interior design

farrow and ball wallpapers 17 May, 2010

It seems like the aftermath of the Legends of La Cienega will feed my blog posts for quite a while now. But with my weakness for all sorts of wallcoverings, I couldn’t not to write about the fabulous Farrow and Ball, a European paint and wallpaper company. Large variety and colorways, generous samples size but what really made me stand and stare is the quality. The printing techniques allow the paint to have the textured vintage, almost nostalgic, feel as if every ornament was pressed in by hand. A truly European quality.

Don’t know where to start? Or, like me, getting lost in too many irresistible choices? flip through online inspiration magazines “Key Looks with Color”  and “Feel Good Rooms” by Homes and Gardens with association with Farrow and Ball.

<images via www.farrow-ball.com>

1 Comment | decor, inspiration, interior design, online shop, residential, sources, vendors

mecox on la cienega 13 May, 2010

I’m sure anyone of you have ever felt at home when entering a furniture showroom. Well, I just discovered my furniture heaven last weekend. Even though my personal style changes pretty often, Mecox is the representation of everything ME this summer from the accessories, to the books, to the dog. The only thing missing is the ocean view.

Relaxed yet sophisticated, pared-down yet intellectual… I know which site I’ll be checking quite often.

<images via me>

No Comments | accessories, art, decor, inspiration, interior design, residential, sources, vendors, vintage

bottega louie 7 May, 2010

To follow up on the amazing downtown walk, we stop by for the dinner at Bottega Louie, a new hip restaurant I’ve heard a lot about all over blogosphere. And we know that the blogosphere doesn’t lie. The place was even better that I’ve imagined. Designed by View Design Studio, it already got the 2009 AIA Los Angeles Restaurant Design Award.

Combining classical architectural details, exquisite food (bot on the menu and at a little retail area) and the trendy social atmosphere, Bottega Louis definitely makes you forget that you are in LA rather you are sitting in the heart of Manhattan. Well, someone here is in the New York state of mind today.

And I seems to find the one responsible for the package design of the irresistible macaroons boxes. Those evils look SO cute and luring. Shortly, if you ever find a spare $20 you know what to get me) <images via 1, 2, 3>

No Comments | commercial, designers, inspiration, interior design

the old new: polka dot ceiling lights 5 May, 2010

It’s been a while since my last public copycat unveil but this is a good one. Flipping though last issue of Conde Nast Traveler I had one of those deja vu experiences with the ceiling lights by Marcel Breuer now found in Buenos Aires.Check out by yourself and don’t forget to VOTE for your favorite at the end.

THE OLD:  Whitney Museum, NY by Marcel Breuer, 1966

Breuer’s bold gestures doesn’t end with the massive stepping exterior of the museum, but continues into the hall with the very architectural yet simple lighting decision.

On the black ceiling surface the series of the pendants looks more like the recessed concaves. The interplay of the positive and negative spaces really fools the eye.

THE NEW: Isabel Bar, Buenos Aires by “Have no idea who…searched all through Internet”, 200?

This new “to be seen” spot is located next door from the celeb’s favorite dining spot Casa Cruz in Palermo. The menu of drinks changes hourly, so it’ll get you from “hangover” all through steamy Palermo night, with the loud upbeat house and glitzy dressed crowd. Waiters sell “Isabelinas”, casino-type chips used at the bar as scrip. Jeez..if only Breuer knew…

I apologize for the picture quality, had to scan from the magazine.

So which one is your favorite?

<images via 1, 2, Conde Nast Traveler>

1 Comment | commercial, interior design, the old new

design fix: wall stripes 29 April, 2010

As promised I’m reviling one more DIY transformation of my apartment for the latest party weekend.  As a regular married couple we also have the TV discussions. And although we haven’t bought it yet (it’s been a year now!), the question of where to place it has been raised several times. Of course, my husband wants to put it on the pedestal in the most prominent place in the room and to be honest, we don’t have that much choice. So my challenge was how to visually divert the eye from this monster in the room and have the TV to be the last thing people will notice. I needed a statement!

So here what I came  up with.

BEFORE: Regular white rental wall got painted in “Russian Blue”. Yes, I’ve selected the color by its name:)

Then I taped off irregular width stripes and primed the surface of the stripes with Acrylic Medium Gel, that way the edges come out very crisp and precise.

The fun part began. I used white, green, black and 3 tones of gray, all of which are left overs from previous projects.

After 2 days of re-taping, re-priming and painting again, the result was quite a statement which I was looking for. I bought two Manzanita Branches and nailed them to bring in the element of nature.

As for the rest, I got two TV stands form Ikea (yes, I know… designers use Ikea too) and upholstered the doors in this amazing linen with printed fonts. I was looking for this fabric everywhere and finally found it in F&S Fabrics (Thanks Maison 21). Now, as the set is done, I’m ready for the arrival of the TV in our house.

<images via me>

2 Comments | decor, design fix, DIY, interior design, residential