Movies Schmovies

{Home Theatre in Finland}

A client has chosen to add a home theatre...what a luxury!!


I'm a raging film buff so this is so up my alley. Not that I have one or that I know how to build one, but I know comfort and aesthetics. When it comes this category I so think like a man: "No such thing as a screen too big". Hmpf.


Of course we have an expert on board, but I'm having fun researching what's out there. And I'm getting so envious....oh, well.....someday or in my next life. Some friends recently bought an outdoor screen and they held a Vince Vaughn Movie Night last month. It inspired me and now I have one...have yet to find the time to throw a party to watch something fun and spectacular!


If you dream of a large screen or an in-home theatre, you'll enjoy the visuals!


Sigh....




{Ok, this guy is so out of control! CLick to enlarge and see the juice and gadgets going into this home set up....!}




{These next two are of a garage in Houston, TX that was transformed, along with the proud "parent"....}


Gee my outdoor theatre is starting to look humble and small!

Ok, on with the tour.....
For the Ultimate Star Wars buff (OH MY!)


For a client who wanted to bring the outdoors in...(Johnny Depp on the big screen in the comfort of your home....sigh again....)



And the creme de la creme of home theatres....prepare to gasp!

Bastille Day - West Hollywood Style!

Sunday--- Noon to 10P

Look for Vintageweave's variety of delectable baskets to win in the raffle!
Look for Vintageweave's fabulously jeweled Eiffel Tower!

Under the auspices of the Consulate General of France in Los Angeles, the Festival is co-hosted by Consul General Philippe Larrieu. So much to offer!



- A true Provencal Petanque Tournament under the pine trees
- A Parisian Waiters Race
- Street performers
- Comedians, singers, artists
- French Market vendors
- Sidewalk cafes
- Fun prizes for all races
- Fabulous raffles including a trip to Paris and another to Tahiti!
- Famous French food, wines and gastronomic delights!

Pétanque: The Los Angeles Pétanque Club will organize a friendly tournament during the Bastille Day Festival. www.losangelespetanqueclub.com

After Party:Bastille Day Bash produced by French Tuesdays Ultra Suede
661 North Robertson Blvd.
West Hollywood 90069
Bastille Day Attendees: $10 ($25 at door)
www.frenchtuesdays.com

File Under...Um, Garden Art?

Classy, fab Mediterranean Home on a chi chi street in Beverly Hills...




....whose owners OBVIOUSLY have a seriously-large sense of humor....

"No. Your eyes aren't deceiving you.
Yes. That's a statue.
No. You Likely can't afford one. ($100,000plus)
Yes. I laughed my a** off."

{Notice the curlers in the hair!!}

Breathless Luxury

I spotted this and dreamed of it all day and all night for 3 solid days. Finally broke down and ordered several for Vintageweave....one for a client in mind, some for the boutique, and perhaps one for moi.........


Constructed of elm with a custom distressed finish of luxurious Robin's Egg Blue. Three-drawer Louis XV chest features the classic styling of traditional reeded legs paired with modern updates---toned down & honed solid brass hardware.

Rich. Understated Palette. Breathless Luxury.

I am so in love with this reproduction I can not stand it!!

Drool, drool, slop, slop....

$2500.00; New Offering at Vintageweave.

Thai Ping Carpets

Flourishing luxury brand, Tai Ping Carpets out of Hong Kong, was something I first discovered at their Paris atelier and when they premiered a line called "Orientation" at the Paris Show, Maison + Objet this past January. Orientations was inspired by the iconic images of traditional Chinese stamps, seals and calligraphy.

All Tai Ping carpets are hand-tufted and custom made to order.
......... Bottom line: PRICEY AND LONG LEAD TIME.
But for those who can afford it, well...... it's an indescribable luxury under your bare feet. Some of the carpets have a bit of silk woven in the tufts.

The beauty is you can match ANYTHING you dream up. Our carpet was matched to a favorite French antique bowl my client discovered while doing his thesis in Paris.

When a client specifically requested a luxury carpet in his home, I knew there is only one name at the top of the luxury carpet chain. It's rare that I get to work with this high-end of carpet so I was thrilled at the challenge. We didn't design our own special pattern, but went with an already-designed carpet style in a neutral, similar to a wool jute/sisal for one room, and a more colorful one for the dining room....but of course this Thai Ping neutral incorporates a bit of silk and cashmere in the tufting (and yes, it lasts and performs beautifully underfoot!!!).

{Media Room Carpet}

{Dining Room Carpet}

Some of those elite who enjoy these hand-woven luxuries?

