I have rarely been this awake and prolific. It seems that I can only work when sidled up to a looming deadline (three, actually). I owe this to Mr. Earl Grey, Turkish wunderdrink and Susan Sontag.
And then: pass, pack, party, SAN FRANCISCO.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
San Francisco Decorator Showcase 2010, Part III
On the first floor of the San Francisco Decorator Showcase, there is a jewel of a room created by the super talent Darin Giese of , what I call, San Francisco's answer to design heaven, Coup d'Etat. If you have never been there, it should be first thing to visit on your next trip to the City by the Bay.
As soon as you enter this "Hall of Wisdom and Enlightenment" you can just feel the wheels turning in the mind of Darin....a creative juggernaut. Just so you know....everything in the space is from Coup d'Etat....just in case something strikes your fancy.....from the fabulous terracotta finials, to the very chic dove grey leather sofa with the bullion fringe, to the custom light fixtures
made from vintage Amish cart wheel rims and grain cages.
Darin designed this brilliant canopied wing back chairs especially for the Showcase. Can inanimate objects send you into a swoon like they do me? I get the feeling we will be seeing more of this design in the next few years. What a perfect spot to curl up next to the fire and read the Arabian Knights.
The metal cage light fixture here used to be Great Plains grain cages according to Darin. It seems there is nothing that Darin and his Coup d'Etat cohorts cannot conjure into something unique and perfectly amazing.
And what would a Hall of Wisdom be without lots of leather bound books looked after by a flock of crows...very Edgar Allen I'd say. The light fixture was made from 20th century buggie wheel rims.
The painting is entitled Taiho Rock and is by artist Topher Delaney. It hangs above a custom English Baroque style bench upholstered in jet black hide....(can be custom ordered as well).
Here is the genius in his natural habitat, Darin Geise....hugely down to Earth and so very nice. Thanks for taking the time to talk with us Darin!
We could have stayed much longer.....but it was back out to the Foyer where we met Shirley Robinson owner of Robinson Finishes. She is standing in front of her hand-painted silk panels, which are a part of her beautiful new line of custom hand-painted wall coverings collection, now available at Michael Taylor Designs showrooms.
Here are just a couple of my favorites designs from Shirley's collection. Coral reimagined....
And the gracefully original and unexpected jelly fish...
So much fun to see this new collection!Next up.....the Bedrooms!!!! And they are fantastic!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Viva! Cinco de Mayo
Roses floating in a huge urn at the entry
Icy Margaritas, naturally.....
And Pozole Rojo, yum.....
Sacramento is known for it's many, many sidewalk cafes shaded by giant elms and sycamore trees all over Midtown. Zocalo is one of our favorite's. The weather has been very cooperative lately, and the French doors were all pulled back to let in the Spring evening air.
The food was delicious, the drinks very refreshing, the service perfect and the company was hilarious (yes, Daryl...I mean you!)
If you are looking for a place to celebrate tonight....this it it!
MORE ON THE SAN FRANCISCO DECORATOR SHOWCASE TOMORROW!!!!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
San Francisco Decorator Showcase 2010, Part II
Dining Room by Tucker and Marks Design
The San Francisco Decorator Showcase is in full swing after the opening weekend, and it is as wonderful as we have all come to expect. In my last post, I gave you a peek into the Living Room designed by David Kensington and Powder Room by Matthew Turner.
Today, a peek into the softly elegant Dining Room designed by Suzanne Tucker of Tucker and Marks Design. The pretty and soothing color palette makes one feel immediately at home. One could stay here for hours in the cozy dining chairs, an original design called the Matchstick Chair, soon to be added to the Suzanne Tucker Home furniture line. 
The bay window is conducive to curling up with a good book and a cup of tea. This Dining Room really gets it right with it's multifunctional attitude. Rooms this beautiful deserve to be used more often than once a day don't they? The 18th century French Oak bibliotheque, diverse, plush seating arrangements, and dry bar make this space alluring at any time of day.
Tucker and Marks is all about the details. The table settings showed just how perfectly adept they are at making every detail count. I loved the various shades of amethyst, aubergine, and wine on the Hurricane , succulent centerpiece, crystal and sea urchin shells. Delicious!
