palm springs november 2012

We went to Palm Springs.  I took pictures.

Then we went to Joshua Tree.  I took more pictures.

Enjoy.

fluffy ethereal muppet grass

natural ombre

lodging

kappe house

I had the privilege of being invited to a salon at the home of architect Ray Kappe and his wife last month.  It was pretty exciting for me as I have worked on 2 Kappe homes and am a huge fan.

Nestled in the Santa Monica Canyon, I have driven past the home a few times.  I have even stopped in the road and stared at the house in admiration a couple times wondering how many have done the same, and if the Kappe’s must think we are all nuts…

They love their house, I’m sure they understand and appreciate that we do too.

The sunken living room.

Standing in the dining room looking across the living room (middle, below) to the lounge.

Standing in the lounge looking back across to the dining room and kitchen above that.

The lounge (above), the office (below).  The living room falls somewhere in between.

Interior/exterior detail.

Master Bath.  I LOVE the ladder towel racks, poured into the concrete as an architectural yet functional element.

Guest Bath.

LOVE this window seat!!!

Exterior steps leading up to the pool and rooftop deck.

The end.

Ace Hotel, Palm Springs

I know I’m a little late in the game posting about the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs.  I’m sure all you hipsters out there have already been there, done that, but given its awesomeness I also know that you probably won’t mind seeing a few nice pics…

For those of you who haven’t been, the Ace is a wonderful hotel tucked into the mountains in the south end of Palm Springs.  It used to be a Howard Johnson but was recently completely renovated and updated into the most hip, un-kitch mid-century oasis one could ask for.  Its almost like mid-century modern hipster camp.

We usually love being out in Palm Springs, exploring architecture and all the funky consignment and vintage stores, but we didn’t even leave the grounds of the hotel once.  Between the pool, restaurant and our perfect little room with private patio we couldn’t think of a reason to leave.

I highly recommend!

The view from my lounge chair at the pool.

my frosty beverage.

lounge chairs by the pool

the counter in the super yummy restaurant, I loved the tile shown here which is used generously all over the hotel.

lounging in bed, that’s the control to my son’s RC car.

in the pines, in the pines

We went camping in Big Basin Redwood State Park over 4th of July.

I’ve been to Santa Cruz before, but had no idea the splendor that is just about an hour away up a long windy road into the redwoods.

It was so beautiful.

When we got out of the car once inside the park and looked up, this was our view.

The trail to our hike-in campsite.  It wasn’t a long walk, but just enough to make it feel like we were really in nature.  The cars were out of sight, out of mind, but close…

Our campsite.

I loved the delicate texture of the moss on the rough tree bark.

A beautiful Madrona tree.

The Madrona up close, again a beautiful juxtaposition of textures.  The bark was the most rich umber color and the bare trunk beneath had hints of chartreuse and peach peeking through the red…

gaultier at the de young

I was up in San Francisco this past weekend and had the opportunity to visit the newly opened Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit at the De Young Museum.  I have never been an avid follower of Gaultier, but I have to say that the exhibit was stunning and his work inspiring.

Here are a few of my favorites.

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dwell on design 2012

We went to Dwell on Design last weekend and it was great.  Not amazing, but good.  I think I was so impressed last year that it was just a tad bit of a let down this year.

Here were some of the highlights for me…

This color adjustable light box made me think of James Turrell

so cute by modfire

joey roth planters

Kishani Perera designed space in partnership with West Elm

Geometric by Bend

Terra Trellis

The Kohler shipping container display

Au Vieux Panier

I’m a sucker for graffiti.  I am also a sucker for white.  Put the two together and I’m beside myself with happiness.

This is why I love Au Vieux Panier, a small(6 room) hotel in Marseilles, France.  The rooms are all decorated differently and the graffiti is by far my favorite…

rose bowl swap meet

We went to the Rose Bowl swap meet in Pasadena yesterday.  I hadn’t been in quite a few years and had forgotten how much stuff is there.  We got there late, so we missed all of the good early bird items, but still had a great time.  I added a new bowl to my Bauer collection, so we didn’t come home empty handed.

Here are a few items that caught my eye…

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luxembourg garden chair

You know what I like?  I mean, besides a lot of things?  I like Paris.

Michael’s dad lives in Paris…even better, he lives a block away from Luxembourg Gardens.

One of things I love about Paris is that people are out to enjoy being out.  With nothing to do.  They just go to the park to sit.  Who does that in America?!?!?!?!

OK, maybe people do that in central park, but not here in LA.  Do we even have any parks here in LA?  Now I’m just being bitter.

I love the sea of chairs that are readily available when you stroll into Luxembourg Garden. I would like a big sprawling yard so that I could have my own sea of chairs…

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I need to chill out…

I am so cranky.

Today is not a day that you want to be around ME.  I am angry and frustrated and want to be by myself.

I want to pull the covers up over my head and watch movies on my computer all day.

Otherwise, things are going well for me.

Maybe if I had one of these bathrooms I wouldn’t be so cranky…nope, probably still would.

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