Fifty Shades of Red

Seems every woman I know is reading the best seller phenomenon "Fifty Shades of Gray" this summer.  The poorly written,female fantasy, erotic trilogy has just become the topic of girl conversation.  

So the question lies....should I redecorate my bedroom? They say no color can match the passion and seduction of red. Hence, red lips.   But before you pick up a paint brush and start painting your bedroom  to entice your "Mr. Gray", keep in mind that there are more than Fifty Shades of red. And the wrong tone can change the mood.

Fire truck red - loud and alarming. A young color that screams before you open your mouth.

Scarlet red - blood red that is pure chroma on the color chart.

Classic Red - speaks confidence and says you don't give a damn about what people think.

Chanel Red - more alluring  and the perfect red to leave on a champagne flute.

Berry Red - a more mature color perfect for an older date or a serious board room meeting.

Sangria red - a darker shade of red, the color of wine

But before you start painting your bedroom in "Fifty Shades" of red....

 

 

ESPACIOS INTERVENIDOS | 25 INTERIORISTAS

A new coffee table book called "Espacios Intervenidos - 25 Interioristas" ( Intervening Spaces - 25 interior designers), an oversize coffee table book filled with images of the work of the 25 of the top interior designers who work in Mexico. 

I am so proud and excited to announce that I was one of the interior designers chosen to be featured along with Francisco Hanhausen, Phillipe Stark and Avelino Gonzalez in the book.  And if that were not enough, my job photos were selected for the front and back sleeve covers!

Having such amazing clients who trust and love our work, and such an incredible design team that consistently produces such great detail is the reason I love my work.  Despite all of the crazy hours and insane amounts of paperwok, I never get tired of coming to to the office.  Design truly is my passion!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TASTE FOOD + DESIGN COOKBOOK

I can't cook, but I love to bake!

The IDCC  (the Interior Design Coalition of California) called a few months ago and asked me for a recipe so they could add it to their new 2012 cookbook.  The book features interior designers showing a photo of a kitchen or dinning room they have designed and a recipe.  So of course, my entry was my world famous sugar cookies.

The cookbook is sold to raise money for the IDCC.  Its an honor to be featured amongst some of the best interior designers in California and  to contribute to a great cause.  

So get in your kitchen and make some cookies....

Her Addiction

Elizabeth Taylor's addiction to jewelry was legendary!  When she died she left behind not just an estate, but a collection of tangible memories from her iconic 79-year life.  

She even wrote a book about jewelry entitled, "My Love Affair with Jewelry" which outlived the affairs of all of her men.  Like royalty, Elizabeth Taylor identified herself with spectacualr jewelry and she wore the stunning pieces with style and grace.  

Before being sold  at the New York City Christie’s Auction house, the collections of jewelry, fashion, accessories, memorabilia and art pieces traveled on a world tour, so fans around the world can view Liz’s personal belongings in Paris, Los Angeles, Dubai, Moscow, London, Geneva, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates.  The auction sales revenues exceeded expectations and almost all of her jewels sold for 4 or 5 times more than their valued price. The sale set seven new auction records, including price per carat for a colorless diamond and for a ruby

A true American icon! 

 

 

The American Dream

Is the American Dream a fraud?  Is it all smoke and glass?

For decades the world has seen us as the richest, most luxurious country.  The place where dreams are made.  But is it?  The mindful spending and buying of luxury goods to feel good and pretend you are what you are not?

The dream was to have a McMansion, 2 cars and 2 kids. But most Americans don't spend time with their kids,  don't own their homes,  cars,  designer bags or cool electronics.  The "stuff" is on credit and makes them slaves to their bills. So many people are forced to work at jobs they dodn't like to acquire more possessions or pay off the credit card bills accumulated. And is that luxury?

The American Dream has become The American Scream.We are supposed to be the land of the free. So make yourself free of debt and be a true American. Be true to yourself. That is a real luxury!

A basic finance book one of my friends wrote that can help:

http://getfinanciallynaked.com

The best British Florist?

