Sunday Funnies

What little girl wouldn't love celebrating Barbie's 50th Birthday in her magnifique Dream House?!!

A la prochaine,

Denise et Gwen

Drapery for Marlene Dietrich

Bonjour mes amis,

Like any window treatment, a costume designing concept first begins on paper, then selection of fabric, then workroom and finally execution. The designer is involved in every step of the way. The end result being a happy client. Today, renting "Desire", we can "see" and appreciate all the effort that went into creating the "drapery" for Marlene Dietrich.

The development of costume design departments in the Hollywood studios was the result of two major factors: There were few fashion sources to draw on in Calilfornia, and special costumes were needed for the epics, period stories, musicals, and Westerns that became staples of the industry. Interior Designers of that time were just as limited. Three Interior Designers come to mind whom we are forever grateful; Edith Wharton, Elsie de Wolfe and Dorothy Drapper. And rightly so, for they are still the arbiters of taste and correct usage in the making of domestic interior rooms of the first rank. Did you know that Elsie de Wolfe was the first to woman to use a business card and invented the term "Interior Designer" under her name?

Travis Banton designed for Paramount beginning in 1925, "The Dressmaker from Paris." He creations were understated and deceptively simple designs elevated motion pictures costumes to the status of high fashion. He had a great sense of exquistie balance in a garment perfectly captured the new sophistication that arrived with the thirties. A Banton gown, with a softness and sultriness that followed a woman's body, was Hollywood design at its most sublime.
Banton's sketch for the gown from "Desire" is itself an expression of the serene, sensuous classicism that dominated fashion llustration during the 1930's.


Marlene Dietrich, here gowned superbly by Travis Banton for Paramount's 1935 "Desire". Swathed, draped, enveloped in chiffon that flowed about her like the rippling waters about a fashion goddess, Dietrich captured the imagination and heart of audiences with an allure that has never been equaled.

Like the drapery for Marlene Dietrich, window treatments adds a new sense of fashion and beauty to a room. They also give full credit to your taste and thanks to your interior designer.

Credits: "IN A GLAMOUS FASHION" BY ROBERT LAVINE and Special Assistant and Photo Consultant, ALLEN FLORIO


A la prochaine,
Denise et Gwen

Soft Window Treatment

Hi Girlfriends, The role of fabric at the window has long been an important feature of interior design and decoration. The term "soft window treatments" includes draperies, curtains, shades and top treatments.......all of which are made of fabric.

Denise: Choices are broad and diverse because of the unlimited spectrum of fabrics.
Gwen: A plus tard, one can find decorative functional fabric in an overwhelming array of colors, patterns, texture, weights, and constructions.
Denise: After all is said and done, c'est a one-of-a-kind treatment that is not only right but pleasing to the homeowner.

Gwen: I want to say something about clothes too. Like when I think of velvet, I think of the movie, Gone With The Wind.
Denise: Gwen, I swear, you always go for glamorous and romantic Hollywood.
Gwen: That's because everything was larger than life in the beginning. Diamonds were bigger, the furs were thicker and more. The silks, velvets, satins and chiffons spoke to one-!
Denise: And miles of ostrich feathers.
Gwen: I loved it all "back when" movies were exaggeration of history, fiction and the whole wide extraordinary world.
Denise: Yea, you're right...........remember how the basic was perfect designing and incredible workmanship.........the cut of decolletage, the embroidery, the mounting of a skirt, and miles and miles of bugle beads?
Gwen. (sigh!) If you think about it, costumes made back then (20's, 30's, 40's & 50's) are not much different today for window treatments when it comes to designing, measuring, selecting fabrics, workmanship and the final execution.
Denise: So right. The eye travels, the mind travels, in a maze of perfection and imagination.

Coucou, since it is still summer et window treatments n'est-ce pas on many minds, but, to get into a hint of interior design mood, Gwen et I thought our girlfriends would enjoy some of Scarlet's wardrobe. They were masterpieces of sensitive design that underlined her complex character with subtlety and originality. Her wardrobe designer was Walter Plunkett and his re-creation of the period remains an almost perfect example of motion picture period costuming.

Walter Plunkett's costumes for Vivien Leigh as Scarlett in Gone With The Wind perfectly mirrored the changes in the character. We first see her as an innocent and obviously well protected Southern belle, all frills and lightness.

Plunkett famed, "curtain dress" remains a masterpiece of ingenuity and Plunkett's best-remembered costume. Made from the dining room portieres by Scarlett's mammy.I love the short cape and the sash contrived from the curtain's cord and tassels added a touch of dash that suited the spunky Scarlett.

The irresistible Scarlett on a shopping spree after her marriage to Rhett Butler as we find her indulging herself in countless gowns and fancy hats. This charming dress, with its bodice and apron front of heavy striped satin, butterfly sleeves edged with pleated organdy, and underskirt of faille banded with a pleated ruffle of the stripe, is pure delight. The outfit is said to have cost $4,000.

