Chair Audition

Dear Annechovie, You don't know me. I'm a little orange velvet chair, your biggest fan who loves all the portraits of chairs you do. Would you please do one of me? I will sit very still and not talk like Mary McDonald on Million Dollar Decorators.

Are you listening Anne? Can I be your muse?

The Vamp here....I just got a pair of these beauties.

I am inspired by this piece of art by Anne Harwell of Annechovie. So much so that I use it for my business card that she designed. I guess I have a thing for orange chairs!



I also love old French frames on chairs, upholstered in velvet. So the chairs in this perfect French Quarter dollhouse also tickled my fancy.

photo by Valorie Hart at the home Deb & Jerry Shriver HERE

And I love strong color on a traditional chair. And nobody does it better than Tobi Fairley.

Tobi Fairley's fab green chairs HERE

I also just got these cute cute cute boxes of matches from Annechovie! Treat yourself them!

Matches by Anne Harwell, Annchovie HERE

Pair of orange velvet chairs in the home of Visual Vamp Valorie Hart

Isn't my chair a good muse for Anne Harwell?

Warm and Cozy With Brown Velvet

This is the front door to our house
The Union Jack armoire is our coat closet
This room is our dance studio

I had another old ratty vintage chair reupholstered. I bought it for $20. eleven years ago, and it was in such good shape, it stayed the way I found it, gold velvet with brown wood arms and legs.
The chair has good classic lines, so I decided I would re-up it.

Leonels has done all the upholstery in our home, and we use them at perch. the high end home furnishings shop I work in. They are simply the best for workmanship, and they are fair with pricing.

Leonels is the upholsterer to Visual Vamp
View from the living room into the dance studio

I meant the chair for the dance studio, placed by a window, a nice spot to just sit and gaze, or an handy place to change into dance shoes, or sit and teach from the chair ha ha.

Uh, no. Too "Mr. and Mrs."
So I broke up the romance, & moved Mrs. Brown Velvet Chair

But I got seduced by the "newness" and moved the chair into the living room. It didn't quite fit, and paired with the lime green wing chair, it looked a little too much like "Mr. and Mrs. Chair", too granny even for this granny.

Mrs. Brown Velvet does a tango in the dance studio

So Back to the dance studio it went.

I painted the arms and legs of the chair white, and distressed the paint a bit. The new fabric is brown velvet, purchased from Fabric.com. The old chair had nail heads, but for the new version I chose self-piping. I have nail heads on the couch and French settee, and my breakfast room chairs, and just thought, "enough with the nail heads already."

A place to gaze or change into dance shoes

Then I moved it back to the living room, and moved it this way and that way. Fuss and fidget, fuss and fidget. Oh the silly restless illness of a decor addict. Don't judge/laugh. I know you do the same thing.

I moved the chair this way...

Then I moved the chair that way...

And then I finally moved it back to the studio where I wanted it to be in the first damn place! So now the chairs are all at rest for the moment, cozy on this winter day.

Striped doors in the dance studio adjoin the living room

Visual Vamp living room February 2011
Cozy - Do you see Cholo?

I have some exciting news. The Preservation Resource Center invited Alberto and I to be on the first Shotgun House Tour since Hurricane Katrina. We are so honored and excited. It's Saturday April 2 in case you are in New Orleans.

I needed to snap some photos, and I got a new camera from Alberto for Christmas, so I am experimenting with settings and exposures. I always shoot with natural light which is tricky, since even though our house doesn't feel gloomy, it's not exactly flooded with light.

So these photos are part of the learning curve, and since I had them I thought I'd share them, in hopes to give you something to look at during the MONSTER STORM OF THE CENTURY!

Visual Vamp living room looking into the dance studio - 2011

PS Thank you all for the great response to my project with the apricot silk drapes. Next week I will show you another room....

What The Heck

A video HERE made the rounds around Christmas. It showed a little boy unwrapping his Christmas gifts, which turned out to be a gift of books. The little kid had a meltdown screaming, "What the heck is that?" Apparently the tyke did not think books were a good Christmas gift.

Ever since I can remember I have asked for books as a gift on my birthday, or for Christmas, or Valentines Day, or a hostess gift, or just because I love books. I was an early and avid reader, escaping into my own world with a book in my hands from the daily commotion of living with a large family (I am the eldest of seven).

Reading also gave me an edge at school, and it opened my mind to the world.

