Breathtaking Pools

Queen Mary's Dollhouse / Queen Elizabeth

This most elaborately crafted dollhouse, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, was presented at the British Empire Exhibition in 1924, and was to serve as an emblem of Imperial Britain post-World War I.  Queen Elizabeth’s grandmother, Mary loved tiny objects and this dollhouse became the inspiration for one of the most extraordinary gifts ever presented to the Royal family.  Slightly Baroque in style and five feet tall, the miniature castle has original writings by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Rudyard Kipling, miniature paintings by da Vinci and Rembrandt, petite silver serving trays, a Rolls-Royce and limousines in the garage, a flushable toilet, Dunhill rolled cigarettes, a grandfather clock, a lawn mower, and much more.  This dollhouse is located in Windsor Castle.

Interesting facts about Queen Elizabeth…

* The Queen is the first British monarch to have celebrated a Diamond Wedding Anniversary.

* The Queen is patron to more than 600 charities.

* To formally greet the Queen men should perform a neck bow (from the head only) while women perform a small curtsy. On presentation to The Queen, the correct formal address is 'Your Majesty' and subsequently 'Ma'am'.

* The Queen is 5ft 4 inches tall.

Queen Mary

Queen Mary's Dollhouse

Dollhouse Dining Room

Dollhouse Library

Wine Tasting Tables

Ever wonder how long man (or woman of course!) has been drinking wine? 

Here are a few interesting facts about wine:

* The earliest known wine production dates back to 8,000 years ago in the country of Georgia, 7,000 years ago in Iran, and 6,100 years ago in Armenia. 

* Wine is made from one or more varieties of the European species Vitis vinefer, such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. 

* A ”vintage wine” is one that was made from grapes that were grown during a particular year.  

* Wine tasting, is the sensory examination and evaluation of wine, including 5 basic steps: color, swirl, smell, taste, and savor. 

* Wine tables provide functional working space, can provide bottle storage, and are prevalent in home design today.  

Here are a few of our favorite tables to inspire you, not only to drink good wine, but to drink it upon something so beautiful. 

Magnificent Pools

More inviting pools to view.....

Kate Spade

Kate Brosnahan Spade was the co-founder and label of the designer brand Kate Spade New York.  She was born in Kansas City, Missouri and graduated from Arizona State University.  In 1986, while working in the accessories department of Mademoiselle in Manhattan, she moved in with her college sweetheart, Andy Spade, brother of actor and comic David Spade.  After working in Mademoiselle for five years, she realized that the market lacked classy and chic handbags and therefore decided to design her own.  Her company “kate spade handbags” was launched in January 1993, and later added many additional items including stationary, organizers, shoes, perfume, clothing, luggage and eyewear.  Her first shop opened in 1996 in SoHo.  In 1999, Kate sold the business to the Neiman Marcus Group, but she and Andy still remained very involved in the brand. In 2004, “kate spade at home” launched and comprised of bedding, bath items, china, wallpaper and additional home accessories, and Kate shared her personal style and philosophies in her three books, Manners, Occasions, and Style.  Neiman Marcus eventually sold the business to Liz Claiborne.  Kate and Andy had their first child, Frances Beatrix Spade in 2005, and the following year they invested in Plum TV, a small television network that broadcasts in the elite vacation spots like the Hamptons, Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.

Kate Spade

Kate Spade New York

Books by Kate Spade

Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth

This year is the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, which is the international celebration throughout 2012, marking the 60^th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's reign on the thrones of seven countries which began on the death of her father, King George VI on February 6, 1952.  

Other interesting facts about Queen Elizabeth include….

   - The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh have four children: Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales, Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, Prince Andrew, The Duke of York, and Prince Edward, The Earl of Wessex. 

  - The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh have eight grandchildren - Peter Phillips, Zara Phillips, Prince William, Prince Harry, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Lady Louise Windsor, and James Viscount Severns.  She has one great-grandchild Savannah.  

  - The Queen is the only person in Britain who can drive without a license or a registration number on her car. And, she doesn't have a passport. 

  - The Queen introduced a new breed of dog known as the "dorgi", when one of the corgis mated with a dachshund. 

- The Queen has nine Royal thrones - One at the House of Lords, two at Westminster Abbey, and six in the throne room at Buckingham Palace.

Queen Elizabeth II today

The Queen arriving at the Royal Norfolk Show in 1981

Diamond Jubilee emblem designed by 10 year old Katherine Dewar

Magnificent Pools

In light of the hot Atlanta weather and summertime around the corner, we thought we would highlight some incredible pools this month.  Imagine yourself at any one of these beautiful pools, and somehow the temperature drops.  Enjoy our early start to summer.