VT (for all of my design-obsessed peeps)

imagecourtesyweheartit viadelectable-collectibles/indigenousdialogues Peeps, It seems that less-enlightened voters in North Carolina have won the battle, but may have lost the war for marriage equality, and inherently full civil rights for certain individuals (and groups) who have yet to be accorded all the rights and privileges guaranteed by our Constitution.  I admit that last night I felt quite discouraged and disappointed upon learning that Amendment One had passed by a 69-31% margin.  It was disturbing to read that over four million registered voters choose not participate in the civic process, and 1,303,876 persons voted for Amendment One.   While I acknowledge that exit-polls reveal that many folks did not fully understand the ramifications of amending the state's constitution to define marriage as only between a man and a woman, being informed is not terribly difficult in this, the information age.  Sadly in many areas, slick politicians practic...

imagecourtesyathoughtfuleye Peeps, We all wait anxiously for the results of North Carolina's vote on Amendment One.  Today, the nation and the rest of the world gets the opportunity to see how 'admirably' the democratic system works; perhaps future generations will look quizzically, or disbelievingly, upon this occasion where the rights of some individuals can be upheld or dismissed by popular vote, sort of like a contest for the most popular movie, or a surreal version of The Hunger Games , or a Shirley Jackson novella best left unspoken. On Wednesday, North Carolina, or more specifically Charlotte, steps forth into the national spotlight again.  The BofA (Bank of America) shareholders' meeting is scheduled for 10am in the BofA Center Auditorium, and protest groups comprised of community, labor and religious activists plan to demonstrate their dissatisfaction at this prominent bank, considered responsible by many for the unprecedented rate of foreclosures, th...

imagecourtesyjjjjound Peeps, I had the pleasure of visiting Charlotte (NC) this past weekend, and in the true spirit of Southern hospitality, the Queen City did not disappoint this weary traveler.  Having the good fortune of mild temperatures, long walks through lovely gardens abundant with ferns, roses, azaleas, magnolias and irises were made even more memorable under the gaze of the fullest moon this side of the hemisphere.  Not unlike Williamsburg (VA) and our local regions, boxwood shrubs were quite plentiful, as were colorful placards on almost every front-yard, either in support or in opposition to Amendment One, scheduled for a public vote tomorrow.  My hostess proudly pointed out the nays outweighed ayes, at least in the more civilized and enlightened parts of the state -- with the exception being counties to be found in that particular intersection of bible belt and gun belt, allegedly located down in the 'south-eastern bit.' And irrespective of wh...

imagecourtesycoloroutsidethelinesblog Peeps, Nothing comes quite close to the delight and joy one experiences upon entering a truly beautiful residence.  Comfortable furnishings, wonderful art, and innumerable objects of varied interests:  these are the hallmarks of a well-furbished home where both heart and soul is satisfied; and undoubtedly the mind is too stimulated, as evidenced by those wonderful little things that we call books, here fetchingly abundant.  The debate still continues as to whether the printed book is obsolete, a casualty of modern technology.  Yet bookshop owners report brisk sales, although now to a highly-select clientele who value the stimulation of all senses offered by those wonderful little things we call books.  I confess to a passing interest in the apparent ease, and attraction, of the various electronic reading-devices currently on the market; still, I savor the anticipation of peering into limitless universes, found tucked ...

imagecourtesyelementsofstyle viamynottinghillblog Peeps, My quick trip to visit family in Florida was wonderful, and made even more enjoyable by the cool rains that swept through day after day.   It seems that tropical plants can reach fence-height overnight, and breath-taking nests of brilliantly-colored orchids literally crowned every tree within sight.  Body-surfing down at South Point was out of the question, yet watching back-to-back episodes of Mad Men and Spartacus while sipping colorful concoctions of imported spirits kept the adrenaline pumping, as did late night dancing at Gaby's Lounge (on Pines Blvd in Pembrooke Pines).  As usual the house-band tore it up as the enthusiastic crowd screamed for more!! Glad to be back home, and the daily routine of work, the garden, and reading all the posts from the wonderful folks on social media sites.  I've planned lots of articles for next week on some of the many inspiring individuals I've met on F...

imagecourtesyclodagh Peeps, It is a little intimidating to meet one's idols (or heroes) in everyday life.  Between magazine page or movie screen and a personal encounter there is still that distance where illusion(s) can be entertained for as long as is desired, or deemed necessary.  Reality is a different matter altogether.  After the initial hand-shake, the cheerful introduction, the quick glance at a name-tag, everything comes rushing to the surface of awareness almost immediately, and without the courtesy of a filter.  Like stepping through an open door and into the sitting room without the buffer offered by a vestibule or entry hall.  I believe that actors and barkers have mastered the art of concealing any vulnerabilities or anxieties, as have sociopaths and various despots in recent history.  French actress Catherine Deneuve confesses to be an expert at the art of facial composition, yet admits that her eyes invariably can betray her inner em...