Not much has changed in 56 years or so of reading. Books thrill me, keep me company, inform me, inspire me, entertain me, and are well, just me.

I have gotten some great books over the past year, and I share some of my faves in hopes that you will get to read them too.

Trica Guild "Colors, Patterns, and Space"

I cannot have too many oversize books on art, photography, and design. It seems like there are more than ever to choose from.

Caroline gave me the new Tricia Guild book, "Colors, Patterns, and Space", a book right up my color filled alley. It is chock filled with one extraordinary color combination after another, and the design style is uber high end shabby chic. I had a brief fever over the wallpaper shown in this book, quite ready to ask Jan in the UK to send me a few rolls.

The chaise in the guest room is a great place to read "The Fixer Upper"
Where do you like to read?

Many bloggers are fortunate enough to be sent books to read and review, sent by publicists who are savvy enough to recognize the ability of bloggers to get the word out about their author. One such book I got this past year is by Mary Kay Andrews called " The Fixer Upper".

It looked like chick-lit for decor lovers, with a dash of romance novel thrown in. I didn't have high hopes, but I did promise to read it. Well, I loved it! "The Fixer Upper" is a quick and entertaining read, and the interior design project the heroine tackles rings true. I think many of you will love it too.

Jack gave me "New York Private Parties Private Views", a perfect choice since I spent 15 years running my event design business in New York. There is a certain decorating and entertaining style in New York among the moneyed class that is intriguing and inspiring.

"New York Private Parties Private Views"

My sister-in-law Dina Kucera wrote the book, "Everything I Never Wanted To Be", that is getting quite a bit of critical praise. I'm hoping a movie deal is on the way. This is a book on a serious subject, told with humor and candor. The incidents in this book can happen to anyone's family, and reading this story can ease the stigma and shame. I am incredibly proud of Dina.

My morning read: "Everything I Never Wanted To Be"
When do you catch a read?

Alberto gave me "Designs on Film". I worked at The Museum of Modern Art (New York) in the Film Department for a few years of my youth. I went to film school, and most important I love movies, especially classic old ones.

When I first started this blog I wanted to do several posts on how the set decor in films has influenced decor in real life. It was very hard to find film stills (photographs) of sets, and I was not into pulling images off DVDs and videos. A couple of other bloggers venture into this territory, and do a terrific job of it, Linda from Surroundings, and Julia from Hooked on Houses.

"Designs on Film" is an exciting volume because art direction and set design as a serious subject matter has somehow been overlooked by film scholars. It is has many many wonderful photographs, and the author's connection to The Art Director's Guild is important. The text is fascinating, and back stories are as interesting as you knew they would be.

The subject matter is so vast and subjective, so of course there are things I would have liked to see more of, like the genre of of films that used Mid Century modern set design. I would love to see side by side examples and case histories of interior design work reflecting what is seen in movies and vice versa.

Nancy Meyers could produce a whole furniture line based on the set decor in her films and have a top seller. I think her sets have been reproduced in real life more than any other in film history.

Author Caty Whitlock does a fantastic job of expanding on her columns for Traditional Home magazine, which led to the publication of this wonderful and impressive book.

"Designs On Film"

Also in the stack of books I go through regularly are some favorites: One recent arrival is Vicki Archer's outstanding "French Essence" (for a really comprehensive look go to Joni at Cote de Texas). Vicki is a blog friend so her book is loved by me even more.

Also in the stack is Carla Coulson's latest book "Paris Tango". She is another blog friend, and this fabulous book is treasured. You can see more HERE

"Stealing Magnolias" by Debra Shriver had a juggernaut of a PR blitz by bloggers. More free copies of this book were generously sent out than any other book I can think of, and it paid off because the blog buzz on it was impressive. "Stealing Magnolias" is the best book of this type ever written about New Orleans and I was very proud to be part of the blog blitz HERE

"Details" by Lili Dialo is a book I want to love. Lili is a fellow stylist and her most famous work was featured in Domino. No one appreciates attention to detail more than I do (or you do). Styling is something I do everyday, personally and professionally. Anyone who gets a book deal is to be applauded. Lili has talent and chops, and a great career. All of this being said, I have to be honest in saying this book did not wow me. Lili writes like a college girl wearing her education on her sleeve, and somehow this is not charming, and oddly uninformative. The book is kind of like the fantasy volume every blogger would like to publish of the work on their blog. If you loved Domino, you will love this stylish book.

