Masquerade

The bright young thing mentality: the penchant for fantasy and masquerade had become an expression of the disregard they felt for the immediate past or the immediate future. They lived -or tried to live - outside their time. Philip Hoare, Serious Pleasures, the life of stephen tennant

New Years Eve is the perfect time for fantasy. What do you want your life to be this coming year? Or fantasy could be as simple as dressing up in costume for the evening: full of high hopes for the future and escaping the past year.

Fantasy is not dead, it survives.

Whatever form your fantasies take or whatever you may wear, I hope you have great New Years celebrations!

Recovering

I hope everyone is recovering nicely from their holiday activities: Have a regal weekend!
photo by David Seidner

Clayton House

One of my favorite places since childhood is Clayton House in the East End of Pittsburgh, the home of the Frick family which now operates as a house museum. The estate houses a great art gallery and concert hall (free to the public), the house of course which is a wonderful example of wealthy victorian home life, an antique car & carriage collection in a newly remodeled building (which is really magnificent!), a great cafe, green house, and a great giftshop located in the former children's playhouse (in the bowling alley portion!). Seriously...the children's playhouse is a 1500 sf HOUSE. Don't you love the purple roof?! The style is referred to as victorian chateauesque -you can see why!

The stair landing's stained glass copper clad bay window seen here over the porte cochere.

Helen Clay Frick died here in 1984 (moving 'home' from NYC to spend her last years) and left it to be refurbished as it was during her childhood. It's really a worthwhile place to visit! Each season it is redecorated with different family objects, my favorite are summer (awau with the heavy carpets and linen slipcovers for everything! and Christmas of course). I think I've toured the property well over 20 times over the past 15 years! One of the entry gates is seen above, the estate is located across from one of the largest parks in Pittsburgh - Frick Park. Below is the caretakers cottage on the property which I've always just LOVED.

If you ever find yourself in Pittsburgh, visit Clayton House!

Dior, 1948

What was Christian Dior up to in 1948? Well, for one thing -he was designing 'Abandon' for autumn & winter . Why don't clothes or houses have names anymore? I think a name can add so much! You wouldn't have a pet or child without one obviously! This dress of silk and cotton was noted for its plunging neckline. Supposedly, for more modest women, you could adjust the silk to cover up more......I'm not buying that. Still -it's a beautiful dress! Below is a more modern version of the dress -recognize it?

Pics courtesy of the Met