Here’s a story about a most remarkable renovation/restoration
This is something else I’ve been meaning to post because not only is it highly unusual, it’s extraordinary.
The 17th-century oil painting discovered behind a wall during construction of the Oscar de la Renta boutique in Paris. Credit: Julien Mignot for The New York Times
A new Oscar de la Renta boutique in New York was undergoing renovations three months ago when something unusual was discovered on the second floor. When workers were clearing out garbage and debris at the end of the space on that floor, something seemed definitely amiss. As they were clearing and resurfacing, something else resurfaced.
Something had been hidden behind a wall, and it wasn’t asbestos. It was a 10-by-20-foot oil painting of an elaborately coiffed and dressed 17th-century marquis and assorted courtiers entering the city of Jerusalem.
The restoration is expected to be done by May. Credit: Julien Mignot for The New York TimesTeams of restorers swab away some of the varnish to allow colors to come through. Credit: Julien Mignot for The New York Times
Hidden Paradise is the very appropriate tour name given by the Palm Springs Historical Society to refer to The Mesa; an eclectic and beautifully secluded hillside neighborhood. I took all of these photos two days ago, on the last day of the tour for this season. It was a hot one….and I’m not referring to just the tour.
Beyond this gate was the home of actor Joseph Cotten (Citizen Kane, Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte among many other well known films).
I was invited to go on this relatively new tour, not being aware of how incredibly close in proximity The Mesa is to where I reside. I’m really happy I chose this walking tour from several the society offers because it’s another hidden jewel that I’m told many locals don’t even know about. Even though some of the homes you can see from a distance, you may not know how to get there.
As they say on their website it is truly a slice of paradise. The amazing variety of architecture ranges from the romantic Spanish Colonial Revival of the 1920’s to today’s dramatic contemporary styles. Even one original mid-century modern home that stands out.
Max Factor (the makeup maven) family mansion. The gate was open; it felt somewhat inviting.
With a glamorous past it has long been home to the Hollywood elite (Natalie Wood, Robert Wagner, Cher, Joseph Cotten, Henry Mancini, *Johnny Mercer, Jack Warner of Warner Brothers Studios, among others). Many have been celebrities from the World of Music – singers, composers, lyricists and musicians. Even the cartoonist Lee Holley, known for Denis the Menace and comic strip Bugs Bunny who passed away in his home here just last year. Our guide told us that he was so friendly he’d give away some of his original cartoon drawings.
Home of cartoonist Lee Holley – a fairly modest home here.
There are many vacation rentals here now too. One home had no outside windows at all in the front to keep passersby from peering inside. But I’m telling you; never judge a house from the outside.
Unless you’re lucky enough to get an invite to one of Barry Manilow’s fundraising shindigs, you can see his home and that of his friend Suzanne Somers from the outside only. However the area itself which is larger than it appears is striking just to walk around and see the gorgeous gardens. In fact, it was really more of a garden/landscape tour than home tour – walking around for 2 hours+.
You can see the home of Suzanne Somers in the distance. She said she can see Barry Manilow in one of the rooms of his home (which is a compound) – way up on the opposite side of the hill.
A crown jewel of desert architecture, Ship of the Desert, is located here. Designer TrinaTurk (love her clothes) resides here. I’ve seen this home from afar many times. I know a few people who’ve been to a cocktail party inside (there are no hallways) during Modernism week. They referred to Turk as a lovely and gracious host.
Ship of the Desert. d. kingThis home appeared in this magazine in 1936.and many years later
Michael, our patient tour guide was very knowledgeable about the homes and the people who lived/lives here and entertained us with some anecdotes and juicy gossip.
I highly recommend one of the walking tours (only $20) when visiting or even living in Palm Springs.
Other tours the Historical Society offers are Golden Era (Hollywood Homes of Old Las Palmas), Inns, Architecture and Glamour,The Tennis Club (Celebrity Haven), Rat Pack Playground (and Frank Sinatra’s Neighborhood in the Movie Colony), among Private Tours (Architecture gems and Palm Springs Highlights).
