Then&Now: Inspired By Dorian Leigh

Just recently “fire and ice” fashion model Dorian Leigh died at the age of 91. She graced numerous magazine covers with her elegance during the late 40’s and 50’s. Although she didn’t set out to become a model, she was a natural.  She was very deliberate in how she composed herself for each shot- carefully positioning her body and hands into exquisite and purposeful ways. Photographers were always amazed at this. This one beautiful photograph of Dorian appears to have inspired a recent article on wedding dresses by Elegant Bride. Take a look-

Then- The cool elegance of Dorian Leigh from the cover of Vogue, 1946. Keep in mind the muted colors and her pose in this picture compared to those that follow.

Now- Doesn’t this look like a picture from Dorian’s portfolio? The lovely model is wearing the soft colors of a chiffon strapless gown by Anne Barge. ( Courture Spring 2008, #11) Straw hat in cream from Eric Javits.

Now- A pose Dorian would approve of! The dress is a white organza ribbon folded gown with sweetheart neckline at Palazzo. Added to it is blue satin sash from Carmela Sutera. White organdy hat by Helen Kaminski.

Now- White pleated silk organza halter gown with dropped waist from St. Pucchi.( Sposa #Z243) Chiffon scarf at Echo.

Now- White, nude and blush hand draped silk gown with pleated tulle skirt by J. Mendel.

Now- Dramatic white silk satin organza and tulle overlay withlight gray ribbon from Angel Sanchez.

For more about Dorian Leigh, read her out-of-print autobiography called “The Girl Who Had Everything.” I found her views of the modeling world and her own life to be very interesting.

StyleFile #40: Christmas In July- Trees

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a tree! Ahh…but what kind of tree?! Here are just a few options for tweaking yours this year-

Idea #1: Tinker Toy Tree
Raid your child’s toy box for some tinker toys and create this fun tabletop tree!

Idea #2: Antique Clothes Dryer Tree
Matthew Mead took an ordinary antique clothes dryer and made a one of kind tree.

Idea #3: Charlie Brown’s Tree
“All it needs is a little love, Charlie Brown.” Take a cue from Linus- Find a simple pine branch to place in a glass container.

Idea #4: Hanging Pine Branch
Another way of using a pine tree branch- Affix it to the wall with picture hooks and twin found at craft stores. Then add some ornaments using ribbon ties.

Idea #5: Topiary Bay Tree
A traditional tree wouldn’t do for designer Christian Tortu! He artfully inserted fir boughs into a large topiary bay tree
and filled the clay container with oranges!

Idea #6: A Tree Painted Red
Three cans of red spray paint + one dead pine = a totally fun tree!

Idea #7: Cast Iron Tree Stand
Forget the Christmas tree! Instead use its cast iron stand for a beautiful orchid.

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(Photos- 1: Unknown, 2: Country Living, 3: Holiday Ideas Magazine, 4: Sunset, 5: House Beautiful, 6: Better Homes and Gardens)

 

Victorian Houses

Queen Victoria reigned in Britain from 1837-1901. Those years make up what we call the Victorian era. Here in America the styles we associate with Victorian became popular during the latter half of her reign- generally from 1860-1900.

With the introduction of balloon framing (where wall structures were built two or more stories high), homes were no longer confined to box shapes. Architects explored new forms and elaborate details that have become part of what attracts so many to Victorian homes. Here are just a few examples-

Victorian Style: Second Empire. 1855-1885.
Features: one story porch, paired entry doors, quoins, patterned roof, hooded windows, bay windows, and central pavilion.

Victorian Style: Stick. 1860-1890.
Features: brackets, vertical strips at sides of windows, squared bay window and false mansard roof.

Victorian Style: Italianate 1840-1885.
Features: triple windows, single story porch, double doors, hooded windows, low pitched roof, one or two story bay windows.

Victorian Style:Richardsonian Romanesque 1880-1900.
Features: decorative flashing on roof ridge, arched windows, round towers, and masonry walls.

Victorian Style: Shingle 1880-1900.
Features: irregular, steeply pitched roof line, extensive open or enclosed porches, and shingled walls without interruption at corners.

Victorian Style: Queen Anne 1880-1910.
Features: integral upper floor porches, pointed cap roof, cantilevered wall extensions, brackets accentuating real and false overhangs.

More Victorian fun over at Snippet and Ink where I’ll be guest blogging today for Kathryn.

(Information from: A Field Guide to American Houses.  Photos- Flickr)

StyleFile #39: Christmas In July: Stars

That’s right. I’m posting Christmas ideas in July. And why not? It’s only six months away!