I am a flower girl!  Love artistic and creative florals. 

So when a friend told me about "the best UK florist"  I took note.  Shane Connolly. He is and has been for decades, the  British Royal family florist. He recently completed the big royal wedding among many other projects, most of his work extremely private and elaborate. His style is new traditionalist, reinventing   traditional  with an updated twist.  He believes in using seasonal local flowers vs. flying in exotic flowers that may be out of season.

Shane has written several books on flowers, including:  The Language of Flowers, Wedding Flowers and The Secret Language of Flowers.  His books contain beautiful pictures, and also share Shane’s wealth of information on a vast variety of flowers.  

So for your next super fab London event you know know who to call.  

http://www.shaneconnolly.co.uk/

 

The Importance of Architecture

How important is architecture?  

I have worked with a myriad of architects and I know for a fact that the first step in the success of a project requires the work of a great architect.  As a designer I make a home better with great finishes and functional furniture arrangements.  But what I start with, the shell and feeling of the home, all start with the imagination of a good architect.   The failure of an architect to create a proper space will hinder my ability to take the interiors to the next level.

A beautiful coffee table book from Ausseline is "Living Architecture" in which the work of great architects such as Frank Geary, Marcel Breuer, Philip Johnson, Eliel Saarinen, and Frank Lloyd Wright are featured.   I respect and admire the work of mamy in this book and wish there were more creative and more unique architects out there.  

I know a few "architects" that could benefit from a copy of this book!

Designs on Film

I studied production design at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles but only practiced for about 3 years before returning to my true love, Interior Design.  I still have a soft spot for film, art directors and production designers.  They are ingenious people who work long, hard hours to invent the visual masterpieces that play the background to all of the movies we watch. In some films the background is as important as the characters. Batman, Lord of the Rings and most period films are perfect examples. 

A recent book caught my attention because it has hundreds of photographs of some of the most memorable films such as Gone with the Wind, Wizard of Oz , Dark Knight & Avatar. Designs on Film by Cathy Whitlock chronicles the evolving history of film design from silent movies to present day and introduces us to the behind the scenes people who create these beautiful scenes: the production designers.  We may not know their names as we do actors, but we do remember their sets and this book celebrates their creations.

 If you like film, you will love this book.

http://www.amazon.com/Designs-Film-Century-Hollywood-Direction/dp/0060881224

The amazing Jan Showers

Jan Showers is one of the most sophisticated and classic designers of our time.  The Dallas designer has been married for over 38 years, has 2 daughters, 3 grandchildren and yet still  found time for herself to develop a successful career in interior design.  I admire her passion and devotion to create beauty year after year.

The Jan Showers Collection  of furniture, reflects her femininity and incorporates an updated elegance with a 30's and 40's glamor.   I have personally used many of her pieces in my design jobs and some of my favorite include the mineral lamps with gold tones on the inside of the lamp shades. She has created a unique style all of her own.

Her book Glamorous Rooms shows some of the rooms she has designed in the past 25 years which all have the same perfection, softness and livable detail in them.  Her modern and timeless interiors, are never overdone.

Love her work, love her furniture, love her book! 

http://www.janshowers.com

 

Margaret Russell

The  former editor of Elle Décor and judge of Bravo’s reality show  “Top Design” is now the queen bee of editing and sits on the helm of Conde Naste’s Architectural Digest.  She replaced the legendary Paige Rense who had the job for 40 years, and who was considered the Anna Wintour of shelter magazines.

I briefly met l Margaret in San Francisco last year.  I was there to receive the California Home & Design's  “Designer of the Year award” and she was there for the signing of her  “Style & Substance” book.  As I stood in line to get my copy autographed I watched her closely.  She is extremely feminine yet tough as nails.  She is organized and knows exactly what she likes. She is a no nonsense, direct and perfectly eloquent person. She is beautiful and always looks impeccable. There is a kind of Jackie O. sense of style about her.   I just loved her.

 Is Margaret a diva?  Of course!  And I love that about her.  I simply can’t wait to see what she has in store for my favorite magazine A.D.  

