And it’s true, he photographed some of the world’s wealthiest celebrities, jet-setters, and royalty, but somehow with a feeling of approachability and closeness.  From his NYTimes obituary it seems as though Slim had become one of them.  He was actually close to these socialites and was able to photograph them freely in situations where other photographers (and the public) were not allowed: their Palm Beach estates, private parties, terrace pools in Greece, and so on.

I came to know Slim Aarons’ photographs this past year as one of my clients purchased some prints of his.  I can’t wait to finish the rooms that his photos will hang in.  They’re modern and moody, sophisticated but not overly stuffy.  I’ve read was that Slim never used a makeup artist or a stylist in any of his photos, and that’s why I think they feel more approachable, more real than many of today’s celebrity photographs.

What do you think – do Slim’s photos feel intimate despite his subject being so glamorous?

"Poolside Gossip" in Palm Springs by Slim Aarons

Slim Aarons - "Kaufman House"

Slim Aarons - "Pop and Society" feat. Mick Jagger, Marianne Faithful, and Desmond Guinness

Slim Aarons - Eden Roc Pool @ Hotel Du Cap France

Slim Aarons - "Beauty and the Beast"

Slim Aarons - "Nice Pool" in Palm Beach

Slim Aarons - "Leisure and Fashion" - at a poolside fashion show in Palm Beach

Slim Aarons - "Jean Serpieris" - at Tour La Reine Athens

Slim Aarons - "Penthouse Pool" - in Athens

Slim Aarons - "Family Chair" - An heir sitting in HM Flagler's favorite chair in front of Flagler Museum, Palm Beach

Which is your favorite Slim Aarons photo?

If you’d like to see more, other writers’ thoughts, or even purchase his work, follow the links below:

• Staley Wise Gallery – Slim Aarons Exhibit
• Photographers Gallery (to purchase Slim Aaron prints)
• The Selvedge Yard – Slim Aarons – The Undisputed King of Hollywood Photography (includes video interviews w/Slim)
• NYTimes Obituary for Slim Aarons
• The French Sampler: Photographer Slim Aarons
• Photoshelter: Slim Aarons

Or if this put you in the Palm Beach mood – check out my post: Palm Beach Interior Design Style

Pinterest Inspiration Board for Summer Thornton

Recently I’ve found a pretty phenomenal online mood board of sorts where I’ve been keeping a lot of my interior design inspiration for projects – its on Pinterest.  If you aren’t familiar, Pinterest is basically an online inspiration or mood board that you ‘pin’ photos to digitally.  And all your facebook/twitter friends can ‘pin’ theirs too, you can see each others pins, and so on.  I’ve really come to enjoy it because sometimes I’m looking for fresh new material – new fashion looks, new color combinations, interior design inspiration, etc and a lot of really active twitter users, bloggers, and aesthetically inclined folks have adopted to pinning their favorite things.  So rather than checking every single blog, I just check the pinterest board featuring all of my friends – it shows what they’ve been pinning recently.  So fun!

If you’re curious about what I’ve been pinning – check out http://pinterest.com/summerthornton/inspiration/ for my inspiration wall.  For me I’m focused on pulling creative looks that can be reinterpreted into interior design applications…and of course I’m already pinning interiors that I love.

If you aren’t a member yet, request an invite (it just takes a day or two for them to send you access), and then start pinning away.  You can segment by all sorts of different things – food, fashion, interiors, etc – I’ve just used it as a catch-all for inspiration so far.  And of course if you log-in via twitter or facebook you can see what your friends are pinning too.

So check it out and follow me on twitter at https://twitter.com/summerthornton so you can see what I’m pinning.

Oh…and if you see anything on my site that you find inspirational – whether in the inspiration blog or in one of my interior design projects – give it a pin so your friends (including me) can see!

http://pinterest.com/summerthornton/inspiration/

Gold Gilt & Mirrored Ceiling at Hotel Savoy in Moscow

Gold Gilt Columns at The Hermitage - St. Petersburg, Russia

I was looking through some photos from our trip to Russia this past summer when I noticed these two photos of gold gilt details.  The first is gold gilding on moldings and the ceiling in the dining room at the Hotel Savoy in Moscow.  The second highlights gold gilded columns at The Hermitage in St. Petersburg.  In both cases they add the shine that puts the interior design into a different level of beauty.  Certainly it is borderline tacky, and can easily cross that line in today’s interiors, but if it can walk that fine line without crossing it, gold gilding can be a gorgeous statement…

What do you think – can you see an application for using gold gilding in an interior design that isn’t a palace?  Would you put it in your own home?

