ScreenspirationTM: The Thomas Crown Affair

The Thomas Crown Affair is a visual stunner about the world's top art theft who falls in love during the investigation of his last great heist.  The remake starred Pierce Bronsman and Rene Russo, but for this ScreenspirationTM segment we are focusing on the 1968 version with Steve McQueen and the beautiful Faye Dunaway.  Take a look at some of these great shots and you will get a feel for the easy, elegance portrayed in the film.

He could pick us up in the above ride any day... or the below for that matter.

 The two have such great chemistry, maybe its because they are both after the other in one way or the other, but it more than works! They look great together. (Love that dress!)

 The dapper, international man of mystery vibe is clear.  He would totally be into our James Bond inspired room.

We love this film for its classic American style, charm and of course... ART! We are hard at work adding all the new items we scooped up at the New York Gift Show, and a large chunk of those products were in fact wall art.  Here are some selected pieces Mr. Crown would likely want to steal off your wall.

The Genteel Society of Dogs Collection features a group of pups who take well trained to a whole new level.  Choose from the young lady above or any other number of debonair dogs dressed in in Victorian Area garb who have very distinct personalities.

We have found such great nautical inspired art and particularly love the frames that accompany them. Above is a great shot of our new Chesapeake Ship painting, which we think looks particularly chic paired with our new silhouettes. 

We love the way two very traditional pieces paired together can still manage to look fresh and modern.  The secret is in mixing and matching the frames and styles (colonial whimsy meets masculine nautical above).  It will look like you've spent years scouring antique stores, when in fact your well trained eye knows a fab online snag when it sees it!

Given it is the 60's in this version, maybe Mr. Crown would be more interested in this more contemporary framed collection.  These contemporary prints pop in oranges and green (also available in blue).  They bring a great modern edge to your room with a nice nod to the mod past.  Be sure to pop over and peruse all of our new products, including many more prints!

Alice in Wonderland's Film Location: Antony House

We are very excited to see Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, when it opens in theaters soon.  I wanted to explore the main location used for the filming.  The magical gem Antony House and its beautifully landscaped gardens, near Plymouth, England, was transformed into the surreal setting for the film.

According to the UK's National Trust, Tim Burton was looking for, "...a perfect, pocket-sized mansion ; something beautifully symmetrical, with intimate interiors, wide views and landscaped gardens."

Burton's film combines the latest in stop-motion technology and traditional on-set filming and Antony House was the only 'real' location for the film.  Here are a few pictures:

Photo from the The National Trust

Photo from the The National Trust

Photo by The National Trust/Stephen Robson

PicturesofEngland.com

PicturesofEngland.com

Antony House has a long history.  It was built between 1711-1721 for Sir William Carew, whose family had owned the estate since 1492. Incredible!

Here is a photo I came across on The Plymouth Herald website showing many of the cast members from the upcoming film, shown on set outside of Antony House:

This is a view of the Knot Garden at Antony House (Photo Copyright NTPL/Stephen Robson)

According to the National Trust, Antony House was selected from a list of over 30 estates in England.

The sets were designed by Karen O'Hara and Peter Young and costumes were designed by Colleen Atwood.  I will be first in line to see this film!  Here is a preview:

Colleen Atwood with Johnny Depp, who has worked with him on Edward Scissorhands, Sleepy Hollow and other Burton/Depp collaborations (Ed Wood, Sweeney Todd and Alice):

Read about Atwood's costume designs here

Tim Burton on set, directing:

Photos from clothesonfilm.com

I'll close with this fabulous Harper's Bazaar cover with Mia Wasikowska

and the movie's trailer....take a peek!

Snowed In, In NYC...but the store windows remain dry!

Well the weather sure is frightful and sadly enough the apartment doesn't have a fireplace-not so delightful- but boy is it nice to look at!  Here are some shots of New York City on this snowy day!

 A snowy scene from Park Avenue!

 Ahh, Hermes! Even through the snow the windows look warm.

Some wishful thinking from Donna Karen.  All the spring windows are up throughout the street, now only if the weather caught up with the fashion.

Beautiful Central Park.

Bergdorf Goodman shines through the storm.

It would be nice to look through the all glass walls of the apple store... if you had the time to wait on that line to get in!

Above and below, pictures from the windows at Bergdorf.  Loved the bright colors and fun "peace and love" vibe.  Those sandals certainly wouldn't have gotten anyone very far in this snow.

Oh Chanel, we love you so, and those shorts are too cute, but sadly, in this weather, those are more than a pipe dream.  Another pipe dream? Being able to pull off that throw back to the thirties "Wintour"-esq bob. 

