April 21, 2021

Tantalizing Turquoise

April 21, 2021/ Meryl

Since the first time I saw this ring - presented to me by my Grandfather when I was a girl - I have been a fan of all things turquoise!

Turquoise is an opaque, blue-to-green mineral that is a hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminum. It’s a been prized for thousands of years due to it’s hue.

It was highly coveted by the Egyptians as a sacred stone with metaphysical powers. Turquoise was used by Egyptian healers, worn by Pharaohs and important persons. One of the most famous items in this hue but, not actually turquoise is William the Metropolitan Museum of Art mascot. He’s made of faience and it’s believed the Egyptians developed this material to simulate the highly prized and rare turquoise.

The stone had many names. Pliny the Elder referred to the mineral as callais and the Aztecs knew it as chalchihuitl. The word turquoise dates to the 17th century and is derived from the French turquois meaning "Turkish" because the mineral was first brought to Europe through Turkey, from mines in the area then known as the Khorasan of Persia.

I also love to find hints or whole spaces filled with this amazing shade.

As I write this I am having a memory… it’s been forever but, my Aunt had turquoise leather parsons chairs in her diningroom - golly I haven’t seen those in decades.

In the United States Arizona and Nevada are the two top producers of turquoise. While Arizona mines produce the most by value - Nevada has produced a wide diversity of colors and mixes of different matrix patterns, with the stone in various shades of blue, blue-green, and green.

We can stare dreamily at amazing images of turquoise waters! I love this image from my 2017 visit with my bff who lives in Providenciales.

For thousands of years, Turquoise has spanned all cultures, prized as a symbol of wisdom, nobility and the power of immortality. Among the Ancient Egyptians, Persians, Chinese, Aztecs and Incas of South America, and Native North Americans, Turquoise was sacred in its adornment - for power, luck, and protection.

Beauty via Pinterest

Do you have any Turquoise jewelry or use the color in your decor?

Til next time stay well my friends!

Images Accounts Linked. Research: Merriam-Webster, Wikipedia, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

February 03, 2021

Sweet and Magical Scents

February 03, 2021/ Meryl

Recently I watched a documentary about the clothing designer Halston and it made me think about the fragrance that bore his name and all the other magical scents that have impacted my life.

Scent is one of the strongest connectors to memory we humans have. I will stop dead in my tracks if I catch a familiar scent, flooding me with love and longing.

My mother Rita wore was Opium. I remember a beautiful tray of perfumes on her dresser - I have the strongest memory of her also wearing Youth Dew and Arpege by Lanvin.

Daddy must have loved Arpege because Rita had the scent in so many forms. I remember all of these packages.

My sister always smells terrific - for years she wore Lauren.

My Gram wore this Nina Ricci staple. I still have a small bottle of it.

My niece wears Mademoiselle and I’m always struck by this gorgeous scent.

I adore Hei its what my husband wears.

This image shows my life in scent. Starting with Loves Baby Soft and it’s powdery fresh scent and moving across the page. All these led me to what I’ve been wearing for the last decade Burberry. If I try and wear something else my husband and son will tell me I smell like a stranger and they miss Burberry.

Dad wore Old Spice - he even shaved with it - using a mug and brush.

With Valentines Day around the corner maybe someone special would love a yummy new scent or better yet another bottle of their favorite.

Wishing you a delightful Valentines Day!

Til next time friends stay well!

January 13, 2021

Showstopping Chinoiserie

January 13, 2021/ Meryl

My love of Chinoiserie started when Great Aunt Alice’s Cabinet came into our home when I was a child. It was the first thing you laid eyes when entering.

Great Aunt Alice’s Cabinet in the corner of the Livingroom in the Chalet

I enjoy sharing the history of color and design movements - The term Chinoiserie means an imitation of Chinese and East Asian arts - including architecture, decorative arts, garden design, literature, music and theater.

18th-century Chinese export porcelain, Guimet Museum, Paris

But, first came tea. Europeans were introduced to the China drink tee in 1610 by the Dutch East India Company. Tea drinking became popular, along with the porcelain cups the Chinese used. The Chinese porcelains were beautifully decorated with blue and thin in contrast to the thick, heavy earthenware of most Europeans. In 1709 one typical order required forty tons of China ware. These pieces are now known as Export China. These porcelains were expensive and the English potters wanted to manufacture and sell their own.

By 1790 a name we still know today - Josiah Spode developed a recipe that was easy to fire, decorate and known for it’s whiteness and durability.

1790 Spode Pattern

Boy on a Buffalo

Chinoiserie is the interpretation of the Chinese Culture and it gained popularity in the 18th century due to the rise in trade with China and France was the first embraced China and all her beauty. The dominant style at that time was highly decorative rococo – Asian motifs, ornaments and colors fit perfectly into this style. François Boucher’s artwork is a good example of Chinoiserie painting.

the Chinese Garden, Francois Boucher 1742

Lacquerware like my cabinet can be many different types of items: including containers, furniture and tableware. The surface is sometimes painted with pictures or has inlaid shells or carving before it is lacqured. True lacquer is not made outside Asia, but some imitations, such as Japanning in Europe or parallel techniques, are often loosely referred to a "lacquer."