Idea #1: Pencil Eraser Star Stamper

#1. Martha Stewart uses an exacto knife to create this stamper out of a pencil earser. Great for wrapping paper and ribbon!

Idea #2: Yarn Stars

#2. Artist Marinda Stewart took Classic Elite yarn (a blend of silk and mohair) to make these wrapped stars- you can try foam core or wood but cookie cutters with no handles are the easiest to wrap. The knit-textured vase by Alyssa Ettinger.

Idea #3: Door With Star

#3. A star decorates the bottom portion of a door using upholstery tacks available at sewing supply stores. Leave it up all year!

Idea #4: Chalk Stars

#4. Here holiday messages in words and stars are written on a wall of chalkboard paint.

Idea #5: Wooden Star Wreath

#5. Painted wooden star can be a substitute for a traditional green wreath. This one by Accents de Ville.

Idea #6: Windowbox Of Stars

#6. Decorate an empty sill with a box of small green boxwoods, a string of lights and a layer of white marble chips. The stars- bent copper wire from Home Depot!

Idea #7: Canopy of Stars

#7. Sleep beneath the stars! Matthew Mead hangs greens and star ornaments from a wooden canopy bed.

(#1-From: Martha Stewart Living Magazine #2- From: Yarn Market News. Photograph by: Rose Callahan. #3-From: Maison Francais. Photograph by: Gerald Le Signe? #4- From: Living Etc. #5- From: Country Home. Photograph by: John Kernick.#6-From: Better Homes and Gardens. #7- From: Country Home. Photograph by Quetin Bacon)

Star Update–

Aren’t these large galvanized metal stars fun?! Meant to be used outdoors you hang them on tree branches, fences, gates,  or other outside structure. From Smith and Hawken.

Updated 12/2014– Large paper origami stars from Toast.

Update 10/2016- Terrain offers this star wreath for Christmas decorating.

StyleFile # 38: Bride of the Silver Screen

Do you have a special movie and wish you could put a touch of it in your wedding? I came across this recent wedding layout of models wearing assorted hats and for fun I matched them to some favorite movies.

Based on a popular book, Zorro came out at least twice in movies. The poster above is from the silent film “The Mark of Zorro” with Douglas Fairbanks. Hiding her secret identity in a black mask is the bride wearing a gown by Enzoani.

Who can dance like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in their movie “Top Hat?” Here the bride wears a black top hat and dress by Vera Wang in tribute to the dancing duo!

My son Curtis is discovering the joy of Charlie Chaplin in several of his silent movies including “Gold Rush.” If you haven’t yet seen one of Chaplin’s films, I encourage you to check them out at your local library. And to add a touch of Chaplin to a wedding gown by Stewart Parvin– a black bowler hat!

None of Elvis Presley‘s movies like “Blue Hawaii” are really Oscar-worthy, but if you love his campy music, it doesn’t matter! The bride wears a headband with a large tropical-inspired silk flower from Sylvia Fletcher and a dress by Lisa Gong.

We are all familiar with Charlton Heston‘s Moses in the film “Ten Commandments,” but not many have seen him in “The Greatest Show On Earth“- a story of circus performers. Jimmy Stewart plays a surprising role. A bride takes center ring in this dress from Pronovias.

Now considered one of the best western movies ever made- “The Searchers” is a gripping story of a man’s quest for revenge. When I first saw it, I was awed by John Wayne‘s portrayal. I think you will be too. An Indian head dress is a surprising addition to this bridal dress by Rosa Clara.

(Photos- Bill Ling for British Cosmo Bride. Stylist- Sally Dixon)

StyleFile #37: Sheet Magic

Victorians often had summer slipcovers made to cover their furniture’s dark upholstery. Now a more modern and less expensive way is to just toss a white sheet over a sofa or chair. This gives a light, filmy quality I find appealing.

A sun room filled with plants and a sheet-draped sofa.

This white-covered reading chair is nestled near a cozy fireplace.

Amanda Harlech has used white sheets in her farmhouse living room.

Sheets on walls as well as furniture at the home of French artist Michele Riesenmey.

There’s nothing like the combination of blue and white! The white sheet covering the chair only adds to the artistic flair of this room.

Here sofas, chairs and even the coffee table are draped in white.

(Photos by: Gilles de Chabaneix, Don Freeman, Francois Halard, Guillame De Laubier, Simon Upton, Mick Hales)

(From: Conran’s Decorating With Plants, World of Interiors, Vogue, Maisons Cote Quest)

StyleFile #36: Turtle Shells

Over the past several years, large turtle shells have been showing up on the walls and shelves of homes. I don’t advocate the killing of turtles for their shells. As a kid I had one for a pet. But if you’re into this trend make sure that the shell you purchase is from a reliable source.