See the 3 guard dogs? As easy as it appears to jump this fence…I don’t think so. I wonder what lies behind that door….Narnia?
*Johnny Mercer wrote 1,500 songs and won 4 oscars. He’s probably most famous for writing Moon Riverfor Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Also the Days of Wine and Roses,Autumn Leaves, etc. He was a big fan of Barry Manilow and near the end of his life he donated all of his songs to Manilow.
This flatbread tastes similar to a thin crust pizza (my personal favorite), but with less calories, and it’s perfect for when friends drop by unexpectedly (or not) and you want to serve up something relatively easy to make in a hurry and extremely tasty.
Try to have some staples on hand always. It will make your life much easier.
I start with a low-carb tomato-basil or Italian herb wrap or actual flatbread (available at pretty much any worthwhile grocery store).
Set the oven to 350F and put the flatbread on a tray for about five minutes on its own to crisp it up.
Then take it out and add the following (above photo shows what I had on hand at the time which thankfully ended up to be more than enough and extremely flavorful to boot).
tomato sauce and/or paste (I like the tube – it’s less messy)
Sliced tomato
Thinly sliced sweet onion
Artichoke Hearts
Kalamata Olives
Sundried Tomatoes
Grated cheese (mozzarella or parmesan)
A bit of Burrata…even better!
Drizzle with olive oil & a bit of balsamic and spices to taste.
Put back in the oven for another 5-10 minutes. Take it out. Cut into squares. Serve.
Tip: Of course you can vary the toppings to suit your taste! Spinach + Feta? If you’re a meat lover add pepperoni, etc. You can have fun with this. There are so many variations.
See Margot Robbie (she was so amazing in I, Tonya) as Sharon Tate in Quentin Tarantino’s new film.
Information taken from dazeddigital.com
Quentin Tarantino’s next movie, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, will chronicle late 60s Los Angeles, following a struggling actor (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his stunt double (Brad Pitt) as they chase fame. The murder of Sharon Tate, Valley of the Dollsactress, model, and wife of director Roman Polanski, plays a major part in the film’s narrative.
Margot Robbie plays the late Sharon Tate, whose death at the hands of cult leader Charles Manson’s followers in 1969 shocked Hollywood and the world. The I, Tonya actor has now shared a first look at her character on set. She has long blonde hair worn in a similar style to Tate, with a black turtleneck, white miniskirt, and white go-go boots.
Tate – who was heavily pregnant – was murdered along with four others in the home she shared with Polanski, when four members of the infamous Manson family invaded. Manson demanded the attack after record producer Terry Melcher – who previously rented the house Tate was residing in – snubbed him over a recording contract.
Robbie previously told Indiewirethat Tarantino was one of her “bucket-list directors”, and that “as long as I can remember, I’ve been a huge Tarantino fan.”
Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt shared an image of themselves in costume in set back in June. Tate reportedly appears as a neighbor. The cast also includes Burt Reynolds, Dakota Fanning, and Luke Perry among others.
The film is Tarantino’s ninth film, and his first since the Oscar-winning The Hateful Eight in 2015. The director has previously discussed retiring after his tenth feature film.
The movie is scheduled for release before the end of July, 2019 by Sony Pictures. The film was originally scheduled for release on August 9 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Tate–LaBianca murders.
This is a film worth waiting for. An incredible director with equally incredible actors.
Basic all around FUN with this Girl Gang over the past few days. Not sure where to start so….since pictures tell a story…
With Alex, Elizabeth & Ramona at Tropicale on April 4th, 2019Animal Samaritan Cocktails & Caftans Yappy Hour at the Riviera Hotel – April 4th, 2019Photo: d. kingRiviera Hotel Yappy HourArtist Jane HerroldPhoto: d. king Doggy biscuits in a bowl.
Tammy & David. There may be a doggy orgy going on behind their back.
