If The Lampshade Fits...

It's a known fact that there are two ways that people of style spend their money: Those who put in on their backs, or those who spend it on their homes. It's a rare and wonderful thing when you can afford to do both.

If you can have it both ways, check out fashion designer Mary Katrantzou, who describes her work as, "Surreal feats of imagination, engineered around the female figure and realized with hyper-real clarity,"

Style.Com says that her fantastic prints of interior-exterior decoration put "the room on the woman."

Katrantzou adds trompe l'oeil interior details to the clothes. A peplum creates a portrait neckline above a print of a window frame; swaths of chiffon flutter like curtains; skirts echo lampshades with dangling pendants of crystal, and wall sconces and chandeliers are reconfigured as necklaces.

So if the lampshade fits, wear it!

I would wear the jacket with jeans

I would wear this!

Necklace made from chandelier parts - Can you say DIY?

It may be a bit over-the-top. Helena Bohnam Carter and Vivenne Westwood would rock this. And I would love to try!

Do you remember interior designer Laurence Llewelyn Bowen from the old decorating BBC TV series Changing Rooms? Remember when he wore a floral print chintz suit? Talk about the drapes matching the carpet!

My friend, the interior designer Michael Pelkey once tricked out the interior of his Jeep with designer fabric on the car seats, and brush fringe trimmed pillows tossed in the cargo section in the back, and fancy carpet on the floorboards. It's a bit twee, but great fun and I love it!!!

Guest Blogger Jamie Herzlinger

Of course it's already yesterdays news that another online magazine is coming via the brains behind Lonny HERE

Trad Home - not your G-Mom's traditional

Apparently Trad Home is geared to all the trad decor (traditional) girls and guys out there, though it's not your granny's trad so to speak. The lines have been blurred by the blending of antique, vintage, and contemporary elements that all combine into the new traditional decor.
Touchstones of elegance and comfort with a nod to icons of the past are key ingredients.

The first issue of Trad Home is coming this Spring, and the buzz is the Top 20 designers they name as bringing the best of the new traditional. You can see them all named HERE at So Haute.

A week ago I didn't know a thing about all of this until one of the Top 20, Jamie Herzlinger – Jamie Herzlinger Interiors, dropped me a very sweet note saying she's a fan of the Vamp, and asked if I'd like her to do a guest post sometime. I love having people do guest posts, so before I even knew a thing about Trad Home, I said sure, send it along. Jamie has her own blog HERE and could have easily posted this piece there. But I am thrilled she asked to do it for us here.

The stylish and Top 20 Trad Home designer Jamie Herzlinger
(and our new BFF - Blog Friend Forever!)

So read along and enjoy the images she chose for us too.


The Hidden Trend: Orientalism Meets Boho Chic
by Jamie Herzlinger for Visual Vamp

Jamie says Alberto Pinto epitomizes modern Orientalism

Jamie writes ~ I am so excited and flattered to be doing a guest post for Valorie today. Everyone at the office reads her blog daily so it is a huge honor for me to be able to post a few words of my own.

Everyone at the office of Jamie Herzlinger reads Visual Vamp

Today I am going to be writing about a particular trend that has recently piqued my interest and it is, Orientalism. It seems to be a designer secret and yet only the best are using it. I have done a little research of my own and come up with the roots behind Orientalism and why it is such an exciting trend right now.

Juan Pablo Molyneux ~ New trad Orientalism

Orientalism or interest in the Orient soared in popularity in Europe and the United States when the East India Trading Company was established in the mid-18th century. It was the first time the exotic nature of eastern design could be explored by those in the west. With this discovery came sumptuous materials and luxurious motifs that were both simple and complex. Westerners became obsessed with silk, embroidery and porcelain that was only available from these faraway lands.

Jamie Agnes Emery Orientalist tile

In the West, there has been no decline in interest in exoticism and foreign countries. However, the word “oriental” is often understood to refer to the Far East instead of the places to true Orientalism such as India and Morocco. While many aspects of Chinese and Japanese culture have been adapted as a part of American culture, the traditional nature of true Orientalism has received little modification.

