Inspirational Moments of 2011, Part 2

MORE OF THIS YEAR'S MOST INSPIRATIONAL MOMENTS

{Top: The Return of Glamour – refer to December entry below}

SEPTEMBER – ADELE AND WOODY MAKE US FALL IN LOVE WITH PARIS ALL OVER AGAIN

It was the simplest of music videos; a singer wandering the deserted streets of Paris on a winter's afternoon. But Adele's Someone Like You was so poignant, and showed Paris in such a beautiful light, that the world couldn't help but fall in love with the song, the city and Adele herself. Part of the melancholy charm of the video was its black-and-white tones, which seemed to perfectly suit the soulful lyrics and also Adele's mood, as she wandered slowly across the Pont Alexandre III and looked wistfully down the Seine. Not surprisingly, the video was a huge worldwide hit, and Paris authorities reported that visits to the city increased dramatically in October and November.

Someone else who contributed to Paris's tourism was Woody Allen, whose film Midnight in Paris showed the city in Woody's special way – with whimsy, humour, wit, nostalgia, and enthralling glamour. One of the best moments in the film was the gorgeous bicycle carousel, which is part of the Musée des Arts Forains (The Museum of Fairground Art). This magical place is located near Les Pavillons de Bercy at 53 Avenue des Terroirs de France (12th arrondissement), and is one of the  glorious secrets in Paris. It reminded us that just when we think we've seen everything there is to see in Paris, there is always more to explore.

OCTOBER – THE REVIVAL OF LIBRARIES
Certain members of the media had predicted that books and libraries would go the way of videos in the digital reading age, but thankfully they seem to be wrong. In fact, the popularity of libraries is only increasing as book lovers remember the thrill of being lost among the shelves. The New York Times forecast that libraries will become the social lubricant of the future, meaning that we'll see them as not only places of inspiration and contemplation but also conversation. Even celebrity hotelier Ian Schrager decided to install a library in his new hotel, Public Chicago. Who said books were dead? {Images via greigedesign.blogspot.com, pinterest and the Viceroy Santa Monica}

NOVEMBER – THE RETURN OF COLOUR
Vogue Australia gave us a glimpse of the future when it dedicated its February 2011 issue to colour and featured a spectacular fashion shoot from Mexico. Then colour blocking became one of the major style  trends of the year, with Crayola shades showing up on everything from catwalks to red carpet events and even interiors. Now everything bright is in the spotlight, including countries such as Mexico and Curaçao – reportedly the hot new Caribbean destination. How could we not be inspired by colours that reminded us of fun? {Images via Vogue Australia and Curaçao tourism}

DECEMBER – THE RETURN OF GLAMOUR

Let's face it. Glamour's been a bit short on the ground these past few years. We've had clothes inspired by all sorts of things, from Lady Gaga to gardening, and while they've all had their charms, the va-va-voom element has been lacking a little. Well, now Glamour with a capital G is back, and what a dramatic return it's making. Hollywood-style hair, La Dolce Vita-style dresses and heels that are so shockingly sexy they need their own rating system... Oh glamour, we missed you. Let's hope you stay around a while this time. {Images via Australian Vogue January 2012)

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Inspirational Moments of 2011, Part 1

A quick little post of inspiration to tide you over until the New Year. This year may have been a challenging year for many, but there was still a lot of inspiration and creativity around, it seems. Which just goes to show that inspiration and creativity can be found anywhere, even in a tough landscape. Part 2 posted tomorrow. (Above image from La Maison Champs-Elysées hotel; see below for details.)