Scarlet in Walter Plunkett's garnet-red velvet gown, trimmed with ostrich feathers and paste rubies, one of the most beautiful costumes in Gone With The Wind. At the star's insistence Plunkett gave her a tulle stole to dispel her fear that the dress made her look too "tarty."

Denise: Gwen, these black and white photos shout of colour. The fabrics are timeless.
Gwen: As is "Gone With The Wind."

A la prochaine,
Denise et Gwen
discountdesignerfabricsonline.com

Sunday Funnies

Salut mes ames, Gwen and I are having our doubts this polar bear belongs in the Mid-west.
Gwen: Let's remember this bookcase if Sarah Palin calls us to for design work.
Denise: I was thinking of AZ........if that state hasn't melted away by now.

Girlfriends, "What do you think?"


A la prochaine,
Denise et Gwen

Calvin Klein Fabrics 4 Kravet

Hi Girlfriends, Yesterday I was in the Kravet showroom and took the opportunity to look over the Calvin Klein Home collection and his 4 new fabric books. The fabrics range from solids, luxurious textures, silks, waxed linens, embroidered linens, velvets, silk/mohair and the yummy cashmere. Magnifique-!

THE COLORS are le classique Calvin Klein.............sophistique hues of Tusk, Bark, Pyrite and Artic tones. The results of any of these fabrics are quite astonishing and "all easy to live with colours."

These books got me to thinking how NOW is the time to begin working on the INSIDE of our houses again. Remember the project that never got off the ground......again? Summer is a great time to revisit those dog-ear interior design mags and jot down the names of the fabrics before contacting "discountdesignerfabricsonline.com".

EYE CANDY from Calvin Klein / Kravet:

VANUATO - DRIZZLE

FORUM - BISQUE

DAPPER - PORCINI et SENTO - POND

SHIBORI - ANTIQUE et DEBUT - PEARL

Remember to remember...........all the fabrics are available through discountdesignerfabricsonline.com

C'est exquis-!!!

A la prochaine,
Denise et Gwen

Sunday Funnies/JK Wedding Dance Entrance

Hi Girlfriends, Please visit our sidebar under "Sunday Funnies." and click "JK Wedding Dance Entrance." It will make you first smile, then, you will be laughing outloud by the time the bride makes her grand entrance.

We do apologize for not knowing how to post this video any other way. For sure, Gwen and I will have to split a bottle of wine and read our "UTube for Dummies" real soon.

A la prochaine,
Denise et Gwen

Playlist

Hi Girlfriends, Today, we are introducing music from selection by Playlist.com.......only we are sooooooooo new at this level, we are just experimenting. WE have been noticing a few of our favorite blogs are playing wonderfulllllllllll music, that even us Grannies are loving. It is so very stimulating to learn new "tricks" from so many creative authors of blogs: "All Things Bright and Beautiful," The Paris Apartment," and so many more.

Si "For Starters..." is just the beginning of learning a whole new dimension of this tres confusing network of techy. C'est, we ARE the Susan Boyles of this world, so bear in mind, when you read, "Killer Angel" by Randy Edelman, it is for his "Gettysburg" music only. Of course, once Susan Boyle cuts a CD, we will be all over it-!

"Gettysburg" plays in our home, my husband's office and our Ranger Rover (yaaaa, still young enough to enjoy these wheels). One time, as we pulled up for valet parking at The Greenbrier Resort and we had "Gettysburg" playing. By the time we left our stay, The Greenbrier was playing OUR music-!! Not saying we created the 'mood', but maybe they dug it out from their collections, because it was most fitting they would be playing this music.

A la prochaine,
Denise et Gwen

Sunday Funnies

Salut Girlfriends-! Gwen and I have been pouring over furniture pieces to post one that we think is hilarious for our Sunday Funnies "Edition." We would have liked for it to have had a designer fabric on it, but going green is household word today. Eco green is passing us by and we find our "chair" today will be a difficult one for those who are trying to stay the course. For one thing, who wants to invite the gardners in to mow your furniture?-!!

Denise: Gwen, Should we tell our girlfriends we are GRANDmothers?

Gwen: I think you just did.

Denise: O yeah, I think I did too.

Gwen: Anyway.......I loved the Sunday Funnies while growing up in the 50's: My favorites being: Blondie, Dick Tracy, Little Lulu & Tubby, Richie, and at some point, Peanuts. Sunday also included church and family brunch afterwards. That meant I got to keep my Sunday shoes on until after brunch too-!

Denise: I remember after church we would drive by a corner where a newsstand was set up on Sundays only and we would buy The Chicago Tribune for 25 cents. By the time we reached home, we kids (one of nine) were fighting over who was going to get to read the Sunday Funnies first. My favorite was Brenda Starr with her mystery man and the exotic Black Orchid he would send her. Oooooh so romanitque.

Denise et Gwen: (sigh-!)

Mes amies, Denise goes everywhere with her Leica Lux-3. She took the following 2 pictures two summers ago. I think they might have been the inspiration for the last designed "chair."

