What I'm Working On- Hollywood Bungalow

I loved the term "Global Regency" when I read it on Camila's post about melding these two styles. It is exactly what I'm constructing for my latest clients.

Remember they want "comfortable, casual with a little bit of Napa Style." The kitchen was already remodeled in contemporary Craftsman and there is brown wood panelling throughout the living areas. Both of these things dictate what will feel appropriate in the space. 

She originally said she wanted a totally neutral scheme, greenery being the only color in the room, but she fell in love with the fabric at left. It's intensely bright in person. Somewhere between an acid apple and a malachite emerald. I thought it would be difficult to thread through the organic, neutral room (even though it's an ikat)--until I found this room from the DC Design House. Perfection. LOVE those super gloss green lampshades! The rest will be like icing the cake.

Here is my mood board for my clients' living room.

Here are some of the finishes and fabrics we were playing with in the studio.

The ikat (on my board) will be pillows. The velvet flocked trellis fabric (right) will be the drapes en lieu of the black ones in the inspiration room. (I know, I have a tiring thing for green trellis patterns. Ever since my neighbor's" garden room," as Mrs. Barbetti called it, back in the early 80's. I'd vie for sleepovers just to hang in that room. It even had the great pop of color from a bright red gumball machine. But I digress). So, What d'ya think? We'll add the 'Napa Style' they like with textual elements like fishermens' baskets and a bricklayers table. An unlikely mix for me, but I'm liking it!

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.