The Jonze Store

One:: 1960's red child's basket chair. The perfect reading seat  Two:: The beautiful illustrations of UK based, Lily Moon Three:: These adorable gift tag prinables from Kristin of domestifluff Four:: Top buns. In this house, we pile them high and watch them fly Five:: Madewell's Spotted Snowfall Sweater (they're sold out in this color way but the blue is dreamy, like a winter night-sky Six:: Shanna Murray's illustrated decals. So simple, yet so cute.

thank you New England Home!

Thank you to the editors of New England Home for thinking of me. I was asked to join the roster of design bloggers that the publication has been inviting to guest post on their blog in recent years. How do you make, West Coast living relevant to East Coast readers? Read on....this coastal split was exactly what inspired my posting. You can read all about it here. And I look forward to submitting my second posting in a few weeks. Stay tuned.

 

 We had a  super mellow Thanksgiving. Which is sometimes the best kind. A little down time, a lot of food and walks on the beach.

 

We also took the opportunity, to hit LACMA on Saturday. If you haven't already seen it, the California Design 1930-1965: "Living In A Modern Way" exhibit is excellent. Highly recommend it.

party animals

L.A. based artist, Kristen Carter, illustrates adorable, "affable animals"  giving them an air of dapperness via a monocle + top-hat.  Carter  prepares for her first gallery show on December 3 at The Hive's Apiary Gallery in Silver Lake. Must wear a top-hat for admittance.

No matter where you are, here's hoping for a weekend of gratitude. Because no matter where you are, you are exactly where you're supposed to be. xoxo. M*

This Week on The Skirted Round Table::Martyn Lawrence-Bullard

He's talented, he's gorgeous, his voice is pure heaven.....Martyn Lawrence-Bullard comes to the Skirted Round Table this week for a chat. Martyn shares with us, how he came to L.A. to be an actor and wound up  decorator to the stars. He's warm, witty and...I'd better quit now or my husband will read this and get jealous.  Just come on over, and have a listen as you prep for Thanksgiving. I know you'll love him as much as I did.

Martyn Lawrence-Bullard: Live, Love, and Decorate

 

 

Just another bit of work by the guy that brought us lifestyles of the painfully hip + sometimes famous. THE Selby ( becaus he's the original. Nobody else like him. All other's are frauds...did he give himself this moniker? god, I hope not. ) once again, focuses on a quiet, great looking, creative couple with really cool digs (and coffee maker) wearing Zara clothing (because, duh, guess who funded the flick) doing really great, creative things with their lives. Watch it and weep knowing that no way, will you ever be as cool. sorry. it's true. (p.s. it's also a beautifully shot film.)

ok, ok, I keep trying to omit the details of the outfit. But, by request: Trench, Old Navy-Denim Shirt, H&M - Sweater, White + Warren -Skirt, Jcrew - Belt, Old Navy - Socks, American Apparel - Boots, Hunter- Necklaces, Spike the Punch and vintage Saks-glasses, Karen Walker.

I haven't done one of these posts in years, thought it was time to bring it back into the mix. For those of you new to the shenanigans, this is the post where I take an object ( or an outfit ) and create a room design. The deets......

• Elizabeth Taylor, "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof" 42 1/2 x 35 inch,  screen print by Russell Young


• The Kennedy Chair, Jayson Home


• 1970s Coffee Table by Frédérique Brouard, 1st dibs


• Zebra rug, West Elm


• Elsa Perreti "Thumbprint Bowl", Tiffany


• Pair of Metal Peacocks, Dwell Studio


• Green Glass Spanish Mercury Bottle Lamp, Downtown

What's your favorite? My mom used to make a mean, rutabaga rhubarb* + strawberry with a hint of orange rind. It slayed. Kinda excited to have my annual slice (or two ) of pumpkin with real whipped cream. Peace out and eat some pie people.



*Thank you anonymous for pointing out the spell check error. And for a good laugh this morning. Welcome to my brain on 5th grade math. Which I've been suffering through every week day afternoon. Definitely not turnips + strawberries! Although, knowing my mother,  she'd probably have some special way to turn even that into 'tasty'.