Hiking – April 04, 2019Photo: d. king
Pool party at Tommy & Rolland’s house on April 3rd. 2019Photo: d. kingAt Pinocchio’s – Ramona & Elizabeth. Photo: d. kingBottomless mimosas & a sandwich on cheese bread too big to finish. Needed that hike!Photo: Elizabeth Fremont Lemay
It’s been a month since I’ve received the Spring Box and I can’t believe that I haven’t shared what’s inside. Until now…
Christopher Patey
Thoughtfully choosing versatile, well-made pieces is the key to building a timeless closet. These photos and main descriptions are taken from Rachel Zoe’s Website. I find everything to be thoughtfully curated. Pieces to mix and match with what you already have. To order see below.
Tribe Alive Leather Clutch
Christopher Patey
Classic items like the leather clutch is an exclusive size available to Box of Style members. Just big enough to hold every day essentials like a wallet, keys, cell phone and lipstick (that’s an essential right?). I stow it inside a larger bag and simply take it out to use alone when need be like going out for dinner. A versatile hue, like the black of this clutch, pairs perfectly with all manner of ensembles.
Chan Luu Silk Scarf
Christopher Patey
Another essential is a silk scarf. Even though I own a numerous amount of silk scarves you can’t really have too many. Right?? Plus they’re so easy to store and tie in a multitude of ways. The Chan Luu silk scarf shown is available in 2 exclusive Rachel Zoe Collection prints: cactus flower or leopard. It was a toss up but I went with the leopard. This coming from the woman who wears scarves meant for her dogs (I know; it’s a problem).
Michelle Campbell Gold Talon Bracelet set
Photo: Christopher PateyThese dainty gold bangles offer a simple elegance on their own or can be worn with other pieces and mixed with other metals for a more dramatic effect. The open design allows for easy adjustment. A little bit of added bling never hurts.
Edible Beauty Gold Rush Eye Balm
The all natural ingredients in this eye cream make it safe enough to eat, but you won’t want to waste it once you start incorporating it into your regimen. The coffee and cucumber extract work to reduce puffiness and inflammation while the gold leaf improves circulation and radiance. My full review will come later but so far, so good.
Skin Gym Gua Sha…..are you ready?
Christopher Patey
You heard it here first, gua shas are the new jade rollers. This rose quartz massage tool helps to drain toxins from the face by increasing circulation and decreasing puffiness. Great for long flights and mid-day pick me ups but with regular use as a part of your daily regime, you’ll see the best results.
Mark HansenLong before they became our new favorite beauty tool, Gua Shas were an integral part of traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years, used for tissue and muscle massage for the entire body. Gua Sha literally means ‘to scrape’ in Chinese, and this (gentle!) scraping motion helps to increase circulation, decrease the appearance of wrinkles, boost collagen production and encourage lymphatic drainage. For many of us this sounds great, but we’re not clear on exactly how to reap all of these benefits. Start by applying a face oil to clean skin, then read on for the top motions to master to get the most from your Skin Gym Gua Sha from the Spring Box of Style.If you’re a visual learner, find a handy video tutorial by acupuncturist and holistic medicine practitioner Debbie Kim. For more Gua Sha tips, visit Skin Gym’s site.So if you want to Spring for it:https://www.boxofstyle.com/and don’t forget to tell them where you heard about it
Açaí (pronounced Ahh…Sigh….E) is like a slightly thicker smoothie in a bowl which you eat instead of drink.
Photo: d. king taken at Palm Greens Cafe in Palm Springs – $13
I only recently jumped onto the Acai bowl bandwagon. After sampling a few delicious but costly breakfast bowls I decided to make my own.
I’m sure you’ve seen Acai pop up places here and there and maybe wondered what this mysterious name is all about. Actually it has been around forever. When I lived in Brazil I was lucky to find out about super fruits such as this along with Guarana and Acerola which were foreign to me at the time. It just took longer for a lot of North Americans to find out.
Açaí is a palm tree from South American that produces these small edible blackish-purple berries which are loaded with antioxidants (similar to blueberries) with many potential health benefits. They also deliver good-for-you fats and fiber, making them an overall generally healthy food.
