Eight Crazy Nights

 {One unbelievably GORGEOUS Menorah purchased for my client! $600 but got it ON SALE!}

Each year I decorate a favorite and very dear client's home for Hanukkah. I find this to be such an honor that she asks me especially since I am Catholic!

For the past several years she has celebrated this special holiday at a different home of hers so ALL NEW items must be purchased each year. This has allowed me to form a wonderful relationship with a local merchant in Los Angeles' Fairfax District, where many Jewish businesses are located.  I adore the owners of SOLOMON'S, a Judaica emporium stocked with kiddush cups, candlesticks, prayer shawls, menorahs, books in Hebrew and much more.   The two male owners (I believe father and son) are SO lovely and so very kind to always present me with a gift: "just for me, and not to give away".

{A beautiful sterling silver-clasped bracelet; a gift from Solomon's}

Each year they patiently walk this Catholic girl through every faux pas:  with every ounce of respect I either mispronounce or ask for the wrong items for the wrong holiday. I've finally learned that the "plate thingy" is beautifully named a "Sedar Plate" and one NEVER says Have A Happy Yom Kippur! (Although an old Jewish boyfriend STILL teases me that I sent him a card one year and wrote just that: "Happy Yom Kipper!" He graciously claims he thought it was cute but I'm sure his parents, one of whom is a Surviver, were mortified!)

Typically my client is out of the Country during the days of Hanukkah therefore she and her family celebrates it a wee bit later. Such is the case this year. Their Rabbi is attending a very special celebration at their home on the Saturday immediately following the last day of Hanukkah so we are adding all sorts of special touches to the home later this week.  I can't wait!

Solomon's  (Tell them Kathy from Vintageweave sent you!!)
505 N Fairfax
Los Angeles
323.655.0155

Hag Sameach!

The French Strike is Over thus Treasures have Arrived!

I'VE BEEN A TERRIBLE BLOGGER LATELY!

Apologies....the cup has really runneth over but I've just now bobbed up for air!

Many, many photoshoots with a variety of magazines (details in 2011 when they are about to hit the stands) and lots and lots of design jobs for clients all over Southern California (Malibu, Hidden Hills, Palm Springs, Ojai, and around Los Angeles). The new store location has proved exceptionally busy so there's that, too.  All exciting and wonderful!  I'm now thinking of obtaining stock in Vitamins-R-Us.

A shout out to the editors and designers who have visited us lately, especial Jacqueline deMontravel of Romantic Homes and Danny Seo, doing all sorts of great things with InStyle Home.  Thanks to all the really dedicated bloggers who host such great blogs, such as Aimme at Garden To Remember who interviewed me for her lovely, lovely blog.

We've welcomed some new staff (HELLO SUZANNE AN JILLY) just in time for the holiday madness....speaking of which ==

SAVE THE DATE!! 

 Vintageweave Interiors' Holiday Soiree

Sunday, November 21, 2010

noon-5ish

7928 West 3rd Street

Los Angeles 90048

(more details in a few days!)

But best of best, we've finally received our container after all the mess with the French strike. Come see our bounty in the boutique or visit with us online at Vintageweave Interiors!!

Divine Kitchen Inspiration

Crazy for the 2-tiered metal linen rack juxtaposed with the wood island!

Gathering ideas to help a client do a mini makeover of her kitchen. Nestled way up in the Hollywood Hills, the kitchen has great bones and fabulous layout. Just needs help with the accessories and she wants to incorporate lots of French antique bits and bobs.

Found inspiration in looking at old clippings from Cottage Style and Traditional Home (all 2008 issues). I pulled these clips as at Vintageweave Interiors, we have many similar items as shown in the photos, but always hunting down inspiration on new ways to use them. Enjoy!

Killer sink!!! Love the use of nature on the wall and copper tureen below the island table!

Antique wood stool has me especially swooning!

While I'm typically more of a fan for French reds with a splash of rich French blue, this color POPS and just love it!

Love the clock and duck cotton lamp shade over the sink!

Mozza loves France, too!

We are lovers of bakeries. We are lovers of simple food prepared exceptionally well. We are lovers of French, Italian, Spanish and Greek foods in particular....

So imagine our delight when two experts in the field of baking and culinary delights came to us looking for that certain panache for a new adventure: MOZZA2GO

Enter Nancy Silverton (of famed La Brea Bakery) and Mario Batalli (of Spotted Pig and many, many of NYC's finest eateries.

Their team effort in Los Angeles (on the corner of Melrose and Highland) are the hottest tickets in town, even 2 years after their openings: Mozza Pizzeria and Mozza Osteria. The former offering delectable, mouth-watering pizzas in creations that enliven the palette and not merely just creative on paper. The latter offers more traditional Northern Italian dishes and features an incredible Mozzarella bar. If you're in Los Angeles, THIS is the MUST VISIT spot (either/or). However, be prepared: reservations are hard to come by.

