Getaway

We're off to the beach for the weekend, and hoping the storm won't catch us.

Lido Beach in Sarasota is next door to – and equally as beautiful as – Siesta Beach, which has been near the top of Dr. Beach's 10 best beaches in the U.S. for the last several years.

The 2010 list...

1. Coopers Beach in Southampton, New York (NATIONAL WINNER)
2. Siesta Beach in Sarasota, Florida
3. Coronado Beach in San Diego, California
4. Cape Hatteras in the Outer Banks of North Carolina
5. Main Beach in East Hampton, New York
6. Kahanamoku Beach in Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii
7. Coast Guard Beach in Cape Cod, Massachusetts
8. Beachwalker Park in Kiawah Island, South Carolina
9. Hamoa Beach in Maui, Hawaii
10. Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne, Florida

(Are you as surprised as I was to see a couple of New York beaches on the list?)


We're not concerned about finding oil or tar balls here, as most of the damage in Florida has been confined to the northern panhandle (so far).

Have a wonderful weekend, wherever you are, and Think Peace.
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Think Outside the Box

 Click to enlarge.

 

The perfect window box is not just about the box. Yes, this one is planted with an exquisitely wild jumble of colors and textures, but would it be as charming without that wonderful little window opened up to reveal pots of topiaries inside ... or the espaliered apple trees providing a leafy framework outside ... or even the carefree garden planted beneath, with its multi-colored blooms reaching up with abandonment to meet the tumble of flowers from above?

I wish I had the courage to paint my house that perfect shade of pink.
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Photo from Southern Accents, Mar-Apr, 2004

Art Saves The Day

Pierre Mabille's art came to my attention during a recent show at Bleu Acier Gallery, in Tampa.

The consistent theme in his work, the elongated oval, one might think could be a short-lived fancy, that would run its course pretty quickly. But, take a look at his website and browse through the images of his gallery shows and installations – I think you might be enthralled and exhilarated – like I was – by his seemingly never-ending flow of ideas and creative variations on the theme.





Seems like French artist, Pierre Mabille, has taken a simple shape to wonderful conclusions. I find his work to be witty, optimistic and upbeat, the perfect antidote to life.
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Boundless Hope

If you missed Keith Olbermann's show last night, the conservationist John Wathen was a featured guest. He has been flying over the Gulf of Mexico shooting videos that show more effectively than anything I've seen, the extent of and devastation from, the oil spill. It was so sad, I couldn't bear to import the video directly onto this page, but go here if you're up to watching ... we've done a terrible thing to our beautiful waters and the innocent creatures who live there. Dolphins are some of the most lovable of those creatures - they smile, they laugh, and they seem to be filled with eternal exuberance. I don't think they are laughing much these days.

Let's just hope for an end to this misery and an end to the dominance of the oil industry over our government and the best interests of the planet ... soon, soon.

Photo: A pair of dolphins cavort, in happier days.

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Tufted Titmouses, Mitz & Catbook

Is this not the cutest bird ever? If I had to pick a favorite of the birds that visit our birdfeeder, at least for cuteness, the Tufted Titmouse would be it. Maybe the name is part of the appeal.

A perfect description of these tiny charmers ..."A little gray bird with an echoing voice ... The large black eyes, small, round bill, and brushy crest gives these birds a quiet but eager expression that matches the way they flit through canopies, hang from twig-ends, and drop in to bird feeders. When a titmouse finds a large seed, you’ll see it carry the prize to a perch and crack it with sharp whacks of its stout bill."

This time of year I have to be on constant vigil with the cats. I just recently spotted a baby titmouse, so poor Mitz has to stay inside much more than he'd prefer, just for awhile. And he's none too happy.

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Speaking of which, have you heard about catbook?
Now on facebook, you can set up a profile for your cat on catbook (or dogbook for the doggies). Is there enough time in the day for all this? If I get the time to set Mitz up with his own page on catbook, he may come a'callin on your cat with a friend request ... any day now. Of course I'll first have to figure out how to set it up so it appears on my page. Will this mean Mitz needs his own email account? Personal calling cards? And what about a personal assistant? Oh wait ... I think that would be me.
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Wikipedia
allaboutbirds.org

Speaking of Town&Country ...

