Category Archives: Interior Design

12.30.10

Slim Aarons: Once Upon a Time.

Known as a high-society photographer, Slim Aarons captured the likes of Kings and Queens, Presidents past and present and the who’s who of Hollywood. As a lifestyle photographer he worked for many publications such as Life and Town & Country to name a few.
I asked for the Once Upon a Time collection of Slim Aarons‘ for Christmas, and I have so enjoyed flipping through the pages. What an escape- to see how the other half lives with lavish pool parties, royal picnics outside of their castles, and extravagant vacations in the Mediterranean. Aarons passed away in 2006, but this book gives you such a great feel for his personality, as he describes each shot in his own words.
His photographs are so beautiful, many people are using them as artwork in their home. You can buy his prints here.  Here are some of my favorites from the book:
Nice Pool, 1955.
Jackie Kennedy, April in Paris Ball, 1959.
A Man’s Work– a young Hugh Hefner surrounded by Playboy Bunnies at the Playboy Club in Chicago, 1960.



A Lilly Flower– Lilly Pulitzer in 1968. Opposite: The models in Palm Beach, modeling Lilly’s spring line for Town & Country, 1964


All Mine, 1968



Pool Gossip (Palm Springs), 1970.

Joan Collins on her pink bed, with her pink poodle, 1955.
If you are a coffee table book person.. I suggest adding this one to your collection. It’s a great escape into the most extravagant of fairytales.

12.23.10

Those Flowers.

Remember those flowers from this post? Want to learn how to make them? They were super easy, and inexpensive too!

Every year for Christmas the Ya’s (minus our dear Claudia who lives in North Carolina) and I get together and try to do something fun together rather than getting each other gifts. This year, it was a floral design class at Helen Olivia. Located in Old Town, Alexandria, Helen Olivia is offers premier floral design to many clients and just recently outfitted the Residence of the Vice President for Christmas.

MJ and I hard at work on our mantle pieces.

Danielle and Lissy showcasing their carnations.

Arranging my mantle piece….There are so many things wrong about this picture (like the sprouting of my double chin)… I cannot wait to cleanse!


Marianne Raub, the owner offers many classes to meet the desires and skill sets of many aspiring floral designers. This week’s class was focused on Christmas. We made a mantle piece as well as the pomanders that you saw on my green console.


I must admit, when we walked up and saw the collection of carnations and mums, I was quite skeptical. But how adorable did these turn out?


Here’s how to do it:

1.) Buy 24 of each flower, three oasis balls and 3 vases of your choice. I found that the carnations worked far better than the mums. I would also suggest roses, however, it will be much more expensive.
2.) Soak Oasis Balls in water for 30 minutes.
3.) Cut each stem about 1/4 of an inch from the base. Always cut stems at an angle to maximize water absorption.
4. )Starting at the top of the oasis ball, push stem into oasis, making sure that the base of the flower is touching the foam.
5.) Continue to fill oasis ball with flowers tightly. You will have about a 2 inch portion of oasis that is uncovered, but that will be where you rest the pomander on the vase. It will not be seen.
5.) Fill vase with objects that you have chosen- Christmas balls, winter berries, candy canes– you name it.
6.) Place pomander on vase and enjoy– these should last up to a week.

12.21.10

A Beautiful Mistake.


I love the look and texture that boxwood provides during the holidays. Every year when we go to pick out our tree, I buy boxwood garland for our banisters and doorways. This year, however, I somehow picked up two boxwood wreaths rather than garland, as illustrated by my hula hooping models below.


CRAP, I thought….When am I going to find the time to return that? Well, I made the time a few days later, and unfortunately, all of our local nurseries were sold out of boxwood roping. So, I decided to take my wreaths and make the best of it. In a 15 minute dash, I ran into my local Michael’s and grabbed whatever I thought could work. Inspired by my Blue Christmas post, I went to town. A mix of butterflies, wicker stars, jingle bells and Christmas balls… I think it turned out pretty cute. The whole thing took me 30 minutes to put together. It’s as easy as 1-2-3… just attach all objects with floral wire and wrap it tightly to make sure your ornaments don’t blow away with the cold winter’s wind!

Because I had two wreaths, I made another one for our friends Will and Aimee and gave it to them when they had us over for dinner. I am still super bummed about the lack of garland on our banisters this year, but I guess if I look at the glass as half full, that’s one less thing that I need to cross of my holiday to do list!

12.14.10

Oh Yes, I Did.

Yes, this will be making it’s way to the Salmon household from the North Pole this Christmas… although, I am still not entirely sure of who it is for… (I would put my chips on me.)

 
Jonathan Adler has teamed up with Barbie on a various projects. Besides the Jonathan Adler Barbie Doll, to commemorate Barbie’s 50th Anniversary, JA designed Barbie’s Malibu dream house- a life-size barbie mecca located in, you guessed it, Malibu.

 

“Of all my work, bringing to life Barbie’s famous Malibu Dream House has been one of the most fun design projects yet,” said Jonathan Adler. “Barbie was a dream client because she doesn’t have a husband to rein in the fantasy or tone down the glamour.”


You said it.

12.14.10

Green With Envy?

Remember this post about going green? Well, after months of slacking… I am able to unveil my console… which I absolutely love. As you can see, she’s all decked out for the holidays.
 
There is a lot happening in our living room and dining room (the first being that the mirror needs to be raised…) and once it is finally finished I will be able to show all of you. Until then, here’s a teaser…..
Before:
 

And After:

12.13.10

Bloggers Give Back.

Remember my friend and graphic designer extraordinaire, Jenna? Well, she has launched an amazing program called the Bloggers Give Back Project. This team is bringing the blogging community together to help a family in need. This year’s family lost their home and everything in it in an electrical fire on November 28. There are over 60 items to choose from. I will be donating a custom e-design service to the highest bidder. New items are being added everyday so hop on over and check it out and don’t forget to place your bids on Wednesday!