Art Discovery

3'x4' art piece that's been hidden away in the garage for ten years.

As I have previously written, Tall Husband and I are preparing to downsize from two houses to one. We are selling My Ranchburger and have moved into The Bunny Bungalow full time. In the process of cleaning out the garage at My Ranchburger, we found a piece of art by our twin granddaughters, Sofia and Andrea. I remember when the two found a blank piece of cardboard and decided on this joint project. They were four that summer.

At four, they were greatly influenced by Joan Miró, the artist and the Powerpuff Girls, a television action animation. If you look closely, you can see the little Miró stars and of course the twins' version of a Powerpuff girl. Sofia recently attempted to take full credit for the drawing, pointing out that only her signature is on the piece. I reminded her that her signature appears on many pieces that Andrea did solo when they were younger. Sofia admitted to the forgeries but defended the misdeeds, saying that she only signed the ones that "showed real artistic talent."

Note: The Twins have just turned fourteen and will be defending their title of district doubles champs in tennis next month. They move across the court as graceful as swans on water...then kill you at the net.

Chic French Lamp Finds Home

It Isn't Easy Downsizing

Our Ranchburger will go up for sale soon, so we are finding homes for our treasures. Saara, our daughter-in-law, and Tall Son have always loved this Ligne Roset Lamp, so they took it home with them yesterday. Tall Husband and I have visitation rights.

Anyone want the 3.5' x 8' dining table with the eight Marcel Breuer chairs? They have seen hundreds of dinners and been privy to great conversations and secrets over the last thirty-five years...great vibes included.

My Ranchburger is For Sale

My Ranchburger last Spring.

My Ranchburger will be listed early in April. Tall Husband and I are downsizing...from two homes to one and moving full-time to The Bunny Bungalow in Houston Heights. Our favorite Realtor will be handling the sale for us.

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