Farrago and Folly

My New Website ...

2011-11-26T22:43:00.001-08:00

... took a slight turn for the silly (some might say). [See for yourself: www.kerikshrimpton.com]

Perhaps, but I have realized I am allergic to the same old thing. So my home and link pages are a little different. Or maybe this is why: for the last 13 weeks I have been taking a course in Contemporary Art History. The class has definitely stirred my creative juices, and in that spirit I went about designing my school website and portfolio (I am just about to graduate with a BA in Interior Design from IDI). Consider it my take on the photomontage.

Something Simple...

2010-04-15T00:29:00.000-07:00

...Chinoiserie "wallpaper":

Hand drawn by the home's darling owner, Irene Feesey:

Who also sends friends and loved ones beautiful, handmade cards like these:

All from the April 2010 World of Interiors.

Photography by Antony Crolla.

Love It!

2010-03-21T21:37:00.001-07:00

By Ross Curtis

Image via 1stdibs.com

A Pretty Interlude...

2010-03-17T22:56:00.000-07:00

I am in love with this B-ewe-tiful room! It has been in my image files forever, but I just figured out who designed it! Found here.

All images courtesy of Robertpassal.com

John Lautner in Palm Springs

2010-02-23T05:00:00.000-08:00

This past Saturday marked the opening of the Palm Springs Art Museum's John Lautner exhibition "Between Earth and Heaven: The Architecture of John Lautner."

In addition, the Lautner documentary "Infinite Space: The Architecture of John Lautner," is now available here.

Image Sources: (1) - (3) Via www.psmuseum.org

Folly: The View from Nowhere

2010-02-22T22:32:00.000-08:00

MOCA's exhibit "Folly: The View from Nowhere" only has a few days left, through this Sunday the 28th. I'm still hoping to visit, but I may have to let Frank Escher and Ravi GuneWardena walk me through instead.

Image Sources: (1) The Dunmore Folly, via here. (2) Lucy the Elephant, via here.

A Lady with Flourish and Flair

2010-01-13T05:00:00.000-08:00

I don't remember the specifics, but I came across this painting some time ago, somewhere, somehow. Like so many others pieces of art by which I am completely enchanted, it compelled me to find out more about its creator, Fleur Cowles.

And, oh,what an incredible lady she was! The original bright young thing, Cowles accomplished more in her one lifetime than some might complete in ten. Of course there was her magazine, Flair, an absolute pioneer in its time and still a beacon for many in magazine publishing.

Cowles had a penchant for connecting with people and counted as dear friends everyone from the Queen Mother to Cary Grant.

Besides taking ambassadorships and lending support to several presidents, Cowles piloted planes, sailed boats and decorated cheerful and flamboyant interior spaces.

As if all that wasn't enough, she was also a prolific author and artist and even made some of her own clothes and jewelry. She died just last year at 101, and now, as when I first learned of her, I am incredibly inspired by all that she accomplished.

Images: (1) "Tiger, Flowers in the Moonlight" via artnet.de, (2) Via Vanity Fair, (3) Via Refinery 29, (4) Via dailymail.co.uk, (5) Via littleaugury.blogspot.com, (6) "Little Tiger", via Malleries.com

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T00:08:00.000-08:00

I'm all ready for Santa, just in the "nick" of time...

I hope everyone has a wonderful, joyous holiday!

Ruminations...

2009-11-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

The last time I was in Paris, I ran out of reading material. Although I love a challenge, for some reason I wasn't in the mood to read a book in French (perhaps because I was having a hard enough time just speaking the language). Thank goodness for Galignani, a wonderful English bookshop on the right bank (at 224 rue de rivoli). I am an absolute sucker for a good book store or library, so this shop had me the moment I walked through the front door. Galignani was overflowing with wonderful choices, and I left with this:

"Paris to the Moon," Adam Gopnik's charming account of his family's five years in Paris. The book is a collection of essays Gopnik wrote for the New Yorker while he lived in the City of Light with his wife and young son. The cover features the Jardin de Luxembourg, where I loved settling into a green chaise with Mr. Gopnik's ruminations on life in Paris. The only problem with trying to read in the Luxembourg Gardens is the delightful distractions:

The little birds who would like just a small piece of baguette, S.V.P

The children sailing boats on the pond

The games taking place throughout the gardens

The flowers which change with the seasons

And the beautiful statues and art installations

Despite the distractions, I managed to finish. I really enjoyed "Paris to the Moon"... so much, in fact, that I had to pick up this:

"Through the Children's Gate," another great read, this one about the Gopniks' life in New York after they returned from Paris. Since I have finished both "Paris to the Moon" and "Through the Children's Gate," I am now hoping Gopnik and his family move again! (And also wondering what Charlie Ravioli is up to these days...)

