Bungalow 1a

Exclusive Interview: Cari Berg

2013-05-17T08:48:00.003-07:00

Last month we had the pleasure of meeting interior designer Cari Berg at the Mattel Children's Hospital event. Since then, we've had the opportunity to sit with her and talk about her passion for interior design. We had such a wonderful time, and it was immediately evident why her clients love her and speak so highly of her (we had the honor of meeting a few of them at the event). As design enthusiasts, we must mention that her personal style is impeccable! We went gaga over everything she was wearing- from her handbag to her sunglasses and jewelry. As Cari shared with us about how she started in interior design, her approach to each project and her vision, we were mesmerized by her innate talent. I think it is safe to say that she is the design whisperer, as she has this ability to balance design that reflects high style, client's vision, and is still functional.

We love that her works includes a variety of different styles yet all have that elevated, luxe look that is Cari.

What inspires you?
Genuine people who are passionate about what they do

If someone is on a budget but can splurge on only one piece, what should they purchase?
If I am being practical, a great sofa. If I am being impractical, an amazing piece of art

When starting a new project, what is the first thing you do?
There are actually two first things I do. One is spending time with the client to establish how they picture using the space and getting to know their lifestyle and aesthetic. The second first thing is that I like to spend time in the space by myself if possible. I like to visualize how things may look in day to day scenarios, always considering how the spaces will be used. I like to imagine the client in the spaces once we have left, making sure the spaces all flow together, factoring in their lives and our design.

Is there a classic- as staple- that is always part of your design.. a signature?
All my designs combine layering, contrast and high quality materials

What are 5 essential pieces every individual should have in their home?

a sculptural floor lamp
an off-shaped chair with geometric upholstery
great coffee table books
something gold
small movable tables to supplement the main coffee table

In your opinion, what makes a great room?
Gracious architectural proportions and perfectly scaled furniture appropriate for the space

Where are the best ways to save money if someone is on a budget but wants high style?
Use simplest/less expensive fabrics on the larger upholstered pieces and drapery, which require the most yardage. Then go all out on a couple yards of expensive, impactful fabrics to make pillows or upholster a small chair to give the room the personality and drama

What is your favorite room to decorate and why?
I love to do entry spaces. I feel like they are such impactful spaces, setting the mood for the rest of the house

3 ideas for small living space

more than ample storage space
simple color scheme
making sure to use large pieces,. Small spaces can take larger scaled pieces—people get caught dotting little pieces all over the place and it just looks cluttered

Here are some of our favorite from a variety of different homes designed by Cari.

All images courtesy of Cari Berg

Waldorf Astoria Panama City

2013-05-14T11:25:00.002-07:00

WALDORF ASTORIA is Hilton Worldwide’s luxury brand of landmark hotels, with each one as singular and timeless as the brand’s namesake, The Waldorf=Astoria Hotel in New York. We were very excited to have the opportunity to visit the newly opened Waldorf Astoria in Panama City, Panama. This is the first Waldrof Astoria to open in all of Latin America and it has a beautiful balance of classic elegance and modern grandeur. Located in the trendy Calle Uruguay section in the heart of Restaurant Row, Waldorf Astoria Panama features 248 guest rooms and luxury residences. The hotel displays exquisite elegance and has been tastefully designed creating a trendy Latin American ambiance. We just adore all the gold mosaic inlays combined with the white.

Love the Bauhaus style seating and onyx marble slab floors. How awesome is the cut out coffee table!

Contemporary and future forward aesthetics make way for these beautiful sputnik chandeliers!

These Art Deco chairs give the room such pop and structure!

Love the beautiful table from Worlds Away! Just purchased it in white for my clients residence!

I love how these white columns replicate the weaving of a traditional Panama hat!

May 2013 Inspiration Board

2013-05-12T19:59:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day!

2013-05-12T12:38:00.006-07:00

Legends of La Cienega 2013

2013-05-11T09:20:00.001-07:00

Every year in Los Angeles, the La Cienega Design Quarter presents its annual LEGENDS extravaganza. This year the event is being held from May 8 to 10, 2013. This year’s theme is Time Capsule: The Past, Present and Future of Design, and 44 of the design shops, galleries in the La Cienega Design Quarter will be transformed by the nation’s most creative designers to reflect the LEGENDS theme.
We had the pleasure of attending LEGENDS of La Cienega on Thursday, and partaking in lively panel discussions, high-profile cocktail parties and receptions, exhibitions, book signings and special showroom events. Our first stop was the Bloggers Breakfast in the stunning garden of the Lee Stanton Showroom, hosted by Mereda Rugs. We had the chance to catch up with fellow bloggers as well as some of our favorite interior designers. Afterwards, we attended a panel discussion at George Smith with Woodson & Rummerfield speaking about past legends in Interior Design. We ended the day at a lavish and fun luncheon hosted by Elle Decor at the Rose Tarlow showroom!

