Splendid Typography

Sometimes I drive by Splendid Cleaners just to look at the signage. 

Splendid Cleaners, 1226 S. Cochran Avenue (@ San Vicente), Los Angeles, CA 90019.

Belgian Forecast

Hunter Fischer Design guru Mike forwarded these examples of Belgian interiors. He says, “Belgian design, which is a bit of the latter ’70s earth movement with a brilliant and gorgeously elegant twist, is gaining popularity right now.”

He suggests that this aesthetic may have emerged from Belgium’s polarized class structure — with an extremely poor class, a small middle class, and a “super wealthy” class. In addition, the trend may also stem from a desire for illumination, especially during the months when natural light is precious. “Light is often brought into the home through surfaces painted crisp white: chairs, armoires, and tables...”

Contrasting textures also help to define this style, juxtaposing natural woods with velvet, rough-hewn concrete with crystal-clad fixtures... The Belgian aesthetic is also distinguished by quiet tones — blue and putty, punctuated with small punches of orange or burgundy.

Despite the strength of the ’70s influence, he believes that current economic conditions will prompt designers to explore other decades, too. “While I love the new look out of Belgium, I think we may jump over the ’80s and return to the hyper-eclecticism of the early ’90s far sooner than expected... with a bad economy, there is no time like the present for bringing back such 90s cues as mixing eras, stacking suitcases to use as night tables, and making home a safe haven from the brutalities of the outside world.”

While we applaud the return of the eclectic aesthetic, here’s hoping we’ll be safe from other ’90s brutalities, including the “Rachel” haircut, Brenda Walsh-style chunky heels and MC Hammer pants. 

Happy 50th Birthday, Barbie!

You’re never to old to have a Barbie cake. My sister and my niece Stephanie made this one for my last birthday. Barbie will be celebrating her 50th birthday on Monday with a makeover, a new wardrobe, and a happy chic, full-scale Malibu Beach house decorated by Jonathan Adler. 

My cake had no candles because they would have set Barbie’s hair on fire. I absolutely loved my cake (thanks, Sis! thanks, Steph!), but after hearing what Barbie is getting for her special day, maybe that wouldn’t have been so bad.

Angels and Insects

Magazines and newspapers may be dying on a daily basis, but publishing has never been easy. Success can turn to failure, and sometimes the beautiful are doomed. 

Case in point: Flair Magazine, published by Fleur Cowles from 1950 to 1951. This innovative design, decor and fashion magazine lasted just twelve issues because production costs far outweighed the cover price. Yet nearly 60 years later, its peephole covers and experimental layouts continue to inspire. 

The 1953 Flair Annual is a hard-bound compilation of some of the magazines’s best stories. Shown above: Salvador Dali’s Mimicry In Nature. It’s a surreal juxtaposition of art and biology. Die cuts illustrate the interaction of bird, butterfly and human with the natural world.

Now for a truly horrifying segue — if you want to interact with more than 30 species of butterflies and moths, The Natural History Museum’s Pavilion of Wings continues through September 31.

Flirting with Disaster

I’ve seen the apocalypse and it happens three blocks from where I live, in the 1988 low-budget, devastation drama, Miracle Mile.

Here’s a quick plot reminder: Musician Anthony Edwards meets waitress Mare Winningham at Johnnie’s, at Fairfax and Wilshire.

(Or is it Kevin Bacon and Ally Sheedy?)

Mare agrees to go out with Anthony after she gets off work.

He’s late. She’s gone. A pay phone rings.

Anthony answers it and learns that Los Angeles will soon be destroyed by a nuclear missile attack. He finds Mare. They run pell-mell up and down Wilshire trying to escape. They find hope in a helicopter, but it plummets into the La Brea Tar Pits as the city explodes into flames.

Some say the movie’s message is to enjoy the moment. It could also serve as a reminder to revisit the dinosaur bones, dire wolf skulls, and frolicking prehistoric mammals at the Page Museum before the Big One hits. First Tuesdays are free.

Sloth

Animal Rescue

Mike Fischer of Hunter Fischer Design found this late 19th century Louis XV fauteuil in a client’s attic. The chair had been abandoned by a previous homeowner. Mike adopted it, and now it’s in the corner of his bedroom. The frame retains its original finish; Mike hand-painted the zebra pattern on the back, seat and manchettes. Magnifique.