Au Revoir Les Lalanne

2009-11-20T01:08:00.001-08:00

Today is the last day of Les Lalanne on Park Avenue. An apple a day keeps boring art away... Ewe will be missed!

Blue Skies

2009-11-16T02:40:00.001-08:00

Smiling at me...

A short film by Maddycaddy, set to Groove Armada's Inside My Mind (Blue Skies)

Seydou Keita

2009-11-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

I first saw the photography of Seydou Keita at the Tate Modern. Its beauty took my breath away. Keita (1921 - 2001) was a self-taught photographer from Mali (formerly French Sudan). He took up the art after an uncle gave him a camera.

Keita worked hard to hone his craft and came to have his own portrait studio, where he shot black and white photographs with lush compositions.

His work was of such renown that people traveled great distances to sit for him. I can certainly see why...his portraits are stunning.

A short interview with Mr. Keita can be found here, and his work lives on in some wonderful books here, here and here.

All images by Seydou Keita.

Name That Tune...

2009-11-08T12:00:00.000-08:00

I love this version of the song, as presented by issue no. 55 of Visionaire.

So Pretty ...

2009-11-08T05:00:00.000-08:00

...Vicente Gracia for Couturelab: El Broche Del Jardin

Peggy Guggenheim: a Character Study

2009-11-05T05:00:00.000-08:00

Image courtesy The Peggy Guggenheim Collection.

Peggy Guggenheim, if you don't already know, was quite a gal. She acquired art (and men) with great aplomb. Her autobiography is a fun read and regales her adventures in collecting.

Image via modaemodi.org.

Photo by Slim Aarons. Image via photographersgallery.com.

Image by Life Magazine.

Guggenheim circumnavigated the globe, but Venice was her final stop.

Photo by David Seymour.

Peggy in her very own gondola. Image source unknown.

Image by Life Magazine.

After her death in 1979, Peggy's gorgeous Venetian Palazzo, located directly on the Grand Canal, became a museum to share all of the incredible and important art she acquired over the years: the collection includes pieces by Picasso, Calder, Kandinsky and Miro, to name a few (the list is really a who's who).

Alexander Calder mobile.

Pable Picasso, On the Beach, 1937.

Alexander Calder, Silver Beadhead, 1945-46. This was Peggy's headboard!

Max Ernst, The Kiss, 1927. Max and Peggy were married for a time.

Paul Klee, Upward, October 1929.

Peggy Guggenheim was an amazing champion of early 20th Century art and artists, and visitors to The Peggy Guggenheim Collection are able to benefit from her passion. I had a chance to see the collection last year, and this visit was a highlight of my time in Venice (although, honestly, all of Venice was a highlight of my time in Venice!).

Sixty Years of Peggy, 1948 - 2008. Photo by me.

These gates were made by Clare Falkenstein in 1961. Photo courtesy of Jovike.

Close up of Falkenstein's gates. Photo by me.

Stone sculptures overlooking the Grand Canal. Photo by me.

Peggy's chair and a sculpture in the garden. Photo by me.

Close up of Marino Marina's The Angel of the City,1948. Photo by me.

A sculpture in the garden. Photo by me.

Overlooking the Grand Canal. Photo by me.

Marino Marini, Pomona, 1945. Photo by me.

Alexander Calder, Sabot (1963). Photo by me.

Details of a gate at the Palazzo. Photo by me.

A stop at the museum is a must if you go to Venice, or you can enjoy the collection in this wonderful book and take an incredible virtual tour here.

Artwork images (Picasso, Calder, Ernst, and Klee) are courtesy of The Peggy Guggenheim Collection. If anything has been misattributed, please let me know!

In Abstraction

2009-11-03T23:19:00.000-08:00

Not too long ago I learned of Fong Fai, whose work I really like. Originally from Hong Kong, Fai is now based in San Francisco. His style has evolved over time, with his present focus on pure abstracts. More of Fong Fai's art can be seen here and here.

Untitled 2-18-08, 2008

Wisdom, 2008

Field in July

Spring is Coming (Diptych), 2008

Unquiet Beach

I'm on a Roll with Deyrolle...

