Photograper Spotlight: Andreas Trauttmansdorff

Every now and then, I come across a photographer whose work really captivates me. I mean REALLY captivates me. There is a certain old world-ness to the work I am featuring today, almost like they were taken from another era....I have always felt like I was born in the wrong era anyway so this is probably why it really appeals to me! These are the kind of pictures that just kind of jump off the page and have that "wow" affect. As often as I look at pictures, its so exciting to find pictures that genuinely excite me so when it happens every now and then, its worth talking about! Well, with me if happens a little more than every now and then because I do look at so very many pictures so I like to take note especially more lately as to who it is behind the lens, who is the genius at making that picture look so darn good.
Behind every beautiful subject is the hands and eyes of a very skilled photographer at creating the very best shot. I truly believe that. I am in awe of Andreas' work. (Yes we are on a first name basis and no, I don't know him..it just sounds impressive to call him by his first name) Besides did you see his last name, I am not even going to attempt to spell it again!  His work runs the gamut from food, travel, decor and people to weddings, gardens and motor and water sports. He is very versatile,  travels the globe for his work and has offices based in New York, Chicago and Toronto. I just love looking at his photographs and I think you will too.
Warning and disclaimer...... IF you are hungry, proceed at your own risk, these pictures might induce serious and I do mean serious pangs of hunger! I think this guy is seriously talented..what do you think? I could stare at his photographs all day long.....just fabulous!  Do you have a favorite photographer? Do you have a favorite picture in this post?  Would love to  know which! Click here to see more of this talented photographers work.

Didn't I say that his work is beautiful? Kind of has the ability to take you away for a minute or two.....I love it, thats the power of pictures. I think he is really good at what he does. Hope you enjoyed and hope you have a wonderful Friday!

Things I am loving Thursdays and house update!

Hi I am so happy its Thursday. I have to confess Thursdays are fast becoming my favorite blogging day because it gives me a chance to discuss my favorite things of the week. I like to begin with house updates because lots of things are happening literally every day. So I start with some updates, a lot of wood floor pictures, the guys did an outstanding job, I have to say really amazing workmanship. Ditto for all the casings around the windows and doors, really heavy duty, so we are really really pleased with the trim and flooring thus far. The cabinetry guy is working hard on the breakfast room and soon will be starting the family room and back stairhall. It is extremely exciting and gratifying to see the hard work pay off! So here are some pictures I recently took followed by things I am loving this week.
HOUSE UPDATES. Well, wood flooring is nearly done upstairs. They have the tiniest little finishes to do but otherwise are done and I must say they did a fabulous job. Ditto with the trim as you will see below. It was a very exciting moment for me to tape up a wallpaper sample on the wall of the back powder room to see it against the completed marble and do a premature visual of the first completed albeit  small completed room, and it was beyond exhilarating!! First round of beams went up in breakfast room. When I took these pictures it was a virtual monsoon outside...raining cats and dogs...so some of the colors in the pictures is a bit off since I think I overcompensated by using too bright a flash, but you get the idea and yes alas it is starting to really resemble a house....exciting stuff!

First round going up.....

First round of beams in...they are not as dark as they look here

Beautiful herringbone pattern upstairs off backstair landing

Beautiful paneling in progress in breakfast room

Paneling in breakfast room

Front entrance limestone flooring started today!

Stone ready for installation

Foyer limestone in progress

New beams at work in family room

Beige and white marble basket weave in guest room 2 

Close up

Borders done

Sons shower wall complete

Floor of that bathroom

Subway tiles finished!

Decisions decisions...we went with one on the right....

Back stair landing

Beautiful basketweave flooring upstairs

Small powder room off of kitchen

Casings around windows completed

Doors to hubby's bath

Looking down from 2nd floor going all the way down to the basement......

Doors to my bathroom..at last they are on!

First stretch of baseboards and plinth blocks at base of trim around doors!

BELGIAN BLUESTONE. I am on the hunt for this stone as I love the look. I would like to use this in my laundry room as its one of the few materials that I think will look great off of the reclaimed limestone in the mudroom. If I cannot get more of the reclaimed stone in time (which we will find out this week) to complete my laundry room I am going to go with this look. I love the old world look and love the drama of the black..... What do you think?

ANTIQUED MIRROR. Always liked it but now its bordering on an obsession and I just know I am going to be using lots of it in the new house. Love it in a dressing area, in a bar, for a butlers pantry, in a powder room, for sconces, I could go on and on. But here are a few wonderful ways how antiqued mirror looks quite beautiful!

Love the idea of inset panels with antique mirror

A stunning mirrored Provence planter.....

