A Recent Trip to Ikea
February 20, 2011
My friend Ariel and I took a trip to Ikea this weekend. I hadn’t been for about a year. I like Ikea a lot—there are so many great deals. I like mix and match their accessories with more upscale products. And, Ikea has amazing picture frames and very useful storage solutions. (I love the folding racks I got there—perfect for my darkroom chemical trays.)
Here are a few things that caught my eye this weekend at the Ikea in Burbank:
These $3.99 flatwoven rugs are so IN right now.
And, look at some of the stylish fabric Ikea has (by the yard):
Most of the fabrics are $2.99-$8.99 a yard. That’s a great deal!
And here’s a cool pendant lamp (Ikea PS Maskros) that projects a decorative pattern on the walls and ceilings. At $89.99 it’s much less inexpensive than a lot of pendant lighting that large (approx 16″W)
I’m loving this “Ransby” bedding, but I couldn’t find it on the Ikea website.
As I was leaving the marketplace, I saw this cool table. The chair backs are shaped to the corners-perfect for small space. Fusion set: $299. 
If there’s not an Ikea near you–make sure to check out the website. It’s not quite as fun as going to the store….but you get to avoid the crowds, crying babies, and long lines. Then again, the people watching at Ikea is pretty top-notch:
Ione Skye Paints!
February 15, 2011
Although Ione Skye’s website is new, the iconic actress (Say Anything) has been painting since she was a teenager.
I just love her style. The colors are so bright and the work has a great magnetic innocence.
Nathan Turner has some of her work for sale in his shop, and you can see a majority of her collection online.
All artwork property of Ione Skye.
*Photo from WWD.
Tools of the Trade:HD Buttercup
January 23, 2011
Whenever my friends asks me where they should get a nice piece of furniture (a step-or two up from Ikea) I always direct them to Buttercup. The 150,000 square foot building is located in Culver City, and was once a bakery (which opened its doors in 1931).
Buttercup has something for everyone—seriously. They have all different styles and price ranges–with lots of eco-friendly furnishings. There’s even a Stark carpet outlet with prices as low as 75% of retail. (For anyone who knows Stark carpet—this is a major deal!)
There’s a lot of industrial items at Buttercup–which I love. There’s art. There’s even clothing…..And, there’s always a sale.
Nathan and I recently scoped out Buttercup for a few missing items for a client’s home. We found some cool pieces. There’s always something new at Buttercup-so it’s nice to visit every few months.
Even if you have a super big budget for your house–you can get some wonderful accessories or even small pieces of furniture to mix in. Great design is really all about mixing and matching items. You don’t want your place to look like it’s straight out of a furniture catalog. It needs some character–it should look like you’ve been collecting pieces over time. Also- it’s great to have some basics thrown in–just like a wardrobe. I have some really nice designer pieces–that I combine with American Apparel basics.
Below, I’ve posted a few photos from my most recent visit to Buttercup. If you check out the amazing furniture mecca, be sure and grab a snack or meal at Father’s Office right next door.
My Week Via My Iphone Camera…
January 16, 2011
Color, Water and Mexican food= Los Angeles in January.
Stylish Surfaces
December 30, 2010
I adore CaesarStone’s Concetto Collection.
The collection includes 19 semi-precious surfaces like:
Rose Quartz:
Hematite:
And Tiger’s Eye:
Prices start at $400 a sq foot.
Butch Anthony..a Backwoods Folk Artist with a Knack for Design
December 29, 2010
I discovered this guy while watching “American Pickers”. Frank and Mike made a quick stop at Anthony’s Museu
m of Wonder in Alabama. Butch was kinda cute until he told the guys he shot and ate squirrels when they inquired about the squirrel tails hanging outside the front door.
Despite the whole rodent-eating conversation, Butch left quite an impression on me with his outsider folk art (which can be seen hanging in the museum, along with thousands of curiosities), so I Googled him. I found a website that sells his art, and also an article the New York Times did on his home and artwork, which was quite interesting.
Here’s a few of his pieces–made from trash and treasures he’s found along the way:
And some great photos of his home in the NY TIMES ARTICLE:
“Butch Anthony began building his log cabin in 1988 and is still tweaking it. It is made from heart pine salvaged from an old mill in Columbus, Ga., and put together with the help of his home-made rigging — cables and pulleys strung from the branches of pine trees. Mr. Anthony made the chandeliers on a screened porch from twigs and cow bones; the 1930s quilts came from his Possum Trot auction.”
