Michael Taylor Interior Design

<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLy1Hg8xNUe6O-TzQKTotrUg8Kn0PC20pGUR0UFh7Cvz_mLLuBW1HFkrOajYfEm9PnPme1hlbPyOC-AG-Q2eg41SHP2Bk4NmhhvLLkFXwp8uUQeXnUvUaW-t1pEIkw065ByeuPKzALOKK7/s1600-h/035%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="Patricia Gray " border="0" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5cJzETFp1qWtefQwaoRE2oQ1Fkr0nAVHJDxOzMGeHzmkLgiNEsyCjMNKF2_1nXJ1O2abjXKPRH7kncD6KeB1x_8zDuvaNeAv0bZxuUbeFZmGOEH_dIT_Jrkmw6wfT1h2BDLJ30dHlaxk/?imgmax=800" style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" width="295" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMAeJaNro3kIvJkUkAOVQXDoqsinIy0XZBTDHpwae788cMZL6WfAX68gUnUGAmEoBLYr1oUe53we8N2jeOu4NLokSpu6Fk2rtVzK_p4KtzTuFosudaYLvwTSYSC1jRq_iIQQPmdygbB3i/s1600-h/image%5B5%5D.png"><img alt="Michael Taylor Interior Design" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5ZGbpC2tjsPtgN_vu-BK_s8p8G2rplDVzcNkkL37lWjTfSWWcmQ666ssG2cLgSWpqm5FaTK_hWviCBAX6zqClP3PPiqCcOhZAN2Ij1qHl-EI9CNdk6TGSe2fwqEW4yN5am_p9IM8HTCL/?imgmax=800" style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" width="178" /></a> </p><p align="justify">I recently received <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Michael-Taylor-Interior-Stephen-Salny/dp/0393732355?&camp=212361&creative=383957&linkCode=waf&tag=wwwpatriciagr-20" target="_blank">Michael Taylor's</a> new book, Michael Taylor Interior Design. As most of you who read my Blog know, I was greatly influenced my Michael in my formative years in Design School. Not much has been published on his work outside of a few articles in Architectural Digest, so this has been a highly awaited book for me. Michael Taylor was dubbed the <strong>"James Dean of Interior Design"</strong> by Diana Vreeland and "the best decorator in the United States " by society and fashion photographer Cecil Beaton. Michael Taylor revolutionized interior design in the 1970's and 1980's with the <strong>"California Look".</strong> Taylor brought the outdoors inside with neutral palettes, natural light, large-scale furniture, and organic elements, especially stone, slate, wicker, and plants. His interiors expressed his love and appreciation of California and the outdoors. They were casual, comfortable, uncomplicated, and free of clutter. So much of what he created, we now take for granted, but he started it all. </p><p align="center"><img alt="Michael Taylor Interior Design" height="355" src="http://www.architecturaldigest.com/images/architects/2000/01/taylor/arar01_taylor.jpg" width="500" /> </p><p align="justify">Taylor believed that nature was man's best friend. His first shop was located in San Francisco and a notable neighbour on the same 500 block of Sutter Street was Williams-Sonoma (circa 1956). Taylor was particularly taken with the imported oyster baskets that were originally used to transport oysters from the coast of France to Paris. Their heavy natural weave appealed to Taylor. They had a profound effect on him. He began to use them as vessels for towering plants and trees - fishtail palms, ficus, and Zimmer linden - creating a look that became fundamental to his interiors. He believed that plants prevent "a room from feeling over-decorated", "soften the light" and <strong>"help a room breathe and feel alive"</strong> and thus initiated "the plant in a basket craze" with these baskets that he purchased from his neighbour - Williams-Sonoma back in 1956.</p><p align="center"><img alt="Michael Taylor Interior Design" border="0" height="452" src="http://www.michaeltaylordesigns.com/images/media_pc05_03.jpg" width="500" /></p><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><p><span style="font-size:78%;">Above: The San Francisco penthouse Taylor designed for Al Wilsey and Pat Montondon, circa early 1980s. </span><a href="http://www.michaeltaylordesigns.com/recenteditorials.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:78%;">Michael Taylor Designs archives</span></a> </p><p align="justify">Taylor was a proponent of <strong>white walls and ceilings</strong>. His interiors glowed with a specially formulated "Michael Taylor White". <strong>(Never pure white "Michael Taylor White" was a mixture of warm colors with a beige tone.</strong>) Although Taylor's rooms were known for their neutral palette, he always "advocated a strong secondary color and repetitive use of printed fabrics for a 'certain purity' and bold unified effect." He also clarified that "There is a tremendous amount of color in my rooms, but there are not many colors." In his formative years of his career he came to idolize the renowned decorator Francis Elkins (1888-1953), who has been quoted as being <strong>"one of the guiding forces in the whole development of what is the American style today".</strong> Taylor saw himself as Elkin's greatest disciple, and he believed completely in her genius. Michael Taylor died at the young age of 59 at the prime of his career. His work and the <strong>"California Look"</strong> that he invented continue to influence interior design today. The forward in this book is written by his good friend Rose Tarlow, herself a Design Icon in her own lifetime. </p><p align="center"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Frances-Elkins-Interior-Stephen-Salny/dp/0393731464/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234719928&sr=1-1" target="_blank"><img alt="Francis Elkins Michael Taylors Mentor" border="0" height="250" src="http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/11000000/11000485.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Private-House-Rose-Tarlow-Author/dp/0609604724/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234720025&sr=1-1" target="_blank"><img alt="Rose Tarlow The Private House " border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7f14V9ISxsegVikWATZGfF5jQ_ycZCrfId35cUtaB3mgWYsrJtXHCefVSY0XiAtIPRAVKeR8ba69XAvoyuzl1bQh4YfaZfa35tTRi9GNrmK5BvmufAPSq_OQviIZVMAOjWHBhJtjW2zg-/?imgmax=800" style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" width="191" /></a> </p><p align="center"></p><p align="justify">Michael Taylor was known for his <strong>extravagant shopping marathons</strong> which are legendary. When Taylor entered a shop, he always paused at its threshold and scanned the entire showroom. He had the reputation of being able to home in quickly and precisely on the finest pieces of inventory. He "never forgot beautiful things. He constantly absorbed everything he saw and banked it as a source of reference." He imparted his depth of sensitivity to his clients, and made them aware that <strong>"it's got to sing and talk back to you, and be A plus, plus if it crosses the threshold"</strong> of your house. At Taylor's death in 1987 he had amassed an enormous trove of beautiful objects. Their was an auction of 1355 lots, including his clothes, books and orchids. The following is the official auction catalogue with several color photographs of the furniture and objects in their rooms and in place in the garden with a nice foreword by Paige Rense, Editor-in-Chief of Architectural Digest. I got my copy from the Bill Hall at <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.highvalleybooks.com" target="_blank">High Valley Books</a>.</p><p align="center"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Estate-Michael-Francisco-Butterfield-Catalog/dp/B000PRRUI8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234727406&sr=1-2" target="_blank"><img alt="The Estate of Michael Taylor " border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvlqMjbuPPddtAYYzV3L0jXfscI6Lb2IHUKn2bR9sqJeuIoXYDfscRrKV4pfrCYb3bqmYGWDRVIp8uWm9k1pB2kQ4hyRQsFTapNSBgvZXQxNPDmMI1wwNbyKOpUA5zI3jzue4zxYFKaoh/?imgmax=800" style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" width="212" /></a> </p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Private-House-Rose-Tarlow-Author/dp/0609604724/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234720025&sr=1-1"></a><p align="left"><strong>Interesting Statistic:</strong> <em>House and Garden magazine devoted a record <strong>eighteen covers and more than one hundred articles</strong> to his work over a period of thirty years.</em></p><p align="center">Previous posts on Michael Taylor: <a href="http://patriciagrayinc.blogspot.com/2007/07/michael-taylor.html" target="_blank">Michael Taylor - Good Design is Timeless</a> <a href="http://patriciagrayinc.blogspot.com/2007/09/david-ward.html" target="_blank">David Ward Artist for Michael Taylor</a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Top photo </span><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://patriciagrayinc.com/" target="_blank">Patricia Gray</a></span><br /><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/swflash.cab" height="200" id="Player_5501bdc4-20b0-4f37-9fe7-13bf04bcd129" reinit="reinit" reinitswf="reinitswf" width="600"><param name="_cx" value="15875"><param name="_cy" value="5291"><param name="FlashVars" value=""><param name="Movie" value="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fwwwpatriciagr-20%2F8010%2F5501bdc4-20b0-4f37-9fe7-13bf04bcd129&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate"><param name="Src" value="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fwwwpatriciagr-20%2F8010%2F5501bdc4-20b0-4f37-9fe7-13bf04bcd129&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate"><param name="WMode" value="Window"><param name="Play" value="0"><param name="Loop" value="-1"><param name="Quality" value="High"><param name="SAlign" value="LT"><param name="Menu" value="-1"><param name="Base" value=""><param name="AllowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="Scale" value="NoScale"><param name="DeviceFont" value="0"><param name="EmbedMovie" value="0"><param name="BGColor" value="FFFFFF"><param name="SWRemote" value=""><param name="MovieData" value=""><param name="SeamlessTabbing" value="1"><param name="Profile" value="0"><param name="ProfileAddress" value=""><param name="ProfilePort" value="0"><param name="AllowNetworking" value="all"><param name="AllowFullScreen" value="false"><br /> <embed src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fwwwpatriciagr-20%2F8010%2F5501bdc4-20b0-4f37-9fe7-13bf04bcd129&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate" id="Player_5501bdc4-20b0-4f37-9fe7-13bf04bcd129" quality="high" bgcolor="#ffffff" name="Player_5501bdc4-20b0-4f37-9fe7-13bf04bcd129" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" align="middle" height="200px" width="600px"></embed></object></p><noscript></noscript><p align="center"><strong><a href="http://patriciagrayinc.com/"><span style="font-size:78%;">Patricia Gray</span></a><span style="font-size:78%;"> writes about 'WHAT'S HOT 'in the world of Interior Design, new and emerging trends, modern design,<br />architecture, and travel, as well as how your surroundings can influence the world around you.<br /></span><a href="http://patriciagrayinc.com/"><span style="font-size:78%;">© 2007-2009 Patricia Gray Interior Design Blog</span></a></strong></p>