I'm hoping Stephen Drucker will pick up the interior design ball and run with it in his new stint as Editor-In-Chief at Town&Country magazine. This month's splashy Home issue, features several wonderful interiors ... including work by some long-time favorites: Michael S. Smith, Katie Ridder and Thomas O'Brien. Michael Smith's magical transformation of a Hollywood Hills home must rank among his prettiest ever.

Let's hope for much more of this in issues to come.

Above: Michael Smith designed dining room and bedroom, from Town&Country, May 2010.
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BIG Shake-Up in Design Mag World

It's so unnerving these days to hear about changes in our favorite design mags. Some BIG moves within the Hearst group were announced this morning by House Beautiful ...

Two long-time editors Lisa Newsom of Veranda and Pamela Fiori of Town&Country will step down, while others reshuffle.

Stephen Drucker, formerly editor-in-chief of House Beautiful, was named editor-in-chief of Town&Country, replacing long-time editor Pamela Fiori. Newell Turner, formerly style director for House Beautiful, was named editor-in-chief of House Beautiful. Dara Caponigro, formerly editor-at-large of Domino, will be editor-in-chief of Veranda, replacing founder Lisa Newsom, who will remain with the magazine as editor-at-large.

It's sad to see anyone lose their job right now, and it will be fascinating to see how the look and content of these magazines evolve under the new leadership.

From The Editor At Large.

Many people are struggling these days, and some have to choose between paying the rent - and eating. Here's a chance to help with just a few clicks. All because of the wonderful Meg, over at Pigtown Design and Chris at Easy And Elegant Life. Click on over to their April Food Day blog and make someone's day.

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Spring!

Spring has finally sprung, outside my bedroom window ...

and inside the kitchen window!

It is now official, in case you had any doubts ... this has been the longest, coldest winter in Tampa since 1969 – just shy of the record set in 1958.

Other signs of spring in my neighborhood ...
--the crows are building a nest again in the very top of my neighbor's pine tree. I love hearing their raucous caws when they all chime in together. They are quite entertaining and funny.
--the flocks of huge robins on the lawn and in the trees, that miraculously appear and then disappear just as quickly
--the brown thrashers, large rusty-brown birds with spotted chests, racing around on the ground, presumably looking for worms. We see only a few of these for a week or so, and then they are gone. (Not sure which is better – the sight of the bird crouching and running about, or its name.)
--and of course, the beautiful redbud and plum trees now flowering around town, along with the mounds of azaleas covered with blooms of all colors.

At top, two azalea trees outside my bedroom window.
Bottom, a broken branch of Loropetalum chinensis (Chinese fringe flower) gets a second life.
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Homage to Albers

Josef Albers, Study for Homage to the Square, oil on blotting paper, 1976

A very astute reader commented that the SoHo loft kitchen in my last post reminded him of the work of Josef Albers. Would you agree?

The solid color blocks in Alber's paintings have a translucent quality, that relates to the way the color of the kitchen cabinets seems to glow from behind the frosted glass panels. Kind of like painted glass.

Interestingly, these lovely nesting tables designed by Albers, feature glass tops that have been underpainted.

Image from Bonluxat.

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Kitchen As Art

Befitting its owner, performance artist Marina Abramovic, this SoHo loft kitchen is the picture of drama and beauty.
Designed by architect Dennis Wedlick.
Photos by Bruce Buck for the New York Times.
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Elle Decor Sneak Preview

Start checking your mailbox now for your next issue of Elle Decor. Friend of Topsy Turvy, the trés charmant Belgian count, interior designer and furniture designer Bruno de Caumont was kind enough to give us a little heads-up ... his Brussels loft will be featured in the April magazine, which should hit newstands any day.

You may remember my previous interview with Bruno here. Well, he has just sent over some behind-the-scenes photos of the making of the Elle Decor photoshoot – shot by his assistant and top-notch photographer in his own right, Benjamin Juveneton.

