Riviera View

American Made Monday

2012-01-23T06:18:00.000-08:00

Looking to add a little full spectrum fun into your space? The Harlie, Tingle and Milk stools from Luxxbox will help you do just that. Heralding from Australia but manufactured in the United States these GECA environmentally certified chairs will take your room from over-calculated to original in a few seconds flat.

The Harlie

The Tingle

The Milk Stool

These chairs come in several colorways, and can be implemented in different design scenarios from industrial to residential.

Colorways above.

The Tingle shown below - has a cushy seat

along with color combinations that can be mixed and matched

To turn more about Luxxbox and to see their complete product line (including other non-USA manufactured products) click here.

Bath Remodel on a Time and Budget Crunch

2012-01-04T20:51:00.000-08:00

Below are a few 'before' shots from a bathroom remodel we completed over the holidays for a Santa Monica dental office.

This busy practice gets plenty of foot traffic, so ergonomically the small bath needed to accommodate a wide range of ages and sizes.

Here are a few 'after' shots.

Changing out the metal sink (shown above) for a wall-mounted farmhouse basin, we then built an apron underneath with turned legs to give it a little more presence.

Using a simple subway tile, we created a back splash where the old laminate one previously existed. Opening up the area around the sink, we removed the dark green exterior-mounted paper towel dispenser (see top photo) and installed a recessed stainless steel model.

We had one week to complete the work and all of the materials needed to be in stock, so instead of demo-ing the existing hunter green floor, we laid wood laminate right on top of the old tile. New baseboards and crown moulding were added throughout. The old ivy wallpaper was changed out for a sea foam stripe which elongates the walls in the small space. (We found 10 roles in stock at Wallpaper City in Santa Monica.)

We glammed things up a bit with a new vanity light above the sink and a new ceiling fixture (both instock and ready to wire at Lamps Plus).

Triple sconce above the round mirror

Drum shade with diffuser for ceiling light
The new ceiling crown moulding can be seen here too.

We cleaned up the plumbing and the wall behind it...below is the 'Before'

Here is the plumbing wall 'After'

Is that a choir of angels I hear humming?

Then we painted the ceiling and sink wall a creamy yellow, environmentally-friendly product from Yolo. The new trim, baseboards, doors and window casing all got a coat from Benjamin Moore's glossy white. We added a few small details and well, there you have it - a brand new Powder Room.

American Made Monday

2011-11-21T06:10:00.000-08:00

T an Tribute Blanket, 62" x 72" - Made in the U.S.A.

same as above

Gatekeeper Blanket, 64" x 80" - Made in the U.S.A.

Coral Tribute Blanket, 64" x 72" - Made in the U.S.A.

If it's cold in your neck of the woods then these American-made blankets from Pendleton U.S.A. will heat things up. The bright colors mixed with a cowgirl motif make them fun while their 82% wool, 18% cotton blend make them toasty-warm on a winter's night.

Originally, I learned about these country-style blankets from the online store, Patina but if you want to find a veritable cornucopia of American-made products, just search "Made in the U.S.A." directly on the Pendleton website.

Paint Shoot Paint

2011-11-20T14:22:00.000-08:00

Looking for a view of the Pacific Ocean from an artist's perspective? If so, be sure to check out the original oils of local painters Jeff Honea and Rob Waxman -- along with the photography of Brent Broza at Riley Arts Gallery in Manhattan Beach.

The show is open to the public Saturday, December 3rd through Sunday, December 4th, 2011. Don't miss it.

Lucky Charms

2011-11-13T21:26:00.000-08:00

Mandara duvet and shams from Serena and Lily

Geometric shapes are definitely a design trend these days and one symbol that keeps resurfacing is the quatrefoil. Based on the geometry of a clover, with four equidistant and equal-sized circles slightly overlapping each other, the quatrefoil can be seen in many design applications.

images from Wikipedia

Suzanne Kassler's line for Ballard brought the quatrefoil to the attention of the design masses (i.e., me) but the shape is omnipresent in many retail tiers.

Ballard's indoor/outdoor rug

I love the calming balance it provides to a piece or space. Here are a few more examples...

From Ironies, a four poster bed whose headboard includes a quatrefoil design

From Van Cleef and Arpels,
the Vintage Alhambra wrist watch (wrap it up, please!)

This Lawson wall mounted sconce, from Waterworks

a funky quatrefoil pendant chandelier (I think this was from Ballard's?)

Quatra Table from Serena & Lily
(I believe this is discontinued)

A modern interpretation is seen below in the Kat Rug, found at One King's Lane.

