layers

I am a minimalist.  At least I think I am.  I know that I can’t stand clutter, I need everything in its place and overly decorated spaces give me anxiety.

The thing is, I also don’t like really stark modern spaces that feel cold and unlivable.  But isn’t that what we consider minimalism?

I think there is a place in between.  Where a space feels like home, feels lived in, has character and isn’t cluttered from floor to ceiling with no room to breathe.

I had the privilege of being invited inside the home of Ray and Charles Eames a few years back.  Design icons whom I respect and admire greatly whose home I would hardly call minimalist.  There were pieces and trinkets all over the house from years of them traveling the world and collecting different odds and ends.  I think what made their home bearable was that although there was stuff everywhere it all meant something, was artfully arranged in groupings and there were places for the eye to land.

So I guess I’d have to say I love a space with layers.  A space that feels crisp and dynamic, that doesn’t overwhelm, but at the same time draws you in and unfolds as you spend time there.

Maybe I’m not a minimalist, as much as I’d like to think I am…

recycled centuries

Last year for Earth Day I posted about eco-friendly options for the home.  This year I wanted to take a look at vintage pieces that help you to stay friendly to mama earth by recycling treasures of years past.

I have this dream room in my mind with no client to go with it, so I thought it would be the perfect material for a post.  There are some things that I love, that don’t necessarily go together, that I would like to put together in a room.

1. I have a thing for vintage floral wallpapers from the 1930’s and 1940’s.  They feel so homey and pretty to me, but I don’t necessarily want to go all period with it.

2. I love antique persian rugs.  Really old stuff has character and I like character.  Rugs tell a story in a room and the mix of the vintage wallpaper with the antique rug feels so right to me.

3. I have an almost unhealthy obsession with mid-century, danish, ceramic lighting.  I get into these frenzies on ebay and now have a storage unit full of lamps that I don’t know what to do with…

So, are you with me so far?  This room would have the following elements…1930’s/1940’s vintage floral wallpaper, with an antique persian rug and at least one, if not a pair of mid-century danish modern lamps.

Dinder House

I really really like it…

i am so tired

I was out most of the day today, my 4 year old has been home on spring break all week, Michael has been ridiculous sick and I walked in the door after having cleaned the house this morning to the aftermath of a 4 year old hurricane in the middle of the living room.

Sometimes I’m cool.  Today I almost had a panic attack.

There are some days where I can go go go and some days I just can’t.

Today I really need to be somewhere quiet and warm, with a half naked young man servant bringing me beverages and ice cream.  A place that feels like perfection, where my mind can let go and stop worrying about all the little mundane details that make up the whole picture of a life that looks like its working.  At least in my little illusory world.

Did any of that make sense?  Oh well if it didn’t, I’m too tired to explain and too delirious to care.

Here’s where I’d rather be…

wall.paper

In most cases when decorating I would have to say that paint is good, wallpaper is better.

There are some spaces where paint is all you need, but for the most part, in my opinion, a papered wall is a sure way to add bang, warmth and interest to your space.

There are 3 elements to a space that I feel are of utmost importance…

1. lighting

2. hardware

3. walls and floors

You spend your money wisely here and you have the backbone, the foundation for your room.

in LA? you should go…

As you know, I’m a fan of graffiti.  MOCA is putting on a show starting this month of a number of influential graffiti artists who have contributed to the art form.  There’s a little controversy about who is and isn’t being included, but I’m interested to see it regardless.

Check out more about it here.

david weidman

A client of mine did the unthinkable…he bought something without getting my approval.

I kid.

I don’t require that my clients ask for approval before making purchases.  In fact, this time he brought something wonderful to the table that I didn’t know about.  That’s what I love about the collaborative process of design.  While I do spend a lot of time exposing, informing and gently pushing my clients to look outside their comfort and knowledge zones , they do their fair share of broadening my perspective, forcing me to look outside what I think is right and introducing me to new objects, artists and vendors.

This time it’s an artist.  From the 60’s.  His name is David Weidman and perhaps you already knew who he was.  Well I didn’t and I’m pretty excited about his work and I’m going to share it with you.

 

springy springy

I am starting to get that spring is here, spring cleaning, lighten up bug.  We spent the whole weekend clearing out, cleaning up and organizing at our house.

It is warming up and the light is changing from the low winter light to the happy bright spring and summer light that I love.

I’m feeling inspired to do a little re-decorating, organizing and maybe even some dress wearing.  I’ve been shopping the container store online looking at ways to store the pile up of toys we have accumulated and I am thinking some new spring bedding is definitely in order.

I’m sure I will have more to say about spring, but this is a start.

Some inspiration…

nothing says spring like tulips!

loving the earthy, crisp mid-century modern feel of this room

I’m a sucker for bright pops of layered color against massive amounts of stark white and natural elements…

perfect spring outfit

could this PLEASE be my little spring hide-away?!?!?

a sweet little spring bouquet in a mug, perfect for next to my bed

happy cheeky and fresh Jonathan Adler

marimekko

loving this orange, I’ll take the one on the left thanks…and the one next to it!

muted spring flowers

girlie french springy

manuel canovas florals always feel like spring!

love the greens, the prints, the colors…

I always LOVE white tulips spilling over a vase like this

this kitchen feels like a spring egg to me

wonderful canovas spring colored linen and cotton bows

santa monica

I’ve been working in Interior Design for nearly 10 years.  In those 10 years I’ve worked on a number of different projects, small and large ranging in style from modern to traditional. I can honestly tell you that there have been jobs that I took just for the money and the work that was produced was not necessarily my style or work that I would want associated with my name.

I’m not saying the work was bad, it wasn’t, my clients have always been happy with my work.  It’s just that sometimes the work that I have done hasn’t reflected my personal style and the ‘look’ that I want associated with my name.

Over the past few years I have been lucky enough to mostly work with clients who share the same if not a similar aesthetic to mine.

A couple of years ago a client came to me wanting to remodel his small but amazingly located condo in Santa Monica.  The unit is in a high-rise building overlooking the beach to the west and all of Los Angeles to the east.

We approached the space as though it was a loft and worked to create an open mid-century/modern floor plan.

We proceeded with a full-gut remodel taking the unit down the the studs and concrete floors, removing walls and extending out the living room exterior wall to add square footage.

We finally got it together recently to have the place photographed, and it is one that I am proud to share with you.

Custom SRID night table and bed with vintage lamp and art in the bedroom

The kitty hopped up on the bed and it couldn’t have been more perfect for the shot!

Custom SRID shelving and a vintage Eames chair that belonged to the client’s parents.

One of my favorite shots, this space used to be part of the outdoor patio, I love the movement and light as it hits the sheers and the long vista into the bedroom…

Custom SRID designed bench, another of my favorite shots!

Custom SRID designed kitchen and exposed structural concrete wall in the kitchen.

The kitchen during construction.

I love this hallway!  We floated all of the walls in the unite on 1 inch reveals, inspired by the work of Ray Kappe.  Love the detail in the floor as it changes direction in the corner.

Hallway under construction…a door and framing was removed to open and expand the space.

Bathroom with custom SRID designed walnut bath cabinet

photos by Tom Fowlks