Falling for this Fabric….
January 23, 2012
This fabric from Pearson instantly caught my attention while flipping through this month’s Luxe magazine. I’m obsessed.
The script in printed on linen. It totally reminds me of some of the antique ephemera I use in my art…
“Hand blocked in India on 60 foot long tables this fabric is truly special and due to table size can only come in 20 yd pieces. All print is hand applied in wonderful neutral tones. Look closely and notice phrases, signatures and dates in both English and French.”
I’d love to upholster a set of simple wood-framed dining chairs with this fabric….or a headboard. Love.
Love this Light….
January 17, 2012
LA DEMI GRANDE VOLIERE PENDANT SHADE
We just popped this adorable fixture into a client’s proposal. It’s for their daughter’s room, and it’s so fricken’ cute. I totally want one of my own. “From the Parisian atelier of Mathieu Challières comes the whimsical Volière collection of feathered menagerie lighting. Each piece is made by hand from strong copper wiring and decorative birds with real feathers. ” Good news! These pendants are on sale right now at the Conran Shop.
Creative Pop! Happy New Year 2012.
January 3, 2012
I just got back from a lovely time on the East Coast. It was my first time spending any length of time in New England. I loved it. I will be uploading some photos very soon! A bunch of friends have commented on my lack of blogging. True story. I haven’t had as much time to write……though, I’m always inspired. I feel my creativity has been locked in a big balloon over the last couple of months, but the video below has finally popped the thin skin that has kept everything in. Creative juices are flowing…..Thanks Gotye (and my new Canon Rebel camera).
I Want This…
December 5, 2011
The other day I saw the entire line of Marie Turnor bags. They are sooooooo adorable. The “picnic” in tan is quite popular right now, but I really dig it in gold lace. I love the juxtaposition of the generic lunch bag shape and the intricate lace pattern of the gold leather.
The lunch bag shaped purse comes in three sizes: the snack, the picnic, and the dinner. Love.
A for Artisan House #DTLA Restaurant Preview
November 23, 2011
Artisan House
600 S Main St
Los Angeles, CA 90014
I’ve been watching this place for a while—and not just because it has the word “art” in its name. I have a lot of friends who live on Main St, so I’m in the neighborhood quite a bit.
Right after a quick trip to Pussy & Pooch for some gourmet cat food with a friend, I walked inside the seemingly open restaurant/bar/deli/market. They weren’t quite up and running. However, Patrice Rozat, one of the owners invited us in to look at the space and try some appetizers and sandwiches.
They seated us in the restaurant section (pictured above). There really wasn’t much of a selection for appetizers. We were offered either black salmon ceviche or some kind of steak tartare. I don’t eat red meat, so I chose the salmon. My friend had the tartare.
Here is my dish. I totally forgot to take a picture until I was half way done. I was famished.
This dish was amazing—–SOOOOOOOOO good. Everything was complimentary during our visit, but I would have easily paid for this. And I will. This might be one of my favorite dishes I’ve ever had in LA. The fish was delicious. It was a tiny bit spicy, as it had peppers. It also had creme fraiche and pomegranate seeds. This dish was a surprise…a tasty surprise for my mouth. I will go back to Artisan House just to have this dish again.
My friend’s steak tartare was just medicore. At least it looked pretty.
After we were done tasting the appetizers, we were asked to fill out a questionnaire about the food and ambiance of the 90-seat restaurant.
The restaurant was pretty, but kinda generic. I liked the artwork, as it was a bit unexpected. I also really loved the bar (which was not open when we were there). Apparently they have molecular mixologists and fun drinks. I’ll have to try one next time.
After we filled out the paperwork, we were escorted to the market side of Artisan House. There were lots of empty shelves, but they looked like they were stocking the store and deli with a good selection of high-end wine and gourmet food products.
We then got to order off the sandwich menus. The items in red were not available during our visit. I took a photo of the other side of the menu, as you will be able to make your own sandwich in the future.
I had Mary’s Smoked Turkey sandwich, and my friend had the Reuben. We were offered sides, as well. I had Israeli couscous, and he had quinoa. We thought the sandwiches were okay. Mine was very tasty, but the bread didn’t really work. It was just plain wheat bread. It needed to be toasted or have some crunch. The Reuben was toasted, but not very thick. We agreed that the ingredients should be piled a bit higher. The couscous was okay–not as good as Lemonade’s version. But, the quinoa was really good. I would go in and order just that. Again, another item that will bring me back.
I enjoyed my visit to Artisan House. I know this place will be successful. I think it’s really smart that they are opening (softly)to the neighbors by offering complimentary tastings. Word of mouth will bring lots of people here. I talked to another friend who had a full dinner here the other night. He said the menu was limited, but delicious.