The quatrafoil is sometimes combined with a square layered within the circles as seen in this pillow design from Nina Von.

The photo below is of the new Palos Verdes boutique Marea and if you look closely at the left counter you'll see the quatrefoil trellis embossed along the sides.

photo credit here

The omnipresent Quatrefoil.
Can you think of other places this pattern is used?

Design Miss M.

2011-11-12T08:32:00.000-08:00

one of Midler's many iconic mermaid costumes

Better known as the Divine Miss M., Bette Midler is auctioning off her collection of costumes, jewelry and memorabilia this morning at Julien's Auction House in Beverly Hills. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the New York Restoration Project, founded by Midler in 1995.

furniture up for bidding:
two island-themed needlepoint chairs

To see the complete catalog of auction items click here.

Lady Liberty

There are some amazing outfits to be had. Bidding begins in 1 minute!

American Made Monday - correction

2011-11-07T21:10:00.000-08:00

Love this Rustic Console table from Wisteria which according to the website is made in the USA. Correction: Much to my dismay this console is actually made in...China!

So...below is another Wisteria piece that is made in America (no, really). Aside from the clean lines, tape and nailhead detailing, what's nice about the Sleek and Simple sofa is its depth -- at 39 inches. Oftentimes with studio-sized sofas the depth gets compromised but with this design, there is plenty of room to slide back and relax.

Spruce TV Upholstery

2011-11-03T22:47:00.000-07:00

Do you have an old, tired chair sitting in the corner of your room begging to be reupholstered? And have you thought to yourself, "I could do it. I could find some fantastic fabric, pull the chair apart, put it back together again, tap in a few brass nail heads and make it sing."

But then that chair, she just sits there collecting memories.

Well, this video from the girls at SpruceTV might inspire you to take the dive.

Check it.

Rose Tarlow and One Kings Lane

2011-11-02T13:10:00.000-07:00

Mark your iPhones and Blackberries for tomorrow evening,

Thursday, November 3rd.

We've been invited to
an evening of cocktails and hors d'oeuvres at
Rose Tarlow's Melrose House
for the Tastemaker sale with
One Kings Lane
which goes live at 5:30 p.m.

Your hosts and hostesses will be equipped with iPads
to assist with online shopping.
Please RSVP to heather@rosetarlow.com
310.461.0711

To view a few of the many items for sale,
scroll down past the invitation.

Signature Rose Tarlow Bookcase

Chapman Chair

Georgina Ribbon Arm Chair

Henley Barstool - Love this!

Walden Floor Lamp - so sweet!

Japanese Coffee Table

Hatfield Cabinet - this is my favorite!!

Hermosa Beach Murals Project

2011-10-26T22:51:00.000-07:00

Cruise down Pier Avenue in Hermosa Beach and you may catch a glimpse of Chris Coakley creating the second in a series of ten murals for the City of Hermosa Beach Murals Project. The mural is a compilation of historic buildings and street scenes from Hermosa Beach circa 1909. Look closely to see Hermosa's first residence, the Hill House mingling with the Cross Church and the Red Car Depot.

detailed section

coming soon...the return of the the Red Car

detailed section

The man behind the brush, Chris Coakley

Back to work

A long-time HB resident, Coakley, who is also a fine artist and film studio muralist, has spent the past three weeks blocking in and painting the design. He says it'll take a month before it's a wrap.

To see more of Coakley's amazing set work click here and here.

AIA 2011 Home Tour

2011-10-25T22:04:00.000-07:00

The American Institute of Architects Los Angeles Chapter held a tour of contemporary style homes this past weekend. Four homes built or remodeled between 1950 and the present were open to the public.

Each home had its distinct appeal but my favorite was the smallest -- a remodeled Los Feliz, Mid Century dwelling originally built in the 1950's. The home, re-designed by Rebecca Rudolph and Linda Taalman of Taalman Koch Architecture, seemed filled with light, love and happiness. (It sounds so corny but it was true. I promise.)

According to the AIA tour guide, "...the renovation opens up the living spaces and reorganized the parent's and children's zones, creating a larger multipurpose play area for the family and a more private adult area that connects to a new outdoor space."

They weren't kidding. These two architects created something that is rarely experienced in family homes; a sort of zen, blend where both the adults and kids can live harmoniously with individuality - and without a lot of clutter or pretense.

Below are photos from the L.A. Times Home website to prove it.
All photos Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times.

To see and learn more, click here.

American Made Monday

2011-10-24T22:27:00.000-07:00

This week's American Made Monday features Alicia Adams Alpaca throws.