Yesterday I was invited to take a tour of the newest West Elm store. Without skipping a beat,  I was there, 2:30 p.m. on the dot.  With bells on actually, practically pressing my nose against the freshly polished glass doors ( I'd so much rather spend a late afternoon, basking in the glory of good design, rather than work on 5th grade math. )



The store is an absolute wonderland of design. Housed in what was the former, Blueprint store. The space looks nothing like its former self. Structural beams cross beneath the rough hewn, vaulted ceiling, giving the feeling of urban 'warehouse'  gone chic + sophisticated loft. You immediately begin imagining dinner parties with friends and evenings reading, curled up on one of the many sofas showcased in the staged vignettes, throughout the shop.

a close up of their living wall. yes. those plants are real. just try, to keep your hands at your side, and touch with your eyes. impossible.

  

The centerpiece of the showroom, literally, is an area designated by iron framed multi-paned partitions that are 20 feet if not more. 





This is where you'll find the seasonal shifts with handmade items and small gift pieces.

 

 

 



Fans of West Elm will see what we've all come to expect of the brand, such as collaborations with smaller artisans, reinventing and giving their work a fresh perspective while creating price points that are more, big box realistic.



And of course, as always, the incredible line of lamps that range from 'Figural' bases to those with a more ' Scandinavian' voice.

one of the 'Figural' lamp bases. So chic and charming.

The bedding is always a great bargain for the design value, allowing the consumer to buy foundations and choose layering to season.

beautiful, handmade from saris and at a terrific price point of $99.00. every one, unique.

detail of the sari throw Can you tell I'm transfixed?

 

Some other great new features, are the movement of the store into 'Kitchen' (yay, you can now register at West Elm!) the monogramming services ( which, I love ) and finally the design center where you can work with your own designer or one of the in store specialists.

It really was so hard to walk through and not make a mental note of everything I NEED to have not to mention buy as gifts for friends and family. If you're in the area today, do stop by, they've worked so hard for the grand opening, and if only to walk through and ooh and aahhh, it's worth every moment.

West Elm - 8366 Beverly Boulevard (at Kings Road).

not for sale, but need to be. Don't these remind you a bit of Confetti System? I think a collaborative effort needs to be on the books.

1. Rodarte :: ( hella spenny )

2. Walden paper weight :: Felix + Dolittle $35.00

3.  Pisu Bazaar Border Stripe Linen Scarf - Orange:: Orange + Pear $42.00

4. Metallic Pink Card Holder :: Freshly Picked $17.00

5. Butter Organic Nail Polish - Lady Muck

6. Gingham linen towel -gray :: small batch productions $20.00

7. Bottle stoppers- amethyst + crystal :: Rablabs $55.00 per

ok, I realize this might completely freak some of you out. But it just made me want to go through my kids' craft box and pull out all of the large Googlie eyes, on the bottom which never get used, and put them to work at our next dinner party. Because, fun is a good thing to have. And so are large, unblinking, googlie eyes.

From artist:: Brock Davis' flickr stream here.

Just got back from our weekend in SF and although our weather was seasonably wonderful ( the best time of the year to visit if you want sunshine ) I stumbled across this work by graphic designer studio, Dowling|Duncan. If you don't already know, pretty much, this is what the city looks like the majority of the year. And if you love SF, you put up with it, even embrace it as moody, contemplative and cozy. Ahhhh. I can hear the lonely bellows of the fog horns, just looking at these.

 

 

Running up to SF this weekend to see new babies and old friends. I'm so excited! Babies and friends of the bestest kind... Come follow my adventures on Instagram @beachbungalow8.  Word to your mother. xoxo.

per requests:: sunglasses -Karen Walker, sweater - Zara,  pants -J.crew,  shoes - Tahari ( found at Marshall's for $40.00 -holla.) gold bracelet- vintage from etsy. inset photo:: wallet - urban o., scarf - Hermes, sunglasses-same as above. Lipstick-Mac, 'Fleshpot'.

OK, this is it for my crafty posts. With the holidays coming up, and my supply of gold paint pens.... this could have gotten totally out of hand.



I found the original idea for this bag over here ( there's a tutorial if you need further instruction - but I bet you can figure this out ). I originally was going to use this, bandaid colored, bag and give it a bright neon pink stripe. I tried it and just wasn't feeling the whole vibe. And besides, I have gold paint.....a lot of it - and have gold paint, nothing is spared.



