Fantasy Fest Week 2010 - Painting the Town...

That’s Captain Morgan. He’s kinda like “our leader”. A former pirate, he now spends most of his time selling rum and hanging out with a choice selection of wenches…




Duval Street is ground zero for this multi-cultural event featuring everything from folks who want to be seen to those who simply want to be obscene…





We even have Captain Morgan wannabes…


Hey, a fella can dream, can’t he?

Local businesses were also there to put their best feet (or other body parts) forward…




Advertising everything from real estate…


…to a great place to get a drink…


Even businesses going out of business got into the swing of things…


Folks of all ages were out to flaunt a little pazazz…




As were proponents of higher education…



And people of unfathomable purpose…



And then, of course, you get your share of spoilsports.



On the other hand, maybe there’s something to be said for their point of view.

Wearable Upholstery for Charity

In leafing through my decor magazines looking for post inspiration, I found myself sighing (again) at the Oscar de la Renta Home line advertisement for Lee Jofa.


The fabric itself is lovely - but oh, that image of heavy ball gown skirts and magnificent jewelry...

The skirts featured in the ad are actually wearable fashion. Just three of several pieces that will be auctioned off for charity. Proceeds of the auction will go to Casa del Niño, a child assistance service in the Dominican Republic. Each one of a kind item will be available for bid on Bidding for Good through November 30th.

Here are images of each:









This YouTube clip has some great close ups of some of the fabrics as well as a visual display of how his fashion designs influenced his home textile designs:

Opening bids are $750. But even if I could raise that kind of cash, I expect (and hope) that the designs will go for exponentially more than that, raising a lot of money for a very good cause.

The stars aligned for this one. I'm both enchanted and inspired. Who says fashion is a shallow industry!

(Find more details and images of the line in articles on elledecor.com and access.decorati.com.)

Fall High Point Market Report (Part II)

The second trend I have to report is neutrals, neutrals, neutrals. Think - Restoration Hardware:


Weathered and washed oak filled the showrooms, a lacklustre sea of gray. Upholstery followed suit: yards and yards of patternless gray, brown, and beige.









I know this is the current standard for design, but it's not my style.

Now if I could take some of the same looks and add some splashes of happy Key West colors to lift my spirit and sooth my soul... That would work for me.

Fall High Point Market Report (Part I)

For this season's market report, I noticed two stand-out trends. The first of which was PURPLE.

From the moment we received our badges we knew it was going to be a purple market.


This bed set-up was a remarkable array of purple saturation.


A couple of chairs from the Lee showroom in softer shades of purple and magenta were pleasing to my eye.



Lots of showroom folks were going along with the theme in their wardrobes. Here are a few particularly well-dressed reps.




There were lamps in all shades of purple, from lavender to fuchsia and magenta.




We saw many purple glass accessories like these vases.


And for a grand finale, a huge purple chandelier!


Next up: Market Report on Beige!