design – Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION.

Art + Fashion with the Barone’s

Never has art and fashion co-existed so fervently as with the Coachella Valley’s celebrated husband and wife Pop Art team – Karen and Tony Barone. Their works have been collected and exhibited around the world.

Karen + Tony standing next to Tony’s rabbit paintings. Photo: d. king

I jumped at the chance to visit their hosted open house last week at Goldfield Home and Art on El Paseo in Palm Desert – during the monthly art walk along El Paseo. While sipping champagne, my friend Candy introduced me to her friend, Mary Orlin; who’s husband Jon is filming a documentary about this dynamic art team duo. Something I don’t want to miss as soon as it comes out.

Must say *the studio knows how to greet guests in proper fashion.* Photo: d. king

I’ve never put myself in so many photos but it was so much fun with plenty of distractions. Photo: Ramona Huth

Almost every fashion show I’ve gone to, the Barone’s have been there too, as well as every Modernism opening night party at the convention centre and other happening social events around town. They’re the topic of many conversations and for good reason. Wherever they show up your eyes immediately travel to Karen; a tiny, colorful chameleon-like butterfly. If anyone is her own muse, it’s Karen. Fun and fabulous with her fantasy fashion choices that compliment her personality. Karen has been designing clothes for most of her life; out of necessity, she says, due to her “tinier” figure that makes it difficult to find things that fit. Oh; I hear you Karen. Ha!

L-R : Candy, Mary, Karen, Tony. Photo: d. king

My friend Ramona *just lounging* around. Photo: d. king

Karen herself is a work of art. A kind of mythological being as Tony has exhibited with his goddess-like visual paintings of her. Some of their sculptures and paintings appear childlike but many come with a message.

Remember the 9 giant wild rabbit installation you couldn’t miss when travelling from Rancho Mirage to Palm Desert? Well, you had to be here.

Photo: Desert Sun (a few of the bunnies)

The aluminum sculptures were created by the Barone’s. I don’t know this to be fact, but I’m wondering if it was to do with calling attention to the wild rabbit population across Europe being wiped out due to a deadly disease in the last few years. I’ll have to find out.

And this one:

DETAIL: Karen Barone enters the photo … not to take sides but “for scale”…

There are many issues dividing our country and ripping this nation apart… the one being addressed in this work of art is “The right to bare arms vs gun control”… Each side of this debate are deeply entrenched … this painting enters the conversation in terms of highlighting the division.

The “ENDANGERED SPECIES” is America … America is represented by the United States one dollar bill … also symbolic of the USA is the American Bald Eagle … in this painting the eagle is presented as a mythological female… part human … part bird: head of an eagle … wings for arms…

Check out this unique video art: “Spicy Playtime – Don’t Card Me” with Karen Barone

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjjEbIF9V40

Thank you for a wonderful evening.

PAINTINGS

The adventure continues: Check out this 2020 article in local paper “Desert Sun” re Karen and Tony Barone’s self-guided art tour through Coachella Valley.

https://www.desertsun.com/story/life/2020/09/15/karen-and-tony-barone-launch-self-guided-art-tour-palm-springs-area/5710803002/

Art + Culture

Monday Mood – Modernism

Palm Springs is getting ready once again to celebrate all things Modernism.

Modernism Week’s signature February Event is an annual celebration of midcentury modern design, architecture, art, fashion and culture. Modernism Week features more than 350 events including the Palm Springs Modernism Show, Signature Home Tours, films, lectures, Premier Double Decker Architectural Bus Tours, nightly parties and live music, walking and bike tours, tours of Sunnylands, fashion, classic cars, modern garden tours, a vintage travel trailer exhibition, and more.

The mission is to celebrate and foster appreciation of midcentury architecture and design, as well as contemporary thinking in these fields, by encouraging education, preservation and sustainable modern living as represented in the greater Palm Springs area.

Feb 16, 2023 to Feb 26, 2023

Here’s one I’m looking forward to and it’s free:

This will be the ultimate street party celebration. Dance in the street to These Boots Were Made For Walkin’ honoring Nancy Sinatra.

