Feeling Blessed in the City

Yesterday, I ventured downtown via subway to check out the Art Gallery of Ontario with two of my classmates. We have an architectural analysis project in which we are required to visit a building in the city, experience it, sketch it, and photograph it. We chose the AGO for its stunning addition by Toronto-born architect Frank Gehry.
The Galleria Italia was most impressive:

If you guys are ever in the Toronto area, I highly recommend it! It's so exciting to have such a vibrant and creative community at my doorstep.
How lucky am I that one member of my group is an amazingly talented professional photographer?

Also, how lucky am I that the same classmate made the amazing gesture of an early Christmas present?:

Such a nice, sweet surprise. I am so grateful to have a friend like him in the big city where I'm away from my family and it's easy to occasionally feel alienated.

Lastly, how lucky am I that I found a permanent part time job here already?!
The past few weeks I've just been doing some 'temp' positions.
 But now, I will be working at a 'big box' store as a flooring and decor sales associate.
Supporting myself throughout my education has always been a commitment of mine. I made it through one degree debt free with my own hard work. Here's hoping I can do it again!

The answer to my questions, SUPER lucky. I am so happy that God is blessing my life in so many little ways recently.
How have you been blessed lately?

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Some School Stuff & Kelly Wearstler

Hi guys, I promise that next Friday I'll try to get back to the usual Fave Furniture series, I've just been settling in to school and such.
Speaking of which...Today I have my first drafting assignment! I'm so excited but a little bit nervous.
It's basically aimed at getting us used to the different drafting tools, as well as to learn the universal lettering style of the industry.

For next week I also have to "choose and interestingly designed object or project, such as an interior space, building, art work, piece of furniture, etc." to perform an architectural analysis on.
This means exploring issues such as shape, form, line, vertical and horizontal elements, etc.

While most of the suggestions given to us were of older historical artists and projects, I'd really like to discuss the lobby of The Tides South Beach Hotel, designed by Kelly Wearstler (who else could I choose!? She really packs so much drama and interest into a space).

I mean...gorge. Am I right?
I hope that the prof approves this one!
For more goodness check out the dining space of this hotel (also designed by Wearstler):

Woah, woah, woah. I'm going to have to work a picture of this into my presentation. I'm thinking to demonstrate the lines of that cool white and gold folding-screen-looking wall treatment, which is also used in the foyer (see the first image).

And those mounted tortoise shells seem totally relevant this week, what with Nate Burkus's Target line launching this week and all...The white shell is my fave thing in the collection I think!

Wish me luck y'all!
What designed object or project would you choose if you had this assignment?
xo

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Totally loving..

 

These things are totally not related..  I love the vibrant green in this outdoor space.  We are searching for the perfect hedge for our yard and this picture caught my eye.  Any hedge suggestions are welcome!

 

I was at the design center yesterday pulling some fabrics for a job and had a chance to see the new line from Kelly Wearstler for Lee Jofa- love these!  It is nice to see some new fabrics.  I also had a chance to see the new pieces from Windsor Smith which are also fantastic.

Wishing you a great start to the end of the week!

 

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Drinks at the Viceroy Palm Springs Hotel

My recent trip to Palm Springs was filled with excitement and one of the things on my list to see was The Viceroy Palm Springs Hotel . It was a glamorous Hollywood hideaway back in the 1930s and was refurbished 4 years ago by Kelly Wearstler of KWID Design Group into a sleek boutique Hotel. Clark Gable, Bing Crosby, Joan Crawford, and 32nd President Franklin Delano Roosevelt are a few of the famous past guests that frequented it. The Viceroy Palm Springs has gotten some great reviews and lately some not so great reviews. But I am only going to focus on my good review. It was a perfect afternoon. I was being driven around Palm Springs by my Dad on an Architectural tour of Screen Block Houses. And after a full afternoon we headed to the Viceroy Palm Springs to arrive just in time for our pre-dinner, late afternoon cocktail. I toured the grounds and snapped some pictures while the cocktails were being stirred and shaken.

Viceroy Palm Springs Hotel 

We had a hard time finding the Viceroy Palm Springs Hotel as it is tucked away; except that after driving back and forth a few times I glanced up and saw Kelly Wearstler's iconic white porcelain dog statue on a balcony and bingo we were in.

Viceroy Palm Springs Hotel 
The Koi greeted us just inside the shady entrance courtyard. It was very inviting, much like entering a private home.

Viceroy Palm Springs Hotel 

The grounds of the Viceroy Palm Springs, house several private Villas dating from the 30's. They had been updated by Kelly Wearstler with black & white awnings, draped verandas, front doors painted orange with shiny new polished chrome hardware.

Viceroy Palm Springs Hotel 

Viceroy Palm Springs Hotel

The brick chimneys on some of the Villas had been painted black to match the awnings and a large white medallion was surface applied.

Viceroy Palm Springs Hotel  
The Villas faced onto a central courtyard complete with a beautiful cabana with a pool in the rear.

Viceroy Palm Springs Hotel  

Viceroy Palm Springs Hotel  
The Hotel was decorated in Yellow, White, Black, and Gray. The only deviation from this scheme was the orange front doors on the Villas

Viceroy Palm Springs Hotel 

Beyond the pool to the rear of the property is the spa with massage tables set up inside of draped cabanas

Viceroy Palm Springs Hotel 
The outdoor massage tables

Viceroy Palm Springs Hotel  

Outdoor Showers Viceroy Palm Springs Hotel

The Citron Dining Room Viceroy Palm Springs Hotel 

Outdoor dining for the Citron Viceroy Palm Springs Hotel 

Viceroy Palm Springs Hotel 

Facing onto the other pool which is behind the Citron Dining Room were outdoor dining cabanas

Dad and Joyce at Viceroy Palm Springs Hotel

My Dad and Joyce patiently waiting for me. Gin and Tonic's were welcome. The sun was low and the purple haze particular to that time of day was casting shadows on the mountains behind the Hotel.

Viceroy Palm Springs Hotel 
The sun was creating a halo effect around the palm trees.

Viceroy Palm Springs Hotel 

Leaving through the lobby and saying good-bye to the Koi

Viceroy Palm Springs Hotel 
A perfect end to a perfect day

 

Other travel posts you might like:
Palm Springs Modern Architecture and the Use of Screen Block
My Visit to Palm Springs
Drinks at the Viceroy Palm Springs Hotel
Sunday in Milan Venice - The Old and the New
VENICE - Bauer Palladio Hotel & Spa, Giudecca Island, Redentore
ROME - Hotel Mascagni, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Piazza Barberini
FLORENCE - Hotel Santa Maria Novella, Uffizi, Accademia Gallery
LA, Dallas, and Meeting Joni

Patricia Gray writes about 'WHAT'S HOT 'in the world of Interior Design, new and emerging trends, modern design, architecture,
and travel, as well as how your surroundings can influence the world around you.
© Patricia Gray Interior Design Blog, 2009

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