The Tea Kettle Dilemma

Mr. Peacock had a bad habit (and still does) of putting some water on to boil for tea, and then walking into another room and starting some other project—completely forgetting about the tea kettle...oops!

On more than one occasion, I returned to the kitchen to find a melted handle and spout dripping over the body of some inexpensive whistling tea kettle—with all of the water boiled away and plastic fumes.

In 1984 I was gifted with the Richard Sapper whistling tea kettle—the first “designer” kettle by Alessi (above). For years, I kept the steel surface as pristine and shiny as possible, but eventually I let it get a natural “patina” and look a bit weathered. Once I had to get a little rubber sleeve replacement to go over the lever that lifts the handle (it gets hot). Other than that rubber sleeve replacement, this tea kettle has never had any problems.

I’ve used it almost every day for 25 years, with the exception of being in storage for about 3 years. A few weeks ago, however, a piece of the scalloped handle snapped off—so much for plastic.

My dilemma...should I simply replace this tea kettle with another Richard Sapper kettle, or get a completely different style. My only prerequisite is that it is a whistling kettle, and I lean towards silver/chrome/steel finishes.

The Michael Graves tea kettle was much more popular than my trusty Sapper kettle, but I never really liked the look of this kettle...but it has grown on me over the years.

This whistling Windsor kettle is classic.

This whistling kettle has clean lines, and a harmonic whistle.

A whistling red kettle could be fun.

This Italian kettle looks industrial and sturdy.

I was originally drawn to the Sapper kettle for aesthetic reasons. It looked a bit Constructivist to me. I still think it’s a beautiful tea kettle. And the whistle reminded me of a train barreling through my kitchen—and stopped me from having a melted kettle.

So what do you think? Should I stick with the Sapper kettle or try a different kettle?

A Spectrum of Summer Stripes

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It’s midsummer, and here’s Mr. Peacock’s wish list of striped goodies:

1) These striped raw silk ties would be the perfect accessory, with your khaki or white suit, for a summer wedding or garden party.

2) You would feel like Fred Astaire lounging on this vintage 1930’s bamboo chaise lounge, with a multi-striped fringed canopy and cushion.

3) Striped ribbon belts are a staple in Mr. Peacock’s summer wardrobe. This multi-striped ribbon belt has a complete line-up of preppy colors—perfect with cut off khaki shorts.

4) These elephant gray striped socks are punctuated with an occasional colored stripe, and would add a subtle touch of color and whimsy to your gentleman attire.

5) You can rest your head on this wool striped pillow while star gazing on lazy summer evenings, and if it gets a bit cool...you can get cozy with the matching striped tassel-trimmed throw.

6) This beautiful striped wool and silk rug is appropriately called Spectrum, and would feel very soft and luxurious on tired bare feet.

7) Paul Smith’s iconic stripes look fantastic on this large cotton beach towel. Why just use it at the beach? These towels would be chic in a bathroom too.

8) A mix of these striped cotton napkins, or placemats, would elevate even a simple back yard cookout to something special.

Mr. Peacock always liked the colored stripes of Beechnut gum. Are you wearing any stripes this summer?

JoAnn’s Matinee Bar

Today’s the birthday of a lady with panache close to my heart—my mother, JoAnn. In the early 1960’s she owned a nightclub called The Matinee Lounge.
Above: My mother posing on the hood of a customer's car in The Matinee parking lot, circa 1960.

The Matinee was a destination club out in the boonies, as the advertisement below said—“Just drive out west...until you run out of gas.” It was a stand-alone building in the middle of nowhere, west of Denver, going towards the mountains.

Above: An old newspaper advertisement, it was very faded and I tried to darken it so the type is more legible. The tagline "The poor man's Belmont" is in reference to another niteclub/lounge that was downtown at an upscale hotel.

The Matinee was torn down years ago—I think it’s an office park now. People went there because of my mom’s personality, and the vibe she created at the club. The Matinee was fun, warm, elegant, and a bit glamorous—just like my mom.

Above: The "uniform" dress my mother is wearing in this photo is very “Moulin Rouge,” with layers of pink and amber velvet. She had them made for the staff, and years later her dress became a regular Halloween costume for the girls in my family.

My mother was one of those ladies with panache that lit up a room. All of the gentlemen customers had a crush on her (including my dad), and all of the ladies wanted to be her friend. When my parents got married, her club ownership days ended, but they still shared a love for jazz (read here). Years later, when we would attend bars and clubs together, she would critique the establishment, usually about how they were losing money and not properly managed.

Above: A worn yellow matchbook, with silver foil printing. The tagline makes me laugh—"Where smart people meet."

She was a night bird that loved parties. Running a club suited her personality well—it was like hosting a party every night. My mother had a big heart, and everyone felt like she was their best friend.

Above: My mother (center) behind the bar.

The club’s exterior was painted pink, and the inside was 1960’s “Las Vegas” lounge style—dark-but not too dark, a circular bar, with tables and booths. Some evenings there would be live music and dancing—coats and ties were required for the gents. In the summertime she would make mint juleps with the mint that grew outside, behind the bar.

Above: My mom (at right) posing and having a laugh with the girls.

Her staff was all ladies, and many became life-long friends. My mom designed the uniforms, and frequently changed them up—sometimes dresses, other times Capri pants and blouses...whatever inspired her. She would buy apparel items, or sketch out outfits she had in mind, and have her tailor custom make "uniforms".

My mom and Nancy, a life-long friend of my mother’s—and one of the last gals still around from The Matinee, besides my mom.

Above: An old polaroid of my mother posing atop a booth at JoAnn's Matinee Lounge. I sort of like the the gold patina over the photo, from the old chemicals in the polaroid.

My mother was very particular about the atmosphere of the club, and how the drinks were made—both had to be perfect. She would appreciate the new generation of “mixologists” who strive to craft the perfect cocktail.

Above: Stag sandwiches for $1.00!

If you have a cocktail this weekend, a coat and tie isn't required (but nice), make a toast to the previous generations of cocktail aficionados. I'll be toasting my mom!

Keep Calm, and Carry-Ons…

Traveling can be stressful for various reasons. Having a carry-on bag that works with your specific needs can alleviate some air travel annoyances, and help keep you calm and collected.

My father always traveled with his alligator carry-on bag (above in Palm Springs). I don’t know where it ended up—probably lost in some high-stakes poker game. I have a couple of his kangaroo leather duffle/gym bags. I rarely use them, because I don’t want them to wear out (for sentimental reasons).

This kangaroo leather duffle/gym bag (above) was my father’s, probably from the early 1960’s. It’s black with metallic gold piping. It’s all kangaroo leather—which is super durable and lightweight. It looks like it could be a Marc Jacobs bag with the scale of the zipper (below) and it’s styling.

If my dad liked something, he would buy multiples of the same item. He always had a bag in this duffle/gym style for traveling to golf tournaments. I ended up with two of these hand-me-down bags in the exact style and colors, but one is a few years older. I wish I had used my dad’s strategy of buying multiples of favored items and products, because so many of my favorite things have been discontinued over the years.

I can’t afford an alligator bag like my father used. This alligator bag, with a detachable handle, is similar in style to my dad's carry-on...and it’s the price of a small car.

Here’s a faux (vegan) alligator bag with a similar silhouette, but a considerably lower price tag (and it's on sale too).

Mr. Peacock loves this boxy leather carry-on trolley bag in pebbled leather with a blue lining, and hidden wheels! Most carry-on bags with wheels and pop-up handles aren’t very attractive, but this bag has a simple elegance.

It comes in a honey brown...

...and red too!

This limited edition Fred Perry bag is a functional and sharp looking bag…at a reasonable price too. It's made of PVC with contrast piping and has an embedded metal laurel leaf logo on the bottom corner.

This rugged duffle style bag would only get better with age—as the leather gets a bit weathered a beat up a bit.

If your taste is a bit more refined, this luxurious zip-around pebbled leather carry-on bag would fit the bill—not too big, not too small...just right.

Mr. Peacock is very practical when I’m flying. I use an oversize LL Bean tote with a zipper top...

...or my blue canvas (with brown leather trim) zipper top tote that was a sample product on a gig I was working on.

What do you use as a carry-on bag when you’re traveling by air?

Hog diggity, dog diggity...

The dachshund is one of the most popular breeds of dogs in the United States. The dachshund aka wiener dog, hot dog, sausage dog, and doxie, was originally bred to catch rats. Their long bodies with short little legs have long been inspiration for art and home décor. Over the years I’ve owned a few vintage wiener dog planters myself. A little bit of kitsch goes a long way, but just a tad can be charming—especially in a modern interior.

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Here’s my wish list of hot dog goodies that pay homage to this little four legged friend:

1) This playful little brass dachshund placecard holder would make your dinner guests smile.

2) Yes, this trio of wiener dogs on this dachshund tote may be a bit campy, but it could be a fun tote for carrying your goodies from the farmer’s market this summer.

3) Mr. Peacock loves this wire dachshund garden topiary frame. It would be chic as an objet de art, resting atop of your Saarinen table.

4) The dilemma—black or white? These sleek stylized ceramic dachshunds would make a nice accent piece.

5) This traditional rectangular dachshund needlepoint pillow would look great on my transparent Eros chair by Philippe Stark.

6) You can find lots of vintage depictions of wiener dogs. This vintage Dachshund letter holder has a hole in the back for a pencil (tail).

7) This vintage black cast iron dachshund bottle opener would be a chic and charming addition to any bar.

8) Andy Warhol was a fan of wiener dogs. At one time, he owned a pair of dachshunds, Archie and Amos, who he depicted in his paintings, and frequently mentioned in his diaries.

9) This little dachshund lamp could be a welcoming beacon of light in your hallway when you come home late at night.

Mr. Peacock is allergic to dogs, but if I wasn’t, I’d probably adopt a handful of blind rescue dogs with three legs.

Years ago, Mr. Peacock attended the Dachshund festival in Washington Square Park, in New York City—which is always held in May. The highlight of the festival is the group singing of a special Doxie song (above). If you’re looking for a dachshund (or any specific) breed of dog there are many wonderful rescue dogs available here.

Do you own any kitschy dog ephemera?

Sleeper Style—Woody Allen

When I was a kid, my family would frequently go to an Italian restaurant owned by a friend of my dad’s. It was in the mountains in an area called Genesee Park, not far from our house—maybe a 20 minute drive.

On the drive there, I would always daydream in the back seat as we drove past the grazing Bison in Genesee Park (above)...

...and the Sculptured House nestled high atop Genesee Mountain.

The Sculptured House looked like a giant clamshell hiding in the evergreen trees. I would always imagine who lived there, and what the interiors looked like...and that I lived there.

The Sculptured House was originally built in 1963, and almost went into foreclosure this past month.

Woody Allen used the house in his 1973 movie, Sleeper

He filmed Sleeper entirely on location in the Denver, Colorado area. The title is in reference to the classic science fiction novel science fiction novel The Sleeper Wakes by H. G. Wells—which deals with a man in suspended animation who awakens in a dictatorial future against which he rebels.


Sleeper is a futuristic science fiction comedy about a nerdy Manhattan jazz musician and health-food storeowner, Miles Monroe (Woody Allen), who is cryogenically frozen without his consent, and revived 200 years later.

It is all part of a plan called the “Aries Project” to use Miles as a spy to infiltrate and over throw the dictator. The authorities of this police state discover the plan and want to kill Miles.

Miles escapes by disguising himself as a robot (above) and goes to work as a butler in the house (the Sculptured House) of socialite Luna Schlosser (Diane Keaton). Luna decides to have her robot’s head replaced with something more “aesthetically pleasing” and it forces Miles to reveal his true identity.

As an adult, I appreciate and like the humor of Mr. Allen, but as a kid I didn’t understand the jokes. But it was fun seeing my childhood church used as a futuristic McDonalds in the film (above).

I’m not sure who the architect was of my church, but I know skateboarders liked to ride the roof.

You don’t have to be asleep for 200 hundred years to own your own tuxedo!
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1) This slim fit ten-pleat white tux shirt is a classic, and would look just as good with a tux as it would worn casually with your favorite jeans.
2) Every gentleman peacock should own a tuxedo at some point in his life. You won’t look like a robotic butler in this dapper 2-button tuxedo with peaked lapels.
3) Woody Allen has his trademark “nerd” glasses. You can have your own trademark specs too—these chic 2-tone glasses are far from nerdy, but would standout from the crowd.
4) You’ll always know the date and time with this sleek futuristic Microtimer watch.
5) A classic black silk bow tie is timeless!




In Sleeper, Luna’s house (the Sculptured House) was decked out in white, but Mr. Peacock thinks a black sofa would be more practical.
Click image to enlarge.
1) This white-on-white pendulum clock, sans numbers, reminds me of a full moon with numbers. The modern green “pendulum” hypnotically sways back and forth.
2) Six lights, on a diffuser, fill this organic shaped Atomium suspension light—it looks vintage and modern at the same time.
3) Free-form shapes create this On the Rocks sofa in black. It would be perfect for lounging on—now or in the future.
4) This Alexander Girard reproduction Moon Pillow, homage to the USA space exploration circa 1972, is also Mr. Peacock’s homage to Sleeper’s Luna.
5) Chrome and Carrara style marble are a timeless combination, and this round marble coffee table would look great with a modern or traditional interior.

If you’ve never seen Sleeper, or just haven’t watched it in a long time—Netflix it today. There are many classic “Woody Allen” scenes in Sleeper including the scene with the "orgasmatron," an enclosed closet that induces instantaneous orgasms at Luna’s house party.

Above: Mr. Peacock loves this reproduction French poster of Sleeper.

Maybe Apple will develop an iGasm to rival Woody Allen's imagined orgasmatron? What’s your favorite Woody Allen movie?

My apologies…

Mr. Peacock wants to apologize for the absence this past week. I’d like to say I was off on a wild adventure, but I was simply buried under project deadlines. But I’m back, and I hope everyone is having a fun summer! Thanks for stopping by, and for all of the wonderful emails and comments!