Gray Malin: Bring 'Gray Skies" My Way!

I am completely obsessed with Gray Malin. 

Gray is an extremely talented photographer with a background in marketing that has used his talent in both areas to catapult his career to severe heights.  He's a native of Dallas, Texas who was working at Paramount Pictures in Los Angeles after attending Emerson College.  In 2009, he decided to quit his job at Paramount and focus on selling his photography at the flea market every Sunday. 

But this wasn't just any ole flea market, this was the internationally famous Melrose Fairfax Flea Market in Los Angeles.  Gray diligently marketed his work to market goers and caught the interest of interior designers, celebrities, gallery owners and art lovers.  Once you see his work, I think you'll fall in love too. 

I originally fell in love with his series called "The Dolce Vita" where Gray and his team traveled through the Italian Riviera in an attempt to recapture the glamour of the 1950's and 60's era.  The resulting photos remind me so much of Massimo Vitali's work, and ya'll know how much I adore him!  

A La Plage Series Photo By Christina Lilly

Since then, I've discovered additional collections from Gray Malin, including 'A La Plage, A La Piscine.'   Gray's team traveled to beaches around the world in North America, Central and South America, Australia, Asia and Africa and photographed from the sky in doorless helicopters down onto the beach scenes below.   The result is a beautiful collection. 



Biondi Beach from Gray Malin

Gray's work has been featured on many prominent galleries and can also be found on One King's Lane occasionally.  It's also possible to purchase prints directly from the Maison Gray | The House of Gray website here.   Multiple sizes are available.  The prints are editioned, signed and in limited quantities.  Prices are reasonable.  (For example, if purchased directly from the Gray Maison website they start at $300 for a 19' x 17' up to $3,500 for 66' x 44').  Prints are unframed. 

I've seen excellent prices on One King's Lane for framed prints ($300-$500) for a smaller sized print.  Keep your eyes peeled. 

This is definitely going on my holiday wish list!

And as if it couldn't get any better, Gray also makes wallcovering.  And let me assure you, it's to die for.  I'll feature that in another post soon.  The dude isn't even thirty and already going places.

All photos courtesy of the Gray Malin website unless otherwise noted. 

  Cheers!  Heather | Vivid Hue Home

My Sunroom in the Summer

It's no secret that my sun room is one of my favorite rooms in my house.  It's been shown in many posts on my blog and even on House of Turquoise (Thank you Erin)!  But it recently occurred to me, that the only photos I have posted of this bright and chipper room have been from the dreary winter months when no leaves were on our trees. So today, I have decided to share updated images of the room from this summer.  They're a little more warm and cheerful! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check back to my original post here for sources and more dialogue on how the room came together.  


Also, I did finally purchase a Massimo Vitali and it's getting framed as we speak!!!  (See the one I purchased here).    I'll post photos of the walls as soon as i get it up and hanging! 

Lastly, remember how I was excited to hang the Meg Braff wallpaper in here (see photo of it in the room here)?  I've changed my mind again.  I want to keep the tranquil blue walls and blue ceiling in the sun room.  I have another place for the Kelly Green Meg Braff wallpaper and I'm in negotiations with my husband, EG, to let me order the paper! 
 
You're invited to tour the rest of my house at any time! 

Check out the other items in my house that I've found on a budget here! 

Heya I'm on pinterest too. Check me out here.

And now, I'm on TWITTER! @vividhuehome

Meet Roxy and Society Social

I always have a serious design crush on someone in the design world...Remember my Massimo Vitali obsession?  (here).  Lately, I am *in love* with Roxy Owens, founder and mastermind behind Society Social. 

Roxy is a gal after my own heart. She left her corporate career several years ago and decided to follow her dream.  She opened her own online shop and called it Society Social (and it is not filled with just ANY ole stuff ...).   Check out these duchess pillows...

Remember Vivid Hue's post about the Art of the Bar Cart? (here)  That was all Roxy!

Last week, she was featured in Southern Living as the "leader in the bamboo furniture movement." 

 

HGTV has given a shout out to these Society Social colorful outdoor chairs

 

 

Adore Magazine Aug/Sept 2012 issue gave the Society Social bar cart serious props

 

 

It's clear that Roxy stays busy building Society Social's business.  So how on Earth does she have any fun?  One thing I love about Society is that they have a Signature Hostess Gown...Yes, it's for sale, and anyone can purchase it.  

