Life & Lessons From 2012...

And so we come to the end of another year. We survived the apocalypse, applauded the Olympics, waved at the Queen on her Jubilee, smiled at the royal pregnancy, cried at the effects of Hurricane Sandy and mourned the Connecticut kiddies. We saw Obama re-elected, Jill Meagher die a terrible death, and Julia Gillard hold her own against some misogynist pollies. It was a year of heartbreak, happiness, more heartbreak, hope, a little more heartbreak and then, finally, a hallelujah that it was all over.  (Incidentally, have you seen 'The Voice' singing Hallelujah in tribute to the kiddies of the Connecticut shooting? It's beautiful. Link here: Hallelujah)

But 2012 was also a year of something else. It was, in a strange way, the year of kindness. Don't you think? Looking back, I think that's the only way we managed to survive 2012. Kindness. Lots and lots of it. Several months ago, checking out of the Gramercy Park Hotel in New York, one of the loveliest hotels in the world, I jokingly asked the concierge how they coped with the diva-esque VIPs? "Kindness," he said with a smile. "We win them over with kindness." I've never forgotten it. Next year, we'll be running our Garden Tours with the same aim. In fact, we've already started implemented it into our company philosophy. {Beautiful 'Looking for Love' Paris street photo by Irene Suchocki from Etsy.}

And now, as we look towards Christmas, and to 2013 beyond it, I'd like to encourage everyone to do one thing on the 25th. Be kind. Compassion. Courtesy. Consideration. Respect. Even humour. They all go a long way in life. Don't let others' negativity and criticism get you down. Keep your dignity. Keep your spirit. Keep your happiness about you. But most of all, be nice. It doesn't take much. Truly. A word. A gesture. A hug. A note. A hello. As Robert Alan once said: "The flower of kindness will grow. Maybe not now, but it will some day. And in kind that kindness will flow. For kindness grows in this way."

On this note, I'd like to thank you all for dropping by The Library this year. So many people have emailed to say hello, while others have been kind enough to comment, and all of your notes have lifted my spirits and kept my soul joyous this year. They've also kept The Library blog going through all the 2am nights. I very much hope that The Library has inspired and enlivened you all in return. 

I know I promised to post some 'insider' tips about Paris, plus details of our lovely new tour, but I hope you'll forgive me if I leave it for a fortnight. It will really need a special post on its own. And it will offer some holiday reading over the New Year!

In the meantime, I'd like to show you a peek at what's happening in 2013, as it's shaping up to be an exciting year. Hopefully, I'll also be able to hold my earlier promise of featuring more interviews and even more exciting interiors and gardens here on the little old Library. 

Until then, wishing you and your loved ones a very happy Christmas. And a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you. 

With love, from my family to yours. xx

Mock-up spreads for a beautiful new cookbook and memoir from The Landing Hotel and Restaurant in the Bahamas. The Library is very lucky to be involved with this project, which will be the first in a series of exciting new projects, and I look forward to showing you the evolution of this lovely, incredibly luscious book as it unfolds, page by page. Oh – and you'll love who's writing the forewords too! (Clue: An Officer And A Gentleman.)

More mock-up pages from The Landing's beautiful book. {Dummy spreads only}

Dummy spreads from another whimsical but lovely little book, How To Live A Beautiful Life: Following In The Footsteps of Chanel. 

I'm also going to show you this as it unfolds, so you can see how a book is produced, from conception through contents to photography, page design and production. 

" The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. "
Coco Chanel

Diana Vreeland, Pink, Birthdays & Other Joyous Things

I've just realised, with a quiet "oh my", that it's been a year since The Library blog began. Talk about blink-and-miss.

I know others are having much more significant birthdays and anniversaries right now (Miss Faux Fuchsia for one, who's speed-blogging to reach a 1000 posts on her blog's third birthday), and a first birthday does feel very un-milestone-ish. For this reason, I thought I'd do something a little different. Instead of celebrating The Library's birthday, I thought I'd celebrate other lovely things instead.

So here, in a kind of 'reverse toast', is an ode to the things The Library loves most – starting with the wonder of Pink Champagne Cake and Caviar Pie and finishing with the beauty of books. I'll go back  into my writing hole now. {Image above via Christian Dior Spring/Summer 2011. The Library loves a bit of Dior.}

PINK CHAMPAGNE CAKE

Nothing like a little cake to celebrate and whomever invented this needs to be hailed a goddess.

