Dream State - the New Dali Museum

(Dali Museum, St. Petersburg, FL)Slithering across the humid, subtropical landscape like the pocket watches in Persistence of Memory, the Dali Museum recently opened its new building in St. Petersburg, Florida. The surreal architecture boasts of a glass geodesic structure flowing freely in and out of a box building. Architect Yann Weymouth of HOK Architects who conceived the design was inspired by the organic dreamlike paintings of Salvador Dali. 

(Salvador Dali)Dali was born in Catalonia, Spain in 1904, studied at the Academy in Madrid, and eventually moved to Paris where he met Picasso and artists of the surrealist art movement.

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Twilled: Real Decorating for Real People: The Paint Problem

Let’s say you’ve decided to finally do something about that troublesome room---the guest room you’re trying to create from your college kid’s bedroom, or the study that’s been ignored far too long. Or you’ve just moved to a new place, and you want a fresh start with a fresh look. Often, the place to begin with any major decorating project is with painting the walls. 

And that’s the thought that makes many people shrink back in fear, hang a few large pictures on the wall, and hope that the world ends before anything needs to be done about it.

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The Blush of a June Bloom

June is one of the most popular months for marriages in the US, and has been for decades. With the near-assuredness of summer warmth without the heat and humidity of July and August, June is a dainty lady. Outdoor weddings are popular in June, as couples take full advantage of some of the year's best weather.

Perhaps more than any other reason, however, June appeals to brides for it's incredible floral abundance. While modern farming and shipping allows for almost any bloom, at almost any time, anywhere, seasonal blooms are preferred for cost reasons. In the US there are few months, if any, that offer more seasonal blooms than June.

Delphinium, a beautiful purple-blue flower popular in large, English-style gardens, blooms in early summer and makes for a dramatic wedding flower. A hardy, long stem supports endless clusters of the delicate petals, perfect for a draped bouquet. Delphinium comes in shades of lavender but can be found in a rich, cobalt blue - a rare flower indeed, and hard to beat for drama.

(Delphinium via Aunt Owwee on Flickr)

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