Classically trained folk

Been enjoying listening to the modern folk music of Boise musician Audra Connolly, who's set to perform this Saturday night at Red Rock Coffee in Mountain View. Especially in her song "Blue Eyes," Connolly has the sort of cool intelligence in her voice that I used to hear in Margo Timmins of the Cowboy Junkies, or Tracey Thorn of Everything But the Girl. Takes me back to the music of my college days.

Connolly is classically trained, with a degree in piano performance from Boise State, and you can hear that knowledge in her music's deft complexity. "Dear Friend" is lyrical and layered, while the melody of "Love Conditional" twists and climbs up and down like a honeysuckle vine.

It's the kind of music that calls for repeated listening to hear something new -- like the bassoon and marimba she's woven through her first album.

Pictured: Audra Connolly in a photo from her MySpace page, http://www.myspace.com/audraconnollysongs.

DwellStudio

Robert Allen and DwellStudio have partnered to create luxurious printed and woven residential fabrics with a bold and innovative color palette. This collaboration brings a distinctive modern aesthetic and  an update to classic graphic designs.  Although highly contemporary I wouldn't hesitate to use them to add punch to a traditional setting also.  These fabrics are wonderful...they feel good to the touch and are natural fibers.... Try them in your next design project.

Gate-Apron 

Gate/Citrine from Robert Allen - Cotton/Linen blend  Retail $65.00/yd

Sale $39.99/yd

Gate/Jade from Robert Allen

Charcoal

Try mixing the graphic and vintage prints. You can find the bedding at DwellStudio and the fabrics from Robert Allen.  All of these fabrics are natural fibers of linen/cotton blend or 100% cotton.... See a fabric you like... let us know by email. We sell fabric and discount all fabrics.  



Vintage Blossom/Dove by Robert Allen - 100% Cotton -  Retail $44/yd

Sale $29.99/yd

Vintage Blossom/Citrine by Robert Allen

Boteh/Camel by Robert Allen - 100% Cotton - Retail $44/yd

Sale $29.99/yd

Boteh/Jade by Robert Allen

But will she shave her head?

Los Altos actor and TheatreWorks regular Molly Bell has quite the cast of characters on her resume: the girl who romanced "Bat Boy," a Victorian-era teacher and the young speller Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre, to name just a few. But, really, what can top portraying Britney Spears?

Bell is playing the Southern-fried pop tart one more time, when she and collaborator Daya Curley bring the musical they wrote back to the Bay Area. "Becoming Britney" had its world premiere in 2008 at the New York Fringe Festival, where Bell won an award for outstanding acting. Now the show is hitting the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, with performances from Oct. 28 through Nov. 14.

A highlight of the PG-13 show, according to the New York Post, is "when Britney, amusingly played by Bell, warbles with husband K-Fed (Keith Pinto) like a trailer-trash Nelson Eddy and Jeanette McDonald." Tasty.

Curley, also a longtime local performer (and, full disclosure, one of the finest comic actors I've ever shared a stage with), directs. Choreography is by Mandy Bell and Lisa Navarro.

Overall, Curley and Bell have this to say about their theatrical creation: "We have something sarcastic and inappropriate to share ... and we don't see why we shouldn't make our annoying, harping, sophomoric voices heard."

Pictured: Molly Bell and Daya Curley pretending to work, in a shot from their "Britney" website, becomingbritney.com.

Trending Red

As most of you know I absolutely love red. It's vibrant, exciting, warm... a show stopper when applied with restraint.  What I appreciate most about this room is the red sofa doesn't overwhelm the space.  It makes a statement that adds to the sophistication of this room. The lighting and tonality also set the mood. They add elegance.  I imagine myself draped across the sofa... It's inviting, pulls one in... and isn't that what you want to feel in any hotel suite?

Conservatories

K nown throughout the world for their illustrious gardens, the English developed the recognizable style of their famous glasshouse during the latter part of the nineteenth century. But, the greenhouse of yesterday has evolved into the conservatory of today.

Thinking about adding a unique space to your home? You can... with minimal construction cost. Why not add a conservatory? They're not just for horticulture any more. They add architectural  elements to an otherwise unimpressive structure. If you're handy try a DIY kit. There are many styles and uses for conservatories just as there are for any room. Conservatories bring in the light. They function as an outdoor room in most cases except the outdoor elements are eliminated. They can also function for a pool covering. Which ever style you choose... I always say... make it fun and make it your own.

Contemporary conservatory

A more traditional style and function

Have a conservatory in the city... add one to a townhouse

The pool pavilion is a great way to extend the pool's use during the winter.

Conservatories with low pitched roofs and a more substantial looking structure, originated as buildings where orange trees were grown.

Conservatories are as much an architectural statement about the importance of design.

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1.03.01

Thou beslubbering miscreant!

Well, if this isn't the most miserable "Lost" poster I've ever seen. Steal my pet turtle, abscond with my dropped jade earring, but for heaven's sake, don't take my Shakespeare.

This sad sign is posted on Birch Street near California Avenue in Palo Alto. I feel for the guy who lost the print. I'd be unhappy enough to write in capital letters, too.

In his honor, I have been enjoying tooling around on various "Shakespeare Insults" sites. Fie upon the thief, who is clearly also a lumpish, milk-livered, beetle-headed measle.

(By the way, in case you can't make out the words in the photo, they read: "Reward for return, no questions asked, sentimental value. Call Nick: 650-814-2104.)

Photo by Rebecca Wallace

Oval Office Makeover

Like many things in the Washington, DC design scene the makeover of the Oval Office doesn't call attention to itself.  It's definitely substance over style. I'm not surprised. This make over recognizes the economic times we're in. It also shows it's cerebral side. I think this room is highly personal for the president. He spends lots of time here... It needs to have a calming effect. Color is tonal.  Furniture and accessories are well chosen... they have significance to the president. I especially like the reupholstered brown leather chairs and the soft texture of the twin sofas. Absolutely love the contemporary coffee table. This Oval Office feels more comfortable and casual than previous but it's also thoughtful and serious. I hope it meets all the needs of the president.

After

Before

 

A note about email notifications

Dear loyal readers who get email notifications whenever I blog: You haven't been getting those emails for a while. (Did you notice, Mom?) Apparently, when I had to move Ad Libs to a different URL, that knocked out the whole notification thing.

Please, if you would be so kind, sign up again by typing in your email address in the right-hand column. Then the notification festivities shall re-commence.

And many thanks for reading, and for getting in touch and commenting. It's wonderful to hear from all of you.