Valentino: The Last Emperor

 
Valentino: The Last Emperor
"What do women want? They want to be beautiful!"
This is the motto that Valentino has based his life on.

This weekend I went to see the movie Valentino: The Last Emperor for the second time. It has finally arrived in Vancouver. The first time I saw it I drove to Seattle because it wasn't out here yet. It is one of the few movies I have been to in my lifetime that everyone in the theatre clapped at the end. I was moved to tears as the great maestro Valentino took a bolt of his signature red fabric and started draping it over a live model, creating and sculpting the design for a new dress. He truly was the Master of Couture, a dying breed in the times we are living in. Valentino: The last Emperor is a documentary that was filmed over a two year period chronicling Valentino's life work. It is a must see, not only for the view into the life of a great Master of Couture but also for the great love story it is.

Valentino: The Last Emperor
Valentino's 5 Pugs who go everywhere with him. This picture is taken on his private jet.
Please let me know if you have seen the movie and what you think about it by leaving a comment.

Official Web-site for Valentino: The Last Emperor
A 56 minute Interview by Charlie Rose March 2009
Valentino: The Last Emperor Movie Trailer: Valentino: The Last Emperor

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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flower power hour

as amanda and i prepare for photoshoots in our own homes, i am constantly looking at the details in a room...from walking into one, opening a magazine, or going on a blog (my favorite). from these spaces, i am mainly focusing on accessories and flowers. i find it very fresh and home-y to have a flower arrangement in a setting; it also creates a completed look. pay close attention to the colors, scale, and vases. hopefully this will make your day home-y and fresh. jolene.

image from apartment therapy

image from apartment therapy
image from desire to inspire blog

image from desire to inspire blog

image from material girls blog

image from point click home

image from point click home

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Creating Clean Lines and Harmony in A Beautiful Northern California Family Room.

After spending the last 2 years living in the city of San Francisco, the owners of this beautiful 1904 California bungalow in Marin decided it was time to come home.


Not keen to leave the clean lines and more contemporary feel that they had grown accustomed to behind, the homeowners brought GEORGE Interior Design on board to analyze the space and come up with a fresh design for the family room (proposed rendering of space below).


("before" image below left, "after" image below right)










Image of breakfast table (below) before transformation...

Woven shades and floor-length draperies were added to create intimacy and to enhance the architectural details of the house. The draperies provide a framework for the breakfast table to be on center with the window and the adjacent fireplace rather than to just be floating in space.


Additionally, the homeowners decided to go with a cool, green & blue palette, allowing the gorgeous hunter-green kitchen cabinetry to smoothly transition into the dining and living room beyond. The drapery pattern is Indigo Flower in Turquoise, Jasper by none-other than Michael T. Smith.


The sofa with chaise and ottomans were custom built to perfectly accommodate both him and her and helped to drastically open the floor plan of the family room up. (Below is a photo of Felipe and Emily discussing the finished arm before the framing phase of the sofa is complete.)


The openness of the chaise allows you to see clear through to the either side of the room, rather than being blocked by the loveseat which used to occupy the space. The result is a space that feels larger and much more inviting.("before" image below left, "after" image below right)











The floor globe is a vintage 1950's Paul McCobb piece. The pillows are an assorted variety from Tim Clarke in Los Angeles. The coffee table, a polished walnut top on an iron base, is from Patine at H.D. Buttercup, also in Los Angeles.

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Decorative Accessories and Furnishings Profile: Global Views

I am so excited about introducing Global Views if you have not heard of the great company!

Global Views is a home decor wholesale company with collections that blend various styles to make pieces that are elegant, exotic, refined, and casual. They offer a wide assortment of fashion forward products from furniture to accessories that fit every price range. As an industry leader would like to keep designers and retailers informed about trends, upcoming style direction, and the newest home decor products.

What's In Store, 125 N. Tejon Colorado Springs Co, 80903, carries Global Views accessories. The catalog is available to view in the store and items can be special ordered and drop shipped.

The following photos are from the Dallas and Atlanta Markets. The video on Global Views website is inspiring and I wanted to share it. Click here to watch the video.

I hope you may find inspiration...

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designer crush

amy. lau. design. you have my designer heart. i love your various styles. i love your color. this is going to be another post where i say little as i feel the images speak for themselves. enjoy with a smile. jolene.

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Mr. & Mrs. HOT go to palm springs...

i recently ran across my copy of this particular W issue from 2005...i had forgotten about it but...really who could forget this issue. I kept it because like a lot us i'm fascinated by brad and angelina's relationship and this story of "domestic bliss" so well demonstrated through the photographic lens of Steven Klein. the perfect california neighborhood, perfect house, perfect kids, ahhh but something is all wrong here in this perfectly painted world. the drama of it all. i wonder if they talk about how hot they are to each other?? I can only imagine it going something like..babe you're hot...no you are.. no YOU are...NO you are..NO you ARE...to infinity. back to the design of it all, i'm constantly in love with the mid-century modern movement and am personally drawn to the architecture, interior design, furnishings and products that came out of this era of design innovation. this 60 page spread has great use of color and the back drops of modern living are cool. amanda

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