2009-11-01T11:00:00.000-08:00

...but I promise to give it a rest after this! However, I didn't want to go without mentioning Martin D'Orgeval, who also photographed Deyrolle following its cataclysmic fire. Whereas Laurent Bochet created a studio setting, D'Orgeval captured the charred victims and remains of Deyrolle in situ.

Both photographers delivered stunning images for us to enjoy and as a way to support and honor the fabled Paris shop. Like Bochet, D'Orgeval collected his photographs into a book, "Touched by Fire."

He exhibited his photos earlier this year at Deyrolle, as well as the Adamson Gallery in Washington, D.C.

Photo courtesy of Deyrolle

Photo courtesy of the Adamson Gallery

From November 9th through 30th, D'Orgeval's images will be on display at Black's Member's Club in London, presented by the The Drawbridge (non-members may make appointments to view the exhibit).

Some of the animals and specimens lost in the Deyrolle fire dated back as far as the early 19th century. While such historical pieces are irreplaceable, D'Orgeval's work helps preserve their memory.

All images by Martin D'Orgeval, unless otherwise noted. If I have misattributed any photo, please let me know!

Out of the Ashes: The Return of Deyrolle

2009-10-31T08:00:00.000-07:00

Photo by Martin d'Orgeval

In my last post, I mentioned Deyrolle, the beloved Parisian taxidermy shop. On February 1, 2008 a fire devastated much of the apartment and its collections (more here and here).

Deyrolle after the fire. Photo by Prof. Jas Mundie

Photo by Martin d'Orgeval

Photo by Mark Dantan

Photo by Martin d'Orgeval

Photo by Laurent Bochet

Photographer Laurent Bochet, a friend of Deyrolle owner Louis Albert de Broglie, captured images of the fire's aftermath. Although the space was in ruins, the scenes Bochet memorialized are breathtakingly and hauntingly beautiful. Vestiges of their former glory, the animals and remains of the shop still manage to fascinate.

Photo by Laurent Bochet

Along with the text of Louis Albert de Broglie, Bochet collected his images into a book, "1000 °C," which is available here , here and here. The book was released in Europe on September 1, 2009, the same day Deyrolle reopened its doors. Today marks the US release.

Image via Deyrolle.fr

Photo by Laurent Bochet

The legions who love this Paris institution rallied behind its restoration. Deyrolle has returned to a proud state (though renovations continue in some parts of the building), and donations have helped the shop rebuild its collections.

Deyrolle before the Fire. Photo by Mark Danton, via vanityfair.com

Deyrolle before the fire. Image via deerwomen.com

Deyrolle Today? Image via parisbao.com

Through December 1, 2009 Deyrolle has Bochet's photographs on exhibit in the shop. Great interviews here and here delve further into the photographer's experience with this project. As Bochet himself mentioned, the animals destroyed in the Deyrolle fire died two deaths in a way. Fortunately, they will live on through this amazing exhibit and book.

Laurent Bochet. Image via Parisbao.com

Glamorous & Ghoulish

2009-10-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

Last year when I was in Paris, I found the most wonderful ring at Colette. It was a beautiful little snail conjured of shell and gold and, as I discovered, made by Delfina Delettrez. Ms. Delettrez, all of 21 years old, has already launched her own jewelry business. Her luxurious pieces embody a lovely yet simultaneously humorous and macabre sensibility.

Photo by Dominique Maitre. Image via WWD.com

Delfina Delettrez in her jewelry.

Glamour and jewelry-making course through Delettrez's veins. Not only is she a member of the Fendi family, but Delfina learned her craft from her father, Bernard Delettrez, a famous French jeweler. On top of all that, she has the support of her stylish mother Silvia Fendi as well as the inimitable Karl Lagerfeld, who designed her fabulous crescent moon and stars logo(originally created for her father 30 years before).

Delfina Delettrez in her jewelry.

Delfina Delettrez Boutique, 67 Via del Governo Vecchio, Rome, Italy.

Delettrez has a jewel box boutique in Rome, just steps from the Piazza Navona, where she sells her line. In a nod to the space's former incarnation as a pharmacy, Delfina added hints of absinthe and penicillin green to the decor.

Photo by Dominique Maitre. Image via WWD.com

To showcase her fourth collection, "Garden of Delight," Delettrez collaborated with the storied Parisian shop Deyrolle (which, happily, has rebounded from last year's devastating fire). Deyrolle's taxidermy animals were adorned in Delettrez's exquisite and intricately crafted pieces, and they provided a perfect backdrop for the recurring animal motif. Much of Delettrez's jewelry also speaks to the dichotomy between life and death.

