modern.chic.inspired.

Town & Country's Born to Decorate

2010-10-08T14:47:00.005-04:00

Emily LaMarque Design Studio has big news!!!

Town & Country magazine selected me as one of Los Angeles' top young designers for their Fall Home Issue (October 2010). I'm thrilled to be included in this fabulously talented group of designers. Click here to check out the full article...

Sunnyside Up!

2010-10-08T14:10:00.008-04:00

Nesting Newbies is one of my favorite online mags because they always have such fun and fresh content. So you can imagine how thrilled I was to see this spread, Sunnyside Up!, in their fall issue that features a Silverlake project I designed in their fall issue. They just did an amazing job with the layout and graphic design - I don't think I could have asked for a more flattering way to showcase my work. Thanks Nesting Newbies!!

New press for Emily LaMarque Design Studio

2010-08-04T18:20:00.004-04:00

I must admit that posts for the modern.chic.inspired. blog have few and far between lately. But, that is because the Design Studio has been busy designing numerous projects and garnering some very exciting press! While I can't leak the details before the pieces debut, this is very exciting news for Emily LaMarque Design Studio, so please stay tuned for more to come! Additionally, new photographs of the Design Studio's latest project in Las Vegas are next follow. Stay tuned!

On the Boards...

2010-03-04T11:42:00.008-05:00

Things have been off to a very busy start this year for Emily LaMarque Design Studio. There are a couple new projects that are on the boards that I super excited about!

The first is a wonderfully built new residence in Houston, which I think you will agree is off to a fantastic start. I am working with the client to bring it to life and give a bold yet personal feel while still keeping its sleek modern lines.

Another great project ELDS has just taken on is an estate in Washington. It has sweeping, majestic views over a river, and it is grand! It will definitely be an extensive remodel since it's in dire need of some TLC. It has great bones, and some exciting architectural details (like all of the original woodwork and end-grain block wood floors) which will stay. But check back because this one is going to go through a remarkable transformation!

Lastly, the Las Vegas Turnberry project that I posted about a few months ago is almost done!! Here's a sneak peek from our furniture install last week. More to follow in the next few weeks!

Smashingly Chic: Color Palettes that Inspire

2010-02-24T17:43:00.006-05:00

I look for inspiration everywhere, and I am always looking for new ways to combine color. I collect all sorts of things that use color in interesting ways - magazines, advertisements, catalogs, postcards, invitations, menus - you name it. Style vignettes in magazines are definitely a favorite because you can see how the color works in a wonderful composition. I dug into the style files and posted a few great ones. Enjoy!

Changing it up with artist Clara Berta

2010-02-11T16:59:00.006-05:00

Every so often I just need to get my mind on a different track, so recently I signed up for an art class with my friend and artist, Clara Berta.

Working with mixed media, Clara paints and collages together abstract pieces that are rich with texture and hue and are quite evocative. Clara's romanticism, independence, and passion for all of life's pleasures unfold in each of her pieces. Her laugh is completely contagious and her intimate art studio is the perfect place to let your mind unwind listening to music and making art.

Here are a few of her more recent works....

And here are a few of mine I snapped with my iPhone.... I'm realizing that with mixed media, I may be of the philosphy 'more is more' - but why not? Sometimes more is just more fun!

Haute Hearths...

2010-02-10T16:47:00.010-05:00

With the weather so chilly, snowstorms on the East, and all the rain we've been getting lately in Los Angeles, all I've been thinking about is curling up in front of a big fire. A real masonry fireplace has become a true luxury in a home, particularly because they are astronomically expensive to build these days. It's very exciting when a client comes to me with an original fireplace to work with. Here are some stylish hearths to warm your design fancy!

In order, Jonathan Adler's throwback lounge at the Parker Palm Springs, designer Rozalynn Wood's Pasadena residence, from architects Lee Mindel & Peter Shelton, fab fireplace featured in Metropolitan Home, a great mid-century fireplace from Midcentury Makeover, MetHome '07, two different very chic fireplace designs from San Francisco designer April Sheldon, two vintage fireplaces from designer Michael Bain's White Residence, two very clean and modern fireplace designs from San Antonio architect Jim Poteet, a great mid-century remodel from LA designer Bryan Wark, and a fireplace of my design from the Silverlake Residence in my portfolio.