Both Nancy and Mario have incredible taste and they created Mozza2Gowith thick white Italian carrera marble countertops against stark black wood cabinetry and brushed nickel hardware. Bring in VINTAGEWEAVE ACCESSORIES and you have the perfect old world feel of a European bistro.


VINTAGEWEAVE reproduction cake plates were sourced to create interesting vignettes, similar to those Nancy spotted in our boutique. VINTAGEWEAVE uses them to display soaps and candles but at Mozza2Go we stack delectable caviar!

Our wire baskets are a favorite to store eggs in cold case. We first used this idea for Emeril Lagasse, and we were thrilled that Nancy and Mario loved this idea, too. Makes it more interesting when you open the refrigerator, oui? {sold online at www.vintageweave.com in round and oval for $26.50}:

> We love the little touches they added give authenticity to the old-world European feel, such as the door lock at the bottom of the entry door.

Apothecary Jars in all sizes were also sourced for Nancy:
More cake plates, marble oval trays, and antique scales create unique displays...

This was one of our more favorite projects in recent times! Big thanks to all who work with Nancy and Mario as every single person was such fun and big delight, despite any nagging deadlines. Every person they employ loves what they do and it all shines through in their final product: exceptional food that arrives at your table! .....and now, that same exceptional food that comes in a Mozza 2 Go box, too!

Pea Gravel Heaven

A client in Malibu is having me recreate this gorgeous, Mediterranean look.

Transforming a grassy/weedy area into pea gravel patio. It all started with falling in love with these distressed white wire chairs from my favorite garden furniture designer, Janus et Cie. We plan to find an old metal table similar to the one shown. Can't you just imagine dinner al fresco at this table??? What gorgeous things you could serve up to your guests!


Janus et Cie items are sold exclusively through the trade. White Wire Chairs approximately $825/each.

I *HEART* OPRAH

....and Danny Seo, and Kerry Washington!!

Well now you know why the blogging has been so remiss---the power of Oprah hit us two years ago and then again this past month. IT'S BEEN MAHEM! WONDERFUL, BEAUTIFUL MAHEM!

We thought we were busy before. We thought we took too few breaks and rest stops before. Oh no......Oprah's reach in her "O" magazine has made it super-duper-mega frega crazy {as my 5 year old Goddaughter would say}.

Thanks as always to our favorite environmental designing guru, Danny Seo {who has a fab blog in addition to all his fab work: http://www.DAILYDANNY.COM}, and to the drop-dead gorgeous Kerry Washington, whom we love and adore. Working with this team was, in word, FUN!

{Kerry's office holds many of our vintage items such as yellow French Bistro Chair, bag and slew of accessories...}

{Living room now is home to Vintageweave's pillows of vintage French fabrics, grain bags, tea towel pillows and a burlap roll from one of our favorite vendors, Vagabond...}
{...Still more pillows....}
{....Red stripe runner, Cote Bastide creamware dishes, vintage vase, grainbag pillows and antique French hemp pillow...; runner is available on our website now...}

{One of my most favorite items is how Danny transformed a boring pet step by covering it with a vintage Indian rug. See lower left of picture. Isn't it great??}
{Kerry's kitchen is chockfull of Cote Bastide creamware dishes and cast iron pedestals. Since this publication hit, I'm sorry to say all of these items have completely sold out and are now retired.}
"O" Magazine; June issue on newsstands now.

Designing a Piece of Malibu

{Janus et Cie Adirondack Chairs in Adult and Child sizes; made from recycled milk cartons are ultra, ultra fab at this lookout point created on the westbound portion of the bluff!}

How long has it been friends?
Too long...far too long....

....I've been up to my forehead in designing mania....!Fabric swatches, color chips, furniture samples, granite slabs, plant material...burlap, ticking, sunbrella, toile...it's all been wrapped around me like a glorious, sun-kissed necklace.

Now that my HUSHHUSH design job has wrapped, I can get back to playing with with some other fun souls! Due to confidentiality agreements, I can't share much of this spectacular fun job, but I can share a teensy looksy of this outdoor haven. Enjoy and I'll be back soon to share all the OTHER AMAZING fun things we've been a part of and immersed in!

{Taking a break from the mania with toes in the jacuzzi!}

{In the rose garden sits a statue by a talented Los Angeles artist; statue created in the likeness of the owners' daughter}

{My boardroom!  The area where I held morning meetings outlining the day's tasks.}

{Tennis courts where energy could be exerted after long days of moving and installing furniture.}

It's been crazy busy and as usual I'm running around like a headless French Chicken!  Back VERY soon and I promise to share more exciting news! Hope everyone is doing great and THANK YOU for continuing to keep us busy and having a blast filling all of your orders!

