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• 1930's Movie Experience in Hertfordshire
• What's in My Jewellery Box?
• V&A to host Grace Kelly exhibition
• Decogirl perfume atomiser features on Heston Blumenthal's Christmas Feast!
• Read My Pins - Madeleine Albright
• Join Decogirl on Facebook
• Beyond Biba, the movie
• The Fabulous Burgh Island

and more...read on

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  What's in Your Jewellery Box?...what Decogirl™ friends & fans are wearing

1st September - Visit to The Geffrye Museum, Shoreditch, London

I'm ashamed to say that after driving past this museum housed in former 18th century Almshouses in Shoreditch many times, it's only today that I actually paid a visit. I left the car behind and walked along the towpath from my little bolt hole on the Regents Canal to Kingsland Road, arriving just as the chapel bell at the centre of the almshouses struck midday. Set out as 11 period rooms, the museum takes you on a journey through time starting with a 1600's Jacobean hall and ending with a 1990's loft style apartment. Needless to say my favourites were the 1935 and the 1965 living rooms! There is also a lovely reading room overlooking the walled garden where you can sit in Lloyd Loom chairs and browse through the many gardening and interiors books and a nice bright, spacious restaurant, also overlooking the garden. Once you've viewed the rooms, had a good read, bought a vintage terracotta plant pot from the gift shop and lunched on a marinated goat's cheese salad followed by lemon cake (very reasonably priced), you can explore the lovely walled herb garden, sit on a bench and contemplate the lovely afternoon you've spent.

The Geffrye Museum, Kingsland Rd, London E2 8EA Tel. 020 7739 9893 www.geffrye-museum.org.uk

Me in a gorgeous squishy leather replica Art Deco armchair. I wanted to take it home with me!

I've just added links from the Lea Stein page to 3  fashion bloggers who have featured brooches by Lea Stein in their blogs. Here are two of them...

Franca from Edinburgh (left) was given a striking black & white fox brooch bought from me by her husband as a gift - looks fab against her puff sleeved black top! http://orangesapples.blogspot.com

Compacts and Cosmetics, Madeleine Marsh

When asked by Pen and Sword Publishers to review Madeleine Marsh's book Compacts and Cosmetics I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. Somehow this one had escaped me and wasn't in my collection! Smaller and more compact than many of it's type, this tactile book is a wealth of information on a subject that is arguably closer to a girl's (and increasingly guy's for that matter) heart than any other  - how we look, the lengths we go to to improve on what mother nature has given us and what we use to achieve the desired effect. Remarkably, our obsession with cosmetics hasn't changed for thousands of years. From the ground malachite used by ancient Egyptians to colour their eyes to the Maybeline mascara we use today, Madeleine March takes us on a historic journey of beauty rituals through the decades (did you know that Parisian ladies bound their faces with strips of raw beef as a nightime moisturiser!) Filled with an abundance of photographs from compacts to gruesome looking hair crimpers that would look more in place in a torture chamber, there are also some fabulous period advertisements both for brands we know and still use today such as Coty and Rimmel, to the more obscure such as Harriet Hubbard Ayres' freckle lotion. Though compacts feature fairly strongly, this book is about much more and should appeal to anyone with an interest in cosmetics, vanity items and social history alike. Anyone else remember using Aqua Manda talc and Kiku cologne in the 70's?

Compacts and Cosmetics by Madeleine Marsh is available on line from Pen & Sword Books http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk Tel.01226 734555

   Coming up in 'What's in Your Jewellery Box'

Listening to Tracy Martin on BBC Radio London's Lesley Joseph show  yesterday reminded me that I haven't seen her in ages. I've been meaning to ask her if she could send a few of the articles she writes for Collect It! magazine my way for you to read. Also, more recently, I thought she'd be a perfect candidate for 'What's in Your Jewellery Box'. Most people who buy or deal in collectable items will know Tracy but for those who don't Tracy is a collectables expert, author and journalist. As well as her regular slot on Radio London and writing features for Collect It! magazine, she has featured in TV programmes such as BBC's 20th Century Roadshow with Alan Titchmarsh. Tracy has also written two books, The Greatest Collecting Tips in The World and  Christmas Collectables. She is currently writing her third book Collectable Fashion.

I have Tracy's 'What's in Your Jewellery Box' answers and am just waiting for the photos when this busy lady returns  from trips to BBC Radio  Bristol and BBC Radio Scotland this week. Watch out for the link to Tracy's jewellery box from the Decogirl home page and all jewellery pages!

You can find out more about Tracy Martin on her website  www.collectablesexpert.co.uk

The 1930's Big Screen Experience

Fancy transporting yourself back to the 1930's with the movie viewing experience of a lifetime? The Rex Cinema in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire can offer you this and more! This restored 1938 cinema is all that you imagine a cinema from the Art Deco period to be but with the added bonus of new comfortable seating and even cabaret style tables with armchairs where you can sip a waiter served glass of wine and nibble on a snack throughout the performance!