The detail work on the Dining Room Matchstick Chairs was also exquisite. The fabric is by Holland and Sherry with a custom embroidered back panel and tufted seats. Gorgeous!
The drapery panels fabricated by Susan Chastaine are made from a Suzanne Tucker fabric which was custom dyed for the Showcase. I believe it will be added permanently to her line, as it should be! It is brilliant. The border that is printed on the selvage edge of the fabric was cut and reapplied as a border on the leading edge and mitered across the bottom. There was also a small border on the other side, as well as a beautifully subtle taupe gingham cotton lining. The fringe was a casual jute loop and was the perfect accent. Details, details!
And what deserves just as much attention as anything else? Why....the bar! The casual console was festively turned out with all of the essentials, and accented with the "Horny" bronze lamp from Blackman Cruz (didn't I tell you they show up all over the place?!)
Suzanne Tucker with Christopher Roy, one of her designers at Tucker and MarksDesigners Christopher Roy and Suzanne Tucker, as elegant and approachable as the lovely room they designed.
From the Dining Room, we headed to the Kitchen, which was designed by the design duo of Jennifer Hershon and Joann Harltey. Did I like it? YES! They combined different wood tones and paint colors is such an original way. It was modern and at the same time befitted a traditional home so well with it's rustic metal accents and freestanding range.
I loved the custom shelving above the island, the thick Caesarstone counter tops, and the stainless farmhouse sink.
The combination of wood cabinetry mixed with the putty colored painted cabinets was unpredictable and very cool.
The cozy nook was tucked away next to a servant's staircase. As small as it was, it still held plenty of seating and extra storage under the banquette. Loved the vintage table base and the metal chandelier.
The bar next to the range had a custom made pedestal that was designed to compliment the nook table base. The stools are by Gulassa and have solid glass seats....truly breathtaking.
And here they are, the dynamic duo, Joann Hartley and Jennifer Hershon. The ladies are as cool as the spaces they design. Check them out HERE.Truly....there are so many outstanding spaces at this year's Showcase, don't miss it if you are in the area. Click HERE for more information about tickets and hours and special events.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Hey, Soul Sister - Train
Music plays an intricate role in my life! Whether I’m picking up an instrument to play, listening to the perfect melodic sound of a string quartet or grooving to the beats of a hot new single in my iPod while warming up for practice, music is a part of my life everyday! Since blogging, I’ve periodically posted the lyrics to a song I might have found quite profound. I’ve now decided to dedicate Monday’s to songs. Whereby, I’ll post the lyrics to a song I value and I am moved by. This week, I’ve chosen the song “Hey, Soul Sister” by Train. I love this song! And I love the lyrics even more! Hope you enjoy it as much as I do….
To see a list of my week’s favorite MPrs songs you can check out my website www.nicoleforrester.com
“Hey, Soul Sister” Lyrics by Train
Hey, hey, hey
Your lipstick stains on the front lobe of my left side brains
I knew I wouldn't forget you, and so I went and let you blow my mind
Your sweet moving, the smell of you in every single dream I dream
I knew when we collided, you're the one I have decided who's one of my kind
Hey soul sister, ain't that Mr. Mister on the radio, stereo, the way you move ain't fair, you know!
Hey soul sister, I don't want to miss a single thing you do...tonight
Hey, hey,hey
Just in time, I'm so glad you have a one-track mind like me
You gave my life direction, a game show love connection we can't deny
I'm so obsessed, my heart is bound to beat right out my untrimmed chest
I believe in you, like a virgin, you're Madonna, and I'm always gonna wanna blow your mind
Hey soul sister, ain't that Mr. Mister on the radio, stereo, the way you move ain't fair, you know!
Hey soul sister, I don't want to miss a single thing you do...tonight
The way you can cut a rug, watching you's the only drug I need
You're so gangsta, I'm so thug, you're the only one I'm dreaming of
You see, I can be myself now finally, in fact there's nothing I can't be
I want the world to see you be with me
Hey soul sister, ain't that Mr. Mister on the radio, stereo, the way you move ain't fair, you know!