Image via Polyvore.com.

Image via Couturelab.com

"Delfinasia," a film written and directed by Delettrez's best friend Asia Argento, captures the odyssey of Delfina's pregnancy, as well as the origins of her jewelry line. Delettrez exorcised her fears of death and insects by fashioning beautiful jewels in their likeness. And so was born the jewelry of Delfina Delettrez and my wonderful little snail ring...

Unless otherwise note, all images by Delfina Delettrez.

An Ode to John Lautner

2009-10-29T10:17:00.000-07:00

Calling all John Lautner fans! Tonight, as part of its After Hours program, the Orange County Museum of Art will screen "Infinite Space: The Architecture of John Lautner." The film "traces the lifelong quest of visionary genius John Lautner to create 'architecture that has no beginning and no end'... Original archive drawings and photographs are layered with artistic photography of seminal buildings, bringing to life Lautner's quest to create timeless space." The screening starts at 8pm and is free with museum admission.

John Lautner at Taliesen. Image via "John Lautner."

John Lautner was a 20th Century American architect whose work is best defined by a connection to nature and an original imagination. He was an apprentice to Frank Lloyd Wright, and though his name is not as well known, he is one of the few Wright underlings who truly made a legacy of his own.

John Lautner, Architect. Image by Johnlautner.org.

After leaving Frank Lloyd Wright, John Lautner found himself in Los Angeles, where he practiced for some fifty-five years. His work defies definition: all of his creations were incredibly inventive, and no two were ever the same. I could go on and on about this architectural genius, but instead I will leave you with some images of his work (you may recognize a few!):

Chemosphere/ Malin Residence, Los Angeles. Image via you-are-here.com.

Sheats/Goldstein Residence, Los Angeles.

Segal House, Malibu. Image via moderndesigninterior.com.

Stevens Residence, Malibu. Image by New York Times.

Elrod House, Palm Springs. Image by Architectural Digest.

Garcia Residence, Los Angeles. Image via Askergren.com.

If anyone knows source of unattributed image, please let me know!

Want that!

2009-10-26T23:54:00.000-07:00

... as my niece would say. Robert Polidori is an incredible photographer who has done a number of photographic series: Versailles, New Orleans, Chernobyl and Havana among them. Featured here are some of the gorgeous photographs Polidori took of Versailles.

Cabinet Interieur de Madame Adelaide # 2, Chateau de Versailles 1986

Salle d’Afrique, Chateau de Versailles, 1985

Questel Staircase, Chateau de Versailles, 1985

Versailles, Salles XVIIIeme, Detail of portrait of Louis XIV, by Henri Testelin, 2007

Salle de Bain, Marie-Antoinette, R.D.C. Cord Central, Versailles

Antichambre du Capitaine des Gardes #1, Chateau de Versailles, 1985

Versailles, Salles d’Afrique, Portrait of Louis XVI by Callet #2, 2007

Salle d'Afrique, Versailles

Salles XVIIIème Louis XIV, Roi de France by René Tallain

Attique du Midi, Détail de la porte d'entrée

The Smalah Room, Versailles, 1984

The First Antichambre of Madame Victoire, Versailles

In the foreground the portrait of Francoise-Marie de Bourbon

Versailles, Appartement of Madame Adelaide, Painting of Marie-Clotilde-Xaviere De France, by Francois Hubert Drouais, 2007

Maybe someday I can add a Polidori to my collection. Until then, I will enjoy his photographs in the myriad books he has published. His breathtaking work can also be found here, here, here and here.

I Spy With My Little Eye...

2009-10-22T07:31:00.000-07:00

... some treasures for the Designer Tag Sale!!

So, do come by on Saturday...incredible finds will be everywhere!!

You are Invited...

2009-10-20T08:42:00.000-07:00

Come one, come all, for what is sure to be a fantastic day!!

Thom, You had me at Welcome!

2009-10-18T16:05:00.000-07:00

While in Atlanta, I stayed at the W Buckhead. The draw of this particular W was not only the location, but also its designer, the inimitable Thom Filicia. He did not disappoint!

The rooms were great (get a load of the darling doors!), but my favorite was the living room/reception area .

The wall of white and pink tomes behind the welcome desk was so pretty, and the gathering areas were really inviting and relaxing, with just the right dose of good humor brought into the mix.

