Monday, September 22, 2014, by Lily di Costanzo

From the tomes of Curbed SF comes the sordid tale of this famed mega-manse in Hillsborough, Calif, which "has a long history full of long-standing San Francisco social royalty, botched subdivision plans to cover divorce fees, and dreamy interior design, plus some high-end architectural pedigree to boot." Built in 1916 by the daughter and son-in-law of French Nobleman Count Christian de Guigne, the 16,000-square-foot Guigne Court boasts, among a whole lot of other things, seven bedrooms, a ballroom, a flower-arranging room, a servants' wing with four maids' rooms and two chauffeurs' rooms. After being passed to subsequently richer and richer descendantsincluding an heiress who hired famed midcentury interior decorator Anthony Hail to design the interiors of the estate in the 1960sthe home eventually popped up on the market last February for a cool $100M, with the rather ludicrous stipulation that the owner not be able to move in until the 76-year-old current owner pass on. More on the fall-out of the comically out-of-touch demand, plus a bit more on the many rabble-rousing tenants, below.

More scandalous details, right this way. >>

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Blockbusters: Learn All the Secrets of This 'San Fran Social Royalty' Manse

Habitat for Humanity gives mom and son new life Habitat for Humanity gives mom and son new life

Updated: Saturday, September 20 2014 11:44 PM EDT2014-09-21 03:44:46 GMT

Voncille Chaney and her 11-year-old son Ahmai just unlocked the front-door to the first home they've ever owned.It's a great feeling. It's a wonderful feeling Voncille Chaney said."But it's all still so surreal right now."

Voncille Chaney and her 11-year-old son Ahmai just unlocked the front-door to the first home they've ever owned.It's a great feeling. It's a wonderful feeling Voncille Chaney said."But it's all still so surreal right now."

Updated: Friday, September 19 2014 12:08 PM EDT2014-09-19 16:08:30 GMT

Starting next week, 100 buses and two subway stations will display anti-Islam advertisements despite efforts by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to block them. The organization known as the American Freedom Defense Initiative, which has posted similar ads in the past in New York City, Boston and Washington, D.C., reportedly paid $100K for the campaign.

Starting next week, 100 buses and two subway stations will display anti-Islam advertisements despite efforts by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to block them. The organization known as the American Freedom Defense Initiative, which has posted similar ads in the past in New York City, Boston and Washington, D.C., reportedly paid $100K for the campaign.

Updated: Thursday, September 18 2014 9:02 AM EDT2014-09-18 13:02:02 GMT

Bustling Astoria, Queens is celebrating the many diverse cuisines found throughout the neighborhood with Astoria Restaurant Week. The event runs from Sept. 19- Sept. 28. Participating restaurants include: MP Taverna, MexiBBQ, Marketa, Pachanga Patterson, Vesta Vino and many more. Prices vary by restaurant Many are offering special prix fixemenus for $25, $35 or $45.

Bustling Astoria, Queens is celebrating the many diverse cuisines found throughout the neighborhood with Astoria Restaurant Week. The event runs from Sept. 19- Sept. 28. Participating restaurants include: MP Taverna, MexiBBQ, Marketa, Pachanga Patterson, Vesta Vino and many more. Prices vary by restaurant Many are offering special prix fixemenus for $25, $35 or $45.

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Habitat for Humanity gives mom and son new life

An 1805 stone manor house is Historic Ellicott City's 2014 Decorator Show House. Situated on 110 acres in Glenelg, Meriwether Farm, a two-story 5,757-square-foot home, received a three-month makeover by more than a dozen interior designers in preparation for the show, which opens Satuday, Sept. 20, and runs through Oct. 19.

"It is such a popular event," said Joyce Pope, executive director of HEC. "We generally have 150 visitors per day."

Those visitors will get to explore a house that rebounded after a devastating fire in 1950 that destroyed most of its interior rooms except the original staircase and front walls.

"A good section of the house caught fire," Pope said. "They tried to salvage as much of the historic aspects as they could."