“The house is built into the side of a hill, and the bedroom is half-underground, which keeps it cool in the summer. A rusty mattress spring from an antique bed makes a wall hanging; ladder-back chairs have seats woven from old ties.”
“Bathroom with “windows” made from “beaver sticks,” a k a twigs chewed by beavers.”
Talk about eco-friendly….I might forgive him for the whole squirrel thing.
Last Minute Pressie:Trader Joe’s Lavender Sea Salt Body Scrub
December 20, 2010
Trader Joe’s Lavender Sea Salt Body Scrub
Within the past month, two of my friends recommend TJ’s Lavender Sea Salt Body Scrub. I finally got around to buying it a few days ago…and I adore it. I love lavender…it’s so relaxing. This scrub is a bit oily…. but after using it, your skin is soooooooo soft. I haven’t really had time to go to one of those amazing Korean spas to get a proper scrub–so in the meantime, I’ll definitely be using this fabulous Trader Joe’s product. Grab a few ( around $5 each) before xmas (there’s still time!)–and hand them out to co-workers.
James Perse Furniture Opening at the PDC
December 2, 2010
I’m a huge fan of James Perse–especially his sample sales. My favorite pair of sweatpants are James Perse. They are SO soft and comfy. Seriously.
There’s a James Perse boutique down the shop from my office–and now there’s going to be a James Perse Furniture showroom at the PDC. I don’t know how well it will fair, as the furniture line is not that extensive right now. Maybe they’re expanding. But, I’ll definitely take one of the teak chaises below (even though they are upholstered in Sunbrella and not some magically invented James Perse soft outdoor fabric). How amazing would a dozen of these be by a swanky rooftop pool? (hint-hint) Bonus- All of the Teak used in this chaise was grown in an environmentally safe and friendly farm.
| “The James Perse Furniture collection is a seamless extension of the brand. It embodies the same philosophy as the clothing; classic, simple, and timeless, the essence of a casual way of living. The furniture appeals to a broad cross-section of homes from traditional to modern. The collection is not limited to only the indoors as it also extends to outdoor environments. Currently, four collections define the James Perse Furniture Line.” |
Beautiful Things….
November 24, 2010
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I’m so excited! It’s one of my favorite holidays. In honor of the holiday, I decided to post some beautiful Native American decorative items.
As a child, my family and I traveled to Santa Fe and Taos quite a bit. It was a short trip from Denver (where I grew up). I remember all the beautiful jewelers who lined the sidewalks selling gorgeous turquoise rings and necklaces. I remember going to the studio of a famous rug maker, where my parents bought a one-of-a-kind rug that’s sure to become a family heirloom. And most of all, I remember the colors. Slight tangent–I’m totally digging OPIs “Teal The Cows Come Home” and “Yodel Me On My Cell”
These two colors remind me of the different shades of turquoise I saw in my New Mexico travels. Jewel tone nail polish is super in right now.
Okay- back to more beautiful Native American items:
This early 20th century basket is currently on display at The Autry. There’s actually a whole Art of Native American Basketry exhibit there right now. I love it. It’s gorgeous. I want it.
Below find a few Antique Navajo rugs (I scoured the net to find some favorites–jackpot on ebay and Daltons.com):
There are so many beautiful Native American textiles. I could go on forever. Total new trend–look for those vintage navajo rugs at your favorite flea market! I mean suzanis and ikats are on their way out. It’s all about Native American design and pops of multiple bright colors. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
I want….A Library Card Catalog Cabinet
November 14, 2010
I love the piece above. It’s a new piece that was repurposed from the old card catalog cabinet below:
I love how the heavy piece was transformed into a much lighter console–with plenty of storage. And, I need storage.*
I have tons of vintage ephemera and art supplies in my loft, and my vintage metal Katisha locker (one of my favorite things in the world) is just not big enough for everything. I’ve been searching for a new way to keep my supplies organized, and I think a library card catalog cabinet is a good bet.
Some girl made a cool coffee table from a vintage card catalog cabinet !
Others use the cabinets as they are:
So, if you find an old card catalog cabinet (even it’s half broken and missing parts) at your favorite thrift store–snap it up. It can be repurposed into a really cool storage piece with just a little work and some creativity.