Here's a bit about the family business based in New York from their website.
"Alicia Adams Alpaca Inc. raises and manages its own herd of over 200 suri alpacas at the family farm in New York’s Hudson Valley. The farm is comprised of 80 acres of rolling meadows, dense woods and beautiful ponds, and is also home to Alicia Adams and her family."

all photos from Alicia Adams website

baby blankets

alpaca stuffed toys

To see a full line of home living and fashion products from this entrepreneurial outpost, click here.

American Made Monday

2011-09-19T21:28:00.000-07:00

Don't know about you but I spend the majority of my weekends catching up on laundry.

Come Sunday, I try to be finished but usually the weekly accumulation of socks, shirts and unmentionables have won the battle and I'm still at it; bleaching, washing, and shouting things out. Is it possible these groovy and Made-in-America laundry carts might make the chore a bit more pleasurable?

From none other than Restoration Hardware, the set of three carts shown above will run about you about $600. Yes, I just said $600, and don't forget the tax. As cute as they are, and as willing as I am to spend more for U.S.-made products, even I think this is a bit of a stretch. The Restoration buyers must have just returned from a week of drinking Painkillers in the BVI when they made this executive decision. But still, they are kind of cool in a, "For the girl who has everything..." kind of way.

Would your laundry fluff and fold itself any faster if it were housed in a room like this? To get yourself a set, click here for the details and let us know what happens.

American Made Monday

2011-09-12T21:54:00.000-07:00

Fall is coming and the acorns are dropping from the California oak trees.
From tiny acorns come...great furniture design.

For this week's American Made Monday, I'm writing about this beautiful bedroom chest by Guy Chaddock, based in Morganton, North Carolina. The dresser is shown with acorn drawer pulls and brass leaf hardware. Something about this piece makes me a bit nostalgic for my parent's matching bedroom set -- with a little bit of an Asian flair added in (notice the base and legs). The acorn pulls add some whimsy and showcase the overall craftsmanship. The clean lines lend this chest to different interiors: Danish, Asian, Traditional or even Modern. Can you think of another interior where you might use it?

I can't quite explain why this chest calls out to me, other than the fact that it reminds me of my mom and her 1960's country style. It makes me feel good just to look at the photo. Which is why I write about objects in the first place. Certain objects when grouped together with just the right light, ceiling height, complimentary colors and textures create a feeling -- or even a persona -- we want to convey. You might contest: can a collection of objects actually do that? My answer is yes, I think they can.

All photos from guychaddock.com

There you have it, another American Made Monday.

American-Made Monday

2011-08-28T12:49:00.001-07:00

Strata Rug

photo - Riviera View

Want the look of sisal with the softness of silk and wool?

The hand-knotted 'Strata' rug from Quatrine in Manhattan Beach might fit the bill.
The rug has the casual look associated with sisals and seagrass without the scratchy 'hand' underfoot. The silk-fringed-threads give Strata a little shine and softness, while the contrasting wool knots keep things natural and even somewhat therapeutic. Imagine feeling a mini foot massage while walking barefoot through your living room and you'll understand part of this rug's allure.

photo - Riviera View

Not all shopkeepers like to reveal their vendor sources so what I do know is that the rug is made, "...somewhere on the East Coast." The Strata comes in at least two color ways: beige-ivory (shown above) and a darker beige-brown. If you desire durability (who doesn't?), Quatrine's design consultant Kristin Schwab says that over the past few months this American-made rug weathered well on their showroom floor withstanding many curious and sandy feet.

photo source - Kristin Schwab

Gorgeous Red Dress

2011-08-23T21:57:00.000-07:00

Walking down the street in Beverly Hills today, I ran across this drop-dead, traffic-stopping, red dress at Pol Atteu.

And from the back, even better.

So beautiful.

According to Mr. Atteu, at the upcoming September 18th Emmy Awards, a certain television star may be wearing something very similar to this dress. Keep your eyes on the runway. To see more designs from Pol Atteu, click here.

American-Made Monday, a Bridesmaid's Tale

2011-08-21T23:14:00.001-07:00

This American-Made-Monday has a wedding twist.

If you need a bedroom accessory update but don't want to spend a bundle how about rifling through your closet for those singularly-worn bridesmaid dresses and turning them into pillows? (Come on, you know you'll never wear them again.) That's exactly what we decided to do with a bridesmaid dress that belonged to my step-daughter, Lauren. The wedding was two years ago this summer and the dress has taken up valuable closet space ever since. "Let's turn that lavender gown into a pillow," I suggested? And she said, "Sure. Why not?" So here are the bridesmaids before the big night and below them, well, that's the dress reincarnated as a pillow.