Exterior Ceiling at Sacre Coeur

Ceiling at the Baccarat Crystal Museum - Paris

Gold Ceiling at St. Mark's Cathedral, Venice

Wood Library Ceiling at The Hermitage - St. Petersburg, Russia

Ceiling at the Doge's Palace - Venice

Ceiling at Doge's Palace (Venice)

Recently I’ve been noticing and admiring decorative ceilings – the photos above are from trips to Paris, Italy, and Russia where I saw a more notable use of decorating ceilings in these historic palace interiors.  So after admiring the interior design of these palaces, I’m determined to use decorative ceilings to create additional interest and intrigue in the rooms I design.  And I’m not talking about faux paintings of clouds – eek – I’m thinking of gold gilding, patterns, and wallpapers to draw your eye in a sophisticated way.

A couple months ago I completed an interior for a nursery where we wallpapered the ceiling – it took the design to a whole new level (photos to come before long).  After noticing all these beautiful ceilings it made me think, “Why are so many ceilings so boring!”  Out with the white, and in with the gold gilding and molding!  Hope you find these wild ceilings inspirational, and they push you to use all your surfaces as an opportunity to express yourself!  Personally, my favorites are the portrait-filled ceiling at the Doge’s palace in Venice and the pink and gold gild ceiling from Versaille.  What’s yours?

Palm Beach Chair

Pink Goatskin/Parchment Mirror & Console

Goatskin Parchment Cabinet Dresser

Coral dressers at Palm Beach Antique and Design Center

Shell Chandeliers @ Christa's South Antiques & Seashells

Shell Lamp from Christa's South Antiques & Seashells

Palm Beach Interior Design

Palm Beach…ahhh, where it is always 80 degrees, sunny, and the beach is never more than a few block away!  Plus, it has gorgeous gardens, great architecture, and some tasty restaurants too – all in one small island.  It’s no wonder why so many people flock there during the season – it has this distinct style that’s a blend of wealth, class, and glitz!

Last week, we took a trip ourselves for a little R&R, to do a little vintage and antique shopping, and to check out a few sources that we use for our interior design projects.  The interior design aesthetic here pushes the creative envelope with color and materials – I love it!  Mirror, goatskin, lacquer and shells – yes please!  But I also love mixing pieces from Palm Beach in to designs that aren’t all glitz – check out our Palmolive Building Interior Design or the Poolhouse we did – both include several pieces from Palm Beach.

Our leisure time was spent on the island where we laid by the pool at the Brazilian Court and rode bikes around to check out some of the houses on financial row.  Some of our favorite meals were at Buccan, Cafe L’Europe, Cafe Boulud, and Pizza al Fresco – all of which I would recommend – but Buccan was probably the best food and overall vibe for dinner while Pizza al Fresco was just great italian pizza for lunch in a cute little courtyard.  We also wanted to see a lot of the homes in the area, so we rode bikes around most of the town.  Check out the photos below to see some of the hedges that surround the homes – it’s a stunning scene and bikes are the perfect way to see it all.

As far as shopping goes, we didn’t spend much time on Worth Avenue – where the likes of Tiffany’s, Chanel, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, and so on have stores.  Instead since I’m an interior designer I spent most of our shopping time across the bridge at West Palm Beach Antiques Row on South Dixie Highway.  It’s the source of all things flashy – lacquer, goatskin, and lucite – oh my!  But if you’re in the market for something a little bit wild, there’s no better place to shop than West Palm Beach.  Where else could you find a fully mirrored grand piano (which we saw)?  So find a time during the season (winter), and head down for a visit to enjoy the weather, food, shopping and architecture.

And I’m more than glad to say that I’m taking interior design clients in Palm Beach!  Can’t wait to get back!

