Vive la France

Given our impending trip to France this evening I thought that rather than concentrate on the trip ahead (9 hours alone with a squirming toddler) I would look to what's ahead. Located in Le Puy-Sainte-Reparade, the Chateau La Coste Winery is one of a kind. It is, first and foremost, a beautiful piece of countryside, but so much more than that, it is a combination of some of the world's most famous architects' efforts coming together.

View of the vineyard with the winery building by Jean Nouvel

Jean Nouvel's winery building

Visitor Center by Tadao Ando

"Crouching Spider" by Louise Bourgeois

Music Pavillion by Frank Gehry

"Infinity" by Hiroshi Sugimoto

"Drop" by Tom Shannon

The Chapel by Tadao Ando

Among these works of art there are sculptures by Richard Serra, James Turrell and more of which I hope to bring back first hand images, but in case I get lugged down by the festivities and I don't we can at least wallow in these professional images. The full winery tour is available on www.chateau-la-coste.com.

Edible Building

As with everyone else (I think), around the holidays my focus tends to shift towards food. It seems as though there is always a good excuse to bake cookies, banana bread, gingerbread, you name it. Reflecting on that it is only fair that this post should be an ode to food, with a twist of architecture.

Chinese artist Son Dong's 'Cookie City'

Farr Associates' interpretation of the Gingerbread House

Gingerbread Brownstone by KitchenTableScraps

Prudence Emma Staite Pizza Dough Colosseum

Prints & Paintings

It is time for my second artist spread. Scott Parker is a close friend who moved to Santa Fe, NM a few years ago to pursue a friendlier crowd than us thankless New Yorkers. His block prints, paintings and pastels are directly taken from his wonderful travels around the world. As my husband likes to say, Scott's the guy who caught a fish in every single national park. I like to say, Scott's the guy who has captured nature (and everything in-between) in every corner of this expansive country and brought it to us city dwellers. Here are a few of my favorites (aside those that are hanging on my wall).

Apres Moo

Glade

Northwoods

Valley

Denver Botanical Gardens

Enter Manhattan Bridge

If you can't get away from your cubicle as much as you'd like, take a look and live vicariously through the eyes of someone who has kayaked with whales. Scott's entire work is available to view and purchase on his website www.scottwparker.com.

Alternative Tree

This year we are leaving earlier than usual to join my family in Europe for the holidays. The idea of going through the process of buying, decorating and then taking down the Christmas tree for a mere 7 days of enjoyment just seemed too much. I, however, am a BIG Christmas fan and could not live with a bare house around the holidays. These are some creative, simple solutions I found to replace (somewhat) the big needle dropping, ornament carrying living thing.

They obviously don't have to be Gucci, but you get the idea. In fact each box in a different color might be perfect.

This is the simplest solution. Open box of decorations, dump in a vase, hurricane lamp or clear bowl.
Ta dah!

This might involve some effort and commitment. But how about doing it on a cork board covered in red/green/silver/gold felt/paper? Fun craft for everyone as there is no right or wrong position. Inspiration from Elle Interior.

This is way beyond my sewing capabilities, but some crafty souls out there could knock this out in no time, not to mention getting rid of all those scraps of material.

From www.possibilitree.com but so simple, you can make your own.

The closest to the real thing. From www.muji.co.uk

To wrap up the holiday decoration section I will also add these two clever ideas. Simple for everyone to tackle but slightly outside the box.

Candied Candle by BHG

Pine Cone Garland as seen on 'Southern Living'

Surf's Up

I am blessed to have quite a few friends who are themselves blessed with sheer artistic talent. I love their work, their aesthetic and their interpretation of life. As Thanksgiving has just passed to give way to Christmas and the holidays, and these being times to stop and think about all you have, I decided to give thanks for friends (and family but we are not so artistic) by giving them center stage on my blog.

My first 'crush' is Brown Cannon III. Brown is a brilliant photographer and surfer who travels the world to capture it through a lens. His photographs are worth a look. www.browncannon3.com but his one project I am still not quite over is his surf board one, they literally give me shivers when I look at them. Take a look and you'll understand why.

Selection of boards

Stinger

Balsa Wave Farmer

Balsa Free Range Egg

Early 60's Pig

V-Bottom

You need something to be a conversation piece, make a statement or just look stunning on a wall? This is it.

