GEORGE Interior Design

GEORGE Projects: Pacific Ave

2011-11-15T06:30:00.000-08:00

A Master Bedroom Makeover is Always Fun:

And the Before:

Happy Weekend!

2011-11-12T06:30:00.000-08:00

GEORGE Projects: 138th Place Week 2

2011-11-11T06:30:00.000-08:00

This project has gotten off to a quick start. Last week I showed you pictures of a dated but intact house. This week the house is feeling rather exposed. Everyday there are new holes being made by the plumbers or electricians. Sometimes we have to go backwards in life in order to move forward...

What used to be this:

Is now this:

What used to be this:

Is now this:

It's ugly. But the good news is that it's only up from here! While the walls and ceilings are being lit and plumbed, the cabinetry is being made, and the new windows are on order. The cabinets are being made by Nelson's Cabinets Inc, and I have been so thrilled with their work thus far. Not only do they create BEAUTIFUL cabinetry, they provide excellent sketches to aid in the homeowners decision-making process. (I really can't speak highly enough about them!!) Here were our 3 choices:

I plan on making our kitchen feel a little more beachy/coastal, but I think this picture conceptualizes the basic "look" that I'm after:

More on that (countertop, backsplash, hardware choices) to come! Have a great Friday.

For All Interested Parties:

2011-11-02T06:30:00.000-07:00

My biggest challenge yet... an 8 week remodel. I will try to provide updates once in awhile so you can join in on the fun. I will get a few more close ups tomorrow before everything goes. Here is the home before we give it the once over (are you scared for me?!):

Happy Weekend!

2011-10-29T14:27:00.000-07:00

GEORGE Projects; 29th Street

2011-10-27T06:30:00.000-07:00

Ahh, there's nothing better than a finished project, a completed room. Don't you wish all of your spaces felt complete! I know I do. I have posted a couple of updates on 29th Street as the project progressed but enjoy the finished product. The before photo:

And the afters!:

The kitchen lighting before:

And After:

I'm Baaack!

2011-10-25T06:30:00.000-07:00

Did you miss me!?! It has been a very productive Fall and I've had to take a blogger hiatus to keep up! But, enough about me, I would love to share some of the projects that we've been working on with you and will be very busy these next few weeks doing so! Here is a little peak into a residence that I have been working on for the past couple of months. The owners are a delightful couple with 3 young children who want to create a beautiful rustic, yet polished, retreat in Manhattan Beach. Here are some of the shots of the house "as it was" and in the process of being updated:

A sunny Family Room as we found it:

Gone with the raised hearth and flat stone face surround...

Hello beautiful master... You are coming together so nicely!

Goodbye marble floors, hardwood is acoming...

After a very impressive demo crew finished their work:

GEORGE at LArge: To the Mountains

2011-08-16T06:30:00.000-07:00

It's hard to leave the beach on the weekends but the mountains do equally call my name. These are some photos from a plant nursery and a hike just outside Lake Arrowhead, CA. LA is truly a wonderful place to call home.

GEORGE Projects: Glass Office

2011-08-13T06:30:00.000-07:00

Maybe you work in an office (or live in a house) with an open floor plan. If you do, you know that sound privacy, or any privacy at all, can be tricky. Meet 2nd Street, a local office that was in need of my help to devise a sound privacy design solution for its open floor plan while still maintaining the interactive/collaborative atmosphere that makes this office environment so desireable:

Since some of the biggest and best architectural/design firms around are pouring loads of brain power into devising privacy solutions for the "open" office (or campus's as they like to be called) at powerful companies like Google, Amazon, Pixar, etc. so I spent some reviewing case studies from firms like Gensler and IA: Interior Architects for ideas...

It seems that the best material to create sound privacy while still maintaining the feeling of transparency within an office is... you guessed it.. Glass! Along with glass come additional sound issues but we'll save that for a future post. We'll keep you posted as we implement some high tech glass partitions at 2nd Street.

GEORGE Projects: Beach Cottage Renovation

2011-08-09T06:30:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry that I've been so MIA this summer!! I've been on the East Coast working on a fun little project and even squeezing some family time in too! When not hopping on airplanes, I've been helping a darling Manhattan Beach family renovate their 1950s beach cottage. Here are some pics of how things are coming together.

Classic Subway Tile in the shower, and a porcelain beige beauty on the floor, both laid in a Running Bond pattern (which was a Tuesday Term so I know you already know that!)

