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Lady Gertrude Do! Do! Do!


Famed femme fatale, star of the London stage and musical theatre, lifetime friend of Noel Coward-


(applause, applause)




Gertrude Lawrence!







Her drawing room at Portland Place was decorated by Ronald Fleming. This-in the day of Syrie Maugham's all white drawing room- Lawrence opted for panache.

The stage set chic room sparkled with a mirrored wall along the bookcase and mantle. Comfortable upholstered club chairs covered in satin with small bullion fringes along the hems, a low slung rather glamorous sofa in a decidedly reptilian pattern, and a fireside bench with deep contrasting bullion fringe-Enter Noel Coward. Curtain up. A Stylish little Vogue Regency drum table probably held lighters, drinks as the white likely lacquered grand piano swayed while played by Noel Coward and Gertie sang.

I wonder what color that Satin was? Champagne- my guess.



A gorgeous photograph of the Lady GERTRUDE, Satin? Magnolia-my guess




Definitely a Satin Bed-Nude- my guess.



Cecil Beaton photographed the actress in bed swathed in chiffon, fur and satin in Vanity Fair 1934's-Celebrities in Bed.
Yes dog lovers that is a dawlin' Yorkie in bed with Gertie.


What color is your Satin? silk satin rather? I know it might not be the thing these days, But baby it undeniably was back then.



Lawrence's drawing room foto from Style Traditions, by Stephen Calloway & Stephen Jones


90's 90's 90's 90's with Dom Cheminais (Cape Town)

Dom Cheminais, Cape Town based super fine artist 'hipster' socialite shows us where she thinks its going when it comes to summer future looks. This girl is hot and the proof is in the pud. Check it out and let your jaw drop.

If you can't afford Chanel make it.

Photographs by Chris Saunders.

WOW: Schadenfreude

Schadenfreude - OBG's Word of the Week (WOW) is - simply put - pleasure derived from the misfortune of others (yikes!). This German noun comes from "Schaden" (adversity, harm) and "Freude"(joy) and like all German nouns, it is typically capitalized, although it is often used in the English language without capitalization.
Have you ever giggled at someone who tripped and fell down while running across the street? (Ouch.) That's schadenfreude. Did you ever laugh at a reality show contestant that embarassed herself by pretending to be rich and popular only to find out on national television that she's broke and not particularly well liked? (Oh dear.) Again, that's schadenfreude. And if you're a Project Runway fan that gets a secret thrill hearing Heidi announce "You're out" to a losing clothing designer, well, you know, that's schadenfreude too.

ELSIE DE WOLFE: Long May She Reign



In light of the recent travails of Elsie de Wolfe's Villa Trianon
:


LONG MAY SHE REIGN



Scene from a Dining Room: Walls covered with mirrored panels done in the style of Jean Baptiste Pillement, with the mirror's backing cut away to reveal painted chinoiserie landscapes. This particular scene certainly appears to me-Chinoiserie Elsie on her throne with her subjects kneeling in reverence or in fear.



read
An Aesthete's Lament: Villa Trianon:The Dilapidation


An Aesthete's Lament: Requiescat en Pace:Villa Trianon


An Aesthete's Lament: Up Close: Villa Trianon



(image from Elsie de Wolfe's 1936 design in Beverly Hills for Countess Dorothy di Frasso. A 70 year secret treasure of her work photographed by SIMON WATSON for House & Garden in 2007, "Elsie in Amber" produced by Mayer Rus, written by Christy Hobart.)



Hutton Wilkinson, president of the Elsie de Wolfe Foundation called it "a lost gem" and a "complete surprise. It has all the bells and whistles of her work. It's absolutely extraordinary," The estate was handed over in 2008- for the sale of its contents and the residence. (read more here.)


This de Wolfe creation 70 years in situ-relegated to destruction. Little is appreciated in terms of the work by this legend. Whoa to the similar destruction of a great work of architecture- this is unlikely. Now it seems that Elsie de Wolfe's Villa Trianon will suffer the same fate.


Brown Girl in Nepal


Nepal is a landlocked country in South Asia bordered by China and India, which of course, provides for interesting cultural influences. It is the world's youngest republic and Kathmandu is the capital city. The main language is Nepali. Fun Food Fact: A typical Nepalese meal is dal-bhat-tarkari. Dal is a spicy lentil soup, served over bhat (boiled rice), served with tarkari (curried vegetables) together with achar (pickles) or chutni (spicy condiment made from fresh ingredients).

Andre, Uggs, and Home


"I like the idea of being warm and secure. That’s what home should be.
That you have a sense of warmth, security, love,
and you love the things around you and surround yourself with beauty.
"
ALT







ALT also confesses to a love for & the wearing of Ugg boots



read the whole charming interview with ALT here " THE HOT SEAT" by Erin Wylie

systems breaking down





absolute classic early 80s female-led synth dirge by the mysterious Anna. File under spookiness like "Take My Breath Away" by Berlin, or "Faith"-era Cure. Note the killer outro, with wild drum fills and background screaming, everything melting like a comet descending into the ocean. Anna sings lines like "Wish my boyfriend stayed around...I think my system's breaking down," the whole thing expressing psychic turmoil, metropolitan alienation, shadows in the neon wilderness, empty streets in the dead of night, the faces of passersby like blood-drained specters. Also a tinge of intense hysteria like in Polanski's "Repulsion." Included here is also the dope tech-ed up dub version, where you hear a quiet child's voice, like some lost guardian angel, imploring "don't cry anna..."

you be the judge



"This review is a load of pompous, pseudo-intellectual tripe."

"This review is an absurd pile of pretentious garbage"

"absolutely stunning review"

It's Foto Friday!

