Sex and the City 2

Like almost all females I went to see Sex and the City II this weekend. It was my birthday this weekend, so my best girlies and I headed to the theater Friday night, cosmos hidden in our purses, to take in the ladies of SATC.

I know, I have read the reviews and I have seen the media criticism, but I really enjoyed the movie! People, this is not Schindler's List.

It had everything I expected and wanted.....

1. Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte were back to them being themselves. 2. The other characters like Big, Smith, Stanton, etc. were in it just enough, but not annoyingly. 3. The clothes were out of this world. 4. Do we even have to discuss the shoes, purses, and jewelery??????? 5. I laughed. A lot. But, most important to me...6. The sets were amazing

Carrie and John Preston's (As they are known in this movie) apartment was like another character in the movie. They have moved 12 Floors down from their dream Penthouse showcased in the last movie. Supposedly Carrie has spent the last 2 years decorating and ordering furniture."She" has done a good job. In reality, Lydia Marks is to be complimented for the gorgeous set design.

I am overly obsessed with the tile back splash in the Kitchen. As the movie ended, my friends started to gab about the movie and I blurted out, "did you see the tile in Carrie and Big's Kitchen?" Blank stares, then right back to convos about the clothes, shoes, hair, jewelry....

My absolute favorite part of the apartment is their bedroom. I just love the pattern on pattern in this space. In design I have noticed a movement away from the clean, crisp modern of a few years ago and this illustrates it perfectly. Love, love, love the wallpaper, especially cut into the picture moulding. And you can barely see it from this angle, but the patterned headboard is perfection on the wallpaper.

If you have seen the movie, you know that this sofa plays a big role in the story. The navy jewel toned fabric is scrumptious. And I love how the tray on the cocktail table is staged with all of the books and those succulents. But the piece d'resistance in this scene is the lapis pouf on which Carrie is perched. Love the whimsy of it.

The most fantastic sets are from their trip to Abu Dhabi. I just love this scene when they first enter their $ 22,000 per night suite at their hotel. It is so over the top in all the right ways. Just look at that pale pink and bright green with all the gold. (And those outfits!!!!)

I am so glad I was able to find a shot of this chandelier because it was one of my favs from their suite. Anywhere else this would look gaudy, but here....perfect.

I loved this scene about as much as I was drooling over the decor. The room is so sophisticated and glamorous.

Not really a set, but I just love everything about this scene. The clothes, the decadence, the tents, the laughs.

Such a great nightclub set. Terrible song choice though. I really thought they missed on the opportunity for a great, memorable song moment. Sort of lame. But I love the design.

Ahhhh, Carrie's old apartment returns in SATC2. It becomes a respite for several of the characters and I was reminded how much I loved her renovated space. I am still in love with those blue walls and I like how her love of blue was "carried" (sorry, I had to do it) subtly from this apartment into her new place.

And her closet.....

Cheers,

BBS



all images found on Google Image and are property of Warner Bros.

Has It Really Been 20 Years?????

This weekend is my 20th High School Reunion from Lake Ridge Academy. Gulp! I really can't believe it has been 20 years.

It doesn't feel like yesterday, last week, or even last year. I mean a great deal has changed in my life. I went to college, travelled around the world. I have lived in multiple places, cities, and houses. Started a career. I have met amazing people. Lost good friends. Lost family. Lost my Mom. A lot has changed.

But 20 years? Not possible.


I mean this is how fashionable people dressed when I was graduating from high school.

This is how Charles Barkley looked.....

People wore their hair this way. Mine was close, yet straight-ish and asymmetrical. Really??? I did asymmetrical? Moving on....

People shopped at Merry Go Round. Really! People shopped there and dressed like this. I mean, I was crazy, super preppy and I still even shopped at Merry Go Round. It was the place.

This is how Madonna looked in 1990. Actually not much has changed here. She actually might even be more in shape.( Hate her. Well love her, but hate her)

When I look back at my pictures of how young everyone looks and our clothes our hair, I realize it was a long time ago, yet I don't really feel a day older.

I am off to celebrate with some great, "old" friends.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Cheers,

BBS




all images for Google Image and should go right back there.

Louis, Louis

I was working with a client today on her Master bedroom and I suggested a reproduction Louis XVI chair to compliment a chaise we were considering for her reading nook.

I was reminded how different Louis XVI chairs, well all Louis chairs, can look depending on how you "dress" them.

Then can be quite formal and stuffy, not at all in a bad way, but with gilded finishes and silk brocades.

Or they can be clean and fresh feeling in a bleached oak finish and a natural textured fabric.

I recommend we do "clients" in a soft aged blue or green painted finish with a neutral textured plain fabric or small geometric. Clean and simple, with an unexpected zip of soft color.

Love them in cow hide and leather. So rustic and masculine.

I think Louis himself would have liked these yellow numbers.

Louis the XVI may be my favorite of all the Louis. I know he was a terror and all, but I do love his grandness and decadence. And that wife of his with her, "let them eat cake" mantra.....

I absolutely love this adorable polka-dot and black combo. Can you see this in a little girl's room?

And I simply adore Philippe Starck's take on XVI with the Louis Ghost chair.

The best part is a very traditional version can sit proudly in a modern setting and I think it is great when the Louis ghost is worked into a very classic home. So unexpected and fresh.

A Louis XVI chair can always be revived, reworked, and made a new. Never discard a Louis! It is a classic.



Cheers,

BBS

all images from Google image, Wisteria.com, Gardenhouse.com, and Philippe Starck

Rain, Rain Go Away

It has done nothing but rain for the last two days in Cleveland. It is grey (see yesterday's post) and wet.

Work has consumed me with meetings, schemes, pricing, proposals, and orders. (Yippie)

So it left me little time to plan today's post.

I thought I might inspire you with beautiful images of rainy days.

Some you may recognize. Others not.

I keep reminding myself that, "April showers bring....." Wait a minute it is already May.

I hope you are enjoying your day, rainy or not, where ever you may be.

Cheers,

BBS


paintings by Gustave Caillebotte and Gil Marosi. All images from Google Image.

My Vote is for Grey

There was a time not so long ago that I would avoid Grey based schemes for my clients. I would lean towards selecting neutrals with warmer tones.

My thinking was Cleveland already has so many grey days, that adding grey to the home would feel cold. I overlooked the beauty and richness that Greys have to offer.

Last Summer I was working with a client on remolding a home from the late 1960's in Akron. The Den was that dated, deep brown paneling and it needed a lift. Instead of painting it white or cream, I went the opposite direction and suggested Sherwin Williams 7047 Porpoise and it turned out gorgeous. It balances nicely with the new charcoal stained walnut floor we put in the Den and Living Room. (See picture above)

I have noticed a trend towards Grey with my clients.They are starting to crave a little grey in their lives. It is everywhere in our new introductions from the High Point Furniture Market. Fabrics, wallcovering, furniture finishes, lighting.

One of my favorite ways to use Grey is in the Kitchen.

It feels fresh and it doesn't have to look modern.

It is nice mixed with Butcher Block counters.

And so nice with the painted wainscoting behind.

It can look modern as it does in Imperial Trellis (I told you I was obsessed).

Of a great background to a pop of color, like cerise.

Or lilac.

I also love it as a finish for furniture as on this table from West Elm.

But my absolute favorite shade of Grey is on my sweet grey dog, Oliver. Perfection!


Cheers,

BBS


Images found on Google Image and credited to Philip Ennis, Canadian Home and Garden, Veranda, Kashani, Colleen Duffley, and West Elm, Oh, and me.