I was so thrilled to have the chance to interview her about 12 years ago. Her work was truly the convergence of art and commerce: Fashion photography to sell and promote garments that seem an afterthought at best and are utterly undistinguishable at times. It's an observation made by National Post writer Nathalie Atkinson, who just reviewed Bassman's latest book, Lillian Bassman Lingerie, in the Saturday paper. It's an observation also made by editors at Harper's Bazaar when Bassman was shooting for the magazine in the '50s and '60s – and the fodder for many disagreements, as she told me. As a longtime magazine editor I considered Bassman's story a cautionary tale. I imagine the editors with advertisers breathing down their long fashionable necks, "Who is this you have photographing my dress. I can't even see it in the photo. How is my customer supposed to recognize it and find it at Saks?" And yet then there is the work – the utterly breathtaking work. Sometimes the art must come first, the commerce will take care of itself.

Bassman's art began with obviously incredible skill communicating with extraordinary models. I don't forget their role. She mastered light to get a shot, but the click of the shutter was far from being the completion of her task. Through darkroom manipulation and, later, Photoshop, Bassman explored every nuance of light, shadow, fabric, shape.

One of the stories Lillian Bassman told me that stuck with me over the years is that the rule of publishing at the time dictated that any model being photographed in lingerie, or any state of undress should have her face partially obscured in the interest of modesty. Look again at these photos. It's fascinating to do so once you know this. I recalled this story reading a post Jane Flanagan did a while back on Faceless photos. They are so dreamy and often a bit sad. And a variation on this idea, I also find Jen Gotch's defaced self portraits haunting.

But back to Lillian Bassman. I leave you with just a few of my favourites from her vast body of work. I just hope someday to own one. Someday.

I turned a version of the one above (notice how the model's neck is extended and chin up in mine) into a silhouette for my former apartment (displayed it with a famous Man Ray portrait of Coco Chanel that also got the silhouette treatment) PS. UGH, I friggin' hate that this was shot with the lamp on - forgive me Lillian Bassman!:

A postcard of this one – the promo for the exhibit which was the occasion for my interview with her – lived on my mantel for a time (notice that the image is flipped for the postcard):

rest in peace Lillian Bassman. Thank you for your art.

Mr. B never met a wood floor that he didn't want to paint. I so agree. 

In this room I adore the upholstered walls -- always covet upholstered walls. To me they are ultimate decorator luxury. I also love how the sofa is custom made to fill the entire length of this room and how it's layered in front of packed bookshelves. This rooms conjures thoughts of Sunday afternoon napping en famille - one of my favourite pastimes.

Jeffrey Bilhuber uses curtain rods that turn a corner back to the wall. I so much prefer this look. I find finials entirely too fussy and I love the finished look of the drapes wrapping around to meet the wall. 

He uses wicker and rattan furniture in any room in the house. It's such an old school gesture. Love.

He is the owner of a charming little cottage in an East Coast seaside town...just like someone else I know.

He's known for his sophisticated chock-full of decorating urban spaces, but he does country in such a pared down unpretentious way. Just perfect.

There are so many more things I like about his work. These are the biggies. Check him out at bilhuber.com or see the slide show of his adorable Nantucket cottage at architecturaldigest.com.

1. Just look at the expressions on those faces. These two are really loving it all and each other. Warms my heart.

2. THE FUTURE KING OF ENGLAND IS CARRYING A GROOVY '70s BIRDCAGE UMBRELLA FOR HIS BRIDE. I've done some digging and looks like it is a bona fide Fulton (holders of the Royal warrant as official umbrella manufacturers for the Queen). Yes, that's right, the Queen has an official umbrella manufacturer, natch.

This little beaut sells for 16 pounds, and is apparently a favourite of the Queen. I guess it's a little like the equivalent of the Popemobile for the Royals - protection that allows maximum visibility. (Though I'm guessing not bulletproof)

Alas, my last observation:

3. She DOESN'T CARE that he's holding the brolly or that she's getting WET. I adore her for this. You know those girls, the ones who think all their powers will vanish if a single drop of rain touches them. They cower and grab their man and hog the brolly and dash into wherever they're headed. Not our Kate. A little drizzle doesn't get her down. She's having a laugh.

Happy Birthday and God bless Catherine, Her Royal Highness Princess William, Duchess of Cambridge, Countess of Strathearn, Baroness Carrickfergus.

(ps. Thanks @RevDaniel for the proper title -- there, that's two blog mentions.)

The Duchess of Cambridge, Dec. 25. Image from Duchessofcambridgestyle.com

Lady Mary Crawley (played by Michelle Dockery) in season 2, Downton Abbey.