For general information and tickets (many sell out fast) please visit:

https://modernismweek.com/

New activities have just been added for Modernism Week!

Click to view the new activities.

photos + commentary taken from Modernism Website. I’ll be blogging about the events I go to separately. Enjoy!

Art + Culture

Mod day Mood: Modernism Museum

The MOD not Modest place to be

There have been many a photo taken and several articles written about the Modernism Museum prior to my visit yesterday.

The museum, which is fairly new to Palm Springs, was created by visionary artist, designer and friend Tracy Turco, so it was already obvious to me that it would be anything but mundane.

Warming up by the Fireplace. Early 70’s where mellow yellow and brown accents co exist in this eclectic environment.

Clearly, it is a fun place to visit with exceptional attention to detail showcasing all things mid-century Modern from the late 50s to the early 70s era.

The museum is not only for tourists or locals but will serve the community as a gathering place to socialize in an inspired atmosphere located in the heart of Palm Springs. There’s a glittery disco roller rink at the back of the museum and a comfy colourful seating area which can be rented out for parties. How much fun is that?

1950’s kitchens featured fiberglass, stainless steel and aluminum and done in yellow, turquoise, pink, mint green, and other colors like red, black + white.

This beauty salon contains vintage memorabilia as well as a hairdryer that Marion Davies sat under weekly in Hollywood when she was the mistress to William Randolph Hearst.

I took plenty more photos with my Samsung phone camera but think it best that you visit and take some yourself. In a place like this it’s very easy to get carried away and therefore, give too much away.

**Wouldn’t you like to take a bubble bath in this tub?** Recreated from Playboy Bunny Jayne Mansfield’s pink bathtub. She liked pink champagne too. The rest of the bedroom is an ode to Palm Springs designer Arthur Elrod, sporting his headboard and side tables, as well as Magda Gabor’s sconces, chandeliers and oil painting. It also includes a table from the Trini Lopez estate, a few frocks that belonged to the Gabor sisters and some Schiaparelli keepsakes.

Let’s not forget the store where you can buy some fun stuff:

Photo of **Paris Hilton** by a pair of shoes Tracy designed for her (when she was Tracy Stern) although hers says “*Heiress*“

**Tracy** doesn’t go “by the book” even though she’s on the cover of Palm Springs Life Magazine (hard cover version available in shop).

I couldn’t leave without having one more photo taken of myself in front of **the famous *Racquet* *Club*.**

For hours, location and more info please visit:

https://www.psmodernismmuseum.com/

Art + Design

Local Business Story: Raising the Bar

Jesse & Ashley are the co-founders of a unique company Views Balcony Inc.

Views Balcony Inc. is a local Vancouver small business that can help extend your home from the indoors to the outdoors.

What they’ve created is an enjoyable and decorative way to enhance and elevate a small outdoor space. Their unique design uses beautiful Acacia bartops which is one of the best naturally durable woods, perfect for outdoors. Also easy to install with adjustable steel brackets and they’re foldable.

A great idea. Perfect for morning coffee, working from home or happy hour.

Their booth at a local small business pop-up at Container Brewing. Photo: d. king

After creating their hero product, the balcony bar, they’ve expanded their products to include beautiful space conscious accessories to complement.

Get Outdoors

https://viewsbalconybar.com/pages/our-story

Art + Design

More Art Vancouver

A shout out to Art International Vancouver for a successful turnout over the past weekend at Vancouver Convention Centre West.

Another sprinkling of photos taken at last Friday’s opening.

Photos: d. king

STYLE

Tracy Turco’s Pink Palace

Welcome to a sneak peek of Hungarian-Hollywood history!

The pink palace; part of this year’s Palm Spring’s Modernism Home Tour.

