The Daily Love

My  month of Romance has come to an end. I hope it was passionate, inspiring, and that you learned some new information.

Rare Ron Rezek Pink and Black Sconces

A brilliant use of both shapes and color, this pair of Ron Rezek Pink and Black Sconces bring contemporary style with a warm shade of color.

Music: Childhood Dreams

Another one of my top five favorite Romance songs. This one might actually be appropriate for your first dance at a wedding, which is a switch from most of the previous "love songs" I have featured.

Art: Jeff Depner

Another stunning look at this months favorite color, pink, used in art.

Pink Inside: The Beverly Hills Hotel

Not just Pink Inside, but Pink Outside too! The Beverly Hills Hotel is a "Pink Icon", incorporating a sandy shade of pink with a shade of green one might say resembles a grassy polo field.

The Beverly Hills Hotel, originally known as The Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows, was designed by Pasadena Architect Elmer Grey in the Mediteranean Revival style and built in 1912. It was actually built before the city of Beverly Hills even existed. It wasn't until 1914 that the area attracted enough residents to incorporate it as a city. Can you imagine this area of Los Angeles with available space?

Pink 1950's Wilmot Castle Autoclave Sterilizer

I just read the spread in Harper's Bazaar on Jeremiah Brent and Nate Berkus' Hollywood home. Two things stood out the most to me. One, that Brent cried upon walking in for the first time during house hunting (talk about loving a house). And two, the existing vintage pistachio green oven and stove in the kitchen that the couple chose to keep in tact.

Pink Inside: Kelly Wearstler

Like a majority of Designers, I am a big fan of Kelly Wearstler. I love the way fashion pulses through everything she touches, and she is also a Fashion Designer as well.

Here is some background information on Kelly Wearstler taken from her website (for those of you who have been living under a rock):

Music: Undisclosed Desires

Matthew Bellamy of Muse wrote "Undisclosed Desires" for their fifth studio album, The Resistance. He describes it as "quite a personal song about me and my girlfriend".

Indeed I would describe the lyric content of "Undisclosed Desires" as pretty raw and almost devouring in it's intensity. Think Nine Inch Nails' "Closer" but romantic.

Music: Baby I Love U!

My favorite Jennifer Lopez album of her career, This is me...Then. And another one of my favorite songs celebrating Romance, "Baby I Love U!".

This is me...Then was suggested as a title by then fiance Ben Affleck (remember Bennifer? Remember that engagement ring?!) and Lopez thought it perfect. It captured the very essence of what she wanted the album to represent which was a window into who she was at the time. And who she was was a girl head over heels.

Pink Inside: Kelly Hoppen

Color is not a common element for the interiors of Kelly Hoppen. This surprising use of pink in this villa-esque private residence is heaven in the form of furniture.

Hoppen is known for an "ever-evolving style" which is "underpinned by a subtly coordinated fusion of East meets West; clean lines and neutral tones, blended with charming warmth and sumptuous opulence", according to her website.

Film: Broken Embraces

A Romantic Thriller? Who knew the two could exist together? It's the perfect description for Broken Embraces and just another gift through film from Pedro Almodovar.

Van Der Meeren Cabinet

I came across this amazing wardrobe on 1st Dibs! What a welcome addition to all things pink this month.

Music: Black & Gold

It only seems fitting after seeing India Mahdavi's bedroom vision of pink, black, and gold that I share some more "Black & Gold". This time from Mr. Sam Sparro.

Pink Inside: India Mahdavi

This bedroom drives me nuts!! I have been obsessed with this wall treatment by India Mahdavi for quite some time. Pink, Black, Red, Gold and amazing.

Sadly, this is not an actual bedroom. India Mahdavi created this room for the AD Interieurs 2011 exhibition at Artcurial in Paris. But why hasn't this trend translated into actual interiors? Or maybe I should be one of the first.

Love Lives: Marcus + Luke

Photo from Hairless Wookie

Meet Marcus and Luke. I don't know anything about them, besides that Marcus in an owner and creative director for Gypsy Junkies and Luke is a photographer from Australia. They seem to be setting the world on fire with their romance via Instagram, which is how I have come to find out about them.

I'm not sure the story here. Were they friends who became lovers? Were they dating before Luke spent part of the summer in Los Angeles with Marcus? Will Luke move to Los Angeles to be with his man? All I know is that they are in love.