Michael Taylor Interior Design

I recently received Michael Taylor's new book, Michael Taylor Interior Design. As most of you who read my Blog know, I was greatly in...

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Beige is Magic - Albert Hadley

<p align="center"><strong>"Beige is atmosphere. It's bisque, it's ivory, it's cream, it's stone, it's toast, it's cappuccino. It's, well, it's magic." <em>Albert Hadley</em></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong>Enjoy the slide show!!</strong></p> <p align="center"><embed height="580" name="PictoBrowser" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" align="middle" width="500" src="http://www.db798.com/pictobrowser.swf" flashvars="ids=72157602065868048&names=Beige Magic&userName=Patricia Gray&userId=13757796@N03&titles=on&source=sets" loop="false" scale="noscale" bgcolor="#ffffff" wmode="transparent" /></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-size: 78%"></span></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/swflash.cab" height="200" id="Player_000a3a71-181e-4455-9efc-32b49a0578d7" reinit="reinit" reinitswf="reinitswf" width="600"><param name="_cx" value="15875"><param name="_cy" value="5291"><param name="FlashVars" value=""><param name="Movie" value="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fwwwpatriciagr-20%2F8010%2F000a3a71-181e-4455-9efc-32b49a0578d7&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate"><param name="Src" value="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fwwwpatriciagr-20%2F8010%2F000a3a71-181e-4455-9efc-32b49a0578d7&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate"><param name="WMode" value="Window"><param name="Play" value="0"><param name="Loop" value="-1"><param name="Quality" value="High"><param name="SAlign" value="LT"><param name="Menu" value="-1"><param name="Base" value=""><param name="AllowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="Scale" value="NoScale"><param name="DeviceFont" value="0"><param name="EmbedMovie" value="0"><param name="BGColor" value="FFFFFF"><param name="SWRemote" value=""><param name="MovieData" value=""><param name="SeamlessTabbing" value="1"><param name="Profile" value="0"><param name="ProfileAddress" value=""><param name="ProfilePort" value="0"><param name="AllowNetworking" value="all"><param name="AllowFullScreen" value="false"> <embed quality="high" allowscriptaccess="always" align="middle" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="200px" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fwwwpatriciagr-20%2F8010%2F000a3a71-181e-4455-9efc-32b49a0578d7&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate" id="Player_000a3a71-181e-4455-9efc-32b49a0578d7" bgcolor="#ffffff" width="600px" name="Player_000a3a71-181e-4455-9efc-32b49a0578d7"></embed></object></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <noscript></noscript> <p align="center"><strong><a href="http://patriciagrayinc.com/"><font size="1">Patricia Gray</font></a><font size="1"> writes about 'WHAT'S HOT 'in the world of Interior Design, new and emerging trends, modern design, <br />architecture, and travel, as well as how your surroundings can influence the world around you. <br /></font><a href="http://www.patriciagrayinc.com/"><font size="1">© Patricia Gray Interior Design Blog, 2009</font></a><font size="1"> </font></strong></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-size: 85%"> </span></p>

Beige is Magic - Albert Hadley

"Beige is atmosphere. It's bisque, it's ivory, it's cream, it's stone, it's toast, it's cappuccino. It's, w...

