VT (for all of my design-obsessed peeps)

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: The New Face of Home Design (an essay by guest wr... : photocourtesyswedishfurniturecom Friends and blog readers, The economic down turn in America has influenced the face of design and...

photocourtesyswedishfurniturecom Friends and blog readers, The economic down turn in America has influenced the face of design and will continue to do so in the coming years.  The look and feel of today's home is the extension and reflection  of a broader range of attitudes and sensibilities.  In the year to come expect to see in the pages of magazines and on the boards of designers a more streamlined, simple and direct aesthetic. Perhaps once again, Le Corbusier's famous credo "Less is MORE" may become the tag line of the coming decade. Everyone I know is paring back - wanting less in their interior spaces, this translating into fewer objects and a decidedly unfussy look. The excesses of the 80's, and the hard-edged minimalism of the 90's are no longer relevant at this time.  It seems that the Modernist tendencies of the last many years has given way to a warmer and softer look. The bigges...

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: ' THINK GLOBALLY, BLOG LOCALLY, ' an essay by gu... : photocourtesydmitrikblog ' THINK GLOBALLY, BLOG LOCALLY ' You pick up a newspaper or turn on the nightly news, what do you see and he...

photocourtesydmitrikblog ' THINK GLOBALLY, BLOG LOCALLY ' You pick up a newspaper or turn on the nightly news, what do you see and hear? A bunch of bad stuff you (seemingly) can’t do a damn thing about – massacres in Syria, economic crisis in Europe, a U.S. budget deficit seemingly out of control, gridlock in Congress, on and on it goes. You think to yourself, I’ve tried before and it didn’t work. I voted for change in 2008, but now all I seem to see is more of the same. I wrote to my Congressman about legislation I wanted passed, but it died in committee. I even went down to a rally on the National Mall, along with tens of thousands of others who felt (roughly) the same way, and the result was…the same ol’ same ol’ situation, as far as I can tell. In other words, at this point you find yourself any or all of the following: cynical, jaded, disillusioned, disappointed, frustrated, exasperated, and generally resigned to not having any impact on the way things go in our c...

landscape#6bywalterhelena EASILY GREEN an essay by Sam Parry can only be viewed by visiting the blog site at www.forallofmydesign-obsessedpeeps.blogspot.com/

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: WISHES FOR THE NEW YEAR / EASILY GREEN (An essay b... : landscape#6bywalterhelena Friends and blog readers, I hate the word tree-hugger. For one thing, I’ve been an environmentalist all ...

landscape#6bywalterhelena Friends and blog readers,  I hate the word tree-hugger. For one thing, I’ve been an environmentalist all my life and have never once hugged a tree. For another, it’s just one more little way that the nitwits undermine common sense dialogue about important environmental issues and marginalize conservation. “Oh, don’t listen to him, you know – he’s just a tree-hugger .” It really shouldn’t be that way. In fact, going green is so easy and beneficial that you really are a nitwit if you don’t try. Just think. The next time you're shopping for a car, and you're down to two or three choices, simply buy the more fuel efficient one. If you drive it 100,000 miles, and you get 30 miles to the gallon instead of 27, you've just saved yourself nearly $1500 (at $4/gallon) and saved the planet 370 gallons of gas, which eliminates about 7000 pounds of carbon dioxide [ http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2006/11/how_gasoline_becomes_co2...

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: (almost) ALMOST FAMOUS: Architects Working Under ... : photocourtesyrentromeapartmentscom Peeps, Ever since meeting Cathleen Curtin (CA, AIA) in 2004, I have closely watched as her list...

photocourtesyrentromeapartmentscom Peeps, Ever since meeting Cathleen Curtin (CA, AIA) in 2004, I have closely watched as her list of accomplishments steadily increases, and am pleased by her success.  And have often wondered where and how does she find the time and energy to keep producing noteworthy projects in the Washington metropolitan area, as well as in California.  Just the thought of packing a week-end bag causes me no small amount of anxiety, much less trying to manage projects on both coasts.  I have to hand it to her, cause she seems to do it quite well, all the while charming and gracious in SOHO chic apparel and perfectly groomed.  Alas, tonight's essay promised by Ms Curtin was not possible because of a heavy work schedule these past months, and I had to console myself with a short interview yesterday.  Still, it went quite well, and we are quite lucky to have had the time together.  I am sure that you will all enjoy our all too bri...

