Happy Valentine's Day from Kate Spade

Ok, ok. I'm giving in! Here it is! Your Valentine's Day Post! Of course, it had to be stylish.... 

Kate Spade Virtual Valentines! 

Click here to send one to your sweetie...

All images, KateSpade.com

Fabulous Chairs!

Why are dining room chairs always so dull? The standard dark brown, square set, slat-backed seats lend nothing exciting to the experience of eating. Why should the spice of life happen in such a tasteless theater? Below, a few lovely examples, both classic and new, to try in your dining room or anywhere else in your home. From entry ways to bedrooms, these beauties will bring seating style!

Dolina Sidechair, Michael S. Smith. Cracked Ice Chair, McGuire. Eclipse chair, Beeline Home.

Jasper Chair, Michael S. Smith Jasper Collection

Treviso Chair, Michael S. Smith Jasper Collection

Laura Kirar Chair, McGuire

Overlapping Squares Chair, West Elm

Jacob Chair, Michael S. Smith Jasper Collection

Calvin Beige Leather, Clayton Grey Home

Barbara Barry Script Chair, McGuire

Addison Chair, Jonathan Adler

Bistro Chair, Pottery Barn

Modern Glamor Chippendale Armchair, Ethan Allen

Images:  All pictures from companies as attributed.

The Designer Browser

Here at Sanity Fair, we prefer to talk about things we know something about, not things we know nothing about, and would probably break - a category that includes cars, computers, televisions, and anything with batteries. But what I do love is anything pretty and personalized for my laptop, from desktop to wallpaper, so I got kind of excited when a tech-saavy friend talked me into trying Google Chrome. It's supposed to do, oh, a lot of stuff, none of which I understand. All I know is this: IT PATTERNS MY SCREEN WITH DESIGNER TOGS. Right now, I'm typing away under a banner of Tory Burch orange and pink. Maybe tomorrow I'll try some Lilly Pulitzer print (if it's a grey day especially). Ta da!

Other designs available include Jonathan Adler, Matthew Williamson, Delft (the famous Dutch porcelain), Kate Spade, Todd Oldham, Vivienne Westwood, Charlotte Ronson, and Oscar de la Renta!

For a real article about technical stuff Chrome actually does, instead of just what it looks like, visit here. 

All images, Google Chrome.

John Galliano’s Marie Antoinette Inspired Collection for Spring 2010

Marie Antoinette

As promised, I am thrilled to bring you a very special guest post today from talented artist and style savant Ingrid Mida. Ingrid's repertoire, which includes beautiful, fashion-inspired artwork and photography (be sure to visit her online gallery), is regularly exhibited in Toronto, and she brings a wonderful historical sensibility to each creation. She is particularly inspired by Marie Antoinette, thus making her our ideal guide for this Dior collection. Enjoy!

"Marie Antoinette and the pre-revolutionary court of Versailles seem to be an ongoing source of inspiration for fashion designers, including the spring 2010 collection of John Galliano for Dior. Although the links to Marie Antoinette are more subtle than his “Masquerade and Bondage” collection of 2000, they are there nonetheless. The influence of Marie Antoinette on the Dior collection for winter is in evidence in the riding costumes, luxe hats atop frothy, pouffed hair styles and exaggerated hip lines.

The pouf hairstyle was a signature hairstyle for Marie Antoinette and much copied after she debuted it in 1774. Galliano brings the elevated hairstyle back in this collection to great effect!

During Marie Antoinette’s reign, extravagant hats often topped these towering pouf hairstyles. Similarly, Galliano adds frothy and luxe toppers to complete many of his over-the-top fabulous confections.

Perhaps most obvious is the influence of the riding costume on the Dior collection, especially as Galliano ended the show by appearing dressed in riding attire. 

The male-style fraque a bavaroise was popular for women in 1779 and had lasting impact on women’s fashionable attire. Galliano's interpretation of riding costume in the Dior winter collection is the height of elegance and chic!

Exaggerated hip lines somewhat reminiscent of panniers can be seen in several of the beautiful long evening gowns.

Marie Antoinette was the first fashion icon. She serves as a muse to many designers like Galliano and artists like myself. Please visit me at Fashion is my Muse to read more posts about her and visit my website to see artwork inspired by this period."

- Ingrid Mida

Images: Marie Antoinette and the Dior Collection.

Special Guest on Monday!

Here's a little teaser for Monday - I'm very excited to be hosting a guest post by the gifted artist Ingrid Mida here at Sanity Fair. Ingrid's blog, Fashion is my Muse, is a thoughtful mix of art, culture, fashion, and impeccable style. And on Monday, she'll bring her knowledge of historical costume to a review of Galliano's fabulous Dior Spring 2010 collection. Stay tuned! 

Image, chinadaily.com

Symphony in Red and Blue

Miles Redd is an ex-set designer who carries the playful magic of theater onto the stage of every day life.  He studied with Bunny Williams, painted in France, and colored the floor of his apartment emerald green. Now a days, he's decorating homes from Wyoming to New York, Vogue to Elle Decor, and heading up Oscar de la Renta's home department. 

My favorite designs by Redd are too numerous to share, so I've limited myself to two color palettes:  Redd in red, and Redd and blue. Be inspired!

Picture 1, Material Girls Blog. Last picture, blue living room, Elle Decor. All other images, MilesRedd.com.

Ugly Beauty: What's in a Name?

I'm fast developing a Hulu addiction, which has, curiously, mirrored my design addiction. This wonderful world of pausing to look at gorgeous room decor on your computer is fabulous. I've even taken taken a few screen shots and emailed them to friends ("this looks just like your couch! Your couch is on TV!"). Hulu also introduced me to Ugly Betty, a show I just never got around to watching previously. It's entertaining, but what really made me excited were the interiors, designed by the most fabulous Hollywood name ever:  Rich Devine. The sets are so colorful and unique they almost overpower the characters.

Not your typical office space. Where is the office equipment?

The conference room: how much does this remind you of 

Wes Anderson's The Life Aquatic? It's in the same shades as those 

zippy blue suits and orange hats.

The fishbowl effect: surround view offices bring even more 

opportunities for critiquing your office mates' clothes. Really, the space is

so fluid, pictures won't capture the feel of it; you need to watch for yourself.

Willie (the Terrorizer in Chief) lives in this octagon-dominated apartment. 

Eat your heart out Thomas Jefferson! And it has Regency style on steroids. 

 A tableau in Willie's apartment.

Another grand interior view, dining room this time. Don't those chairs look familiar?

Ah, yes, Kelly Wearstler for Bergdorf Goodman. Perfect Regency: not being able to see who is sitting nearby is very enigmatic - the perfect setting for a mystery movie! (Note the marvelous paint-detailed trim in the background.)

P.S. Many pieces of furniture featured on Ugly Betty are from Made By Hickory Chair. Check out their blog and products here.

xoxo,Sanity Fair

Images: KW at Bergdorf Goodman, from Paris Hotel Boutique. All other images, Interior Design magazine.