Happy Hunger Games: Get The Look

If you’re a die hard Hunger Games fan, you can consider the odds are now ever in your favour because I have sourced out some of the set design elements used in the dystopian trilogy’s first film so you can get your own Panem fix right in your own home.

For the record I’m not into the jumble of concrete and neon that they call the Capitol, and I was overwhelmed by the abundance of deco furniture in the train car, (declared mahogany no less, to Effie Trinket’s dismay when Katniss stabs the dining table), but it’s a dystopian society, not a a Parish-Hadley interior, so I’ll commend set director Larry Dias on a job well done and point out a couple of my favourite elements used in the set design:

These seatbelt chairs are used in the dining room where the District 12 tributes dine while prepping for the games. In the past I‘ve seen them at L’Atelier in Toronto in a vibrant orange colour as well.

Hanging in the train car is a crystal cube chandelier similar to this popular design available at ELTE which is perfect for a transitional space looking for a hit of glam.

Also on the train car is a tubular metal bar cart, reminiscent of this beautiful Ralph Lauren version which has lovely deco leanings.

And while we’re on topic, I couldn’t help but tweak over the likeness of a glammed up Peeta, played by Josh Hutcherson, to Mike Hindert, known as Mike H or Dirt, bassist of The Bravery. Like scary!

Happy Hunger Games!

The King’s Speech

You must see this movie! It’s such a great story and is extremely well acted. Bonus for decor nerds like me: all the fabulous patterned wallpaper- especially in the homes belonging to Lionel- makes for awesome eye candy (as do the Wedgewood jasperware plaques on the walls of the Duke of York’s home). It took a lot of strength to not pull out my camera and start discreetly snapping flash-free photos of the sets!

TIFF: Black Swan Review

Because of the new arrival of our kittens and the overlapping of the high holidays, I haven't been into TIFF too much this year. I did see one movie last night though- the highly anticipated Darren Aronofsky film: Black Swan which has serious oscar buzz.

Starring Natalie Portman as a principal ballerina struggling to embody the duality of the lead role in Swan Lake, the film had the theatre on the edge of its seats with its twisted psychological drama. Some parts were a little too trippy and graphic for me due to my queasiness, but the dance sequences and beautiful score helped soften those edges. Natalie was so thrilling to watch especially, and its clear how far she pushed herself physically to play this role.  The final dance sequence was so visually stunning that it makes me want to don a tutu and put on some serious black make-up for Halloween this year!

I was so excited that Natalie was on hand with the rest of the cast to introduce the film. She looked so pretty with her soft waves, smokey eyes and frilly Jason Wu frock. I am dying for the black bow bracelet she had on!

Also at the premiere was Winona Ryder, who plays a washed-up former prima ballerina in the film. She looked very sweet with her vintage-looking black dress, pale skin and red lips. I grew up with so many of her movies, such as Beetlejuice and Edward Scissorhands so it was cool to see her in the flesh!

Make sure to check out the trailer here.

Get The Look…Carrie and Big’s Chic Apartment in Sex and the City 2

I was lucky to be able to see the movie last week (don’t worry -  I will spare you from any plot spoilers although by now I’m sure all you diehards have seen it at least twice), but I will tell you how fabulous the interiors were! Production designer Jeremy Conway and set decorator Lydia Marks did a great job of creating an accessible space that is full of Carrie's quirky style sense and full of the same attention to detail that Pat Field brings to SATC’s wardrobe.

With the exception of the mod kitchen, which I didn’t love with it’s super textural ann sacks backsplash, here are some ways to “get carried away” by borrowing the look of three of my favourite rooms in Carrie and Big’s apartment…

The foyer sets the tone for the whole apartment with warm tones of neutrals paired with various shades of blue, tons of texture and pattern, and fabulous eclectic accessories. Wallpaper is used in nearly all of the spaces, and in the foyer you are greeted with a graphic mod print by Katie Ridder called Oiseau in a rich brown and white colour way. Mod lamps, an exotic gold-framed mirror, a blue perfume bottle and butterflies in a bell jar are just some of the funky touches that take the traditional wood console they sit upon to a whole other level.

Clockwise: Country Hepplewhite Sideboard by Hickory Chair, Butterflies in bell jar, glass perfume bottles, Katie Ridder Oiseau wallpaper in chocolate,  Gold Frame Mirror, Vintage murano lamps from Swank Lighting

The living room is my absolute favourite with varying shades and tonalities of blue - from deep royal to pale sky- bouncing off a neutral background with occasional pops of pink and gold. The wall are full of texture with what looks like an upholstered wool wainscoting treatment with soft grey silk paper above. A more traditional wood frame sofa upholstered in sumptuous cobalt velvet is paired with mod wing chairs and a low wood cocktail table. The vibrant floral-patterned rug and gold abstract painting warm up the space, while black embossed lamp shades and blue and gold damask window treatments add sophisticated drama.