Molyneux uses exotic influences

Since Orientalism of the Mediterranean has not been as popularized as that of far east, it far less widely understood, but if you look closely, you will see that the best current designers are taking time to understand the style and use it in subtle ways.

Alberto Pinto uses trad Orientalist elements

However, this style no longer being called Orientalism in the world of interiors or fashion. The current trend interpretation of traditional oriental is now referred to as Boho – Bohemian Chic.

Marc Jacobs does Boho Chic

(Vamp says: I spy a floppy hat I have from the 1970's)

The style is very recognizable with its unique materiality and nature inspired motifs. Boho chic is all about extravagance and over the top color and texture. Attention to detail is a key characteristic that is often accentuated by a handcrafted touch seen in much of the tile and woodwork.

Gorgeou luxiurious rug by Jamie Agnes Emery

This style is so luxurious because of the combination of natural materials like iron and wood with lavish materials like sumptuous textiles and precious stones like mother of pearl. This style is all about creating an experience that engages all senses.

Sumptuous Muriel Brandolini

These characteristics can be taken in contemporary design and implemented strategically to create a historic contrast. There are many masters of modern Orientalism including Alberto Pinto, Catherine Ferrier, Germain Boffrand, Muriel Brandolini, and Juan Pablo Molyneux.

Boho Chic for Spring 2011 via Polyvore

The sophistication of Boho Chic won’t be a secret much longer after seeing the various spring collections in fashion. You can start by adding a little Boho to your wardrobe, and even though oriental furnishings are more difficult to find, you only need a few key pieces to make a statement. I hope you are inspired by the photos I chose, and start observing the exotic oriental characteristics that surround you that you may not have noticed before. Thanks for letting me share today. ~



Vamp Here ~ Well I loved what guest blogger Jamie brought to us today and I thank her very much! What about you?!

Lunch With The Boys

Shall we dash off for lunch with the boys today? They have invited us to their Portofino home for a little nosh.

The dining room
Flower murals by Michael Lin
Antique French chairs with Laviani table
Swarovski crystal waterfall chandelier
The only other one I've ever seen is in New Orleans HERE

We could have lunch in the dining room, or maybe in the kitchen, or even out of the terrace. The boys take their entertaining seriously. When they are at this holiday house, they regularly host a cast of rotating celebrities like you and me.

The boys in the kitchen
Venetian lanterns echo the colors of the mosaics
The tile pieces cover the walls and the floor

After lunch we could have a tete-a-tete, or maybe stretch our on the banquette for a little siesta in the poetry nook in the living room.

The poetry nook has walls covered with hand painted snippets of poems
I think there are at least three black Murano chandeliers
I die! Those leopard banquettes are divine!

Maybe if it gets too late, the boys will offer one of their guests rooms to us so we can spend the night in this paradise.

The zebra guest room
The walls are hand painted to match the chair and rug

The red silk covered room is referred to as "the Chinese room"
The pillows are silk screened with a portrait of Jim Morrison
"He's sexy", says one of the boys

You can put sexy Jim on your throw pillows too!
Go HERE

We'll have to arm wrestle for the gold bedroom
It's the room were all of the guests want to sleep

Time to say goodbye. We can stroll through the beautiful sea side garden and bid a fond farewell to our hosts, who tell us, " Growing up, my family never had much money. We are so grateful for all we have, but we don't live for this. There are houses that you enter, whether they belong to a young person or the rich, and there is a feeling that's bellissima. You say to yourself, In this house there is amore, love. It doesn't matter if everything is real or fake, or the furniture is from the flea market or designed by a famous decorator".

Stone pathways in the garden designed by Giorgio Fornari

The boys, if you haven't guessed are Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. This is their Portofino home, "Villa Olivetta" featured in the current September 2010 issue of In Style magazine.