Mr. A and I recently took off for a long weekend getaway in London. We were there precisely 12 years to the day since enjoying a one-day London layover on our way to Spain for our Honeymoon. We love London. It's a design mecca that never fails to inspire. One of the highlights was a visit to the Tiffany & Co. sponsored skating rink at Somerset House. We arrived just as dusk was falling. As Canadians it was pretty amusing to see the people "skating". But what I really loved seeing was the magnificent Christmas tree -- all done in pastel ornaments, tons of lights and nestled in its own Tiffany box. So pretty. And beyond the tree a tiny fantastical Tiffany boutique.

When we got our place in Tweed I thought, perfect, it'll look great when we switch out the door for a shiny black one just like 10 Downing St. Well, I can't do it. I know that we shouldn't keep this door. These old wooden doors are terribly drafty. It attracts cluster flies, and a half-glass door is a no-no when it comes to privacy and security (especially since I haven't even bothered to make any sort of window covering for it).

This door is like a favourite pair of jeans with a hole in them. The style is perfect, the fit divine, the condition....not so much. But there is beauty in decay and I find the decay of this door ravishing. Which is why not only can I not bring myself to replace it, I can't even bear the thought of stripping the finish and repainting it.

Green is one of my most favourite colours, and the aligatored pattern of the decrepit paint is just so endearing. (Eat your heart out Restoration Hardware). And please, I could do a whole post on my love for old glass and its wobbly character.

There's no shiny brass lion head knocker. Instead, this little key that you turn to ring. The bell peals out loud and clear like the recess bell at grade school.

And the hardware - I just love it. All of the main floor doors have this same intricately tooled oval knob with matching escutcheon. It's not shiny and brass, but it fits. It suits the door and the house. 

Someday I'll install a velvet portière against the drafts and the lookyloos (and BTW people in the town have flat out told me outright that they've come to peek inside -HA!). But for now it will stay just like this. Over the holidays, after numerous kms on highways for family visits, I will be ensconced behind this door for heaps of tea, shortbread, stew, blankies, movies, Downton Abbey season 2, NFL football, naps, Scrabble...all the very best of Christmas, and I will be giving thanks for being so blessed.

This is the Storsele rattan chair, $99. I have a serious case of the wants for a pair of these. I searched high and low for chairs like this for our little cottage in PEI, but had no luck finding some in time for the mag photo shoot. Sigh. As a backup, we coordinated a quick makeover for a pair of pretty little faux bamboo tub chairs we already owned. They look great, but are utterly uncomfortable. So tragic. I REALLY want to swap them out for a pair of these. The complicating factor of course, is the logistics of getting a pair of chairs from PEI to Ontario and getting these from Ontario to PEI. Fun times, but I guess that's what we signed up for. OK, back to the chair. Here's what I REALLY love about it. The guiding principle in the design of this thing was to ensure it was comfortable without any cushions. That's a stroke of brilliance for a piece of rattan furniture. Do you think they do that at McGuire? Hmmm, not sure.

This is the Sigurd dining chair, $69.99. To me this is elegant simplicity. However, I'm already imaging a million ways to hack this thing. It's a blank canvas waiting for interpretation. Off the top of my head, I'd love to add some padding and upholstery to try to boost its comfort factor. Would love to see it in a Joseph Frank fabric.

I think Mr. A would have a canniption fit if I came home with this. The current count of cream throws chez nous is in the neighbourhood of 5 or 6. But, as I have argued before, I am a stylist, and a stylist can never have enough cream throws. This one is all cabley and soft cotton perfection. The Ursula for $39.99.

it's white, it's an amazing shape. It's the Tisdag work lamp. It's $69.99 and it will be finding a new home at my office soon. Oh, and PS. it's LED so uses 80% less power than a standard work light.

That's it for now. Have a great week and if I don't talk to you again before the big day, have a wonderful Holiday.

"Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen. I'm telling you, amazing things will happen." 

Watching this clip over I felt a kinship for my tall ginger hero. Conan made these remarks at a time of transition from his dream job. Despite farewell circumstances that were unpleasant, Conan took the opportunity to give thanks for the many great years he had with his soon-to-be-former employer. Hmmm, rang a bell with me. 

As many of you will know, I recently left STYLE AT HOME magazine. Some of you have been coming here to see what I have to say about the whole thing. So finally, here it is. My thoughts are much like Conan's. I feel lucky and thankful to have had so many fantastic experiences. What a thrill it was to help build an upstart into a contender. I feel particularly proud to have styled/art directed shoots that have graced the last 5 covers of STYLE AT HOME. I call that ending on a high note. 

To that chapter I say "So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye" 

Now opens an exciting new chapter. 

Our little cottage and apple trees dressed up in winter finery. I'm in love, again.