But can he do "Franklin Shepard, Inc."?

Singer Jubilant Sykes has a lower register that can be rumbling, husky, or as wide-open as a resonant well. Then he jumps up the keyboard and shows his clarion-clear higher tones. You could hate him, if you were a fellow vocalist trying to keep up. (I was hoping for some voice tips when I interviewed him last week, but he just said to drink a lot of water.)

Or you could take a minute-forty out of your day and listen to these clips of him singing Bruce Springsteen's "If I Should Fall Behind" and the gospel-blues piece "John the Revelator." Beautiful.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...

Today is my son's 13th birthday....He's my budding Einstein. Even if his grades don't always reflect his inner genius...it's there...a lover of art, music and scientific, experiments. This room is great for any boy that loves math and science. He can dream formulas, theories and algorithms all night.....Happy Birthday Nii.

Gardens Galore

I like to think that I've made it to mid-winter. I know global warming seems to have kicked in because we've had very minimal snow and January temperatures have been mild for the past few winters. All this mildness takes my mind to gardening. If I can't yet work outside in the garden I can dream....be inspired, plan what I want this spring, and wait.... These gardens are unique, beautiful and not too serious. They're creative and offer a place of escape....

Up on the Roof

California Cottage Garden

Ancient Indian Garden

Sky Garden

Sanctuary Garden

images: House Beautiful, L.A. Times

Wallpaper Talks !

Walls do talk and ABC's Extreme Home Makeover knows it. This Sunday's program(1/27) will highlight the "Regal" pattern from wallpaper designer Anna French's new "Glamour Collection". I'm not sure which color they will feature but I'm sure it will speak to the room it's in. Ann's designs are bold, dramatic and have the ability to present a fresh and contemporary feel to any room they're in.
Ann's company really took off with wallpaper designs for children's room.

Itsy Bitsy & Fairies in Pink

Set It Up

(images: Red River Interiors)

Since moving from California I still haven't grown accustom to the winters in northern Virginia (although they're getting warmer) so I hibernate most of the winter. I can appreciate winter's first heavy snow fall.... then that's it! A yearning for spring takes over and I look for indoor stimulation until mid March. One thing I like to do is set the table for charming dinners, teas, and even Chinese take out. Collecting cloth table napkins, candles and vases can all be done year round. When winter strikes and we have a DC metro snow day (where nothing moves if we get 2" or more) I'm ready to pull out my favorite color pallets and experiment... it's loads of fun!!

Elegant dining can be done while at a Florida beach house. Bring in natural elements such as shells and banana leaves for the table scape.
The outdoor light fixture sets a casually romantic mood to the space at sunset.....How lovely a dinner party would feel.. here in January.





(images: HGTV)

A personalized performance

Everyone knows that iconic photo from the ‘50s, the one of the crowd in 3-D glasses watching a movie. I’m picturing something just as vivid in Memorial Auditorium this Friday night. Only this time audience members will be wearing iPod earphones.

As part of the 8 p.m. Stanford Lively Arts program, the Merce Cunningham Dance Company is integrating interactivity into its 2006 work "eyeSpace." Audience members get to choose what they listen to while the dancers are on stage: either the ambient sounds in the theater, or a score by Mikel Rouse on their iPods. They can jump from track to track while the performance is going on, which means the person sitting next to you could be experiencing a very different show indeed.

As the dancers move in blue unitards, you could be listening to the urgent “America’s Secrets,” hearing a pulsing beat and singers chanting, “We must protect America’s secrets.” Meanwhile, your neighbor is hearing the strumming guitars of “My Love’s Gone Remix” or the minor-key intro of “How I Stayed Blind.” What an intriguing way to put your own stamp on your arts experience.

The dance company is also performing a different version of "eyeSpace" as part of Saturday night's program. It’s a 2007 iteration with music by Annea Lockwood (no iPods this time). The score includes “improvised instrumentals and electronics over immersive recordings of bowed metal instruments and underwater insects,” as the company’s Web site describes it. Ticket info is here.

Pictured: Dancers from the Merce Cunningham Dance Company; photo from www.merce.org.

Richmond Walking Tour

On this particular day in October I had one of those uninspiring mornings and had nothing on my agenda...at least nothing I wanted to do. So, I took myself on a walking tour of Richmond, Virginia. It's a 90 min. drive from where we live. My husband had business in the city that day so I and my camera tagged along. We arrived very early in the morning...once I dropped him at his destination I hit the street...here are a few shots in some neighborhoods I love...

Baby It's Cool.... Outside

In southern California you spend as much time living outside as you do in... So, that calls for a custom built daybed nestled amongst bamboo in the Malibu home of Jerome Dahan. What a cool afternoon spot to lounge. This gives the outdoor space a Zen like feel... I'd love to nap here.... I miss living in California.







Jerome Dahan had a Moroccan father, thus the vintage Moroccan door which leads to courtyard living.
What waits inside is water flowing from a concrete waterfall and the comfort of a sanctuary.

California Cool

The L.A. home of Citizens of Humanity , denim line founder Jerome Dahan and fiance Lela Tilem evoke a contemporary and vintage feel. The clean lines and muted tones of the furniture say stylish and cool. Where else could you find such tres elegance lamps but at an L.A. flea market or estate sale? They're timeless and add the flair to this otherwise quiet room...... for the living room good quality always takes precedent over quantity. This space has an identity to it. It isn't too minimal ... not fussy.