Their runway to room style is noted. It seems so many fashion designers segue into interior design effortlessly.

A new book is coming out: The Council of Fashion Designers of America and Assouline are publishing "American Fashion Designers At Home.' Written by Rima Suqi, a contributor to T and The New York Times.

Diane von Furstenberg's home
Featured in "American Fashion Designers at Home"

"The coffee-table book ($65, which benefits the CFDA Foundation) looks at the homes of 115 CFDA members, from heavyweights like Diane von Furstenberg and Kate Spade to relative newcomers like Band of Outsiders’ Scott Sternberg. The interiors, which range from luxurious — like Eva Chow’s gold-leafed Los Angeles living room or Tory Burch’s opulent, surprisingly conservative Manhattan apartment — to industrial-funky, like Rachel Comey’s Long Island weekend house." Read more HERE

Heavyweight Diane von Furstenberg at home

Very few interior designers venture into fashion design. You would think it would flow both ways, decorators doing fashion, and fashion designers doing decor.

Jonathan Adler jeans

Jonathan Adler did jeans, not much of a fashion design really.

Adler tells us HERE the collection--which includes three looks for men and three looks for women--was inspired by "my favorite destinations, especially Capri, Palm Beach, and Big Sur. I wanted to create the looks that I would want to see a girl rock in any of those locales." His signature bright color palette and whimsical prints adorn tunics, polo shirts, and skinny jeans, which the designer admits isn't too far a cry from wallpaper and ottomans: "Honestly, design is design. I took some of my signature motifs and patterns and thought about how to make them work in fashion. It was fun and easy."

Is design design as Adler says? What kind of fashion design would Gerrie Bremermann do? I could see Kelly Weastler doing fashion, and maybe Phillipe Starck. What ID would you like to see design a line of fashion apparel?

Have You Ever Had Anything Custom Made?

Oh the luxury of having something made especially for you. Before the machine age everybody wore custom made clothes and shoes, and had custom made houses with custom made furniture. With mass production custom made goods assumed a place for the privileged minority who could afford the cost and time.

Custom made shoes HERE

As a dancer I have had custom style shoes made, but never real custom made shoes that require having a last made. The process begins by making a plaster mold of the customers feet. Then a shoe last is modified to accommodate any irregularity in the foot.

Lasts stored at the shoe makers shop

This pair of lasts are stored and can be used to make future shoes. The uppers are hand made with detailed input from the customer. Style, color, type of material are all customized. Details like the type of sole, heel, lace are also part of the custom made process. Finally an insole is made that makes the shoe comfortable.


I have had a purse made for me in Spain and in Argentina, but not just a custom style for me, because they sell the same "custom" model to anyone with the tourist dollars to pay.

Grace Kelly with the Hermes bag made and named for her

It's not like Grace Kelly or Jane Birkin having Hermes design and name a bag for them, but it still was wonderful to see my bag in pieces at the workbench, and then put together just for me.


There is a cute little contest going on at the blog over at CustomMade.com, the most visited website for artisans to feature their custom made goods. They are currently running a contest starting this Friday 6/25 asking anyone to present us with reasons why handmade and custom goods are a better idea than the lacking quality of mass production goods.

They are offering a $100 gift card for the best response to the question "Why Custom?". You could win $100 for taking 30 seconds to enter a one sentence response, and please mention Visual Vamp.

Getting measured for custom made gloves

I also have had leather gloves made for me in Spain. I felt so pampered!

Feragamo the famous Italian shoe maker fits Audrey Hepburn

Who is more beloved for her glamour then Audrey Hepburn? She certainly had many beautiful custom made things made for her: Clothes, shoes, bags, etc.

Givenchy fitting a dress on Audrey Hepburn

Hubert de Givenchy was her personal designer and life long friend, and custom made her clothes for her movies and for her real life.

Audrey Hepburn in the little black dress Givenchy made for her

Who wouldn't love to have a life long relationship like this?

