The design negotiates three basic criteria: private residence, expanded art preserve, and vineyard operation.  A careful manipulation of building, landscape, and topography facilitate a poetic coexistence of programs and site, as well as serving to understate the size of the main residence. The architecture quietly reciprocates the complexities of site and program, facilitating a variety of experiences and daily routines. The process was approached with a deep reverence for the act of making, and a consonant respect for the land. Grounded in an exploration of cartography, the resulting structure facilitates one’s understanding of the site and mapping of place – physically, temporally and metaphorically.

The house is sited at the base of Sonoma Mountain, affording expansive views across the vineyards and valley to the east. Its placement among the vines brings the vineyard and its seasonal cycles directly into the life of the house. Its orientation and elongated profile allow passive heat gain on cool mornings, and provide shade on hot afternoons. This also allows light to penetrate the house in a variety of ways throughout the day.

A long reflecting pool, its water level in measured contrast to the rolling ground plane, runs from an intimate southerly forest, through the house to panoramic northern views. The monolithic pool functions as an abstract reference datum; it structures the arrival sequence and daily routines. Domestic spaces are organized along its length, and a parallel loggia provides a meditative walk between the different phases and activities of the day.

Perpendicular to the pool is a narrow footpath, which connects a series of garden rooms on the eastern side of the vineyard to a subterranean wine cellar adjacent to the dining hall. Linking site and program to the course of the sun, the path embodies metaphors of a lifespan, from birth to burial, from creation to consumption. The crossing of these two cardinal axes defines a conceptual center at a void in the body of the building. It locates entry to the home at mid-level and the dining room on the lower floor, centering the ceremonial spaces of arrival and departure and of communal dining.

The choice of materials and their detailing support this spatial and temporal narrative through one’s tactile experience. Wood and stone floors convey an understanding of one’s position relative to the ground. Heavy stacked-stone walls are juxtaposed with light steel framing to establish a narrative hierarchy; their interaction creates a range of spatial conditions, from intimate enclave to expansive open space. The visual, tactile and acoustic qualities of each material contribute to a mnemonic mapping of the house and its landscape.

The Saguaro Palm Springs, Joie de Vivre’s new, colorful 245- room boutique hotel property, will officially open on February 1, 2012. It looks like a great place for a photo shoot. We hope that our photographer-readers will pick up on this location and will put together a nice editorial, perhaps in V Magazine.

Centrally located at the corner of Sunrise and East Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs, CA, this is boutique hotel company Joie de Vivre’s first property in Palm Springs, and the second in an expanding collection of Saguaro hotels, following the successful opening of The Saguaro Scottsdale in November 2011. Designed to reflect the colorful vibrant spirit of the Southwest, the bold color palette is the work of renowned architects Peter Stamberg and Paul Aferiat, of New York-based Stamberg Aferiat Architecture, who have infused the property with hues that reflect the indigenous flowers of the surrounding desert region. The three-story structure, originally constructed in 1977, will feature an expansive pool located within a lush center courtyard, and an innovative restaurant run by James Beard Award winning Iron Chef Jose Garces, who also oversees food & beverage at The Saguaro Scottsdale.

“We are thrilled to be opening our second Saguaro hotel and to have such a great location in Palm Springs,” said Joie de Vivre President & COO Ingrid Summerfield. “As with The Saguaro in Scottsdale, we believe this concept will bring something very fresh and welcome to Palm Springs.”

Noble, wise, and innovative are the characteristics of those born in the Year of the Dragon. In Chinese culture, the dragon is a sign of intense strength and power, and a symbol of good fortune. These are the traits found in Círculos de Fuego. This collection has been a huge success since its launch five years ago and has become one of Carrera y Carrera’s top icons and best selling collection worldwide.

The elaborate features of this mighty animal can be magnificently observed in the very precise details of the goldsmith’s craftsmanship in each and every one of the pieces. Rounded, curved forms convey balance and harmony while the fanciful figures create a sense of force, might, and passion, very representative of this collection.