The Rex Cinema first opened on the 9th May 1930 with a showing of Heidi starring Shirley Temple. It remarkably  managed to survive as a cinema and later as a 2 screen cinema/bingo hall until 28th February 1988 when it finally closed it's doors to the film viewing, bingo playing public who by this time preferred to visit the growing number of Multiplexes or sit in the comfort of their own homes with that other new trend, the home video. After 16 years of neglect and threats of demolition the dreams of James Hannaway, Betty Patterson and a small group of others came true, when the cinema re opened in all it's resplendent glory on 5th December 2004. Open 362 days a year and showing an amazing number of 30+ films a month, the Rex Cinema boasts at least 5 sell out nights every week! Showing both Blockbusters and a diverse range of lesser known films, this unique cinema also offers film screenings for film makers.

The Rex is situated on the High Street in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire (26 miles north of London), Silverlink line from London's Euston station. Full details below.

The Rex Cinema 

High St (Three Close Lane)

Berkhamsted

Herts

HP4 2HD

Box Office tel. 01442 877759

Website: www.theresberkhamsted.com

New Decogirl Page!..

What's in Your Jewellery Box? Find out what Decogirl™ friends & fans are wearing. If you'd like to show everyone what's in your jewellery box get in touch!

What's in My Jewellery Box?

I'm often asked by customers what kind of jewellery I wear so I thought it was time to satisfy everyone's curiosity. Well, first and foremost it has to be big and chunky. I don't do stud earrings and delicate pendants unless they're diamonds! My jewellery of choice has to be larger than life, the kind of pieces people stop to stare at. Old or new, cheap or expensive, designer or boot sale, I don't care. It just has to scream 'Wear me!' Whispers or barely audible pleas just don't get heard.

If I had to chose just one favourite piece I'd struggle. At the moment it's a cross between my big Marc Jacobs bow ring (unfortunately a bit too big) and the big sage green & black ball necklace but then I probably wear the big chain necklace (or my Rottweiler necklace as I call it) more than anything else. I very occasionally part with pieces but only VERY occasionally. When I buy something new it's usually there to stay. I always make a point of looking for jewellery additions on every trip I make out of the country and many pieces hold never to be forgotten memories. I can remember where I bought every piece I own and in most cases how much I paid. My daughter Katie has bought me some of my best loved pieces and Josh, my son has given me some great bargains he's picked up from charity shops and boot sales. Feast your eyes on some of my favourites below.

Middle row Left: My Rottweler choker (a 25p boostale bargain), a Deco buckle which my husband had made into a choker for me & a tribal wood & metal choker I found in an atelier in Arles in the South of France. Centre: A spiral charity shop bargain which Josh bought me, a 1960's Danish architectural design ring & a huge 1960's choker Katie found in an Amsterdam Antiques market. Right: A selection of my many rings.

Bottom row Left: one of my favourite necklaces (an East London market bargain) & my Marc Jacobs bow ring, Centre: Italian acrylic ball necklace. Right: My original Myspace photo taken in 2007

If you'd like to tell me what's in your jewellery box get in touch

Recognise the perfume atomiser below? There's an identical one on the Decogirl perfume bottle page. I bought half a dozen of these new atomisers for Heston Blumenthal to use in 'Heston's Christmas Feast' (shown on Channel 4 on the 19th December 2009). The intention was that each dinner guest would have their own personal atomiser to infuse ambergris (basically sperm whale vomit used in the manufacture of perfume) on to their aperitif of caviar sorbet served on cucumber jelly. Unfortunately the cost of the ambergris for 6 atomisers was so phenominaly expensive poor old Heston had to settle for filling  just one which the guests passed around to each other.

This isn't the first atomiser I've sold for Heston's experimentation at the Fat Duck. The first was some 8 years ago before The Fat Duck was a household name. I never asked what that one was to be used for.

There's one remaining 'Heston's Christmas Feast' atomiser left (see perfume bottles)

Read more about the feast in Sam Wollaston's review in The Guardian

Heston's restaurant www.fatduck.co.uk in Bray, Buckinghamshire is just something else. If you haven't been then save up and go, a once in a lifetime experience not to be missed!

Read My Pins

For anyone planning a trip to New York in the next couple of months there's still time to plan a visit to the Museum of Art & Design (MAD) to see former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright's collection of over 200 brooches which is being exhibited at the museum until the end of January (get a glimpse on the youtube link below). For those who can't make the exhibition you can always settle on the book 'Read My Pins' available from Amazon (link below).