Georgia on My Mind

2009-10-17T18:06:00.001-07:00

With the Designer Tag Sale quickly approaching, I have been preoccupied with hunting for treasures. You don't have to twist my arm to do this, since visiting a good flea or antique market is one of my favorite pastimes. I have been to my fair share, especially in Southern and Northern California, but this year marked my first visit to Scott's Antique Market in Atlanta, Georgia.

I had been itching to go for ages, and I must admit Scott's was every bit as incredible as I dreamt it would be. To say I was like a kid in a candy store would be an understatement!

Not only was the market a veritable bonanza, but it was imbued with the southern charm and grace of its vendors. One really needs a few days to take it all in, so thank goodness Scott's is 3 days long every month. This fantastic antique market really has something for everyone, just bring your walkin' shoes, as there are two huge buildings to cover!

This is Milo Pomegranite Lemonade Bradburn. He forgot his walking shoes and was pooped!

Ballet

2009-10-16T22:35:00.000-07:00

For my birthday two years ago, a dear friend gave me tickets to a performance of Anna Karenina by the Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg. Little did I know this gift would spark an abiding love for ballet: I was so moved by the finale of Anna Karenina I knew I had to experience more.

Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg. Photo by L.A. Times.

Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg.

Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg. Photo by Dmitri Solobev.

Since then, I have been lucky enough to see a number of performances, and I just never tire of a beautiful ballet. Something about the astounding capabilities of the human body and the magical moments when movement and music are perfectly matched has me completely riveted. I have seen so many performances I have loved, two of which were part of a program by the American Ballet Theatre at New York City Center. The first was "Overgrown Path," choreographed by Jiri Kylian and inspired by the autobiographical piano pieces of Leos Janacek.

An Overgrown Path. Photo by Andrea Mohin/New York Times.

Twyla Tharp choreographed the second, the Scottish-inspired "Brief Fling," which ABT described as "an admirably fierce and aggressive plunge into what a dance language can express, contrasting the ballet vocabulary with Tharp's own spiraling, incandescent and witty modern-dance idiom." NJ.com described it as "a raucous blend of dance styles set to traditional and electronic music and clothed in deep-hued tartans." I just remember it was a really fun, happy, modern ballet.

Brief Fling. Costumes by Isaac Mizrahi. Photo by Lois Greenfield.

Brief Fling, choreographed by Twyla Tharp, music by Michel Colombier & Percy Grainger.

Unfortunately, I could not find clips of either performance, however I did find a video of Leos Janacek's beautiful piano piece as well as another wonderful ballet by Ms. Tharp, "In the Upper Room." I realize the videos are on the long side, so maybe just have a little taste!

Designer Tag Sale!!

2009-10-15T21:27:00.001-07:00

I am very excited to be a part of the 2nd Designer Tag Sale, brought to you by Vanessa De Vargas and Vanessa Kogevinas of Vanessa Squared Productions and Amanda Malson and Jolene Ballard of Domicile Interior Design:

WHEN: October 24th, 10am - 2pm

WHERE: 466 E. 18th St. Costa Mesa, CA 92627

WHAT: A treasure trove! An upscale interior designer yard/tag sale that will feature over ten of Orange County and Los Angeles' top designers selling items from their personal inventories including small furniture such as side-tables, lamps, rugs, pillows, art, accessories and more at incredibly low prices! At our tag sales nothing is over $200, and prices run as low as $5. Lots of holiday gift potential!!

***$10 Entrance Fee***

Gift Bags for the first thirty attendees!

Mini Consultations and Appraisals by designers!

Silent Auction!

Entertainment!

Appetizers!

Beauty treatments!

WHO:

Vanessa De Vargas of Turquoise

Jolene Ballard and Amanda Malson of Domicile Interior Design

Zak Graff of Barclay Butera

Krista Ewart of Krista Ewart Design

Natalie Umbert of Atelier Natalie Umbert

Rick Campos of Christopher Tracy Interiors

Steve Jones of Better Shelter

Karen Sikie of Karen Sikie Paper Mosaic Studio

Keri Shrimpton of Keri Shrimpton Design

Krista Browne of Krista Browne Designs

Dianne Kraus of Green Tangerine

Sabina Vavra of Madison West Interiors

Jonathan Lo of Happy Mundane

Gary Bates of Refab Clinic

Smarty

Yelp OC

French American Wallpaper

m[E] Material Environment

CHECK IT OUT: http://designertagsale-oc.blogspot.com

A Common Thread

2009-10-13T11:24:00.000-07:00

Henry Darger, Marcel Dzama, Larissa Bates: there is a common thread in the work of these three artists. Henry Darger came first, with his beautiful and simultaneously haunting creations.