Visual Vamp stacks the books

So what the heck!!!! Books! Tell us what you're reading, and where you read, and when you make time for it. You know we want to know...

Visual Vamp: Saarinen side table stacked with books

Design Challenge!

I got this note from a reader and fellow blogger Holding Court and thought I'd share it:

"Thank you for stopping by after reading my comment on your rocking chair post. I so totally enjoy your blog and the day I opened it up to see that rocking chair pictured, I knew exactly what you were going to write! We were victims of the "Mezuzah Syndrome" and I beat myself up about it for months.


"Okay days. I was so mad that I never sought out any reviews (why would I? It's been around forever!) or that I didn't bother to walk over to DWR to sit in one (lazy). I had coveted that chair for so long that the moment I found out I was pregnant, I was already ordering that chair."

If you must have the reproduction Eames rocking chair
(it would be nice for a child)
Overstock.com has it starting at $133.

"Your post struck a chord with me because I am also working on a nursery and after specifying the perfect edge-y rocker, we learned it was completely discontinued and totally unavailable. Anywhere. Even a blog plea yielded no leads. I'd love to hear what you guys eventually do for your client. Or if you are ever looking for someone to design a cool rocker with, I'm your girl!"


Vamp here: So down the rabbit hole I go! At the very least I could research a few rocking chairs for the gentle reader on Google Shopping, and I also know we are going to have to find another one to replace the Eames rocker for the client at work. Another stylish client, a grandmother, wanted us to find a rocking chair for her beautifully designed living room. We lovingly mocked her out of that idea, only because there is nothing worthy of her decor.

The Collins Rocker shown here in Marimeko fabric
Also comes in solids: orange, pink, white, gray

It's amazing what the search for "modern rocking chair for the nursery" turned up. Mostly big and ugly upholstered chairs and gliders (which I hate for looks).

This comfy chair masquerading as a rocker is from Penneys
You can get more than one slip cover in several colors
It's a little large, but the design is not too obnoxious,
and it could possibly be used in a Family Room later

This behemoth is very ugly, one of the few offerings of a modern rocker
However if you love it and can make it work for you,
it's at Just Nursery Gliders

The highly impratical Eames rocking chair, and a lucite one from Kartell also showed up in the search. Cute but not very mom with baby friendly.

This is a Kartell rocker I found in the Rocking Chair Nursery category on Google
Though very stylish, it looks uncomfortable and impractical for rocking baby
However you can order it through perch. 504 899 -2122

And I also got to thinking that there is a real need for a well designed, stylish, and comfortable rocking chair for the modern mom who loves to decorate. If someone designed a line of rocking chairs as my gentle reader suggested, I know it would be a huge success.

This is the dreaded glider, the least ugly one I could find
It's called the Luca Glider and comes in several colors from Magic Beans

Unfortunately I have neither the time or talent or desire to design a chair.




But I bet plenty of you do.

I kind of like this rocker, called the Sleepytime Rocker
It comes in several colors and fabric choices,
and Home Furniture + Patio has the best price - $900.

So what would the perfect rocking chair for the nursery look like?

This rocker by Nurseyworks (who also designed the Sleepytime) is called Empire
It looks like they slapped rockers on a big ol' big butt wing chair
It comes in the same color and fabric choices as the Sleepytime
I would reupholster it in a great fabric, and get rid of the buttons and tufting
You can get it at Home Furniture + Patio

I think the price point for the rocker you design should be moderate. Some of the nicest rockers in this round up are very costly for a piece of transitional furniture.

This bentwood rocker looks like dorm furniture, or first place furniture
Many of you have chairs in this style, and while they are basic, they are comfortable
Overstock.com has them for $106. in a variety of colors
If you're on a budget, it could work - just add a cute pillow
You could also recover the cushions it comes with in designer fabric

Some rockers get passed down through generations, usually the old fashion wooden type.



I know there are alot of stylish moms out there who like it pretty.

This is a trad looking rocker that could be altered
Paint the frame and change the fabric,
and it could work very well
Get it at Overstock.com

I know there are alot of designing moms (and grandmothers and aunties) out there too, and alot of designers and shops that get requests for stylish rocking chairs for their customers and clients.




So share your ideas! Maybe we can send them along to someone like Hickory Chairs, or maybe you can have an old fashion garage start up company inspired by the Visual Vamp!!!

