SNAPSHOTS OF LOS ANGELES

Finally getting round to putting up my album of inspiration from LA.  I love this place and hopefully will be back later in the year.  Better go earn some money to achieve my goal!

Eclectic architecture.....

A bit of 50's detail......

 

And a slice of 21st century thinking.......

 

Door details.....

A bit of vegetation.......

And finally, just some things that made me laugh or smile........

 Until my next visit......

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IF IT AIN'T GOT THAT SWING........

Popped up to Primrose Hill today to catch up with my old friend Tamara Cincik (check her inspirational blog out) and also to check out the Living & Giving shop I worked on at the end of last year. Spied these gems in the window - beautiful old vinyl in box sets, they had just been donated by a local gentleman and are in mint condition.  There are 6 or 7 sets in total, each with a really striking cover.  Great bold graphics - I'm sure someone working in branding or advertising will snap them up.   Cherry tomato red,  vintage leather brown, army canvas green and fruit ice lolly orange - fantastic colours! 
 

Go check them out at 109 Regent's Park Road, London NW1 8UR or call and speak to the lovely manager Kate on  020 7586 9966. 

Be quick though - doubt they'll be there for long!

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VICTORIA BECKHAM CATCHES MY EYE - WHO'D HAVE THOUGHT..........

Flicking through the AW11 NY fashion shows on Vogue.com and, to my surprise, instantly attracted to Victoria Beckham's catwalk show.  Great colour and texture combos with a fabulous grey, David Hicks style tiled flooring as a back drop.  Easily transferable to interiors - inspiring. Well done that girl I say....

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A SLICE OF MILLER DRIVE

I'm nearly finished with my tales of Los Angeles living.  Been rather slow posting, but if you've been away for a month, there's always a price to pay when you return to reality (ie. piles of mail to open and tax returns to fill in).

Anyway, the gorgeous house I was staying in while in LA is owned by two of the loveliest people you could meet.  Their home has a really restful, welcoming feel to it and I always enjoy staying there.  Tucked away in the hills as you wind your way up Miller Drive, compared to some of the huge homes that can be found in this area, this one is quite dinky, but that's exactly why I like it.  It has so much character and really has had it's fair share of Hollywood stardust sprinkled over it since it was built in the early part of the 20th century. Past owners include Brooke Hayward, actress and daughter of former agent turned film, television and stage producer Leyland Hayward and actress Margaret Sullavan.

Here's Brooke, painted by Andy Warhol around 1972.  She spent nearly 2 years updating the house and never actually moved in but instead sold it to Ferdinando Scarfiotti, art director and set designer for films like The Last Emperor (for which he got an Oscar), The Sheltering Sky, Last Tango in Paris, American Gigolo and Scarface.  I hear there were some really raucous Oscars parties there with quite an illustrious role call of guests.  Nowadays, it's a cool, calm oasis, tastefully decorated in a mix of relaxed modern and far eastern influences.

Here are a few snapshots....

Thank you Patty and Warren! x

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LOS ANGELES INTERIOR SHOPS: Part 2

So, the second showroom that I visited meant leaving the safety and comfort of WeHo and heading slightly east to North Highland Avenue (we're talking a major hike - like all of 20 minutes).  I'm bad when it comes to leaving familiar surroundings, whether it's here at home or when travelling.  West anywhere always seems to suit me - don't know what that's all about.  Anyway, it was worth the effort. 

BLACKMAN CRUZ is somewhere I had become familiar with through my days as a PR.  Their style and selection of decorative pieces is truly unique and fascinating.  It's sort of Victorian Gothik meets old school Hollywood 50s glamour meets Adams Family meets 70s American Rock n'Roll.  I can see why the Hollywood Hills set loves what the guys sell there.  They have a very original eye.

This is one of two fantastic wood branch chandeliers.  They were very difficult to photograph successfully, but they really were outstanding.  Small glass candle holders positioned all over the the branches hold real candles, which when lit must look absolutely beautiful.  I would really like to replicate this in some way in the future.  Stunning.

Really quite mad, this 1905 Carlo Bugatti throne at $25,000 really is fit for a Hollywood King!

Love this little madam.  Called 'Limon' by Adam Kurtzman, it looks like it should be at least 90 years or so old, but Adam is very much alive and kicking.  She comes in a red glittery dress too if green's not your colour!

Liked these bar stools.  Not sure what wood they are made out of or what they used to be, but love their markings and shape.  Look good against the blue/grey bar too.  Nice.

 And finally one for the dog lovers amongst us.  A selection of vintage dog collars. Pointless, but who cares, love them.  And this one I dedicate to my little Beetle who passed away while I was in LA.  My little ray of sunshine.....

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A COUPLE OF SPECIAL INTERIORS SHOPS: Part 1

I had a checklist of places I was supposed to go visit while in LA.  After 2 weeks lying in the sun in Mexico, weirdly, I'd seem to have lost the ability to focus my mind on anything particularly strenuous, so there are still quite a few interiors showrooms that I would like to see.  Just have to go back to LA again later this year ;).  Here are a couple of stores that I did manage to see that made an impression......

First up, SIGLO MODERNO.  Owned by the lovely Jorge, he's only recently set up on Melrose Avenue, and is nicely tucked in between the powerhouses of Alexander McQueen and Bisazza Tiles.  He has lots of gorgeous things on show from furniture to lighting, rugs to ceramics.  Vintage and modern sit happily next to each other.  The Mid-Mod style is as big in LA as it is in England and it was interesting to see how it works here.  I spied some things that I would happily have popped in my suitcase if I'd had the space........

I loved this this a little too much.  Kept staring at it every time I came back in the store.  It's a weaving artwork by 1960's San Diego artist Edith Zimmer.  About 4ft in height and full of texture and colour.  Should be above my bed.....

These were really fun too.  1960s Swedish ceramic lamp bases.  Gorgeous colour and shape.  They are sold minus the shade - I rather like them as they are....

 The original reason for coming in to the store was to see the work of artist Inghua Ting of TING LONDON.  She has come up with this fantastic idea of leather belt flooring.  Not cheap to produce obviously as it's a bespoke service, but the finished look is very unique.  I am planning to use it on a couple of upcoming projects if I can persuade the clients to go with it - fingers crossed!

 I did actually manage to do a bit of work while I was here.  Sourced a chair for my friend's apartment - a great 'Siesta' chair and ottoman by Igmar Relling for Westnofa.  It's a classic piece and looked great in it's new home.

That's it for today.  Part II tomorrow.

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