By all accounts, the house, which sat vacant a few years and is on the market, was in sound shape, Pope said. While the outside needed work, such as landscaping, the inside needed little compared to past Decorator Show Houses.

"These old houses are not wired for modern times," said Carroll Frey, design chair for HEC. "The kitchen needed work but the rest of the rooms were pretty darn good. No restoration work was needed. The wood floors were in excellent condition."

After work by professional designers who prepare the house, the kitchen is now one of Pope's favorite rooms in the house.

"It was ... really in need of a transfiguration," Pope said. "It is one of the most charming. I saw it had the potential."

Frey particularly likes the work done to create a gentleman's dressing room. While the committee thought the room could be a bedroom, the designer proposed a dressing room instead.

"There is vintage clothing in it and ... some very good antiques," Frey said. "I really like the effort and energy that was put into the gentleman's dressing room."

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Glenelg stone farmhouse gets Show House makeover

Better than Pinterest: Interior decorator Thomas Lavin and the Blake House showroom at the Laguna Design Center have merged to become Thomas Lavin at Blake House. The new combined space, open to the public, was launched with a party hosted by Elle Dcor on Sept. 16. Covetable new lines on offer include Bright and Altura furniture, Marian Jamieson lighting and Liberty of London and Anichini fabrics, along with the introduction of Christian Liaigre, Jiun Ho, Fuse, Magni Home, McEwen, Link Outdoor and Tuell & Reynolds, among others. Information: thomaslavin.com.

Social capitalism for a cause: If you like the retail activism method used by brands like TOMS, stop by a group warehouse sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday to save up to 80% on clothing and accessories from local brands like Krochet Kids, Vestal, 31 Bits, Almond Surfboards, 31 Bits, Insight and Deus. The cause-conscious labels will converge at Krochet Kids HQ, 1630 Superior Ave., Unit C, Costa Mesa. Information: krochetkids.org.

Develop fashion confidence: Celebrity stylist Rebecca Pennington has opened a new designer resale boutique and styling studio, Violette Studios, at Old World Village, 7561 Center Ave., Suite 51A, Huntington Beach. In addition to offering deals on top labels, the venture plans to offer weekly and monthly events to help people of all ages learn to dress for their lifestyle. Stop by the grand opening at 11 a.m. Saturday to learn more and enjoy music, food, door prizes and shopping. Information: violettestudios.com.

Study buddies: The Newport Beach Public Library will host a free SAT Practice Test from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at its Central Library Friends Room. Students of any age may participate; results will be emailed within two weeks. Register soon at newportbeachlibrary.org since space is limited. Registration is required. The test will take about four hours; bring a calculator.

Wine and dine: The new Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa signature restaurant Watertable, 21500 Pacific Coast Hwy., will begin a series of monthly wine dinners at 6 p.m. Sept. 30, when it welcomes Napa Valley's famed Heitz Wine Cellars to pair its bottles with dishes including Yellowtail Hamachi Crudo, Organic Beet Tartar, Maple Leaf Farms Duck Breast, Espresso Rubbed Short Rib and Fall Harvest Black Mission Fig Tart. Future dinners will be Oct. 30 and Nov. 12. The dinners will be $95 to $135 per person, plus tax and gratuity. RSVP at (714) 845-4893.

Autumn bounty: Join chef Pascal Olhats and special guests Anne and Dan Manassero from Manassero Farms at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 25 at the Sherman Library and Gardens, 2647 E. Coast Hwy., Corona del Mar, to learn about growing vegetables and enjoy a cooking demonstration and French countryside feast by the chef. The monthly interactive dinners are limited to 50 guests, and the cost is $50 to $60 per person. Information and reservations: (949) 673-0033.

Have a hot sale tip, or know about a new local business that you think deserves a little attention? Contact CANDICE BAKER at candicebaker@gmail.com.

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Retail Therapy: A merger by Design

THE Philippine Institute of Interior Design will be joining for the first time a real estate firm in Cebu.

The Cebuano market is a good niche for design and every Filipino deserves a really good space. That is why we create trendy and functional space for all from low end to high end, said Hermie Ray Oplado, president of the Philippine Institute of Interior Design (PIID)-Cebu Chapter.

