Wind Beneath My Wings

                                   

Originally referred to as wing chair, this significant piece of furniture apparently had a legitimate function other than looking quite handsome sitting next to the fireplace. A wing chair or as they are referred to presently, a wingBACK chair served a dual purpose back in the day. English homes were infamous for cool breezes, who new!!!, entering thru old window frames and underneath exterior doors. Its creator definitely put much thought into the design of this piece of furniture in order to keep the owner warm and toasty!

                                  

The high backs of the chair originally were designed to provide comfortable protection from drafts and particularly to trap the heat from a fireplace in the area where the person would be sitting.

It’s amazing what one learns from reading, wouldn’t you say!  And if I were a studious soul, I would have read about it in my wingback chair next to my roaring fire!  What was I thinking!?!                

                                                                                  

I’ve always been attracted to the wingback chair as it shows great masculine character and very diverse in design.  It's exciting to see so many creative approaches to this classic chair!

                                                       

Definitely a conversation piece for that modern kind of guy who prefers sitting by a wall mounted electric fireplace.

                                                            

Or something a bit more neutral that would fit almost perfect anywhere you put it.

Whatever the style, you can NEVER go wrong with a classic!

Best regards,

Reynolds

A Man's Job Is Never Done!

Before the work was done...

I’m in the process of remodeling a half bath and can’t quite decide what look would best be fitting for Reynolds Still. Even though I’m not doing a major renovation, it still seems like a LOT of effort going into this diminutive project. It has taken 2 days to sand walls painted over with a rich burgundy color and layered with many coats of lacquer. Yes I said lacquer so don’t ask! Then it’s taken another couple of days to tape off trim and paint. It may sound like I’m a bit overwhelmed and underpaid but it has been a lot fun regardless.

Before the work was done...

House Beautiful is a wonderful resource for ideas when dipping your toe into bathroom design renovating. Here’s a few of my favorites and thought it had  Reynolds Still written all over those masculine walls!

Bathroom designed by Jeffery Bilhuber.  Walls painted with a dramatic brown and floating tub.  Image via House Beautiful.

This masculine bathroom with beadboard walls and a rustic look was designed by Mimi Maddock.  Image via House Beautiful.

Designed by Paolo Moschino, this bathroom has a strong masculine presence with this sturdy tub sitting next to a 19th century English secretary.  You could almost disappear in that incredible tub!  Image via House Beautiful.

Have always liked the look of this bathroom design by an acquaintance of mine, franophile Charles Faudree.  The rustic tub sitting underneath the arched windows would make anyone want to jump in for a splash don't you think?!  Image via Cote de Texas.

Which one do you think looks like a Reynolds Still bathroom?

Best regards,

Reynolds

It's Fashion Baby!

John Galliano

You know, I’m a BIG fan of other’s creativity and always applaud those that put forth the effort but these past few weeks of eager examination of 2010’s fashion week has left me scratching my head. Unless you truly understand the influence of fashion week, it makes you wonder if fashion week is only about a designer’s expression of his or her creativity or is it about making a buck from what they strut down the runway.

 

Burberry

My guess would be NO, it’s not about selling the runway outfit but more about setting trends for the coming season.

Gucci

My wearable taste aside, I did appreciate the creativity each designer presented to those of us watching however a little bit disappointed from those design houses that you’ve grown accustomed to depend upon for great, wearable designs.

Vuitton

Naturally I looked first at Vuitton, Gucci, Lauren and other mainstream design houses for what I thought would be tasteful, classic design and was essentially left speechless thinking what the HELL was going on! Since my cup is always half full I optimistically scanned thru the rest of designers and was pleasantly surprised to find someone not so familiar to mainstream with a great sense of fashion forward wearable designs. Now that was a mouthful!

Junya Watanabe

Have any of you heard of Junya Watanabe? Well I have NOT and let me tell you, I Watanabe wearing or at least replicating his creative designs!

Junya Watanabe

With his collection described as Duke of Windsor lookalikes or Great Gatsby go-to’s, the creations of this Japanese designer seems capable of doing no wrong. This collection besieged us with fitted jackets, loose cut trousers, vintage ascots tucked into shirts, Little Jimmy caps and spiffy white lace ups.

Junya Watanabe

What a sight for sore fashion hungry eyes!

Junya Watanabe

Junya Watanabe

Junya Watanabe

All images via Gentleman's Quarterly

So if you’re looking for wearable fashion this season, you might Watanabe peeking at those designers that are NOT rolling off the tip of our tongues but if you want to go main stream………. Well you know, check out those same ole, where the heck am I going to wear that and not get my ass kicked designers. No offense Vuitton!!!

Best regards,

Reynolds

Me and Mrs. Jones.......

After that, I think we all will need a cigarette!

Best regards,

Reynolds

Extra, extra.............Read All About It!

Very Reynolds Still wouldn’t you say? My intentions were to post an entirely different kind of commentary when my wandering eye spotted an incredible blog titled Greige. I must say, once again I was stopped in my English riding boots!!! Can you tell I’m excited?!? Greige, defined as not bleached or dyed, unfinished or RAW, is a very tasteful blog posting design images of rooms filled with a great deal of masculine flavor.