Bloggers Breakfast in the beautiful garden of the Lee Stanton Showroom, hosted by Mereda Rugs.

The decor and the trees were lovely!

We had the pleasure of spending the day with one of our absolute favorites bloggers, Ashlina Kaposta of www.thedecorista.com.

Lunch was hosted by Elle Decor at the grand Rose Tarlow showroom on Melrose.

So many famous faces and interior designers all in one space!!

We had so much fun...a truly lovely experience!

Cocktail Party Ideas: Speakeasy Soiree

2013-05-10T11:16:00.000-07:00

I just love the Party Planner guide that West Elm has on their site. My favorite set up is the Speakeasy Soiree. Aside from the gorgeous decor items that you can buy they also have links to download the invitation, recipes, to do list and even a music play list! So if you want to plan a party but are limited on time check this out.

Party invitation

Cocktail Recipes

Hammered metal serveware

Banded glassware set

Twig barware kit

Fashion Trend: White on White

2013-05-08T16:22:00.004-07:00

With summer almost upon us, it's time to get ready for sunny days and light clothing. We are loving the white on white look, the perfect way to always looks stylish day and night in the months to come!

Crescent Heights Development Coming To Century City

2013-04-29T13:08:00.000-07:00

One thing we love about Los Angeles is that it's ever changing and evolving everyday. Directly on the border of Beverly Hills and the high-rise community of Century City sat the old Fox building at 10000 Santa Monica Boulevard. The property was then divided in two, the north half became the new Science and Technology Center for Beverly Hills High School, and the Southern half stayed vacant. Miami based development company, Crescent Heights Development, just announced their plans to build a 39 story condominium building overlooking the pacific ocean, Los Angeles country club, downtown LA and downtown Century City. Units will start at $1.5 million. Take a look at the proposed plans and renderings.

Fashion & Furniture Collide: All Caged Up!

2013-04-25T10:17:00.000-07:00

1. Golden Cage bookcase by Vincenzo de Cotiis for Ceccotti; 2. Tom Dixon Etch Web Light; 3. West Elm Oragami Coffee Table; 4. Benjamin Hubert Cradle Chair; 5. Bed Bath & Beyond Stool; 6. Front Mikado Sideboard; 7. Tucker Robbins Zig Zag Stool

Favorite Summer Entertaining Color: Kelly Green

2013-04-24T10:08:00.002-07:00

With summer gearing up around the corner, entertaining will be at an all-time high. Pool parties, barbecues, bridal and baby showers, and classic dinner rendezvous, the perfect summer color is essential for your decorating palette. Whether you're looking for the perfect shade of table clothes, the right bouquet of flowers, or the perfect colored dress, Kelly Green is our top summer pick. Here are some inspiring images and ideas for Summer 2013 event.

Nursery Decorating Ideas

2013-04-22T22:31:00.000-07:00

When getting ready to prepare for a baby you have lots of options when it comes to decorating a nursery. You can design it to match the interior decor of your home or you can choose to do something completely different. Nurseries can be youthful, playful, colorful or chic, or minimalist. Whatever your style is we have a variety of ideas to help inspire you.

Designers We Love: Jean-Louis Deniot

2013-04-20T19:10:00.000-07:00

Recently, I have become so obsessed with the work of Paris based interior designer, Jean-Louis Deniot. I find his work to be so fresh and contemporary, yet so surreal with historic preservation. He studied at the famous Ecole Camondo in Paris designing both the architecture of his projects as well as the interior. His work has been featured in publications such as Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, and House Beautiful. I am simply in love with his designs. Here is a preview of his work courtesy of his website.

The UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital Kaleidoscope Ball – Designing The Future

2013-04-18T14:19:00.000-07:00

Words cannot explain the amazing evening we had at the first annual UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital Kaleidoscope Ball! More than 20 of the most prominent award-winning visionaries from the world of design and architecture have come together to create 10 extraordinary dollhouses, featuring the style and sophistication of these designers' life-sized projects. Renowned architects Richard Manion and Robert Meiklejohn have supervised the construction of these scaled-down masterpieces (1" to the foot). The "fantasy rooms" showcase the remarkable vision of the finest interior designers in our country:

• Natasha Baradaran
• Chris Barrett
• Joan Behnke
• Cari Berg
• Tim Campbell
• Mark Cutler
• Elizabeth Dinkel
• Waldo Fernandez
• Adam Hunter & Lonni Paul