The home’s previous owner was glamorous socialite and actress Magda Gabor, eldest sister to both Zsa Zsa and Eva Gabor. (Eva was well-known for her role as the most stylish housewife who lived on a farm in the series “Green Acres”). The Kardashians have nothing on these three. The charismatic sisters, originally from Hungary, were a favorite on the talk show circuit, dazzling each host with sophistication, wit and charm. Zsa Zsa had some memorable one liners among them “I’m a marvellous housekeeper. Every time I leave a man, I keep his house.” I always admired their “no apologies” excess because of the way they handled it all. And I always find it amusing when people assume beautiful women-with-means are stupid, and even more amusing when they’re proven wrong.

Eva (L), Magda (in the middle) + Zsa Zsa (R)

But it’s not all about the house or the Gabors…

It’s as much about the unique style and many talents of the new owner, Tracy Turco. The devoted wife/mother/artist/hotelier has built an empire unto herself, bringing her vivacious design flair and spirit to one of the world’s glamour capitals, and making it more so.

original painting portrait of Magda Gabor to Tracy’s left.

The mid-century design mecca of Palm Springs has never been better since Tracy and her real estate developer husband Jerry took up residence here a little over two years ago.

Tracy isn’t called the “Design Diva of the Desert” for nada. Her entrepreneurial spirit has been hands-on behind several boutique hotels – Art Hotel, Cheetah Hotel (as shown in the header), Tiki Hotel, with more on the way. A modernism museum is already in the works including a disco pizza + roller rink (can’t wait!) and she still finds time to head an “Entrepreneurial Women’s Club of Palm Springs” (helping other women realize their own business potential) with monthly meetings, along with having a toddler.

Tracy with her adorable baby daughter Marchesa.

I don’t know how she handles it all – but she does and always with amazing aplomb. I have a feeling it’s in her DNA – both beauty and brains. Maybe we should refer to her as “the unsinkable Tracy Turco” (an allusion to the movie “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” – about the famed American socialite and philanthropist played by Debbie Reynolds). See what I mean?

Master Bedroom with custom made round bed.

Tracy (nee Stern) first made a name for herself in her native New York with creative lifestyle brands such as Salon Tea and Tea & Co. (with multiple locations around the globe – even making Oprah’s favorite list). I had the pleasure of sampling a few teas at a Tiki Party she hosted at her previous Tiki House and they were several cuts above anything else I’ve ever tasted as far as teas go. No wonder she was able to publish two books on tea and entertaining (another skill she excels at, including cooking/baking). But she didn’t stop there. She’s designed shoes for the likes of Paris Hilton, Jessica Simpson and Lindsay Lohan. Not a shabby squad. But that was then…

At the Tiki hotel there’s a colorful boutique with Tracy’s name on it – literally. It’s almost impossible to drop in and walk out empty handed. I ended up buying a pair of flip flops that have gold crown emblem’s (afterall, my last name is King) and an amazing lipstick that comes in 3 gorgeous pin-up girl shades. Oh yeah; they also have her name on it – as she designed those too.

Now getting back to the Turco’s stunning house…

Aside from the original interior design which includes the etched “M’s on the mirrors (that baby Marchesa will one day inherit), Tracy added bold color and contrast, keeping faithful to Hollywood Regency elegance, signifying both opulence and comfort. Something not so easy to achieve. A few of the paintings of beautiful Magda that belonged to Magda, now belong to the Turcos, along with some of the furniture (including piano shown here) which belonged to Zsa Zsa from the Gabor era. A bygone era, or so we thought.

I love this diamond ring bird-feeder with a perfect “**birds-eye” view**.

Long Live Beauty, Charm, Glamour & Imagination!

For more and ALL information including hotels/books/guides click here:

https://www.tracyturco.com/

Home Photos: d. king

Art + Culture

Maison Bleue Moderne

Oh, just another magnificent modernism maison.

I love observing how other people live. Very nice of the owners to open up their homes and let others take a peek inside and make them feel terribly envious by doing so. I was feeling very Bleue in this home…but in the most positive way.

This home is like stepping into a vacation. It’s a nod to the owners’ appreciation of beauty and being by the ocean with a modern nautical theme (despite being in the desert) as variations of water colors flow throughout, from vibrant turquoise to rich navy blues. It’s just gorgeous. I’m aware that I overuse this word but I just can’t think of another better word to describe this house and many others on the modernism open home tours.

