victoria thorne

5.2.09

Truth and Beauty

All of above, with exception of colorful, chicken-bedecked

antique rug (see Alexander's, below), are tucked into a

lovely corner gallery at De Sousa Hughes

in the San Francisco Design Center.

The Truth: Beauty is Essential, Isn't It?

4.2.09

China Doll

Wish the colors had come out a bit more true,

but you get the picture; this sweet china

doll is in a painting that hangs near a brilliant

little secretary at De Sousa Hughes, SFDC.

A few more favorites from Ann Sacks. I'd put the peonies, above, around an outdoor vestibule. They make my heart swell with happiness. They speak of peace. I'd love passing through them each time I came home. Joy. (I don't know if Ann & Co. call them peonies, but that is what they are to me.)

These are brilliant, and remind me of dogwood trees in the woods back home, Virginia and New York: of something sacred and strong. They connote safety. Maybe eternity?

These are copper. They are like brave pennies that have been magically transformed...that, alone, makes me want to line them up so that they might march behind my stove and countertop. There is something very happy about these marching ex-pennies. Something warm.

This is grace and growth, a lovely geometry for one's home.

Mad about these. Recycled, if I recall. Nifty luster, warm

silvery strength that will play happy foil to Master Stainless.

Chapter IV: Magic Carpet Ride

Richard Habib was a most excellent guide as we swept through his space (Alexander's Decorative Rugs)...there's much to learn: Richard has an astonishing breadth of knowledge. And a great view (just look through that window!).

Morrocan to Love: SFDC Chap. III

from ann sacks

Mrs. Blandings Goes To New York

just noticed:

whilst we were traipsing around

posting our SFDC finds,

the fabulous Mrs. Blandings posted

more magnificence from the NYGF

she is the consummate

ur-shopping-treasure-finder poster,

in my book...so, wanted to give a hat-tip

and send you all off to KC and NYC courtesy

of the magnificent magical mrs. b.!

photo copyright: the brilliant mrs. blandings, of course

3.2.09

Today at the San Francisco Design Center, Chapter II

Jim Gallagher, of Garden Court

Antiques, and a compelling slightly-gilded

ruby reason to start collecting papier mache.

Holding treasure? Another wonderous red.

(Speaking of, my little red camera

was not doing so well yesterday:

she is old and on last legs, I fear.)

Nautical. Nantes. Via Paris Flea Market.

Blue to die for.

(See post below.)

British. Campaign. Go ahead, die twice.

This is worth it.

(Acknowledging a salute to Japanese craft.)

Once the French Revolution really got rolling, you'd probably want to have hidden this gorgeous piece of work (Vive Le Roi). Don't lose your head over it. Just pack it up tidily and dash off in nearest non-gilded carriage. Send Marie Antoinette lovely thank-you letter. Get out of town. Stow treasured needlework in voluminous skirt. Go. Now.

Surely, this would look swell in my office.

A girl can dream.

Spiky. Happy. Waiting for well-wicked beeswax.

Once more, with gusto. A sweet Italian romance.

All of these wonders:

Garden Court Antiques, SFDC.

Many thanks, again, to our

magnificent host, Jim Gallagher.

Today at the SFDC, Chapter One

Yummy Stuff.

This from Garden Court Antiques.

Above, the delightful Jim Gallagher, who spent an awfully long time and was the soul of patience answering (so very many) questions about the exquisite pieces in his shop.

So completely smitten was I by the finds from the flea market in Paris (top photos), and the Italian bits (bottom) and everything else (coming in next post) that I can't exactly remember any details. I could call my wonderful cohort on this mission and have her try to fill me in, but neither of us had pencil or paper as we stood, entranced, listening to the stories behind each of these pieces.

Suffice it to say that Jim knows his stuff, has a unfailingly elegant eye, and can tell you everything you need to know when you visit him at the San Francisco Design Center.

More, here.

And more coming, soon, from the SFDC (from Jim & Co., a little Ann Sacks, and a sweet Secretary from De Sousa Hughes).

