A New Hue for Me - Shades of Lilac...

Emma Watson in Burbery 2009 Fall campaign,
for Teen Vogue August 2009 cover.

mini | Natalia Grosner

Since my receiving my recent issue of Australian Vogue Living & US Elle Decor I'm experiencing a new affinity with hues of Lilacs and Purples... It's on the feminine side of blue for me - and one I might not have explored as much as now. It's a fabulous colour to mix greys, greens, blues, blacks & whites, and neutral taupes with. It can look cool, calm, serene, regent, elegant and masculine all at once! What do you think?

The grand Baur au Lac hotel in Zurich, Switzerland
& it's recent makeover. 'The Pavillon restaurant is now operational
year-round and has been given an airy new look by designer
Pierre-Yves Rochon, who has infused the room with elegant flourishes
and a color scheme straight from a spring garden'

 Elle Decor. visit bauraulac.ch..

A sleek new hotel - with it's rooftop infinity-edge pool,
and an 8,000-square-foot spa. Tempo Miami, views over the
Biscayne Bay in Miami. Elle Decor. visit tempomiami.rockresorts.com.

Nate Berkus' Apartment - Living & Dining Room
Canadian House & Home - Design Blogs

Images & subtext via Visualise.us, Flickr, Elle Decor, Canadian House & Home, Coastal Living & Teen Vogue.

Faded Grandeur...

It's strange how sometimes two non-related images or things can completely interlink and inspire me... I was inspired by two main things for this post 'Vogue Living' July/ August 2010 issue with an editorial 'Walls That Talk' of Debra Cronin's gorgeous romantic renovated-dilapidated Woollahra terrace, and a friend's recent facebook [gorgeous] profile pic of herself and her [nearly 1 year old] son reaching for a beautiful chandelier in their home... Led me to post these images that further inspire me, maybe I am preoccupied with the idea of re-decorating our master bedroom! Enjoy x 

images via Australian Vogue Living Aug/Sept 10, Flickr, TelegraphUK, Vi.sualize.us

Palatial Loves - Saul Bass & Henri's Walk to Paris...

Palatial Loves... 'Henri's Walk To Paris'.

I have previously posted about the fabulously talented, Design extraordinaire - Saul Bass, here are some images from his amazing illustrations of his Children's book written by Leonore Klein c.1962 Henri's Walk To Paris. From the strong grpahic element & colour application - Saul's most commanding qualities in his graphic design work - to the lovely 'simple' story of a little boy's journey through to the streets of Paris and what he encounters along the way... it's a shame that this lovely book is now out of print, maybe a publisher will pick it up for production in the near future. Until then ebay or second hand stores/ vintage book swaps are the only avenue to get your hands on it. Aside - I love it, and will have to keep my eyes open for a copy!  Enjoy - S x

As extract from 'Drawn'

As far as I know this is the only kids picture book illustrated by designer Saul Bass. Saul provides a 60s pop color backdrop for the text written by Leonore Klein. The book was published by Young Scott books in 1962.

Henri’s walk to Paris is the story of young boy who lives in Reboul, France that dreams of going to Paris. One day, after reading a book about Paris he decides to pack up a lunch and head for the city. Along the way he gets tired and falls asleep under a tree. This is when the story really gets good. I’m not sure if I should spoil the end for you, but lets just say it involves a pencil stealing bird with a band aid on its face.

Here below is the actual preface as seen in the book.

———————————————————————————————————————
Like many of us Henri wants to see Paris.

In Paris, there are thousands of buses.

In Reboul, where Henri lives, there is only one bus.

In Paris there are many parks and rows and rows of trees.

The Park in Reboul has only five trees.

In Paris there are many zoos full of animals for the people to see.

So one fine day Henri packs up some lunch and starts off to see all the things he had read about.

What Henri sees we see in a flowing panorama of pictures conceived by the eminent graphic designer, Saul Bass.

And how Henri finds himself very much at home at the end of his long journey, is the amusing secret of Mrs. Klein’s warm pattern story.