Because of global demand for the berries, the tree is now cultivated for this purpose. Unfortunately you won’t be able to find fresh berries. Quality products are shock frozen right after harvesting to preserve as many nutrients as possible. Also, you shouldn’t find any additives or sweeteners in it. I recently bought a bag of frozen unsweetened organic acai puree (four packets in one bag) at Trader Joes for less than $5. Apparently it’s easy to find them at your local health food store.
Photo: d. king – the acai is underneath. For this one I used mango & blueberries.Photo: d. king – when you mix it up it looks like this.
INGREDIENTS for one:
1 package (100g) unsweeteted Acai puree, frozen
1/2 cup of your favorite granola or muesli (with nuts, raisins and seeds)
½ banana
1 cup mixed fresh fruit
1/2 cup goat milk *kefir (or yogurt)
½ cup coconut milk (optional)
1 tablespoon honey
Sprinkling of cinnamon (I also added some roasted cocoa nibs and extra unsweetened coconut chips).
Take the packet of frozen Acai and run it under warm water for a few minutes, then break it up into a bowl. Or if you have a blender like a Vitamix you can put it directly into that either alone or with some coconut water or milk, then stir and put into your bowl.
Then add granola, fruit and toppings. That’s it!
Photo: d. king
You can thank me later
*Kefir is a fermented milk drink similar in look and taste to a thin yogurt that is made with a yeast and bacterial fermentation starter of kefir grains. The drink originated in Eastern Europe and Russia. Goat Kefir is supposed to be easier on digestion.
I’ve been using Kefir instead of yogurt in smoothies for over a year now.
On the very last day of March I visited SUNNYLANDS to walk through the magnificant gardens and listen to Jazz on the grass. It was the last of a “Music in the Gardens” Sunday concert series in March and it was fabulous.
Photo: d. king *JAZZGRASS
SUNNYLANDS is a 200 acre historical estate featuring a mid-century modern residence and three cottages designed by architect A. Quincy Jones. The grounds include a private nine-hole golf course, 11 lakes, tennis court, swimming pool, and collection of sculpture and artworks. For more than 40 years, Walter and Leonore Annenberg welcomed political, business, and entertainment leaders to Sunnylands. The couple were among the 20th century’s most generous philanthropists. They donated 500 million to public education and the donation of one of the world’s most significant collections of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Photo: d. king
Sunnylands is surrounded by nearly 10 acres of gardens with more than 70 species of drought-tolerant plants. They are not labeled so that the emphasis is on their visual effect.
Outside entrance. Photo: d. king
*Jazzgrass was put together in 1999 by Idyllwild resident Barnaby Finch to honor the newer and more progressive side of Bluegrass music. He was originally smitten with the music of a short-lived All-Star band, put together at the Telluride Festival, called “Strength in Numbers.” In 2011, Barnaby wanted to perform that music again, and recruited talented locals to play. There’s Don Reed on mandolin, dobro, and guitar. He’s a famous Idyllwild virtuoso who’s performed with numerous artists. There’s Sam Zorn on fiddle, a promising young player who covers everything from jazz to Celtic music. On bass is Bill Saitta, one of the busiest musicians in the Desert—and Jeff Olson on drums, who plays with David Benoit. Pianist Barnaby Finch is the musical director, formerly music director and touring member of Lee Ritenour’s band since 1982. Prior stints include Ronnie Laws, Alphonse Mouzon, Boz Scaggs, and Lionel Richie. His piano was featured on the Lionel Richie/Diana Ross hit “Endless Love.” From 1982 to 1989 Barnaby toured with George Benson, and from 1987 to 1989 he was conductor and musical director.
Photo: d. king
Photo: d. king
Other people’s photography below:
Lake View at Sunnylands during migration. Photography by Tim Lamon – February 2018Left to Right: President Gerald Ford, Prince Andrew, Bob Hope, and Ambassador Charles Price. Photographer unknown. 1993.Costa’s Hummingbird – April 2017. Birds of Sunnylands photorgraphy, A female flies up to search for nectar in the Red Hesperaloe.Pied-Billed Grebe – March 2017White-Faced IBISGreat Foret
Sunnylands is a renowned birding area and a photographer’s paradise.
Photo: d. king
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
You must be logged in to post a comment.