Venturing into new Territory

It's been an exceptionally busy design time for Vintageweave Interiors so needless to say little time has been available to blog and chat with you all!
Boo hoo I've missed that, BUT the design jobs have been enormously fun and oddly full of hired shopping excursions (their companion for a day of shopping) for off-the-shelf beauties, something which is a bit new for me to do with such frequency......
..........one such job has included running around town and beyond at landscape businesses and rug warehouses with a charming Hollywood Producer to secure the right this and the right that.....another has included a baby's room to be filled with immediately-available (albeit somewhat cookie cutter but darling all the same) furniture....and another still to search out the perfect piano and kitchen appliances for an up and coming starlett...

....Of course, all with a design eye geared towards the well-loved chic'ness of Paris Yesteryear....

With the vast changes in our world, many people are opting to travel less and focus more on their homes, which has translated to hopping to it at all hours, often 7 days a week. The Capricorn girl that I am means I love it something crazy!!!

Hope to be sharing lots of new things soon as the container from our last trip will be here in a couple of weeks. Hope everyone is well and enjoying life with a zest!

Kris Kringle Flew In

That's me these days: Kris Kringle....

....I'm busy racing around town decorating clients' homes for the holidays....and I'm LOVING IT. As a result I'm really so in the Christmas spirit (and Hanukkah as I'm coming out of my eyeballs with blue bulbs!).

Have been so busy that I've not had a chance to take any pictures, but did remember to snap a quick couple while in Ojai Valley this week...don't you love an abundance of white roses??

We're all sold out of the antique carts, but more will arrive in the Spring should you wish to add one to your porch!

I'm SO LOVING this new Midori Ribbon in 4"....brown and bright red....oh la la! What a glam statement ($179/27 yards by emailing us at vintageweave@aol.com)


When the holidays slow a bit we'll take a few days off and then unload our newly-arrived container of goodies from France!! More soon....

High Style, Baby!

A couple of years ago, I was hired as the visual merchandise consultant by the Four Seasons- Westlake Village and California Wellness Institute.  The job was to help put together four distinctly different retail stores from the ground up. Fun!  The catch?  All within an insanely inordinate time schedule-- during the Thanksgiving holiday season no less (a busy time for my own retail store). 

Mr David Murdoch, owner of this amazing resort, wanted the facility to open by December 1 and wanted to welcome the first group by January 1. IT WAS CRAZY! In the midst of all the contractors and designers trying to finish the hotel lobby, hotel rooms, spa, pool areas, culinary department and so on...we had to schlep countless boxes of merchandise from the basement storage to the various areas of retail, figure out merchandise displays, put together mannequins, order missing arms to said mannequins, steam out wrinkles of clothing, arrange a healthy granola grab n' go section, meet with high end jewelers displaying their wares, and so and so on....all the while sharing the freight elevators with the dozens upon dozens of contractors and the like.  As this was Mr. Murdoch, jeans and tennis shoes were not allowed. 20 hour days, getting home at 4am, ripped pants and scuffed shoes, and so on....it was also a time filled with enormous laughs!  It's an experience I will never forget and one of the best experiences of my retail work life. We finished without a wrinkle (or any that was noticeable anyway!) You must visit Four Seasons Westlake and Health Institute --it's an incredible experience to take a healthy cooking class here!

Since then, Vintageweave is HONORED to be on the "go to" list when high-end gift baskets are needed by the many high-caliber guest groups hosting their company retreats or board meetings at The Four Seasons Westlake. It keeps us HOPPING as sometimes the requests are quite last minute. The more pressure, the better we thrive!

A recent group hailed from the upper East Coast, so we put together something they would typically not have access to: A Hollywood Glam Package!  

I just had to share this book with you--brand spankin' new to the market: HIGH STYLE (available through Vintageweave, Amazon or Chronicle Books). It's chock full of Old Hollywood glam all the way, mixed in with interesting sleek modernity. It's authored by the EXTREMELY talented Los Angeles design duo: Ron Woodson and Jaime Rummerfield (pictured below).






At the very least, check it out the next time you're at your favorite bookstore. It's a fun ride!

Driving Miss Pumpkin

{updated 10/26: all antique wagon carts have now sold! Sorry if you were placed on the wish list!}

{Antique Cart, circa late 1800's; $780 at vintageweave@aol.com. Several available; each varies slightly}
Five Houses Down!
Four Houses to Go!
..........................................WHEW!

Busy decorating for the Fall/Halloween season for many clients.  Front porches transformed, fences  swathed, buffet tables set, and the pumpkin deficit has been adequately impacted!

Nuthin' but fun, laughter, and more fun!


{Fall burlap bottle wraps; $17.50 by contacting vintageweave@aol.com}
It's a busy weekend driving up and down the coast and back down and up again playing Fall Kringle! Back to blogging sometime soon...