A Golden Moment

I always had a preference for silver accents when it came down to the question of silver or gold. From kitchen cabinet hardware to jewelry chains and ring bands and the metal letters on the car that indicate its model, I've always preferred the silver hue of nickel and chrome to the golden hue of brass. Lately, though, I've been loving the gold!

I was digging deep and asking myself the tough questions that lead to this change of heart. I thought about all of the reading I'd been doing about one of my favorite periods in art history lately: the Vienna Secession. Images of Gustav Klimt's beautiful gold leaf paintings and the white and gold contrast of Joseph Olbrich's Secession Building in Austria started popping into my head. Aha! Perhaps that's what has been influencing me. Check them out:

Gustav Klimt's Adele Block-Bauer I:

Joseph Olbrich's Secession Building and its details:

The Vienna Secession developed in the late 19th century and carried on into the early 20th century, with its active years about parallel to that of the Art Nouveau movement. It was comprised of a school of painters, craftsmen, and architects who sought to reject the pomp and formality of the flamboyant architecture and design that dominated most of the 19th century. They instead favored a return to more natural and functional forms. There was no strictly unifying "look" to this artistic movement, but rather a collective spirit to the art and designs that defined it. The movement's motto was, "To the age, its art. To art, its freedom."

Now let's look at some fun, modern day pieces with golden-hued designs that I've been loving lately! (Mind you, these are not Vienna Secession designs. They're just pretty. And golden.)  

Looking Up: Ceiling Designs

Oftentimes it seems that plenty of attention is given to the walls and floors of a room, but the ceiling remains a missed opportunity. The ceiling is one of the largest surface areas of a room, and can be a great place to add some beautiful details. Below are just a few examples of what can be done. Let’s take a fun little trip back into the past and take a look at some historical examples for inspiration first!

Gothic fan vault details:

Painted Italian Renaissance ceiling:

Scottish architect Robert Adams' detailed ceiling design from the 18th Century:



Art Deco stained glass ceiling in Buffalo City Hall:

Aren't those ceilings gorgeous? Now let's take a look at some examples that can be applied to a modern day home. From exposed ceiling beams to nail head trim--yes, nail head trim on the ceiling!--there are so many possibilities:

 

 

Taking Things Outside

Vanity Fair posted an online exclusive a few weeks ago where they asked 52 experts to name what they believe to be the most important buildings designed since 1980. The result, a fabulous and awe-inspiring list of Architecture's Modern Marvels!

What was chosen as the most important piece of architecture since 1980?

Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. This museum has been on my list of must-see's since I first learned about it in one of my undergrad Art History classes!

 

Check out the article on Vanity Fair's website for the full list of the top 21 modern architectural marvels. You can also view every entry selected by all 52 experts - there are more than 100 buildings. I will leave you with a few of my favorites...

{BWM Welt in Munich, Germany, COOP Himmelblau}

{Bird's Nest Stadium in Beijing, China, Herzog & de Meuron}

{Nelson-Atkins Museum addition in Kansas City, Missouri, Steven Hall}

{Seattle Public Library, Rem Koolhaas}

{CCTV Building in Beijing, China, Rem Koolhaas}

{Church of Light in Osaka, Japan, Tadao Ando}

Discovering John Pawson, Master of Luxurious Minimalism

I've always dreamed of designing a yacht someday so when I came across this spread in June 2010 Elle Decor, my heart absolutely melted. The design is absolutely beautiful and practical to a moving ship in everyway. Architect/designer John Pawson just made my list of top top career idols. And I should probably also give props to stylist Carlos Mota because his subtle touches; books, sea corals, flowers, bowls, cups, etc. give Pawson's designs life and excitement. This purple mast sail is going to rock your weekend:

Pawson carried the bleached teak floors from the ship's deck through to the interior floors and ceilings. The walls and bulkheads are covered in leathered parchment or white laquer.


The Christian Liagre sofa, Hans J. Wegner chairs and Bruno Weil pieces, as well as many Pawson-designed pieces create an atmosphere of luxurious minimalism. Do you think the yacht's owner and documentary filmmaker, Angela Ismailos, ever sits around amongst these beautiful furnishings in her bathing suit? I don't know why but I keep thinking about what I would wear if I were on that boat!



I think Elle Decor writer James Reginato summed up best what makes this boat so special... (It)...has an open, loftlike feel rarely found on sailboats. The airy, sunny atmosphere is reinforced by an unusual feature: the boat's large rectangular portholes, which admit profuse light, especially to the serene bedrooms below deck."

Have an inspired weekend!!

Drayton Hall, Georgian Palladian Design Inpiration

I just got back from a very rejuvenating family vacation week in South Carolina (the 2nd of 3 trips I will be making to the area in 2010!) When we weren't kicking back on the beach or trolling for crabs, we found time to make a few little sightseeing trips. One of these was to Drayton Hall, a plantation home located just north of Charleson on the Ashley River. The home is a fine example of Georgian-Palladian architecture as you can see the nearly perfect symmetry achieved below. (I tried to stand right in the middle so as not to throw it off!)

There are a handful of plantations open to visitors, and some with a lot more to see than Drayton Hall, but none of the others are perhaps as architecturally significant; and so we chose this one to visit. Built between 1738 and 1742, the house is one of the only plantation houses still intact after Civil War, hurricanes, an earthquake and fires have reaked havoc over the past 2oo years. The other thing that makes this structure really special is that the interiors are basically untouched since the days that the house served as a permanent residence to the Drayton family...

I literally gasped when I walked through the front door to find these achingly beautiful pine floors, the patina on them could never be re-created, I don't care how good of a floor guy you have! The blue-ish gray paint color was unearthly, and was original to the 2nd owner in the mid-1800's if I understood my guide correctly.

Every wall, fireplace (I think there was one in nearly every room!) window, door and ceiling was decorated with breathtaking molding and panel detail. The carvings were distinctly Georgian in nature and Mr. Drayton definitely envisioned himself an English gentleman. This hand-carved plaster ceiling remained intact in the Withdrawing Room. (And there is Mr. Maynard listening intently at the bottom left!)

The 2 sides of the house are mirror images of each other architecturally. Perfect symmetry was so important that when necessary, there were even false doors fashioned to achieve the intent. (The door panel no longer remains but once covered the brick facade seen here.)

A view of a Drawing Room window seat...

Here I am (4 months pregnant I might add!) enjoying a view of the Ashley River before going home...

If you are in the area, I highly recommend paying Drayton Hall a visit. The tour is short and sweet but will leave you feeling plenty inspired. Here is a link to the official website: Drayton Hall

Hidden Jewels

My sister-in-law told me about some AMAZING abandoned Russian houses that were featured on a blog she reads called Ensuite. I looked them up and sure enough, they make me speechless! I read everything there was to read on these, and it is quite unanimous that everyone who sees these wants to get their hands dirty and restore them. Check out this meticulous detail...

{Click them to go bigger, these are worth seeing up close!}

There is not much info as to their current owners etc. They are apparently located approximately 550km outside of Moscow, were built in the late 19th century, and are in fairly good condition due to the fact that they are pretty much in the middle of nowhere.

Can you imagine what these would have looked like in their heyday? The Art Historian in me can't help but look at these masterpieces and wonder what life was like living here. Picture these interiors when they were new. I can't get over all the trims and mouldings, and those colors must have been stunning!

{All photos via English Russia}

I would love to walk around these mansions and soak in all the beauty! And I would take all that snow right now, because it is nearing 100 degrees in this part of the country. Ick!