DECEMBER/JANUARY – ETCHED PERFECTION 

Who better to start the year than the extraordinarily and imaginative artist and etcher François Houtin? A trained landscpape architect who worked on the restoration of the Tuileries gardens in Paris, Houtin now creates beautiful and often fantastical garden prints and etchings inspired by the idea of Utopia.  Hermés was so impressed the company asked him to design a range of dishware. The results were like something from an enchanted forest in a Gothic fairytale; a whimsical, haunting landscape of architectural follies and foliage and hidden imps and pixies. But it was his Paris atelier that was really inspiring. One of the most romantic studios I've ever seen, it's a dream of a space that makes you wish for an artist's attic studio of your own. Look at his alphabet; it's a narrative in itself. {Images via Hermés and Vogue Living}

FEBRUARY – MONDRIAN MAGIC IN MANHATTAN

When I heard that its bar was inspired by a potting bench, that was enough to intrigue me. The new Mondrian SoHo hotel in New York received columns of media publicity, thanks to both the timing of its opening (which cleverly coincided with New York Fashion Week), and the creativity of its interiors. Inspired by John Cocteau's La Belle et Le Bête, the hotel features – in typical Mondrian style – elaborate rooms and spectacular spaces, but perhaps the most beautiful is the garden room. Truly ravishing. mondriansoho.com {Images via Mondrian SoHo}

MARCH – DISCOVERING ELLEN

I first noticed Ellen O'Neill's work in House Beautiful's Pink issue. The magazine was full of great content but perhaps the best story was on O'Neill's Hamptons hideaway, a charming cottage decorated in faded reds and circus-inspired stripes. (I particularly loved her quote: "When I worked at Ralph Lauren, we attended Stripe Class–awning stripes, regimental stripes, ticking stripes. I love them all!" I think I'd like to go to Stripe Class. Where do I sign up?) If that wasn't enough gorgeousness, she then allowed us to see her sublime Manhattan studio; a perfect little space carved out of a 1920's Emery Roth-designed building. All the property ad said was: "One room with a balcony overlooking Gramercy Park, fireplace, outstanding views, key to park". She took it. And then she created her Ellenesque magic on that, too. {Images via House Beautiful}

APRIL – ADVANCED GLAMOUR

One of the best things about the blogosphere is discovering new blogs, and Advanced Style is one of the most inspirational I've ever seen. Curated by fashion lover and street photographer Ari Seth Cohen, it chronicles the lives and wardrobes of people of a certain (grand) age, and shows you don't need to be young (or wealthy) to be stylish and head-turning. Cohen has been given a book deal and he deserves it. His blog is divine.  (Images via advancedstyle.blogspot.com}

MAY – MARTIN MARGIELA'S MASTERPIECE

When the La Maison Champs-Elysées hotel re-opened in Paris in May, many in the design world rushed to peek inside the rooms. It had promised to redefine the concept of a hotel and it did, thanks to Martin Margiela, who created some of the most theatrical spaces this side of the Miami Mondrian. The suites were distinguished by two concepts – day and night. Some suites disguised themselves in all black palette, creating a veiled, enigmatic atmosphere, while others were bright, calm and white but still startling in their interior design. There was trompe l'oeil, black-and-white panelling and even whimsical cabinets of curiosities. All in all, a Margiela marvel. {Images at very top and above via La Maison}

JUNE – GETTING DOWN AND DIRTY WITH DOWNTON ABBEY

It had everything we wanted in a period drama: gorgeous Edwardian costumes; a grand old house full of spectacular rooms and even more thrilling secrets; a touch of sex; a mysterious death; endearing characters (Mr Bates, for one), and a whole lot of entertaining quotes. Such as this: “No one wants to kiss a girl in black." Oh, Downton, we adored you. {Image via Downton Abbey}

JULY – GARDEN ART

After spending several months photographing a book on the world's most beautiful kitchen gardens last year (The Modern Kitchen Garden), I am now in love with the elegance, simplicity and charm of garden plans. My favourites so far are the plans of the gardens of Prieuré Notre-Dame d'Orsan and Versailles, but I'm now discovering historic illustrations of walled Edwardian gardens. There is something fascinating about finding your way through a garden plan, following the paths and diagrams all the way to the corners. Some of the plans I've seen are more beautiful than the gardens! (I will do another post on these in 2012.)