Hedge Archway Entry in Palm Beach

Square Hedges in Palm Beach

Hedge Lined Street in Palm Beach

Taxidermy at the St. Ouen Flea in Paris - Zebras, Ostrich and Monkey's oh my!

Taxidermy Birds

Taxidermy Museum in Paris - Musee de la Chasse et de la Nature

Taxidermy in Interior Design

One of the most visually arresting ways to add intrigue and character to a room is through the use of taxidermy.  It makes a statement as bold as the wildest wallpaper or furniture piece, as big as any super saturated color palette can do.  And what I find so interesting about taxidermy is that is can be done really well, or it can be done really poorly.  I think we’ve all seen cabins and hunting lodges that were just distastefully ‘rural’ in their design, but we’ve also seen taxidermy blended with modern twists to ensure a fresh feel.

On a recent trip to Paris we saw lots of Taxidermy.  We visited the St. Ouen Flea market where there was a vendor with tons of exotic, rare, and unusual taxidermy.  We also visited Deyrolle (a vast taxidermy shop) and Musee de la Chasse et de la Nature (which has a vast collection of exotic taxidermy from a private collection).  To the French, using taxidermy in interior design is quite chic and rarely has the resistance that it has here in the states.  You can see they have giraffe’s, zebras, and a whole slew of exotic and african taxidermy that would make the US border patrol and animal protection agencies cringe.  To the French, it is art, and a way to preserve the beauty that is nature and to showcase it within the home.  And broadly speaking, I tend to agree with them (with exceptions of course).  I can’t help but admire the beauty that is a zebra’s coat, or the wild swirling horns of a Kudu, or the unique ‘mask’ pattern that you find on a gemsbok.

And speaking of gemsboks (is that the plural of gemsbok), we just picked one up for a client, and we’re trying to talk him into a full size (entire body) piece of taxidermy as well.  Lets see if he goes for it.  Can’t wait to share the design with you all once we finish the project this winter/spring.  If you’re looking for a few other designs of ours with taxidermy, check out my home design which features two small pair of antlers, or the downtown Chicago interior design project which features some horn lamps in our portfolio.

So what’s your opinion – love or loathe the use of taxidermy in interior design?

For me taxidermy is a way to bring the beauty of the outdoors, indoors, so I have to say that when done right, I love it.

As an aside – I do want to reassure some anti-taxidermy folks that there are humane ways to acquire taxidermy.  I have a vendor who actually sources all their animals from Zoos where animals have died of natural causes.  And beyond that, I’ve actually seen a faux rhino that was so realistic I would have bet my life that it was the real thing, but in fact it was all made of plastics, clays, fiberglass, and makeup.  So if you love the look, but want to ensure no animals were harmed, that’s an option, for a certain price.

Eliseev Gastronome - Ornate Interior Grocery Store In Moscow

Grocery Store with Chandeliers (Eliseev Gastronome)

Columns and Archways at Eliseev Gastronome in Moscow

Columns and Windows at Eliseev Gastronome in Moscow

This past summer we went on a tour of a few Moscow sites.  The oil tycoons and the nouveau riche of Russia have really changed the way luxury interiors in Moscow are designed.  Sure the palaces of Russian Czar’s were grand, but who would have thought that a grocery store could be this ornate.  In fact, growing up my dad used to crack jokes about things being as ‘barren as a russian grocery store’.  Needless to say, he hadn’t visited Eliseev Gastronome in Moscow.  Things have changed thanks to the Russian oligarchs, and this grocer makes Whole Foods look like a discount grocer.

My personal favorites are the chandeliers – they are just gorgeous.  Ornate without being too formal – they still have movement and whimsy.  They remind me of my post about chandeliers in the kitchen.  The rest of the decor isn’t my personal taste, but it was amazing to see.  Worth a visit if you’re in Moscow, and great inspiration if you’re designing a restaurant or boutique retail store.  While we had nothing that we needed to buy, the sheer atmosphere caused us to buy $20/person in random snacks.

While I wouldn’t have ever thought of designing a grocery store, if I had this type of creative license it could intrigue me.  What do you think – does the decor or the interior design of your grocery store influence your mood, cause you to visit a different store, and/or change how much you purchase?

