Saturday, January 26, 2013

ROAM for the holidays

Please excuse my delay in posting this journal entry. 
Many of you have let me know
that I've  been slacking off...
but nice to know I 've been missed

Though the yuletide  is behind us it's not too early to consider

THE GIFT OF TRAVEL
for 2013


 London is always a Dickens Christmas

So festive when decked out in holiday lights

HARROD'S
ONLY IF YOU CAN STAND THE CROWDS
but the food halls alone are worth it


Traditional British meat pies

Yule logs

and famous macaroons from LADUREE

They make the  perfect house gift if you are fortunate 
to garner an invitation to a local holiday party 
They also travel well to bring home

Even the street signs are dressed for the holiday season

City Bikes can be a good way to get around London
 Walking is 
- equally risky- 
 Remember to look LEFT when crossing the street

and always look UP 

Design inspiration is everywhere

Take in all the architectural styles and character of the city
A row of spectacular townhouses on Pelham Crescent


A fantastic British publication

gains  entry into unique homes in England 
and around the world

Tea Stops for the Cabbies 

Tradition lives comfortably

 ... with the avant garde

Window shopping provides design inspiration


Catch a glimpse of the beautiful Kate
even if only on the 'Tellie'

Skating rinks dot the city
like this one  at Somerset House

The 
COURTAULD COLLECTION
one of the finest small art museums in the world
is housed at Somerset House

Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works

THE BAR AT THE FOLIES BERGERE

Seen this gal on a few calendars and gift cards ???
 Manet's great and LAST painting
Meet the barmaid 

She is in good company 
with Van Gogh
 SELF PORTRAIT

So many great works all displayed in an intimate uncrowded environment

QUEEN  VICTORIA
The queen commissioned this very personal painting as a private birthday gift
for her beloved Prince Consort, Albert.
This is no way the prim Victoria we have come to know, 
and it's clear she intended this for Albert's eyes only

Look at the portrait  and see it was not a Hollywood stretch
to cast the beautiful Emily Blount as the young Victoria

YOUNG VICTORIA
Starring Emily Blount and Rupert Friend
2009

The film explores the early love story of the royal couple.

Produced by former "royalty" Sarah Ferguson, I can only hope
that she finds the funding to do a sequel- there is so much more to their love story

Young Victoria was written by Julian Fellowes
of Downton Abbey fame
Since life imitates art

expect to see  these classy fashions revived  for 2013
and plan to add a bit of the Edwardian countryside look
to your wardrobe 

SHOOTING COAT & MUFF
For the real deal you can shop at one of the many hunting shops in London

Costume influence in fashion is not always a good thing
ERROL FLYNN
as
ROBIN HOOD
1938
A modern day Robin Hood in Meggings
Not sure this look is going to take the world by storm...

Let's just say he is no Rudolf Nureyev


So speaking of costumes...
I made my regular pilgrimage to

The Victoria and Albert Museum 
aka 
The V& A
The largest museum of Decorative Arts and Design in the world

THE HOLLYWOOD COSTUME EXHIBIT
running  through January 2013 
was superbly curated

From Marilyn's famous dress...
MARILYN
 in
The Seven Year Itch

to the leather jacket and brimmed hat that 
'made' Harrison Ford 

INDIANA JONES

to the famous magic slippers

Judy Garland's
ticket home in
The Wizard of OZ

Travel is a visual feast
 
I pick up much of my design inspiration from my travels 
which provide me with new resources and  new ideas

But where ever you may roam....

Click your heels and say the magic words

"There's no place like home."







"Be it ever so humble 
there's no place like home "


Happy Trails 
Rela















Sunday, November 11, 2012

Love Thy Neighbor



A new neighbor

HUDSON GRACE
is open for business
 in perfect time for the holidays
3350 Sacrament Street 
San Francisco

Be prepared to fill some crisp shopping bags 
in this jewel box space designed by 
Michael Bodziner
of Gensler - San Francisco
Conceived by proprietors
Gary McNatton and Monelle Totah
  Style Prevails
at
HUDSON GRACE

SIMPLICITY- ELEGANCE- GOOD TASTE



"Give them what they never knew they wanted"
Diana Vreeland

... like disposable 'cloth' cocktail napkins

or an orange cowhide rug


Natural Wax Tapers

 Rugged Storage

Refined Details

Found Objects


Scented candles 
Displayed under sparkling bell jars 
  No overwhelming fragrance
upon entering this magic world of beautiful things

The devil is in the details
Caligraphy labels identify the enormous varieties of scents

I couldn't resist 
SOLIS REX
from 
Cire Trudon
the world's oldest candlemaker,  established in 1643

LOUIS LOUIS
The Sun King

Close your eyes- 
take a breath
Be transported to the Hall of Mirrors at the 
Chateau de Versailles
The scent of old wooden floors and dripping candle wax 

How much is that doggie in the window ?
Priceless...

 so bring along all your credit cards


www.hudsongracesf.com
HUDSON GRACE
A house A home

Shopped out ???


GARIBALDI'S
a neighborhood favorite
is around the corner

Established 1990
by Proprietors
 John Hurley and Justin Hafen




Garibaldi's has become a San Francisco destination 



 White linens-white dinner plates-fine stemware
sparkle in this beautifully lit chic interior

and the menu...
YUM!



If you are reading this journal entry 
you are probably in a warm, safe,  comfortable spot



PLEASE 

don't forget the horrific damage caused by 
Hurricane Sandy and
the Nor'easter that followed closely on it's heels


Many are still shivering without power or heat

Volunteers are pitching in as they can 

homes have been destroyed


 and lives devastated

Let them know we more fortunate have not forgotten them

 LOVE THY NEIGHBOR

Let your simple act of kindness show your  style 
and
be your way of saying all the complicated things 
you feel when you recognize such agony

DONATE IN ANY WAY YOU CAN

HELP CHILDREN IN NEED- Save the Children and World Vision
FOOD & SHELTER-Salvation Army and American Red Cross
CARE FOR ANIMALS-The Humane Society of the United States
GIVE BLOOD-The American Red Cross
JOIN THE CLEAN-UP- Team Rubicon and Samaritan's Purse

All can be found on line for more information

Thank you for caring

Rela