Classic glamour - Biedermeier furniture

Classic glamour - Biedermeier furniture

If you're an antiques junkie like me, you'd perhaps unravel every facets of the elegant French Louis period furniture, or the regal Italian rococo style, or the austere English Georgian look. I, however, rarely hear about the remarks on the German Biedermeier furniture. In fact, I wasn't really a fan myself until lately - simply stunned to see a gorgeous Biedermeier secretary featured in a beautiful Veranda spread.



Biedermeier style was introduced in the early 19th century, influenced by the French Empire period, I guess it's reasonable to say they share similar characteristics in terms of design, whereas the former depicts a more masculine take. A lot of cherry, burl, ash woods are used, the look is usually minimal and clean, but should not be mistaken to be tasteless. I'd say Biedermeier style is a perfect blend of historicism and utilitarianism, the result is classy and glamourous.



Source:
www.1stdibs.com

xoxo,
beibei

Farewell Steve Jobs!

R.I.P. Steve Jobs, you will never cease to be one of the most inspiring individuals in our hearts, for your endless creativity and remarkable contribution to this generation, you simply made our lives evolve around cutting-edge technology. The world has the most superior intercommunication and social networking tool because of you. I can proudly say that, I am a MAC girl!

My favorite quote from Steve:

"Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma -- which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary." -Steve Jobs, Stanford Commencement speech '05.

“我们的时间是有限的，所以请不要浪费时间去过你不想要的生活。不要被教条所迷惑——它诱使你按照他人的思维定势生活。最重要的是，要有勇气追随你的心灵和直觉。它们会知道你真正想要做一个什么样的人。其他的一切都是次要的。”

beibei

Christie's Oct. Interior Sale Preview

What's more pleasant than strolling in Manhattan on a beautiful Sunday? The early Fall's refreshing and crisp weather reminds me just how much I miss antiques hunting in this season. So here I am, here in New York city, antiques hunting!

Well not exactly, except I decided to go preview the Interior Sale at Christie's. I always find it a fulfilling learning experience visiting auction houses, Christie's is one of my favorite. Aside from the fact that it is located in one of the most popular landmarks in NYC (Rockefeller Centre), I find its preview setting especially tasteful. Every piece is exhibited to show its best character.

Like this parcel-gilt scagliola and composite center table,

A pair of French Art Deco rosewood cabinets,

A vibrant oil on canvas by Raymond De Botton, signed and dated 1970.

A plush upholstered double-sided confidante sofa,

A Baltic faux-marble top wall-mounted console,

A free-form chrome (or aluminum) lounge chair,

A beautiful pair of marble top gilt-bronze end tables,

After hours of burying myself into this big pool of antiques and, of course, fantasizing the profit-making aftermath, I had to get hungry. Thanks to my friend's early dinner reservation at TAO, I ordered my favorite Miso glazed chilean sea bass and we enjoyed a lovely meal together. Just a perfect ending to a perfect day! :)

XOXO,

beibei

Properly Heeled!

First of all I must excuse myself for being MIA for a while. My lack of focus can be blamed on my fiery enthusiasm for my France trip just a few weeks back.

My late passion has been poured onto FENDI and, of course, Camila Skovgaard's legendary line of avant-garde footwear. I will write another entry about FENDI's refreshing and eye-catchy fall line '11. Skovgaard's footwear, however, requires special attention as I believe a lot of women are unfamiliar with the brand.

The Danish designer has achieved a lot prior to her rising fame in the design industry. Known for excellence in craftsmanship and jaw-dropping creativity in design, she emerges couture punk-rock chic with sophisticated sexiness almost in a forceful way, but certainly created some one-of-a-kind aesthetic in shoemaking. Take a look yourself, doesn't her work remind you of a subtle combination of the boldness of McQueen and the seductiveness of Louboutin? ^_~

xoxo,

beibei

Haute Plant

Recently I was helping a friend decorating his bachelor pad. He has excellent taste in furniture and art, but the place lacks life and vividness. I immediately wanted to put a plant to the corner of the room to brighten the somewhat dull palette, and to make the place come alive. The question is, what plant?

Fig Leaf Ficus, or fiddle-leaf fig, is a versatile house plant that has been favored by many interior designers. It is easy to grow in a pot as it is planted to the ground. Its large leaves adds so much character to the tree, and can be trimmed to any desirable height.





No doubt I just found the top choice for him. I'm loving it. Ranges from $100 to $1000 depends on size, alive, or faux.

xoxo,
beibei

Give in to her

Made her think, the New York based jewelry/accessory powerhouse, continues to shock me with their forceful feed of tempting style. The designer Meredith Kahn whimsically juxtaposes masculine and feminine, tough chic and girly, naughty and innocent, grungy and aristocratic. Whether it's the spiky ear studs, gem-encrusted cuffs, Medieval-inspired gauntlet rings, and the "Victorian biker" leather purses, all reflected the artist's out-of-box design. Here is the fall '11 campaign.















xoxo,
beibei

Too cool for prom...

Planet Blue's latest vignette - while the word "prom" hasn't been in my vocabulary for years and years, I just simply admire the style and the vintage-like photographs.











xoxo,
beibei

If only...

...this is my view every morning,

my dear Paris, you are not that far from me anymore, I'll see you soon...

xoxo,

beibei

Dream Home IV

Despite the dark-painted walls, this room is filled with light. The big windows grant a wide visual. Thoughtful furniture choices like large tufted sofa, smooth-lined coffee table, and floor-to-ceiling shade-blending drapery, well proportioned the rather open-scaled space. Tranquility achieved!

xoxo,

beibei

Style Intervention - Tribal Fanatic

[Foley + Corinna tote, $298, www.singer22.com]

Whether it is aztec or navajo or any global-aware folk art of some sort, one can sense the tribal-loving trend is storming in the US fashion industry. A zealous bohemian fan I am, it's only a matter of time for me to dig up all those fancy-patterned processions. Brands like Torn by Ronny Kobo, Dolce Vita, House of Harlow, Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent, Haute Hippie, etc. all are pioneers of this style current.

Here I'm sharing some chic handbags under the same spell <3

[Leather and beaded fringe draw-string, about $375, www.anthropologie.com]

[Hand-woven backpack, $268, www.freepeople.com]

[Rafe clutch, $250, www.zappos.com]

[Jadetribe embroidered pouch, $79, www.planetblue.com]

[MALIPARMI tote, $285, www.yoox.com]

[WAYUU Taya knitted draw-string, $132, www.revolveclothing.com]