Michelle Boudreau (pic below) recently re-designed the 1958 William Krisel originally designed Alexander Company home. She seamlessly merged materials and new spaces with modern technology while respecting the existing mid-century cherished design details.

“***The philosophy of the renovation was to establish a good relationship with the existing structure as it had beautiful bones***.” Boudreau states. I did notice that she herself has beautiful bone structure. Just had to add this tidbit of info.

To create a poetic home that embraces the Palm Springs lifestyle, Boudreau selected from brands such as Brizo, Dunn-Edwards Paints, Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting, Hunter Douglas & Tidelli.

The 2,400 square foot artful interior space boasts four bedrooms & four bathrooms. And lots of ~~gorgeous~~ attractive coffee-table books which I adore. The home and the books are inspired by the owners’ colorful personalities and passion for sailing and travel.

The home is nestled below the San Gorgonio mountain range in Vista Las Palmas, Palm Springs.

Simply breathtaking!

All photos: d. king

Modernism week is on until February 27th. Get tickets for events while they last here:

https://modernismweek.com/

Art + Culture

Modernism Week – 70’s Featured Home

Welcome to the start of Modernism week here in Palm Springs…home to the largest concentration of Mid-Century Modern architecture in the United States. Modernism week is an annual celebration and appreciation of all things midcentury modern. Think design, architecture, art, fashion and culture.
This is one of the busiest times of year for tourism in Palm Springs when hundreds of events take place that include the modernism show & sale, fabulous signature home tours, films, lectures, premier double decker architectural bus tours, nightly parties, live music, walking and bike tours, fashion shows, classic cars, modern garden tours and even more. Of course numbers to events are a bit more limited now and keeping a safe distance is still in place, however it feels like things are getting back to normal.

Today I toured the stunning 1975 Palm Springs residence referred to as the “Seventies Sackley” home, as it was designed by noted architect Stan Sackley. The home was recently reimagined by interior designers Michael Ostrow and Roger Stoker of Grace Home Furnishings who purchased it in 2012.

Located in the prestigious Indian Canyons neighborhood, the house boasts deep mid-century roots and a distinctive architectural style. Situated on nearly a quarter acre lot, the 3,044 square foot home contains three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a beautiful saltwater pool and spa. It has brilliant mountain views, high ceilings, clerestory windows and walls of glass. The formal entryway is expansive and the dining area leads to a step-down living and media room, while walls of glass line the back of the house that open to the pool with a wondrous view of the San Jacinto mountains.

A favorite feature for the couple is the combo living room and media room which is separated by one of Sackley’s signature touches, a see-through fireplace with stacked stone detail.

The house’s custom glazed floor tiles were another coveted element, as they’ve believed to have been designed for the house by Sackley himself.

Stan Sackley is described by Ostrow and Stoker as an architect who left a great body of work but has remained somewhat under-appreciated until recent years. Ostrow shared that following Sackley’s death in 2001, his work archives were sold at a yard sale. “Soon after, someone would go up and down the street asking people if they wanted to buy the floorplans to their house,” he says. “We’re lucky to have it so we can see how the kitchen was configured.” When they gutted the kitchen, they located a piece of laminate that was from the old cabinet and found the old countertop, a walnut laminated material and a matte white glazed tile. “What we put back in makes it almost look like the original kitchen,” Ostrow says.

When it came time for an update to the home, Stoker and Ostrow decided to implement changes that remained sensitive to the architect’s original design. Eventually, the pair decided on a modest renovation of the kitchen and bathroom with no structural changes. Luckily, the couple got their hands on Sackley’s original furniture floorplan.

The interiors now feature a classic modern take on Palm Springs style, with a bold green and blue color palette. Vintage pieces are used throughout the home alongside contemporary pieces from Ostrow and Stoker’s own Grace Home Furnishings Collection and showroom lines.

