Living Legend ~ Quincy Jones

You know I am a big fan of the Washington Post. I look forward to their Arts & Style section every Sunday. Today I was riveted. Why? You know music and I are one ~ well there is a story about living legend Quincy Jones written by DeNeen Brown. Mr. Jones, in my opinion, is the single most important person in American music thus far. In the article, he stresses the importance of knowing and understanding the history of American music; of learning, listening, and growing as an artist. He notes such greats as Coltrane, Davis, and Charles. He seems to completely get that the present and future are built on the past. Not that one imitates the past but internalizes what jives within you and making it your own and leaving out the parts that are incongruent with one's self. I couldn't agree more. Here is a link to the article. It's a great read and I learned a couple new things and that is a treasure.

I couldn't agree more!

You all know how much I love to read the Washington Post on Thursday at lunch time. Yesterday was no exception.

Newell Turner's first House Beautiful is out! This is not the cover but what a fantastic cover this is!

Terry Sapienza did a great interview with Mr. Turner. His words of wisdom are fabulous. He knows who he is. We see eye to eye on the space thing and how to really sample paint colors. I have given that advise to clients hundreds of times. I think I even blogged about it. I love House Beautiful and I feel it is in good hands. Give the interview a read. It's short and sweet.

I thought I was a guest writer today on Finding Fabulous ~ um ~ no. It was yesterday that I was to guest write. I didn't get my post to her until last night ~ I had my wires crossed. Silly me! Jane, being very gracious, is running it next Tuesday. Stay tuned.

Enjoy your weekend!

Kennedy Center Honors.....

The Washington Post did a wonderful story in the latest Kennedy Center Honorees.... Mel Brooks, Grace Bumbry, Bruce Springsteen, Robert De Niro, and Dave Brubeck. You know I am a fan of Bruce. I have seen him twice in this past year alone. I am also a fan of the other talents. I encourage you to read the article ~ it is well written and tells the tales of these fantastic artists.

Mel Brooks"I remember I was about 8 or 9 and there was a family meeting," said Brooks. "My mother said, 'I don't want to live in the back anymore.' She says, 'All I see are clothes on the lines and all I hear are cats howling, while real life is going on across the hall.' As if that was the Rialto over there, something sophisticated and wonderful. As if there was a Cole Porter show happening on South Third Street. But anyway, that's what she wanted."
Brooks still remembers his brother Irving's line -- "We can do it" -- which became the Kaminsky family rallying cry, and much later the title of a song Brooks would write for the musical version of "The Producers." The brothers worked "so Mom could move from the back to where the action was," an achievement "I never forgot because it said, Where there's a will, there's a way."
Scott Vogel, Washington Post

Mel's never say never spirit drove him and millions into much needed laughter so many times. Mel's humor is often crude. Watch the video at your own risk :)


Grace Bumbry"Bumbry has been singing in Europe since her debut in Paris in 1960, at age 23. "Back in those days, you felt as if you were being given a lesson," she says of the all-important exposure to European cultures as a young American who first went over to immerse herself in the German and French repertory. The next year, she gained international attention and acclaim as the "Black Venus" in Wieland Wagner's Bayreuth production of "Tannhäuser" -- the first African American singer at Bayreuth, in a role that is meant to be the epitome of female beauty. Some protested. More, though, raved..........

Bumbry studied music intensely even at Charles Sumner High School, the first all-black high school west of the Mississippi, and won a local radio competition at the age of 17 singing "O don fatale" from Verdi's "Don Carlo." Part of the prize was admission to a local conservatory, but that proved impossible; the conservatory was unwilling to take a black student."
Anne Midgette, Washington Post

To over come and rise above.


Bruce Springsteen

"For Springsteen, rock-and-roll has always been about making contact with his audience. He describes his songwriting, his albums, his concerts, the entirety of his career as an "ongoing conversation" with his fans. It is as much about them -- their dreams, frustrations, failings and joys -- as it is about him. Fans see themselves, or people they know, in the vast cast of characters that inhabit his songs and give them life. It's a quintessentially American array: winners, losers, gamblers, hustlers, lovers, outcasts and desperadoes."
Joe Heim, Washington Post

Well said, Joe, well said.