The meticulous design and detail of the mini sculpturing, the generous volumes, and the extraordinary craftsmanship, all characteristic of Carrera y Carrera’s savoir-­‐faire, can be appreciated to perfection through the intricacies of this mythical creature, most revered in the Orient.

A real cocktail of fire, dragons, legend and fine jewelry to fill unforgettable moments with mythical fantasy.

Cosmetics brand Givenchy has launched its spring/summer 2012 collection.

Including luxury powders for the face and cheeks, these beautifully speckled creations are akin to a delicate birds egg. Lips burst forth in a bloom of poppy-red to add some punch to the otherwise muted tones of the collection.

Follow me on Twitter @KathGould_MUA, and you can check my portfolio at www.kmgould.com

Using Tokyo as a source of inspiration, PROJECT Wooster highlights japanese designes and exposes their mastery in crafting products that transcend culture and time. In addition, PROJECT Wooster will highlight the European and North American brands and include special collaborations between Nick Wooster and some of his favorite, innovative bands based on one common theme.

The show will take place at The Mandalay Bay Convention Centre on February 13, 14 and 15, 2012.

Rufus Wainwright returns to the pop foray with his eagerly anticipated new album, Out of the Game , to be released May 1st on Decca. Produced by the celebrated Mark Ronson , this is the seventh studio album from one of the most accomplished, contemporary singer-songwriters today.

A labor of love for both Wainwright and Ronson, Rufus calls Out of the Game, “the most pop album I’ve ever made,” while Ronson recently stated, “it’s the best work of my career.” Recorded in New York in the fall of 2011, the twelve songs are hook-laden, memorably arranged tracks reminiscent of Rufus’ early work, following 2010′s more quietly intimate outing, Songs For Lulu.

From the uptempo opening chords of the title track and first single, to the gospel tinged rock of ‘Jericho,’ through the beauty of ‘Sometimes You Need’ and the emotional pull of ‘Candles,’ this new disc ranks alongside Rufus Wainwright’s very best.

Musicians on the album include the Dap-Kings who Mark used for the groundbreaking Amy Winehouse Back To Black album and his own ‘Record Collection’; Wilco’s Nels Cline; Nick Zinner of Yeah Yeah Yeahs; Andrew Wyatt from Miike Snow; Sean Lennon and Martha Wainwright.

Influences, as ever, were all encompassing. Mark says Out of the Game “has a real 70′s, Laurel Canyon spirit” while Rufus cites “all the greats- Elton, Freddie Mercury, David Bowie – basically the brash and beautiful. It’s also very Rufus.”

Affectionately referred to by Elton John as “the greatest songwriter on the planet” and praised by The New York Times for his “genuine originality,” Grammy nominee Rufus Wainwright has established himself as one of the great male vocalists and songwriters of his generation. He is the son of folk singers Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle, and brother of Martha Wainwright, but Rufus has achieved his success by carving out his own singular sound in the worlds of rock, opera, theater, dance and film.

Jonathan Saunders, Spring Summer 2012

The British Fashion Council (BFC) today announced the winner of this year’s BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund is presented to Jonathan Saunders. The Award, which is now in its third year, was established to further enhance the reputation of London’s rising stars and assist in the development of their businesses. It comprises of $317,000 and access to director level mentors across the industry.

Jonathan Saunders, said “I’m so happy about winning the fund. The last 12 months have been an exciting time for me and my team and I’m very proud of all their hard work. We have many exciting plans for the near future and this along with the support network provided by the BFC will enable us to achieve our goals.”

The BFC will develop a bespoke mentoring programme tailored specifically to assist in achieving Jonathan’s business goals for the next twelve months with the aspiration that the network developed during this year will endure throughout his career as he makes the transition from a developing creative business into a global fashion brand.

