Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Cirque Decor? A New Look?

Parasol Bar Wynn Hotel; photo credit: jochibi

I just returned from Las Vegas last week. Had so much fun! One highlight was Cirque du Soleil's, LOVE. Amazing. A "must see" if you go to Vegas.

The other highlight, or shall I say, huge inspiration, was a visit to the Wynn Hotel. It got me thinking, is there possibly a new look for decor that we could call "Cirque?"


Upon entering the hotel, I had no idea of the whimsy that was awaiting me. From floating parasols to a lake of dreams, The Wynn was a treasure! This photo above is from the registration area of the hotel. Amazing tall rock crystal bird table lamps graced the counters with a circus-themed painted mural behind them.

Wynn's inspiration; 1932 Picasso painting Le Rêve

Steve Wynn, a casino/real estate developer, has been credited starting the dramatic resurgence and expansion of the Vegas strip in the 1990s. His companies built some famous resorts in Vegas such as the The Mirage, Treasure Island, Bellagio, Wynn and Encore.

The Parasol Bar; photo credit: cabayarea

Here's what Roger Thomas, Executive of Wynn design had to say about the Parasol installation in the Wynn: “Very early on in the resort’s design and conception, Steve gave me an assignment: His initial inspiration was the 1932 Picasso painting Le Rêve, which is French for ‘the dream.' And so he asked me, ‘How do we convey the feeling of a dream?’ Parasols are among the images I find very dreamlike—I think of Chagall and of people floating in the sky, carrying mini parasols over their heads—so I liked the idea of this ballet of parasols that both turn slowly and move up and down slowly. I often think of guests sitting at Parasol Up; they look at the parasols, and when they look back a few minutes later, they think, Have they changed? Am I dreaming?”


“I came up with their design, the whimsical shapes and colors and embroideries, by closing myself up in a room and large sheets of paper, and I put on Vivaldi and just started drawing these fanciful shapes. They took more than a year to create, and we constructed them here, just outside of Las Vegas. Ultimately I’m thrilled that they’ve become such an iconic element of the resort; they were meant to be a heart of Wynn, with a sort of pulse and movement. One of my favorite things to do is to stand off to the side and watch the reactions of our guests—they always seem entranced, and that’s really fulfilling.”

photo credit: mailgirl333

Yummy candy-colored parasols! The colors are magical at night!

photo credit: catnipmusic

Amazing colorful mosaic flooring throughout the hotel...


The Wynn Hotel reminded me a lot of the historic Cirque Room in the Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco. The Cirque Room was the first bar to open in San Francisco following prohibition. It was decorated by architect Tim Pflueger in a beautiful Art Deco style with an incredible bar, and murals by the celebrated Bruton sisters. Before the Venetian Room was opened, the Cirque was the place to go for entertainment in San Francisco.

Having fun in Fairmont's Cirque Room...

Blush Lounge Wynn Hotel - photo credit: stars4esther

The Blush Lounge at the Wynn features a ceiling hung with 300 lanterns that change colors. Amazing.

Blush Lounge Wynn Hotel - photo credit: stars4esther


The Wynn Buffet

I wish I had brought my camera with me. Some of these photos are from my cell phone. Oh well. I had to share this photo of The Buffet at the Wynn. An Alice in Wonderland-evoking atrium styled with towers of fruit flowers and foliage and even some natural light. Insanely beautiful in person!

photo credit: CourtneyMay

I found the photo above on Flickr. The cabanas near the pool are very circus-like. Unfortunately the pool isn't open during the winter. But, how cute, right?

We took a little walk over to Wynn's newest hotel, The Encore. These glass peacocks
are at the entrance to the High-Limit Baccarat room. Woah!

The peacocks are created out of cast glass, with their eyes crafted in jade. Their tails are crafted out of open-work metal, accented by hundreds of Swarovski crystals that were then lit from beneath to give the tails a wonderful glow.

And finally, the Wynn Theatre at the Encore. The rotunda outside The Wynn Theater has 39 crystal-encrusted butterflies hanging from the ceiling that are covered with 8 million multi-colored gems. Unbelievable.

