Has anyone "Bonded" their home ?
UltimateTruth
Posts: 140MI6 Agent
I know that sometimes I try to walk, talk (minus the Brittish accent), and dress like Bond, but one area where I try to live the "lifestyle" is in the design of my home. I go for an ultra-clean, masculine, modern style-I try to imagine what Bond's home would be like. DN and LALD are the only two films where Bond's living space is shown. Has anyone adapted some visual cues from those films into their home ? LALD has the chesterfield type leather furniture along with the Naval paintings and espresso machine. DN has the vintage car pics in frames and the golf bag in the corner (or did the girl pull the golf bag out of the closet ?). Does anyone have a Scottish housekeeper named May ?
Comments
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcxUVLiKx9E
To reiterate what I said previously, I imagine that Bond would have a somewhat, sparse, masculine pad. To achieve this, the best style is "mid century modern" (Think "Mad Men"). There are several furniture pieces which are standards in this style, such as The Barcelona chair (M's apartment in C.R....I have one too), the LeCorbusier LC4 (I also have), and the most popular, expensive, of all...The Eames Herman Miller lounge chair.
Bond is a Navy guy, so some Nautical art would be cool as well. Maybe I'll post pics of my pad........
I have a friend in the states who moved there from England ten years ago. He has pictures of Trafalgar Square, London buses, The Beetles - all stuff he was never near to or a fan of here. To his friends and neighbours it looks like an Englishman's home, to myself and visiting friends and family it looks a load of bollocks! I think if you stylise your home in a Bond style, you will be the only one to get it, and ultimately it won't be your own taste. Best just slip a pistol under your pillow and take a hot-cold shower in the morning, eat some scrambled eggs and drink black coffee and carry on as you are.
http://apbateman.com
I actually think I'd find Bond's apartment boring. As described by Fleming, he didn't have much appreciation for literature, art, or music. To me, a house isn't a home without literature, art, and music.
For those who want to explore the issue of Bond's home, I recommend this link:
http://www.mi6-hq.com/sections/articles/style_bonds_apartment.php3?id=02802
Here's a particularly relevant passage:
A Gent in Training.... A blog about my continuing efforts to be improve myself, be a better person, and lead a good life. It incorporates such far flung topics as fitness, self defense, music, style, food and drink, and personal philosophy.
Agent In Training
I imagine it would be hard to have a "Bond" theme home, because there simply isn't enough referrence in the books and films to base a look on. However as I previously stated, to me, Bond's home would be masculine and spotless. My inquiry was simply to find out if anyone has taken a similar approach to their home decorating concepts. Because the whole mid century look (which now has been done to death) directly parrellels the whole Cold War/Spy vibe.
http://www.theprodigalguide.com/2011/03/25/james-bonds-apartment/
But I do think that your space should be something you can live with and that feels like home to you.
There's probably some truth to this, and it also sums up why I have no desire for a "Bonded" home. I enjoy traveling, but am essentially a bit of a homebody. Thus, it's important for my house to be a sanctuary of sorts, filled with things that bring me joy and happiness. Living in Ryan Bingham-style apartment (or for that matter, living a Bingham-style life) would be hellish to me.
If I were to look to thriller heroes for home decor ideas, I would consider John Drake, John Steed, or Jason King over Bond. Actually, I really like the flats of Drake, Steed, and King. They have panache and a nice sense of style. Plus, they are distinctly not minimalist, and, to be honest, I'm a little tired of soulless minimalism.
A Gent in Training.... A blog about my continuing efforts to be improve myself, be a better person, and lead a good life. It incorporates such far flung topics as fitness, self defense, music, style, food and drink, and personal philosophy.
Agent In Training
When I do have people round they always comment on my water feature, How soothing the sound of the water is and how nice the lillys look, of course they normally start complaining when my little bridge slide drops them in the pool, and the Screaming starts.( did I forget to mention my pet Piranhas ). Which is very inconsiderate of them as I'm usually in the middle of a meeting at the time.
I have a little old woman who pops round twice a week to run a hoover over the place,but all in all I'm happy. Although I've some sketches for a little Mountain top hideaway in front of me now.