The photographer for Elle Decor, Simon Upton, lines up a shot, while Bruno grabs a little computer time.
All photos © Benjamin Juveneton. Please do not use without permission.
Click on any image to enlarge.

Simon Upton, is widely considered to be one of the greats in interior photography, and it's fascinating to actually see him in action - as he is usually behind the camera and out of sight. Just for us, he makes a cameo appearance in Benjamin's photos, along with Elle Decor's style editor Anita Sarsidi.

I love how the chandelier is slung over the beam.
Most of the furniture throughout is from Bruno's own line.
All photos © Benjamin Juveneton. Please do not use without permission.

Elle Decor's Anita Sarsidi takes a look through the lens.
All photos © Benjamin Juveneton. Please do not use without permission.

Benjamin shoots from on high, while Simon and Anita talk over a shot.
Bruno's stacks of magazines and books give the space a lived-in look.
All photos © Benjamin Juveneton. Please do not use without permission.

Once the Elle Decor feature is published, Bruno has offered to provide some more insight, so I thought a little Q&A might be in order. He has offered to respond directly to reader queries, so-o-o run out and get your April issue, and then post a comment or question for Bruno, here on Topsy Turvy. I promise to post his responses as soon as possible.

I've gotten a peek at the actual magazine layout, and it is gorgeous, of course, in true Elle Decor fashion, but there are a few surprises. So, I just may not be able to wait for the mail – Barnes and Noble, here I come.

As a little bonus, you might enjoy this video interview of Bruno in the apartment. I don't know about you, but I enjoy listening to a beautiful French accent any day ...


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Great Art for $20

Click to enlarge image.

Every Tuesday and Wednesday there is new art up for sale, in limited quantities, over at Jen Bekman's 20x200 website. There is always a $20 size available, and word on the street is that everything is selling like hotcakes.

Tuesday's offering is this William Powhida print.
(I have to say, his #17 reason to buy art might be my own #1.)

Participating artists have included William Wegman and the Starn Twins.
Check it out!
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Magalog or Catazine?

Anthropologie has always produced wonderful catalogs with exceptional photography, art direction and styling – in exotic locales. The most recent find in my mailbox, I think, brings catalog design to a new level.

In the "Soft White Light" section, a model wears all white on every page, and her wispy tousled hairstyle is interwoven with a wildly luxurious crown of white flowers.

The Art + Life section shows floral patterns and hot colors in front of painted backdrops of gorgeous wall-sized tropical leaves and blooms.

"Carried Away" features cut-out paper flora and fauna ingeniously arranged with real jewelry pieces. In some images, it's not obvious right away where the paper art ends and the jewelry begins.

If you haven't seen it, you can view the catalog online here. But I have to say, it's much more impressive in print, so try to pick one up if you can. I think I need to be saving these alongside my archives of Elle Decor and House & Garden.

J. Crew also went magazine-y in their own way in their new catalog, showing real people wearing J. Crew clothes. Well, ok ... interior designer Celerie Kemble and Monocle Magazine editor Tyler Brûlé are not exactly typical of real people, as in the girl or guy next door – unless you happen to live in a chic Manhattan, London or Palm Beach neighborhood.

Oh, to be young, beautiful, and smart!
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Art and All That Jazz

Blue Jazz Fountain, by Serena Bocchino.

Soul Shower, by Serena Bocchino.

Duet, by Serena Bocchino.

In case you've been paying attention to Topsy Turvy (I hope there are still a few of you out there), surely you've noticed a lack of posts lately. I do plan to get back into a more frequent schedule, so please don't desert me! I've been working on a couple of all-consuming projects, and hopefully will have some big news to announce in the next few months. (Sorry, but I don't want to jinx it with too much info.) So, thank you for coming!

I thought I would share the work of artist, Serena Bocchino, who is influenced by American jazz, the spiritual aspects of music and the energies of the urban landscape (according to her website bio). I am a huge fan of modern (abstract) art and her paintings and drawings are pure poetry to me, with a little whimsy and a lot of optimism.

Very refreshing right now.
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