AUGUST – ROOFTOP ROMANCE

When Hermés announced that its new fragrance was inspired by its roof, some people wondered if the French fashion house had gone a little Lady Gaga... But then it revealed images of its roof and suddenly the inspiration was apparent. Hermés was hiding one of the most enchanting gardens in Paris atop its Faubourg Saint-Honoré store. Filled with apple trees, pears, lavender, magnolias, roses and even an exquisite lawn, the rooftop paradise was designed by Jean-Louis Dumas, great-grandson of the atelier's founder Thierry Hermés. Dumas wanted to recreate the rural landscape of Normandy, and planted mostly white flowers against a cool green foliage. The result was so wonderful, it inspired Hermés' new fragrance, Un Jardin Sur Le Toit. We all love a secret garden, and this has to be one of the best. (I love how even the fragrance packaging features a whimsical illustration of the garden.)

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10 Lovely Things About 2011

It's always easy to look back on a year and notice the difficulties and the down sides. But it's far better to look back and recall the bright bits and the highlights. So for this post, I'd like to forget about the woeful and the horrible and instead list some of the lovely things that have happened to me/us during 2011. I hope it will inspire you all to put your feet up and look back at some of the nicer moments you've had during this surprisingly tumultuous 12 months. Go on. It will give you a lot of joy on Christmas Eve. Trust me.

This is my last post until early January. Next year, there will be some exciting changes at The Library. I'm in the process of persuading some of the world's best designers, writers, photographers and creative professionals to contribute to it so you won't have to listen to my ramblings all the time! I very much hope you'll come back and continue reading then. Until then, thank you for following me here The Library. I've been touched to see the Stats go up and up, even if people have been shy about commenting. And congratulations to the ever-supportive Millie from The Laurel Hedge for winning the Comment Competition. I really wanted to send all my lovely readers a gift, and perhaps next year I'll be able to send more presents out to those who have been regular commenters.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
All the very best to you all.
Janelle McCulloch

10 Lovely Things About 2011

1. January. Three days in the Whitsunday Islands. First holiday in a year. Bliss.  I've always loved that Tennyson line, "In the afternoon they came unto a land, in which it seemed always afternoon..." Well, the Whitsundays felt like one long beautiful afternoon. (NB If you've never flown over the reef in a sea plane, put it on your Life To Do List; it is one of the most sublime things you'll ever experience.)

2. February. RR proposed. Well, he didn't really propose. Because he was rather shy he was given four months to say The Four Words. He got through the "will" and the "you", before stumbling a bit on the "marry" (he whispered that one out the car window). But he finished handsomely on the "me". How could a girl say no?

3. March. Attended design/media/bloggers conference in LA. Conference was interesting but highlight was being in LA during Oscars week. Received a lovely invitation to a dinner party at a friend's house in the historic Laughlin Park gated estate in the Hollywood Hills. (The old Cecil B DeMille estate). The architecture was amazing but what was more amazing was that some of the other guests turned out to be Oscar nominees. AND my friend lived next door to Natalie Portman, Ellen Pompeo, Justin Bieber and Will I Am from the Black Eyed Peas. (Seriously, could you HAVE any cooler neighbours?) Apparently, the residents have AMAZING neighbourhood parties. Can you imagine Will I Am leading them all in a little street dancing? My friend says he is the loveliest neighbour. Decided I needed to move to Laughlin Park.

(3b). March. Three days in New York. Bought loads of books from The Strand for $1 each, caught up with friends, felt the inspiration flow again...

4. April. Two books published – The Modern Kitchen Garden and Coast: Lifestyle Architecture. Remembered all the wonderful weeks I spent photographing them in 2010. Is there anything lovelier than photographing a garden?

5. May. Adopted two little puppies – a Jack Russell called Coco and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel called Cooper. (Yes, Coco is the tomboy and Cooper is, well, the effeminate one.) Both proceeded to chew threw iPhones, iPods, expensive shoes and favourite books. (They spent a LOT of time in the laundry.) Despite this, we adore them. Even if we're unsure of their sexuality.

