Transitions

This year, the beginning of fall has me thinking about the beginning of summer, and the similarities between them. I took these pictures on the beach in mid-May, before Memorial Day and the official beginning of summer. The Beach was empty, and I was wearing a sweatshirt. On a sunny fall day like today, I'm sure the feeling wouldn't be much different. However, now instead of being on the beach in Long Island, I'm back at school in Philadelphia ... and that's why these pictures fill me with a sense of longing for the summer that went by so fast ... 

I'll be back later today with a decor related post, I promise! I just wanted to share these pictures (and my mood) with you all. xo 

Clean Crisp White

Since I got back to Philadelphia this fall I have been feeling as though my life is extremely cluttered. You all know I love my little apartment, but trying to keep it neat with all of my things in their places is harder than you can imagine. I am fantasizing about clean, sleek spaces where everything is in its place and there is absolutely no clutter. I want to cast off all of my decorative objets and feel as though I have absolutely nothing weighing me down! (only for a day or so though ... you know how I love a good objet)

Elle Decor

Ralph and Ricky Lauren's apartment over looking the Reservoir in Central Park. For the man who loves to fill his stores with things ... he is pretty simple here in NYC. 

Elle Decor

Their kitchen ... no clutter. Isn't it heavenly. So strange since modern kitchen is typically not my style! 

Marie Claire Maison

I absolutely love the simple hits of green with their potted plants--the bare floor and the white slipcovers are tres chic!

Dwell Magazine

This architect designed her apartment with storage in mind ... an avid sailor, she treated this project like a ship, where everything has its place. 

Marie Claire Maison

Marie Claire Maison

Check out that view. The room's white interior allows it to simply melt away, and one's eyes are drawn straight out the windows. 

Darryl Carter

One of the things that I love about Darryl Carter is his ability to mix modern minimalism with historic architecture and great antiques.  The fireplace is so modern, and yet the house is an old farmhouse. Antique doesn't always have to mean clutter ... clutter is simply victorian. 

Darryl Carter

I wish my bathroom were this neat. 

Whilst I am in graduate school, I don't see the clutter subsiding. What with text books and notebooks, calendars and post it notes, my life these days is essentially a massive paper trail. So for now I will simply light a Votivo Clean Crisp White candle, WWB's favorite, and close my eyes and envision myself in a minimalist, clutter free, and chic apartment. 

"I Love Your Funny Face ..."

"Your sunny funny face." And I absolutely adore Audrey Hepburn, and Funny Face in particular. If you haven't seen it, I hope you are adding it to your Netflix queue this instant. This month, Vanity Fair has recreated some of the iconic scenes from Funny Face with present day haute couture.  Just seeing those pictures makes me want to pop in the dvd (of course I own it) and curl up with a glass of sauv. When one is feeling a bit down, Funny Face has just the right formula to cheer you up--singing, dancing, Fred Astaire, Audrey Hepburn, & Paris! 

One of my all time favorite wedding dresses. 

And I forgot to mention couture! Audrey in Givenchy Haute Couture coming down the steps of the Louvre in front of the winged victory ... now if that doesn't make you smile ... 

Oh How the Time Flies ...

I know, I know ... you were probably all worried sick about me when you didn't hear from me for four months. And then that worry probably turned to anger ... or at least that is the sense I am getting from a few dedicated readers. I am sorry that Lacquered Life took a loooong hiatus over the summer ... there was the required internship in New York, and then September came and it took me a while to settle back in here in Philadelphia. Oh how I miss New York--and oh how I miss all of you who read this blog of mine and who indulge me by commenting once and a while. So I am back. I guarantee you there will be tardiness throughout this year as I attempt to plough through my thesis ... but I need this blog ... I need all of you.   So for today I have some pictures of my summer job ... eye candy for preservationists, antiquarians, or simply lovers of old buildings. 

My summer at New York City Hall ... 

