Feeling Yellow

I can't believe the surge in popularity of canary Yellow this past year; in fashion, interiors and even graphic design. My personal preference is a more intense, lemon yellow over subtle buttery yellows--(remember this?) 

Whether you "like" the color or not, you'd have to be a total curmudgeon to not feel uplifted by a yellow room .

The ubiquitous combo right now is YELLOW + GREY. We are actually working on, not one, but three yellow and grey spaces. I'm currently finishing up a  buttery yellow and gray project for a happy family in Beverly Hills. They wanted a soft yellow with very light, soothing greys.  Here's our sketch and board with some of our initial finds. I'll be sure to share some of the afters photos and our sources, many of which will be available from the shop.

Next up is a 70's citrusy yellow room with great bright yellow wallpaper and deep charcoals. I'm taking inspiration from her vintage yellow cloisonné ginger jar. I know you'll love it!

Hope you have a sunny weekend!


Sources: Collage, Dilly Dallas; Living Room, Mary MacDonald; bathroom, unknown; Bedroom, Jaime Drake; all others here

My Lunch with Aerin Lauder

Okay, so I didn't actually get to have lunch with her. But, as you all know, Aerin Lauder's much anticipated fabric, carpet and furniture lines for Lee Jofa are now available, through the trade. Everyone has been chomping at the bit for their samples. Gratefully, mine came yesterday, via lunch in my office with my dear friend and Lee Jofa Representative Cheryl Anotti-West. 

Aerin Lauder tabletop

We ate, gossiped and went through some of the most beautiful textiles I've ever seen. (One of my favorite things about having my offices in my home is that I have the perfect excuse to cook up yummy treats to share with my favorite colleagues and clients while we peruse the latest lines, source perfect finds or walk through design plans. What more could you ask for: food, friends and shared passion for pretty things. Though the food was certainly not the star yesterday.)

My fresh prosciutto, provolone and arugula sandwiches. (Bristol Farms deli cuts never disappoints!)

The line is every bit as stunning as I'd expected. Actually, twice as stunning as I'd expected. She has such a brilliant point of view and phenomenal taste. What better partner for a talent like Aerin than Lee Jofa.

Chairs and table, Aerin for Lee Jofa

Hither, Aerin Lee Jofa

Watersedge Velvet, Aerin for Lee Jofa

I love this sofa. The velvet in person is fit for royalty. It has an incredible hand and the color variation, almost an ombré, is exquisite. Love the end table here, too. That's a piece from the line as well. 

I am so excited to carry this entire line! These are the types of quality furniture pieces you buy once in a lifetime. Pieces that, like Aerin, are timelessly stylish. 

If you're interested, contact me or your favorite designer. Have a great weekend. And try that simple sandwich. Even kids love it.

Her Office...Apple and Apricot

Just playing around with palettes for a new client's office. She loves green, like her designer. I've gone round and round. So many gorgeous options. I thought Green + Orange + Blue, Pink + Green, Green + White... But this morning I'm loving 

Apple + Apricot

DIY paper flowers

These giant paper flowers are most definitely this weekend's fun with my girls. Thank you, God, for my craft-loving daughters!

Possible textiles for client's office. Mary MacDonald's Fretwork linen as a banded roman shade or maybe run it vertically down the desk chair. Quadrille's Zeze in Apricot for guest chairs. Scalamandre Hand painted strié paper (but in solid, not the stripe). And the Mary MacDonald's Chinois Palais panels framed on the back wall. Very fresh, very feminine, very much like my office, where I just realized I've got a little Apple + Apricot + Chinoiserie thing going myself.

One of a pair of 18th C cloisonné ginger jars in my office

Family 4th of July

My family has a long-standing tradition of spending every 4th of July back in Wisconsin. Aunts, uncles, cousins, and multiplying second cousins come home from all over the country to celebrate. It's total Americana: the village parade, the big family bbq, swimming, golf and, of course, fireworks. I would have to say it's definitely our most cherished time together. 

However, for reasons too boring to detail here, my son and I had to stay behind in Los Angeles, while my husband took the girls. Today it's hitting me. Hard. I miss them so much. I even tortured myself by clicking through old photos of 4th's past.

I realized, in my maudlin, mopey state, that 4th of July is my favorite holiday. (I might feel differently in December). I love that this holiday not only brings people outdoors, but it brings us all together. Like tailgating fans in a stadium parking lot, there's a sweet spirit of unity. Despite our differences in politics or geography, on this day we are all part of this American family. Like any family, it has its issues. But I wouldn't want to belong to any other. As with my family, I want to consciously appreciate this country each and every day of the year; its diversity in every aspect, its beauty, and its unique spirit of courage and bravery that instills in each member the will to continually fight for liberty and justice for all. So wherever you are in this land of the free, enjoy your 4th, your freedom and most of all your family.  

Happy 4th of July!

My daughter and niece. Can't believe they're celebrating this 4th as teenagers!

My baby and her "twin" cousin. Born the same day with the same spirit.

My amazing son, who is now 6',2" 

A totally vegan menu for the 4th. 

Try this next year.

Atlantic-Pacific

 Ashley Whitaker

Sheryl Salisbury

Rustic Schoolhouse and Bathroom

One of the buildings on the Napa Farmhouse project is a stone schoolhouse where my clients will homeschool their kids. Someday it will transition to a beautiful guest apartment. Here was my exterior inspiration photo for the building:

She even looks like a school girl.

The look I'm going for is a rustic, post-industrial, Thomas Edison-esque greenhouse. I plan to fill it with scientific artifacts like old anatomy and botanical prints, natural curiosities, and tons of greenery. Greenery = Science. Greenery is also a must in all my projects. Check out the mood boards:

I've had fun sourcing cool elements to fit my theme, like the antique "serres," which are mini French greenhouses once used to germinate hothouse plants. I got them from Frederick P Victoria and Sons. We had them wired to make the perfect classroom light fixtures. 

Here are the Inspiration Boards for the full bath with walk-in shower:

The whole space will have the feel of a watershed, with crisp, clean accents of bright white enamel and polished nickel.

Faux wood ceramic planks from Ann Sacks will cover the floor and walls. The ceiling will be white plaster with hand hewn beams and the cabinetry is a warm gray (Farrow and Ball Charleston Gray), which brings out the gray tones in the faux wood tile. All of these elements are pulled together with the pebble shower floor.

My rough sketch

Ready for their close-ups..

Ralph Lauren Fulton Sconce

Here is how it will look against that Ann Sacks Rustico tile.

Rohl Faucet. So schoolhouse-chic.

Ann Sacks Bali tile on the shower floor pulls warm grays and browns together.

Ann Sacks Rustico

Burnished steel medicine cabinet with a polished nickel handle.

How amazing is that sink, in the photo with the boys! Because we couldn't do that sort of trough sink, I'm taking a slight risk and having the fabricator bring our white stone countertop up the wall, like a giant backsplash. Sort of a modern take on the trough sink. The faucet will be wall-mounted on the stone. (Fingers crossed.) 

I'll be sure to share when we get a little further past this... 

Have a great weekend!

Malibu, Montecito, Westlake Village...or Spain

I just read the brilliant House of Turquoise this morning. I was so thrilled to see my beautiful hometown! There was no question; this house was nestled in the hills of Malibu/Westlake, or maybe nearby Santa Barbara. "Thanks God, I live here," I thought, "There is nowhere else I'd rather live." Or is there...


Turns out, I was wrong. (There's always a first.) This house is actually in Spain!

This is the vacation home of an English couple, Linda and Martin Bradbury.


I love the architectural details, the decor and especially that view!
















To see more photos, check out El Mueble and click on Galleria.