Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Pretty is what changes...

I'm in a philosophical mood today. Yesterday on NPR's Morning Edition, Jessica Queller, author of Pretty is What Changes, talked about her personal journey after learning she had the BRCA breast cancer gene. She referenced a line from a Stephen Sondheim's song - "Pretty is what changes, what the eye arranges is what is beautiful." I happened to be combing through "blog pictures yet to be posted" at the time, and after the interview was finished, my mind wandered back to design. What makes something beautiful? What makes it pretty? Why might you and I look at the same room and have two different reactions? And, does it matter - since it's our eyes that "arrange what is beautiful."
Timothy Whealon


D home mag, March/April 08, designer Julio Quinones
via Copy Cat Chic
Vincente Wolf via Carolina Eclectic
designer Miguel Flores Viana via Desire to Inspire
at

11 comments:

  1. Pigtown*DesignApril 2, 2008 at 4:50 PM

    I love the philosophy behind that statement! It was a great interview.

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  2. London CallingApril 3, 2008 at 10:17 AM

    Great concept! Lovely rooms especially #2 and #4.

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  3. KwanaApril 3, 2008 at 1:25 PM

    Very beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing.

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  4. pve designApril 3, 2008 at 6:05 PM

    true, pretty is what changes and it also reminds us that pretty is often found in change.
    Gorgeous rooms.

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  5. AnonymousApril 4, 2008 at 12:58 AM

    How philosophical of you. Love these pictures, and I'm so glad you included my "design love"; Vicente.

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  6. blahApril 4, 2008 at 6:56 AM

    Dear my Notting hill - just wanted to let you know your link on your name when you leave comments isn't working it send you to a strange place that I know isn't you!

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  7. My Notting HillApril 4, 2008 at 1:48 PM

    thanks for all the comments. ATBB - thanks for the heads-up; I'll check into that. Michele

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  8. C+SKApril 7, 2008 at 1:37 PM

    That's a great point - I believe that training your eye does wonders for your mind and taste. It's all is the what you know, what you have seen before.

    I was an art history major and my understand of art, and my taste in art (and consequently my outlook on life in general) completely forever changed.

    I have noticed the same in design. By nature (or rather, because of the environment I was brought up in and my more history oriented education) I tend to like a more (although not overly) traditional style. But reading blogs, learning about new furniture, new items, new ideas, I have become more open and have found myself looking at rooms and finding them beautiful, while before I know I wouldn't.

    Ok now you got me on the philosophical mood as well!!! :-)

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  9. cotedetexasApril 7, 2008 at 6:50 PM

    I love the name of your blog - so romantic. My favorite pix is the last one = I love that shot.


    Thanks so much for your comment!!!
    Joni

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  10. Alison DuffyApril 9, 2008 at 12:58 PM

    Love that David Hicks carpet and that brown niche. Lots of inspiration there.

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  11. AlkemieApril 9, 2008 at 6:51 PM

    Oh these photos and rooms are absolutely gorgeous! I had so much fun going through them.

    Karen

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