• James Magni
• Jeffrey Alan Marks
• Mary McDonald
• Philip Nimmo
• Martyn Lawrence Bullard
• Alexandra & Michael Misczynski
• Estee Stanley
• Ron Woodson & Jaime Rummerfield
• fashion designer Monique Lhuillier

We loved all the designs, one after another we fell in love the tiniest details from the tufting on the walls, to the miniature champagne glasses, tiny little Vespa's and more! The best is that each of these homes was auctioned off to help raise money for an amazing cause. And having the opportunity to watch some young girls discuss these miniatures made the whole experience even more grand. We hope that one day soon all little kids have the opportunity to play with their friends and their toys with no worries on their minds. Here are a few of our favorite images from the evening:

The Cari Berg and Mark Cutler dollhouse was inspired by the Beverly Hills Hotel

Designer Adam Hunter straightens out his home designed with Lonni Hunter

Jim Magni and Joan Behnke Dollhouse

A replica of Designer Monique Lhuillier's New York Flagship store

Woodson and Rummerfield's Malibu Beachouse set with everything from mini surfboards to a Vespa!

Mary McDonald and Martyn Lawrence Bullard got every detail right with this mini mansion

Christine London's outdoor oasis

Christine London's Georgian Garden complete with a tree house

Designers Tim Campbell and Philip Nimmo dollhouse complete with miniature Helmut Newton photography

Natasha Baradaran and Waldo Fernandez

Additional scenes from the inaugural Kaleidoscope Ball "Designing the Future" event benefiting the UCLA Children's Discovery and Innovation Institute at Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA on April 17, 2013 at The Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.

Artists We Love: Lana Gomez

2013-04-17T10:29:00.000-07:00

One of the best investments you can make in your home is purchasing original artwork. Here at Bungalow1a, we love coming across new and fresh artists and watching them flourish into the next big thing. I have been constantly seeing the works of Lana Gomez in spaces designed by my favorite designers such as Kelly Wearstler and Jamie Drake. Her bold and vivid use of color, composition, and livelihood makes her work ever so memorable. Here is a preview of her work courtesy of her website.

5 Ways To Get Happy Fast

2013-04-16T09:30:00.000-07:00

1. Show Gratitude
Make a list of at least 5 things that you are grateful for in your life. Just start writing and start small! Be happy with what you’ve got – not what you want. Focus on what is right in your life rather than what is wrong. This can be anything- gratitude for the roof over your head, the bed you sleep in, the air you breathe, your family, your limbs. Within moments, you will feel the shift within.

2. Smile and Laugh
Sounds simple and it is. Try this today when you go out – smile at everyone you see. Yes – even strangers. The more you smile, the more people will smile back at you. Be prepared to be surprised at what comes back to you. You will feel happier and you will be spreading happiness around you.

3. Breathe

Take 5 minutes and breathe. Slow, deep breathes and listen to the sound. This will transform you it will shift your attention from the external to the internal within seconds.

4. Flowers and Nature

Flowers and nature are known to change your vibrational frequency. A quick and easy way to feel happier is to pick flowers and place them throughout your space. Or take a walk in a park, surround yourself with living things and see how your mood changes.

5. Water

Water has always been known for its healing attributes. Whenever you feel frustrated, unhappy or irritable take a long bath, go to the steam room, swim in a pool, go to the ocean or head to the spa. Because water heals, it will change your feelings and give you a boost of positivity.

The Best of Napa Valley

2013-04-15T10:23:00.001-07:00

Napa Valley is one of the premier travel destinations in the world. Breathtaking views abound at every turn – wisteria covered trellises in the spring, picturesque rolling hills planted with vineyards year-round, and wineries of every stature dot the landscape. Whether you are wine tasting, dining at renowned restaurants like the French Laundry, pampering yourself with a mud bath in Calistoga, or just enjoying your stay at quaint bed & breakfasts, hotels or resorts ... Napa Valley is your spot of heaven on earth. Springtime in Napa is just stunning. The landscapes are bright and colorful, filled with colorful tulips and you can witness the vines beginning to bud. The lan is very furtile and reminds us just how much we gain from mother nature. At the French Laundry farm you can witness what farm-to-table really means. Here are some of our favorites photos & spots from our recent trip to wine country!

Quote of the Week!

2013-04-13T19:46:00.000-07:00

Summer Travel Getaway Deals: Caribbean Edition

2013-04-13T11:30:00.001-07:00

With summer being just around the corner, the pressure to book our summer trips is increasing. Here at Bungalow1a, we have gathered together some of our top hotels and destinations with beautiful scenery and sensational interior decor. We have picked the ideal spots with lavish beaches, fashion forward shopping, and the best dining! Just click on your favorite and book away!