Let's get this party started!

Did I sew it myself? I wish I could say yes but actually the folks at Ye Olde Upholstery Shoppe in Santa Monica handled those daunting details. I love how the pleating turned out.

I chose a chocolate velvet trim and dark wooden button to add some visual interest to the satin.

And here it rests on my bed. Eventually it will land back with its original owner.
Made (or re-purposed) in America.

Take a Lap

2011-08-21T11:58:00.000-07:00

It's summertime in L.A. and it looks as though our overcast and drizzly skies are finally fading. Fittingly our imaginations turn to swimming pools and movie stars.

For your consideration, the July-August issue of Veranda magazine showcases Southern California designer Danielle Eber who turns out a pool-house worthy of reflection. Located in Holmby Hills, the Norman Style home needed an addition that would also serve as a private get-away for its residents.

Ms. Eber mixed traditional finishes with mid-century and french furnishings to create and cohesive yet slightly whimsical space. Take a peak and see if this enchanting addition doesn't inspire you to put your suit on...or take it off entirely.

photo - Roger Davies

Above and below check out the Missoni wave patterned fabric on the vintage Maurice Pre chair from L.A. shop Downtown. Also notice that the black built-ins in the photo above are finished with cabinet doors and sconces mounted into the brick surround. While below things are still a work in process.

photo - Eber Interior Design

photo - Roger Davies

Concrete wave - also from Downtown.

photo - Roger Davies

Where does this idyllic path with roses, delphinium, foxglove and daisies lead?
Back to the pool I'm guessing.

photo - Eber Interior Design

Made in America Monday

2011-08-16T20:25:00.000-07:00

Well, OK, it's actually Tuesday, not Monday, but you're with me, yes?
I'm loving these sofas from Cisco Brothers.
Above, the Dinora sofa with its Spanish feel would work well in an old hacienda or California Mission style home. Notice the tufting, the bench cushion and the exposed leg.

The Tulane Sofa above, also a little beauty. It can go traditional or modern depending on you accessorize it. Above it looks traditional but toss on these made-in-Kansas pillows from Etsy shop Pillowville ...

...and the look switches to chic modern.

All Cisco Brother frames are eight-way-hand-tied, and made-in-America, California no less. To see more Cisco Brothers furniture click here.

To see more from Pillowville, like this hand printed, hand embroidered style...

or this little number with a ruffled satin ribbon...

...or this leather embossed, mitered cornered pillow click here.

Living within Our Means

2011-08-08T18:08:00.000-07:00

This Saturday's, 8/6/11, L.A. Times article,"China demands U.S. 'live within its means,'" got me thinking.

If the Chinese Government really wants us to live within our means, perhaps what we need to do is stop buying Chinese products. That would certainly curtail spending since most products we do purchase come straight from the East, and I'm not talking NYC.

An even better idea would be to buy American Made products exclusively. If you watch TV or read the paper you already know a groundswell on this topic is building. ABC World News with Diane Sawyer, recently ran a series covering this idea when they asked an average American family to swap out all their household items not made in America, for items that were. Being a bit of a design diva, I wasn't 100% satisfied with the replacement options provided by the ABC Team. Don't get me wrong I'm sure ABC did the best they could under the deadlines they had, but my hope with American Made Monday is to showcase stylish, well-made-in-America items that we'd actually want in our homes.

Without getting too high on my design soapbox, and without further ado, let's start with this very simple entry mat from Ballard Designs. This mat is designed with well executed french logos and artwork. Apparently comfortable too - according to the web site's description anyway -- it is shown here as a semi-circle pattern and "backed with cushioning sponge rubber to reduce stress when you're standing at the sink, cooking or folding laundry."

photos - Ballard Designs

They come in other shapes and designs as well. Like this one which would work great in a mud-room or kitchen.

And this one I could easily see in a laundry or potting room.

If I had to choose I like the Violette design best but depending on where you need it, the other two might work better.

So there you have it: American Made Monday. If the Chinese commentators want to lay down the gauntlet, let's show them how it's done. Let's step it up people!

And to paraphrase the design blogger-diva known as Decorno, "Comment if you must."

Wall Art on a Budget

2011-07-10T07:42:00.000-07:00

Here's an inexpensive way to create some interest in a hallway or stairwell.
We created the diagonal photo montage for a client in Redondo Beach, California.

Using existing family candids we mounted the photos on inexpensive frames from Target, similar to these. We chose white frames to match the banister, baseboard and existing fixtures.

The trick to achieving an expensive look: we used a 10% coupon and had the mats custom cut at a local frame store. (Yes, some designers actually use coupons!)