I love the fact that Steve Wynn thought 'out of the box' and came up with a whimsical theme like none other. Not modern. Not Hollywood Regency. Not make believe Paris. Just circus-themed whimsy. Refreshing for a change.

The Wynn Hotels just blew me away.

Monday, January 11, 2010

New Arrivals at Paris Hotel Boutique!


Today's the day! Over 65 new arrivals have just been added to Paris Hotel Boutique. Some highlights include:

* Mid Century Cased Glass Pendant Chandelier

* 19th Century Cast Iron Sign

* European Beaded Chandeliers

* Assorted Vintage Bus Signs; Boston, Connecticut, London

* Early French Character Menus

* Victorian Watch Chain/Fob Jewelry

* Large Collection of Grace Line Silver and much more!

Sunday, January 10, 2010

New Arrivals Coming Tomorrow!

Just a 'head's up' about our new arrivals on their way to you...

When: tomorrow... Monday, Jan 11th at 7:45 am Pacific Standard Time

Where: Paris Hotel Boutique

What: over 65 new items...

See you in the morning!

Photo credit: Tony₂

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Pretty Paper!


Today my friend Liz and I attended the Vintage Paper Fair in San Francisco. What fun it was! So many people collecting everything from old photos & postcards, to brochures and posters.

I bought dozens of beautiful vintage postcards from France, and old hotel postcards from the USA. I give these to each customer who purchases something from Paris Hotel Boutique. It's just a little added touch of thanks! I'm so crazy over many of these that it will be hard to part with them!


The show continues tomorrow, and I think I'm going back for more! If you're in the Bay Area, it's from 10-4, free admission.

Vintage Paper Fair
Hall of Flowers
(County Fair Bldg)
Golden Gate Park
9th & Lincoln
San Francisco, CA

Friday, January 8, 2010

Looking for Miss Keaton...

The one Sunday in 10 years that I miss the Alameda Antiques Faire (last weekend), Diane Keaton was there!! Yes, Diane Keaton. ARGH! Her uniqueness and grace is in a class of it's own. Oh, would have I loved to have met her.


In addition to being a talented actress, Diane Keaton is an avid collector of vintage and antique pieces, which include a large collection of amateur clown paintings featured here. She also authored the book, "Clown Paintings," which you can purchase here.

Among other things, she is also active in campaigns with the Los Angeles Conservancy to save and restore historic buildings, particularly in the Los Angeles area.

If you know Miss Keaton, PLEASE tell her I sell antiques, am a big fan of hers, and direct her to my website. First person to find Diane for me, gets a prize! And no, I'm not a stalker.

(Have I told you that my favorite movie is the Godfather? Well, Godfather I & II. Diane Keaton played Kay, Michael Corleone's wife, in the Godfather movies).

Happy Weekend!!

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Cassia Beck Photography Giveaway!


Let's begin the New Year with a fun giveaway, shall we? It's not just any giveaway, it's the whimsical photography of U.K.-based Cassia Beck.

Cassia lives in Brighton, a bustling town by the sea. She loves all things vintage, and incorporates it into her photography, often using old cameras. Her photography is in galleries and exhibits in the U.K.


Cassie is generously offering one of her 8" x 8" unframed prints of your choice to two lucky winners! I am crazy over Cassie's photography, so I'm thrilled to be able to have this giveaway.

Here's How to Enter:

  • Check out Cassia's two Etsy shops here and here, and leave a comment below telling us which photo you would like to receive if you're the lucky winner!
  • Anyone can enter -- International readers are more than welcome!
  • 2 winners will be chosen via Random.Org
  • Winners will be selected on Wednesday, January 13th at 9:00 pm PST and announced on Thursday's post.
  • Please make sure and include your blog link or email me your contact info so that I can contact you after the giveaway.
THANKS AND GOOD LUCK!

photo credit: Cassia Beck

Sunday, January 3, 2010

I'm Off!

18120 - Day 16, Project 365

A few short days in Las Vegas...some antiquing, relaxing (yeah, right), and gambling of course...I hear the roulette wheel calling my name...any lucky numbers you want me to place those chips on?

Have a great week and be back soon!

photo credit: M R Fletcher