The panel’s decision was based on the strength of Jonathan’s catwalk and pre-collections over the past few seasons and the acclaim that he has received from UK and international media and buyers. He demonstrated a clear and concise view on the areas in which he hopes to develop his business over the next twelve months and beyond.

Nine designers were shortlisted by a panel of representatives of Fund sponsors. All of those shortlisted were then invited to present their collections and future plans to the judging panel of Fund sponsor representatives and industry experts chaired by Alexandra Shulman, Editor of British Vogue. All of those shortlisted will have access to support from the mentoring panel either directly or through Marigay McKee, Chief Merchant, Harrods who will chair the mentoring panel.

Scottish born Jonathan Saunders graduated from the Glasgow School of Art in 1999 with a BA and then graduated with an MA distinction from Central St Martin’s in 2002, studying Printed Textiles in both courses. Jonathan then went on to win the Fashion Enterprise award given to him by the BFC in September 2006 followed by the Elle Style Award Designer of the Year in 2007. Jonathan has also designed for Pollini between 2008 and March 2010 and recent collaborations for his own label have included Topshop and US brand Target and his own name label in stocked in stores around the world including Bergdorf Goodman, Hudson Bay, Liberty’s, Luisa Via Roma, Net-a-Porter and Printemps.

The British Fashion Council has an international reputation for supporting emerging talent through its existing schemes; NEWGEN supported by TOPSHOP, NEWGEN MEN sponsored by Topman and Fashion Forward. The BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund aids business growth and create employment opportunities, it is complementary to existing support schemes and focuses on developing profile and opportunities for British designer businesses.

The Fund was launched by BFC Chairman Harold Tillman in September 2008. Vogue, headline sponsor, whose March issue is on sale 6th February, will showcase the talents of all nine finalists.

Caroline Rush, CEO of BFC, commented “The BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund is aimed to assist our very exceptional British designers who during the application process show that they have the potential and business acumen to take the development of their brand to the next step and make the transition to progress their business into a commercial global fashion brand. The panel felt that this really is Jonathan’s moment and he truly deserves to be the recipient of the fund prize.”

Alexandra Shulman, Editor of British Vogue, said “I am delighted that Jonathan has won this year’s award. His recent collections have shown that he is a designer who can provide beautiful clothes that women enjoy wearing and he is in a great position to build on his current success.”

The BFC would like to thank the fund sponsors Burberry, Clothing at Tesco, Debenhams, Harrods, HSBC, Jaeger & Aquascutum, LF Europe, Marks & Spencer, Paul Smith, TONI&GUY, TOPSHOP, VOGUE and Westfield Shopping Towns.

A fragrance bottle is not just a bottle, it is a piece of art.  Something to be respected and treated delicately. It is the first and most visual impression in a scent-directed industry. Fragrance is an art, not only in combining the perfect notes to meet your sensory utopia, but also in the beauty in which it is presented.

Step in Marc Rosen. Mr. Rosen is an icon in the fragrance world. He is an internationally known and idolized bottle designer and seven time FiFi winner. His book Glamour Icons: Perfume Bottle Design is a stunning and stimulating book of Rosen’s own bottle designs, as well as the iconic bottles in the history of perfumery. Glamour Icons is a deep history of a world fragrant with glamour, celebrities, and brilliant icons explaining how these pieces of art came about. From Karl Lagerfeld to Elizabeth Arden, Chanel, and Tiffany, these are only some of the many pieces of art that you will learn about.

I found this book superbly fascinating and honestly could not put it down. It brought me into a world I had not yet encountered with very close up and personal stories about many of my personal beauty icons. This is truly a book not to be missed and I will certainly never look at another fragrance bottle the same way.  I always admired the beauty of certain bottles, but now to know the passion, art, design and true talent put into each bottle, brings a new and beautiful admiration to an art that I already so admired.