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: (almost) ALMOST FAMOUS: Architects Working Under t... : AfterGiottobyTomNakashima photocourtesyrabbeinccom Peeps, It seems that architects who toil within the boundaries of the District rec...

HomagetoGiottobyTomNakashima photocourtesyrabbeinccom Peeps, It seems that architects who toil within the boundaries of the District receive little praise for their efforts.  The casual observer or visitor can almost rightfully dismiss many of our downtown buildings as being bland, unless he or she is aware of the months of wrangling necessary to acquire a building permit.  Here, in Washington DC, neighborhood advisory boards/historic preservation societies/the State Department/Homeland Security/FBI, perhaps also CIA/other federal and stage agencies/developers/architects/builders/anchor tenant(s)/any elected official with an interest/the general public/the press/any architect of renown, as well as any architecture student/intern, and the boyfriend/girlfriend/mistress/long-time call-boy of anyone remotely involved with the project, can weigh in with their prejudices/whims/demands/ suggestions /fears/concerns and every remembered (or imagined) grievance;  thus they ...

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: (almost) ALMOST FAMOUS: Designers Working Under t... : photocourtesystartdesigningblogspot Peeps, At this time of the year, we are treated to the ' Best of 2011's _______' and ' 100 Best ...

photocourtesystartdesigningblogspot Peeps, At this time of the year, we are treated to the ' Best of 2011's _______' and ' 100 Best Designers/Actors/Actresses/Movies/Albums/TV Shows/Books/Corporate Logos, ' and so forth.  I guilty admit to eagerly searching for my faves, and being disappointed or miffed if they fail to appear as noteworthy in their respective category or field.  Yes, there is nothing more thrilling than being included in the celebratory lofts of whatever profession in which one daily labors.  Especially the little perks like event passes, 'free' samples, and hottie interns waiting outside your doors; or the bigger perks such as more projects (with larger budgets).  Earlier this year,  I visited the Washington DC Design Showhouse 2011 and was quite surprised by the tremendous local talent who live and work within the Beltway.  Sadly, many of these talented individuals are ignored by the national shelter magazines who prefer to focus ...

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: The Peep-Show presents ' 8 Reasons to Love Hannuka... : photocourtesyofshoeteasecom 8 Reasons to Love Hannukah!!!! The very thought of giving or receiving these random gifts makes me deliri...

photocourtesyofshoeteasecom 8 Reasons to Love Hannukah!!!! The very thought of giving or receiving these random gifts makes me delirious with excitement......some "over the top", some staid.....but  fun and generous in my opinion 1) A stunning , insanely gorgeous orchid from either local floral designer Greenworks or Le Printemps, coincidentally near to one another down in the hot new West End area of DC....love what is going on there as it always evokes memories of my days at GWU, not appreciating that I lived off campus and did my weekly food shopping at the now closed Safeway at The Watergate. Both shops do a terrific job....and at one point I was fortunate to have orchids from both on my coffee table....they were equally as spectacular!!! 2) A beautiful pen..... one with heft and gravitas. Tiffany does a couple of pretty, feminine styles,( I misplaced mine)...... I purchased a monogrammed ballpoint Montblanc for a friend,( he mentioned that the Cartier I had give...

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: ' THE DECEMBER ISSUE ' / In Memory of Alexander M... : photocourtesysbeulahonsugarcom Peeps, ' THE DECEMBER ISSUE,' the series of essays regarding fashion which ran during the past two wee...

photocourtesysbeulahonsugarcom Peeps, ' THE DECEMBER ISSUE,' the series of essays regarding fashion which ran during the past two weeks, is dedicated to the memory of Alexander McQueen.  Earlier this year, the MET/Costume Institute's exhibition entitled ' ALEXANDER MCQUEEN: SAVAGE BEAUTY,' broke attendance records with an estimated 661,509 visitors, and 100,000 copies of the exhibition catalogue sold.  In May through August, fans/followers/devotees/bloggers/fashion-istas/ curators/editors/walkers/wanna-bees/wankers/wierdos, assorted persons, as well as personalities from all genres (and sub-genres as well) of society congregated at the temple of his highness to pay respect to his memory, and to view the collection(s).  McQueen created garments of incomparable and haunting beauty.  His runway shows transformed existing notions of beauty, performance, art, identity, politics and couture to a singular aesthetic vision unparalleled in recent history.  He was ...

