I'm deviating from my daydreams of Florence, Italy to inspirational epiphanies via Florence, Alabama. The source of my inspiration is Alabama Chanin, Natalie Chanin's lifestyle company that focuses on "slow design and sustainability."
Their one-of-a-kind products are made by hand, incorporating organic and
recycled materials, by artisans in and around Florence, Alabama. The collection includes jewelry, clothes, lighting, pillows, objets, and more.
Here's Melissa embracing a pillow made up of fabrics from her new Sugar Snap line:
And a fun interior shot of her shop:
Best of luck Melissa! It all looks so delicious!
…people are on the march in reaction to the passing of Prop 8. Or I as I've been calling it "Prop Hate".
photo property of Instinct Magazine
West Hollywood has let its voice be heard in front of the Mormon Temple in West LA for the past two days, and in San Francisco thousands marched peacefully on this beautiful autumn evening down Market Street to Dolores Park in a show of solidarity.
Great capture by The Enabler (Wilson Hardcastle) of the march going past the Castro Theater with (Harvey) Milk showing on the marquee.
Lisa Davis of Alameda carried a sign that read "You gave rights to chickens and took away rights from human beings" — a reference to the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act.
Check out the wonderful footage by Mojito (Jill) on her Flickr.
Getting down to our last days at the shop and all of the prices have been slashed, hee! Really. There are a few wonderful pieces left. I think I will be bringing home this desk and chair…
I'm going to miss having the shop to stylize and socialize in. It's like an extension of my home. And now that it's autumn it's so cozy there with all of the lamps glowing in the spaces. It feels very special.
There are other things blossoming though and I'll let you in on the happy plans very soon…
Tonight is the finale on Top Design. I'm rooting for Preston. He's a quiet genius who consistently delivers divine interiors. He studied in Australia for a year, among various other design edu, and it shows. Some of the best design leading off the 21st Century is coming out of Australia. Here's a glimpse of his living room:
The wall color reminds me of Elephant's Breath by Farrow & Ball, which I just used on a victorian in San Francisco. It has me daydreaming about an accent wall behind my bed.
Here's a non sequitur…isn't Todd Oldham the sweetest person!
The future is now.
In case you don't already know there's a brilliant new drama called The Last Enemy on Masterpiece Contemporary, on PBS. It's a five part series with the finale airing tomorrow night; Sunday November 2nd. You can watch the first four episodes online at PBS.org. The production values — writing, direction, sets — are superb, and the cast, including my favorite Robert Carlyle, is totally engaging.
Robert Carlyle…………………………………Anamaria Marinca
Filistrucchi is a wig and mask fabricator in Florence, Italy, since 1720! Above is one of their wig creations. It has been in the same location since is inception, even surviving two floods:
From the beginning their clientele has included internationally renowned actors and actresses.
Baritone Armando Dado, born in Rome 1902:
Ida Pacetti:
Sketch for a wig:
Cyrano:
Have beaucoup fun and enchantment tonight everyone!!
Driving through the warehouse district in San Francisco the other day I saw the chair on the side of the road. I was lost and late and had no time to stop, even though I was driving my empty cargo van. What a missed opportunity! I will say that the seat was in need of repair, but it can be done. If anyone reading this is in SF and wants to go on a treasure hunt ! the chair is on Industrial Street, between Bayshore Blvd. and Oakdale Ave. It’s calling out, “Here I am baby…”!
Breast Cancer Awareness Month feels like one long month of industry advertising. An industry of fear. Even the language is violent. I don't want to FIGHT breast cancer in an "ARMY of Women" (Avon and Susan Love's new project) in the WAR on cancer. I don't want to be labeled a SURVIVOR after BATTLING this mysterious disease that an industry presumes to know how to treat.
In fact, these days much of western medicine is fear based. I expect you to know me well enough that I don't need to go into detail to explain that I value medicine in specific circumstances, where it is cleary needed, where the benefit outweighs the risk, and that I do believe there are truly thoughtful and dedicated health-care-givers. Having said that, there is a very predatory side to the medical community and pharmaceutical companies. Never has it been more evident how very much like drug pushers they are as witnessed by the glut of magazine and television advertising designed to lure the populous into becoming users.
Now it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we see the myriad of companies that are gaining from others' misfortune. I'm talking about Pinkwashing. I will leave the details for you to discover if you choose to at Breast Cancer Action.
The trendiness of breast cancer disturbs me. It's far too much focus on one type of cancer, "… and coming up fast on the rail in second place it's testicular cancer in yellow." But what color ribbon would you sport for cervical cancer, brain cancer, or prostate cancer?
I'm weary from having been through the cancer mill. I've seen the dark side of the industry. It goes without saying that I'm grateful to be alive. I'm grateful beyond measure for so many kind gestures and well wishes. But I also believe that for every person who is alive in this challenging and tumultuous 21st Century, we are all survivors.
Angel Aviles-McClinton from Media Mojito had interviewed me last August and I never realized until today that it had been posted on her site in September. You can check it out here. Merci beaucoup Angel!
So Sylvie 