(Units: US | Metric)

Ingredients

18 1/4 ounces white cake mix (must be white to taste champagne)

1/2-3/4 cup pink or white champagne, chilled.

Frosting

1 cup butter, softened

4 cups powdered sugar

1/4 cup milk

1/4 cup champagne

1 tablespoon vanilla

5 -5 1/2 cups additional powdered sugar

Directions

Use a box of white cake mix and substitute champagne for all of the liquid called for in the cake mix. So if the box says 3/4 cup water replace with 3/4 cup champagne.  Tint with red food coloring until mixture becomes a soft pink, usually 3 drops is enough. Bake cake as instructed on box. For an elegant layer cake use two round cake pans.

To make the creamy champagne frosting, beat 1 cup softened butter for 30 seconds. Gradually add 4 cups powdered sugar. Beat in 1/4 cup milk, 1/4 cup champagne, and 1 TB vanilla. Beat in 5-5 1/2 more cups powdered sugar till you can spread it or is consistency you want. Add red coloring till pink color, again slowly add a drop at a time till color you want. Frost completely cooled cake.

Cake is fantastic when refrigerated all night (so the flavours can blend) and served the next day.

{Image via the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo, which makes the best Pink Champagne cakes on earth.}

DIANA VREELAND'S CAVIAR PIE

MS DV was more than a fashion guru. She was a bit of a Martha Stewart as well. Who knew? Only in DV's case, everything had a bit of a twist. Like this – Caviar Pie. Have you ever seen anything as delicious? (Pic is mine; using toasties instead.}

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups minced white onion, scallions or green onions

8 large hard-cooked eggs

1/4 cup mayonnaise

8 ounces cream cheese or Neufchatel cheese, softened

1 cup sour cream

8 ounces caviar*, 2 or more colors if desired

Directions

Spread the onion on paper toweling to drain. Mince the eggs and combine with mayonnaise; set aside. Beat the cream cheese and sour cream together; it should be very smooth.

Lightly coat a 9" round springform pan with butter or cooking spray. Spread the egg mixture evenly over the bottom and sprinkle the onions on top. Drop the cream cheese mixture by spoonfuls atop the onion layer and spread gently with the back of a spoon. (Wet the spoon, if necessary.) Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or overnight.

Before serving, gently spread the caviar over the cream cheese layer in a decorative design. Use waxed paper or even string to outline your design. Accentuate with chopped chives, scallions or parsley, if appropriate.

Note: It's best to use inexpensive caviar in this recipe, such as Salmon, Whitefish, or Lumpfish. Some less expensive caviars do contain artificial coloring, however rinse the caviar in a strainer and drain on paper toweling before arranging and this will fix the problem.

Serve with good Champagne!

NORMAN PARKINSON & VINTAGE PHOTOGRAPHY

I love this image of Norman Parkinson's from Vogue 1955. We have a copy of the photo (bought in London) framed in our spare room. Seems a long way from Instagram, doesn't it? Long live classic photography.

PARIS
Every time I think I've fallen for New York, I go to Paris and remember why it's still the most beautiful city in the world. {Source unknown: will try and find.}

COLOUR

Nothing lifts the spirit like colour. This new book, Colour, by Victoria Alexander charts the course of certain colours – including pink (named in the 17th century after a flower). It's beautifully photographed by Victoria, who should be applauded. A fabulous, fabulous read. (Murdoch Books)

HANDBAGS

Soft leather bags with lined insides, cute clutches, sweet straw numbers...(like this Kate Spade design, above). Nothing makes a woman feel 'put together' like a perfect handbag. Which is why we spend so much on them. I'm hoping someone comes up with a 'Swap' site eventually, so we can just pass em' round when we're finished.

INTERIOR DESIGN

I'm very fortunate to call the gorgeous Savannah designer Jane Coslick my friend. (She's running a tour of Tybee Island's famous homes in December too: see her website janecoslick.blogspot.com for details.) But really, all designers need to be applauded. It's not easy decorating a home so it looks stunning as well as comfortable. Such skill!  (janecoslick.com)

ROSES

Look at this. La Reine Victoria. Isn't it sublime? Bet it smells like Heaven, too. {Via BloomandBlossom}

TRAVEL

Essential for the soul. If you haven't gone anywhere amazing this year, make 2013 the year to do it. As Diana Vreeland (see below) once said: "A new dress doesn’t get you anywhere: it’s the life you’re living in that dress..." {Book via Assouline}

DIANA VREELAND (AGAIN)

DV is The Library's unofficial saint. I think she might even be fashion's unofficial saint?