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: ' THE DECEMBER ISSUE ' / The Forgotten Ones : photocourtesythesartorialist Peeps, It seems that the fashion world has forgotten the 'mature' woman, you know any of the female sex...

photocourtesythesartorialist Peeps, It seems that the fashion world has forgotten the 'mature' woman, you know any of the female sex who has reached (or passed) the age of 40.  Most ads feature impossibly beautiful girls of 18 thru 26 with dewy young skin, taut muscles and body fat of less than 10%, and skin unmarked by age, experience, or the concerns of family, career, and the travails of everyday life.  I believe that most folks would agree that the scantily clad vixens prancing down the Victoria's Secret runway, or the willowy patrician beauties of Ralph Lauren or Michael Kors' fantasies are a lifetime removed from the average American woman who finds it increasingly difficult to drop four or five thousand dollars on a wool skirt cut for the glamazon whose height is 5'11 (without heels).  My sister complains that, with the exception of the sexless shapes promoted by Eileen Fisher, the conservative offerings of Ann Taylor, and the questionable selection a...

photocourtesyfocusonstyleblog Peeps, In an industry allegedly dominated by ego-maniacs, divas, copy-cats, trend-followers, weak talent and the directionless, true talent can be increasingly rare to spot, as well as show.  Indeed, it is on the runway -- that daunting, demanding spectacle of craft/art/performance, where a designer's individual viewpoint is crystallized into magical moments which must be quickly presented within a short time-span allotted between other talents, and before the audience's attention wanders elsewhere.  At the cost of millions per minute, the supporting cast of fitters/makeup artists/hair-dressers/lighting and stage technicians/prop-managers and florists/the DJ, and the bevy of beautiful models all contribute to 'that' moment or moments when the designer's vision is wholly realized. Then after thunderous applause (as well as  favorable reviews and large orders from store buyers and enthusiastic clientele, or lucrative contracts for p...

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: ' THE DECEMBER ISSUE ' / Ralph Rucci: THE NEXT ... : photocourtesyfocusonstyleblog Peeps, In an industry allegedly dominated by ego-maniacs, divas, copy-cats, trend-followers, weak talent...

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: ' THE DECEMBER ISSUE ' / First Lady Michelle O... : imagesourceunknown Readers, First Lady Michelle Obama is the the epitome of style and cool! Being able to pull off both style an...

imagesourceunknown Readers, First Lady Michelle Obama is the the epitome of style and cool!  Being able to pull off both style and cool as a forty-something woman, and as the First Lady of the most powerful country in the world (I'm being somewhat dramatic and facetious here) is quite a feat.  To be sure, her style has inflamed the wrath of some who think that the First Lady should be more demure in her wardrobe choices.  Read that as:  dowdy, boring, status quo, white bread, if you will.  And those uppity arms.  How dare she put the arms of the average American woman to shame!  But then I'm sure that Michelle Obama has never done anything status quo, and growing up in a working-class black family in Chicago, I'm also pretty sure she learned how to create great style with less. When she's buying off-the-rack clothes, which she still does, she has to confront the reality of the body types that most clothes are made for.  First of all,...

(VISUAL TREATS) For All of My Design-Obsessed Peeps: ' THE DECEMBER ISSUE ' / Flights of Fancy : photoannieleibovitz Peeps, The lines of traffic continue to snake around the entrances leading to the parking roofs at the local mall...

photoannieleibovitz Peeps, The lines of traffic continue to snake around the entrances leading to the parking roofs at the local malls. I know this from listening to the woes of friends whose kids drag them there, tiredly clutching wads of discount coupons, and searching for bargains.  In stark contrast are super-savvy shoppers who now compare prices at the sites of on-line merchants, hit the button, and have gifts delivered right to the doorstep.  Both groups approach the spirit of the holiday season somewhat differently; I sympathize with those e-shoppers who strive to keep stress to a minimum by avoiding the crowds swarming up and down tight aisles; the inevitable arguments over parking space rights, as well as the shortage of knowledgeable staff at the counters.  On occasion, I experience some nostalgia for the old times, as I have completely abandoned gift-giving at Christmas; my preference is a little splurge at birthdays or high-school graduations of my many...