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The Obamas' and Michael S Smith

<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rh1puRMQXAGoBotdWNGaLPKJ-x06rWlyHnKjEtPZngeGmezCSdSaMlrb0eFTMIsQ2ew3iwbWlVh2MuMuiIQxcKmyNmM21Bqf1JpnxEDwbCPSxtGAGobqdBSp9qMCKyvcKljCSlJF8hMw/s1600-h/image%5B12%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4w_2TA5eZ-RD5qzi0VEl35xD_EhjWIh4dlgmKB9wxJugKWn_r4I9S7ZBmhmabjAbqP9KVgJeBX7oXQS_grrvrmnk6tUXu8YugiM-wXz4vGKvJD7uYDFpEiGSCzi43MElZLkS-Nfg2gtr/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" width="528" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.dominomag.com/">Domino</a> magazine has just revealed the Obamas' selection of <br /><a href="http://www.dominomag.com/howtos/2009/02/michael_smith_bio" target="_blank">Michael Smith</a> as White House decorator <br /> <br />Michael Smith's hallmark as a great designer is his deep passion for the many forms of beauty found throughout the <br />history of the decorative arts as well as his ability to blend pieces from different eras.</p> <p align="center"><img alt="michael smith" height="534" src="http://www.dominomag.com/images/galleries/decoratortour/gasl_michael_smith_daras_07.jpg" width="504" /></p> <p align="center">Though not thought of as a modernist, Michael Smith does it so well. Just look at the strong, simple forms of this <br />couch and coffee table paired with an abstract painting that adds hints of color.  The Obamas' strike me as a <br />modern family and maybe some modern furnishings and artwork will find their way into the White House.  Michael Smith <br />has been talking about getting the furniture of the great masters of 20th-century American design,  like <br />Billy Baldwin (<font size="1">see the post I did on Billy Baldwin </font><a href="http://patriciagrayinc.blogspot.com/2009/01/billy-baldwin-slipper-chair.html" target="_blank"><font size="1">here</font></a>), into the executive mansion.</p> <p align="center"><img alt="michael smith" height="513" src="http://www.dominomag.com/images/galleries/decoratortour/gasl_michael_smith_daras_04.jpg" width="484" /></p> <p align="center">Maybe Michael Smith will create a strong, elegant Master Bedroom in the White House with the drama of a huge <br />lacquered Chinese screen as a headboard, burled wood night tables, and '40s benches at the end of the bed.  <br />And maybe a Suzani draped over the bed for a truly international flare. <br /></p> <p align="center"><img alt="michael smith" height="508" src="http://www.dominomag.com/images/galleries/decoratortour/gasl_michael_smith_daras_03.jpg" width="480" /> </p> <p align="center">It's genius to put proper furniture in what's usually a functional space.  I have never seen pictures of the <br />White House bathrooms, and wonder if they have the space for a large table like this one.  <br />I think that the Obamas' have made a great selection in choosing Michael Smith.....what do you think?</p> <p align="center"><font size="1">Pictures Michael Smith </font><a href="http://www.dominomag.com/galleries/2009/02/michael_smith_rooms?slide=3" target="_blank"><font size="1">Dominio</font></a><font size="1"> <br /> <br /><img alt="michael smith" height="411" src="http://www.dominomag.com/images/galleries/decoratortour/gasl_michael_smith_secret_memo_04.jpg" width="388" /> <br /></font><font size="2"> <br />A home for a family <br /></font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Michael-S-Smith-Houses/dp/0847830705/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231918174&sr=1-1" target="_blank"><img alt="image" border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61BfvNV6aCAwXfhQv_sa0mF7HYeCboXRKvAiRtNWrkZCaRwDPvEaM4B2mrT9JVR5nJE7BuH8tMvqzENPxLdW40aAgUBu57lbN1Q26kw8s2xN_0JzgE_hXaqRyxT9iYin7NEqJ1BsFWjuK/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" width="391" /></a> </p> <p>                                                                                                     <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Michael-S-Smith-Houses/dp/0847830705/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231918174&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Michael Smith's</a> newest book</p> <p align="center"><font size="1">Patricia Gray writes about emerging trends, her inspirations, and "What's HOT" in the world of Design, as well as sneak peaks of her work..  <br />While you're here, </font><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/patriciagrayincblogspot"><font size="1">subscribe to this feed</font></a><font size="1"> so you don't miss out. </font></p>

The Obamas' and Michael S Smith

Domino magazine has just revealed the Obamas' selection of Michael Smith as White House decorator Michael Smith's ha...

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Billy Baldwin's Slipper Chair