All photos: d. king

For tickets: https://modernismweek.com/

inspiration

“Real” Estate: doing the Can Can

Try to contain yourself as you have a browse through some luxury lifestyle homes for those who like to think “outside the box” for price souring housing solutions.

Numerous shipping containers are artfully arranged in a starburst pattern for this **Joshua Tree** Home – the brainchild of London based **Whitaker Studio.**

These home are made from shipping containers. That’s right. Some ranging from small “tiny house” structures featuring a single container to larger, more ambitious projects that combine numerous containers that result in opulent luxury homes. These shipping container spaces offer something for every budget and lifestyle.

**Affordable Housing** – two shipping containers built on a low budget.

California-based *Kubed Living* offers multiple different shipping containers such as this 160 sq. ft. studio built from one container.

I just spent a little time in a winery built out of two shipping containers with windows cut out large enough to have a view of the vineyard. I couldn’t believe it!

Canadians looking for a chic container home can contact Alberta based **Honomobo** . Built from rigid steel to provide durable, efficient living space.

Toronto based **Storstac** is in the business of selling new and used shipping containers. This one is made from two containers.

The main floor includes two shipping containers that saddle bag a wedge-shaped space . I’m still trying to wrap my head around this one.

Every time I see a container now I envision what the inside would look like if I wanted to make it into a home. The way things are going you just may see them becoming more mainstream.

Intriguing; No?

Art + Design

Elements of Design – Residential Art & Architecture

If you love style, architecture & design, here’s a unique and fun way to kill a little time while getting a luxurious dose of total home inspiration…

T. Jones Groups – Elements Estate, Vancouver

Focusing on the residential sector, we step into the world of luxury and extravagance to celebrate the best in design, outstanding architecture, interior design and product designs.

I loved perusing through all the categories of the International Design & Architecture Awards and then placing my vote for “best of” in each respective category. You can too, until March 19th (link below).

Who are they?

The International Design & Architecture Awards, are hosted by design et al, a leading UK interior design magazine. Their aim is to commend design, recognize talent, create opportunities and quite simply to offer inspiration. That to say the least, is an understatement.

These Awards are not judged by a panel. Shortlisted entries are presented online, and voting is open to industry professionals as well as design et al readers, clients and customers. Only 16 projects are shortlisted per category. A unique part of their voting system is that votes have to be cast in every single category, which in turn, gives all shortlisted projects maximum publicity from international industry professionals.

T. Jones Group – Elements Estate, Vancouver

I’m delighted to learn that Amanda & Cameron Jones (friends of mine and my sister from T Jones Group) have received 5 nominations for their @elementsestatevancouver project. Looking through the photos we can see why.

Elements Estate has received 3 Interior Designs Category nominations;
Cat. 13 – Kitchen over £150,000
Cat. 18 – Best Living Space
Cat. 29 – Residential Project Value over £5 million

Plus 2 Property Category nominations;
Cat. 4 – Luxury Residence
Cat. 19 – Residential Value £10 million +

A bit more on T. Jones Group and some of their amazing projects:

T. Jones Group represents their clients From Conception to Completion.

When you are surrounded by beautiful scenery, the standard for every project is raised. Vancouver, British Columbia pushes that standard to its absolute limit. The sights are breathtaking. Inspiration is everywhere.

And yet, the T Jones Group builds homes that set them apart from their neighbors. The passion brought to every project is sustainable because the goal remains the same: Learn what the client truly wants, and build it better than they ever imagined.

I love this…

The T. Jones Group has built a foundation dedicated to philanthropy. The Jones Family Foundation.

A project most near and dear to us has been building a four story residency in Tanzania for young women in school in the medical field. We also funded the building of fresh water for the town.

See link below for more info. on Tanzania project:

https://www.rsir.com/blog/rsir-inspired-ceo-dean-jones-and-tanzanias-newest-4-story-mid-rise/

https://www.tjonesgroup.com/

International Design & Architecture Awards Voting is NOW open until this Friday MARCH 19TH

https://www.thedesignawards.co.uk/category/design-architecture-entrants-2020/

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