The new film of the magnificent life of this extraordinary magazine editor and museum curator is being eagerly awaiting by DV followers everywhere. I think it's due out soon in the US but it's not out in Australia yet, so in the meantime, I'd like to post this DV treat. It was sent to me by the lovely Janie from the Bumble at Home blog (bumbleathome.blogspot.com). She, in turn, received it from one of her worldly and stylish friends. Thank goodness for her friends!

BLOGGING
Still one of the best sources of inspiration. I discovered Blair Eadie's beautiful, beautiful blog Atlantic-Pacific the other day. Her style is astonishing. So is her wardrobe budget. (atlantic-pacific.blogspot.com)

LOVELY PEOPLE
The Library loves manners, and people who are kind. Humour is also good, but nothing beats a heart of gold. (No pun intended for once.) Slim Paley (slimpaley.com) is one of the nicest bloggers in the social media world. And her eye for aesthetics is legendary. Thanks for the promotion of The Library on Twitter Slim! So humbled. Someone give this beautiful woman a book deal.

THE MITFORD SISTERS

Has there ever been a more interesting, more ambitious, more extraordinary set of sisters? 

I've been re-reading Nancy Mitford's books in preparation for a visit to Chatsworth next year. Tenuous link, I know, but Debo's next.

SHOES

Mille from The Laurel Hedge once recommended a superb site called Mandarina UK. Talk about shoe love. I've been an addict ever since. {www.mandarinashoes.co.uk}

PEONIES

If a flower can be ravishing, then surely peonies fit the description? 

The most beautiful peony garden I've ever seen was Bunny Williams' Litchfield Hills weekender, but apparently Weston's farm in Tasmania is pretty special too. If you're in Tassie, there's a tour this month on November 24. It's a once-a-year event, so very special. Email Karen Wagner on store@karenwagnergardendesign.com.au or phone the store 03 62341245) to book. 

THE QUEEN

So gorgeous. 

Nothing more needs to be said, really. The initials 'HM' pretty much sum this magnificent woman up.

VINTAGE YSL

Yves, we miss you.

DIOR

Another Parisian legend. Do you know, I think Dior's recent collections these past few years might have been better than Chanel's?

MORE DIOR

VINTAGE BOOKS 

I bought this for a pound in London last week. Let's hope Amazon doesn't kill all the wonderful secondhand bookstores of the world.

AND THREE MORE...

Blair Eadie again. Just because she's so inspirational with her colours and clothes.

Best wishes to everyone. I hope you all have a lovely week.

Photographing Interiors and Architecture

Let me tell you a funny story about being an architecture photographer.

Two years ago, I had to fly to an island in North America to shoot two beach houses for a book. One of these beach houses was owned by a famous couple. For privacy reasons, let's just call them The Famous Couple. Having already been on the road for two weeks, I was longing for more exercise than just running between airport terminals. So I hired a little old bike, tucked my camera and lenses in the little wicker basket, and set off to shoot the Famous Couple's house. When I arrived (I refrained from ringing the dinky little bell, as that really wouldn't have been professional), the duo greeted me in a state of shock.
"Where's your people?" they said, searching the driveway behind me. "I'm sorry," I said, perplexed. "Your people?" they repeated.
Now for a brief moment there, I have to confess that I wondered if I had fallen into some strange American movie, and they either thought I was an alien, or Martha Stewart dressed as an Australian. But Martha wouldn't have ridden a bike for five miles. She would have demanded her assistant do it, and then hopped on at the end for effect.

It was then they explained that they expected me to drive up in a truck, with 10 assistants, 2 stylists, and a handful of other people to help shift furniture. They explained that past photo shoots had involved up to a dozen people and one or two trucks full of new furniture. These "people" would shift the Famous Couple's furniture out of their beach house and bring in the preferred furniture, styling it up with assorted art work and antique pieces that had nothing whatsoever to do with the Famous Couple. Often the shoots took two days. At the end of it all, the "people" would get back in their trucks and drive back to New York. The photographer would file his extravagant expenses form with the editor, the editor would justify the $50,000 shoot with her publisher by saying it was a "significant interior", and the Famous Couple left behind would try to put their furniture, and their lives, back together.