"I was at a John Mayer concert in December and rocked this shirt -- got lots of compliments and told ladies where to find it. Be blessed and keep doing what you do!! Love ya." - Stephanie

having a dress up moment - the HOVEY Sisters




If ever there were two ladies that fit the bill for the new-Between the Wars Era- fashion revival-
it is these two.

Not having officially met them-it is safe to say the Hovey Sisters were Born to it.



Porter & Hollister Hovey



When reading blogs there is a familiarity that's established. I know the Hoveys, along with countless others who tune into their Blog pages. Terrifically individualistic describes them both- something I think quite a challenge to achieve today when inundated with books on achieving a certain this or that Personal style.

In other words- for getting your Personal style- here is a road map.

Here's how to get the Look.

Hollister

Hollister

Porter
Hollister

Hollister
Porter

Porter
Porter
Porter




Times photograph by Michael Weschler

The Hoveys make their own map, follow in their parents footsteps, and have their own compass.





Photo by Michael Weschler



the Sisters will have to fight over this one


Aquascutum Madame Bovary Trench


Thomas Wylde


all images are from net-a-porter
Designs from top Alexander McQueen, Just Cavalli, Vivienne Westwood Anglomania, Temperley London, Alexander McQueen,Vivenne Westwood Anglomania, Stella McCartney, Valentino Red, Victoria Beckham, Christopher Kane


spectral empire - black shark



video for a new jam by my esteemed labelmates Spectral Empire. Images by Tommy Boy from As Restless As We Are - rugged sci-fi John Carpenter suspense on the high seas. I'm glad to have Night Plane on the same label as these guys, it's a wondrous fit. The Black Shark 12" is out this week.

night plane - drug sub mix



All tracks/edits by me aka night plane, Berlin July/August 2009, mixed together into a twenty-minute voyage of trippy disco and slow-mo house. It's the imaginary soundtrack to drug sub: the movie, the hollywood saga starring everyone's favorite homemade narcotics-smuggling submersible. The story follows the construction of a drug sub in the colombian jungle, its journey to deliver cocaine, capture by coast guard, and the final raid on the drug cartel headquarters


night plane - drug sub mix

1. out of the jungle, into the deep
2. coast is clear
3. caught by icebreaker
4. silent invasion
5. bamboo pentagon

oh and you can order the night plane record here: phonica

Rick Owens- not for Muffy darling-




fashion designer Rick Owens is in the esteemed company of fashion designers with their own collections of furniture. new pieces for his collection are slated for unveiling on september 9th at Sebastian+Barquet's London location . Owens pieces will be available in limited editions.

don't expect any thing you can use at Muffy's house. Expect the unexpected- just like his fantastic edwardian tinged clothes.


















Sebastian+Barquet New York

Billy Baldwin on Perfection




Only your eye can tell you what you will be happy with.
Today, thank goodness, We are more concerned with the personal that with Perfection.
"billy baldwin"


diana vreeland in her garden as only she could create





Revisiting
Billy Baldwin Decorates * Billy Baldwin Remembers * Billy Baldwin Autobiography


Louis Vuitton Art. Fashion and Architecture





you will want to preorder at amazon

The One Brown Girl Challenge

Dream big.
Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so shall you become.
- James Allen

SUNscreen By LeBrun


stillhot


der Kanzler Seguier beim Enzig Ludwigs XIV, Paris c.1660



in the South



The Brown Girl World: Deepa's Story

Deepa's Story: Romeo and Juliet (Indian Style)
I never expected to marry an Indian American, regardless of the fact that I am Indian myself. Born and raised in Michigan (yes I do that thing where I put up my right hand and show you where I live on the "glove"), we really didn't grow up with an extended Indian community. In college, my parents called me the United Nations of daters. They jokingly lobbied for me to give India a chance, but they were extremely supportive of my choices in boyfriends, trusting, I hope, that they had raised me to look for values they would consider "Indian" if not necessarily an Indian person.
As I get older I realize that values I considered "Indian" as a child I simply consider pro-social and beneficial as an adult. Mores such as respecting your elders, believing in the sacredness of marriage, understanding that family comes first. I also grow more and more in awe of my parents who bucked tradition and entered into a "love marriage," despite the fact that each of their siblings went the "arranged marriage" route.
Read more here.

GRAY MATTERS



Groundwork's wood drop tassel fringe in DOVE
may peace be with you and your drapes

Jacques Grange
GrangeGray
a new book from Grange out this fall


a greyhound
chase away the blues

Alexander McQueen's silk chiffon scarf at net-a- porter
houndstooth & horror- a graymare

Marion Cotillard
French Grey


"gypset" chic gray

1900 grey

the ultimate film about conformity
don't do this gray

Persephone books
Grey matter


more gray matter


Classic Francois Catroux room
SoChic Grey
via this site

David Hick's Gray Flannel from Lee Jofa
designer gray

grayed, smoked and fired


Chinois Grisaille

Renzo Piano's new Modern Wing-Art Institute ofChicago
zone grise

gra b c's

the real Gray deal


Cole & Son's Haddon Hall Flocked paper
gray wall




Tom Ford's new fragrance Grey Vetiver
not just a suit gray

grisaille


Daniel Craig
Bond Grey
"A Steady Rain" on Broadway-Craig's gray debut***
& just named to the International Best Dressed List

Michael S. Smith's fabric "Gavle" at decorati
pretend you live a White House, decorate with gray


the new Dorian Gray movie opening in September
see the trailer here
Gray reflection


Fan Tree wallpaper in grey by Cole & Son
gray day


inspired by a friend, Berdorf's & Trouvais
**thanks Caftan Chronicles