happy blingy new year!

eat in library

This time of year is supposed to be cozy.  A time for reflection and rest and eating lots of yummy treats and gathering with family and staying inside to avoid the cold.

To me, nothing speaks more of this time than food and books.  Two things which can be done in excess to pass the time on a cold wintry day whilst snow falls outside.

I live in Los Angeles.

I look out my window at the sparkling ocean, with the sun shining and the 70 degree weather and feel that I have in some way been robbed.  I think at this time of year we actually need to slow down and rest our bodies and the weather is supposed to assist in making this easy for us.

That doesn’t happen here in sunny Santa Monica.

The weather here calls to you, it beckons you to come out and play and enjoy the crystal blue skies.

This does not make for a quiet, contemplative cozy winter indoors.  Recharging with a bowl of soup, some hot cocoa and a good book.

That’s all I really want.  To sit in my eat in library, surrounded by books, and eat my way through winter.

happy holidays

leopard love

I don’t have much to say.  My mind has informed me that it is already on vacation.  Nevertheless, I wanted to post these yummy pics for your enjoyment.

Long live leopard.

modern leopard

miles redd does leopard right

LOVE

just right touches of leopard

earthy subtle euro leopard

too bad this one isn’t available anymore…

love the raoul textiles leopard on the bedskirt and drapes!

I’m really into this today…

ETSY holiday shopping

I love shopping on ETSY.  I’m especially good at picking out lot’s of things that I don’t need.  The holidays are a great time for me because I can buy all the little things I’ve been saving up in my favorites and give them out as gifts.

Here are a handful (or more) items that make great gifts.

white onyx on silver earrings from kristapeel

robin’s egg blue mug from juliaedean

rustic cables cowl knit scarf by knitfrekkles

small carved bottle bud vase by sarapaloma

felt christmas ornaments from littlenestbox

faceted votives from pigeontoeceramics

peacock feather hand carved stamp from extase

I can’t stop watching this.

This is just ridiculous good.

Put it on full screen.

yup, it’s Ikea

I’m not saying an Ikea kitchen is for everyone, but as you can see Ikea doesn’t always have to look like Ikea either.

By keeping it simple, using flat white panels and spending your money on key items like backsplash, counters, accessories and lighting you can make your Ikea kitchen feel a little more high end than, well, Ikea.

my dad’s place in winter…

I was born and grew up in LA.  When I was 6 my dad moved back to his family’s estate in New Jersey.

There are certain times of year where I become woefully homesick for the rolling hills and space of my dad’s land.  One of those times is now.  I am missing the cold, the snow and the warm and cool contrast of tones that fleck the hillsides amidst the rolling drifts of snow.

Since I seem to be sharing a lot about myself and my personal life lately, here are a few photos of my dad’s place in winter…

rustic zen mid-century kitchen

I am working on an amazing mid-century home that is located up in the hills of Bel Air. The house has a very rustic zen vibe with lots of rich exposed wood and vistas of nature and the mountains.   We are pulling together the kitchen design and we are almost there.

My client loves glass tile and we all agreed that we didn’t want to go with the cliche glass tiles that you see everywhere now for the backsplash.  Instead we chose this beautiful textured glass from Ann Sacks that catches light and shimmers like water.

The cabinets are going to be faced with vertical grain rift cut teak and the floors are being finished in a deep warm walnut.

From the kitchen you see directly into the powder room which will be showcasing the amazing Chiang Mai dragon in Aquamarine.

The only thing left to select are the counter tops…do we go dark or light?  I have posted the 2 selections here, what are your thoughts…?