Perfectly pastel, the Burberry window makes us long for warmer days and for February's snow fall to turn into April showers.

Beige... Boring? We Think Not!

You might be surprised, but the new hot color palette for Spring, isn't that hot at all!  Cool and sophisticated neutrals are popping up everywhere on the most fashionable celebs and trendiest stores.  Take a look at one of our Well Appointed House Spring Color Boards:

New Nuetrals by gkatz featuring Doma jackets

Items in this set:
Matisse Nude Scribble Dress, 245 GBP
Sequined Tank, $225
Boyfriend Trench Coat, $595
Doma Cropped leather jacket, $520
ETHAN PANT, $295

Neutrals get a bad rap, pegged as "dull" or "stuffy", but when done in modern cuts and interesting fabrics it can actually be quite fun. In the left corner you'll notice our Trina Turk Lator Gator rug in citron, which is a great accent piece for a neutral based room because of its funky zig-zags; it brings a little pop not in color, but rather in pattern. Our beige animal print pillow combines a great fabrication choice with pattern. The cat print gives a little spice and keeps a room fresh in a subdued color scheme. Even without fun patterns, neutrals are still classics.

The trench coat is a undoubtably a fashion staple, and just like you can't have a complete wardrobe without a great trench, you can't have a great room without a great sofa. Our Jonathan Adler Baxter Loveseat is a classic in every sense of the world. With plush, thick tuffs, a high back and chrome legs this is the kind of piece you can build a room around. We love these neutral pieces because not only do they look great together, they can handle any other colors you throw their way. From black to pink to even neon yellow, beige is back for spring!

Milly Designer Michelle Smith's Fabulous 1920's Manhattan Apartment

I have worn Milly and Tory Burch clothing for years, since both brands launched, and all of us here at The Well Appointed House (www.wellappointedhouse.com) enjoyed the fashion week report Friday on both designer's new collections.

Designer Michelle Smith, the creator and muse for Milly, was drawn to fashion design from an early age.  She had an art school scholarship to study fashion illustration and then attended New York's Fashion Institute of Technology.  While attending FIT, she worked part-time at the Hermes boutique and upon graduation, she had the courage (and gumption) to write to the President of Hermes and ask for an internship at their Paris headquarters.  My motto has always been, "If you don't ask, you don't get" and so when I read this, I  knew that Michelle was a kindred spirit.  I admire young women who follow their dreams and aren't afraid to aim high. Her request was granted by the CEO and this made Michelle Smith the first American employee sent to Paris by this legendary fashion house and luxury brand.  Her career was off to a great start...

While in Paris, she continued her studies at a prestigous design school and had other internships at Louis Vuitton, Torrente and Christian Dior Haute Couture.  After just three years back at home, she established Milly.  Her feminine yet punchy designs are sold worldwide and in October of 2008, Milly opened a Shop-in-Shop in London's famed Harrods and she is currently expanding to Japan as well.

When looking at the new collections, I remembered a fabulous feature that Elle Decor did on Michelle's 1920's apartment in Manhattan, called Thoroughly Modern Milly.  The article was written by Melissa Barrett Rhodes, it was styled by Carlos Mota and photographed by Roger Davies.   I was 26 and living in Manhattan when I started The Well Appointed House and I liked the fact that Michelle was in her 20's when she founded her company and is now living in this fabulous two-bedroom apartment with her young daughter, Sophia.  It is no surprise that Smith and her business-partner husband, Andrew Oshrin, live on a prime fashion boutique stretch of Madison Avenue (my first office was on East 65th between Fifth and Madison!).  The couple thoroughly gutted the apartment and did a nice renovation.  Here are some of the pictures from the Elle Decor spread:

All above photos by Elle Decor/Roger Davies - and I recommend you read the complete article at Elle Decor for more insight and information on Michelle and her home and her sources.

I love the vintage Gilbert Rohde chairs that Michell has around her Macassar-ebony table in the dining room.  For a similar look, check out my White Leather Atlanta Chair with Nickel Nailheads

I also like the sharp contrast the black and white photograph by Rico Phulmann makes at the end of her entrance hall.  If you don't have one by Phulmann, check out the black and white photography in the Wall Art section of  The Well Appointed House.  Here is an example of one of our groupings:

If you like Michelle's headboard in her serene and calm bedroom, check out ours, which can be done in a different color:

Check out our last blog entry on Milly's new collection!  As always, be sure to check out New Items at The Well Appointed House.  We are on the forefront of what is hot for the home!