Apparently, these gowns were popular between the 1930's-1970's and worn by the lady of the house during a house party when she would entertain in her home. I have to admit, Roxy, I can't get my head around this one because I would look like a Good Year blimp in this...one size fits *most*! It's fun and festive!  

 

Roxy's style is sassy, energetic and fun!

 

 

 

Society Social provides custom styles as well so you can personalize fun patterns on any chair style! 

 

 

 

And coming soon...a vintage shop...this means stylish one of a kind finds, can't wait. 

 

 

There's lot's of socializing going on around the Society...

 

 

 

 

 

There's just so much energy and spirit in everything that Society Social gets their hands on.  For Vivid Hue, that is right up our alley.  And I must give my usual disclaimer, I do not work for Society Social.  And, in fact, I don't even know Roxy (though I'd become her bestie in a New York minute).  So, in other words, I was not endorsed in any way to write this post.  I just know a good thing when I see it and I love to share it. 

 

 

Check out Roxy's blog 'My Cup of Te'

 {Photos Courtesy Society Social Facebook}

@MyCupofTe
#livesparkly

Heya I'm on pinterest too. Check me out here.

And now, I'm on TWITTER! @vividhuehome

 

What I Love About Massimo Vitali

For those of you that know me, you know I have an insatiable fascination with Massimo Vitali.  I wanted to disect in closer detail why I'm obsessed with each lovely photograph. 


Here's the overview of the photograph.  In grand scale, it's a typical scene of sunbathers off the coast of Italy in the late 60's.

(Bagni Lido Verticale)

But look closely at each character in the portrait and that's where the true satisfaction lies.  Look at this woman.  Full face of make-up.  In her bikini.  Lounging along the coast of Italy.  Earrings.  Fully accessorized.  I love her. 

This woman has unassumingly decided to go for a dip.  Little does she know that this effort to cool down will be captured in time for years to come. 

The woman in the upper right hand corner may be getting some sunscreen as she and her husband (in the tight speedos) decide to go for a swim.  Meanwhile, the foursome in the front is discussing what type of bourdeaux they will have with dinner tonight. 

A naked toddler is hugging his mommy as the teenage child wonders what's for lunch.  Nobody has enough sunscreen protecion.

The man in the very front left corner does the daily crossword puzzle.  His wife stands behind him considering going for a swim.  The man in the white swim trunks in the upper right corner tried to wax his back...but opted out from doing the entire radius.  He wanted a midnight shadow to still appear from the baseline of his swim suit. 

Is there any question why I love the Massimo Vitali prints?  They're fantastic character pieces.  Captured with real life families in real life settings.  Love them.  Fascinated by them. 



Tag You're "IT"-Tastemaker Sales

There are so many specialty shops that have

cropped up online that offer seemingly great values on

high-end designer items for a limited time... 

 

One Kings Lane, Gilt, Joss & Main,
1stdibs.com, fab.com to name a few.  These sites
offer sample sale type offerings usually
for 24-48 hours of time.   They create a
sense of immediacy.  And obsessive urgency.  

Over time, I have developed 
a love/ hate relationship with these sales. 

(Check out my conflicted thoughts about OKL here). 

Sure, they're supposed to

offer 50-70% savings, but I know

that's not always the case.  I know because

I have tracked their offerings religiously. 

And sometimes I have found these

super sales are not that super. 

(One King's Lane-left; Restoration Hardware-right)

After a brief hiatus, I am reevaluating

the way these designer super sale

sites should be coveted.

I still love to peruse the sales, but

the hidden pearl is with

the Tastemaker Tag Sales. 

A tastemaker is a visionary (a person) that has the

ability to influence styles in decor. 

Sort of like, they say it's cool.  Then it is. 

This is where you'll find the

truly unique, vintage, one of a kind! 

Check out some of the Tastemaker finds below:

Love the kelly green lacquer

dresser and trellis chairs!

Danish Woven Rush Seat
$309 vs. $550  Fab.com

Jay Jeffers Murano Blue Glass
$449 vs. $1850 One Kings Lane

Celerie Kemble Lacquer Standing Cabinet
$3999 vs $6200 One King's Lane

yes, sometimes vintage, one of a kind means a higher price tag

Windsor Smith Tastemaker Tag Sale

Milo Baughman Dining Chairs
$412 vs $850 Fab.com

Tamara Kay-Honey

Of course, for those of you that

read my Massimo Vitali OKL post yesterday,

you know that I had mass hysteria over the OKL sale yesterday. 

This is what I used to experience on a

weekly basis.  Lately, not so much! 

I can only hope that I will be proven wrong with more exciting features like that one!