Design Crush: Jonathan Adler

Like many of you out there "J'adore" Jonathan Adler! So I was happy as a clam (someone has got to find out if clams really are happy...but you know what I mean) to see this "what's hot ! people" page in the latest Elle Decor (July/August 2007). Mr. Adler has begun a collaboration with Larson-Juhl, well known framing company to introduce his fab new line of frames.

I, for one, am quite impressed. I am going to try and get my hands on the faux bamboo asap.

So as a salute to Jonathan's new venture, here are a few pics of an earlier foray of Jonathan's into the world of interior design as seen in House & Garden June 2005. (I can't get enough):

Jonathan never fails to inspire. Rock on Jonathan!

Jeffrey Bilhuber, Contemporary Spin on Classic Design

Jeffrey Bilhuber will always be known as one of the greats. I have always admired the way he is able to blend traditional pieces with the modern. Inspired by the likes of Billy Baldwin and William Haines , Mr. Bilhuber worked wonders with the apartment of John and Andrea Stark of the Stark Carpet family, as seen in the Oct. 2005 issue of House & Garden:

The composition of contemporary objects on this gilt table is so beautiful with the informal spray of white flowers. The Living Room shows off Bilhuber's classic design ability. His own chair design is in the foreground.

I just love the settee with the bold white stripe. The Swarovski crystal chandelier in the Dining Room coupled with the Kenneth Noland art is another winning combination.

I love the Platner wire table here with the klismos chairs. This sofa has been in my mind ever since I first saw it!

Bilhuber's collaboration with the Starks has led to a new line of carpets released this year! Something new for your design radar. (The image of the carpet in front of the settee is one of the designs)

I hear through the blogvine that Mr Bilhuber will have another book out soon as well. Oh Joy!

Taking a Powder, Remodel Update!

So here is my new Powder Room floor! (The tile is all from the Walker Zanger Tribeca Collection). I can' t tell you how exciting it is to see progress.

I am having a vanity made similar to this demi-lune table that I found on ebay, topping it with the Cararra Marble left over from the Kitchen. And this is my faucet (she said like a proud mother) the Pinstripe from Kohler:

Then the lotus pendant available through Z Gallerie (as seen via the More Ways to Waste Time blog...if you haven't seen Leah's blog you must!) and mirror(via one of my best friends who moved and had to leave this lovely thing behind with me!) will be topping it off.

I still have some details to decide on: paint (I am a fan of white, but a pale turquoise is a possibility) and window treatment (perhaps a white linen roman shade with a border?)

I will post again with the final results!

Going Coastal

OK...I think I have been obsessing about the beach lately. It's definitely time for a vacation. But just one more thing.

Susan Delurgio and Alisha Peterson are getting a lot of press lately, but just in case you missed them, they have opened a shop in Fairfax, California that I think is a "must see" if you like anything beach-y. It is called Beach House Style and they have put together a great combination of furniture and accessories that would please the most avid of beachcombers. Here is a peak via Coastal Living:

The mix of contemporary and vintage finds is done with great style, and the way those fabrics are put together is brilliant! Give me a Bertoia chair mixed with vintage beach any day.

Fiona Newell Weeks

It is the individual elements that make up the whole, and Fiona Newell Weeks can really put them together in a very pretty way. Here are some images of her own house as seen in the July/August Southern Accents magazine:

In the Living Room, she used the ever oh so popular China Seas "Paradise Garden" fabric through Quadrille. And the Poof from Style House just makes the room much more fun!

This vignette was made all the more dynamic when Fiona used this Farrow and Ball wallpaper.

And, I don't know about you, but I can't get enough of that "Paradise Garden" fabric, here in brown and pink on the sofa pillow. Also noted: the large pink and white pillow from Anthropologie!

Ted Weldon, Artist

Ted Weldon is an artist here in Sacramento specializing in landscapes, figures and contemporary abstracts. I have had the pleasure of working with Ted on a number of commissioned pieces, and he is such a pro. He is very talented, and I think I am fairly picky about art (having grown up with a mother who was a curator). I love Ted's work and I simply had to share!

These are two of my favorite pieces. Beautiful light quality.

These are from Ted's travels to Europe.

Ted's abstracts and figures/portraits are also quite beautiful. These are a couple of my favorite picks!

I hope you all get a chance to visit Ted's website and see more of his work.

Happy First Day of Summer!

Sea Fans are such a reminder of the beach aren't they? I came across these in Southern Accents July/August issue. They are from the Karen Robertson Collection, a line of artful items that are all sea related: art, accessories, mirrors and jewelry. Worth a "look-see".