Finally, to lead your eye from the downstairs public rooms to the upstairs private living quarters we painted the hallway a bright red (from Benjamin Moore).

Zeitgeist or Coincidence?

2011-05-18T15:28:00.001-07:00

Have you seen this?

Pink Coming Down the Pike

2011-02-08T06:56:00.001-08:00

You may already know that the Pantone Group has named Honeysuckle Pink the Color of the Year for 2011. Yes? But just in case you've been on vacation and missed the memo, here it is...

"In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going – perfect to ward off the blues,” explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Honeysuckle derives its positive qualities from a powerful bond to its mother color red, the most physical, viscerally alive hue in the spectrum.” - From the Pantone website

Below are a few pink products that will add small pops of pink to your home:

An easy dash of pink hand wash, $3.99, from the folks at Method.

Hearts for Haiti, Ornaments: $5.00 each, available through West Elm.

Pottery Barn Faux Cherry Blossom stems, $19.00 each, available here.

Book Boxes (with secret storage), $49.00, from Wisteria.

Pink Letter Pillow from Serena & Lily, $58.00.

Detail of a hand crocheted blanket to warm up your living or bedroom, for pricing contact Moxy Crochet.

Apartment Sofa in Artistry Pink, from Lee Industries.

Flower Bowl Chandelier, with pink undertones, from Oly

and finally...

You don't have to be a Dallas Cowboy fan (maybe just a superstar) to love this pink coffee mug, $10.00, available here.

Want to see additional pink products? Check out House Beautiful's February, 2011 post, "50 Ways To Go Pink" by clicking here.

Textiles for the bold and the brave

2011-02-05T08:46:00.000-08:00

When it comes to interior fabrics, are you drawn to bold colors and patterns? If so these new prints from Yoma Textiles will get your imagination going. Especially luscious are the three designs shown below.

Bardot

La Ronde

Bijoux

Click here to see the entire collection, some of which is previewed in this final image. If you live in Los Angeles you can see the line at Nicky Rising's new shop in West Hollywood. Based in San Francisco? Contact Enid Ford Atelier.

And on a completely unrelated design note, check out this gorgeous caned back tete-a-tete from Jae Omar Designs.

L.A. to Santa Barbara and Home Again

2011-01-17T21:28:00.000-08:00

photo credit - here

Took El Jefe to Santa Barbara this past weekend for his birthday. We stayed at the Canary Hotel - which by the way was really great. According to the front desk, Michael Smith helped with the hotel's renovation. And that makes perfect sense.

We had less than 24 hours to relax (is that possible?) so we headed to Joe's Cafe for a cocktail and some local fare. The Tri-tip sandwich with au jus = Yum!

My husband's birthday desire was to watch the Jets and Patriots duke it out. An easy wish granted, so after he was duly ensconced in the local scene, I headed out onto State Street for some indulging of my own. Spotted Tracy Porter walking down the street and thought, "hmmm....that mid-west girl is a long way from home?" Turns out Ms. Porter convinced her sister Robin and brother in-law George to go west. And now the trio has a store in Santa Barbara. The new shop is fabulous, bohemian and well worth the day trip. Below are two photos from a quick spin around.

Clothing designs by Tracy Porter, store design and merchandising by sister Robin.

There's only one thing to say about these shoes...Do they come in a size 7?

After doing some damage at Tracy Porter, I headed towards the ocean only to be stopped dead in my tracks by Rooms & Gardens. At the entrance, Dash and Albert rugs catch your attention and the rest..is history.

If you read my earlier post, you know I'm looking for the perfect ottoman and it just so happens that Rooms & Gardens had a really cute Suzani number listed at a great price. They have beautiful pieces through-out and help tirelessly with decisions. Very accommodating. Loved them.

Suzani Sun Fabric on upholstered ottoman at Rooms & Gardens

Our final destination, a bit further down State Street was Raoul. Can I just say OMG. Pure drop dead gorgeousness. Really, if you're at all into California design - you need to stop in. In a great way, Sally McQuillan is pushing the California-meets-old-world-furnishings-and-organic-fabrics envelope to a new level. If you're wondering where West Coast design can go from here? Ms. McQuillan has her finger on the pulse. While these fabrics are high-end and usually available only to the trade it's nice to have a showroom open to the public with in-store sales gal and designer Lynn Barker who was very helpful with design questions.

The new Raoul store location: 136 State Street. Subtle and beautiful.

So there you have it: my less-than-24-hour Santa Barbara design trip tips. What are you waiting for? ;)