There’s also really good people behind Artisan House. Patrice (formerly, Breadbar, The Four Seasons and Mr. Chow), was running a tight ship. And Jason Ryczek(One Sunset and Boa), the executive chef, really wanted to know our opinions in order to modify the food and make it better. It was nice interacting with both Patrice and Jason. I can’t wait to come back.
I Want This…But I’m Waiting
October 24, 2011
The other day I went to the Apple store to check out the new Iphone 4S with a friend. He was more interested in looking at the new nanos. Those things are tiny. I had never really looked at them before. The Iphone 4S demo station was filled with people trying to figure out how to work Siri, so I decided to wander over to the nano section with him. He brought me over to the incredibly small machines. They are less than 2″ square–the perfect size for a watch face–someone discovered. My friend wanted to buy a nano to turn it into a watch–a pretty cool idea, which was “kickstarted” by Scott Wilson, founder of MINIMAL and former Global Creative Director for Nike Watches. Wilson actually raised almost a million dollars to launch his idea. The bands, which hold the nano into place as a watch, range from $40-$100. The actual iPod nano starts at $129. The entire cost is pretty reasonable for a multi-function watch.
With 18 different clock face designs, you have a lot of different options to choose from. My friend almost bought the nano and the Lunatik wrist band, but ultimately decided not to, because there wasn’t a calendar app on the nano. Good point. As soon as they add the calendar, I’ll definitely get one. Perfection…especially in pink.
Outside of the PDC on Melrose (where I’ve been spending a lot of time lately), there’s a collection of strange yet totally awesome sculptures. I took a photo of a few of them a few days ago. I researched the random pieces of public art and found out they were created by Miranda July.
July is a filmmaker, writer and artist. She might be most well-known from her film Me and You and Everyone We Know. Her new film, The Future , comes out later this year.
I love her “Eleven Heavy Things” project (the sculptures outside the PDC), as they were designed for interaction and photography. There are basically 11 witty photo opportunities. You should totally check out the front lawn of the PDC if you are in the area.
From July’s website:
“…Though the work begins as sculpture, it becomes a performance that is only complete when these tourist photos are uploaded onto personal blogs and sent in emails — at which point the audience changes, and the subject clearly becomes the participants, revealing themselves through the work.”
Production of this work has been supported by Deitch Projects
RAD.
Cool Find: IdeaPaint
July 24, 2011
I just came across IdeaPaint. I’ve seen blackboard paint, and have even used it at clients used blackboard paint at client’s homes–but I really love this dry erase formula. You don’t have to worry about chalk dust! Apparently, the paint has been out for a couple of years now.
I’d love to paint the wall next to my front door with IdeaPaint. It would be so much easier than trying to go through the random sticky note reminders I have on the back of the door. I’d also love to have an office with one wall covered in this stuff.
From the website:
“Millions of worn out and unwanted whiteboards and blackboards end up in landfills each year. With IdeaPaint, there’s nothing to throw out. You apply it directly over the existing wall or surface in your home. When you’re ready for something new, just paint over it. IdeaPaint can even restore your old whiteboards and add years to their life. “
IdeaPaint is so great that it won a bunch of awards. It was created by some college kids
”The ‘idea”’for IdeaPaint came out of a brainstorming session in the e-tower, a dorm for entrepreneurs at Babson College (Wellesley, MA). True to the entrepreneurial spirit of the school, the students decided to cover their walls in large sheets of paper to write down their ideas. As their ideas grew the paper became filled with writing and had to be torn down and replaced– writing on the walls was great, but there had to be a better way! e-tower founder Andrew Foley suggested and looked for a paint that could turn every wall in their dorm into a dry erase writing surface. Surprised to find this paint didn’t already exist, John and friend William Gioielli set out to find one while Andrew began working on the business plan and created the name. When students and visitors from across campus began stopping by to write on the wall the team knew they were on to something!”
Here’s some more cool IdeaPaint rooms:
….
Here are some faves from my personal collection. They make great accessories–instant conversation starters. Seeing vintage books like this at a guy’s place is totally exciting and super hot. And… there’s my Interior Design Advice for the day.
Fermob:Cutest Outdoor Furniture Ever & Celeb Favorite
June 11, 2011
Made in France:
“Fermob’s mission is to design and make outdoor furniture that decorates the garden in a relaxed way. Fermob furniture has an added creative value, is of high quality, and is attractive, comfortable and affordable.…Fermob furniture is designed and manufactured using recycled and recyclable materials.”
Even better-Fermob is available through Nathan Turner, where you can see the Luxembourg Chairs and table (Designed by Frederic SOFIA. An authentic range inspired by the Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris).
Available in sooooooooooooo many colors-
Many of Fermob’s pieces come in kids sizes! They are even cuter because they are small versions of the originals. Fermob is a celeb favorite (firsthand knowledge). One of the world’s most stylish women purchased a bunch of chaises for one of her pools.