Music: Cherish The Day

I mean...could I do a month of features on Romance and not mention Sade? Here's a fun fact: Sade actually refers to the entire band, named after lead singer Sade Adu. Depending on who you talk to Sade is pronounced a variety of ways but my research says the correct pronunciation is "shah-DAY". No matter how you say it, you'll hear "Love".

Your Needs Met by David LaChapelle

One of my favorite artists is David LaChapelle and I wanted to share this image from his 1985 series, "Your Needs Met". It is an alternative image of Cupid in celebration of my Romance theme.

LaChapelle is not just an artist though. He is a photographer, film director, and music video director who has worked with numerous celebrities and directed videos for Britney Spears ("Everytime) and Gwen Stefani ("Rich Girl") to name a few.

Music: I Still Believe

While we are on the subject of Marilyn Monroe, a look at a song covered by an artist who not only greatly admires Monroe but also chose to channel the iconic actress for her music video for "I Still Believe".

Mariah Carey was actually a backup singer on the original version of "I Still Believe" for Brenda K. Starr in 1988. Later, in 1998 Carey chose to cover the song for her album #1's as a tribute to Starr who had helped jumpstart her career. It was the third single from the album.

Film: Love, Marilyn

A week ago I had the pleasure of catching up with some DVR and was blown away by the HBO documentary Love, Marilyn.

Paros Spikes Wallet

I am obsessed with this wallet! What a perfect addition to my celebration of Romance and all things Pink for July.

Pink Inside: Barbie Suite at the Palms

Barbie's Dream House...in Las Vegas! Jonathan Adler brings every girls fantasy to life at the Palms Casino Resort with this over-the-top bachelorette suite.

Addler has creatively furnished this pink suite with corseted, lace-up chairs, hot pink poodles, reflective wallpaper, and a sunburst mirror made from 65 Barbie Dolls.

Framed Pink Marabou & Tortoise Shell Fan

While we're in an old school vibe with Etta James, here's a fantastic Romantic piece that would be a sexy addition to your boudoir.

Music: Trust In Me

Etta James was not the first artist to sing "Trust In Me". It actually dates back to 1937, but she sure made it her own in 1961.
 
James is regarded as having bridged the gap between rhythm and blues and rock and roll with a musical style that spanned a variety of genres including blues, rock and roll, and gospel. A musical style that earned her six Grammy Awards and seventeen Blues Music Awards. She has been covered by artists like Christina Aguilera and the Night Owls, and more recently sampled by EDM's Avicii.

Art: Arlene Love

Cupid has got some serious explaining to do. Actually, this isn't the handy work of Cupid. But when the artist is Arlene Love it's easy to interpret it as a sort of "Cupid's Miss". Isn't all art open for interpretation?

Music: All I Need

One of my favorite love songs from one of my favorite Christina Aguilera albums. Bionic is the sixth studio album from Aguilera which was released in 2010 and promised to be "short, sweet, and completely different".

Art: Duane Michals

The Most Beautiful Part of a Man's Body
I think it must there, where the torso sits
on and into the hips,
Those twin delineating curves,
Feminine in grace, girdling the trunk,
Guiding the eyes downwards
to their intersection,
The point of pleasure.

One of my all time favorite works of photography, "The Most Beautiful Part of a Man's Body" by Duane Michals.

Film: W.E.

W.E. tells the story of two fragile but determined women seperated by more than six decades. The film is one part biographical and one part fiction.

Wallis Simpson (played by Andrea Riseborough) was an American divorcee who found herself falling in love for King Edward VII. The feeling was mutual as David (King Edward VII, played by James D'Arcy) gave up the thrones of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the Commonwealth to be with her. In present day, Wally Winthrop (Abbie Cornish) struggles with a failing marriage while consumed with this true story of what she percieves to be the ultimate love story during the Sotheby's auction of their estate.

The Love Language of Flowers

You've probably never considered the language of flowers until you've had to send roses to someone special. The color you choose to deliver can lead to plenty of analysis and speculation. But, it's not just roses that symbolize love.

Pink Inside: Angie Hranowksy

A Suite fit for sweets. This pink infused Romantic bedroom is by Angie Hranowsky.

Here is some background information on Hranowsky taken from her website:

Music: You're My Sunday

Forget the Real Housewives of whatever city, Jessica Simpson is my favorite housewive to have ever appeared on television. Though the infamous Newlyweds didn't live happily ever after, everything happens for a reason in life. And if it hadn't had happened the way it did we might not have ever been given this song!