I remember Dita Von Teese mentioned once that it would be a nightmare to like someone who lived in a home with white walls and modern furniture...
My problem isn't necessarily with minimalism per se, it's just that it has become something of a design cliche and is often done badly. I've seen some Japanese houses that are good examples of "empty space as decoration," but I find these the exception, not the norm. Many current Western attempts at minimalism seem more akin to a lobby or waiting room than a home.
I haven't seen the Statham version of 'The Mechanic,' but loved the original. It's worth noting that the home of Charles Bronson's character was pretty far from minimalist.
A Gent in Training.... A blog about my continuing efforts to be improve myself, be a better person, and lead a good life. It incorporates such far flung topics as fitness, self defense, music, style, food and drink, and personal philosophy.
Agent In Training
A Gent in Training.... A blog about my continuing efforts to be improve myself, be a better person, and lead a good life. It incorporates such far flung topics as fitness, self defense, music, style, food and drink, and personal philosophy.
Agent In Training
Thanks for the link, really interesting article. For myself it was my wife who noticed my tendency to favour stone,wood & metal.The chief influence seems to have been DR No's lair with a large helping of Piz Gloria with (fake) Fur Rugs and lots of texture. I also have a Bang & Olufsen obsession...she has observed that everything that I like can be directly linked back to Bond. And yes I'm afraid that I am just about to buy an Eames chair (reproduction, as genuine would be very expensive) So for me it's the ' Bondiverse' that is the main influence & not Bond himself.
Bond has certainly infiltrated my world, I can't afford an old Bentley, but I do drive an old Jaguar...
As a side issue I would love to see Bonds home in 23, and really enjoyed seeing M's apartment in QOS. I think that Bond is and always was meant to be a man of our times, therefore I think that he would favour up to date tech, combined with a mix of traditional items and mid century spartanism.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKHA2AGbXtI
Now if you really have spending money, the coolest chair out there is this one.....
http://www.suck.uk.com/product.php?rangeID=55
Very nice. I can recommend a good feng shui consultant who will point out the ideal spot for your piranha pool.
Piranhas?
With that decor?
Sharks!
On a more serious note, Mantis: Love the set-up so far!
-Carole Bouquet
Nice chair and desk. Is that desk made from old airplane parts? It looks like something from a company I've been seeing in magazines recently.
Thanks. That's the place in those articles.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1995507399965.2114767.1011857815&l=01fa1c55f7
OMG not another copyright issue on ajb!!!!!
SPECTRE TO FILE LAW SUIT AGAINST ZARITSKY FOR FLAGRANT COPYING OF THEIR SECRET LAIR...
June 17th, Wall st times,
By w.d. Bereporter.
Today, Agents of SPECTRE, the influential criminal syndicate often thought to be behind many of Worlds most shocking abominations (and the odd use of colour schemes in underground lairs) acted to protect their most precious commodity - the secret underground lair.
When asked why they felt so strongly about it, No. 5 said " to say we are upset is an understatement. The concept of a secret underground lair, with copious use of aluminum and other such shiny metals, mixed with colours like mustard, gasoline, and Cherokee, is one that is the exclusive right and privilege of SPECTRE, and as such, will be protected using the full force of the munitions available to us (and the odd half empty can of paint lying around).
Let there be no mistake, unless this breach of our rights is re-painted and the use of shiny metals replaced with conventional materials (aka oak, mahogany and of course, chip board) we will exact a terrible revenge .
You have 48 hours to comply."
Well there we have it, a gauntlet is thrust to the floor, a paint brush applied to the upper lip, and a ladder rest against a ruined stocking....
We at the wall st times promise to keep you abreast of developments as this intrigue and decorating develop.
Nice setup with the McGinnis artwork. Is the Bond and Domino underwater print an official McGinnis Hollywood Edition release? The site seems to be down now but I don't remember them releasing that one. Thanks.
SilentSpy, the Domino/Bond McGinnis is not from their site but was an acquisition from a friend...not sure where he purchased it from!
B-)
M: "Jealous husbands, outraged chefs, humiliated tailors . . . the list is endless."