Robert De Niro"Martin Scorsese, the filmmaker most closely associated with De Niro over the years, is philosophical. "I can't imagine what his process was, emotionally and psychologically, how he got through it," Scorsese says of De Niro's earlier, most demanding roles. "Comedy gives him a chance to look at himself and look at the past, and make the transition to the future."
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

Above is in response to Mr. De Niro's role choices of late. I agree with Mr. Scorsese, Mr. DeNiro is entitled to evolution just like the rest of us. His versatility is incomparable.


Dave Brubeck"Then he and his sidemen would crack that ballad wide open in a hard-charging, swinging version in a time signature you couldn't hope to count out, you'd just have to close your eyes and hold on. That is how Brubeck is. That is how he plays. That is how he lives, in stubborn and sunny defiance of all conventional rhythms of jazz and age itself."
Ann Gerhart, Washington Post

Jazz genius!


The Honors will be broadcast on CBS, Dec. 29 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Thank you to all the artists for the wonderful times you have given us!

I am joining the party at Between Naps on the Porch as these artists changed the way we look at and hear things and the innovation they brought to their particular medium.

Women in Hollywood

I read a story in the Washington Post last week. It was entitled Women & Film. The premise of the story is that movies made about strong women don't do well at the box office. It reports that women aren't supporting films about strong females. Films starring women that are financially successful are more about groups of women and relationships versus strong women and their accomplishments. This scares me. It furthers states that men were more comfortable than women thinking about a woman in the oval office when they discussed a TV show about just that. Hmmm??!! How can this be? Is it a confidence issue among women? Do women see themselves as sexualized objects even more than men? Do women spend more time thinking about breast size and wrinkles then men do? I think 'yes.' I believe we are socialized to do so and propagate it ourselves. I wonder what advertisers spend their time talking about when they are developing a campaign for night cream. I doubt it is about portraying a strong woman in a corporate setting leading a strategic planning meeting. Look at these lovely ladies.....

All photo credits The Washington Post

Do you know who they are? They are film directors; Lone Scherfig and Jane Campion (The Education and The Piano respectively as well as other wonderful films). Highly accomplished, wrinkles and all. Don't get me wrong... I like to look good and have a variety of lotions and potions to attempt to keep my skin taut. I just believe that intelligence, knowledge, confidence, strength, creativity, stamina ~ aka building of the mind ~ in tandem with love, support, encouragement, faith, respect ~ aka building of heart and soul ~ will take any woman further in the long run than mere physical beauty. It's the beauty on the inside ~ mind, heart, and soul ~ that are the building blocks of a strong woman.

Additions?? Thoughts??

Washington Post Blog Watch

Excuse the interruption of the CharityWorks' Green Designer Show House. Hot off the press ~ Paula Grace Designs Blog is featured in the Washington Post Home Section today ~ Blog Watch. A heart felt thank you to Terri Sapienza and the Washington Post Home Section for having me as their "Pick to click."

Washington Post ~ Going the Distance

The Washington Post Home Section has another great story. I read Home Section almost every Thursday at lunch. Today was no different. They featured Tom Glass's labor of love. Tom Glass owns Glass Construction which specializes in restoration of historic homes (their website is beautiful ~ you may want to check that out too). He found himself a beauty for his own weekend use but had to move it 150 miles. Read the story to see how he did it and more after shots. It is really an amazing feat!

Bravo Tom!

Watergate Update ~

No, no ~ not another scandal ~ a bonafide interior design update. I was reading the Washington Post Home Section (as I do every Thursday at lunch) and saw this story and wanted to share it. Lori Graham is the interior designer that updated this diamond in the rough. She did a wonderful job and repurposed many of the furnishings to achieve the lovely results. Click here to read the story to look at the wonderful photos. You may have to join to view ~ its worth it. Enjoy!

Washington DC's August Calendar of Style Events

DC Scout of the Washington Post puts out these fabulous emails. Here is a sample.....



Sorry this calendar is a bit late but there is still great things to come. I missed the Flea Market as I was out of town. Darn!

The Talk Fashion is something all of us can catch up on and stay tuned for. Just last week, they talked about Wedding Fashion.




The Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens has beautiful exhibitions for all to enjoy. I suspect their Summer Christmas Sale is spectacular.

Then there is BoConcept ~ 60% off floor samples in their DC and McLean stores. This Danish company knows sleek, elegant contemporary design. If you love this look and/or live in a small but stylish home ~ this is a sale you do not want to miss. Yes, I will be there.....













See you there!