------------------------------------------------

'Henri Walks to Paris' by Saul Bass - Images from Flickr - Grainspace

Daring Colour & Flowers for Friday...

Happy Friday... I needed some visual 'pick-me-up' for the end of the week, I've been battling a miserable ear ache, and what better way than this fabulous image showing a daring dash of vibrant candied pink fuchsia wall, teamed with off-white wainscoting, accents Black & Grey, and a favourite of mine -a Blue & White pattern belonging to a handsome Ginger jar housing soft pink blossom stems! I think Anna, from Absolutely Beautiful Things would love this too!

How about you - do you dare to add some colour to your home this weekend?

Thank you for making Palatial Living your inspiration zone this week! Enjoy your weekend - see you next week! S xx

Image from House Beautiful - via Tammy Manet, Flickr

Trend | Fun with Wall Decals

Decals or Wall Stickers... some of us are familiar with them from our childhood - maybe a 'Holly Hobby' or 'Raggedy Ann', or a 'Sesame Street' character, or for the boys a 'Star Wars Enterprise ship' placed near a growth chart! Well it would seem that they have come long way from then, and not just restricted to children's bedrooms! More recently there has been an upward trend towards using decals through out main living areas, [home] offices and bedrooms - the design & quality now are far more sophisticated than we remember and technological advance in materials allows the wall sticker to come off without taking off half the wall with you! The contemporary wall stickers now fashion themselves more on Wall Art than just an animated design...

Take a look there may be something that might change how you look at your walls....

Above. Quote decal in a living space above a lounge creates a beautiful thinking space. Image from vi.sualize.us
Above. Living Room feature wall with decals creates a striking dining space. Image from Roxx.on.com

Above. Blown dandelion decal used in a bedroom makes for a wistful approach. Design Shrine

Above. Glamming up a plain bed with a designer Head board decal Wall Glamour through Apartment Therapy

Above. When you don't have any fresh flowers... Image from Create H: Interior Design

Above. One of my favourite poster typography quotes makes for a fun contemporary living space.image from Flickr

A little bit of meaning.... Decal - A decal (pronounced /ˈdiːkæl, ˈdiːkəl, ˈdɛːkl/) or transfer is a plastic, cloth paper or ceramic substrate that has printed on it a pattern that can be moved to another surface upon contact, usually with the aid of heat or water. The word is short for "decalcomania." The word Decalcomania is derived from the French word "decalquer," and was coined by Simon François Ravenet about 1750. The "mania" was added during the Decal craze of the late 1800s.
Different variations of decals include: "water-slide" or "water-dip"; and vinyl "peel-and-stick". A water-slide (or water-dip) decal is a type of decal that must first be dipped in water prior to its application[1]. Upon contact with water, the glue is loosened and the decal can be removed from its backing. A vinyl "peel-and-stick" decal is a petroleum based decal that transfers upon peeling off the decal from its base.

For more Decal Wall Sticker ideas & images why not try [Australia] Stencil Gallery ; Wall Sticker Company; Cool Art Vinyl, Wall Allure or [U.K] Wall Glamour; or [U.S] Dali Decals

Happy Birthday To You....xxx

Wishing my Best Friend & Darling Husband, Matthew - a Very Happy Birthday today....

Thank you for being wonderful....

Love You Always. xxx S

Image from vi.sualize.us & flickr

For my Friend...

.

Some beautiful flowers for my Friend, Effie. Just so you know, I am Thinking of You... S xx

Images from Flickr & Vi.sualize.us

Inspired...

Invariably the simplicity of several words configured into a sentence forming quote - catch me off guard and there lies my 'ah-ha moment'... I believe that sometimes our fear to take a risk can get in our way of destined success - with our family life, our work, old & new friendships, forgiveness & love, and even down to trying that new colour on a wall with all our best design ambitions! The fear & the risk of letting go then allows us the lessons of [near] failure, to then learn & succeed.

I continue to learn everyday...

Images from Flickr & Dead Methods on Flickr