The beautiful Thomasville Cabott kitchen cabinetry went in a few weeks ago followed by the Silesone countertops. The ceramic 1 x 4 off white backsplash is to follow:

This pantry used to be a hallway to the bedrooms! Do you have useless space in your house? If yes, then you know how gratifying it feels to have a nice pantry and behind it a bedroom closet that now fill the space!

A few peaks from heavenly vacation:

GEORGE Projects: 29th Street Sneak Peak

2011-07-22T06:30:00.000-07:00

It's summer. It's busy. But somehow just looking at these images of 29th Street, with its soft color palette and layers of textures, makes me feel calm and relaxed.

Every detail has been carefully planned and considered. The resulting room is effortlessly elegant and just a really, really nice place to be.

Much more of this beautiful house to come; y'all come back now, ya hear!

Other related posts: 29th Street Before &
29th Street Renderings

Tuesday Terms: Fretwork

2011-07-19T11:26:00.000-07:00

Fretwork describes an interlaced decorative pattern (usually geometric) in design. Here is an example of a fretwork fabric adorning this beautiful little settee in the NYC residence that we first told you about last summer.

As you can tell, the space isn't extremely large (it is NYC) but the homeowners did want to have a comfortable place to sit just off the kitchen that was an easy place to feed small kids (the Pedestal table and ghost chair are super easy to wipe down!).

To keep the settee kid-friendly, we had the fabric treated prior to upholstering. Spills bead up but do not absorb.

There is space to the left of the table to easily pass through to the kitchen and also to pull up a high chair if need be.

Such a beautiful little space! Here's a better picture of that gorgeous stone floor:

GEORGE Projects: It's All A Facade...

2011-07-08T11:21:00.000-07:00

Here is a little sneak peek into a project I've been working on with a delightful Manhattan Beach Family. The goal is to spruce up the facade using only paint (and landscaping down the line). Here is the existing house facade:

Here are some ideas of what a little bit of paint could do to transform that house(The door is being changed by the way):

Do you like any of the potential color combinations?? What would you do if it was your house to transform???

Here are some houses with similar facade materials that served as inspiration:

GEORGE Trend: Saffron Marigold

2011-07-01T06:30:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday and a happy start to your holiday weekend! Indian textiles are all over the place lately (fashion, drapery, table textiles, bedding to name a few of the places I've been seeing them) and this week I found a website that offers a beautiful, chic selection with really affordable prices. It's called Saffron Marigold. You'll want to check this out: Saffron Marigold

Tuesday Terms: Persian Rugs...

2011-06-28T06:30:00.000-07:00

What you need to know is this: When it comes to the finest in rugs, Persians (the real deal from Iran) are king. Here are a few that I love. These are all hand-knotted, vegetable dyed, antique Persians from Iran. Contact me for prices and sizing as I would love to see these rugs go to good homes. (and my husband will kill me if any of them go to my good home although I'm seriously considering it.)

And this is no Persian but she is just as dear. How cute it my little 6-month-old Selby!:

GEORGE Projects: Courtney Ave. Preview

2011-06-25T06:30:00.000-07:00

Another exciting project has commenced... check out this original 1920's Hollywood Bungalow. The living room with original hardwood floors, fireplace and trim intact:

And the adjacent dining room (don't you love those bungalow style built-ins:

And now here's a little taste of the design direction! I shopped some of my favorite LA haunts like Pat McGann up on La Cienega for these vintage Indian paisley print pillows:

And some amazing vintage finds and fabrics at Hollywood at Home (also on La Cienega):

John Rob Shaw Euro with a vintage Ikat in front:

Peter Dunham's Samarkand in Blue and Red (soo beautiful!)

Another Peter Dunham Textile in a bunch of colorways:

So many exciting ways to go! You won't want to miss these updates. We're hoping to make a rug decision this week!

GEORGE Projects: 29th Street Side Tables

2011-06-23T06:30:00.000-07:00

29th Street Residence Side Tables are on their way. Can you guess which of the 3 we'll be using? All 3 of these Arteriors tables are simply beautiful but only 1 is right for 29 Street!