Cheap Chic: 5 Interior Style Tips for the Recessionista

2010-02-04T17:39:00.003-05:00

Everyone deserves a fabulous space!! If the economy has your pocketbook in a pinch, here are 5 easy tips to gussy up your place while still keeping a Recessionista budget:

Contain Yourself
The quickest, easiest way to stylize and polish a space is to create groupings of things by placing them in lovely trays, jars, and baskets, which make wonderful catch-alls for items that would normally be left loose to wander. Gather books, remotes, and coasters in a luxe tray on the coffee table, corral kids' toys in baskets, and collect mail, post-its and pens on a beautiful dish, and the grouping looks like a well-thought arrangement. Add a fresh cut flower in a jar and voila! Instant style.

Keep It Interesting
While any well-designed room will have a stunning focal point that draws attention upon entering the space, keeping the attention is the real trick. Shiny surfaces, bright splashes of color, and graphic prints create huge impact in small doses. These small touches really make a room pop.

Table Lamps are Your Friends
Lighting, or lack thereof, can make or break a space. Well-designed overhead lighting in the average apartment is rare. Fortunately, table lamps, floor lamps, and task lights are affordable, and their soft, indirect light creates intimacy and ambience like no overhead light will ever do. Find lamps with built-in dimmers to create instant atmosphere. Plus, stylish lamps will accessorize your space, and you can take them with you when you move.

The Well-Lived Life
A little decadence goes a long way. While budgets may be tight, nothing dresses up a space like elegant details. Splurging on small items can make all the difference. Luxurious hand towels in the washroom, a plush throw, and of course, fresh flowers are little indulgences that say 'wow'.

Quality Not Quantity
There is nothing like mess and clutter to ruin an otherwise delightful interior. When better a time to organize, declutter, and eliminate unneeded belongings? Whether it's your high-school jeans or an unsightly gag gift, now is the perfect time to unburden your space so those pieces you really love can shine. Plus, donating the items to charity helps out others and can often help your tax write-off - that's a double score!

Lido Island Residence by Emily LaMarque Design Studio

2010-02-01T12:33:00.008-05:00

I’m so excited to announce that Emily LaMarque Design Studio has added another project to its portfolio!

When these empty nesters decided to trade in their high-maintenance waterfront home, this high-rise condo with breathtaking views was the perfect solution for beautiful, tranquil, and easy beach living. Our main goals were to maximize the views and premium square footage, while paying meticulous attention to detailed finish work. After stripping this home to its studs, every detail was hand selected and hand crafted to rebuild this stunning home. Click here to read more about the project....

Here's a preview of the project....for more photos, click here.

Visit the ELDS website to view the full portfolio!

New Year, New Blog...

2010-02-01T12:23:00.002-05:00

Or maybe I should say new year, more blog! This year has been off to a great start for Emily LaMarque Design Studio. New photos of ELDS's most recent project, a spohisticated condo in Newport Beach, CA, have been added to the portfolio, and with more projects under construction, I'm happy to announce that a few more project photos will follow in the next few months!

As for the blog, stay tuned for more postings, including more interiors, more sources of design inspiration, more from the style files, and more articles with plenty of design hints and tips.

May 2010 bring you all that you could hope for!

Kate Spade makes me smile...

2009-12-16T14:22:00.002-05:00

The best thing about having an iPhone is all the accessories that go with it. Check out my new favorite iPhone/iTouch cover from Kate Spade. Tell me this chic little number won't put a smile on your face everytime you pull it out to use it...

'Tis the Season...

2009-12-03T19:07:00.007-05:00

...for joy, hope, love, and all things holiday! Here are some of my favorite chicest holiday finds...

Icy quartz crystal ornaments from Vivaterra...

Sparkly snowflakes from Graham & Green...Love, love, love Jonathan Adlers cheeky ornaments and menorahs...

This modern, sparkly wreath by David Stark for West Elm...

Fun appetizer plates with a mid-century feel from Crate and Barrel...

An eco-friendly, fun take on a traditional wreath from Vivaterra...

Beautiful holiday letterpress from Hello Lucky...

And Snow & Graham...

And my favorite company, Elum...

What's new on my Tivo?

2009-11-23T16:53:00.004-05:00

So my favorite new TV show that I recently discovered is Man Shops Globe. Keith Johnson is a buyer for Anthropologie who travels the world looking for amazing finds. From antique shops to flea markets with so many incredible artists in between, tuning in for the Keith's hunt is definitely worth it! Don't forget to check out Keith's Quick Picks, which catalogs many of Keith's shopping stops.

