The Ubiquitous Manicure Cart

Note the modern manicure cart in this scene from the 1940 movie, "The Philadelphia Story."

The manicure cart, painted red, in the window of Luther's in Austin, Texas.

The same manicure cart at My Ranchburger in Houston. The cart with a black Bakelite top is attributed to the designer Wolfgang Hoffmann.

We all love to see objects that we treasure in the movies. Maryanne of Beadboard UpCountry wrote a great post about seeing the Williamsburg glasses, which she sells in her shop, in the movie, "The Philadelphia Story." So, Tall Husband and I rented the movie and were watching it last night. We cheered when we saw Maryanne's chic glasses in a scene. But what a delight when...in the same movie...we spotted a modern 'thirties manicure cart just like the one Tall Husband and I rescued and refurbished. That little cart sure gets around.

Proust Would Be Proud

Marcel Proust would be proud: Tall Husband and I made madeleines tonight. He browned the butter as I grated the lemon rind and mixed the batter. We always use Julia Child's recipe...we've tried numerous others but find that nobody does it better than Julia. After baking them in their madeleine pans and sprinkling with powdered sugar, we ate them warm with tea.

Note: This fragrant tea is from Beadboard Upcountry in Brenham, Texas.

Houston, We Have Snow!

Snow at My Ranchburger

Can you believe it? It's snowing in Houston, Texas! Of course, we know that this doesn't qualify as Snow in more Northern climes but to a Texan this is reason to close schools and hunker down.

So, I'm off to hunker with Tall Husband!

Anne Breux's Tribute to Pierre Paulin at Ligne Roset

"Pumpkin" chair by Pierre Paulin (Click on any photo to enlarge.)

Anne Breux, French Interior Architect, taking questions from members of her audience who are seated on Pierre Paulin furniture; A Pierre Paulin poster for her lecture at Ligne Roset, Houston, Texas

The dramatic video that accompanied the lecture

Guests at the Ligne Roset Lecture Series

Anne Breux, well known modernist French Interior Architect, was at Ligne Roset in Houston last night to present her tribute to the late French Designer, Pierre Paulin. Anne is an exceptional speaker, so her lecture generated great interest, culminating in a spirited discussion about Pierre Paulin's life...personal, political and professional.

Among the guests at Ligne Roset were Jean-Louis Breux, French Art Dealer; Jacques Barry, contemporary French artist; Frank Fuzzy, Parisian designer; and Gema De Santos, owner of the fine arts photography gallery De Santos.

Oh, I forgot to mention that rocker Rod Stewart arrived after the lecture...I lie...that's really Bruce Wolfe, owner of Ligne Roset Houston, in a Rod Stewart wig!


Note:

• Pierre Paulin's designs can be seen at Ligne Roset, Houston , Ligne Roset Boutique, Austin, Texas.
• USA Ligne Roset website.
• Click here and here to learn more about Pierre Paulin, a favorite of two former French Presidents...Georges Pompidou and Francois Mitterrand.

• See Anne Breux's work here. Anne was recently featured in Houston House & Home Magazine in an article, 15 Houstonians Who Make Our Homes a Better Place to Live; November 2009 Issue, Page 16.
• Jean-Louis Breux Contemporary Art: 713.932.1505

Lucky Strike Lanes & Lounge: Houston

This isn't your grandma's bowling ball!

Click on photos to enlarge.

Felix Hernandez of Behind the Garden Gate here in Houston has connections, so he got my camera and me invited to the huge opening party at Lucky Strike Lanes and Lounge. When Tall Husband saw the lines, he groaned that we would never get in. Not so...I flashed my blog card and before you could yell "Strike!" we were in the door sporting the orange wrist band issued to members of the press.

Lucky Strike is definitely not the bowling alley of your birthday party days as a kid. The place is all modern chic and hopping. There are lanes, lounges, pool tables, deejay music, drinks and great food. Oh, and it's a great people-watching place.

Links:

www.BowlLuckyStrike.com

Houston Pavilions

(Lucky Strike Lanes and Lounge is located in the Houston Pavilions, Downtown Houston.)

Don't live in Houston? There are 21 Lucky Strike locations throughout the United States.

Viva Vitra

Vitra Design Museum Miniatures Collection: LC1 Sling Chair (Photo by Annie Sitton.)

Don't you just love the Vitra DesignMuseum's Miniatures Collection? This tiny Le Corbusier is one of my favorite souvenirs and is from a visit to Corbusier's famous Villa Savoye near Paris. Cassina is the licensed maker of the daddy of this chair, Le Corbusier's Sling Chair, LC1.

Vitra's Miniatures Collection encompasses almost 100 designs. These miniatures are sought by collectors, as well as academics who use them in the teaching of design. And children love to offer a seat to Barbie or GI Joe.

Outside Link:
If you are a Lego Loony, go have a look at a wonderful Lego model of Villa Savoye by Matija Grguric, an architect student in Zagreb, Croatia.

Austin's Ligne Roset Boutique in Elle Decor Magazine

Photo: Elle Decor Magazine cover, Photography by William Waldron

The chic, French Ligne Roset Boutique in Austin, Texas is featured in the September 2009 issue of Elle Decor Magazine in their What's Hot! shops, page 36. Congratulations to Ligne Roset, Bruce Wolfe and staff for the deserved recognition.

Ligne Roset Boutique, Austin, Texas: Opening Night

To see My Ranchburger blog coverage of the Ligne Roset Boutique's opening, click here and here.