VT (for all of my design-obsessed peeps)

courtesysmart-travel-germany.com Peeps, The city of Stuttgart, Germany was my home for a number of years.   More precisely, the Army base on which I lived was located in the suburban hamlet of Moehringen, an easy train ride away from downtown. The city center was located deeper in the valley surrounded by hills dotted with small modern apartment-buildings, vineyards, and open parks.   For a kid who had left Belize one morning on TACA’s 11am flight to Miami, and then five months later (after training courses in Kentucky and Indiana) landed in Stuttgart via Franfurt, everything seemed foreign, wondrous, and dreamlike.   I quickly learned to love pommes frites with mayo, grilled sausages with sharp, tangy mustard, and dark German beer. On my base, the troops were encouraged to get out and see the best of the continent.   Within a couple hours drive, inexpensive bus tours took the adventurous to Amsterdam, France, Belgium, and Luxembourg.   3 and 4 day pass...

YellowHills,GoldSky/RogerBrown imagecourtesyFederalReserveBoard Peeps, I believe that Labor Day marks the end of summer and the beginning of the fall season, which then slips so easily into Thanksgiving, then Christmas and presto, the year is over.  I had all intentions of relaxing a bit and doing some interviews on the theme of Super-Cool Americans; sadly work during the last two weeks of August prevented me from completing the series and so I decided to entertain all the devout blog readers with a selection of un-posted visual treats that I have compiled under the title—Reinventing Beauty, Chapter 1.  I do hope that you will enjoy these lovelies as you return to work, and dig in for an uninterrupted five-week stretch until the Columbus Day break. The daily drive to Annapolis over the last week and a half was less stressful than I had previously anticipated.  Perhaps the smooth and ease of the 45 minute ride crossing from Virginia via the Wilson Bridge and out...

imagecourtesysimplyseletablog Peeps, This particular interior caught my eye and held it long after countless other images had passed through my consciousness.  I was immediately drawn to the wall of beautifully framed artwork(s) hung salon-style above the writing desk in Selena's office/study.  Each piece is quite different yet the grouping is held together by the shared themes of landscape, architecture, and botany; upon closer inspection, the individual images are all poetic and elegant.  Also quite pleasing was the pale desk with gently curved cabriole-legs, comfy sitting chair, and the tribal rug.  What a pleasure to work in this room, beneath this wonderful art collection and surrounded by beautiful objects.  How wonderful to be able to call this lovely space--home!! Enjoy, Shane

photosourceunknown Peeps, Atlanta's Nancy Braithwaite has almost single-handedly redefined the design vernacular of Georgia, the Carolinas, and parts of Virginia.  She makes no attempt to replicate fantasies of Tara, or recreate pastiches of French and English royal estates; instead she delivers well-edited and thoughtfully conceived interiors which are just right for their locale.  Nancy's expansive portfolio offers evidence of consistently achieving that 'timeless' factor.  Today's featured interior is quite striking it its simplicity:  a cozy seating arrangement comprised of two linen covered bergeres facing a slip-covered love-seat.  (Note: here a custom tailored slip-cover fits taut and is self-piped with hems just barely grazing the floor.)  Instead of a coffee-table which I frequently find to be too low/bulky/casual, Nancy employs a beautiful tea-table with wonderfully cabriole legs, and then repeats the shape of the legs in twin tables flan...

imagecourtesyaprtmenttheraphyblogspot Peeps. Thomas O'Brien, cofounder of AERO, and designer of carpets for SAFAVIEH, furniture for HICKORY CHAIR, fabrics for LEE JOFA, and assorted (if somewhat over-priced) bric-a-brac for TARGET, cleverly utilizes his NYC loft as both impromptu design studio and private retreat.  Although this pre-war residence boasts an 18ft high ceiling, the only bedroom was tiny, had a low ceiling, and connected to the living area by a dark, narrow hallway, so the owner opted to move his bed, bedroom furniture, and personal effects into the open, airy, light-filled salon.  Borrowing from the page of tricks and visual illusions of other designers who prefer small-space living, O'Brien hangs art right up to the rafters, and wrapped his entire space in a soft-grey color upon which everything appears to float.  As master of the 'vintage modern' trend in decorating, this highly successful designer mixes updated creations from his licens...

photocourtesyMaryMcDonald Peeps, You all know that I have always found the color pink to be one of the most versatile colors available, and one which I use frequently in bedrooms and living rooms.  When grounded by classical elements, it is quite sophisticated and elegant as demonstrated in this interior by the fabulous and talented Mary McDonald.  Balanced symmetry of slipper chairs with centre table, chinoiserie elements such as the wall mirror and blue/white vases adds visual zip, a zebra skin on the dark floor introduces the naturally exotic, and the arrangement of exquisite little plates all contribute to this striking composition.  Truly, a wonderful and dramatic entry!! Enjoy, Shane PS:  When Diana Vreeland famously said, "Pink is the navy-blue of India," could she have foreseen its easy assimilation into every aspect of design within these shores?

photocourtesyhotelmaisonstellacadenteparis Peeps,  The rain keeps falling outside as the storm rages, and my underground lair rocks with the sound of 'Relax' by Frankie Goes to Hollywood.  Who could ever forget the excitement this song generated on and off the dance-floor.  Who thought of leaving the club with this vibe remixed/respun/revved/k-grooved??  Not I!  There is much to be said for passion and the singular vision of musicians and artists.  Coming across this image in our vault of past postings, I was still struck by the interior's unconventional beauty and the skill of pairing these vibrant colors.  I wish more folks would embrace change (in all aspects of one's life) as the world around spins even more rapidly, the sun seemingly leans closer, and the time of prophecy draws near.  Whose words are prophetic and which are pathetic at this time remains undecided and unclear.   Sincerely, Shane PS:  Shout-out to Davi...