And you lovely readers wonder why shelter magazines are going out of business???!!

Now people. We need to have a little chat. This is not the way to do things. If you want to be a good architecture or design photographer, you need to learn how to do things with a team of one.

This is how I work.

1. Always be courteous. Thank the owners/interviewees for their time, and for graciously allowing you into their home. Tell them their home looks beautiful. If they're difficult, be pleasant. You're only there for a few hours. You don't have to marry them.

2. Prepare a shot list. A shot list is a list of ideas or possible angles/scenes to help you when you're on location. Most photographers (or their assistants) will prepare one. I'll often do a collage of images and ideas and keep it in my files or scan it into my laptop. So, for example, if you're shooting a colonial-style house, look up colonial-style images on the Internet to find inspiring ideas. What says "colonial"? Verandahs, grand staircases, wicker chairs, mahogany furniture, four-poster beds, gracious spaces... What says "New York apartment"? Views of Gotham City-esque architecture from the windows. Bird's eye views down onto yellow taxis. Street signs. Street scenes. Delis. Someone sitting on the front doorstep with their big hairy dog. You may not use the shot list, but I can't tell you the number of times I've relied on these for inspiration. When you get to a location, you don't have time to think, let alone conceive ideas.

3. Ask the owners to email you a floorplan if they have one, and if you really want to be prepared, find out where the light falls from morning to twilight. Study a Google map if you have to in order to see where the light will be over the house at various times of the day. (Don't forget the Northern and Southern Hemispheres differ: I've been caught out forgetting the north-south difference several times.)

4. Consider shooting generic shots as well as the required hero and filler images. For example, if you're shooting a colonial-style place, shoot palm trees, Adirondecks chairs on the sand, yachts, piers, etc, to flesh out the spread. These generic images will "place" the house within its environment, and add a lovely narrative to the story.

5. Capture the owner's personality. If they have lots of unusual collections, shoot them. If they love books, shoot those. If they have groupings of odd objects, shoot those too. Show their shoes in the hall; their artwork; their dressing tables; their hall tables; their work desks. These will all reveal more than a dull shot of an old sofa.

6. Learn to use natural light. It really is the best.


7. If you're shooting several homes in one neighbourhood/city/country do them all at once. Corral the owners into one set week. Keep to a schedule: a morning at one place; an afternoon at another. This will also make you work efficiently. Don't worry about the light and whether it will be right when you're there. You will find something to shoot. Remember: the best photos are the unexpected ones.


8. Download all your images to your laptop at the end of the day and then back up. TWICE. (I take two small portable hard drives. Other photographers use online image libraries to file their work.)

9. Don't listen to rules. Some garden photographers believe you should only shoot gardens in the hour before sunrise and the hour after sunset. Pffff! Many flowers look beautiful in full sunlight. Moody gardens look gorgeous in mist. Cottage gardens look glorious in late-afternoon light. Shoot with your heart, not your Photographic Guide.

10. Find ways of shooting scenes in a different way. If you're shooting a house with unusual lines or in an unusual setting, shoot up to capture those lines. If you're shooting a house with lots of colour, take lots and lots of photos of the colours to create a dazzling spread.

11. Try to work out what the main colour palette of the house is and shoot around that. It will make your images more cohesive.

12. Ask the owners what THEY think their best angles are. (Their interior / exterior angles, not their own poses.) They'll love being involved. And they'll often recommend shots you may not have thought of. It won't make you look foolish. I normally say "If there are any shots or angles that you particularly love, let me know, won't you? You know your home better than anyone, after all".

Lastly, learn to work really fast! Really, really fast. None of this two-day-amble-with-two-thousand-assistants stuff. I've had days that have gone like this:

6AM Pick up hire car from Boston and drive to Maine.
9AM Shoot house in Maine.
11AM: Shoot another house in Maine.
NOON: Drive back to Boston and drop hire car off. Fly to Washington DC. Change planes for Richmond Virginia. Change planes one last time for Savannah Georgia. Arrive at midnight after passing through eight states in one day.
NEXT DAY: Get up at 5AM to start shooting all over again.

Boy, did I wish I had an assistant or three on these days!

{Images from my Coast: Lifestyle Architecture and Design in Black and White books – featuring Islamorada, Nantucket, Harbour Island and Tybee Island.}