Public Artwork in Moscow

Art on exterior walls in Moscow

I’m a big fan of public artwork.  But in Chicago we usually see it in the forms of sculptures and installations.  While in Moscow this summer we ran across some installations of paintings placed atop building exteriors.  They took what was a simple cinder block building and gave it a punch of beauty.  They distracted from the burglar bars, the graffiti and the worn paint.  They gave it humanity, comfort, and almost a feeling that it was a well designed interior (instead of an exterior) – all of a sudden it felt intimate and personal.

But what I found most inspiring and interesting about the paintings was that none of the graffiti artists had defaced them.  The rest of the walls were well tagged, but the graffiti artists respected the painters enough to only tag the buildings and not the art.

Mutual artist respect – now that’s inspiring.

Cubist Box by Pavel Janak

Cubist Architecture - Building Exterior

Cubist Interior Design at Grand Cafe Orient in Prague

As you know I’m a big fan of mixing styles and eras, but they’re rarely ‘uber-modern’.  Sure I’ll have modern touches here and there, but I’ve really come to appreciate a new (yet old) form of modernism called Cubism.  Oftentimes for me true modernism feels austere and cold, but cubism feels more visually stimulating, almost jarring, and maintains a lot of the aesthetic touches that I love.  It maintains the herringbone floors, the shine of brass and mirror, and it creates an over-abundance of pattern (which I love).  And yes, in case you were wondering, it was created during the 1910′s when Picasso developed cubist art.

This summer we were able to visit a cubist museum and dine in one of the most historic cubist restaurants in the world – the Grand Cafe Orient in Prague.  While it had plenty of straight lines, what really intrigued me was the use of beveling across many materials – window frames, wood encasements, and of course glass and mirrors.  And what I love about the beveling is that it gives greater depth, a more three dimensional feel to the space.  I took home the Cubist box by Pavel Janak, and my husband enjoyed a donut at the restaurant.  Of course the donut wasn’t round, but instead it was none other than shaped like a a cube.

Cafe Savoy's Kitchen - Prague

There’s nothing that makes a kitchen more romantic and alluring than a chandelier.  While in Prague this summer we visited Cafe Savoy for lunch.  If you head downstairs you can get a peek in the kitchen which is a beautiful blend of industrial & romantic touches.  It proves that a kitchen can be completely functional and chic at the same time.  And it also reinforces my love of the black and white harlequin floor!  Every home should have one – whether in the foyer, the kitchen, or a bathroom – it’s a must have!  And the same can be said for a gorgeous chandelier.  Put both in the same room, particularly a kitchen, and we’ll really turn up the style!

And since you’re probably curious about the rest of Cafe Savoy’s interior, we’ve included a photo below of the dining room.  It has a beautiful Art Nouveau interior throughout, and delicious food as well.

Cafe Savoy - Dining Room - Prague

Swan House Atlanta

Swan House - entrance from rear

Swan House - side garden

Ivy Wall at Swan House in Atlanta

Swan House - perfect mint green interior room

Mint Green Walls at Swan House in Atlanta

Earlier this year I was down in Atlanta for a project.  After we wrapped up the project, I wanted to enjoy the city for another day or so.  Besides shopping at Sid & Ann Mashburn, Pieces, and a handful of other shops, I went to one of Atlanta’s finest historic homes (or mansions) – Swan House.  It’s a fantastic example of 1920-1930 Architecture and life in the area.  I’ve included a couple of photos here, but you’ll have to go in-person to see the hand painted chinoiserie and floral wallpapered dining room, wood paneled library, and the incredibly adorable bright blue/green kitchen.  Truly a gorgeous home. Well worth a trip.

Julie Blackmon's "Portrait"

Julie Blackmon's "Tinkertoys"

About a year and a half ago while at Art Chicago I ran across a new artist’s work that I fell in love with. Every few months her work comes back to mind, oftentimes when visiting a client with young children.  It’s the perfect blend of beauty, aesthetic intrigue, and yes, the perfect amount of imperfection.  The chaos, the wildness, yet somehow peace and tranquility.  There’s something about the work that evokes this beautiful blend of reality and fantasy about the life of a family with children.