So far I have loved her 2 new editions.  What do you think?

Charlotte Moss

You may or may not like traditional design ... but you can't deny:   no one does traditional interior design like Charlotte Moss.  

I have been a fan of her work for years and admire her eye for detail and perfection.  She has a unique elegance about her that transcends into her designs and makes everything look so comfortable.  Her book  "A Flair For Living" is filled with glamorous  designs that are exquisitely put together.  The talented Charlotte has also designed lines of  fabrics for Brunschswig & Fils, furniture, linens, china for Pickard, and carpet for Stark,

Charlotte's design philosophy is “to live passionately, decorate luxuriously, entertain beautifully and always maintain a sense of humor through it all.”    I don't know her - and I love her already!

Queen Noor

J'adore Queen Noor!

The beautiful and poised Queen Noor of Jordan left a big impression on me after I read her memoirs in the book "Leap of Faith".   Except for the fact that she always has perfect hair and wears the most incredible clothes, I didn't know much about her and her family. But after reading the book I have become a huge fan and supporter of her causes. 

Since the death of her husband her handsome son, the king Abdullah, has taken the throne and he rules along side his supermodel, gorgeous wife, the new Queen Rania.   There is no better looking royal family in the world and in these difficult times, they have managed to keep Jordan at peace and out of the middle eastern conflicts.  

I hope travel to Jordan soon.  Petra is high on my bucket list.

                       

IKEA the Book

Volvo, ABBA and IKEA are Sweden's most  successful brands. And now IKEA the book brings us the history of this incredible company and it's creative work.

The book takes the reader on a journey into the internationally celebrated world of Scandinavian design. What ideals are IKEA's designs based on? How did Ingvar Kamprad get world-famous designers like Verner Panton and Hella Jongerius to create original pieces for mass production in IKEA's factories? IKEA the book is more than a walk through the fantastic history of The Great Furniture Factory.  It holds interest for anyone with an interest in business, brands and design.

And the best part?  There is no assembly required!

Fashionable Technology

We don't usually use the words "fashion" and "technology" in the same sentence.  But maybe we should.  Take a look at this incredibly interesting video that shows the future and marriage of couture and science.   Makes me feel very Blade Runner.  

Seems the next generation of clothing mixes in a bit of  a bit of creativity with a bit of ingenuity to produce functional wearables.   Author Sabine Seymour has even written a book about it called "Fashionable Technology".

Would you wear any of these clothes?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Od7zmLLTcXc

Nancy Corzine Glamour at Home

I love the photos in this beautiful coffee table book.  Nancy Corzine is so stylish and glamourous and her work reflecst the same design sensibilities I admire.  She is truly a design icon.

Love it!

Tom Ford Coffee table book

YES ... I have it on my coffee table!  I love this book and all of the striking photos in it.  Of course I'm a huge Tom Ford fan and adore his style and ability to continually change the world of fashion.  Everything he creates has such emotion and such impact. He is a true artist and one of the most prolific designers of our time.

But I do have one question for Mr. Ford, "Must I starve to fit into your clothes?".

 

   

Delivering Happiness

Although I love to read, I don't have huge amounts of time to do it, so I rely on all of my friends to give me tips on great books.  I love to hear what everyone is into and what's on their night stand.

This week I just finished reading "Delivering Happiness" by Tony Hseih.  It's about the creation of Zappos which was listed as one of Fortune magazine's top 25 companies to work for, and was acquired by Amazon.  It's a very positive and inspirational business book.  Light and easy to read, yet very enlightening.

What are you reading this week?

Sex

Does anyone remember the "Madonna Sex  book"?  Maybe I'm dating myself ...but I clearly remember the shock the first time I opened mine.  I cautiously opened the cellophane  wrapper, I put it on my then coffee table and I loved watching the faces of the friends who dared to peek into it.  So until Lady Gaga can do something as wild as this - please stop comparing the two of them.

Ironic that Madonna now writes children's stories, isn't it?