R.I.P. Mr. Graves

Like his designs or not, Michael Graves was an architect that changed design. He died of natural cause at his home in Princeton, NJ yesterday.

My first encounters with this post modern hero of mine was when I was still in high school with visions of becoming a famous postmodern architect. The "Memphis" style as it was known in the '80s, took the spare lines of the standard mid-century design ideals and added whimsical sometimes silly decoration.

His furniture design speaks to my 18 year-old self, but I am sorry to say that it leaves my, ahem, mature self a little uninspired. I do, however, fondly remember the excitement over his designs in my youth. He made things that made me say, "Yes, just like that! I want to make that!"

I did love my original Alessi teapot (pictured above) I bought it in 1986 for $110 and that, my friends, was a crap load of cash for a young thing like me to fork out for something I would not let anyone use. I sold it and now have regrets.

Farewell Mr. Graves.

A Saturday in old town Fredericksburg

Art First Gallery on Caroline St.

 I was sitting in the Art First Gallery on Saturday really wishing I could go for a walk about town. Old Town Fredericksburg is about 15 minutes from where I live and I end up here quite often.

The historic buildings and their charm had me hooked the first time I came here.

The boutiques, restaurants and antique stores lure me here enough but when I can't spare the time I love looking at the details of the old buildings.

Fredericksburg sits to the south of the Rappahannock river and many of these gorgeous homes sit on a small bluff overlooking the river. Kind of my dream house!

Kenmore

George Washington grew up across the river and his sister Betty, lived here at Kenmore plantation, which is really in the middle of downtown at this point.

I have yet to visit Kenmore or the other Washington homes here.

I have visited a few other Fredericksburg institutions like Goolrick's pharmacy. Its a total throwback with a lunch counter and soda fountain. I think they actually fill prescriptions too.

Everyone goes to Carl's ice cream in the summertime. Its a standard for first dates.

I love living here.

Do you live somewhere awesome too?

It was supposed to look like this

via

When I was a teenager and just beginning to love design, I imagined my grown-up life would look like this. It doesn't and never has. I am not even sure that it feels right for me as a place to live, although I bet I could get used to it.

It is a pretty awesome space and the exposed brick is romantic in an urban kind of way.

I am not sure I like the bedroom cum garage-reno.

What was your grown-up house supposed to look like? Do you live there?

Friday inspiration

This Manhattan loft satisfies, for me, the quintessential urban space with huge windows and an eclectic mix of art, furnishings and architectural detail.

I just want to breathe it in!

Is this positively dreamy to you too?