Museum of Art & Design, 2 Columbus Circle, New York www.madmuseum.org

    Madeleine Albright Pin Exhibition

Photos from left: Lea Stein Tom bear brooch worn on a visit to the Arctic to discuss climate change, display of bug brooches, Liberty brooch by Gijs Bakker 1997, Map of Sudan brooch, Eagle Dancer by artist Jenny Roan

Decogirl Group on Facebook

A group for Decogirl fans and lovers of statement jewellery has just been set up on Facebook! Everyone who visits the Decogirl  site is invited to join. New stock profiles & updates will be added as new items come in. Don't miss out! Be there first  Become a fan by clicking on the link.

Prostate Cancer Charity Tour Ride

Many thanks to all the people who helped Katie raise £370 for the Prostate Cancer Charity tour ride on Saturday 19th September. She completed the 18km in 40minutes - not bad to say she didn't get to bed until 4.30 am after partying the previous night! There was only one hiccough after losing her cycle helmet on the morning and having to spend £30 on a new one (fortunately there's a big sports shop on Embankment close to the starting line). After that it was plain sailing followed by a long relaxing lunch in the sunshine at the Founder's Arms overlooking the Thames...now that's my idea of exercise!

For anyone who would still like to make a donation Katie's web page  Prostate Cancer Charity Tour Ride will still be active for a little while

Just past the finish line

Beyond Biba is a film chronicling the life of Barbara Hunanicki, the designer and founder of the 60's & 70's Biba empire. Made by November Films, Beyond Biba provides a rare glimpse of Hulanicki's early life in Palestine through to her current life in Miami. Limited edition posters of the film signed by Barbara Hulanicki and the director Louis Price are available for only £10 including postage from the Beyond Biba website http://www.beyondbibamovie.com/index.html

To see a trailer of the film go to http://www.beyondbibamovie.com/trailer.html

More about Biba below...

For those either too young or so not 'with it' (to use a 60's phrase) to remember the fashion label Biba started life in late 1963 as a mail order company, advertising ready-to-sew garments designed by Polish born fashion designer/illustrator Barbara Hulanicki. The garments were advertised in British daily newspapers such as the Daily Mirror. Hulanicki’s big break came in May 1964 when the Daily Mirror’s fashion editor Felicity Green asked Hulanicki to design a garment for a feature on young designers. Hulanicki designed a pink gingham dress with matching scarf and no less than 4,000 orders were received. Eventually 17,000 of the dresses were sold!

Four months later, in September 1964 the first of the Biba shops was opened in Abingdon Road, Kensington was. In February 1966 another Biba boutique opened in Brighton, Sussex but closed by the end of the year due to gangsters demanding protection money (yes, it’s true!)

By March 1966 Biba had outgrown the Abingdon Rd shop and moved to larger premises in Kensington Church Street. A couple of years later, in April 1968 the first of six Biba catalogues was introduced enabling people from all over the country to buy Biba from their homes. The catalogues were eventually phased out in 1969.

In September 1969, the Kensington Church Street shop closed and Biba moved into the old Cyril Lord Carpet Warehouse on Kensington High Street. The move was financed by Dorothy Perkins who had 75% of the shares in the new Biba Limited company.

In February, 1971 Biba hit the US market and opened a department within the Bergdorf Goodman’s department store in New York.

In September, 1973 Biba made its final move into the famous ‘Derry & Toms’ building, a 5-storey Art Deco department store on Kensington High Street with a restaurant and flamingo occupied roof garden (now Virgin owned Roof Gardens and still with flamingos!). The new Biba department store was a lifestyle, a total look, which housed everything from clothes and make up to home wares and food. Big Biba, as it was known became the hip meeting place for artists, musicians and everyone who was anyone, the Rolling Stones, Marianne Faithfull, Julie Chrsitie and Twiggy to name a few.

Sadly the new venture was not to last for long. Partners in the company sold their large stakes to the British Land organization who were less than supportive of the by now struggling Biba department store and in September 1975 Biba closed its doors for the last time.

In July, 1977 the rights to the Biba name were sold. Barbara Hulanicki and her husband Stephen Fitz-Simon have no further connection with the label or any subsequent re-launch of fashion lines produced under the Biba name.


Barbara Hunalicki now lives in Miami where she is a successful interior designer
www.barbarahulanickidesign.com

Above: Barbara Hulanicki illustration for Topshop

Burgh Island

I would call Burgh Island the complete Deco experience because it has much to offer –   an amazing Deco building complete with authentic Art Deco furnishings plus the seclusion of being on it’s own island accessible by causeway from the south coast of Devon giving you the ultimate ‘Poirot’ experience. (Poirot episode 'Evil Under the Sun' was filmed here). Built in 1929 and extended in 1932, the hotel was the haunt of many famous stars including Noel Coward, Agatha Christie and Lord Mounbatten. Today the hotel still evokes the memory of the Jazz Age but standards are strictly 21^st century offering the visitor fine dining and all mod cons. Burgh Island Hotel is open all year round. A double bedroom costs from £385 per night including breakfast and dinner.

