Tuesday 31 May 2011

Renee on the Riviera

I wish the holiday weekend wasn't over so this is my way of extended it.  I love these photos of model and muse Renee Perle by the famous photographer Jacques Henri Lartigue.  So many fashion designers and other photographers were inspired by them and it's easy to see why.  Those wide leg pants are perfection as is the lifestyle of lounging on the Riviera.  Those were the days.




Jacques Henri Lartigue and Renee Perle






Photos by Jacques Henri Lartigue

Monday 30 May 2011

Magical Maine: Part Deux

The other Maine cottage that I wish would be featured again belongs to Marina Rust Conner.  It was built in 1899 by her great-great grandmother, Mrs. George Bird. When it appeared in Vogue, it looked a little more fussy and Victorian inside than Gwen McCaw's renovated house.  It would be interesting to see if any changes have been made over the years.  I've been to Maine many times and nothing beats that idyllic all-American feeling and slower pace.  These two homes make me want to book another trip but only if I can find an equally appealing summer "cottage" in which to stay!






Photos by François Halard

Magical Maine

Vogue.com posted a photo of this house in Maine in their Best Hostess Gift guide recently and it reminded me how much I love this house.  Some of you might remember that it was published in the first issue of Vogue Living in 2006.  The house known as Mitchell Cottage, was built in 1916 for Philadelphia businessman J. Kearsley Mitchell who had just married the daughter of a partner of J.P. Morgan.  The house sat vacant for many years after Michell was involved in a murder scandal.  What I didn't remember about the house was that Kirstie Alley and her then husband Parker Stevenson bought the house in 1991 and turned it into the Islesboro Inn.  They also managed to hire the legendary retired decorator Sister Parish to help decorate it.  It was later bought by Gwen and John McCaw who hired their friend from Los Angeles, interior designer Windsor Smith who simplified the house.

A photo of the house from Vogue by Arthur Elgort.

A look at the front of the house.
Gwen and her children on the lawn. The property also boats a three bedroom guesthouse, a swimming pool, classic clay tennis court, small boathouse, and deep water pier. 

An old photo of the porch with the striped awnings.

Under Windsor Smith's guidance, the house because much cleaner but definitely not boring.  In the Vogue article, the owner says, "because it's such an architecturally beautiful house, I felt I could decorate in a really clean way-that it didn't need too much. Of course, we also wanted everything machine-washable and kid-friendly."

The chairs are Sister Parish originals that were reupholstered.

The trellis walls are the pièce de résistance of the house and were originally restored by Sister Parish.


One of the girl's bedrooms.

One of Gwen's daughter's sitting on the Chloe Sofa designed by Windsor Smith.

The boy's bathroom is papered in marine blueprints.

Another old look at the house from Gilkey Harbor.  I am really surprised that the house hasn't been photographed for any other publications.  I'd really love to see the rest of the interior and grounds.  There is nothing that says summer more to me than the relaxing magic of Maine.

Photos by Arthur Elgort for Vogue scanned in by moi

Sunday 29 May 2011

Sailing Away

Over the years, I've come across many old photos of movie stars sailing their own small sail boats.  These days, celebrities are more likely to be found aboard the mega-yachts of Russian oligarchs in St. Tropez than manning the helm.  I suppose if I had the chance to experience such luxury, I'd take it too but there is also something about a beautiful old wooden boat that is the height of chicness.  Hope you enjoy this look at many different types of sailing!

George Clooney

Photo by Pamela Hanson

The Kennedys

Jackie Jennedy

Errol Flynn

Jack Kennedy

The Kennedys

Photo by Simon Watson

Errol Flynn

Natalie Wood

Grace Kelly




Photo by Tom Palumbo

The Kennedys

Photo by Don Honeyman

Photo by Richard Phibbs

Photo by Henry Clarke




Jack Kennedy



Patrick Demarchelier

French sailor Florence Arthaud via Tomboy Style


Babe Paley in Capri


Paul Newman


Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall

Photo by Simon Watson

Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall


Jackie on the Amalfi coast