Clockwise: Philip Jeffries Sateen Club in French Gray, Baker’s wood-banded sofa with ebony frame with a Robert Allen blue velvet, Candy Flower Rug by Marni for The Rug Company, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Louisa Chair, Anne Kyy Roquinn Felt Ottoman, Dorchester swing arm lamp, blue and gold damask, gold abstract painting

Tall baseboards, dramatic window treatments, and applied panel moulding painted out white on top of a graphic taupe and white trellis pattern wallpaper set a traditional with a twist theme in the master bedroom. The obvious knock out piece is the winged headboard, which is upholstered in Kravet’s lovely Velvet Gate Tuxedo fabric, a pale aqua linen with an applied brown velvet trellis pattern which we also used for draperies in my own parent’s master bedroom a few months back. The classic Thomas O’Brien Hallings secretary and linens in soothing shades of caramel and milk chocolate complete the look.

Clockwise: Kravet’s Velvet Gate Tuxedo, Blue Silk with Amboise Trim by Robert Allen, Rajan metal table lamp by Ethan Allen, Garden Trellis by Farrow and Ball, Calvin Klein Camel Rib Weave Bedding, Hickory Chair’s Hallings Secretary by Thomas O’Brien

The adjoining closet is very interesting – with one side painted out white and bright for Carrie, and the other side in a more deep masculine wood tone for John Preston aka Big. A long white upholstered bench similar to the Madison bench by Baker divides the space and provides a comfy spot to sit when putting one of Carrie’s many fabulous pairs of shoes!

Hope you enjoyed getting carried away!!!

Be Hotter

I dare you…

ps- go see Remember Me

Red Carpet Review...

It was so lovely to see so much colour, volume and detailing on the red carpet this year. I watched the entire show from start to end to make up for missing it last year when I was in Africa, and the ladies didn't disappoint in all their couture finery.

Here are my top five dresses of the evening:

Sandy's Marchesa was totally retro glam and I loved her simple hair and siren-red lips!

Zoe Saldana totally pulled off the ombre lilac ruffled number by Givenchy. It may seem like a lot is going on, but her miles of legs and lean physique ensure all the detailing was spread out so it's not too overwhelming.

It's weird to type this because I loathe her so much but Miley's champagne Jenny Packham was both ethereal and current - a winning combination!

Liz Lemon's leopard beaded Michael Kors was super fierce and I love that one shoulder silhouette on her. It was slinky and edgy and I love her cocktail ring too!

I also hate her obvious awkwardness and resent that she is with my pretend boyfriend R Patz, but Kirsten Stewart's Monique Lhuillier was so elegant and classic

(images via In Style)

An American in Paris

One of the most beloved and celebrated of all classic Hollywood films, An American in Paris is a visual masterpiece featuring some of the most stunning dance numbers you will ever see. Directed by Vincent Minnelli and starring the genius Gene Kelly, the film won six academy awards and is a continuous source of inspiration to me.

In addition to the infamous ballet at the end, my favourite sequence is where we are introduced to the many facets of Lise, a young French woman who expresses her personality to the audience through dance.  As each of her traits is discussed by her older beau, Lise, played by the exquisite Leslie Caron, dances in the respective style contrasted against monochromatic set designs.

First she is an “enchanting girl” wearing  a pale pink dress that pops against a royal blue set. The monochromatic set, despite being saturated in the deep blue, is overtly traditional with a vignette of a console with cabriole legs, an ornate mirror and heavy acanthus sconces.

Next Lise is an “exciting girl” in a bright violet dress against a demure pale pink set, complete with lush swagging drapery, skirted table  and an open-back dining chair.

Then she is “sweet and shy” dressed in bright yellow pleated dress while dancing with a bouquet in a rich green living room, complete with an ornate mantel, panelled doors and many types of frames.

In the most sparse of the sets, Lise is “vivacious and modern” as she kicks up her heels in white fringe against a spicy red backdrop.

She “reads incessantly” in a preppy black unitard with a sharp white collar against a pale yellow library set, which includes a massive desk, oversized mantel, built-in book shelves and heavily carved columns.

Finally, she is “the gayest girl in the world” as she pirouettes circles in a sky blue tutu around a lavender set with feminine detailing, including an armoire, oversized harp and curved settee.

All these traits come together at the end in one final flourish that reconciles all her traits into one – what fun!

Golden Globe Red Carpet Winners

There were some serious stunners hitting this year’s Golden Globes red carpet.

First prize goes to Drew Barrymore who donned an ethereal Atelier Versace creation to accept her award for the fabulous Grey Gardens. The sea urchin-esque shoulder and simple elegant hair and make up was breathtaking!

Also drop-dead in a stunning nude sparkling Versace, was Jennifer Garner. Could she be anymore perfect?

Anna Paquin looked dazzling in a gold sequined Stella McCartney that was super glam with a little rock’n’roll thrown in.

Cameron Diaz was ravishing in red Alexander McQueen

Prettiest prego award goes to the shiny happy Amy Adams who wore a lovely peacock Carolina Herrera

There were plenty of violet vamps that made me want to break out a big tub of purple paint and jump right in. (left to right: Jan Krakowski in Jay Mendel, Sandra Bullock in Bottega Veneta, Rose Byrne in Lanvin)

I have to show some special love for the glee girls who looked beautiful and got to celebrate a win for best comedy to boot! Lea Michele looked so sophisticated in Oscar de la Renta and Dianna Agron seemed to float on air in Reem Acra

Lastly, Anna Kendrick looked like a mini wedding cake  in Marchesa (and I mean that in a good way!)

(photos via in style and celebrity gossip)