This snapping turtle shell ready for display- available at The Evolution Store.

1. A unique collection of antiques and found objects includes a light colored turtle’s shell.

2. In the home of Peter Som a shell is proudly placed on the fireplace mantle.

3. Dimonah and Mehmet Iksel‘s home is filled with things from around the world. One treasure is the turtle shell on the chest of drawers.

4. This turtle shell is mounted on a metal stand. Note how the visual weight of it balances the large lamp.

5. The exuberant apartment of Elizabeth Saltzman shows a turtle shell hanging on the wall.

6. A beautiful antique turtle shell fills the space of an unused fireplace.

(Photos- 1. World of Interiors-Photo by Simon Upton 2. Elle Decor-Photo by William Waldron 3. Elle Decor-Photo by Simon Upton 4. Elle Decor 5& 6. Elle Decor- Photos by William Abranowiecz)

Update- New from Ballard Designs are these resin turtle shells each on its own stand.

Update 4/15/2012– Sun bleached turtle shells available at Jayson Home are perfect for display. Sizes will vary from 4″(small) to 6″ (large).

StyleFile #35: Ladders

One of my favorite games as a kid was Chutes and Ladders. The game rewarded good deeds with going up the ladder and wrong ones with going down the chute. I’ve been interested in ladders ever since!

I’ve always wanted a traditional library ladder. The ladder is designed with wheels and is attached at the top to a metal rod.

What a fun idea! Put one in the kitchen to reach high upper cabinets!

The modern version done in metal- from Poliform.

No room for a traditional rolling ladder? Find one that leans against the shelves like this vintage one.

A ladder rests against the wall only to suggest that this was once a library. The shelves are now filled with an assemblage of black and white photographs.

A treasured collection of old apple picking ladders is now stored inside this summer home.

A small ladder is added to this group of interesting objects.

What do you do with a collection of sap buckets? Display them on a ladder!

Use a vintage ladder to prune and clip hedges. Here a model holds up a wallpaper sample for the photographer.

A lack of bookcases didn’t stop this owner from creating one from a ladder!

In the garden, try some climbing roses on an old step ladder!

A smaller step ladder becomes a handy place to hold wedding shoes.

(Photos-  Elle Decor, American Homestyle and Gardening, House and Garden, Vogue Living, Country Living Gardens, Weddings)

StyleFile #34: Cloth-Covered Cord Pendant

At the turn of the century many homes were celebrating the invention of the light bulb. Lots of metal fixtures were designed to showcase the bare bulb. One of these was a cloth-covered cord which held the socket for the bulb. People loved it! The fixture’s simplicity still makes them fun to use whether in the home or as props for fashion photographs.

This classic light fixture is still available here.

An ornate bedroom has the surprise of the single bulb fixture.

A single bulb pendant dangles over the sofa of this funky living room.

Such a fun dining room! The owners have replaced the plain light bulb with a bright pink one.

Two plain bulb pendants hang in this urban-rustic bathroom.

Black and white photography heightens the contrast created by the light bulb. The model is wearing a dress by Alexander McQueen. Hat from J. Smith.

Isn’t the lighting in this photograph fantastic?! Fashion at Mui Mui.

(Photos- Rejuvenation, World of Interiors, Living Etc., Italian Vogue)

StyleFile #33: The Kitchen Sink

They took everything but the kitchen sink.

I have to laugh at this adage. When we moved– we took a kitchen sink with us! We rescued a large cast iron sink off the curb and kept it in our basement for three years until we moved into our present home. I love these old sinks, and have collected quite a few pictures of them. This proved helpful when it came time to design our kitchen. Take a look-

This apron sink is flanked by custom cabinets. A modern stove pulls this kitchen into the 21st century.

Here the sink adds to all the other fun elements in the kitchen. Check out the cut-out above the sink that lets you see into the pantry.

Another interior window above the sink looks into the living room. Note the solution the owner came up for sink legs that were too short!

Urban and Country meet in here with the use of stainless steel cabinets and antique wood furniture.

The owners of this kitchen spent a considerable amount of time restoring all the cabinets and, or course, keeping the authentic sink.

A sink skirt does wonders for hiding all kinds of extras- recycling stuff, bags of dog food or bottled water. I love the touches of green- skirt fabric, painted stool and glass light fixtures!

A large butler’s pantry in an historical home had this cast iron sink.

These sinks aren’t just for kitchens or pantries. Here a designer put one in a bathroom!

I couldn’t resist showing you our kitchen sink!

Note: You can find a cast iron sink here.

(Photos- House Beautiful, Old House Journal, Cottage Living, Country Living, Martha Stewart Living, American Homestyle and Gardening)