Many of us experience the feeling of having something custom made and fitted when we get a wedding dress. For that one moment in time we allow ourselves to indulge in luxury. And men often have custom suits and shirts done for them if they have the budget for it.

It's even a small thrill to have a label with our name or initials sewn into a garment made especially for us.


Home decoration affords more opportunities for custom made goods. Built-in book cases and kitchen cabinets are accessible custom projects.



Custom made furniture is not out our of reach either. If you buy a good quality sofa or chair, it is often made just for you. And custom drapes and upholstery is something attainable.

Audrey on a custom couch

If you are lucky enough to have a dressmaker, or even more lucky to be able to sew and make your own clothes, you can have a custom made dress form. One size certainly does not fit all in the world of custom made goods.

Custom made dress forms

Now go enter the contest HERE, and tell the Vamp sent you!

Which Decor Personality Are You? Part 1

I was in a waiting room the other day leafing through ancient magazines, when I found this Vanity Fair spread. Besides liking the photos, I started to think that each of us has a personalty that is reflected in our decor. I've provided Webster dictionary definitions. Take a look and tell us which one you think are, or which one you think your fellow and favorite bloggers are - or which famous decorator or interior designer or architect match one of these personalities. Have fun!

The Diva

Pronunciation: \ˈdē-və\ Function:noun Inflected Form(s):plural divas or di·ve \-(ˌ)vā\ Etymology:Italian, literally, goddess, from Latin, feminine of divus divine, god — more at deity Date:1883 1 a: prima donna 1 b: prima donna 22: a usually glamorous and successful female performer or personality

The Vamp

Main Entry: vamp Function:verb Date:circa 1915 transitive verb : to practice seductive wiles on intransitive verb : to act like a vamp

The Star

Main Entry: 3star Function:adjective Date:1821 1 : of, relating to, or being a star 2 : of outstanding excellence : preeminent

The Starlet

Main Entry: Pronunciation: \ˈstär-lət\ Function:noun Date:1920 : a young movie actress being coached and publicized for starring roles

The Seductress

Main Entry:se·duc·tressPronunciation: \-ˈdək-trəs\ Function:noun Etymology:obsolete seductor male seducer, from Late Latin, from seducere to seduce Date:1802 : a woman who seduce

The Comedienne

Main Entry:co·me·di·enne Pronunciation: \-ˌmē-dē-ˈen\ Function:noun Etymology:French comédienne, feminine of comédien comedian, from comédieDate:circa 1859 : a woman who is a comedian

Main Entry:co·me·di·an Pronunciation: \kə-ˈmē-dē-ən\ Function:noun Date:1581 1archaic a: a writer of comedies b: an actor who plays comic roles2: a comical individual ; specifically : a professional entertainer who uses any of various physical or verbal means to be amusing

The Chameleon

Main Entry:cha·me·leon Pronunciation: \kə-ˈmēl-yən\ Function:noun Usage:often attributive Etymology:Middle English camelion, from Middle French, from Latin chamaeleon, from Greek chamaileōn, from chamai on the ground + leōn lion — more at humble Date:14th century 2 a: a person given to often expedient or facile change in ideas or character b: one that is subject to quick or frequent change especially in appearance

The Bombshell

Main Entry:bomb·shell Pronunciation: \ˈbäm-ˌshel\ Function:noun Date:1708 1 : bomb 1a 2 : one that is stunning, amazing, or devastating

The Dilettante

Main Entry:dil·et·tante Pronunciation: \ˈdi-lə-ˌtänt, -ˌtant; ˌdi-lə-ˈ\ Function:noun Inflected Form(s):plural dil·et·tantes or dil·et·tantan·ti \-ˈtän-tē, -ˈtan-tē\ Etymology:Italian, from present participle of dilettare to delight, from Latin dilectare — more at delight Date:1748 1 : an admirer or lover of the arts 2 : a person having a superficial interest in an art or a branch of knowledge : dabbler