Winnetka, Illinois 2007

Gwen: This last picture I can tell you, I will not be using it for decoratoring any client's room.

Denise: Don't you think this "chair" might give you chigger bites.....like you got as a kid from rolling in the grass during summer nights?

Gwen: N'est it meant for future 911 calls to take me out feet first?



A la prochaine,
Denise et Gwen

Summer Paint Projects?

Hi Girlfriends, C'est summertime to make over a few rooms with color on the walls. Prepping is the most laborious, but painting becomes a breeze for a final look. C'est magnifique-!





Once the room is completed, you might decide new fabrics are much needed for window treatments and Aunt Edna's chair-!! Begin pouring through the latest fashion mags and interior designer books (at your local book stalls) for inspirations. Be sure and write all the fabrics you have fallen in love with (located in the Source area) and remember to visit our website for GREAT, GREAT, GREAT pricing.

A la prochaine,
Denise et Gwen

Sunday Funnies

Hi Girlfriends, One request many clients have is, "I want to sit in it first before I buy."

GWEN: How should I tell my clients to sit in this chair?
Denise: Uh, you don't.


Talk again,
Denise & Gwen

2009 Kips Bay Decorator Show House

Hi GirlsFriends,
Fabulous ideas from high end decorators can begin from show houses held in Spring and Fall in most areas of the country. "Showhouses are built on fantasy, and the most amazing fantasies of all are seen each Spring at the Manhatten Showhouse to benefit the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club" says House Beautiful. Designers or materials like Jamie Drake, Charlotte Moss, Amy Lou, Christopher Coleman, Bunny Williams, Joe Nye, Kathy Abbott,Lichten Craig, Christropher Maya, Eileen Kathryn Boyd, St.Charles of New York, Sicis mosaic floors........and the list is endless.

Here are a few of our favorites for fresh design, creativity, color, imagination:















Do you have a favorite room?

Talk again,
Denise and Gwen

July 4th Dessert by Sandra Lee

Hi Girlfriends, I found this scrumptious trifle dessert by Sandra Lee for July 4th. So you know how it is going to be so easy to make: "keep it simple", "keep it sweet" and "keep it semi-homemade."
1 box red velvet cake mix, about 18 ounces (if you can't find red velvet cake use 1 box chocolate cake plus a bottle of red food coloring)
1 (16-ounce) tub whipped topping
2 pints blueberries
1 pint strawberries, tops removed
Directions
Bake the red velvet cake mix according to package directions and allow to cool.
Using a serrated knife cut the red velvet cake into 1 inch square pieces and line the bottom of the trifle bowl with half of the cake squares.
Using a spatula, spread about a 2-inch layer of whipped topping on top of the cake squares.
Layer about 1 1/2 pints of the blueberries on top of whipped topping.
Layer the remaining cake pieces on top of the blueberries forming a second layer of cake.
Using a spatula, spread remaining whipped topping over the cakes pieces.
Decorate the perimeter with the strawberries; placing the strawberries cut side down. Sprinkle the remaining blueberries on top of the trifle inside the strawberry perimeter

Happy July 4th to all our girlfriends,
Denise & Gwen

Michael Jackson KING OF POP

HI GIRLFRIENDS, We wanted to be amongst the thousands of blogs paying a final farewell to one of our greatest American musical icons, Michael Jackson, KING OF POP. When Elvis died, the then Editor of Peoples Magazine, Richard Stolley (he was from my home town of Pekin, Illinios), told me the HUGE mistake he made when he decided not to put him on the front cover of Peoples Mag. Dick missed being a part of Elvis by 10 years earlier and could not "see" featuring him on the cover and went with someone else. It wasn't until Stolley stepped out of his office and saw all the secretaries crying into their hankies. He inquired and and was told, "Elvis died." He ran back into his office to kill the presses.....but all too late.

Here is Michael Jackson in sequence of his life:













Talk again,
Denise & Gwen

Mom's All-Time Summer Desserts Recipes

Hi Girlfriends,

Today the humidity is to be very high. Already I have the air on as I feel it climbing. Since Gwen is preoccupied, my energy isn't into going to The Mart, but I am thinking of how Mom handled 9 kids when summer desserts were much a part of our 6 O'clock Supper time. Just as were the tasks Mom delegated to us; "Set the table", "Clear the table", "Wash and dry the dishes" and "Sweep the floor."

My two favorite recipes for summer desserts:

A) Sliced bananas and chopped up oranges sprinkled with some sugar and then homemade whipped cream folded in. Yum-!

B) Vanila ice cream,Hershey surup poured over it and topped with Spanish peanuts. Yum-!

Tonight I think it will be "B".

Talk again,
Denise

Re-upholster Your Grandmother's Chair This Summer-!

Hi Girlfriends,

Summer has officially arrived
and
we love what you can do with your Grandmother's chair
until you get ready to do the real thing.
Re-upholster it-!





All photos are from the lovely flower shop in London, Scarlet & Violet.

Talk again,
Denise & Gwen