Saturday, April 16, 2011

Don't judge a client by their...well, anything.

My latest project is a home here in Los Angeles. I have to say, I was very surprised at how wrong I was at summing up this client. I'd like to think I can usually see their dream home in my head upon first meeting, right down to a penchant for Carrera vs. Soapstone. But this one caught me totally off guard.


This young, Ivy League/D.C. Debutante has somehow managed to find her way to the top of the Hollywood PR food chain. She's a super stylish Hollywood journalist, friends with celebrities too hip for me to even know. She's used to the red carpet treatment in the hottest new restaurants from the Beverly Hills to Vegas. I thought for sure this was going to be a very edgy, totally modern pad. I was already scouring 1stDibs for outrageous finds, laying out boards for a total entertainer's dream. Was this my chance to finally channel Tony Duquette--at least professionally? 


Apparently not. At our first meeting, my stylish, painfully in-the-know client floored me with this revelation: "We want a really traditional, casual comfy home... Comfy and super cozy. Neutrals with a little bit of Napa style." Scratch, record screech. She later forwarded me pictures of interiors that reflected her beautiful, almost rustic taste. (See below) I sent her pictures of my own home, which reflects my own casual style of "family living." Hers will actually be a family home very soon. Yep, there is a baby on the way. (Yipee! Another nursery to design!)

I began scouring Malibu's Room at the Beach, Santa Monica's Rooms and Gardens and other places that  embody what I affectionately call "Santa Barbara Style." So off we set, designing a home like Beth Rubino's set for "It's Complicated," complete with reclaimed wood tables, sisal rugs and cache pots for herbs. Need I mention she and her hubby truly cook. So there will actually be entertaining!




I'm really excited about this project. I'm off to find a bricklayer's table, some organic linens and a big comfy sofa!






Cheers to your weekend!

Sources: My client's inspiration files, "It's Complicated," set design by Beth Rubino via Traditional Home.



1 comment:

  1. I've been known to watch "It's Complicated" and "Something's Gotta Give" with the sound off.

    ;)

    ReplyDelete

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