Coming Alive

I cannot take credit for this. A friend of mine posted it on FB and I thought it was so brilliant I just couldn't pass it up. Artist Dave DeVries asked himself a simple question: "What would a child's drawing look like if it were painted realistically?" This is it.

Doesn't it make you want to go back and find every sketch you ever made as a kid? These are only a few samples, for more check out his website http://www.davedevries.com/.

A trip to the optometrist

While waiting to take my daughter to have her eyes checked I noticed these cards on the shelf among the leaflets. I originally thought they were actual eye charts, but it turns out they were merely disguising as such. Their message made me smile and the patterns made me get up to have a closer look.

"I'm walking on sunshine" Acrylic paint and vintage wallpaper on canvas. By Peter Tunney

"We live in a beautiful world" Acrylic paint and vintage wallpaper on canvas. By Peter Tunney 

More Goodies for our little ones

Following my Gift Guide, I received a couple (ok it was two) requests for some more fun ideas for younger children, so I put my thinking cap on and started searching. What follows is a watered down version of all that is out there. I skipped the usual and banal and went instead for toys that I found interesting and that I thought would bring the best out in our little angels. I hope you agree.

For the Love of Wood:

1. Tegu magnetic blocks. It could be called cheating but a little helping hand goes a long way when your coordination is still developing.

2. Magnetic Fishing set from MOMA Store. Never too early to put up that "Gone Fishing" sign.

3. Wooden Fish Rattle. Easy grasp and hours (ok maybe 15 minutes) of entertainment.

4. Automoblox car. Only a few pieces to assemble but they will be so proud it will be like two toys in one.

5. Melissa & Doug animal stamp set. Colors, animals and coordination. How much more learning do you need in one toy?

6. Wooden baking set by Urban Homesteaders.

7. Cubebots by David Weeks. Robots never looked so friendly.


Imagination Nation:

1. Super Kid Costume by The Treehouse Kid. Who doesn't need a cape and a crown?

2. Music Piano by Land of Nod. Put some ear plugs in and buy it, they'll love you for it.

3. Scooter by Glodos for Kids. Learning to drive never looked so cool, it could be the new Batmobile.

4. Play Kitchen by Kidcraft. If my kitchen was this cute doing the dishes might not be such a chore.


Discovery Time:

1. Constructible Drinking Straw from MOMA Store. You will never, ever, have to beg them to take another sip.

2. Educo Discovery Spaceship. It's a space ship. That's all you need to know.

3. & 4. Fred M Matryoshka Dolls Storage and Measuring Cups. They are just so darn cute you could slip one in a school bag.

Music Time

I come from a very unmusical family and therefore am not familiar with musical paper. I can, however, appreciate the creative use these ingenious designers have made of this newly discovered (by me) medium in time for the holidays. The musical notes and graphics of the paper come through as such an abstract yet delicate design, it makes me want to go out and buy scores and scores.

Music Sheet tree topper by Marion Parsons

Music Sheet Christmas Trees by Marion Parsons

Music Sheet paper links (submitted on HGTV)

Music Sheet and Dictionary paper Wreath (submitted on HGTV)

FPM Design - Gift Guide

As we're in full swing of the holidays I thought I'd share some great gifts I have come across in my browsing. These gifts are of all price ranges and the only thing they have in common is that they caught my eye for their look, their ingeniousness or simply because they made me smile and that is really the point behind a gift.

For Him:

Chemex Classic Coffee Maker & Filter

The inside story of NYC Highline

Ice Tube Decanter

John Houshmand Coffee Table

Keiji Ashizawa Drawer Shelf

Restoration Hardware wood watch

Clue board game

Window Farm 

For Her:

Notecards by Castle on the Hill (Available on Etsy)

Claus Porto soap set

Dean Harris ring

Kobo Candles

'Louis Vuitton: Architecture and Interiors' Book (available at Rizzoli) 

Natalie Chanin Ceramics

For the Kids:

Batik print - by Anakijo (Available on Etsy)

Custom correspondance kits - (available at http://thompsonfamily.typepad.com)

Lego Architecture - Fansworth House

Lego Architecture - Taj Mahal

'I Love Wind' print by Montse Miquel (Available on Etsy)

Felt Tea Set by Pixiekids (Available on Etsy)

Faux fur hats by Restoration Hardware

Unless otherwise stated these gifts can be searched for online.