Southern Accents Beach Style

I just got my latest Southern Accents and as soon as I saw the cover, I jumped right in. Atlanta Designer Jackye Lanham created this laid back summer home with architect Bill Litchfield. They designed a fresh summery home that looks like it has the history of an old beach house...the kind that I love. Some of you may remember my post showing progress pics for my own house. I hope I can do so well!

I have very dark wood floors like this and am installing v-groove paneling, albeit vertically, with even some on the ceiling in places. I also have a collection of ironstone! Half way there!

I love the zinc on this table top, the white kitchen with beams and paneling. I can feel the sea air just by looking at these picures!

A Few Foos

The use of asian pagodas and ceramic foo dogs has been running rampant in this past year. I, too, have been hooked by their use, especially in the Hollywood Regency craze of late. This image from Domino Magazine shows the apartment of Nick Olsen (assistant to Miles Redd!). I was recently lucky enough to run across a pair of foo dogs that match the pair on Nick's sofa back table:

I picked up a pair of little foo dogs at a local neighborhood flea market a couple of weeks ago, and have been coming across a few more in the last few days, so I thought I would share!

I picked this pair up for $5.00! His partner had a bit of a chip, but for pure decoration, lot's of fun.

This Foo can be found at Turquoise LA. I saw this while perusing the Turquoise LA blog.

This pair are on special from Nieman Marcus for $109.00

These were on Ebay, latest bid $8.99. Very cute!

1st Dibs has quite a few foos too! The lamps are from Mondo Cane ($5,800.00). The pair of Italian ceramic dogs is from Capitol ($6,500.00) , and the 2ft. marble dog is from Antiquario .

Foo Dogs, or Fu Dogs ( Fu, the Chinese word for happiness, luck, or prosperity) are traditionally known as the protectors of palaces, tombs and homes of the wealthy and powerful of Imperial China. From the Han Dynasty of 206BC-229AD until the end of the empire in 1911 Foo Dogs, or Imperial Guard Lions stood guard. In more modern times the materials and means of production have made the dogs available to the more common public.

I find it fascinating that the dogs are created mostly in pairs, one male, one female, each with it's paw on a different symbol. The male has his right paw on a globe which represents the "feeling of the pulse of the earth", while the female has her left paw on a pup or cub. More information on Wikipedia.

Sacramento Antique Faire

The Second Sunday of every month, the Sacramento Antique Faire sets up shop under the Highway 50 overpass between 22nd and 24th Streets. I took a quick walk- through last Sunday, and thought I'd share a few pics:

The overall "vibe"

Loved the fish and the painting, both from Ken Kelleher of Kelleher Fine art. Ken has wonderful art that he practically gives away at antique faires all over California. I caught the painting for $30! Mere fish bait. But the Fish got away. Contact Ken at: pmkell@sonnet.com

This is my "ODE TO ANNE COYLE" . Anne is famous for using sea fans and other wonderful stuff from nature in her beautiful interiors projects.

Some funky 50's paintings and a collection of other fun stuff.

Getting all my ducks in a row........the flamingo is for my daughter who is VERY into flamingos right now.

I'm not normally a "Toy" person, but these vintage advertising dolls were quite a collection. You may recognize the Morton Salt Girl, the Dutch Paint Boy and others all from the Fisk Corporation.

I just loved this "box of buttons"

I love the colors of this Mission furniture and pottery, and the rattan chairs caught my eye.

I loved this arrangement of succulent plants, the blue table and chairs, and the silver crosses.

These images are of vintage Bakelite jewelry from the 30's. Pamela Lee from San Francisco is known as the "Bakelite Lady" and travels to alot of the antique fairs with her beautiful collection. If you are interested, Pamela is very low tech, but reachable by phone: (415) 282-7642.

"There was an old lady who sat on a shoe"....oh wait..

(That's my Mom at the end of a very busy morning!)

And my favorite find of the day: the Belgian Waffle Man! He really is a Belgian. Waffle. Man. It all started in 2005 when Marc Van Mieghem and his wife had a "Life altering" hike (1700 miles through Belgium to Compostella, Spain) On the trail, they met a lady who fed them waffles, which eventually led to the restoration of the 1970's VW van into it's current incarnation as the Red Rooster Waffles Van. You really must check out their website to get the full story. It's a good one! The waffles have been christened the "Volkswaffle" and are exceptional.

Thus ended my very satisfying day of antiquing and eating!