For my recent project in Berkeley, I've been given the task to design a kids room for a very outspoken, unique little girl. While children have very specific likes and dislikes, they have their whole lives to develop their own tastes and styles. Which makes very specific rooms that can at the same time grow with a child a contradiction.
For the last two years or so, I've been obsessed with the idea of colored mirror - and extremely disappointed at the selection available. So it was with great excitement that I found a resource with Bower, a contemporary design studio based in New York City.
Moving into a new home is a great opportunity for a fresh start in the Kitchen. Especially when you've been living with the same dishes for over ten years.
My first set of dishes was given to me by my mom when I moved out to attend college in San Luis Obispo. When you think of college living, you probably picture a hand me down set of dishes with ramen on top. Fortunately for me, my mom puts great importance on dishes and my first set was a new, Tuscan inspired collection from Pier 1.
I'm crazy about Brass these days. I love the warmth that this metal finish holds in comparison to cold steel and glaring polished gold (which can often give off a green tint). A lot of my older friends or clients hear the word brass and gasp. It's commonly associated with a dated look for some reason. Don't get me wrong, there is a time and place for any finish. But the truth is, brass is very popular in the design world today as it is commonly offered as a finish option.
I was looking through a magazine featuring accessories from the SS14 runway shows, and someone asked me how fashion inspires me. I looked down at the page at a featured pump. It was pieced of patent leather and suede with spikes attached to the back. I looked to the shoe as an example and said, "Take this shoe as a dining room chair. You could upholster the seat and seat back in the patent leather, so that it's easy to clean. Cover the back of the chair in the suede and apply the spikes as a decorative touch to give it an edge."
Wow! A random search for "Leather Nightstand" on 1st Dibs provided me with about a dozen options and my jaw dropped when these beauty's showed up.
Simon Hassan designed these nightstands (more like sculptures) in 2010. They are constructed of polished brass drawers enveloped in boiled leather. How amazing would these be for a contemporary ranch house? Think Ralph Lauren meets Alexander Wang.
How about a little runway fashion for some home goods inspiration? Dsquared² always delivers high fashion, high energy, high glamour looks that I covet each season. I've taken some looks from the women's Spring Summer 2013 show and created some pillows to toughen up every glamour girl's bedroom.
The above photo is from the offices of Dallas Amante. An inspiration board for a residential project by the sea! I'm sharing this with you to allow you to see how fashion, color and texture inspire me as a designer.
I have been on the hunt for colored mirrors. I first fell in love with this idea over a year ago when Caviar 20 featured a beautiful "Blue Yves" Large Art Deco Mirror. Now I find myself searching for colorful reflection for a project I'm working on in Los Angeles.
In honor of all things Storybook, and inspired by re-interpretation a la Lady Gaga, here are some contemporary concepts of a yellow brick road for your consideration.
My new topic is Storybook and I'm going to start out the feature with some book inspired bedding pieces.
I am occasionally working for friends and family on Interior Design projects, but my new hobby is to find actual floor plans of residences in the Los Angeles area and create projects. It can be a lot of fun considering I work with no budget.
My month of Tom and week of Tom Ford must include some inspired home furnishings. This time a few items inspired by looks at the AW 2013 Tom Ford Runway Show.
While we are inspired by Tom of Finland during my month of all things Tom, let's design a Dining Room with his working class, motorcycle fueled art as inspiration.
Rock and Roll meets Interior Design. Many Interior Designers are familiar with Tom Dixon and his line of exquisite sculptural home furnishings and lighting. But, did they know that music and motorcycles were the first pieces of inspiration for Dixon?
My Tom Bianchi inspiration just keeps on running. But how can you translate literal inspiration into Interior Design? I'm going to give you some ideas using an outdoor space with Bianchi and Fire Island Pines in mind.
Sadly, this piece is no longer available from Anthropoligie. But, still a welcome addition to everything wild for the month of August.
Light up your life with some Wild pendants! These pendants work for lots of styles; safari, contemporary, nautical, etc.
If the shape of this chair doesn't beckon you to kick back on the beach, the fun tropical print will help set the mood.
Check out this amazing Thai Papier Mache Elephant from 1st Dibs! Talk about a Wild addition to your home. But, your home better be as big as an actual jungle since this guy is almost eight feet tall!