<p align="left">Probably no other piece has stood the test of time more than Billy Baldwin's classic and iconic Slipper Chair.  He was said to have designed it according to Mitchell Owen's article in the <a href="http://partners.nytimes.com/library/magazine/specials/20001029mag-owens1.html"><em>New York Times</em></a> , for Pauline de Rothschild's  5' 9" lanky frame in mind thus making it easier for her to strike a pose and extend her long legs, and it also happens to be a a chair that men feel comfortable sitting in - which is not a small feat.</p> <p align="center">Billy Baldwin's most famous piece his slipper chair is show in some photos below.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeB3CDvC0abcDKnZsd3aEhiTqon3RLPpmYGq9iay1v-HB47OCOLviOfF70ywHsvCd4ZKnaf0nQxSOC1-H_hBWviLm4ZzrGHp6SIUwvIIjBDOSFNgEXwMkkL6raf50nWV-IVbXFjqKzLmlF/s1600-h/image%5B13%5D.png"><img alt="slipper chairs" border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6pHZzV7FNxMdZhEn9UHd7yTlRI6_mw1vtLombGZo2_pHLklAisIsqlhjaYuxuwWbOcnd9J5Ca9tVRVrcdsyzzePG0NjDsE4v5kJgS6dFwZdnxd0fu0HZSPb-1BoBo9hv5pgbz5boFjSC/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" width="624" /></a></p> <p align="center">Bill Baldwin Slipper Chair / House Beautiful November 1999</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU6rQ7kc5OA-zYNR51sKGoETNYQfHH8YeGEFpSMBz_0V-wu_AlQcDKq0e_4gE1Vzpr7UYz2_X13SzRnXp-MGWuaKt_noPpwwNLZD2ZBfY7Wpif2fHL_p5x2_4g5FT-VjFmojOMU4Iz2mD9/s1600-h/image%5B19%5D.png"><img alt="slipper chairs" border="0" height="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyBY0yJ2_DziPqx0LTcsyDV0QpRCqySu9yutdsxl7ikIZnp1SH3Olfs_H3c3TAJ2Sf97hSEG2hbVpLa97zKV0hLfW0bcCvqB7oTB2aIUx4Jsba4CwUUZBzjPw57DNUdVBGe7UC91ncTxBz/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" width="622" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Slipper Chair Home and Design Winter 2002 </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoTRQ5fjjRE88DFKjH6XYFAfnFDuQXDRP0z6Ygqhn48YLQQBpez7WBj1H12bz00kLUtGlC-UdIW8Wmh714QvQCP5oioZji6UhaeeRlPNX2_lR5L7Rxisox7ACNU3wKFuT13bhDhkDvA9W8/s1600-h/image%5B24%5D.png"><img alt="slipper chairs" border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysESlc62du8pI68oEy9KM3KZus1n53tIcgGxRliyhw5AmTBScbPTJE0CmwFxiIsG5dJZedvtP8UzJArcgGjcxSI1zJAWxlGwib2y0-LgNRRC9kbXx_IhfHYEm3FEqu6SO1CleDOsj3UIh/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" width="618" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Slipper Chairs House Beautiful October 1995</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAGMNr0E3UlmmzO-7pACNa2OnZYWzH9jq84xCUTilg2qVKtIg7XvU9268R72Z_A4XHbRb3FN_4Vt8okBpcogmfsLnrVBxzq2D2DB3ayjFeCKKU8MPmO6bLz3mR2MzIyROeCeURH18TSXt/s1600-h/image%5B28%5D.png"><img alt="slipper chairs" border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtoEkWXUU65pXwbMKOB_e-fk3cDLLyGhu7dAXtZkpPBZioh8qg8mWAKQ3GmI7lQ26nHl2MNzQIcf5giWJp2EClz_AjEbdtmcWWmqSue07M8VKdfYex5EBcNX6o3T618ZbKRNWHp8X1Qtd/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" width="398" /></a> <br />Slipper Chairs close-up detail</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DWp4KqF43RrxomDuU8DcUuzIEYPHcwVSRMcgky1SkebVqJtF8XfoSRkoeHEgJXDyRp1VY4QYC9t5ceC_6gcsBRGAJfH-U1JKzh4UPytSAQ5josWbJTtBUfI_bC1LV_OnPMoy5blUbTyy/s1600-h/image%5B32%5D.png"><img alt="slipper chairs" border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJUBWJOfL75GkFZozimMk4yla-Tl6ifrtjPEKGVPMSOqqvB1BD3C4nEAIUj1p2-K8a8cFT7GA1N_9mx5b13lnd6a8Aj5oW4NzETWjzjW54wanwjPhrh6Utl6U-vPCEpX4kX8pSScQj1LrE/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" width="605" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Slipper Chairs Veranda June 2002</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnYVnVXJNfy-xxPk1zu-nDf4yKkwyF102NUUXtBSJ2qrYI1vQtjz46mORxz_E0V7-2R4PmC4rfpsDo2vdK9DmcFL6rHHihrxI-zlgOzdE24yrSO9BmCUDH1ggZPHhrXdy3Yx-p28OlPplX/s1600-h/image%5B37%5D.png"><img alt="slipper chairs" border="0" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfSO3NHhGG_YzF2PursCIvTJNdJaxOfBFpodrbILiR8BROCpoDfwCiA4hPrPCcrMehhedU3vPR_uobc7BK-zMbuN6pmZFPlt9988PAPdsNlv0vQUU22qSNDmzSmAAdohO5tlie-yiQTNB/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" width="537" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Slipper Chair Elle Decor May 2001 </p> <p align="center"><img alt="slipper chairs" border="0" height="501" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfP9z1bFn0DRwRbmrDGeCPHM3MIhzhNzQzSm4QMVWTYwO8WsK0Ka1zd6wTPKUlXZnhIpG8wqsa8jwZuMOmKOoo98YYpIG6P74ev4vQnePVouXCq4zm8yPtBWu3pefyfiEnQVxyQhm7zih/s400/billy1.jpeg" width="539" /></p> <p align="center">Slipper chair in Billy Baldwin's apartment via <a href="http://thepeakofchic.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Peak of Chic</a></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAeN6DrkukK9b3w_dUWbq8rrre-YMHhZcGwiW2oN0nwEcVjV0qjQ4v05ajS9ptwbFckdjaOObgcz4lYKhpH4ZoF_8Agzw_iKhEdHKSHyhmnJb6e0e8jq753wl43K02eV0VsgjCOGK61FO/s1600-h/image%5B57%5D.png"><img alt="slipper chairs" border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfF22D5HmJrcLJApXLa-5rAGk47wEm0iHOrmaPCv18kDyQRzlQsPr_X8-_F4AncJLlVqlR-YKuyZfagHTRgJArYsiD1qD8a5bpGZ-jqTWb_w_ZkYN6K9PSzi19k6UBJ_ierqCCx13aAylU/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" width="290" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qPUk_rAeWvuuW9i156VqyC7R-UJ6RYLvGkZrmLmSJOdZnI4P-SNaxHkdx75gkGD9qk4bgmygcpm4E91m9eaURVriHKWDa5o2P5sG5BCj07xR7FunNV1xCPksHyD9Hi_kOX9ltFg6LaKc/s1600-h/image%5B45%5D.png"><img alt="slipper chairs" border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWb7hUPfd4Ft3AYGRNnUhkGGjKILBylQuJzfKZofUbpr5cP6NpzxaX5l7kKai8rMoZhP0Pg0UqD2-oGfYf5d0i8M3dhTQb78bLZTK1MoEwuBPdgqBkjYj1JtpoadGXEMFBSPwmD60tYESB/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" width="232" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Large Slipper chair & Dining Room Slipper Chair by <a href="http://www.ventryltd.com/bb_slipperchairs.html" target="_blank">Ventry</a></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRTNg9Ez_d-O6_L19at_d5AAntVdg2117AxjvRE7KjTI5rt2nItb9jtTWW68ClhUbJBNMcRkX5USriycFMRObpwivY72U8_GOrzyV9DtoVH5cew_cKEBq51cuyaDfGFyPSPmSSJ40G-xO/s1600-h/image%5B55%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6arQvTCvSzyIU2OmQtK4AZ9Jvz74D9-M4I2AsC-moVtQapTsLbJ95aJ0Wk2CBZtlMifCgzq8hJa-oXTt06j3bwjeLtdUfWm5X_Hou-lajYSkkoWicxXkzq23GZ_iHPr1Ej4zd5earQFR3/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" width="513" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Billy-Baldwin-Decorates/dp/0847827070/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231696315&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFRE4iHWpx_IArmhKZRGoMn1NDTkpFh2RLp34YYnUJONh9VShCQiH8h0ZHyMTiV6ZtStvoiRkXuxtyMtZjyAWqU0gyNuelE2qhq45pyO-6qojzdQHfb0zUExffQwI7HGpi-n1h4k5JDpdj/s400/billy3.jpeg" width="350" /></a></p> <p align="center">You can read more about Billy Baldwin.  His book is being reissued on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Billy-Baldwin-Decorates/dp/0847827070/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231696315&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Amazon</a> February 2009 and is available for pre-order.</p> <p align="center"><font size="1">Patricia Gray writes about emerging trends, her inspirations, and "What's HOT" in the world of Design, as well as sneak peaks of her work..  <br />While you're here, </font><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/patriciagrayincblogspot"><font size="1">subscribe to this feed</font></a><font size="1"> so you don't miss out. </font></p>

Billy Baldwin's Slipper Chair

Probably no other piece has stood the test of time more than Billy Baldwin's classic and iconic Slipper Chair.  He was said to have desi...