1. Welk Resort Sirena del Mar
Cabo San Lucas

2. Be Live Grand

Punta Cana

3. Jewel Dunn's River Beach Resort

Jamaica

4. Blackbird Caye Resort

Belize

5. Hotel Royal Corin

Costa Rica

Get the Look: Kim Kardashian Style

2013-04-11T23:53:00.000-07:00

First off we are so excited that Kim K has called us out as one of her favorite blogs! Thanks for the love. Second, we love her style! Mainly because she does a fabulous job dressing appropriately for her body. Her style is a great one to copy because you can invest in a few key pieces that can be reworked to generate a variety of looks (black leggings, leather pants, boyfriend jeans, blazer, and fabulous heels). Also, she tends to stick with black, white and other neutral tones which are easy to carryover from season to season. So here are our favorite looks and some of our favorite pieces so that you can get the look.

1. BB Dakota Rohan Blazer 2. T by Alexander Wang Low Neck Loose Knit Tunic 3. Club Monaco Karina Blazer 4. Elizabeth and James Lafayette Cat Eye Sunglasses 5. Adia Kibur Collar Necklace 6. Rose Pierre Banyan Tree Bark Cigar Ring

1. BB Dakota Adams Sharp Shoulder Jacket 2. T by Alexander Wang Classic Tank with Pocket 3. Current/Elliott The Boyfriend Jeans 4. Miguel Ases Double Drop Quartz Earrings 5. McQ - Alexander McQueen Studded Heel Pumps 6. House of Harlow 1960 Addison Clutch 7. Vince Celeste d'Orsay Pumps
1. Blue Life Hayley's Top 2. Bec & Bridge Estella Peplum Top 3. KORS Michael Kors Adrielle Pointed Toe Pumps 4. Paige Denim Paloma Leather Legging Jeans 5. Linea Pelle Maya Hip Belt 6. Steven Fearles Cap Toe Pumps

1. Porter Grey Cutout Leather Dress 2. AIKO Kruger One Shoulder Dress 3. Blaque Label Low Cut Sleeveless Dress 4. STYLESTALKER Warp Speed Dress 5. Susana Monaco Leather Dress 6. alice + olivia Victoria Peplum Dress

What to Wear to Coachella

2013-04-11T09:06:00.000-07:00

With only a few days left for Coachella's first weekend of festivities, we suggest you get packing. Here are our favorite looks and must pack guide!

1. shopplanetblue.com; 2. Marc by Marc Jacobs; 3. Forever 21; 4. Zara; 5. Forever 21; 6. Asos.com; 7. Madewell; 8. shopbop.com

Jane Birkin and the Hermes Birkin Bag

2013-04-10T10:09:00.000-07:00

The Hermes Birkin bag is infamous. Spotted on famous celebs such as Kim Kardashian, Lady Gaga, Nicole Richie, Victoria Beckham and other style icons, it is the ultimate must have fashion piece. The bag is a symbol of wealth due to its high price and elusiveness to the public. However, many don't know the story of the "The Birkin."

The bag is named after British actress and singer Jane Birkin. She is best known for her relationship with French singer Serge Gainsbourg in the 1970s. If you don't know who he is I highly recommend watching the movie Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life. Jane used to use a basket to carry her belongings around and in 1981 Hermès chief executive Jean-Louis Dumas was seated next to Jane Birkin on a flight from Paris to London. She had just placed her straw bag in the overhead compartment of her seat, but the contents fell to the deck, leaving her to scramble to replace the contents. Birkin explained to Dumas that it had been difficult to find a leather weekend bag she liked. In 1984, he created a black supple leather bag for her, based on an 1892 design.

Inspired by India

2013-04-09T09:26:00.001-07:00

Photos courtesy of AP, Chanel, Marchesa and Elle Decor

Celebrity Closets

2013-04-08T13:27:00.000-07:00

Celebrity closests are my obsession du jour. I just cannot ever get enough of them! Having an incredible closet will change anyone's life, because you have space to see everything you have, you become organized, and you can view your wardrobe displayed in an orderly manner. This will undoubtedly make getting dressed simpler and effortless. Well, I do not have a celebrity closet just yet, so I will dream in the meantime!

Inside The Apartment of Coco Chanel

2013-04-04T09:52:00.000-07:00

It's always an interest of mine to see inside the homes of iconic tastemakers. We all know Coco Chanel for her iconic women suits and handbags. She has been dubbed one of the most iconic woman of fashion. I was not surprised to see that her ability to make beautiful clothes transcended very well with her ability to make a beautiful home. I loved her interiors filled with elegant chinoiseries and classical French elements.

April 2013 Inspiration Board

2013-04-03T13:38:00.003-07:00