Red White & Blue for your Holiday Weekend

The Arkansan Anglophile wishes everyone a most lovely holiday weekend!  Here's a little red, white and blue design inspiration.  Enjoy!

Designing Women: The Arkansas Connection

Whilst running a few errands in downtown Little Rock this afternoon, I decided to jump out of the car and snap a few photos.  Most of you probably recognize this as Sugarbaker's Interior Design and the residence of Julia Sugarbaker from the hit TV show "Designing Women."  What you may not know is that this iconic edifice is not in Atlanta as portrayed in the show that ran from 1986 until 1993.  This Second Empire home with Italianate influences is actually located in the Quapaw Quarter Historic District of Little Rock, Arkansas.  Built in 1881, the Villa Marre was the home of a successful Italian-American immigrant.

The other grand southern home featured on the show was the the residence of Suzanne Sugarbaker, Julia's younger sister.  This is another Little Rock landmark just a few blocks from the Villa Marre.  It's the Arkansas Governor's Mansion.  While we were imagining Suzanne living in this gorgeous home with her pig Noel and her maid Consuela, a soon to be international power couple were in actually in residence. 

During the years the show was on the air, this was the real life home of future President Bill Clinton and future Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

So how did "Designing Women" get this Arkansas connection.  The producer of the show was Arkansas native Harry Thomason.  The show was written by his wife, Linda Bloodworth-Thomason. 

RIP Dixie Carter

Hello Design Inspiration!

Sometimes design inspiration can come from the most unlikely of places.  Probably the last place I would think to look is British tabloid HELLO!  Furthermore, a tabloid cover article about footballer Wayne Rooney and his wife Coleen seems even more unlikely.  But the throw pillows (cushions in anglo-speak) featured prominently on a recent cover had me coveting a pair.  One immediately dashed online to acquire a length of wide red grosgrain trim.  A few metres of white cotton fabric and the sewing machine and I was in business.

Based on the flag of England, I am loving these cushions for a casual summer look.  The English flag prominently features the red St George's Cross.  It looks brilliant with my red and blue design theme currently reigning throughout my quarters.  They look great paired with the blue Ralph Lauren organic cotton cushion covers I already had on the daybed.  My new favorite spot for reading whilst I have a cup of tea!

The Summer Smoking Room

I was so excited when I found this old architectural rendering on wikipedia!  The Summer Smoking Room at Cardiff Castle sits atop the clock tower.  It's reached by a narrow, steep and winding stone staircase.  It was another room of the castle typically off the public tour that I had the wonderful opportunity to experience.  As I wind down this series on Cardiff Castle, I thought it would be fun to compare this rendering to a few modern day photos.  Enjoy!

It's always exciting to see a well executed architectural rendering become a built reality.  I hope you've enjoyed this little tour of Cardiff Castle.  Thanks for following!

Figural Fantasies

One must wonder if architect William Burges' affinity for smoking opium had any effect on his design work.  Throughout the halls of Cardiff Castle are some rather elaborate figures - some quite odd, if not frightening.  The beast pictured above is poking his head out above a doorway.  Was this an attempt to ward off unwanted guests after the Lord slipped into bed?

For some reason these little guys remind me of my grandmother's ceramic nativity set that came out every Christmas when I was a child.

This fireplace is rather lively, wouldn't you say!

And I'm certain you've never seen an arch springing from a fish swimming out from a wall mural!

Children of the sea...

The most intriguing room in the castle is the summer smoking room atop the clock tower.  The occupants were smoking the aforementioned mood enhancer.  These column capitals must have been quite the sight in that enhanced state...

I hope you've enjoyed this look at some of the more interesting parts of Cardiff Castle.  So what do you think?  Were opiates involved in the design process?  I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Looking Up At Cardiff Castle

The English architect William Burges was the visionary responsible for the Gothic Revival creation commissioned by Lord Bute.  Some of the most spectacular executions are the ceilings throughout the castle.  The gilded example above is absolutely breathtaking.  I was lucky enough to view this magnificent space which is typically off the public tour!  I can't begin to imagine the value of the real gold that was used to decorate this room.

Another highly detailed example...

Rich colors and detailed decorative painting throughout...

If you get the opportunity to visit Cardiff Castle, you'll spend a great deal of time whilst you're there looking up.  I'll be back soon with more lovely images!

A Welsh Jewel: Cardiff Castle

Mae'n ddrwg gen i!  One has taken quite the break from blogging.  After a 3 month holiday, I will attempt to post more often.  Thanks go to my new colleague (with the lovely double-barrel Anglo surname) for urging me to post regularly.  I thought this would be a good opportunity to share some photos from my trip to Cardiff last year.  Although my stay was quite brief, I had a great time among the Welsh.  Set in the middle of this lively city is Cardiff Castle. (Castell Caerdydd in Welsh)  Spanning two millennia of development from Roman times to a fantastical building programme in the 19th century, the castle is not to be missed when in Cardiff.  Luckily, an online mate works at the castle and gave me an amazing behind the scenes tour!  Pictured above is the clock tower exhibiting some amazing (and bit over the top) heraldry and figures.

The Gothic fantasy castle most recognized today was built by the Bute family during the Victorian era.  The Third Marquess of Bute, a coal exporter, was reportedly the richest man in the world in the 1860s.

 

The ancient keep overlooks the much younger castle and offers splendid views across the city centre.

Fans of the television series Torchwood may recognise this view.  A nighttime scene with Capt. Jack Harkness (played by the dashing Scot-American John Barrowman) was filmed at the top of the keep.

I've so many brilliant photos of this place I've decided to divide this blog post into a series.  So watch in the coming days for more fascinating images from Cardiff Castle!

Da boch chi.