For more information please visit www.burghisland.com or telephone +44 (0)1548 810514

Owners: Deborah Clark & Tony Orchard

Photographs taken from  www.burghisland.com

 FORGET THE WINTER...THINK SUMMER! (Part 2)

Forget your traditional Province farmhouse, La Lisanne is a unique Art Deco boutique hotel nestled in the hills on the edge of the Durance Valley, a 20 minute drive from both Aix en Provence and Avignon. Owned by former Art Deco dealers Lynda & Philip Marshall, La Lisanne is built in Mediterranean Art Deco style and has 5 double bedrooms, each furnished in original period Art Deco furniture. All bedrooms also have en suite bathrooms or shower rooms. Standing in 6 acres of land and surrounded by a pine forest, La Lisanne offers plenty of seclusion and even boasts it's own private bridge across the nearby canal where you can take advantage of the miles of footpaths that criss-cross the hillside. If you prefer a more leisurely activity, you can lounge by the 12 metre swimming pool below the house and take in the sun!

Roll on the summer!

Above from left: The Odeon room, The Salon, The Dining Room & The Hall. Top of page: The Terrace

Website: www.lalisanne.com Telephone: Lynda or Philip Marshall on 0033(0)4 42 50 00 76

 FORGET THE WINTER...THINK SUMMER!

What better on a freezing January day than to dream about the summer and holidaying.  Maybe even camping? Not just any old camping mind you. How about the opportunity to re live the 60’s…or experience them for the first time if you weren’t around then?  Think polished aluminium, think vintage radios, think crochet blankets. Think kitch! Vintage Vacations offer unique holidays on the beautiful Isle of Wight in original 1950's & 60’s American Airstream trailers. Sympathetically restored, these amazing silver bullet trailers are furnished in period style and include vintage radios, retro crockery and crochet blankets. Don't worry! They also have all the mod cons that we’ve come to expect, showers, 4 ring hobs, heating and air con.

It all started in 2004 when Stylist Helen Carey bought an Airstream trailer after emailing someone on eBay,  had it shipped over to the UK and converted for her own use. She enjoyed her peaceful weekends on the Isle of Wight so much that she hit on the idea of turning it into a business. Now, she and partner Frazer Cunningham have around 8 converted trailers plus several more being restored. If a trailer is not your scene Vintage Vacations also have The Shack, a secluded converted wooden beach hut and The Mission a converted former Methodist chapel. I'm getting my booking in first...camping sure is COOL!

For further information or to book a holiday/weekend visit www.vintagevacations.co.uk or telephone Helen or Frazer on 07802 758113

The Isle of Wight is situated off the coast of Hampshire. There are regular ferry crossings from Portsmouth, Lymington and Southampton. To find out more about the island and further information on ferry crossings visit www.iwight.com

Trailer photos: Vintage Vacations, photos above iwight.com

This is the first of several blogs I'll be doing over the next few weeks on holidays with a difference. To subscribe to the Blog mailing list email me wanda@decogirl.co.uk

IT'S NICE IN NICE

Recently returned from a fabulous few days in Nice visiting an old 'antiquing' friend I'm feeling Nice-ly (yes, I know, rubbish pun) refreshed. I've been a frequent visitor to this part of France for over 10 years. My friend Jane has lived there for three and has no plans to ever leave. Who can blame her? For those who can't afford the Negresco (Nice's poshest hotel), Nice is filled with small affordable hotels but I must admit it's so much nicer to be able to stay with someone who lives there and feel a part of the local scene. I mean, what can beat trekking across the Alps with a group of friends followed by a candlelit dinner on the terrace a smart apartment set high above Nice with stunning views of the city and coastline? I appreciate that for most this isn't an option so why not settle for the next best thing - a fabulous designer furnished chic apartment right in the centre of Nice! Benefiting from a quiet location but only yards from the Promenade des Anglais and the beach, Jane's modern furnished one bedroom apartment is not to be missed. A large balcony for outdoor dining, 1970's perspex furniture and all mod cons including wireless internet connection make this apartment stylish with a capital 'S' but without compromising on that other main concern when away from home...comfort. The apartment is extremely popular so it's important to get your booking in as soon a possible.

Above: Le Mogador apartment in central Nice

For those who haven't been, Nice is a vibrant lively city, easily accessible by good old Easyjet. Monaco, Antibes and Cannes are a short train ride away and the sun always shines - well, most of the time anyway. There are weekly Antique markets on the Cours Saleya (commonly known as the flower market) every Monday where tourists, local dealers and also visitors from across the border in Italy visit to bag themselves a bargain. There are also weekly Antique/Fleamarkets in nearby Cannes, Antibes and Ventimiglia (just across the Italian border) on Saturdays, Villefranche on Sundays and Menton on Thursdays.