 Click here to purchase; $85.00

Follow me on Twitter @Brushbeauty and check out my website at www.juliadaltonbrush.com

Lana Del Rey isn’t necessarily a happy person, but you have to give the girl credit for being so blunt and ballsy about it. On the track “Off to the Races” from her upcoming album, Born To Die, out, Del Rey sings of a partner who “knows every inch of my tar black soul.” To be as straightforward as the singer’s lyrics, the tracks released so far from her album Born To Die are cryptic. But whatever torments Lana Del Rey, she is able to harness the pain into music that is melodic, poetic, and melancholy.

The singles released as of yet offer a great deal of promise for the album’s entirety; each lyric uncovers a veil into Lana’s mind and each video demonstrates a sad metaphor for her thoughts. The track “Born to Die,” whose video was released last month, takes an eerie perspective on the grim truths of life. The message may be somber, but the music is excellent.

The album is now available on iTunes right here.

Steve Gianakos. She Could Hardly Wait, 1996. Oil and ink on cut-and-pasted printed paper. The Museum of Modern Art, New York. The Judith Rothschild Foundation Contemporary Drawings Collection Gift.

In a collaborative, chance-based drawing game known as the exquisite corpse, Surrealist artists subjected the human body to distortions and juxtapositions that resulted in fantastic composite figures.

This exhibition considers how this and related operations – in which the body is dismembered or reassembled, swollen or multiplied, propped with prosthetics or fused with nature and the machine – recur throughout the twentieth century and to the present. Artists from André Masson and Joan Miró, to Louise Bourgeois and Robert Gober, to Mark Manders and Nicola Tyson, distort and disorient our most familiar of referents, playing out personal, cultural, or social anxieties and desires on unwitting anatomies. If art history reveals an unending impulse to render the human figure, as a symbol of potential perfection and a system of primary organization, these works show that artists have just as persistently been driven to disfiguration.

The exhibition is organized by Samantha Friedman, Curatorial Assistant, with Jodi Hauptman, Curator, Department of Drawings, The Museum of Modern Art and will run March 14th – July 9, 2012.

Architectural model for WORKac’s Nature-City project for Keizer, Oregon. Photograph courtesy of James Ewing.

The MoMA PS1 is determined to examine new architectural possibilities for American cities and suburbs in the context of the recent foreclosure crisis in the United Stated. The exhibition is jointly curated by Barry Berdoll, and Reinhold Matin Foeclosed: Rehousing the American Dream will enlist five interdisciplinary teams of architects to envision a rethinking of housing and related infrastructures that could catalyze urban transformation, particularly in the country’s suburbs.

“The assumptions underlying the suburban dream and its accompanying social and environmental crises have gone unchallenged for too long,” said Mr. Martin. “It’s time for a national conversation on these issues. Architecture and urbanism can help develop such a conversation by offering tangible examples to be debated in public. The Buell Hypothesis sets the stage for such a conversation by claiming that to change the dream is to change the city. To confront the cultural assumptions that underlay suburbanization is to begin the process of changing the way we live today.”

The MoMA will present an exhibition of proposed projects in The Robert Menschel Architecture and Design Gallery, from February 15th through July 30, 2012. At the center of the exhibition wil physical models, drawings, rendering, and animations to be produced by the five teams will be supplemented with filmed interviews of teams with audio narrative.

Foreclosed is the second in a series of Architecture and Design exhibitions at MoMA called Issue in Contemporary Architecture, which focuses on timely topics in contemporary architecture with an emphasis on the urban dimension in order to increase public dialogue around seminal issues in architecture.

Foreclosed: Rehousing the American Dream
February 15 – July 30, 2012
The Robert Menshel Architecture and Design Gallery
The Museum of Modern Art

Take a playful approach to country-cool with Aubin & Wills’ quirky fox-print cotton T-shirt. A tongue-in-cheek nod to the season’s love of nature, wear this rural-inspired style in the city with a jersey maxi skirt and a punctuating pop-bright bag.