Tuesday Terms: Portuguese Bed

2011-06-21T06:30:00.000-07:00

I have been reminded of my great admiration for Portuguese furniture by a project that I am working on and thought you might agree. The style is similar to Spanish but less influenced my the Moors and more influenced by the East (China, India and East Indies). My favorite pieces are probably the 4 poster beds (like this one in a guest suite at the Santa Barbara Canary Hotel):

Or Portuguese Consoles like this one:

And I also love this Portuguese-inspired Sunburst Armoire being carried by Wisteria.com:

GEORGE Projects: Westwind Family Room

2011-06-07T06:30:00.000-07:00

I posted the completed Westwind Family Room a few weeks back but I wanted to update it with the before photo and reveal a few secrets!! This is a photo of the room as we found it. Do you see that window just behind the TV... If you scroll down, you'll notice that it is no longer in the "after" picture... That's because we drywalled right over that dern window, even reinforcing the wall for the wall-mounted TV. It was just in the wrong place at the wrong time and needed a patch! Amazingly enough, the room actually got lighter even though we removed a window.

A bright and cheery Westwind Residence Family Room completed earlier this Spring. Just in time to welcome their first little one who was due the 1st of May. Congratulations to the happy parents and happy weekend to everyone else!

Also, a big thank you to my Sister-in-Law, the brains and creator behind Elva Fields Jewelry (if you aren't familiar with Elva Fields, you're missing out!!!) who recently featured GEORGE Interior Design on her website: Elva Fields

GEORGE Projects: Commonwealth Serenity

2011-06-03T08:55:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't you love to transform your master bedroom into a peaceful retreat. That's exactly what we've been up to with this wonderful client/partner. Cottage cheese ceilings no more, a fresh coat of paint in DE Haze Blue, new damask bedding set by Robert Allen, super deep tufted custom headboard and matching bench, amazing custom window treatments (we went for the valances!) new lighting, plush West Elm Bello rug create an ultra-relaxing, dream bedroom. Here are some photos from before and the window install. We'll post again after the window treatments have "set" and we add our final GEORGE touches:)

To see other posts on this project click here: Saturday Trend: Valances? and GEORGE Projects: Commonwealth Residence

GEORGE Trend: Rikshaw Design

2011-06-01T10:24:00.000-07:00

Are these not the cutest patterns that you have ever seen!!! It's a mix between John Robshaw and Serena & Lily, but much more Indi Boheme and sweeter prices! You must take a look at Rikshaw Designs!

GEORGE at LArge: Stars Antique Market

2011-05-26T10:28:00.000-07:00

This weeks' steal deals! Both on sale for 20% off ticket price. Get 'em while they're hot!! {The watercolor is probably about 26" tall x 18" wide. I'd matte it and re-frame it. The turquoise wood box is probably only 15-16"w x 12-13" tall and is prettiest from the front as the top has incurred some damage.} Stars Market information below.

Tuesday Terms: Chevron Floors

2011-05-24T10:02:00.000-07:00

I met with a client yesterday who asked me about my design style. I told him that I am remaining a generalist in my 30s... but I do beach really well and have a reallll weakness for old world interior design. One of my favorite "old world" design elements are hardwood floors laid in a Chevron pattern. I love the chevron floors in this "ethnic chic" dream room!

{image from French Elle Deco No. 197}

A Chevron is a line or a stripe in the shape of a V or an inverted V. Here is a larger example of Chevron Hardwood Floors.

We might have to talk about wood species and grains next because that is such a BEAUTIFUL leached gray oak!

House of GEORGE

2011-05-23T19:27:00.000-07:00

THANK YOU SO MUCH LINDSEY at BETTER AFTER.BLOGSPOT for featuring Selby's Nursette!! It is soo exciting to see your own work on someone else's blog and thank you to all of you who've commented for your votes of confidence! I'm including a few more for those of you who were inspired by what you could do with such a little space. Thank you again, you made my week!

Here is a close up of that sweet sweet bassinet.

Here is the "after" of the door situation which needed to be covered (and yes, I left the diaper genie in the shot to keep it honest!):

And the "Before":

And lastly, this is Baby Selby with her Gramzy, whom dare I say, seems happy enough living just off our kitchen!

For all of Lindsey's inspiring posts and witty comments, click here: Better After Blogspot

Tuesday Terms: Relaxed Romans

2011-05-17T06:30:00.000-07:00

The style of roman shade shown here (at left) is called a Flat roman; its folds stack neatly when raised but there are no horizontal seams. Additionally, it is an interior mount (just inside the window box cavity) vs. an exterior mount.

I'm also loving those metal windows that have sills but no casing.