that good). I would love that beside my couch with all my 'world of interiors' in it that are curerntly hiding in the recesses of my bookcase. Anyone have any idea where to find a storage container that shape and size?? I just may break down and buy it!
I went to the william sonoma home store in Portland, oregon every day I was there just to hang out! I got some great silver mint julip vases/cups there as well as a suede edged cashmere blanket! DC really needs one of these stores!! Are you listening, WS home? I would SOOO work at you part-time!

wallpaper

I normally hate wallpaper and don't hold it against me -but I LOVE this Raphael 4 patten from Sandberg. I love the blues, grays and browns. Use it to give a windowless room a 'view', great for a walk-in closet, attic room or bathroom. A little old-fashioned, a little retro, a little modern - GREAT!

I don't normally like jewelry.....

But this DIAMOND CORSAGE ORNAMENT just may change my mind about that! Recently this was sold at Christie's in London for only $355,794. Just to be clear -this is a lot more than my CONDO cost.......for a pin.......a BEAUTIFUL pin........I suppose at these prices it's a brooch.

At a much more reasonable price of $24,538 we have this Cartier Pendant watch from 1930 - isn't this delightful? Not a word I would normally use, but it fits - DELIGHTFUL! This is why I love Cartier! I think I could find a way to wear this myself.....on the lapel of a jacket -maybe not?? Ok -I guess it is really not a good idea..... but sooo pretty
And last but not least, this art deco platinum diamond & emerald bracelet. I just love emeralds - and bracelets! Girls -wear more bracelets! $77,833 seems like a steal for this (not that I have that much, but this is definitely WORTH that much)

See the entire offerings from last week's jewelry auction HERE at Christies.