The Contributions of Galliano

Ok, he is/was a mad genious fashion designer. Did the madness go to his head, twist and morph his ego, turn him into an alcoholic...is he having a Charlie Sheen/Mel Gibson moment. Oh, this makes me so sad. Fashionolgie has a great article with some wonderful photos looking back at his contributions to our rich culture of fashion. I really want to shake his chicken head.

The Sad Little Models at Dior Fall/Winter 2011

Is it just me or did the models look a bit sad on the runway at Dior? Do they miss that alcohol-chic nazi sympathizer? The romantic drowsy flouncy ensembles that John does are always so pleasing to me...its a sad state of affairs in the fashion world. Here the 1930's and 1970's are in effect...ruffles ruffles and more ruffles...lace trim....velvet and fur...shimmering chiffon....sigh, will it ever be the same again?

From the article at Fashionologie - "There was no lack in attendance, however: Dior's PR described the demand for invitations as "overwhelming." But the mood at the show "was sombre and muted, with more than one guest suggesting the atmosphere was 'funereal,'" Hilary Alexander reports"

Pink Ochre from Roussillon

Penelope Bianchi's Santa Barbara, California home:
House Beautiful's interview of Penelope Bianchi is so inspiring. She has mulled over every detail of her lovely home, down to the specific color she mixed into the stucco exterior, pink ochre. You can read the article here.

I love the chickens and the virgina creeper vines! And the books at the end of the bed, my husband would love that.

White Will Contrast With Neutrals

Rosy Strazzeri-Fridman's Victorian home in San Francisco:

What I love- the crispness of the cream and white, the way the sunlight bounces off of everything in the rooms for extra brightness, the contrast with deep browns and golds. I myself love a bit of color though. The thing about this design palette is that it is so easy to do, you don't have to try to match a color, you'tre just working in shades of dark and light. The collage of mirrors and antique paintings is genious, and the touch of whimsy at the dining table with mis-matched chairs is right up my alley.

photos by Andrea Wyner for Country Living