Forever and Ever

A Queen's Fall

Alexander McQueen Fall 2009

In honor of the upcoming NYC fashion week I'm going to focus a little more on fashion post's. These will consist of all of my favorites, and couture I'm fond of!

The Golden Mean Truth of Accessorizing

Various sized frames, a pair of candlesticks, organic material, different textures, shapes and sizes gives my living room table interest and a sense of balance.



The proportions of my Foo Dogs with this large vase is a nice example of a Golden Mean. Notice the texture I added to the vase by hanging organic beads and an old chain from it.



My lamp in front of a map of Rome helps to create a story, and allows the framed map to be a part of the vignette on the credenza. Wall art and table top accessories should be grouped together.


The amount of space between my Chinese deities are another example of the Golden Mean, while the turquoise beads in a bowl are placed near one figurine, also note, the height of the figure to the bowl of stones.


So I've been wanting to post about home accessorizing for some time now, because I think it's a very important element that a lot of people forget or just are afraid of doing when decorating their home. Over the years while working as a designer, I've found that there are several reasons why people do not put the effort into accessorizing; Some are afraid of over cluttering, while others just don't know how to mix and match and how to place decorative objects within a living space, and I think some are just down right lazy and don't want to take the time to collect things, as others don't accessorize because it may be unaffordable for them, which is understandable since home accessories really should be a large bulk of your decorating budget. Accessories brings atmosphere and drama to the interior, and helps to warm the home, its also an expression of who you are, the same as the clothing you wear! Accessorizing is serious art people and here is the the Golden Mean truth of it!

As much of our knowledge came to us from ancient civilizations, modern architecture and design also have been influenced by those who came before us. The ancient Greeks devised a formula for placement of objects, lengths and heights of buildings and columns, proportions of sculpture, art, etc. - based on proportions of the human body and its locations of features. They felt neither a point half the length or height nor one at a third or two thirds were satisfying, but that point between one third and one half, or between one half and two thirds was satisfying. This point came to be knows as the "Golden Mean." OK. I hope your still with me here. I know! Who knew that accessorizing can be so difficult right?

The following is for all you technical thinkers.
So, to arrive at the location of the Gold Mean on a wall, table, frame or proportion of and object mathematically, multiply the length, height or width by .5833 for the point farthest, highest or uppermost on object, or .4166 for the point nearest or lowest on object.

The following is for all you non technical thinkers.
Just eyeball the damn thing!

My point is, don't be too afraid and too lazy to accessorize! Collect objects on your vacations such as bowls of seashells, pieces of gnarled wood, and bring fresh flowers into the home. Remember to mix textures and colors together, and combine various shapes and sizes to the installation.
If your still confused about this formula, find a nautilus shell, and study the shape and proportions of the curved organic shape, because this miracle of a shell is the perfect, scientific example of the Golden Mean...Happy Accessorizing!

Nostalgic for the Dapper Gentleman of Yesteryear

I adore vintage, antique everything really, but making vintage fashion work can be a little tricky. You can go overboard and look like you've stepped out of the bad 1970's with the bell bottoms and green crochet scarf. The 50's...not so bad, but this era did give birth to the embroidered and tropical shirts! Mixing some vintage with current fashion is the key, but then I think you have to find that balance also.

While doing my usual research I Stumbled upon this great website. http://www.fineanddandyshop.com/

It's a New York based company that specializes in men's accessories...but just not any accessories - Classically inspired accessories like what grandpa or great grandpa use to wear. Mix a few of these pieces in your wardrobe for that dapper look.

Great shots below are from Scott Schuman "The Sartorialist". This is what I mean by "The Dapper Gentleman", but with a current twist.

The waiting game

Love how the guys in the park wait around for someone to play chess with.

Reflections in Madison Square Park

In Support of my West Coast Homeland

Last night was truly amazing. New Yorkers took to the streets in thousands. Approximately 20,000 people began the protest against Prop 8 on the steps of the Mormon Church on the Upper west side at Columbus and 65th. We then marched down to the famous Columbus Circle peacefully. Prop 8 has eliminated the right of same-sex couples to marry in the state of California. The Mormon Church urged members to donate money for Proposition 8. They sent $15 to $20 million, much of it from outside California to support discrimination and deny civil rights. Wow! You would think their money could have been used to go to something more important than this! Why can't we all just get along?! Anyway, I showed up with Steve to show support for all our friends who just married in California. The signs that everyone made were so creative, and the roar of our chants were really heard throughout Manhattan. It was such a beautiful evening, but also a sad one, since we have to take to the streets to try to gain our rights.

Pieces of Steve

I liked the way this piece of art work at the Metropolitan Museum reflected Steve's face into this pattern.

9/11 Tile Fence Memoriam

So, the other day I was wondering around one of my favorite areas of the city, West Village. I came across a fence full of hand painted tiles which were hung here in memory of all those that lost their lives in the 9/11 tragedy. The light was hitting the tiles just so, and the bright blue skies made for some good shots.