Rena Abott's living room

Bunny Williams covered an entire wall in antique mirror

Love an oversized piece with the rosettes.....

I love this idea for a ladies dressing area....so elegant!

WORLDS AWAY MIRRORS. I love the mirrors by Worlds Away, think they would be great above a vanity for a guest room or powder room vanity. They have the antiqued mirror that I love so much too, what do you think? I love the geometric frames, they are so pretty! Click here to see more of their great collection. I also just learned they now have a blog!! So happy about that, so click here to follow them and get the latest on their fabulous line.....

KATE SPADE STRIKES AGAIN. I used to really like Kate Spade (not so much the bags but her other accessories) then fell out of love with the line. Well shes back and looking better than ever! The line is a modern day take on fresh, crisp modern feminine dressing and the clothing line is looking pretty snazzy as well, along the lines of Milly if you like that look. I am especially loving a bunch of her fun jewelry pieces......check them out!

Love this..the sea glass twisted statement choker, colors AMAZING!

The "bamboolized" necklace..great looking

Love the bibb necklace too..such a great piece for chic summer dressing

I am loving this wicker bracelet in both colors!

RALPH LAURENS NEW RESTAURANT IN PARIS. Just in case you are heading to Paris this weekend and by all means feel free to invite me if you want to, I will be happy to clear my calendar! You may want to book a table at the very chic and very quintessential "Ralph's" by Ralph Lauren! Apparently the menu is old school American, shrimp cocktail, steaks, crabcakes, hamburgers,fried chicken...and the French are eating it up literally and figuratively! Does this guy do anything wrong? NO! How gorgeous is this restaurant? No surprise!!

MONOGRAMS. You know I love them! Here is another fun line that makes these adorable pillows, very customized with a variety of monograms and fabrics to choose from.... Luxury monograms does it all, from pillows to napkins and place mats and even tote bags. A pair of these fun pillows would be great on a bed, on a chair, on a love seat, can see them on outdoor chaise lounges...the possibilities are endless! Click here to visit their site.

OK OK, I know what you are thinking, does this girl sit around her house all day eating designer cookies...whats up with her obession with outrageously cute cookies? No, I don't eat them, just admire them (I WISH I sat around eating these little edible cuties) and yes, I am obsessed with adorable cookies. And Rolling Pin productions does makes some of the cutest most creative ones I have seen. I am just racking my brain to think of an occasion so I can order some! A friends upcoming 50th birthday...you know who you are! Another friends daughters baby shower...and yes you know you who are too!  Check out their amazing work. Click here to find out more about what they can do for you and your special occasion.

If you are having a Halloween party

All their adorable pet cookies...

A sampling of all the celeb cookies they have done...

They can take a picture and turn it into a cookie! Love it....

NEW FABRIC CRUSH. Palace Garden...funny story. I had seen this last year. Fell in love, put it in my inspiration file only to misplace the name. Went on a frantic search but that's like looking for a needle in haystack, so it along with a thousand other things got shuffled back to the end of my seemingly endless "to do" list and lo and behold the other day while doing one of my countless Internet searches I found it on someones blog post, and was so thankful!! I wrote the blogger who promptly wrote me back saying that my note to her had made her think that maybe she will start blogging again (she hadn't posted in almost a year),  see there are no accidents in life!! Happy ending for us both. So now a sample of Palace Garden is on its way to me and I am in the meantime brainstorming as to where I might use this lovely print. Where do you see it? Any ideas from all you talented style mavens out there? I love the pattern, the colors..everything about it, it has the browns, the blues, a touch of dark green, bottom line is its PERFECT!

A HUNK OF BURNING PERFECT MARBLE. Wow oh wow...is this gorgeous or what? Our marble guy just sent us these photos of the huge blocks of the Calacutta Gold they are going to be getting from which we will be getting our slabs.They are gorgeous..exactly what I had in mind....lots of white, soft subtle veining, just the right amount of gray and gold veining, if it is possible to be madly in love with a piece of marble, than I am!!

TEDDY! After the scare he put us through on Mothers day, and after I have had a full week to get over my anger and decompress a bit, and now that he is off restriction (lol)  one major thing I am loving this week is Teddy  He is a great dog, such a loving, sweet, kind and gentle "giant" ..he deserves a "shout out" to borrow a word from my sons vocabulary (yes he would cringe if he was reading this) but nonetheless, Teddy this ones for you!

Well that's what I am loving this week..plenty to love! Would love to know if there is something special that you have discovered or that you are really excited about and want to share! Hope you have a fabulous Thursday!