So you see? I wasn't abandoning you for no good reason! Over the next few days, I will post more photos (and anecdotes) of my summer doing a survey of NY City Hall, and then get back to the business of leading a Lacquered Life! Thanks to all my Lacquered Lifers who are sticking by me, I know how frustrating it is when your favorite bloggers desert you. 

xoxo 

Royal Tubs

As a New Yorker, I am constantly blown away by bathrooms that resemble rooms other than the practical spaces that they are. Here in the city, and in Philadelphia for those of you who have seen the pictures of my teeny studio, a bathroom is a tiny closet with a small sink, shower, and toilet--without room for much else. For whatever reason, I feel that the ultimate in luxury would be to have a bathroom which feels less like a practical space, and more like a room you would want to spend time in. 

This bathroom, although not my taste, even has a comfy sitting chair. It seems like the perfect perch for someone who wants to chat with you while you're in the bath. Remind me, who has time for baths anymore? 

I love the juxtaposition of old and new in this bathroom, which could easily be a sitting room with the way it opens into the next room. The wall treatment, coupled with antique mirrors and paintings looks great against the more modern room that it opens into. Additionally, while the tub is footed, the fixtures are mounted in a modern way and have a contemporary feel. 

A significant aspect of the "bathroom as an actual room" approach is locating the tub in the center of the room. By having space to move around the bath, it makes it seem as though it is a piece of furniture, rather than a practical fixture. 

Finally, creating a bathroom in a room that includes a fireplace, always makes the room feel more like a sitting room. In the case of this picture, the fireplace was most likely extant, however, if you are designing a modern bathroom, installing a fireplace with a traditional mantelpiece would achieve a similar result. This bathroom is so formal and fabulous it might be fun to host cocktails in it! Cocktails in the bathtub? Reminds me of a children's book called King Bidgood's in the Bathtub that I used to love as a child. Its about a king who wont get out of the bath so he makes everyone do everything (go to war, have masquerade balls, eat feasts) in the tub with him! This bathroom is certainly fit for royalty ... but after all ... we are still talking about bathrooms.

photos courtesy of Marie Claire Maison

Tel Aviv Chic

For those of you who aren't as obsessed with shelter magazines as I am, you may not have come across this spread in Marie Claire Maison, which is Marie Claire's French shelter magazine. (by the way, its amazing). So, I thought I would share it with you!

Psst ... similar chairs can be found at Wisteria and Restoration Hardware

What I love about these rooms is that the decor is totally paired down so that the architecture, and namely the beautiful tile floors, speak for themselves. There are very few pieces of furniture in each room, and there are very few pieces of art on the walls--because the tile floors are all the color and interest that the rooms need. Additionally, I love the idea of painting walls white, and painting the trim a contrasting color. So often we see colored, upholstered or painted walls and glossy white trim, and I love the historic nature of painted trim and white walls.

Photos courtesy of Marie Claire Maison

Fun and Festive Weekend Finds!

Had a very productive weekend, sitting on the beach, eating lots of food, you know--typical Memorial Day Weekend. However, I did fall in love with a chair over the weekend, and last week I had some great finds in the village, so I thought I would share! 

I know, I know ... its bamboo and cane! My favorite! I am so predictable. I found this at JED, an amazing shop in Sag Harbor that you all should stop in if you're ever in town. If you can't make it out to the east end, you should check out their shop on 1st Dibs here. There is absolutely nothing that I can afford in this shop, but the aesthetic is wonderful, and as a result, there are definitely some great inspirational items. 

Now here is a set of four chairs that I happened upon in the Village last week. $600 for a set of four. A great deal. All they need is re-upholstering and a new paint color and they will be in great shape. I am hesitating because $600 is still $600, and I don't necessarily have a place to put them right now ... I wonder though if they are the type of chairs that two years from now I will be lamenting the loss of ... hmmm. Thoughts? 

This is another great piece that W and I came across in Sag Harbor at one of our favorite little antique shops. I just love these apothecary cabinets--all those little drawers to fill with treasures! I think a piece like this would be fabulous in a kitchen if it could be incorporated into an island. Don't you think?