Excuse me while I gripe a bit.
I am not one to complain too often, but someone has to point out this television tragedy. As I was watching a program on TLC the other day, I was horrified to see a commercial, for the revamping of Trading Spaces. Their motto basically says, Remember years ago, when people liked this show, and it was hosted by Paige Davis? Well, she's back! Oh, and now ex spouses, and kids and parents will trade rooms. What! I got an immediate knot in my stomach. This show stopped being, even somewhat interesting years ago.
I admit that when Trading Spaces first aired, I though it was fun and creative because the designers had such a novel approach. Unfortunately, the program quickly took a turn for the worst. My personal belief is that this program and others like it are almost completely responsible for poorly designed homes in America. First of all, the idea that any type of design can be done for $1000.00, $500.00, or whatever is absolutely ridiculous. These programs can claim that is all they spend, but just the amount of labor it takes to pull off that kind of work, would blow their budgets out of the water. There have been times I've watched these programs, and known for a fact that what they claim an item costs, is not anywhere close to reality.
The thing that bothers me the most, is not the absurd budgets, but the absolutely HORRIBLE design. The results of these "makeovers", often make me shudder. I find myself thinking that the room looked better
before the makeover.
I'm sure some of you are thinking..."Well, if you don't like the programs; don't watch them!" I agree with this statement, but the problem is, how many people out there don't realize just how bad this design is? They think that if they see it on t.v. it must be good.
Wouldn't it be wonderful, if "Design" shows were hosted by actual designers, and not just t.v. personalities? Like, whatever happened to
Kenneth Brown's show on HGTV, or
Sheila Bridges' program on Fine Living? Their programs were very interesting, and their designs were great.
What if
Apartment Therapy, produced a television show? That would be so cool, Or maybe;
Domino Magazine. Talk about two sources that have their finger on the pulse of modern design, never mind their huge built-in following. What about a reality show based on the life of
Kelly Wearstler? Imagine, following the style icon as she works on her amazing projects, while looking as fabulous as she does. I would kill to watch that! If there are any t.v. execs. reading this, here are a few suggestions from me.
I realize that not many designers can uproot their lives and businesses, to make a television program, but it would be nice if producers could offer a little more than goofy design for tiny budgets. Perhaps, I am only dreaming; but there is nothing wrong with that. I guess for now I wait for the few weeks a year when
Top Design, airs.
O.K. now that I have that out of my system, I will go back to being my more positive self :)
Here are a couple of things that are on my mind this morning. First, I'm so excited about this concert, I can't sit still!!!
Hi everyone! I'm trying to get up and running again.
For one thing
So.
Hi everyone! Today is Saturday and I am still in the middle of visiting all of my relatives. I came home only for an hour or two and found a refreshing site, I wanted to share. "The Free Encouragement Project" started by Booooooom and Design For Mankind, is a collection of uplifting phrases submitted by readers. Who couldn't use some encouragement lately? Here are a few of my favorite phrases. Check out the site for smile! Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend:)
When I was a kid growing up in a small town, I was often the target of mean kids because of things about me that they found to be "too different". I remember taking pan dulce in my lunch box and kids literally gathering around me to make gagging sounds and to tell me how "gross" my food looked. Or listening to Spanish music and getting strange looks. Okay, so take the same exact music and have it recorded by an American artist, and all-of-a-sudden its genius! Have someone change the shape of the pan dulce, and give it a French name or something...now its a delicacy. I have often found this baffling. When you grow up as part of a minority, you learn to hide a lot of your cultural traditions while in the "Anglo" world, because otherwise you often run into discrimination. But if a well known artist or whatever, blatantly copies those same cultural references they are hailed as original and truly creative. If you are wondering why I'm on such a soap box, its because I was scrolling through the web, when I ran across this article about the latest Hermes collection. I admit that I chuckled at the details of the collection, because it all looked and felt suspiciously familiar to me.
Hmm, I wonder what in the world could have inspired such a collection? Maybe all the folks who actually sew the clothes, clean up the main offices, and build the massive sky-scrapers? I don't know...maybe. When I was younger I used to think that this sort of thing was a sort of acceptance of cultural differences...but now I'm not so sure. I can imagine the reaction I would get if I walked around wearing these clothes. Hermes or not, I probably wouldn't get the nicest treatment if I walked in to a high end department store.
P.S. I posted this photo with only the utmost respect, because I think Los Tigres Del Norte is one of the best bands ever! (Even if I don't agree w/ the outfits)
This is the kind of thing that cracks me up, even though I'm not sure why. Maybe because its so absurd, or because it makes me wonder how someone came up with this idea. See the video here, found via Kate Spade's site. I realize this has nothing to do with design, I'll post something else later.
I know in "blog land" Audrey Tautou is a perennial favorite. I'm crazy about her too. She is just so charming. I love this photo of her by Denis Rouvre. He is an amazing photographer, and here are few more amazing photos; I love.
I'm not sure if most of you know this, but I have a second blog. I call it Random Thoughts. Like the title says, I post random things that catch my eye. I decided to use it to it to indulge my love of art and striking images. This is probably a dumb idea, but hey; I think its fun. So check it out here...if you want. Please feel free to let me know what you think about it. 
I am not one to complain too often, but someone has to point out this television tragedy. As I was watching a program on TLC the other day, I was horrified to see a commercial, for the revamping of Trading Spaces. Their motto basically says, Remember years ago, when people liked this show, and it was hosted by Paige Davis? Well, she's back! Oh, and now ex spouses, and kids and parents will trade rooms. What! I got an immediate knot in my stomach. This show stopped being, even somewhat interesting years ago.
What if Apartment Therapy, produced a television show? That would be so cool, Or maybe; Domino Magazine. Talk about two sources that have their finger on the pulse of modern design, never mind their huge built-in following. What about a reality show based on the life of Kelly Wearstler? Imagine, following the style icon as she works on her amazing projects, while looking as fabulous as she does. I would kill to watch that! If there are any t.v. execs. reading this, here are a few suggestions from me.
I realize that not many designers can uproot their lives and businesses, to make a television program, but it would be nice if producers could offer a little more than goofy design for tiny budgets. Perhaps, I am only dreaming; but there is nothing wrong with that. I guess for now I wait for the few weeks a year when Top Design, airs.