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BACK to BLACK

<p align="center"><strong>"Every room can use a touch of black"</strong> is so true and is something to remember when it comes to interiors.</p> <p align="center">Bright colors are taking a back seat to black. </p> <p align="center">Back to Black, the name of Songstress Amy Winehouse's soulful vocal, is enough to inspire the return to </p> <p align="center">classic, forever black.  Amy's song (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aygAu1x2uQo" target="_blank">listen to it here</a>) is my inspiration for The Return to Black, in fashion as well as in Interiors.</p> <p align="center">Think style, think sophistication, think timeless.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nTTJmAfbx_rISk1D-wbcV-uEgib54sylcKvrTwM0r9K4eweIREZvuyBAIXR6iLeMpHUBeEJ0ueAY0AY57bRvH6bwNoIVGzLvVP5mfmaF_h9aBNZOBu-QAlYtNv_meugQ3CHGX77_kuFp/s1600-h/image8%5B1%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcuLGzcdHvWWZeqsOcgoOVJ43a7RQqejMO9iEvGKPW72yKqxcvG6Yh8TPkxU6vmltPKDgUCFXFxLvC-DocYUcFXK0aS8182KysZRsB7x1RXXywpJjW6crOKDYOlkyuJA44Fj7PYpGu6ZPj/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" width="119" /></a>   <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqj2fB8tFr6Dc-ZBrt6NziCfDBYm3eEOMixH_D_5LtdtwNuzMxhldhbF_o7cL6AuykpjUAan6nYRwzuPhlyVaaywOrjCt_ANE7iEO29YvbUGSKxNYXv3FHXL4KTcO9Akj7m-0IEK84GyVq/s1600-h/image17%5B1%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WO8Z3pCMppf04GTl0ZjBSYxckuCF28YWWa3id2BNZRwct2QsSCHho_oCWqJAQNzyugq76sSzetY2C_gw2c8phtbYWJknFsCwZYSeJH_wuO19PJw-Wrji0U29U1edFP83lgKZkp5yeX5a/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" width="156" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rh6FK692T7cseXqDg2k69oSlZGJJZiuVvp4Tvn0I5wC6us-6_qrgB0RozI1eTkkDEs9U3O2fXH10CTyHNTykcuppMxSq2Eh3KDMPO5IEmb7DYQSOnvjldfR31UrokUvEp4JxWbt-17eI/s1600-h/image20%5B1%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23Zf0uAE991eYGSspJJOkz6b0LgAzJtiGTxn5JyFGVVcOUExEVO3dh3fYhSIkfNUSLeBGXBmay3qmo027X22DkW5diEUx19qrNGi_lhACsEslYdmhUkl48q34evZR5mYo09AIBytPL1mA/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" width="160" /></a> </p> <p align="center">The little black dress,or <strong>LBD</strong> as it is known in fashion shorthand, is an timeless classic.  <br /><font size="1"><a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3003182?Category=&Search=True&SearchType=keywordsearch&keyword=black+in+Designer+Collections&origin=searchresults" target="_blank">Tory Burch</a></font><font size="1"> left   </font><font size="1"><a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3003262?Category=&Search=True&SearchType=keywordsearch&keyword=black+in+Designer+Collections&origin=searchresults" target="_blank">Philip Lim</a></font><font size="1"> center   </font><font size="1"><a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3001397?Category=&Search=True&SearchType=keywordsearch&keyword=black+in+Designer+Collections&origin=searchresults" target="_blank">Vince</a></font><font size="1"> right </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="1"></font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14SE63n0fZu1sOx4abAjisaSfr3RK-ccpcZ8oaFn-rOz7HE3bkjLixds4SXqt6IiY6LRUofNHQvBlz76TKUFL96MR_EuRWmXFeQPbpaMmO9J1AFUj4MOV-yLevHYDqMTPUEWCkKr9FzTL/s1600-h/image27%5B1%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT96KQWHDtECBxYjtjyLkJ_lRkkIX07CDmIf9nwI7rwwF2NDS9hcGWrEV1uotDl3GLK3DcfFv8lc2x1E4ecvBerR5rqYXzcCyiJVR-4J12_6FjrFc5mYdjZ1d2xlKHB5mUZJ8SUHU7zvtt/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" width="460" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><font size="1"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aygAu1x2uQo" target="_blank">Amy Winehouse</a></font> </p> <p align="center">A room needn't have a total makeover to make a statement with black - punctuate a neutral interior with a sleek black table lamp. <br /></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7URXHgmWk2WXGiisIdn1IGDJQr96twGATiM8N13fu_PKk-JZc6-1gXB9ARacdhk4GNFsyh_08-0fAXfDJ40MRqe0VbTZMxRFBGNeX1n907LkxOMCRVBq-4O8fA3LHiX2dPMOikMeymXC6/s1600-h/Porta%20Roma.png"><img alt="Porta Roma" border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5GuTdn6SekrOP6Z5kLQ0FL-k4aIEQqwZMrh_cOD8A_AyUL6qA_UBlIveXGmhovzUPSWsLwr40KKiqwy2Iev6-0pHZsCCwuQQEhg-fdeliUZoG1mBRuFTuBLdDvUp_ZgFy9vtniVBPLhAo/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" width="260" /></a> </p> <p align="center">A <strong>TOUCH OF BLACK</strong> in a room can act like a punctuation mark!</p> <p align="center">This gourd lamp with black silk oval shade is from the stylish <a href="http://www.portaromana.co.uk/?page=details&pid=499&sid=1&cid=1" target="_blank">Porta Romana</a> lamp company in the UK and is a timeless classic.  </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFciyT41447UshtbbwJ4TR7dEwLulBnijBZMSbPz5H360-RcynnFTDL7rKiL4eLFxJEXhmIUwXlQMR2GW_U80Iat7PILkOSZ2_utGeDXfrEIVmuONMdINMZSoDxV9eT9QksyLyDO7T4-Z/s1600-h/night%20hotel%20new%20york%20lobby.png"><img alt="night hotel new york lobby" border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhFz6SxTaNU93-XuwSKUiknkh79ViLD5_pU2hAbc-lFFGMACAtdu_N66a_iQHtbTvN3gRKdO_PC-429AZJkLRfQ1qdjrYZ8SHAPp2qE17CL4AAGfAylsiTj5w2FQ4iMuXOLxz2K5oi3MsO/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" width="544" /></a> </p> <p align="center">The <a href="http://www.nighthotelny.com/" target="_blank">Night Hotel</a> (pictures above and below) in New York is a study in black and is decorated in <strong>"Modern Gothic Gotham"</strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNVYoR1O6tfN-Wu2nse1sLwSi0NPvobK2K86G11y0D6CAUMfpVIOqvhO5JUtOAQtpxMxRAuAMgHEE9u-H38bvLXj6PQx-09AhsuwEYkq8w27ATPFB6Ou2QKt56eQQz6e0_s5ZXogiGAaBc/s1600-h/night%20hotel%20new%20york.png"><img