For more details and enquiries on the Le Mogador apartment click on the link below and don't forget to tell Jane I sent you!

Le Mogador

Top of page: Left: View of Nice from the eastern end of the Promenade des Anglais. Centre and right: The Cours Saleya Antique market

MAGAZINE FEATURE

Perfume bottle collectors watch out! BBC Homes & Antiques magazine's is to have a feature on perfume bottles in it's November issue. A couple of my atomisers are with their photographers at the moment including the peach one pictured below. The November issue should be in the newsagents by the middle of October.

FAB NEW LEA STEIN DESIGN!

Just released by Lea Stein is this fabulous Delaunay inspired abstract design brooch. Great for Deco and modernist lovers who go for bolder styles!

VINTAGE FASHION

The summer's passed me by, such a long time since I blogged! Apologies.

After a visit to beautiful West Wales I managed to acquire a few gorgeous original 1930's dresses that came from a French lady now living in the area. Clothing is not something I buy on a regular basis but these were too nice to turn down. One, a full length black satin Jean Patou original is very special and very wearable. To compliment these I also have a collection of 1950's crepe de chine floral tea dresses which I'm selling for a friend and some vintage hats including a funky 1960's floral hat by Christian Dior. I hope to have these listed on my new Vintage Fashion page at the end of the month when I've sorted out models and a photo shoot so keep a look out!

AT LAST! NEW DECOGIRL™ GIFT BOXES

After a long time without (problems of quality in the printing) I now have some new DecoGirl™ jewellery gift boxes

COUNTRY HOMES & INTERIORS FEATURE

Country Homes and Interiors June issue - Dressing Table Treasures. This is one for the girls, a feature on vintage items to adorn your dressing table. From perfume bottles to lipsticks to compacts, Madeline Marsh gives the low down on what to collect and how much to expect to pay. Do you know the highest price ever paid for a perfume bottle at auction?...Country Homes & Interiors available from most newsagents £3.40

   Includes illustrated items from DecoGirl™

MORECAMBE'S AMAZING MIDLAND HOTEL DUE TO OPEN SOON

Built in 1933 at a cost of £72,000, this exceptional Art Deco hotel overlooking Morecambe Bay has played host to Coco Chanel, Laurence Olivier and Wallace Simpson. Designed by Oliver Hill, with stonework and frescoes by Eric Gill the hotel has had rocky history, last closing in September 2000. The grade 2* listed building has how been refurbished by Manchester based developers Urban Splash and is due to open it's doors once again in June 2008. Whilst the main lobby and ground floor are being restored as closely as possible to the original, the 44 rooms and 6 suites (2 with private terraces and hot tubs) have been updated to today's expected standards. There will also be a restaurant, roof terrace and on the northern end of the hotel, the circular, very Art Deco Rotunda Café.

Bookings: 01524 424000

Official Website: www.midlandmorecambe.co.uk 

Images used on this page Friends of the Midland Hotel. To become a friend please visit www.midlandhotel.org    

Decogirl™

UPCOMING PRESS FEATURES...

PERIOD HOMES and ANTIQUES - June issue, a feature on dressing table items will include some Decogirl™ vanity items.

SUNDAY TIMES STYLE MAGAZINE - upcoming beauty feature to include a fabulous Decogirl Art Deco perfume atomiser

EVE MAGAZINE - feature on bargain jewellery finds (tbc)

MUSEUM PIECE!

Bag collectors will know that bags like this one on the left don't come along every day. Made from bakelite with striking target design and contrasting yellow bakelite clasp, this bag belongs in a museum...and that's just where it's going! The museum in question is the Tassen Museum - Museum of Bags and Purses in Amsterdam. Set in a splendid 17th century period building, the museum has around 3,500 bags, purses and other accessories dating from the latter half of the middle ages to the present day, from 1920's French reticules to 21st century Paul Smith. For more information and to see some of the fabulous examples of it's collection, please visit www.themuseumofbagsandpurses.com

PARIS & PERFUME

I'm please to say that the Paris travel guide is now live on the website. It makes me want to visit again every time I look through it! I still have a few more pages to create and hope to add to all the sections over time as I come across new places and things to do. I'd welcome any comments from visitors to the site.

The other thing I'm pleased to tell you about is that I've had one of my perfume atomisers photographed to be featured in the beauty section of the Sunday Times STYLE magazine. I think it'll be in this Sunday's issue so all you Times readers keep look out!

DISNEY DOG DOES THE TOWER OF TERROR!

New Disney viral. See what happens to the dog who decides to enter the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror by clicking on the link below!

https://filegen.com/getfile/?B751AC28C38644EF
 

COLLECTOR'S/20th CENTURY ENTHUSIAST'S TRAVEL TIPS!