Education: Pablo Neruda

My favorite poet, Pablo Neruda.

The poetry of Pablo Neruda passionately describe everything from common objects like dishes and chairs, to emotions like solidarity and love. He led an extremely vocal life, not only with poetry beginning his career as a teenager, but as a diplomat and politician for his native country of Chile.

Cartier Love Bracelet

Nothing says love like jewelry, right? The "Love Bracelet" was designed in 1969 by Aldo Cipullo for Société Cartier, the French jeweler more commonly known as just Cartier.

The design was intentionally fashioned after medieval chastity belts featuring screws all the way around the solid gold bracelet. But it's not just aesthetic. They are actually screws and the bracelet comes with it's own screwdriver. Where as most bangles slip on over the wrist, you need the screwdriver to unlock the bracelet so that you can slide it over your hand.

Music: The One

Okay, if I were able to narrow down my favorite love songs to a "Top 5" this one would be near the top. There are a few different versions of Kylie Minogue's "The One" floating around in the music world but the one you are about to hear is my favorite.

Art: Romero Britto

Celebrating Romance, another look at the color pink creatively used in art by Romero Britto.

Britto is a Brazilian-American Neo-Pop artist, painter, serigrapher, and sculptor. He combines elements of cubism, pop art, and graffiti painting to create beautiful and interesting pieces of work. He has worked commerically with brands like Absolut Vodka, Movado, Disney, BMW, and the United Nations.

Luis Barragan

Are you kidding me with this image? Not even looking at this incredible water feature I am in awe at the amazing shades of pink used in this contemporary structure. I was happily surprised to find out this is a continous theme for architect, Luis Barragan.

Pillow Love

What better place to express your love for love than in your own home? Maybe you're in love, maybe you hope to be in love. Either way, these pillows are sure to romance up your space.

Interior Design has the power to change your entire mood about where you live. Perhaps you don't need much to be happy, but even just the colors you use can impact the way you feel about coming home at night.

Music: Wicked Game

Since we just learned about the mischevious ways of Cupid let's explore a different kind of love song. One that "drips with a sorrowfully conflicted tone about unrequited love".

Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game" was released in 1989 but didn't become a hit until 1990 when it was featured in the film Wild at Heart. It was the first commerical hit for Isaak reaching No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1991.

Education: Cupid

So, who is this Cupid? And what's up with his aim?

Depending on your beliefs Cupid is in fact not an actual person. Well, even if you do believe in Cupid he isn't an actual person. He is the god of desire, erotic love, attraction and affection in classical mythology.

Art: Chris Bracey

A neon kind of love. The kind that glows in the dark and attracts like a motel sign to a weary traveler. A perfect description for the amazing art by Chris Bracey.

Featured at one of my favorite gallery's in Los Angeles, Guy Hepner, here is some biographical information on Bracey from Hepner's website.

Film: The Way We Were

One of my favorite movies (ever) is The Way We Were. A true to life story of the ups and downs of Romance and an exploration on how to love another person without compromising your values.

Released in 1973 and directed by Sydney Pollack, The Way We Were is the story of Katie Morosky (Barbara Streisand) and Hubbell Gardiner (Robert Redford) who initally meet at college in the 1930s. Their differences are immense. To quote Sex and the City, the world is made up of the "Simple Girls" and the "K-K-Katie's". Katie is a political rebel and extremely vocal activist. While Hubbell is a carefree "Wasp" with no real political stance.

Have a Pink Seat

To celebrate our month long theme of Romance I've been shopping all things pink. Well...not just for Romance but I've also been working on a revamp of my Master Bedroom playing off a main color scheme of grey and pink. So I've got my eye out for pink furnishings and home accents.

Music: Love Will Never Do (Without You)

I have 38 songs on my iPod that start with "Love", 46 if you include variations such as "Lovefool" or "Lovesick". The task of choosing some of my favorite love songs to feature on my blog for this month of Romance wasn't easy. At first I thought I'd narrow it down to my Top 5 but that seemed almost impossible! So, let's try for Top 10 (in no particular order) and let's start now with Ms. Janet (if you're nasty!).

Pink Inside: Miles Redd

Starting off our look at Interior Design using the color Pink (ofen associated with Romance) we have a romantic space indeed by Miles Redd.

Here is some background on Redd taken from his website: