Swinging at the Rialto

I said I'd be drooling at the architecture, so voilà, here are some photos from my weekend of swing dancing bliss at Montréal's Rialto Theatre, built in the 1920s. Hexagonal marble tile, mosaic, brass, and rich wood is a good start. The stairs throughout the place were marble--people--worn down by the performers and musicians and dancers and theatre-goers of the past (almost) 100 years. Oh if these walls could talk they would sing.

The iconic artwork nestled between pilasters made for a vintage-tastic welcome in the front entrance.

a.k.a the cheeriest musical ever made

Now behold the main theatre...

I think I hear the hallelujah chorus over the band.

I spent some time up in the balcony and boxes just observing the social spectacle.

It was a great vantage point for the social dancing and performances!

Look at that regal illuminated R.

Swag

Thank you Cat's Corner!

In addition to cats there were also many chandeliers lurking in corners.

...and so much majestic stained glass.

I can't wait to go back and dance there again!

Mandy's

 I went to Montréal (again) and fell in love...with this restaurant. Mandy's. I've never been in a restaurant that is as close to an embodiment of my own personal style as this place, both in terms of stunning décor and gourmet allergy-friendly food which is incredibly rare! It's like the creators crawled inside my brain and lounged on a sofa in there for a while, soaking up the details. It was like walking into my Creatively Graceful Boutique design realized as a restaurant, with a dash of tropical paradise thrown in for originality. Can I just point out that pink and gold semicircular channel back banquet?!

Sewing machine table, picket fence, sunlit patio

Crisp black paned doors, topiaries, black and white stripe scalloped awnings

 Chippy turquoise door, greenery

 You can create your own salad! Delish choices! Well priced!

 Black and white checkerboard floor, ornate ticking stripe chair

 A ready-to-eat boutique section, complete with foodie décor items

Soaring ceilings, architectural fixtures

 Can I just get the whole place to go, pretty please?

A bar of pure cheer

Thonet chairs, gold globe pendants, cane stools

 Wildflowers, mason jars, marble bistro tables, gold flatware

Oh, it is! It IS!

I even stumbled upon a Mandy's truck dans le Vieux Port! A glossy pink beacon of bliss!

Urban Vignettes

I've snapped some photos from a weekend of dancing and touring in Montréal...bon voyage!

Red and blue

Urban layers

 Namesake store not to go undocumented

 Asymmetrical balance

 Stop the press!

 Scrollwork

 Fancy clock

What an inviting nook!

 Trompe l'oeil

Patchwork building 

Stubborn

 Pastel cheer

 Spot the flags?

 Art Nouveau

 Refreshingly aquamarine

Petite palmy patio

 Lush

 Exquisite stone and brackets and blooms

 Classical

Art Deco

Merveilleux!

Storefront Potential

I snapped this photo of an empty boutique in Montréal a while ago. Notice the curious objects in the window--a wooden stepladder, two white boxes topped with a white ceramic cat, an aquamarine demijohn, and a cinderblock all against a kraft and newspaper backdrop. The striking blue and white makes me think of Greece. Who says empty storefronts have to be drab? Future shoppers delight in details that make them peek in.