The best European flea markets, restaurants & bars, hotels, places of interest, architecture and more. An eclectic mix from the fun, to the quirky, to the elegant. All aimed at those interested in anything 20th century from Art Nouveau to the present day, focusing on Art Deco. First up 'Decogirl does Paris™'.

If you know any places you'd like to share please EMAIL - this will be a work in progress

 VISIT TO THE TWILIGHT ZONE TOWER OF TERROR

My weekend to the Disneyland Resort Paris more than lived up to expectation! After meeting Sarah Hodson, the Head of Publicity for Disney Destinations, we boarded the Eurostar from the new St Pancras station to the upbeat notes of a three-piece jazz band (complete with straw hats, waistcoats and black and white shoes that could have come straight from a 1930's store!) 'How appropriate' I thought! After a restful journey and good cooked breakfast we arrived at the Marne Le Vallee station (a mere 2 minute walk to the Disneyland Resort) in what seemed like no time at all. We were fortunate to be staying at the Disneyland Hotel right at the entrance to the resort. The view from our pretty arch shaped window looked out onto Disneyland with it's fairytale castle standing proud in the centre. Staying so close gave us an excellent opportunity to thoroughly explore the whole of Disneyland and the neighbouring Disney Studios where the new Twilight Zone Tower of Terror attraction is situated. The Tower of Terror attraction is based on the TV series, The Twilight Zone which ran in the US between 1959 and 1964 ( also televised in the UK) and now has huge cult following. The story behind the tower was created along the lines of the TV series, though this was not an actual episode, Rod Sterling who was host and creator of the series makes a special TV appearance at the beginning of the attraction.

This is the story of the Tower of Terror as told to us on the night of our visit by Laurent Cayuela,  Imagineer and writer for Disney...

The Hollywood Tower, a typical Art Deco high-rise hotel first opened it's doors in 1928 and quickly became 'the place to be' among Hollywood's film fraternity. In 1939 at the height of it's popularity a mysterious event took place. On a wild and stormy night on the 31st October lightening struck the 13th floor of the tower resulting in a fire which destroyed the entire floor. Though no one was killed, five people who were in the elevator at the time vanished. Despite thorough searches these five people, nor their remains were ever found.

The hotel closed it's doors forever on this night. That is until 2008 when visitors are once again invited in...this time to try and help solve the mystery of ...'The Twilight Zone'.

Our visit was at 8.30 in the evening after the Disney Studios were officially closed and all visitors had left. We walked through the deserted Boulevard that leads to the Hollywood Tower with both excitement and trepidation. At the entrance we were greeted by a pale faced Bellhop in 1930's uniform. There was no smile, just a cold piercing stare from his dark hollow eyes. The entrance to the hotel gives the visitor their first glimpse of it's Art Deco interior. Large double doors crowned by a stepped Aztec style motif and surrounded by a  semi circular sunburst stained glass window lead into the hotel lobby. The Pueblo Deco style of the window, also appears in other features in the hotel, and was popular during the 1920's. The strong geometric style takes it's influence from native Southwest American art such as sunbursts, arrowhead shapes and thunderbird motifs.

Photo above curtesy of Disney

Stepping through the lobby the interior opens up before us in true faded splendour. In what can best be described as Art Deco meets Shabby Chic, everything has been left as it was on that fateful night. Cobweb covered leather trunks and cases are stacked by the side of the reception desk, a dead palm droops in front of the Odeon stepped architrave of the archway. Dust covered magazines and newspapers remain scattered where guests left them. On a sofa in front of the splendid Art Deco fireplace sits a doll, long abandoned by it's little owner. The large station style clock by the reception desk remains stuck on 8.05, the hour the lightening struck.

Walking  behind the reception desk, where two more bellhops stand, we pass the old elevators. The doors are twisted and bent, a sad reminder of the tragedy that took place. A sign above them reads 'Out of Order'.

Above:- one of a pair of Art Deco figures that grace the shop at the end of the attraction

At the bottom of the corridor and to the right of the fireplace stands a handsome Art Deco walnut chiffoniere with two circular pedestals on either side and heavy carved panel. Standing proudly on top, mounted on a marble plinth is an elegant spelter figure of a lady with her borzoi dogs, taking a moment's rest as she walks them. Beside her is a dusty bakelite telephone. Behind the glass fronted cabinet doors is  a display of cut glass Art Deco perfume bottles.

We are then escorted into the library, a dark, musty room lined with books and objects. Celebrated guests of the late 20's and 30's were brought here for privacy when checking in and out of the hotel, we were told. Looking around the room our eyes are drawn to a small table in front of a window. Lightening flashes furiously through the faded net curtains. The top shelves are filled with native African and Asian artefacts, grotesque masks and carvings, metal vessels and strange looking figures. Among the books we can see little reminders of some actual episodes of The Twilight Zone, a small robot, a broken pair of spectacles.

