The Cullen

Melbourne

Affordable boutique hotel option in bustling Prahran

The Cullen

Featuring art by the late contemporary Australian artist

Adam Cullen 

1965-2012

Words & Images by J Watson-Evans

Very Naughty Blogger Award

Been a long time...

It's been a while......

so sorry for my tardiness!

Currently decorating 'on location'

We will soon meet again....................

posted by

The Decorator

Beverly Hills Hotel: Tropical Modern

Back in 2009 my family and I visited the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel, and witnessed something which has stood the test of time.  As you walk towards the Polo Lounge where Richard Gere and Lauren Hutton so memorably first lay eyes on each other in 1980's American Gigolo, you are inextricably pulled like a magnet towards the curved staircase which leads to one place.

This icon of the 20th Century, which has been in situ since the 1940's

 at the Beverly Hills Hotel, 

and is part of the decor leading down the stairs and inside the small deli style eatery, 

with its curved bar and wrought iron stools, 

where infinite intimate burgers, fries, Caesar salads, 

all day breakfasts, and anything which comes under the banner of classic American cuisine,

 have been enjoyed daily since the Hollywood hey day, 

so intimate that eaves dropping on the various conversations taking place

 around the bar, is truly unavoidable.....

conversations that seem to centre around who directed what and how the latest screenplay is going,

 and what project has been green-lit......

but there is one thing which cannot be ignored....

something which evokes for me such an incredible feeling of nostalgia, well being, and desire.....

something which continues to be relevant.......

something which is now experiencing somewhat

 of a hot revival........

something which we have glimpsed from time to time again in the decor of a few of our bravest and

more interesting taste makers.....

something which has now found its way to the cover of the latest catalogue of

 New York's Bergdorf Goodman.....

I am of course speaking of the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel Banana Leaf wall paper........  

What can I say about this which probably has not been said by so many before me? 

 And I know some of my fellow decor addicted bloggers have acknowledged this amazing

piece of 20th Century iconography,

and it would be remiss of me to not mention the Golden Girls connection...

yes Blanche had the wall paper behind her bed and matching banana leaf fabric!

I think it's the recognition of the popularity of terms such as:

Palm Springs Modern; Tropical Modern; Miami Modern; 

Palm Beach Modern; Tropical Vintage

Bergdorf catalogue

The Fountain Room

Nikki Hilton's dining room

Stairway to Heaven!

It just makes me feel good!!!!!  And it will never go out of fashion!!  

Posted by The Decorator

words by
J Watson-Evans

Maximalism on Acid....

The Work of Brazilian Designer Sig Bergamin

The Murano collection looks amazing
 on these custom glass shelves

Ikat Heaven

The ultimate garden room

Being a collector of vintage glass myself, I really like the fact that purpose built shelving has

been installed in the living area to display this wonderful collection. 

In my view, a collection always looks best in an en masse display. 

And the mirrored back just adds to the sparkle and reflects beautifully to create the illusion of more....

And as Tony Duquette (no doubt a huge influence on the work of Bergamin) would say

MORE IS MORE! 

words by J Watson-Evans
Posted by

The Decorator

wonderful images from AD

Trina Turk Colours My World

Hawaiian Haven

Wow, I have to say that I was invigorated to see this image today.

  An uncharacteristic Gold Coast day of clouds and drizzle

 albeit a welcome drop in temperature, found me drawn to this
pretty as a postcard picture. 

 In fact, the background showing the tropical, volcaneous 
landscape of Kaui, almost looks like a painting.

But what puts a smile on my dial is the intensely saturated colour
 of Trina Turk's beautiful fabrics. 

 american fashion designer Trina Turk, whose name I first 
encountered in the Kelly Wearstler book 'Modern Glamour' a 
few years ago has a range of outdoor fabrics
 which are showcased in this picture. 

St. Regis Princeville resort cabana designed by Trina Turk, is 
located on the island of Kaui in the 50th state Hawaii. 

Relaxing in the cabana, Mai Tai in hand, 

I can almost see George Clooney's 'The Descendents'

character running up the sand from behind the umbrella!


words
 J Watson-Evans
image elle decor.com


Posted by
The Decorator