As I’ve mentioned before in a post about the infamous Hollister Hovey and how I felt betrayed, in a good sort of way, to find out the masculine blueprint of Hollister’s blog was created not by a man but a beautiful woman……….this time I was cautious when exploring thru Greige. It was no surprise when I discovered that Greige is also a creation of another lovely lady!

Christina, editor-in-chief of Greige has quite the gift for putting together a very TASTEFUL blog. She favors subtle colors of browns, beiges and grays mixed with wood, iron and stone. The look of Greige is formal yet contemporary, with unique pieces and quality interiors.

I definitely plan on being part of the Greige lifestyle and recommend to all of you……….CHECK IT OUT!

All images via Greige

Best regards,

Reynolds

Good bread, good meat, good gosh let’s eat!

Keen's Steakhouse opened it’s iconic restaurant oh………….WAY back in the day, around 1885.

Opened by Albert Keen , a noted figure in the theater district, Keen’s gentlemen only restaurant became the rendezvous of the rich, famous and oh so creative souls. Everyone from producers to playwrights, publishers and journalist frequented this popular eating establishment.

Its iconic history is due in part to the masculine inspired interiors, a one of a kind collection of churchwarden pipes hung from the ceiling, an extraordinary selection of scotch and a menu infamously known for the MUTTON CHOP!

The membership roster of Keen's Pipe Club contained over ninety thousand names including those of Teddy Roosevelt, Babe Ruth, Will Rogers, Billy Rose, Grace Moore, Albert Einstein, George M. Cohan, J.P. Morgan, Stanford White, John Barrymore, David Belasco, Adlai Stevenson, General Douglas MacArthur and “Buffalo Bill” Cody.

Today, Keen's Steakhouse is the only survivor of the Herald Square Theatre District.

Definitely a restaurant you'll want to experience!

Best regards,

Reynolds

Thanks for the Memories......

Created in the 1950's by husband and wife  Art and Ruth Clokey, pop culture ICON Gumby with sidekick Pokey have shared many good times with so many of us, me included!!!  Gumby began his career on the Howdy Doody show in 1956 and continues as a popular figure of Americana. 

The making of Gumby's legs and feet were made wide for practical reasons.  They ensured the clay character would stand up during stop-motion filming. The famous slanted shape of Gumby's head was based on the hair style of Clokey's father Charles Farrington.

On January 8, 2010, we sadly bid a very fond and grateful farewell to Gumby and Pokey creator Art Clokey.  Thanks for the memories!!!!!!!!!!! 

Best regards,

Reynolds

These Boots Are Made for Walking........

Insurrectionvintage

Redwing J Crew

Frye Engineer Zappos

Michael Toschi Spur Zappos

E. Vogel Custom Boots and Shoes

One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you!

Best regards,

Reynolds

I Wanna Be Lenny Kravitz!!!

Lenny Kravitz via NYTimes and Philip Andelman

Last night I decided to window shop on the internet and as in true Reynolds Still fashion, I started at point A and ended up at HOW THE HECK DID I GET HERE!?!?! Strange how one minute I’m looking for Allen Edmond leather shoes and the next minute I’m admiring the imagination of the Kravitz Design Group.

I'm sure most of you know who Lenny Kravitz is, multi winning Grammy ROCK star and all around ‘Are You Gonna Go My WAY’ cool guy. Would it surprise you to find out that Lenny now adds to his list of many, many creative accomplishments interior designer? I know you're thinking WOW, well so did I! Take a look at the Kravitz Design and let me know what you think.

I wanna be Lenny Kravitz!!!!

Kravitz Design

Lenny Kravitz's New Orleans living room with embossed sofa and an oversized print of Billie Holiday.  Sitting in front of the Holiday print against the exposed brick wall are 2 incredible wingback chairs.  Those chairs would look great in my living area!

                                        

                        Kravitz Design

The glam rocker's Miami bachelor pad.  Interior fashioned in black and white with Lenny's imaginative spin on the sofa design taking center stage.

                                  

Swarovski Crystal Palace

Lenny Kravitz Casino Royale Lighting.

Best regards,

Reynolds

A Picture With A Smile..........

Best Regards,
Reynolds

Balls and bows!

Getty Images

I’ve always been a BIG fan of the bowtie. There’s just something about wearing a bowtie that says “HEY! I’m a sophisticated kind of guy!!!”

Benetton.com

Unfortunately, like most men I just don’t have the balls to tie a bow!

Andre 3000 via TimeInc.net

Being the latest trend on popular shows like Gossip Girl and Mad Men, taking center stage on fashion runways or tied with confidence around the necks of sports stars like soccer stud David Beckham and NFL linebacker Dhani Jones, it is refreshing to see those WHO do have the bravado to tie one on. You go boys!

Gieves & Hawkes

And for those of you who just want to know............here's how you tie a bow!

Google Images

Best Regards,
Reynolds