For the first time, PIID is joining a real estate fair in Cebu that will happen on Sept. 19 to 23 on the third floor of Pacific Mall in Mandaue City. Organizers said the Realty Fair 2014 is the biggest real estate festival since it will gather 25 prominent property developers with project sites located south and north of Cebu Province. The participation of 60 members of PIID-Cebu is aimed to make choosing homes much easier since professional designers will educate buyers especially on style, innovation, and functional models.

The Philippines is the first country to formulate laws governing the Interior Design profession and we are truly glad that the Phil. Interior Design Act of 2012 has been amended and enforces stricter rules. The law was born out of the need to safeguard the local profession and protect the rights and talents of Filipino interior designers, Oplado explained.

He said the need to educate Filipinos on the difference between a mere decorator and professional interior designer. The latter must pass the government board examination and must undergo training to address safety measures.

If you have a natural talent for arranging things, you are just a decorator, said PIID Vice President for External Affairs Janet Lee. An interior designer goes beyond decorating. Professional interior designers address safety, materials and space planning, and make use of scientific methods for measurements and color theory for comfortable living.

Under the new law, the interior designer will provide the client a one-year guarantee from the time of the formal turnover to the client. Interior designers follow the standard building code and they get clearances. Decorators, architects, furniture makers, suppliers, etc. cannot call themselves interior designers. And foreign interior designers must get temporary permits and collaborate with a local counterpart.

The Realty Fair 2014 is a combined expo to celebrate lifestyle choices with design ideas to fit any property buyers budget and way of life. EAP

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on September 18, 2014.

Link:
Interior designers group joins Realty Fair 2014

Agrarian Skies - Episode 59: Interior Decorator Quest
Time to knock out that "Interior Decorator" Bragging Rights quest, just #39;cause it #39;s there! Also, we just gotta keep on waiting for the resources to make all ...

By: Bil Kulp

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Agrarian Skies - Episode 59: Interior Decorator Quest - Video

Let #39;s Play - Yogscast Complete #6 - Interior Decorator
In Episode 6 of our Yogscast Complete Lets Play Trent installs window dressings, I make a spell book and Nathan gets us a new generator. We also discuss our roles in the group. Next episode...

By: SentinalhMC

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Let's Play - Yogscast Complete #6 - Interior Decorator - Video

4 year old interior decorator
My 4 year old giving his opinion on each page of the New IKEA catalog. Hilarious!

By: Teresa Cloutier

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4 year old interior decorator - Video

CHARITIES and community groups in Yeovil are being invited to apply for a paint donation from Dulux Decorator Centre, as part of its campaign to help worthy causes in the local area.

Following the launch of its new look store on Bartlett Court, Dulux Decorator Centre is looking to provide a brighter future for lucky local community groups by offering them the chance to receive a colourful transformation.

The initiative is open to any charity or community group that wants to make a difference in their local area, with successful applicants receiving a donation of high-quality paint and accessories from Dulux Decorator Centre.

Available for interior projects across the country, Dulux Decorator Centre Yeovil is encouraging charities, community groups and professional decorators to get involved in the scheme by applying or nominating organisations they feel passionate about.

Andy Vanstone, Store Manager at Dulux Decorator Centre Yeovil, said: There are so many organisations in Yeovil that carry out invaluable work in the local community, and we wanted to support them by brightening up their building with an interior makeover.

Were calling all decorators, charities and community groups to nominate the schemes that make a positive contribution to the people they work with and are therefore deserving of a splash of colour.

For more details on the community initiative and how to apply, visit: https://www.duluxdecoratorcentre.co.uk/community-donation-application.jsp.

A successful community project will be chosen from each of the 12 Dulux Decorator Centre regions across the UK.

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Paint donations available for charities and community groups in Yeovil

Becoming an Interior Decorator - New
Becoming an Interior Decorator - New becoming an interior decorator becoming an interior designer becoming an interior decorator without a degree becoming an...

By: ilcebasa

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Becoming an Interior Decorator - New - Video