To see more of Julie’s work visit Julie Blackmon’s Website

Is there an artist whose work always inspires you?  Who is it?  Drop a link to some of their work in the comments…

Green Glass Box

goatskin side table

Vintage Lion Rug

I also always enjoy SG Grand.  I picked up a vintage rug from them that I can’t wait to unroll, but I’m keeping this one for myself!  In person, it is the perfect shade of deep raspberry red with a touch of fuchsia – I’m sure you’ll see it in our portfolio down the road.

Vintage Raspberry Rug

And for the bargain shopper, you’ve gotta love The Painted Lady where I saw this oh so cute cane/wicker chair that was a total steal.  I didn’t have the right project for it, but I was oh so tempted…the price was unbeatable. Literally.

Wicker Chair

Did you go to Chicago’s Design Harvest?  Did you run in to any local Chicago Interior Design celebs?  What did you think, and was there something that you were dying to go home with?

Hedges at Versaille

"Hiding" at Versaille

Parisian Formal Garden

While normally I’m a fan of wildflowers, the un-kept, and overgrowth in landscaping…I’m also a huge fan of the formal hedge garden.  Perfectly manicured, groomed, and without a single leaf out of place, they’re an ode to elegance and a staff of royal gardeners.

But what I really love, and what inspires me about hedge gardens are their contrast.  I’m not sure what it is, but there’s something about them that still feels whimsical and playful despite all their formality and rigidity.  If well designed, their shapes flow, they move, and they create a fantasy world for you to dive into, allowing you to let all of your restraint go, and causing your mind to wander.

Tranquil and formal. Whimsical yet refined. Stately and childish.

What do you think about the contrast of the hedge garden?  Do you find them oppressively strict or mentally freeing…or maybe a little of each?

Malachite chair sitting on malachite desk at Paris St. Ouen Flea Market

A malachite fireplace at the Hermitage (Winter Palace) in St. Petersburg

Hands down, my favorite stone is malachite. It’s the perfect shade of green, it has incredible movement, and of course it is insanely expensive and rare.  This past summer I traveled to Russia and had the opportunity to tour the Winter Palace (The Hermitage) in St. Petersburg.  It has a room dedicated to malachite…I guess the Czar was a bit obsessed with it too.  It was filled with large malachite urns, columns, fireplaces, tables and coupes all created in the early 1800s.

Maybe someday I’ll have a “malachite room” like they had at the Winter Palace, but I’m doubtful given that a czar of Russia had them…probably not something in my budget at the moment.  Regardless, its a stone that is so unique in its movement and patterns that I can’t help but dream of it.  Last year I completed a design for a show home here in Chicago where I included a malachite wallpaper.  Check out the DreamHome Foyer Interior Design for images, and I even use a malachite patterned paper (though not in vibrant green) in the Palmolive Interior Design project.

What do you all think – do you dream of having a malachite room someday?  And is anyone else as obsessed as I am with those malachite chairs from the Paris flea market?

Gold Gilded Entry

Gorgeous Carved Walnut Doors

Ivy surrounded front door

I’m not sure what it is, but in the last couple years I’ve really developed a passion and interest in exterior doors.  They’re like the front cover to a great book, or an amuse-bouche at a great restaurant – they clue you in to the experience you’re about to have.  To me, they set the tone for what the interior design should reflect and the influences that the homeowner appreciates – whether they’re stately, polished, bohemian, wild, crisp, classic, modern, etc – they create a mood that embraces anyone who enters.

What do you think – is the front door a peak into the soul of home hinting at what the interior will reflect?

Salon Wall In Prague

One of my favorite stores that I found on my most recent trip to Prague was a map and etching store that was absolutely packed with great pieces.  And beyond the actual pieces, I was in love with the tightly packed display – hardly an inch between each piece.  Some would find it overwhelming, but I found it to be beautiful.

I’ve had a passion for salon walls for a few years now.  One of my recent clients loved them too, so we installed a salon wall in their dining room.  Check out the photos in the Palmolive Building Interior Design project.  Some people contend that salon walls don’t do the individual art pieces justice, but I think it creates an entire wall of creative expression that can ravish the mind.  What do you think?