The Mezuzah Syndrome

When I was starting my event design business in New York, the caterer Susan Holland asked me if I fully gave every design element I outlined in my proposals. I told her of course, that and probably above and beyond what was written and promised.

I felt there had to be trust on her part. I had done work for her before, but this was a really big job, and I thought maybe she was just nervous.

But then she explained telling me about a well known designer who hit the skids. He took to spending the 50% deposit the client gave upon signing a contract, always counting on another client's deposit to pay for the event at hand.

It was dangerous, and of course one day it back fired, and the designer did not have the money to produce the event.

The event was a huge corporate Christmas party at the huge ballroom Roseland in New York City. The theme was "An International Christmas", and the decorations promised were supposed to be over scale and spectacular and as expensive looking as the budget given to the designer.

The designer was running very late for the set up. In fact he showed up only a couple of hours before the start time, armed with a couple of crumpled shopping bags. Susan was having a fit demanding to know where his usual large crew was, where were the props, the Christmas trees, the centerpieces?

He didn't say a word, but calmly started placing little things in the center of each 72 inch round table. There was a little pair of wooden shoes for the Dutch table; a small sombrero for the table representing Mexico, and so on. The final straw was when he pulled out a Mezuzah for the table representing Israel.

Susan started laughing, and then mobilzed all her waiters. She sent them out to every Korean market in the neighborhood (where they sell plants and flowers), and they returned with dozens of Christmas plants and greenery, and dressed the tables beautifully.

She got the lighting director from Roseland to do some magic, and the room actually looked decorated, and the client was pretty satisfied. Of course she would not let the client pay the balance owed to the designer, and soon after no one ever saw him again.

So Susan told me: "Darling I just don't want the Mezuzah syndrome again."
I took this to mean she didn't want a surprise of something smaller than what was expected.

Take a look at the cool Eames rocker again. Though not experts on Mid Century design, my coworkers and I know enough to have used many Mid Century pieces personally and for clients.

27 X 25 X 26
It sounded so normal!

We ordered this rocker for a client for her new nursery. She wanted a hip looking rocker.

It arrived today, and we all were shocked, and then we had to laugh, and I said oh no it's the mezuzah syndrome!


I ordered it, a very well priced reproduction. I mentally noted the dimensions and it seemed fine.
When I saw it I thought I had made a mistake by ordering it at such a low price, that somehow because it was so inexpensive they had skimped on the size.

I went to several sites at many price points, and the dimensions were the same as the one we got.

I went to 1stdibs to see if the real thing was the same size (costing $3200), and it was.

I went to the official Eames web site to read about the original design, and the size is exactly as it is on the reproduction!

And more confusing, I read a couple of parenting blogs gushing about how great this rocker is for the nursery!

The rocker looks almost child size, and Caroline who you see sitting in it, is also a new mother herself. She laughed at the idea of rocking a baby or feeding a baby in this rocking chair.

What do you guys think? Do any of you have this rocking chair?

We really learned something new today about Mid Century design that we didn't know!

Stay tuned - we called the client today to come in, and to let her see the rocking chair. We of course want to order a larger chair, but we can't resist seeing the look on her face. Caroline is going to keep the rocker for her toddler son.

We all sat in it, and actually though low to the ground, it's pretty comfy. It just looks so odd with other normal size furniture.

Sssssssss Sensual S Chair Round Up

I have always loved the S Chair.

Groovy and colorful and well priced around $200.

You can use one or many for impact.

They mix well with traditional things, giving a perhaps a dated look a boost.

They are kid friendly too.
And very comfortable. It's a great desk chair for sure.


And what fun to use them in a commercial setting.

Paired with the retro looking hair dryers is genius.


The S chair mixes well with any chair combination.


Even Barbie love it!


What a fabulous and easy way to make a big box store table look chic.


And look at this wonderful retro inspired dining room. The chandelier and white hide rug make it current.

The S chair can be a down right religious experience!

This is a church in Europe.

The chandeliers are pretty stylish too. I wonder if the parishioners are fashion forward too.


Verner Panton's cantilevered stacking chair (1960) was the first single-material and single-form chair to be made and has been produced by Vitra through three decades of development in plastics technology. It is made of one single piece with integral color that will not fade over time. As striking as modern sculpture, this classic piece is appropriately durable and easy to clean. A favorite for commercial use, it is also comfortable enough to use as an occasional chair in an office or residence.

Buy one HERE at Mondani on sale for $180. in black, orange, white, or red.