The Yard Part 3- People with Dark Houses

/
The Yard Part 3- People with Dark Houses

Over the next few months we'll be knee deep into the exterior projects.  First off we'll be replacing the deck off the back of the house, a major undertaking, it will wrap around the side of the house and connect to the front yard gate, allowing us to bypass the existing stairs which are dangerous and pretty ugly. I'll be sharing that project when it begins in a couple of weeks, but for now, I need some advice.  After the deck goes up the painters come in, and I need to make some decisions.  We're going dark, really dark, I want the house to recede and pop at the same time. Here are the inspiration photos ranging from dull gray to navy to almost black (believe me, I'd paint it black if I wasn't afraid of the neighbors). I like the hint of blue that you see in many of the options.  Let me know which is your favorite.  I'll post another before picture of the current paint job at the end.

Read More

Le Parker

/
Le Parker

If you've been reading this blog over the years then you know I have a fondness for The Parker in Palm Springs.  There's just something a little magical about it for me, as if Wes Anderson and Jonathan Adler got together and had a hotel. It's a place that is dedicated to the art of  lounging, decked out a bit like Megan Draper's Laurel Canyon home, a mix of boho textiles, mid century furnishings and amazing mood lighting. This past weekend I finally got to spend a few days on hotel grounds to really take it in when we celebrated our 10 year anniversary. The magic of The Parker is the way its cut into several different secret environments, paths lined with overgrown mimosa trees, palms and grasses carve out hidden passages to swaying fields of hammocks and circles of butterfly chairs. Inside it's cut into conversational spaces framed by hanging rattan seating and womb chair nooks. At night it is enchanted, lamp lit and mysterious. I took notes. Lots of notes.  We have our own groovy project to design, and an ever growing collection of vintage chairs, and lamps to weave into the mix.  Now if I could just get my hands on a wall hanging like this...

Read More

Orla Kiely

/
Orla Kiely

Perhaps I am needing a moment to procrastinate on all the packing and loan doc drama that takes place the week you close on a house. 

Perhaps I need a moment to channel my inner Peggy Olson right now, the Mad Men final season begins next week, and since I'm about to move to a 1968 split level ranch in "original" condition, I need to immerse myself in the time period. Whatever it is, I am taking a moment to daydream about what will happen when I tear down the stifling interior walls and make myself a new kitchen. My first point of design inspiration is coming from Orla Kiely.  I got her book "Home" last winter- it's full of case study houses and danish modern interiors, and features her own colorful, happy London home. I've always loved her now iconic scribble stem pattern. She has this groovy look to her textiles, an obvious nod to the bold patterns of the late 60's, but with a little restraint, and way better colors.  I don't think I'd ever go so far as to put up wallpaper in the kitchen(or would I?), but I do think I'll take her cue to add lots of pops of color with my existing white and walnut furnishings... 

Read More

My Happy Place

/
My Happy Place

From the outside, our house looks smallish, and sort of unassuming. We tromp up and down the front porch, stuff falling out of backpacks, laughing, bickering, shuffling to and from the car. This is what it's like from the outside. When you walk through the front door you find yourself in a light-filled space, dotted with big green plants, design books, and little objects, both found and made, placed willy-nilly on the built-ins and the coffee table. This is my space. It's where my most cherished possession, my grandparent's dining room table, resides and it's where I write and photograph for this blog.  Beyond that is our home...the kitchen, the family room, the spill of toys and constant chatter; a Swedish inspired happy explosion. I love both spaces, each is an expression of my style, and while they work together, they are not the same. I feel lucky to have a quiet retreat in my own home. 

Read More