High in the corner of the room is a television set. As we wait it slowly flickers into action and we see Rod Sterling, host and creator of The Twilight Zone, in an excerpt taken from a 1961 episode of  the TV series entitled 'The Good Life' which tells the story of a small boy who could use his mind to change things. A door opens and we are led from the library through murky passages into the hotel boiler room.  

The grey abandoned boiler room is filled with original pipework, meters and equipment. An old radio sits on a small table. Occasionally visitors can hear distant voices  transmitted through the airwaves as they pass. Ahead of us are the doors of the service elevator which we must enter to try and solve the mystery of what happened on that fateful night of the 31st October 1939.

On boarding the old decrepit elevator we rise to pass through mysterious hotel corridors and landings where ghostly images of the five lost guests appear then disappear before our eyes. As the journey progresses the elevator cage plummets faster than gravity down the pitch black lift shaft and through the 'fifth dimension' on a journey never to be forgotten!

I don't want to say more about the ride, you must experience it for yourselves but one thing I can guarantee is that it's as thrilling as it gets, a unique experience definitely not to be missed. I'll even bet that most of you will want a second go!

Our visit to the Tower ended with a magnifcent champagne buffet  in The Tower Hotel lobby, followed by a tour of the attraction with Disney Imagineer and storyteller, Laurent Cayuela where he passionately related endless fascinating tales and ideas behind the story of this truly amazing attraction.

Above:- Disney Imagineer Laurent Cayuela

Watch the Tower of Terror video

Just to end,  I'd like everyone to know that this trip really re opened my eyes to the whole Disney experience. I last visited the Disneyland Paris Resort when it first opened 15 years ago with my then 10 year old son. This trip, accompanied by my husband Paul and NO children in tow was a thoroughly enjoyable one. We were able to indulge ourselves and experience the magical  fairy tale that Disney is through the eyes of a child, yet without the distraction of having one with us!  I'd wholeheartedly recommend you to do the same, with or WITHOUT your children!

The Tower of Terror Fun Facts

• The Paris addition is Disneyland's fourth tower. Others are at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World Resort in Florida; Disney’s California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort in California, and Tokyo DisneySea in Japan.  

• Capacity per hotel elevator is 21 passengers.

• Reaching 13 stories, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ is the tallest attraction at Disneyland Resort Paris, visible for miles, drivers on Highway A4 can spot the distinctive hotel. 

•  Walt Disney Imagineers searched for props throughout France, Holland and the United Kingdom to elaborately decorate the aging Hollywood Hotel.  Many of the Americana props, including embossed road signs, travel posters and mannequins with sculpted hair, came from one collector in Holland. Vintage clothing for hotel shop windows are from shops in Paris. And more than 4,000 books were gathered for the library.   

• Background music from the era is played in the queue area, including Glenn Miller’s “Sleepy Time Gal” and “Mood Indigo” by Duke Ellington, chosen for their timeless, haunting quality.    

• Walt Disney Imagineers spent countless hours screening all 156 episodes of The Twilight Zone® to capture the overall mood and feel of the series. All of the episodes were screened at least twice, and some were screened three or four times to carefully study the props, furnishing, music and settings.

   

   

  DISNEY DOG DOES THE TOWER OF TERROR. WATCH NOW!..

  https://filegen.com/getfile/?B751AC28C38644EF
   

 I'M ABOUT TO ENTER THE TWILIGHT ZONE!.. PRESS TRIP TO PARIS!

DISNEYLAND Resort Paris have a new attraction for 2008...The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror! Based upon the TV show The Twilight Zone, the attraction is themed to resemble the fictional Hollywood Tower Hotel. The story of the hotel, adapted from elements of the tv series, includes the hotel being struck by lightning on October 31, 1939, mysteriously transporting an elevator car full of passengers to the Twilight Zone.

Being a lover of Paris, scary rides AND Art Deco I'm delighted to have been invited on a Press Weekend to Paris by Cow PR on behalf of Disney to attend the official opening of the attraction. We will be travelling by Eurostar from the new St Pancras Station this coming Friday 18th January so watch this space next week to find out how the weekend went...that's if I manage to find my way out of ...THE TWILIGHT ZONE!

NEW QUIRKY ANIMAL BROOCHES!

I've brought you Lea Stein, I've brought you Pavone. Now I'm really pleased to have discovered a new range of unique animal brooches in great quirky designs. Made from cellulose acetate, (cellulose is an organic material some 20years old, composed of cotton and wood pulp) these brooches are literally little works of art. Based on drawings by the artist's children, the animals are  brought to life in a delightful naive fashion. Each brooch has been hand made and has a secure antiqued brass pin on the reverse. The material from which these brooches are made is in limited supply and once it's used up no more will be made. At around £20 each they're a great little collectable at an affordable price. Illustrated above is George the leaping cat in a selection of 3 colours. Also in the range is a fox, mouse, giraffe, snake and poodles. I love these! Hope you do too - 'Purely Fabulous'

OUT TODAY BBC H&A MAG

Out today, the August edition of the BBC Homes & Antiques is a must for compact collectors! The compact feature is beautifully presented with fabulous photography illustrating some stunning compacts from myself and also other dealers. Buy now!