Hey soul sister, I don't want to miss a single thing you do tonight,
Hey soul sister, I don't want to miss a single thing you do...tonight
Hey, hey,hey
Tonight
Hey, hey,hey
Tonight
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Why I've just started to look into Shanghai's built environment after spending a month there... Maybe if I had spent less time buying garlic shoots and shoes. I wish it were a more walkable city. Taxis unfortunately barely more than public transit.
Need do-overs!
What an awesome cover photo. Dawn of the dusty skyscrapers! Doesn't it inspire the post-apocalyptic sci-fi-lit-obsessed you in fifth grade? Oh I miss the fifth grade! It was the year that my hair suddenly started to curl. My group of friends had a comic book enterprise. We were the characters. I was "Shenaynay." Yes.
Related: "In Shanghai, Preserving Buildings Takes Work" in the NYT (is that not the dumbest title you've ever read)
Saturday, May 1, 2010
The Student Athlete Balance
I can actually say this week I finally I worked myself into exhaustion. To recover and recharge I’ve invoked a weekend of doing the nothing. Its noon and I’m literally laying in bed in my PJ’s blogging. If it weren’t for my Dad’s birthday today, I’d probably try and lay in bed all day. My days are long and my nights are short. These days, I am up by 7am and shamefully in bed after 2am. But, that’s about to change after this weekend! I’m returning to an optimal sleeping pattern.
The cause of my sleep deprivation can be linked to my need to be a superhero. I’m currently, working on my dissertation (at an important phase of the process) while simultaneously training at a world class level. However, the work I’ve been doing in both areas have been quite time consuming. I’ve finally completed the first 3 chapters of my dissertation (in their entirety) and I’m finally exiting this GP phase of training and entering max strength + power conversion phase… Thank GOD!!!! I must be crazy! Two years ago when I was completing my comprehensive exam while also preparing to qualify for the Olympic Games, I thought I experienced self inflicted torture. Seems like I’ve been getting a taste of that lately! I can honestly say, up to that point in my life I had never worked so hard academically.
A comprehensive exam is essentially a series of written and oral exams on one’s subject area, whereby, a student must demonstrate a deepened understand of the material. My doctoral program is a traditional format. In my case I had 4 written exams in the area of statistics, goal & motivation, sports psychology and coaching & motor development. The breadths of these exams were infinite, with no guided direction but simply the requirement of understanding the research and knowledge that encompassed each area. Once I was able to survive the written examination, I than had a 2 hour oral exam conducted by my 5 committee professors, where any question related to each subject area could be asked. I think I aged by 20 years in the process…. If you fail your comprehensive exams, you are only allowed one more time to journey through the grueling process or you literally fail out of the program. For those of us who successfully make it through this process, we now adorn the title of PhD Candidate. The final step for completion is your dissertation. I’m now in this phase of my study.
Probably the one question I get regularly is “how much longer do you have to go till your done?” The answer is – I don’t know! I’m hoping sometime between September and October, however, I’m wise enough to know that sometimes research where you are depending on subjects can be merciless and can derail your plans. At times it seems like an endless process – there is always something to do… and there is so much writing and reading involved. I’ve chosen to explore “how athletes make the leap from good to great in athletics.” We all know the Tiger Woods and the Roger Federas who have always been phenomenal. But, I’m interested in how a Joe Blow who has been average for most of their career all of a suddenly become a Michael Jordan…. And more impressively when they are a mature athlete. It’s a pretty exciting topic and the first of its kind, but certainly not an easy study.
I’m extremely fortunate with the support I have at Michigan State University from my advisor Dr. Deb Feltz to my committee members and the College of Education. Being a professional athlete while simultaneously being a PhD student has required some flexibility and adaptability of the program to my needs. While I may complain of sleep deprivation as one minor side effect to this dual pursuit, it is so worth it! I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat. I am able to benefit from my own knowledge ON and off the track. And in the end, I’m creating a future for myself that will sustain me long after my track career has ended.
Education may be the greatest Power any superhero can have,
Nicole
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)