courtesyofcambridgewhoswhocom Peeps, Sadly, in early December we lost one of our most revered friends, landscape architect Wolfgang Oehme; and who is considered by many to have been the leading advocate (and perhaps also the founder) of the ' new American garden' movement. Emigrating to America in 1957, he was shocked at the landscape(s) that he observed in our cities.  He abhorred the sterile, passive yards where tightly sheered and pruned evergreens dwarfed homes, where expanses of lawn met the sidewalk without any attempt at privacy or charm, where beds of English ivy grew rampant, and where seasonal interest and color was limited to pansies and impatiens.  He was repulsed (and rightfully so) at the unimaginative gardens he witnessed, as well as concerned about the high degree of pesticides and care demanded by lawns and plant species plainly unsuitable to these parts.  First as a single practitioner, and later as part of the design firm Oehme, Van Sweden &...

photocourtesythebandfrom.com Peeps, While the number of Japanese architect Tadao Ando's completed projects (as well as international awards) has increased, his design vocabulary remains surprisingly restrained, and limited to an continuous dialogue on the themes of: light and darkness; how to achieve a sympathetic integration with context; and the use of everyday materials to expose a humble elegance.   In 2008, Wallpaper  wrote that  ' Tadao's  route into the field of architecture is not what you might expect from one of today’s dominating design forces.  He explored unlikely incarnations as a truck driver and boxer before discovering his penchant for architecture. However, after traveling through Africa, Europe and the United States, Ando settled in his native Japan where he began applying his self-taught methods to building designs that have since earned his status as one of the greatest architects of our time.  With no formal training...

photocourtesysupermanandsupermodelstumblr Peeps, Model/designer/artist/film-maker/fashion muse Daphne Guinness is a dreamy apparition (above).  She favors couture from McQueen, Gareth Pugh, Lacroix, Tom Ford, Alaia and others, which she wears in her distinctive way.  When asked about her near-obsession with couture, and her considerable support of young designers and artists, her reason is very clear; 'We need better things, not more.  We should not pollute the world with meaningless, unused things when we can make and support things of rare and precious beauty.' An exhibition of her collection of couture garments and accessories was recently displayed at the FIT museum, and a book authored by fashion critic/historian Valerie Steele has just been issued.  An extensive archive of her many looks (including the racier ones) can be seen at  http://daphneguinness.tumblr.com/ .  Daphne is a rare one who must be commended for remaining true to her self (a...

imagecourtesyelizathlockecom Peeps, I wish you all a wonderful Thursday.  This weekend I will be away from the blogging station, and visiting friends and family in Williamsburg (VA), Charlotte (NC), and Savannah (GA).  Upon my return, I will be sure to update you on my travels through this charming part of the country, as well as to continue sharing visions of beauty (inspired by fall).  Sincerely, Shane

plateimagecourtesyhellotradecom Peeps, Sometimes, not being decisive, costs one much more than money.  I had always wanted a Piero Fornasetti plate, and discovering a collection of six at one of my favorite antique shops (The Scarlet Fox in Old Towne, Alexandria) should have been a celebration in itself.   Sadly, when faced with the object(s) of my long-held desire, I hem'd and haw'd; they were reasonably priced, I could afford to get them there and then, space was not an issue since they could be creatively hung anywhere.  Yet I did not act, but instead promised to come back the following week.  Of course, they were gone by then; snapped up by some decisive design-addict or smart decorator who realized that a bird (or plate) in hand, is worth much more than thumbing through auction catalogues, or trolling the wasteland known as Ebay/Fleabay.   Truth be told, I have seen the Fornasetti plates offered on Ebay, however I prefer to purchase an object w...

bethwebbinterior photocourtesybethwebb Peeps, In the weeks preceding Thanksgiving dinner, and the numerous gatherings for Christmas and New Year's Day, I wanted to remind fellow peeps of the need to plan logically and logistically for holiday entertaining.  Why, you may ask?  And the answer is a need for sophisticated civility, as well as a celebration of time's passage through ceremony and circumstance (if not pomp and circumstance).   For last month's dinner party could well have been avoided by me; to be greeted by a flustered co-host at the front door who quickly ushered us into the kitchen where the lady of the house was running between checking the temperature of racks of lamb in the oven, slicing veges for the starter salad, and stirring a saucepan of mango-and-fig chutney did not make for good entertainment.  Neither did wrestling with a wine-cork key, searching for red-wine glasses through numerous cabinets, and avoiding Snoopy and Buttons' food bowl...