Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Isabell's Beautiful Gustavian Chair
I get the most wonderful emails from people all over the world about Willow Decor. One of the most recent was from Isabell in Norway, (but moving to Sweden). Please read her wonderful note and photograph, which she has allowed me to share with all you.Hello ”Willlow Decor” !
My name is Isabell, a frequent reader of your lovely blog and I wanted to thank you, because by you I came in contact with lovely Kymberley Fraser. A while ago you made a post about her, and you showed pictures of some of 3 Fine Grains sacks. I have this great passion about sacks, so seeing them made my heart jump….. I contacted her and bought the one you see, which now is on my Gustavian chair…..the furniture upholsterer in Stockholm thought the old chair and the sack made a good marriage. So do we……………..
Your last post was wonderful, the furniture you have is really pieces to love. So beautifully done, and so nice they look in your home. Of course the cushions from Kym , just love the as well………….
Isn`t it fantastic how mutual interest have no boundaries, no borders, by your post I read, I came in contact with Kymberley, she sent me the sack to Scandinavia, (Norway), I sent the sack to Sweden, and now I am about to move back to Sweden living and loving among many other things our chair………the world seem smaller in a way……………………
Once again thank you !
Kind regards
Isabell
The reach and power of the Internet continues to amaze me. I am so grateful to be able to find so many other lovers of fine antiques and home decor world wide. I know you will agree that Isabell's Gustavian Chair is exquisite! Fabulous job, Isabell and thank you so much for sharing!
River Roads Returns to Nature
Two and a half years after demolition of the Stix Baer & Fuller department store and adjoining River Roads Mall buildings, much of the site has returned to nature, at least for now. Pyramid Companies had plans to redevelop the site mostly with single family homes, but with the collapse of the market for new homes and Pyramid, the land continues to sit vacant.
Beyond the new prairie to the left is a row of new houses facing Cozens that were completed by Pyramid Companies. At center is an abandoned former Boatman's Bank and to the right peeking out from behind the hillside, the roof of an senior apartment building off Halls Ferry, also completed by Pyramid. 
A 2005 aerial show the site at Halls Ferry and Jennings Station Road mostly covered with asphalt and the River Roads Mall buildings. Ironically, a small section of grass along Cozens in this view is one the few areas that was re-developed. A large pile of rubble also sits south of where Stix Bear and Fuller was located.
The last of the quilt-like wallpaper of terra cotta which covered SBF's east facade as it appeared in April 2007 during the mall's demolition. The work was one of the largest installations of Modern terra cotta in the region. For more photos of the demolition, check out my Flickr set. Ecology of Absence and Built St. Louis both have great pre-demolition photos.
Garbo's Closet
"Mauritz Stiller who brought then-19-year-old Greta Gustafson to the United States in 1925. A three-time Oscar nominee, Garbo was given a special 1954 Academy Award for her “unforgettable screen performances.”
*Of her legendary desire for privacy, she remarked in a 1928 interview—one of the few she ever granted—“I wanted to be alone, even as a child. I used to go to a corner and think... Thinking means so much, even to small children.”
I have never seen this picture (above) of Miss Garbo. I was thinking that this could be a model or movie star from a recent film or a fashion mag.
Sometimes my mother will tell me about how she loves this 'movie star' or that 'starlet', I take one look at them and say to myself; "when was ugly pretty?"
In the 1950's, the 40's, 30's ....what was up with physical beauty's standards back then??
Physical beauty does go 'in and out' of fashion .
Greta Garbo is the exception to all the rules.
Classic Beauty.
Then and Now.
I lived in Manhattan from 1974 - 1984 on East 58th. Street.
I walked to and from work on East 58th Street every day. I also walked my Shit-Zu up and down E. 57th, and then down on 1st Ave.
Guess who I saw all the time?
Guess who stopped and talked to me and my little dog when ever she saw me?
That is right! Greta Garbo.
And this is Miss Garbo's Closet
The “closet room.”
*The “closet room,” which Garbo created from a small library, is highlighted by one of the carpets she designed for her 1962 series, Birds in Flight. Over the closet is part of her collection of hats; others are stacked on a carved and painted Russian provincial tea table from circa 1880. Garbo chose the upholstery and drapery fabric, which features African tribal motifs.
Isn't this magnificent ?
*A living room wall adorned with artwork.
For Garbo, color was essential in art and décor, and she surrounded herself with vibrant hues. “I love color,” she once said. “With me it’s inborn. I just know. I didn’t have to learn it.”
I really can't believe how much I love this place.
I love her artwork, her interior color scheme, and the placement of her art and objects.
To me, it is perfection.
What do you think of Garbo' place ?
Do you likie??
*From Architectural Digest
Renee Finberg 'TELLS ALL' in her BLOG.....
Interior Design, Palm Beach, Boca Raton,Design Sources, Window Treatments, Custom Design, Paint, Color Coordination, Online Interior Design, Floor Plans, All Custom
Living the Good Life
I usually don't have such extravagant plans on a weekly basis like this. I must say, it is exciting!
at the Landmark Theatre.
He still has it!!! I had not laughed that hard in so long!
Can it get any better?
More Entertainment and mo
re ways to follow BB&B
Infusing Yellow in Your Color Scheme and Interior Design by Amanda Nisbet
In this stunning living space Nisbet pairs golden yellow with neutrals and accents of teal and melon. Yum! Various shades of yellow are picked up in the room's walls, console table, throw pillows, draperies and accessories.
Nisbet creates an upbeat modern white and raspberry girl's bedroom with bright accents in citron yellow, turquoise and orange. It's darling. Notice how she consciously places bits of yellow throughout the room, but not next to each other.
Pair the garden stool with accessories like this handmade, glazed ceramic Double Yellow Parrots to repeat the accent color. These darling feathered friends would look fabulous atop a contrasting side table, but would get lost if near or on the garden stool in the same hue.
An upholstered chair is always a great place to add an accent color.
Nisbet creates a sunny breakfast nook by painting the walls and upholstering the bench and chairs in citron yellow. Love those lucite chairs!
Which of the cheeful rooms designed by Amanda Nisbet is your favorite?
*images from Amanda Nisbet, Pieces, Tonic Home, Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams, Duralee, Decorati
A sad farewell
Hi all,
I'm sorry I have been offline since Thursday. I had to fly down to Florida because after a major stroke and two weeks in the hospital, my grandfather took a turn for the worse. Sadly, we lost him on Saturday morning. Granddad is a tremendous loss for the White family, and I'm lucky that I grew up with him close by and knew him so well. He had a charmed life and lived to 87.
I'm sorry I have been offline since Thursday. I had to fly down to Florida because after a major stroke and two weeks in the hospital, my grandfather took a turn for the worse. Sadly, we lost him on Saturday morning. Granddad is a tremendous loss for the White family, and I'm lucky that I grew up with him close by and knew him so well. He had a charmed life and lived to 87.