COMPACT FEATURE IN BBC HOMES AND ANTIQUES MAGAZINE

Some Decogirl™ compacts are going to be featured in the August edition of the BBC Homes and Antiques magazine. If you're a compact lover this edition goes on sale in mid July. If not this is a great magazine for collectors and interior design enthusiasts so buy one anyway! 

 EVENING IN PARIS

I couldn't begin to count the number of times customers tell me that they or their Mother, Granny, Aunt etc used to wear Evening in Paris perfume. It seems the entire female population wore it at some point in their lives and is remembered by them with great fondness. Also marketed as Soir de Paris the Bourgois company were one of the most prolific manufacturers of perfume, producing countless numbers of different boxed sets and novelty items. Most people in the UK remember it as being marketed through Woolworth's stores. Today it is one of the most collected of all commercial perfumes, especially the bakelite novelty collection which includes an owl, door and grandfather clock (all pictured above) as well as a shoe, tortoise, Eiffel Tower, horseshoe, clam shell and champagne bucket. 

Evening in Paris was created by Alexander Bourgois who established his perfume and cosmetics company in 1863. Originally know for his theatrical make up, his first perfume was introduced in 1903. I have also heard that he is credited with creating the first powder compact, though I've never found any information that substantiates this theory. 

Recently resurrected in a new squat design spray bottle, many people tell me the new Evening in Paris doesn't smell like it used to in the old days and I suspect it's probably been changed slightly to fit in with what the company thinks today's modern woman wants to wear. It's hard to believe but I have a few customers who ask me to keep a look out for old bottles which still contain perfume as it's the only one they wear! Surprisingly it does seem to keep it's smell remarkably well and in my experience tends not  to take on that 'off' smell that a lot of other old perfumes have. The Bourgois company still produces cosmetics which you'll find in most high street stores.

I currently have a novelty bakelite owl and a bakelite grandfather in stock, both with their original lining and complete with full bottles of perfume. Visit the scent bottle page for more details.

BUSY TIME...

Just  to let everyone know that I'm going to be doing some consultancy work for an interiors company over the next three or four weeks so there may be times I'm not available on the phone. If I don't answer please leave voicemail or alternatively email and I'll get back to you as soon as possible (will always be same day)

TOO-WIT TOO-WOOO....

Spring is in the air and it's time to vamp up your wardrobe! Owls are very big on the fashion scene at the moment and what better to spruce up your outfit than a Lea Stein 'Buba' owl brooch - very cute and a much better investment than anything you'll buy on the high street. I have a few colours available at the moment, pictured below, but if there's a particular colour you'd like let me know and I'll see what I can do.

ANOTHER DECO HOUSE WANTED FOR FILMING

Having just sorted out one such request I've been asked by the Producers of Channel 4's Grand Designs if I know anyone with an 'amazing' Art Deco interior to their home who may be interested in participating. I would imagine the interior needs to be pretty stunning and classy. The exterior is not important. If you have a home that may fit the bill or know someone who has please get in touch ASAP

LEA STEIN NEWS

Just to let Lea Stein fans know that I have a small private collection coming in in the next couple of days. It consists mainly of new pieces, foxes, cats etc but there should be some good colourways/patterns.

Also there are some fabulous new geometric stretch bracelets in the pipeline, made from old stock pieces. These are big and chunky and will be available to order only. Anyone interested please let me know. I can't guarantee colourways but give me an idea of the sort of colour you'd prefer (or not as the case may be) and I'll see what I can do. They will cost around the £100 mark, more expensive than the regular bracelets but much more substantial - and do look great on!

ART DECO HOME TO FEATURE IN A NEW TV PROGRAMME...

I was contacted by a TV Production Company This week asking me if I would be interested in having my house featured in a new series for Style TV - a magazine style format  featuring new design trends, stylish interiors and innovative designers from the world of interiors,  fashion, and product design, restaurateurs and florists. One feature within the format will see  Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan aka 'Colin & Justin' visit a home furnished in the Art Deco style. Great! The only problem is my 17th Century cottage is furnished in an eclectic 20th Century mix with pieces from the 30's  through the 60's and 70's right to modern designer so doesn't really fit in with the requirement. However, I do have a few friends with fabulous Deco houses so I'll be forwarding their details to the Production Company and will hopefully see one of their houses featured. I'm not sure yet when the programme is scheduled for viewing. Filming will take place in March/April so probably some time in the second half of the year?  I'll keep you informed...