2.2.09

My Magic Mim: A Story in Waiting

photos copyright

Margot Hartford | Victoria Thorne

1.2.09

Today! Inside Roald Dahl's Head. Oops. I Mean Shed.

Shedworking has long been a favorite; today, they take us to Roald Dahl's Shed.

You can wander around (click here). You can listen to one of his stories.

You can only imagine how amazingly peculiar it must have been to be in his marvelous head. But now you can be in his marvelous shed. (Yes, they actually call it a hut. But hut doesn't rhyme with head, and if I change it now I have to rewrite the whole post. So. Hut, shed, let's just move ahead...)

cool photo courtesy of chompoblog

30.1.09

Good Night, Hawaii

Wishing everyone a relaxing weekend.

(above: three of my favorite

people in Hawaii last summer)

Two Russian Winters

Okay, folks, this is far more somber than usual, but I must pass it on: here, Sergei Larenkov, a Russian photographer has superimposed present day images with those from WWII.

Same place, very different time.

There are other arresting images; this one, above, is sadly poetic. And gives us pause to think...times may be tough, but things could be worse.

We live in a free country.

[See Maira Kalman, below.]

How lucky are we? Well, take a moment to see what it looked like, not so long ago, in a very cold place without hope.

(Links from Warren Ellis via sevenblock. Twitter, again.)

Halleluja for Maira and the Pursuit of Happiness

Thanks to Paul Pincus and twitter, this morning was made Glorious by the Reality that entered my sunshiny house with the knowledge that Maira Maira Maira Blogs Again!

simple: Maira Kalman and the Pursuit of Happiness

Watching Your Head About It

"The yellow walls are lined with portraits
And I've got my new red fetching leather jacket
All these poses such beautiful poses
Makes any boy feel like picking up roses
There's never been such grave a matter
As comparing our new brand name black sunglasses..."

Poses
Rufus Wainwright

(It seems that we could be at the dawn of a new age.

One in which we might begin, as a society, to know

better than to put store in the gravity of our new

brand name black sunglasses.

We'll see.)

27.1.09

Reading the World, in San Francisco. Following Folktales in the Ukraine. Two Wonderful Journeys, and You're Invited!

We're going to conduct a few "4 by 4" interviews in the next few weeks...four questions, four minutes. Quick and informative, with fun topics and fascinating folks.

Our first interview is with

Dr. Beverly Vaughn Hock,

a most amazing woman

(a veritable and charming force of nature!)

and we've asked her about

Reading the World,

the marvelous conference taking place

at the University of San Francisco,

on the

28 and 29th of March...

and about an upcoming

adventure in the Ukraine--

one you might want to join in!

Below, four quick questions,

with answers from Dr. Bev Hock:

1. The most fun about "Reading the World?"

The most exciting part is seeing people come together to make connections and build relationships, all brought about by the love of the book. Literature is a transformative vehicle and I get to watch it happen right before my eyes every conference.

2. Best comment afterwards, from someone who's attended?

"I don’t care who is coming next. I know it will be great. I mark my calendar a year ahead. It was wonderful to be around such a brilliant group of people who are attempting to be a positive influence to humanity through writing, illustrating, and publishing children’s literature."

3. The Ukraine! You are going! What seems most thrilling?

I always look forward to meeting with contemporary authors and illustrators. I love, however, plunging into the folktales since the proverbs and sayings in them always provide wonderful clues and insights into the national psyche of a people.

This is a part of the world I have never seen, so it will be a wonderful adventure - and we have the most wonderful inspiring and educated guide (one we adore) who will be explaining the culture to us.

4. Tell me where to sign up for both or either.

Reading the World XI: www.soe.usfca.edu/institutes/reading_world/index.html to view the website and see who is coming...or contact me: bevvhock@earthlink.net
For the trip: Contact me, bevvhock@earthlink.net or 650-342-2817, or Susan Fox, susan.fox@csueastbay.edu