alt="night hotel new york" border="0" height="349" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLt-Xxd4OnCuLM4wrThhGKaT0KUdaDxlxI19C5p_cPBWAJGB6ROJg_op8kWL-WpZpN9Vm5Pk1bNPUp5clwnieq4Li6RLvMDXTYFeZiSscUuc_-xKuMth_lTXCvSc7N-g_7W0GYZaxRTkeg/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" width="548" /></a></p> <p align="center">  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6u4ctpcNh07BC1lQcOT4USwDOWSRBC8w9mAy-E-GetrqbC1N_q9QCeA0sJ32PZ3fFu7A4CbrGh6x0d8bym8p2Vo-H7aq4jg7ny3BaVtDvJio21N9Hlww7IjoNQZvX7ZNZZNQNM-sM0cho/s1600-h/pophamdesign%20com%20tile1.jpg"><img alt="pophamdesign com tile1" border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUo_1WxkhbfPHKKxsetdHFpSf2lpN69SXDsiAUP9pvPIPFgfJ9r1haBepjKc4eCpKub0PjzZlZKlEAUzcdGy2lq0x5ua1qUevxZQTJykwQwPU3ONLoBSs__3Zj1uhKIsfqBkOJBeK5hry/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" width="544" /></a> <br />A bold black stripe down the back and seat of these mid-century chairs creates added interest. <a href="http://pophamdesign.com/" target="_blank">Popham Design</a> </p> <p align="center"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmfZhcdIj3DrhxHGUg9hCjg9o01XQZ2guFk1qLsj3-1bndUiAWkBlvMEX1f5HkGJyBseICeuhAn2SlKzE1H9Nx3UtxTNYKNGl1_Yr8LepocwN2O5zwie4eWr7bPbIvlInbEGVVVMsflkq/s1600-h/image4%5B1%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="479" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLmczQDuZcnOgZ4JNIeHXziJUH9HFFDrev3LUCqndi6TEN6A7DKXvxMldN22gfPzFNfh0EH_urr1WEl_dOT0jln0RTGDnOUMKP51RnEzn8kqAGGvXAhBhgdDUcBQqTRZIsUFRjYCUSv5o/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" width="537" /></a> <br />Black & White photos line the walls of this stairwell, and the black geometric "David Hicks" inspired carpet <br />adds <strong>drama</strong> and lots of <strong>glamour</strong>.  <a href="http://www.ericcohler.com/portfolio.php?im_id=9ℑ_id=49" target="_blank">Eric Cohler</a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJDH7RfGYFrEi1CA2S7sWNCJ-8GesBxH2fuBIgTgmP5gKv-yI3fWUmYanaOL-955guE3-qHYRidoKdo43Ilrf3mfIDIzSS5yNrDwkHwPGLg67J40toyRNpZ_YjTRQ-K9lJHxNPCNKpTOb/s1600-h/InstyleMarch%2008.jpg"><img alt="InstyleMarch 08" border="0" height="457" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSq1zEHdSXkKfHzBitCRTReQIhXV9jsQf4xxuMyNtTp5wuHMqq9nH1TwKRweltAMacqAjQTkcIaUQiv-HSkH_oq4DCAmwRi4awN6gShwc7GrM3KRgVNfNWErfq8nQVxrtUR9SF3Ov5I5Wy/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" width="551" /></a>  </p> <p align="center"><strong>Hollywood Glam</strong> - black patent headboard & bench - <a href="http://www.instyle.com/instyle/" target="_blank">InStyle</a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_ZXRXpDNb7wkLml8-p7hqFXUBj7nyKuRhaB94YPyto4UB9KjclRuAn5aNc1RBquZkNho6IqMA1XGhLme9UZvtURtsRyFaOjGlQJHXyf4ByI8hqA9xtSVRcfzsIaOUUKEIz4ss060bcmf/s1600-h/Jaime%20Haydon.jpg"><img alt="Jaime Haydon" border="0" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2ZpMpL_bWSe9FxEHpW-V7SFnckMS3L167c9W6WjWFNNtWcB8CnaWAtZRBBMuY3gUF6mBXm7E-l2pcCAM7WZor2tJiHSXVez3JAqfAp2POOO7bCVDQIe9wAsHZjGTPX_2Wi0QP1ZiIpOZ/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" width="365" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0GTKNKjq1knkXXQpzJP1kUCsdN0G9jcKxENNo1aawhv2vjXtak4DenlDb2bveR1krs9vkuPeEIXP7wi-6zi0a_B4Ct1Ez0CalM3_3ffaSm3JSf_VL1tT6HU6Hu7iZlkRys4FB-TGd7I7/s1600-h/image%5B3%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkWWbqjGOjEX4ois9GUoP9OHPQRhuhs_ioWjNir-3Ful4g57rK0_2ENlpTSNtRvWy38ySy7c2FyolevU2Obf0yWJ2XzPeKgqX3w9QjDrIyjGDB6CAhyAiR_CEGbgWj7ro7dLg5AuwDemw/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" width="360" /></a></p> <p align="center">The black marble floor is another <strong>timeless classic</strong> (left) <a href="http://www.hayonstudio.com/news.php" target="_blank">Jamie Haydon</a> / Kitchen with black slate floor (right) </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibULh-aAQ4ZiLyiC2etHjHXT2qrE-9FYtDEYN4JA7yJZFxZyapOzH0hO5Cmm6rXqzwFqwMVb2cnDz8RRcRpG5cWdnIQueKxSRgF9pbg08ZCtaUl3zplQFhk7p2M8oCg5B6AgLufc_LVmwJ/s1600-h/Mary%20McGee.jpg"><img alt="Mary McGee" border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQM5bDhtY5uV7E1rfHiqVmETn78INoLLqjrJ4xcrPUNR7rsTN0oQ8a8_dF1B_7XTwQkoYO-8lGDSF1-98dunt4Zrm28AWVRBDh_Mg429PEcx_pG_ipwbeQwI8ozNMH4Fnz0p7wQ4QEgmI-/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" width="314" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUBqh2t5WDcDRjrvTJ_GeEbnlxl7dxN9-cHSpux4xSSWMZD4-tj6VSkgx1tGZzQB-ShyphenhyphenjEiy4nCGa-6BbkU7r6abgpICphKGHYHf8YxwuwsGxjuqkm-Qw9_KCFADKSzuwnNoT0QGqv3cd/s1600-h/NickyHiltonIinstyleMarch%2008.jpg"><img alt="NickyHiltonIinstyleMarch 08" border="0" height="407" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqeg_TauPwTYbNL6Q-DE_cuzcBfsJ9Vwvm_7Vgg9vtw1H4ENSlmB_UgYAYgEUAQNsFro5dXiazSWortbQ_E5VTRGK9VKgqsV-lgsQZ9voDN7ZTBU0RCaEF1TjjBg-QNXg9yFDfF55yskM3/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" width="414" /></a> <br /><font size="1">Black & white dishes (left) </font><font size="1">/ an iconic Chanel tray (right).  <br /></font>When I think of Chanel, I think <strong>Black</strong>, I think timeless, I think classic, I think unforgettable! </p> <p align="center">  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhla1ZzYQ5PZFmxPhuhxCNlWGKjUHSvm0y7LNGL11gh5SvDuz43VSJs-a3krW5CxD9pY6La0xVaWd3LINo-cpWNTw-bWH4osYDIqvCfDg71U9dnkNz-doH7HPFq4Yb8G7_oQwblC1jjFGQm/s1600-h/Mary%20McGee1.jpg"><img alt="Mary McGee1" border="0" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKNoK_Yzo_tzJEbw65QG0rht5ImpK1gl9kQSY9QuvxCX1asLMD4d72OHMIa_7vUHEY6jmYec2mkdDkwZ728rN4Az_vQDubcjbpfomvGln646SC17UYADjJ5MPm363YSkpPeQsAP-8xXVX/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" width="452" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7U58TycqSz1EB718zQWiosyEIjnKXnuFOQVzO7bwUE1rfpWaZldvehAQTPd_OlAij5jjWnx85tA8EWaT3rwfAsqkeGxWFoiLVJO0HPknPQf9rdZTw1HFyTU6fzLkqqHCH4UbHR8KHMpmg/s1600-h/suzanne%20kasler%5B1%5D.png"><img alt="suzanne kasler" border="0" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVirwX483xqVBQk12UIJDQBvJv082cSzz74suac50-3F_yDUrazjX0i-hP9xIFChDfOe4g3D4mJa9T-bcvd2qkfGPE_v9_XvVHGb7-COGCo00AISXdASQSvv54v6O_xRgfOOvhNSCySENW/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" width="282" /></a>  </p> <p align="center">Timeless black sofas add drama and are a grounding element in the above rooms. <br /><font size="1">(left) </font><font size="1"><a href="http://marymcgeeinteriors.com/" target="_blank">Mary McGee</a></font><font size="1"> / (right) </font><font size="1"><a href="http://www.suzannekasler.com/" target="_blank">Suzanne Kasler</a></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3iPPE6qShqDROHCsJ6_9WPR7HOipZk-vuNo0-liWXQagHmvCOxdxO3-XlF-ryqFQffldft26ZHJv1ASisSPCiwpY-9J-3Q1ERkeVOSo65l5_zDsAEGXbDTOuoX3oiX2tb4B7YdB1J3zH3/s1600-h/colorama%20se.jpg"><img alt="colorama se" border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUZozLKIi1gMrL253zeDXmkWayjOqIxqma_r4Gu6HXVeFsuSmpUrFBxdX0gyHAdHTzBcxsQGk0w-fsADYgUl5a0gUGvlLF4CtiSmtJXQ6KLAHyKm7LtBDhtT-yj6s_XeZoz7it37q8qSW/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" width="466" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Want to add <strong>drama </strong>to a room quickly and inexpensively, try painting or wallpapering a feature wall black. </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvZ7UW2W49qdDZ8r1tWiBPjpDSGyO8RbF0IeADnplmknHoWBlLQ3BPyyelilDo_lPXpbGTMeypAMFW1SyRXXoEVY8967OqR2XJYe1NZy4_f0INDg2DaRn6QZ-Iu3vQYoiEjuquoEMXB87/s1600-h/NY%20Times.jpg"><img alt="NY Times" border="0" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGWIn05BqBhRATOKQdi8nEYtGclbCfRYpsmzeXD6V7VNP7It88sPZmsz0_Ui5qGvCRXOeQYMKAzKYsF3xDvGk2hLsj_iHJpxydvyHE9h1y4GC1eGStoTMBdvHOD5AUaaI7pYDnQgQoGgYH/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" width="467" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Paint your house black.  My favourite black paint is Benjamin Moore Black Beauty - photo NY Times </p> <p align="center"><strong>Black can act as a neutral because there is no color it doesn't go with.</strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2msLo5yk9RP73KsrkaMJXMiCT_HRmc-xnwpyKrMOs4OdhNmGwVq3Mta-IwCEvZIMzxF8cYa0vqGkffK1mrJLrlIYlmGIwE-21bgrlGE3SOLE4JZrAlBLFE1se1-5CUhJch0p9s4-Xmqt/s1600-h/buffalo+horns+from+z+gallerie.jpg"><img alt="buffalo horns from z gallerie" border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLVrKdgLGGWlKNKLIT2ttoebHgdKO3rLhv3Q4_080X8hY52qsxwLZD2xPejdl1LWllOLtXaM9NPXIFkFzz8htW39JF_-uDHdna-21LEs-4BUtVVmWPT1txMVwPmYp0fUeoC0pXM68SX_2/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" width="356" /></a></p> <p align="center">Accessorize with these buffalo horns from <a href="http://www.zgallerie.com/" target="_blank">Z Gallerie</a>  <br /> <br /><strong><em>To see more posts on colour trends click </em></strong><strong><em><font color="#ff0000"><a href="http://patriciagrayinc.blogspot.com/2009/04/top-posts-on-color-trends.html" target="_blank">here</a></font></em></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><em><font color="#ff0000"></font></em></strong></p> <p align="center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/swflash.cab" height="200" id="Player_000a3a71-181e-4455-9efc-32b49a0578d7" reinit="reinit" reinitswf="reinitswf" width="600"><param name="_cx" value="15875"><param name="_cy" value="5291"><param name="FlashVars" value=""><param name="Movie" value="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fwwwpatriciagr-20%2F8010%2F000a3a71-181e-4455-9efc-32b49a0578d7&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate"><param name="Src" value="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fwwwpatriciagr-20%2F8010%2F000a3a71-181e-4455-9efc-32b49a0578d7&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate"><param name="WMode" value="Window"><param name="Play" value="0"><param name="Loop" value="-1"><param name="Quality" value="High"><param name="SAlign" value="LT"><param name="Menu" value="-1"><param name="Base" value=""><param name="AllowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="Scale" value="NoScale"><param name="DeviceFont" value="0"><param name="EmbedMovie" value="0"><param name="BGColor" value="FFFFFF"><param name="SWRemote" value=""><param name="MovieData" value=""><param name="SeamlessTabbing" value="1"><param name="Profile" value="0"><param name="ProfileAddress" value=""><param name="ProfilePort" value="0"><param name="AllowNetworking" value="all"><param name="AllowFullScreen" value="false"> <embed quality="high" allowscriptaccess="always" align="middle" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="200px" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fwwwpatriciagr-20%2F8010%2F000a3a71-181e-4455-9efc-32b49a0578d7&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate" id="Player_000a3a71-181e-4455-9efc-32b49a0578d7" bgcolor="#ffffff" width="600px" name="Player_000a3a71-181e-4455-9efc-32b49a0578d7"></embed></object></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <noscript></noscript> <p align="center"><strong><a href="http://patriciagrayinc.com/"><font size="1">Patricia Gray</font></a><font size="1"> writes about 'WHAT'S HOT 'in the world of Interior Design, new and emerging trends, modern design, architecture, <br />and travel, as well as how your surroundings can influence the world around you. <br />© Patricia</font></strong><strong><font size="1"> Gray Interior Design Blog, 2009</font></strong></p>

