Living Big in Small Spaces

Rice Design Alliance (RDA) volunteers at the 2009 Architecture Tour: Small Houses.

Above: One of the houses on the tour, an 1800 square foot residence and workspace that was designed by Dawn Finley and Mark Wamble, www.interlooparchitecture.com


If the choice were between style and space, I would take style anytime.  Tall Husband and I attended the RDA Small House tour this past Sunday. Unfortunately, no camera's were allowed; though some attendees did have point and shoots. However, we respected their rules...well, except for this drive-by shooting of one of the homes. For years, we have been volunteer docents at this event, but chose to just leisurely tour this year.

Small houses are so appealing. Each home on the tour "lives large" as each is so well designed from a space, as well as an aesthetic perspective.

For more information/photos of the tour homes, click here.

Ligne Roset Lamp

As promised in a previous post, here is the Ligne Roset lamp that Tall Husband could not resist when I was doing a shoot of Ligne Roset Houston's Grand Re-Opening party recently.

This floor lamp, La Chinoise by Pascal Mourgue, is so cool. It is of polished chrome with a white chintz shade, which is adjustable. The height of the lamp is also adjustable. So chic!

Click on photos to enlarge.

Spring at My Ranchburger

Each Spring, fragrant Azaleas hide my ranchburger.

I gather armloads and arrange them in my favorite vases, such as this French design that looks like appropriated test tubes.

Is it any wonder that Spring is our favorite time of year?

Note: Indulge in Houston has the French "Vase D'avril" by Tse&Tse. Get the large one!

Ligne Roset: Grand Re-Opening Party

Last night, Ligne Roset Houston held their Grand Re-Opening party to celebrate their move to the new River Oaks location. Their new showroom is drop-dead gorgeous. Styling by Anne Breux.  Photography by Annie Sitton.

Bruce Wolfe, owner of Ligne Roset Houston, with a party guest. (Bruce does the best Truman Capote!)


Ligne Roset Houston: New storefront.

All of Ligne Roset's events are attended by an interesting mix of Francophiles who happen to be French design aficionados, and last night was no exception. The conversation flowed as freely as the French wine.

Ligne Roset Houston has a line of chic accessories to complement their furniture, including an impressive selection of items for table top. That trivet, above, composed of forks, knives and spoons, is as functional as it is witty.

Note: Tall Husband, who says, "One can never have too many chairs," did resist buying more chairs last night; but he couldn't resist a certain floor lamp. You'll get to see it later.

Click on photos to enlarge.

Flowers with a French Accent

Vase: Vapeur D'O designed by Adrien Gardere for Cinna (Ligne Roset in the U.S.) The Faith roses are from Ecuador.


This French design is the most functional and beautiful modern vase around. It looks wonderful holding one flower or an armful. The frosted, blown glass base is so chic with the expandable metal top, which is reminiscent of a vegetable steamer. The French do that industrial/chic thing so well!

Rice Design Alliance Home Tour

Rice Design Alliance of Houston is having their annual home tour,  "Small Houses," on Saturday and Sunday, March 28-29, 2009.  1p.m. to 6 p.m.  Tall Husband and I can't wait.  

Muse

A tiny muse.

Golden stars that once decorated a box of French candy.

Reproduction of an 18th century, Italian terracotta cherub found years ago at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Everyone who writes...whether it be reports, books or blogs...should have a bit of whimsy about.  Happily, a tiny cherub has taken wing above my desk and above him hang golden stars. One does not have to be a child to feel the magical effect of this little muse.

Note: Over at The Bunny Bungalow blog, there is a New Year's Eve card that this little muse inspired.