6. June. Started writing a book about the story behind Picnic at Hanging Rock. Went to the National Library in Canberra (SUCH a beautiful place) and spent 3 days immersed in archive files. What an extraordinary story.

7. Third book published – Paris: A Guide to the City's Creative Heart. Received lots of lovely book reviews in The Australian, the Australian Financial Review, Gourmet Traveller, Vogue, US Vogue, Melbourne ABC radio, and many other places. And I didn't have to slip any of them a fifty dollar bill...

8. October. Decided to postpone our marriage in the US (long story, too depressing to recount). Went to Adelaide for a weekend instead. Still unmarried. But happy.

9. November. Finished renovations on our house. The highlight was hiring two Afghanistan tradesmen to do the painting. These gentlemen were the loveliest guys you could ever want to work on your house. They told me stories of leaving their wives and kids to come and make money in Australia, they entertained me with humorous tales of their country and they painted our five-bedroom, two-storey house in just three days. For $2000. Incredible. I was humbled by their professionalism, their personal pain, and their grace in the face of adversity.

10. November/December Finished the year by starting a blog, something I've been meaning to do since I parked the name in April 2008. Spent the first few weeks wondering if it was worth it. Then met the kindest, funniest, most talented and most inspiring women through the blogging network. No wonder traditional media are nervous of the social media phenomenon. Not even Vogue Living gives you this kind of interaction. Or this kind of inspiration. Bloggers, I adore you.

All in all, a wonderful 12 months.

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Saying Farewell to 2011

It's one minute past midnight here and my little family is tucked up asleep while I try to write on through the night. (I need to finish writing a book and sometimes the cruel hours are the best hours to do it.) It has been a sublime night here; warm and dense with the scent of jasmine and lamb chops being cooked on barbecues. The sky stayed pink for the longest time and the sight of it glowing rose was enough to make people stop jogging and take photos on their iPhones. It was such an exquisite evening that I took the dogs for a long walk, firstly through the village and then through the forest behind it. I met a handful of other villagers who were also walking their dogs in the quiet of the evening, and we chatted about how lovely the lilacs were, and how pretty all the hydrangeas looked after the deluge of rain.  I peered (as I always do) over the picket fences, admiring the planting schemes of the cottage gardens and wondering if ours would ever look as beautiful. It was a night of reflection, admiration, and quiet appreciation.

This year has been a terrible year for many people. Including us. In fact, some journalists are calling it a cataclysmic year, and for once I wouldn't say they're sensationalising their copy. It has been a truly appalling twelve months. Floods, storms, global economic woes, unexpected job losses, strange illnesses, career setbacks, relationship breakdowns, a plummeting real estate market and many other extraordinarily awful things have tested our collective spirit this year. Apparently, December 2012 is going to be a fairly apocalyptic few weeks, if you believe the "2012 Phenomenon", but quite frankly I don't know how things can get much worse. I think the world has hit rock-bottom, don't you?

The thing is, bad times never last, and this year – thank goodness – is on its last wobbly legs. It doesn't have much strength left and soon we'll be entering a fresh new era. 2011 will seem like a summer thunderstorm that's come and gone in a flash of lightning. And when it finally passes, the air will feel calmer and clearer – as it always does when a thunderstorm moves through. It's like a cleansing process that has to happen as part of the larger cycle of life. As Woody Allen once said, the rain helps wash away the dusty memories from the sidewalk of life...

So if you've had an atrocious year and are still feeling the pain of it, hang in there, as the new year is almost here. Take your loved ones, or your dog, and go for a walk in the pink light of twilight. Look at a garden, or a sunset, chat to a neighbour, or arrange to meet a friend in the park. Talk about happy things. Remember the good parts of your life. Then go home and hug your kids, or your partner. Pour yourself a Christmas drink. Pull a cracker. Open a box of chocolates. And sing a carol. Out loud.

Winston Churchill once said, "If you're going through Hell, keep going". It's a good philosophy.

Let's all look forward to 2012.

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