Curious Orange

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

No house should be on any hill or on anything, it should be of the hill, belonging to it ...

Frank Lloyd Wright was born June 8th 1867. Widely regarded as the greatest American architect of all time, he was also a prolific writer and designer of furniture, fabric, art glass, lamps, dinnerware, silver, linens and graphic arts.

There are several Wright designed houses in Los Angeles, mostly executed in his California inspired iconic textile-block design. Why not celebrate his birthday with a tour?

Hollyhock House, 1921
4808 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles
* The only Wright house currently open to the public.
Tours available Friday thru Sunday, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30
http://hollyhockhouse.net/

Ennis House, 1924
2655 Glendower Avenue, Los Angeles
* Ennis house is actually for sale! $10.5 million through Christies.

Freeman House, 1924
1962 Glencoe Way, Hollywood

Anderton Court Shops, 1952
333 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills

Dr. John Storer House, 1924
8161 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles

Ennis House

Freeman House interior shot by Julius Schulman

Hollyhock House

Storer House

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Pillow Talk

"Mr. Allen, this may come as a surprise to you, but there are some men who don't end every sentence with a proposition."

I love the classic Doris Day and Rock Hudson romantic comedies of the 50's and early ’60s and Pillow Talk is my absolute favorite. Doris day plays Jan Morrow a successful interior designer with an amazing apartment in New York and Rock Hudson is Brad Allen the playboy next door. It follows a pretty standard romantic comedy formula, boy and girl meet, they hate each other, mad cap hi jinks ensue, they realize they're in love and roll credits.

What really sets the film apart is the set decoration. Fabulous!!! Lots of blond wood, tufted furniture, grass cloth wallpaper, pink, purple and lemon yellow, big lamps, tons of gold and monograms and abstract oil paintings. Some of my favorite things!

Sunday, April 10, 2011

To sleep perchance to dream

I catnap now and then, but I think while I nap, so it's not a waste of time.

I love white beds and I tend to only use white linens. White is crisp, simple, clean and inviting. It's also easy to change up. A few pillows and a throw can totally transform the look. These beds are currently inspiring me to curl up and take a nap.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Sunday Morning Farmers Market

I love spending Sunday mornings at the Farmer's Market. Now that Spring has officially arrived, my local Farmer's Market is bursting with color and variety. Early berries, amazing flowers and cool artisanal breads cheeses and soaps. Farmer's markets are a great way to buy locally and to help support organic farmers in your area.

Curious Oranges and Clementines too

Tuberose not the prettiest flower but they smell amazing!

Gorgeous flowers for the week!

Thursday, March 31, 2011

If I should fall from grace

Vanity Ballroom

French photographers Yves Marchand and Romain Meffre document the disintegration of a city in "The Ruins of Detroit".

According to the artists statement, “Ruins are the visible symbols and landmarks of our societies and their changes, small pieces of history in suspension. The state of ruin is temporary by nature, the volatile result of the end of an era and the fall of empires. This fragility, the time elapsed but even so running fast, lead us to watch them one very last time: being dismayed, or admiring, wondering about the permanence of things. Photography appeared to us as a modest way to keep a little bit of this ephemeral state.”

The photographs are amazing; still, lonely, haunted and achingly beautiful. I hope an exhibit comes to Los Angeles, I'd love to see them in person. You can buy the book here:
http://www.marchandmeffre.com/index.html

United Artists Theatre

Fort Shelby Hotel

Ballroom American Hotel

St. Christopher House Library

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Spring fever.... You don't quite know what it is you DO want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!

Spring has sprung! And while I may not know what I want in general, I do want these spring must haves.

Spring reading: Parisian Chic: A Style Guide by Ines de la Fressange. Fashion tips from French style icon and Roger Vivier muse? I'm in.

Parisian Chic!

The perfect nail polish for right now. I'd do this on my fingers and bright red or navy on my toes.

Essie Sand Tropez

Clogs! Pink high heeled clogs! More hip than hippie. Perfect with white jeans or a summer dress. Mine are on their way from Sweden. So excited.

Swedish Hasbeens, Sky High Clogs

These urban "picnic baskets" have everything you need for a great day at the beach or park and are just begging for your very own Say Anything moment.

Boxsal, Urban Picnic kit

Renaculas are only any bloom from March to June so don't miss out.

Yellow Renaculas in a vintage silver julep cup

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Anchors Aweigh!

Red sky at night, sailor's delight. Red sky in morning, sailor's warning!

I have no idea what that means, but I'm all about anything nautical and nothing has pleased me more than the resurgence of all things nautical the past couple of years. Here are some of my perennial must haves and a few delightful new finds.