Another one bites the dust....

2009-11-16T12:24:00.003-05:00

...so how many left does that make? Metropolitan Home announced that they too are closing their publication making December's issue their last! And they will also be closing their online umbrella site, PointClickHome. We've only too recently said goodbye to Domino and Southern Accents to name a few, and now Met Home. The days of glossy page-turning inspiration are rapidly dwindling. Good luck Elle Decor - we're rooting for you...

October Etsy Faves

2009-10-19T21:11:00.007-04:00

There are some super-fab finds on Etsy right now that I just had to share!

I know we've seen this Dorothy Draper dresser before, but I'd still love one...

A tres-chic vintage Syroco mirror from andfoundfurnishings...

A fun and fancy man silhouette from ModishVintage...

At $900, this antique sofa from Summerland is a great find. I'd love to reupholster it in a plush velvet and top it off with fun, fuschia pillows...

A faux bamboo coffee table with hig-style caning from thevintagesupplyco...

I nabbed this vintage Lenox canoe bowl from High Street Market for a photo shoot...

Artist Rene Norman

2009-09-01T13:24:00.005-04:00

Check out artist Rene Norman, who I recently came across. I love all the shapes and colors, especially the pink!

The perfect place to...

2009-09-01T13:10:00.004-04:00

get away for the weekend! This Santa Barbara estate is currently for sale, and while the $11M pricetag is definitely out of my budget, a girl can dream right? What an amazing place to just soak up some sun and enjoy a private beach.

Helen Amy Murray

2009-08-25T23:51:00.008-04:00

What can I say other than Helen Amy Murray's work is incredible. Her amazing 3-dimensional take on interiors and furnishings brings a fresh look and new perspective to tried and true, timeless pieces. Here's a small sampling of her creations....

Her Victorian peony tub chair....

A leather wallhanging with various patterns....

The Peacock tub chair....

And her Oriental Flower wallhanging crafted from felt....

On the Boards - Part II

2009-08-22T13:45:00.004-04:00

The boards are up! Here's a preview of what's to come...

On the Boards...

2009-08-15T12:39:00.008-04:00

My last couple of months have led to very erratic blogging, the result of a cross-country move in which I returned for good to my hometown of Los Angeles. And while I've been rediscovering my love for sun, palm trees and LA culture, I've also been redesigning the interiors for a swanky to-be Las Vegas penthouse .

Here's some photos of the flat that I am in the process of turning from drab to fab. Check back for the posted photos of the presentation boards I created for my clients to give a little clue where the project is headed...

Reinterpreting the Birdcage...

2009-08-04T18:26:00.002-04:00

New from The Conran Shop, this outdoor Palm Tree Lantern is a new take on the vintage birdcage, and I absolutely love it!

Sweet on Etsy...

2009-06-08T13:11:00.008-04:00

Nearly a month since my last post - yikes! A month of many Did's and Did Not's....I'm in the process of relocating back to my hometown of Los Angeles from Philadelphia so things have been, well, overlooked along the way.

Nevertheless, I was revisiting some of my Etsy faves and thought I'd share a few. Who doesn't love Etsy?

Silhouette Blue just makes me swoon...so beautiful and a wonderful quality, and of course she'll do it all custom...

This silver wire bowl from High Street Market is a steal at $18, and it definitely has that modern William Platner feel.

Sugarloop's wonderful prints are so quirky and fun...

How can you not adore Prince Design UK's collection of ceramic birds hearts and flowers? So very sweet...

2Pear's cheeky shipping tags...

and Whitney Smith's beautiful, understated pottery...

Madison & Grow grows!

2009-05-13T10:21:00.005-04:00

Modern, chic, and sustainable! New fun wallcoverings from Madison & Grow that are handcrafted and green. They are adding to their original Pasadena collection with the Manhattan and Martha's Vineyard collections and simply put, they are fun and beautiful...

Hello Franklin Hills!

2009-05-11T10:54:00.007-04:00

So over the past month I've been doing a little house-hunting in LA, and I came across this oh-so-fab pad in the Franklin Hills part of Los Feliz. It's mod, it's swanky, and it's a place I would love to have a cocktail enjoying the view....

I don't know the architect or designer, but I do know it's available on craigslist!

Stacks & Layers....

2009-04-15T13:21:00.005-04:00

Beautiful photographs of stacks and layers to inspire....