Untitled (At Cedemine, they are treacherously attacked...)

A great post about Mr. Darger can be found here, and his work can be seen h e r e and here. I don't know too much about Marcel Dzama, but after seeing it on the blog of Hollister Hovey, I was smitten with the video he and Patrick Daughters directed, and I certainly want to learn more about this fellow. See more here.

Fearful Lineup, 2004

This video references Mr. Dzama's work and also reminds me of a number of works by the last artist, Larissa Bates, particularly those with Napoleans.

Napoleans Surround Wrestler in Front of Hunting Cabin: Man Power, 2007

Surprise Attack in Akkadian Fertility Garden, 2007

I discovered Larissa Bates when I was virtual gallery hopping one day, and I instantly fell in love with her work. There is a great interview with her here, and her work can be found h e re and h e r e. All three are/were such talented individuals, and each has an incredibly unique point of view...See what you think!

Henry Darger:

Marcel Dzama:

Untitled, 2003

Saddest Ghost, 2004

Untitled, 2004

Larissa Bates:

Head Honchos Capture MotherMan in Persian Miniature Landscape, 2008

Looking up Gilgamesh's Bull of Heaven, 2007

Soldier and Two Dogs, 2007

Harpies Escaping on Tut's Chariot, 2007

Images from the Hammer Gallery, Edlin Gallery, Richard Heller Gallery, and Monya Rowe Gallery.

Man Shops Globe

2009-10-10T19:54:00.000-07:00

This past week brought the debut of the Sundance Channel's "Man Shops Globe" featuring Keith Johnson of Anthropologie fame.

From France, to Africa to India, we get to be flies on the wall as Johnson tracks down unique and beautiful finds for the 123 Anthropologie stores.

I've always said I'd be a professional traveler if such a job opening became available, but now I think Mr. Johnson has my dream job: he gets to circumnavigate the globe AND shop for treasures!

Well, until I get the call, I will have to live vicariously through this wonderful series. In the mean time, it's Girl Shops Local Flea Markets!

Photos from Sundancechannel.com

I left My Heart at Cavallo Point Lodge!

2009-10-08T02:10:00.001-07:00

Last weekend I took a quick trip to San Francisco. While I normally stay in the city, this time I opted to stay across the bay at the Cavallo Point Lodge.

The historical Fort Baker, nestled in the shadows of the Golden Gate Bridge, provides a home to this environmentally sustainable resort hotel. You arrive from a winding road shortly after crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, and instantly you feel taken back in time. The resort has two styles of lodging, historic and contemporary:

Since this was my first visit, I left my choice to fate, and my jaw dropped when I walked into my contemporary accommodations. Not only did I have a breathtaking view of the Golden Gate Bridge and beyond, but my palatial room was beautifully appointed in warm tones and bamboo finishes.

After spending some time on my balcony taking it all in, I took a short walk to have dinner at Murray Circle, one of the lodge's two restaurants. The signature restaurant of Cavallo Point, Murray Circle offers delicious, seasonal fare. The plates are smaller, so one has ample opportunity to sample the restaurant's inventive combinations. Butterball potato gnocchi with salmon roe? Halibut with sassafras, hazelnuts, and sea urchin emulsion? Grilled corn créme brûlée? All I can say is...yum! (In addition to Murray Circle, one can dine at the more casual Farley's Bar or have light fare at the Tea House).

Besides gastronomical delights, Cavallo Point has a fabulous array of services and activities: spa treatments, cooking school, bike riding, and yoga, to name a few. I will have to partake of those options on my next visit, as I was perfectly happy sitting on my balcony, enjoying the cuisine, and walking the amazing grounds.

This resort is a wonderful place to relax and take it all in, with the added bonus of being right next door to the city. My weekend at Cavallo Point was a dream, and I can't wait to go back!

Not only did Cavallo Point provide for a serene and delightful weekend, but it also seems to be the convening point of cute cars:

Photos by Cavallopoint.com, Ecbsf.com, and Me.

Welcome!

2009-10-07T00:25:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my blog! In case you are wondering about the name, I chose "Farrago & Folly" because I like both of these words, and I think they sum up my interests pretty well. A farrago is a hodgepodge, and a folly is a whimsical structure built to serve as a conversation piece (also, the state or quality of being foolish). As the name suggests, this blog will focus on a wonderful, sometimes silly, mixture of things, whatever happens to interest me at the moment. To be sure, my love of travel, art, flea markets, and interior design will be regular topics.