L.A. Times Blog

Yesterday we were featured in the Home and Garden Section of the LA Times Blog.

Click on the link below to read the article and see a few snapshots of one of our latest projects!

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/home_blog/2010/10/mark-cutler-santa-monica-beach-house-renovation.html

Murakami at Versailles

Sometimes its those very strange combinations that really show some true genius and i think that the new retrospective of Murakami's at Versailles is one of those moments. He had an exhibit in Los Angeles about a year ago, and it was beautiful, but in a gallery setting the pieces are left cold and isolated. However in the grandeur of Versailles they seem oddly right at home. The show is opening this week and is open for three months....hmmmm maybe a trip to Paris is in order!!

Some Great Baskets

We are always on the look out for great baskets. We use them in many rooms throughout the house, in the Living Room for firewood, Family Room for magazines, towels in the Bathroom and toys in the Playroom. When I look for baskets there are a few things that I look for:

• I always like a real handmade feel
• A sense of age and time worn look
• A generous size to act as a catchall

All of the ones pictured are from West Elm, they have a great selection at the moment and i am sure going to stock up, I think you should too.

Esquire Show House 2010

We were very busy today installing at the soon to be open Esquire Show House in Los Angeles. Unfortunately it will not really be open to the public, but open only for a select few charity events.

The room we are doing is in conjunction with Corum watches, and we are thrilled to be working with them. They are famous for watches thats yachtsmen swear by, so we have created a loosely nautical style Study that pays homage to that without looking like Long John Silver.

We will be complete tomorrow and photographing on Friday but here is a quick sneak peak.

You can't see much from this image, but a few details you can pick out, such as the vertical mahogany panels with the stainless accents, as well as the great painting by Luc Leestermaker.

House Beautiful 500 Paint Colors

So my new favorite IPAD app is by Zinio, and for those of you who want to see the future of the publishing industry its there. This App allows me to read ENTIRE magazines, front to back, including ads, but not just a paltry few, a mind blowing array of titles from general interest to home decor. I can now safely go off to a restaurant to eat with 20 magazines safely downloaded to my IPAD and flip through them at my leisure, it's my guilty pleasure!

Anyway last night I bought on Zinio a bookazine from House Beautiful, featuring the favorite colors of some of my favorite designers. After skimming the pages I saw there was a quote there from my favorite designer of all....ME!

Her's the quote "I have one of those little green boxes from Laduree, the Paris pastry shop, on my desk. Turns out my client has one too, and we recreated that Laduree green on her Kitchen island. It's an incredibly complex color, a weird combination of yellow and gree with this red undertone. Beautiful"

In case you want to check out the color it is:

Fine Paints of Europe

P11130

Contemporary Condominium in New York

Well I am just back from a great trip to New York, and I am re-energized and buzzing with excitement about what we have in store for the next few months. I am starting though with this, a NEW PROJECT!!! Its in New York and its a condominium for some very dear friends of mine. The building is One York and it's in Tribeca. The space that we are doing is all glass walls, spectacular views out to the rest of the city, in short, breathtaking.

I will keep you up to date on what I come up with, but my initial thoughts are something with a warm modern feel, not too cold and contemporary. I am thinking that we will see a lot of Holly Hunt in the next few weeks...Stay tune!

Habitually Chic®: The Avid Gardener

Habitually Chic®: The Avid Gardener

A Few Tub Shots

I just got back from vacation with my family. We were in Florida on Captiva Island. Summer is maybe not the peak time to be there, as it sure was hot, but the warm water of the gulf was like a huge tub. So I thought I would post a few of my favorite tub pictures..... more summer vacations coming up!

Natural meets Neutral

I am always excited when I find a piece that is interesting enough to stand on its own, yet subtle enough that it blends into the rest of the room. That is the case with the 'Spool' side table from Ballard Designs, which was inspired by the spools used by rope makers in France to sell their natural fiber rope. It is practical and stylish with a top that lifts off and authentic manila rope accent, and would look great in a rustic lake house or mixed with other wooden pieces and neutrals in a polished family room.

Designing On A Budget

You can still achieve great design on a budget and in this economy, stores are working with you to make it happen. Here are some great deals on updates for any room:

Expedition Cube

$699

Pottery Barn

Chenille Pillow Covers

$14.99-$16.99

Restoration Hardware

Hyacinth Vase

$39.99

Z Gallerie

Southwestern Comfort

Lately I have been drawn to the warm colors and textures that are featured in designs reminiscent of Native American culture in the Southwest. There is something so natural and rich about these woven patterns that makes them ideal for warming up a living room, no matter where you live.

Patterns for Paws

Just a reminder that this Thursday night is the Patterns for Paws event at the PDC in West Hollywood. It will be a fun event with Celebrity Dog Fashions (this is Max, he will be sporting this fabulous new outfit).

The event raises money for the Amanda Foundation, a no kill rescue center for pets. It starts at 5.30pm and even includes a musical performance by the cast of GLEE, as well as an appearance by Caesar Milan and Nigel Lythgoe.

There will also be a silent auction with some great treats, so please come on by, it is $50/ ticket, available at the door.

Warm Up Your Patio With Pillows

Bring color and texture to your outdoor space with pillows. They're a simple and inexpensive way to bring comfort and warmth to your patio this summer.

Chicago Home & Garden Magazine

West Elm

Williams Sonoma Home

Cotton Tufted Tile?

These Anthropologie bathmats are bright, inviting, and reminiscent of vintage California tile. The bright white of the design keeps them looking fresh and clean - while the background color adds punch to your powder room. I would put them in a traditional, Spanish, or Mediterranean style home.

'Head Over Heels'

'Isola Bella'

Bedding in Trellis

These variations of the pattern, shown in pink from China Seas and mocha from Serena and Lily, are both modern and traditional. The crisp lines make a refreshing backdrop for brighter throw pillows, but also look classy and simple on their own.

Having Fun With Light

I have been seeing a lot of fun lighting designs for every room in your home. Whether it's the bedroom or dining room, indoors or outdoors, there are a lot of interesting and different designs coming out.PS Mastros Ceiling Lamp- Ikea

Custom Chandelier- Breezy Decor

In Love With Leather

My latest obsession comes in the form of chocolatey brown leather deskchairs. These three chairs from West Elm, Pottery Barn and Design Within Reach are flawless examples of how leather and polished metal can work together to make a sleek and sophisticated statement.

Inspired by Albers

Anni Albers created this necklace out of washers and ribbon, cerca 1940. Though Albers was better known for her geometric fabric designs, the necklace is a less conventional example of her creative genius. To me it demonstrates that good design is about recognizing the beauty in ordinary objects, such as simple cylindrical shapes.

Similar elements can be found in designs like the Gardiner chain link frame from Ralph Lauren.

And incorporated in this Laura Kirar dining armchair...

and Ellery collection from Bernhardt Interiors.

Cherry Blossom

This 'Cherry Blossom' fabric sheer from T4 Fabrics is pictured here in gold. It's gauzy white linen is perfect for summer, and the print is sunny yet classic.

Styrofoam Cups

Paper Plates

Adding Machine Paper

Scotch Tape

Pencils

Drinking Straws

As a design enthusiast, I am captivated by the ingenuity of turning common materials into dazzling visuals. Artists such as Tara Donovan inspire my way of approaching design. Donovan manipulates everyday materials such as Scotch tape, Styrofoam cups, and drinking straws into large scale organic sculptures. With a little imagination anything can become a work of art.....