Buckingham Palace.........Windsor Castle....... 
............Hotel George V and the Cinema Berlitz in Paris.......
.....the palace of the Sultan of Brunei......Geneva United Nations HQ.... Ritz Hotel in London........ several Four Seasons Hotels........several Loews Regency Hotes.........Los Angeles Music Center......Royal Government Palace in Thailand...... and most recently the Epcot Center theater in Walt Disney World.

They also wove the carpet which was Hong Kong's wedding gift to the Prince and Princess of Wales! Now that's quite a gift befitting royalty!

The list of carpet owners is an impressive record indeed for a company that, until the New Territories of Hong Kong began to build up around it, was a solitary factory in the middle of rural farmland.

In addition to making carpets to order, the company also manufactures according to its own patterns, many of which change periodically. Any sort of carpeting, from bordered patterned carpets to long runners or even immense wall murals, may be ordered. They have a showroom at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles and in NYC.





Tai Ping carpets are made by Hong Kong Manufacturers Ltd., in the New Territories ''new town'' of Tai Po, about 25 miles north of Kowloon. Established in 1956, their beginnings were humble: starting with a small band of rug makers, refugees from China who worked in a small 2-story building. Later a factory was built, then expanded several times to accommodate its popularity and growth to become the luxury brand it is today.

I hope you enjoyed a peek at a carpet most of us don't typically get to visit!

Well it's a looksy anyway!

For many of my clients,"privacy is crucial" is an understatement. While I'd love to show more of the interiors, I do not feel comfortable sharing their inner sanctuaries (we're working on getting them published in magazines and in decor books so that's another reason I'm unable to share). However, the grounds are so spectacular at this Malibu home that I think you will enjoy seeing snippets of the landscaping just as much....
I'm particularly crazy over the dramatic statement of these succulent wall planters:



I can show you this WOW piece I'm having custom made for a client!

Crafted from three antique French shutters purchased in Paris....  First cut to our need of six short shutters and then highly-talented craftsmen begin the process of  matching the entire cabinet to match the antique doors, including new frames for portions of the shutters. It's difficult to see where the old stops and the new begins!
......Antique glass and hardware will complete the look.  If interested we can craft something to fit your needs; Similar to shown: $10,000-15,000.

A perfect piece for a beach home where the owners want a light palette of Swedish and French influences. THIS, folks, is reproduction distressing at its finest!

Transport my Soul!

One of my latest design projects is  a gorgeous Mediterranean/Italian villa in the magical city of  Ojai, California. Ojai is the next town inland from Ventura Beach (40 minutes from Santa Barbara), and loaded with orange groves, olive orchards, lavender bushes, and horses, horses, horses. I love it up here!

However, what Ojai is most famous for is the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa---a must for any spa maven or golfer! 

The 18-hole golf course is home to numerous PGA professionals, making it an impressive cinch to host group golfing events. It's one of the more picturesque California has to offer. In my previous line of work I coordinated and hosted an annual golf retreat for the top performers in my field. And their golf shop stocks the absolute best of the best golf attire! Not being a huge golfer myself, the picturesque setting and clean, magical scent that fills the air here is enough to make me break out the clubs!

.

But the spa.....
......oh this place so speaks my language!

I love nothing more than walking towards the spa as mounds of lavender bushes guide my way.

An invigorating swim followed up by relaxing in the jet-swirling jacuzzi and sauna.... finishing with an intense 1 1/2 hr massage enveloped in lavender and eucalyptus oils. Every muscle is so relaxed; my legs behave like a bowl of jello.


As the sun sets, I crawl back to my room. Not just any room, mind you. This is Ojai!  It's  an herb-scented Garden Suite.   I retire on the balcony.....it overlooks the olive and eucalyptus trees, while scented lemon trees in pots sprinkle the balcony..... roaming mountain peaks beckon in the background. Ohhhhh.....

......Amazing spa dinner of perfectly cooked fish, saffron rice, watercress lemon salad and chocolate/coconut/exotic nuts mousse is brought to my room where I relax with a wonderful regional wine from Santa Barbara.


All the while the sun disappears past the mountains and the scent of eucalyptus leaves begin to wafer through my room....

The next morning is filled with a glorious sunrise horseback ride while the California central mountains surround you. It's such a rare and treasured treat.


Honestly, you must do yourself a favor and book a weekend at this magical place! For the past 12 years, I've made it a point to enjoy bi-annual weekend getaways here. You deserve at least one excursion (and if your guy golfs, it's an easy sell---take it from this girl!!) There's so much more to enjoy: tennis courts! Pilates! Yoga! Craft Center... I am just scratching the surface!! The very first time I stayed here my suite was adjacent to Angelina and then-beau, Billy Bob Thorton.....who knows what fun neighbors you will enjoy!
Ojai Valley Inn and Spa

Oh, right....I did go up there to work! More on my actual design job at a beautiful home for a beautiful soul later after I come down from my herb-scented high....