All Things Mary... McDonald of Course

Yes, I am a member of the Mary McDonald fan club. Don't miss her work in the February issue of House Beautiful. What captivates me are the unique window treatments. She uses fashion fabrics on the windows in this Beverly Hills house. The drapes are gray cashmere with red under curtains of striped silk. The red accents add visual interest to this otherwaise masculine room with a bit of a classic English feel... love it.

The faux zebra rug is a great touch in the den. The yellow curtains pop with all the black and white stripes...I'm seeing a lot of woven shades with side panels lately. It adds an organic quality to this room when paired with the sisal rug.

Photographs by Robert Trachtenberg

A Peack of Chic at Romantic Homes

...stopped in the Borders Books Friday night, pulled a few shelter magazines off the racks and plopped into a big comfy chair. I browsed awhile and picked up the February issue of Romantic Homes. I glanced an article about women who inspire. Since I'm always looking for inspiration I couldn't wait to see who these fabulously inspiring women were. Then the article named blogger.... Jennifer from The Peak of Chic. (p53) Wow...what a delight! I'd just posted her a comment a few days before.... Congrats Jen!!....Keep inspiring us....

A Great Way to Recycle & Reuse

I recently discovered the local Habitat for Humanity has a great way to reuse and recycle anything that goes into a house. We all know they have a great organization to assist people in need with home ownership. But they also have Restores where contractors & vendors can donate new and slightly used products for home building. I contacted my local chapter & found out they will be accepting donations from designers & decorators to sell at a special event in the spring....I think I'll donate some beautiful drapery fabric remnants,valances and a few panels. I'm sure these items will sell well and contribute to building a new home for a family in need.....Reuse and recycle offer so many benefits....I'm really on fire in keeping this 2008 goal/resolution....Thanks Habitat for the opportunity to give...

See interview on Fox News at the Restore in Alexandria,VA:
http://www.myfoxdc.com/myfox/MyFox/pages/sidebar_video.jsp?contentId=4748113&version=1&locale=EN-US

Powerful pair

With this posting, I try to impart some of the flavor of my fascinating chat last week with pianist Ric Louchard and soprano Yolanda Rhodes. During our interview for this week's cover story, the duo performed three songs: "Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child," an aria from Catalani's "La Wally," and "Summertime."

Through the magic of video, you can see some of the moments from this impromptu performance. You can also experience camera flashes courtesy of Weekly photographer Norbert von der Groeben (jiggly video courtesy of me). Or maybe it was lightning from the storm outside. Either way, good show all around.

Recycle, Reuse, Sustain

I'm making the commitment this year to reuse, recycle and use as many sustainable products as I can in design projects and in my home. It may take a little bit more time to source products, but it can be done! ...take this recycled copper top table that's hand hammered into a beautiful work of art...it's made in a small village in Mexico, find it at : Arhaus.com

Almost everything in this room had a previous life. Most of the furniture was purchased from a model home furniture sale. The red balloon shade window treatment had a former life in a kitchen window. All I had to do was "pull it all together".....


Bamboo is one of our most sustainable resources. It has gained much popularity recently because of its fast growing nature...but, have you ever seen it as wallpaper? It adds texture and a rustic quality to this otherwise very refined bedroom.... (can't remember where I found this photo)
Can't you feel the organic nature of this space ? The sofa is Haitian cotton, the pillows add earth tone accents along with the top portion of the drapes. The plant in the corner helps improve the air quality...... you can create a micro-climate in any space to help clean the air and eliminate toxins naturally.....Wow!!

Everybody's got a right to their dream

"Wants to play violin like Miles plays trumpet."

That is an excellent (if, strictly speaking, unattainable) life goal to have. Infinitely better than any of those answers you whipped up during a job interview after being asked where you see yourself in five years.

I'm quoting Los Altos jazz musician Marty Honda, who plays violin and bass, and is scheduled to host a "Community Jazz Jam" this Saturday evening at the Red Rock cafe in downtown Mountain View. I'm betting he sounds better in person than on my tinny headphones.

Happy New Year....Red

We at Red River Interiors absolutely love the color red.
Red speaks confidence, exuberance, energy... lots of fun!!
Red says take me seriously... t's flirty and of course bold!! It's all in how you use it and where.
So, this year don't be afraid to use it liberally... Energize your new year and paint it Red.


An entire red room? ...Walls and ceiling, try it. This foyer invites one to come in and stay.

image: HGTVDon't be shy about it... yes, red can top it off.
The Chinese have always known the power of red since ancient times. This wall speaks to me. Working here can only be a delight!!

image: HGTV
Who said you can't sleep in a red room?... Don't believe it. Any 13 year old girl could sleep here. Try it... She'll like it.... Red velvet pillows and all.

image: Red River Interiors
Image: Red River Interiors
How about just a pinch of red to punch up a classic black and white spa bath?

So start the year off with a splash! Plan to do so something in your house that you've wanted to do for a long time. De-clutter and organize.... Start with a guest room, foyer, or maybe a powder room. These are places where you can make a big impact and are safe spaces to experiment with. But, the bottom line is to start. Encourage yourself to create the life you want to live.

Email me if you need design inspiration... I'm loaded with lots of great ideas !! I'd love to share a few with you....... Be Blessed....Fay