BACK to BLACK

"Every room can use a touch of black" is so true and is something to remember when it comes to interiors. Bright colors are tak...

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New and Hot Interior Design Books

<p align="center"><em><strong>"You are the same today that you are going to be five years from now except for two things: <br />the people with whom you associate and the books you read."  -- Charles Jones</strong></em></p> <p align="center"><em><strong></strong></em></p> <p align="justify">Check out some of the new books on Interior Design below in the new Amazon Widget at the bottom of this post. I am a lover of books and images and I can hardly wait to receive a new batch of books hot off the press. I am most excited about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Michael-Taylor-Interior-Stephen-Salny/dp/0393732355/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220632418&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Michael Taylor Interior Design</a> which hasn't been released yet but is available for pre-order on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Michael-Taylor-Interior-Stephen-Salny/dp/0393732355/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220632418&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Amazon</a>. I have done a post on Michael Taylor's work, which you can read here: <a href="http://patriciagrayinc.blogspot.com/2007/07/michael-taylor.html" target="_blank">Michael Taylor - Good Design is Timeless</a>. </p> <p align="center">The <strong>James Dean of decorators</strong> is how Diana Vreeland described West Coast designer Michael Taylor. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/0393732355/sr=1-1/qid=1220632418/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books&qid=1220632418&sr=1-1"><img alt="Michael Taylor: Interior Design" border="0" height="305" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51%2BtWLsUPbL._SL500_AA240_.jpg" width="305" /></a></p> <p align="justify">I was a student in Design School when the picture below of Michael Taylor's work was published in Architectural Digest . I was totally in awe of his work. Nothing had been done like this before. It was revolutionary and very fresh. I became totally mesmerized by all things "Michael Taylor".  He is still a big influence in my work.</p> <p align="center"><img alt="" border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpxou3rOpAeltWfHvJVH-hjzjfY3-aDLbDh0p-MXG5_gZRVivJ1ViSgHO0CYmIMG48__3q6c9igWnarQQ4Fn7AhmvKfZfIJxruqpjAoMqUM1w22mrQ3FoimlraG8dkbmceRv6c-s5SI2dx/s400/michael+taylor+AD.jpg" width="501" /></p> <p align="justify">Consistently denouncing the cluttered and pretentious, he had a simple ethos: <strong>"When you take things out, you must increase the size of what's left."</strong> This spawned the widely emulated California Look, which in the latter part of his career was characterized by oversize furniture and signature elements, including Yosemite slate and fossilized stone; plump geometric cushions; logs; wicker; and lots of mirrors, all against a muted backdrop of white on white or beige on beige.</p> <p align="center"><img alt="" border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_OkmCaZSwDj9b5YGhsBjZ1O7XXcxCkx5cMmu4nAKxA0RgCj_CennAnG-S4Zq1ZmgbLPk3xiXsJKMjMbXAfO-TsmLJinX7yu7xAeIcWZiU-WgXqjionfQnUxXbTg9uuSwTIM1DReWY_c/s400/michael+taylor+AD+Jan+21.jpg" width="419" /></p> <p align="center">This is a room Michael designed circa mid 1950's in Modesto, California<a href="http://www.michaeltaylordesigns.com/mediaarchives.html"> </a></p> <p align="center"><img alt="" border="0" height="557" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWA2TgnV9qak6aeA1E6KruHA4ND7UXE5EmDrny_ejvLpXV02slzVKpuqODdWw_BZV7Wh0JRL6Ji7vD0SHTD_uWfDGsNkef01OjCitoEYObtF7DXJuIoUkCTWkvckjuNV7tvsAdEiQcKY/s400/Schiaparelli+sofa+Michael+Taylor.jpg" width="420" /></p> <p><strong>Syrie Maugham</strong>, the British decorator who helped create the all-white look popular in the 1920s, provided another source of inspiration to him which can be seen in the above picture of a living room Michael Taylor designed. "Schiaparelli sofa"</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><img alt="" border="0" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM1vCSmbXlCxhps5lqk7AjCBS_6UExcTJT_euqdi1st_5XCaXGHM5x9Isp743B0DOnHcZf6P4tZUstEcZfy-D0P63ZHh8A8_VeHfuNgl-fXDu-uc5v5MrXgZuqpz8zrnUk87O23zZEgQBV/s320/michael+taylor+AD+Jan+2000.jpg" width="408" /></p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><img alt="" border="0" height="587" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3yvQ5YVc3HWHjRh8DcY9w9oaO2alGK8bP_qdkrodGzoJ6UFsjkoqk-rrBk2R46RE6oeVrqiaGjIK1Crt6R4QLZEMrEI6zE8a7sksK4EhJNbGEj2DssCO6meKyN4dFiWswsQFuNXukGx_/s400/mtSnap21.jpg" width="344" /></p> <p align="center">Taylor rivaled the legendary fashion editor <strong>Diana Vreeland</strong> in his use of maxims - "<strong>Red and green should never be seen!"</strong> was one of his favorites. <strong>"If in doubt, take it out!"</strong> was another. Taylor believed that white was the most efficient color for capturing natural light.</p> <p align="center"><img alt="" border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhviYFWGNDnYPa9_o_veZklZI1hGUxNjxKW89yaJEwoockKsc8QwDSeCvX4XdwruWaiPfjc1yw65cRdXkSdkIGdmOIuR_uM9ubxP0rvcBRP5H6lH813cWiXU3FDbw4ddGch4SNe7VTQVJF5/s320/House+%26+Garden+Feb+1991+2jpg.jpg" width="377" /></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><strong><em>"I cannot live without books." <br />Thomas Jefferson</em></strong></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">What books are you going to be reading??</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3"></font></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/swflash.cab" height="200" id="Player_63ed8ca6-7168-47db-a716-a37e6e64bca2" width="600"><param name="_cx" value="15875"><param name="_cy" value="5292"><param name="FlashVars" value=""><param name="Movie" value="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fwwwpatriciagr-20%2F8010%2F63ed8ca6-7168-47db-a716-a37e6e64bca2&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate"><param name="Src" value="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fwwwpatriciagr-20%2F8010%2F63ed8ca6-7168-47db-a716-a37e6e64bca2&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate"><param name="WMode" value="Window"><param name="Play" value="0"><param name="Loop" value="-1"><param name="Quality" value="High"><param name="SAlign" value="LT"><param name="Menu" value="-1"><param name="Base" value=""><param name="AllowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="Scale" value="NoScale"><param name="DeviceFont" value="0"><param name="EmbedMovie" value="0"><param name="BGColor" value="FFFFFF"><param name="SWRemote" value=""><param name="MovieData" value=""><param name="SeamlessTabbing" value="1"><param name="Profile" value="0"><param name="ProfileAddress" value=""><param name="ProfilePort" value="0"><param name="AllowNetworking" value="all"><param name="AllowFullScreen" value="false"> <embed quality="high" allowscriptaccess="always" align="middle" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="200px" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fwwwpatriciagr-20%2F8010%2F63ed8ca6-7168-47db-a716-a37e6e64bca2&Operation=GetDisplayTemplate" id="Player_63ed8ca6-7168-47db-a716-a37e6e64bca2" bgcolor="#ffffff" width="600px" name="Player_63ed8ca6-7168-47db-a716-a37e6e64bca2"></embed></object></p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="1"></font></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="1">Patricia Gray writes about Interior Design inspirations, emerging trends, and the world of Design.  </font></strong><b> <br /><strong><font size="1">While you're here, </font><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/patriciagrayincblogspot"><font size="1">subscribe to this feed</font></a><font size="1"> so you don't miss out. </font></strong></b></p> <p align="center"><font size="1"> </font></p> <noscript></noscript>

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