Stefek's

One of my favorite auction houses, Stefek's, (Hi, Karen!) is having their spring auction this Thursday.  Everyone should go!  There look to be some  goodies.  I am looking forward to going down to observe (and possibly partake) in the auction festivities after work.  What better way to spend an evening than sipping on some wine, munching on apps and witnessing some bidding enthusiasm?  Also, I have been wanting to try the Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe and this just may be the perfect opportunity! 

Gallery Wall Update

This weekend I picked up a few things from the framers for the gallery wall. I am not sure if I am totally sold on where I have placed them, but for right now with what I have to work with I think it is fine.  

I bought the larger, art deco feeling print from liveauctioneers.com for $25.  It is done by Leo Rauth.  I cannot find one article of information on this artist, except that he was German and died in 1913.  I expected with all the information on the internet to be a little more informed about the artist of my new acquisition!  For some reason I was drawn to the graphic style of the rider's pants and how well the piece read from far away.  It is described as a "pochoir print".  Again, I reference an online description for exactly what this means.  It seems as thought the pochoir technique  is created by using a series of stencils and then hand applying the color.   Apparently, in the early 1900's this process was known as the ultimate way of printing, but due high cost of printing and intensive labor, it became less common.  It seems beause they became more rare there is a current demand for them, but their value is often under realized.  For $25 I would say under realized is an understatement... but, I guess one never knows!!  Regardless, I love the personality of the new addition to my family room.

 

The second new addition is a $5 1940's postcard I bought from etsy.  I think the lady at the frame store thought I really loved horses.  This is not the case, I guess just a coincidence. I do love the red jackets both guys are sporting in these pieces.  This also makes me think I should probably seperate them on the gallery wall.. to spread out the similarities!

Breakers

I wish while I was in Palm Beach I had an opportunity to steal away a few moments to photograph some of the amazing homes, gardens and architecture.  Unfortunately, for the blog, this was not a weekend of soaking in the architectural flavor.  I will save that for another trip. The meticulous style of the pristinely trimmed hedges and well-dressed homes does lend suggestion to ways we can all incorporate a little style into our lives. Sometimes it is just the attention to detail, such as freshly cut flowers or music playing throughout a house, that can give any home that extra little dash of extravagance.  

I was able to snap a few photos that lend themselves to the epitome of Palm Beach style. While we were laying poolside at the Breakers I managed to steal away a few moments to take some photos of the grounds.

While the Breakers is a hotel of grandeur, this courtyard outside of the News & Gourmet is my idea of paradise.  Shadowed by palms and ferns guests can enjoy coffee (or ice cream in my case) and a good book while listening to the tune of water trickling from the fountain.

This is one picture from Worth Avenue.... right outside Mecox Gardens!

Palm Beach

I am off to Palm Beach this afternoon to meet up with 13 amazing friends who are going to help me give singlehood an appropriate send off.  It is sure to be a weekend for the record books.  With friends coming from both coasts to places inbetween, I feel truly lucky to spend the weekend with an amazing group of gals.... not to mention sunshine, beach walks and a whole lotta laughter.  In honor of Palm Beach style I have posted a few photos from one of my all time favorite designers, a true Palm Beach blue blood, Celerie Kemble.  I just love her bold, yet comfortable approach.  Not to mention anyone referred to as "designer and socialite" is just inherently cool.

Madresfield Court

This morning I walked Hogan over to my parent's home and noticed the latest issue of Vanity Fair on their kitchen table.  I left with the Vanity Fair in hand and dog on leash, excited for a lazy afternoon spent with a growing stack of magazines.  Since returning home and plopping myself down on my sofa, I have been enthralled by the article on the author Evelyn Waugh and his novel, Brideshead Revisited.  

This story line has everything that makes for a juicy novel.  Scandal, aristocrats and, of course, a stately English country side estate!  Whoo hoo.... and I am hooked!  The majority of the arcicle focuses on Lord Beauchamp's family estate,  Madresfield Court.  The daunting home of 136 rooms nestled on 4,000 acres, is the perfect backdrop for Lord Beauchamp and his family to play out all sorts of aristocratic drama.  A family blessed with good looks, open ended bank accounts and an unabashed sense of culture, intellect and humor, seem to have it all.  They welcome Evelyn into their home as one of there own, and it is here he begins to engulf himself in a surrounding that will be the muse for his life's great work, Brideshead Revisited.

This family estate is filled with ancestral portraits and fine antiques as well as being surrounded by topiary gardens and yew mazes. The estate has gone through many transformations. The original hall of the home was built in the 12th century (wowzers), followed by a 16th century renovation, but the home is more currently known for the fine representation of the Arts and Crafts style.  While the movie apparently was filmed at Castle Howard, a estate I had the pleasure of visiting back in 2006, here are a few pictures of the inspiration.

I am definitley going to read this book soon... or rent the movie... or do both in no particular order! 

A Walk Through Pinehurst

It was a beautiful weekend in Pinehurst.  While these weekend getaways always seem to go by in the blink of an eye, I always come back feeling revitalized.  Before we took off on Sunday, my mom and I took a long walk through the village of Pinehurst and all the twisty neighborhood  side streets.  I took some photos to try to convey the easy beauty and comfortable surroundings of this small North Carolina town.  

The village of Pinehurst

I love this photo. The light peeping through the pine trees and the white picket fence really characterize the village of Pinehurst.

The Pinehurst Hotel

This was my absolute favorite house on our walk.  It is tasteful, classic and also welcoming.   The canopy of pine trees provide just enough shade and also create an established surrounding.  I would love to spend some evenings on a rocking chair on that front porch!

This "Castle" home , built in 1928, is on the National Register of Historic Places

Pinehurst!

Photo taken at the Pinehurt Hotel's lawn in May 2008.

I am on my way to Pinehurst, North Carolina this afternoon to celebrate a couple milestone's in my family. Not only is it my grandpa's 80th birthday, but it is my grandparent's 60th wedding anniversay.  Pinehurst encompasses all things that a small town should boast.  From the quaint, walkable route into town, to the local lunch spot to the sociable attitudes of the residents, this really is a gem. I am looking forward to a weekend of family and a slice of warm southern hospitality!