This is a project for those of us in the  'Easily Distracted' category. It takes minutes to produce. The bag is from American Apparel, runs about $50.00. Lots and lots of colors from which to choose. But I'm liking the whole neutral trend right now, and this weird, doll skin color, worked perfectly with my 'Cosby for Zara',  sweater.   Paint is a Martha Stewart, super toxic smelling product called, 'Liquid Gilding' in 'Brass'. (note- the gold is starting to flake off. I, actually like it better, but you might try a spray paint that would adhere a little better if you want it to stay )

I told you I was wielding the golden pen over the weekend. Standing in the middle of the room, looking for things to gild, nothing off limits. Actually, this project was the impetus to the whole crafty-girl weekend I had with myself. I originally saw it on a dedicated email that I get from The Glitter Guide.com (know of it? if not, check them out. They're doing a great job) . It's a rose vase/bowl, inspired by the kate spade, Cloverdale, rose bowl. These would make great centerpieces (a bit smaller maybe) marched down the middle of a long table or similar sized on a round table for 10. Also, what  great vase to have on hand when you need to bring a friend flowers and want to give them something lasting as well.

1. Glass bowl via Michael's (ugh. sorry to make you go back to that stinky, crowded place.) $3.00 approx.

2. Sharpie gold paint pens - fine nibbled and broad nibbled 

3. I used a template that I had on hand, but you could definitely, trace 2 different sizes of lids, onto paper and use those to trace around. 

um. Honestly, you just trace, and color in. The whole project, takes under 15 minutes.  I used two different sizes and staggered them. Didn't measure, just eyed it. 

..............................................................................................................

Guess, what. There's one more project that I'll post about tomorrow. I mean, it's ridiculous what sorts of crafty things you can come up with and create given a bit of inclement weather. No wonder I was always sewing and making stuff when I lived in SF and Boston. 

It rained in L.A.  this weekend (and my kids were both gone AND my husband was consumed by football ) So I made stuff. First up was this little dish inspired by Waylande Gregory. If you're unfamiliar with Gregory, he was a pretty prolific ceramic sculptor from the early 20th century. It's said that he, artistically help sculpt much of the art-deco visual vernacular. But, I'll let you google him if you're at all interested. His stuff is great, both modern and primitive with a mod, sort of ethnic vibe.



Anyway, I've been eyeing several pieces of his work especially the Leopard designs.  I was checking out Vivre on Saturday and suddenly realized I could probably whip up a reasonable likeness......and I'm totally happy with the outcome.



Also, I've tune in tomorrow as I'll show you what else happens when I'm wielding a gold paint pen on a lazy Saturday afternoon.......



Here's how it went down:



1. dish purchased at Goodwill for 99cents. I chose it for it's odd shape.



2. I drew the leopard design on first with a pencil. I think because this is a graphic  and almost primitive interpretation of a leopard, and not photo realistic, most of you could do the same. Just remember, keep it fluid and rather amorphous.  I then used a small brush to outline, in green paint (all colors and material are noted below) the leopard, and used a wider foam brush to fill the larger space.



3. Next, flipped it over and painted the underside gold (black might be cool too)



4. The details are the most fun part. Look at the original dot placement and copy that, using a black paint pen. Next us a red and draw in the mouth. Then ring the black dots using a gold paint pen. And you're done. I sprayed mine with a finishing coat of satin enamel.





materials used:

small white ceramic dish

small, foam brush

small, detailing brush

Golden brand , liquid acrylic in 'Iridescent Gold Deep (fine)"

Martha Stewart, Multi-sruface satin acrylic craft paint in 'Pesto'

Sharpie, fine point, black paint pen (make sure you get paint and not poster board pens)

Sharpie, fine point, red paint pen

Sharpie, fine point, gold paint pen

photo illustration:: samantha hahn. go here to see more of her glorious work.

This Week on The Skirted Round Table::Leslie Sinclair of Segreto Finishes

This week, Linda, Joni and I sat down with Houston based, Leslie Sinclair owner of Segreto Finishes. To be honest, until I had seen her book, which is a catalog of stunning interiors and the varying finishes by Segreto, I had reservations about this idea of wall 'finishings'.



 





I've seen some pretty awful Venetian Plaster jobs and homeowner's weekend adventures with rag rolling and glazing. As you can see, by the image above, things have moved far away from the crackle finishes and do it yourself top glazing of the 90s. These days, newer homes are being given that antiqued patina that only an expert artisan can re-create and that's exactly what Leslie and her crew (of over 200) can do.

This is a really interesting conversation about the trends in today's wall finishings (subtle and subtle textured wins over vibrant color and layered obvious finishes) and how this business woman used her acumen to create a booming business. Actually, she reminds me a bit of Toby Fairley in her prowess for success in the design industry.





Come have a listen it was a great hour of information and if you're like me, you'll learn a ton. Also, leave a comment to enter your name for a chance to win her inspirational book.