A LITTLE LATE, BUT IT WAS GREAT!

The V&A doesn't serve regular "cafeteria" food, so it stands to reason that the trays the food is served on are far from standard as well. Love the refined floral in lieu of boring beige or something even worse!

I know that this blog has not seen many updates for a long time, but I've been so busy with work, marriage, travel, decorating our home, setting up my studio and life that I am just now getting a bit caught up. I took so many photos during my trip to London last Fall and so wanted to share my visit to The Victoria and Albert museum, even though it's a bit late in coming.

I hadn't been back to the V&A since 1989, but enjoyed it even more on my return visit.

The best museum food that I've ever tasted, hands down. I usually consider "good museum food" an oxymoron.

Both the exterior and interior architecture are quite impressive, with Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's beloved Consort, as the central figure and icon of this place and so many others around London.

You could spend days examining all of the art, artifacts, textiles and antiquities here.

These snapshots feature just a few highlights of what my husband and I saw.

The mammoth skylights are key to the openness and light here, in spite of the fact that the edifice hails from the Victorian era when "heavy" and "dark" were the norms of the period's architectural vernacular.

This piece was especially impressive because it was constructed entirely of glazed terracotta and so beautiful.

I hope they used some heavy-duty sinkers to hoist that massive carved architectural relic up on the wall!

This pagoda and the Oriental pieces were especially fascinating.

This handpainted wallpaper dates from around 1790-1800

After lunch and several hours of perusing the art and historic treasures, we took a late afternoon stroll over to Hyde Park. I love this place and relished the space, light and people watching. Lots of darling little British charges with rosy cheeks tucked in their prams for a ride in the fresh air.

The V&A is certainly a "can't miss" if you are visiting London. You won't be sorry that you took a precious slice of time to see the world's finest museum of decorative arts!

CHARMS OF LONDON, PART 1

I had the privilege to be in London last week with my husband and we enjoyed our time immensely!

It's been a while since I was last there and so I was eager to see if my former haunts looked the same.

One of the highlights of my short stay was hitting up The Conran Shop. The windows alone were destination worthy and the shop's contents certainly didn't disappoint either. The popular British use of the word "BRILLIANT" is what came to my mind.

This place is a hotspot for fans of British design and funky, offbeat wares that don't follow a generic path or lull you into visual doldrums. Founded by Sir Terence Conran, a British design maven and entrepreneur who has weathered decades of trends and founded his own design dynasty, this shop is housed in the historic Michelin House in Chelsea that first opened in 1911 and includes a fabulous restaurant, Bibendum.

Eye candy is another term that comes to mind.....color and cool little accessories and items to give your home and office personality.

Their Christmas and Holiday theme is all about bright neon colors this season and is a refreshing departure from humdrum same-ness.

I was drooling in the kitchen department.....

Loved these mini kids' Kartell Ghost Chairs

A dream bed for a kid....I would've been all over this.....your own cozy little fort to sleep in.

I would snap one of these up in about 2 seconds.....

Comfort and good design are NOT mutually exclusive by any means.

I was captivated by these funky color lighted cacti and wished they had mini versions for sale

I know these colors are not for everyone, but they were right up my alley. I love how the British manage to marry tradition with updated chic style without making it seem contrived. Makes the British part of me glad to come from these folks.

Ta-ta for now and have a great weekend!

More to follow soon when I can manage to get some time away from my huge project (with deadline looming!) and all the Holiday busyness I am working on.

OFF TO LONDON.....

I am off in London for the weekend with my Dear Husband. 

Who knew being married could be so sublime? We have very limited time, not enough to see all of my London friends (sadly!) but hoping to hit up a few highlights and absorb some of that delightful English vibe and culture. I may be updating via Instagram so if you'd like, you can follow me here  

Have a great weekend and I will be back soon!

DIAMOND JUBILEE PRINTS & ANNECHOVIE in LONDON

It's exciting to see my "Lilibet" Silhouette Print in the London storefront window of Tusch und Egon. Especially fitting for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebration!

International artist, educator, gallery owner and blog-friend Liza Hirst has recently opened a gallery/store with her husband in Islington, London (England).  Liza is a phenomenal artist and a lovely person as well.

I have had the joy of collaborating with them on these limited edition screenprints below to commemorate Queen Elizabeth 2's Diamond Jubilee. There are only 20 prints available of each and all are signed and dated by the artist.  Liza is offering FREE SHIPPING for a limited time - through June 10th when you use this coupon code at checkout: AHJUNE2012

This print features diamond dust on the crown and is available on the gallery website here

and this version, the original "Lilibet" sans the diamond dust is available here

Check out the stores website here

If you live in London or are visiting, stop in and tell them I sent you!

STYLE IN SPADES

I couldn't resist posting a few pics of the new Kate Spade store in London.  I love all of the spunk and color in the space and the way the Spade line always manages to walk the tightrope between traditional and funky. 

Just my cuppa tea, to use the local vernacular. 

Hope you enjoy your weekend and I will see you back here on Monday!

P.S. Don't forget to enter my Diane James Home Give-Away if you haven't already! Drawing is on Monday!

A LOOK BACK......

Well here we are, the first Monday of 2011.

I can't believe how time keeps speeding up.

My parents always told me it would go faster the older I got and they were right! 

January is usually a catch-up month for me, after my very busy season of cranking out the commissions and filling LOTS of orders for holiday gifts. I was going through some files yesterday, trying to find something. I came across a couple of old paintings, from the early days. This is one I did in 1996. While in London a few years prior, I had found some great magazines in a trash bin at the flat I was staying in. There were all these fabulous real estate listings with incredible interior photos. I poured over them for hours and clipped a few of my favorites. This room I painted was one of them. I had to laugh at my somewhat skewed perspective and lack of definition, but it brought back some great memories. Ah, the early days....

Hope you have a great start to your week!