Parisian Bookstore is a MUST

There's charming, and then there's charming...

Many travelers and book lovers alike flock to a little haven of rows of books on the Left Bank in Paris: VILLAGE VOICE BOOKSHOP

Opened in 1982 by charming Odile Heller (now there's a name you don't hear everyday!), all selections are impressively hand picked by her for their uniqueness. The best part? ALL ENGLISH-LANGUAGE for those of us yet to master our French perfectly.

Her latest recommendations:

HUNGRY FOR PARIS, by Alexander Lobrano
"....Lobrano loves good company as much as a good meal and the 102 restaurants he has picked, grand or small, offer both.....you get the whole experience, a true Parisian one."
{I have read this front to back and in addition to Sandra Gustafson's GREAT EATS PARIS, this one will travel with me. Indispensable for a great meal and a fun ride to read!!}

PARIS: THE BIOGRAPHY OF A CITY by Colin Jones
"...this mosaic of stories recounts the city's history from the first Roman settlements to the French capital as it is today..."

METRO STOP PARIS by Gregor Dallas
"...each one of the 12 Metro stops in the book has a significance...tells the city's history from an original angle..."
{I just finished reading this one and LOVED it! Teaches you a lot of history you really couldn't have possibly ever learned in school!!}


(Inside picture from the book, Writers in Paris}

WRITERS IN PARIS by David Burke
"..elegant hardcover with gorgeous illustrations gives a taste of the Paris of prominent American writers who have made their homes here, and also of French writers such as...Proust, de Boeuvior..."
{I love this as a coffee table book and have given several as gifts to clients!}

VILLAGE VOICE BOOKSHOP
6 RUE PRINCESSE
33-1/46-33-36-47

Danny Boy!

Every few months I am treated with a visit from dear Danny Seo.....a designer who has committed his work to environmentally-conscious design and all-around-green education. His recent visit a couple of weeks ago had me laughing non stop as usual (he's just FUN and pulls no punches). We gossiped and dished and shared ideas. He walks around the store with the best ideas....he'll pick things up and offer up suggestions on how to recycle and repurpose this and that.

Danny previously contributed the most amazing recycle-themed articles as one of the editors for COUNTRY HOME magazine and now takes his magical knowledge to BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS. He has articles and books entitled around his life's theme: SIMPLY GREEN. I'm particularly in love with the farmhouse he owns in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

In addition to partnering with Method and other eco-conscious companies, Danny recently launched a 100% green mattress by teaming up with Simmons Mattresses at JCPenny; if you're in the market, you really should consider. I tried them out and they are incredibly comfortable and attractive to anyone with allergies. I placed one in a client's home and he is LOVING it! My friend Danny has a great, informative blog so check out his website and link on....(click on his name in first parapgraph above).

Venerable Nate

Designer extraordinaire and all-around-great-guy, Nathan Turner, popped in to say hi this week......and look for treasures. We love his visits as he's cuddly and cute and has the most fabulous eye. If you've not visited his LA shop you MUST--a treat for the antique senses! Nathan Turner Antiques, 636 Almont Drive


His frequent contributions in DOMINO are surely seen by many of you. I love his sense of style!

Nate is working on yet another fab entertaining photo shoot........this time at his parent's ranch where he's putting together a rustic, nothing perfect, nothing matching setting. Can't wait for it to hit newsstands in a Western Interiors issue early next year.

If you can't see his smiling face in person, check out his
website. Nate is so personable but sadly you won't find much on his blog---the dude is just too busy!

Basket Chic

I confess. I have an assortment of baskets that I use for my picnicing needs. Having just one to me is like wearing the same cocktail dress over and over again with the same group of people!

In Hollywood we have a great assortment of outdoor venues 9 months out of the year. From the Hollywood Bowl to the Greek Theatre to a variety of free outdoor park concerts......

But my most favorite and unique is
movie nights on the lawn of the Hollywood Forever Cemetary!
It's put on by Cinespia Cemetary Showings

Yes, it's a cemetary, but gorgeous and full of many famous names from long ago. The lawn is off to the back so you're not munching on crab cakes and sipping wine on someone's Aunt Suzy per se.........

Last Sunday night, 7 of us crazies cooked up our picnic baskets, along with 800 of our closest lawn buddies. A few blankets and beach chairs in tow isn't enough for my group. Oh, no. We bring food to impress and then set the stage: Me with my chic rolling European Basket (I'm stopped every 5 steps along the way on where to get one), and W with her roll out table and cool tablecloth....votives are glowing everywhere on our table of course. We were treated this evening to a showing of DON'T LOOK NOW, an oldie featuring a fully-haired Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie. The movie was hystericaly campy....people couldn't stop laughing and it wasn't billed as a comedy (!), but the reason for going isn't so much the movie, but to enjoy eating our selection of gourmet cheese, Chinese Chicken Salad, Marshmallow treats and wine under the stars sitting next to the stars (er, or on top of in some cases)....

Ottoman Slipcover Magic

It started with the zebra ottoman. While chic, not the right look for an upcoming casual party so a slipcover was called into action. If guests spill drinks or leave shoe marks, it's easily remidied with a quick wash. All you need do is smile and say "no problem'............!

Just a great, rusty, chippy-paint candleholder...........

Sigh. The simple things make me happy.

A Casual Beach Retreat

{Take inspiration from drying squash and bits from nature}

Thought I'd share a client's beach retreat in Malibu....hope it provides a bit of inspiration!

A majority of the items shown can be found by visiting the boutique save for the one-of-a-kind treasures. Phone inquiries are always welcome if you can't hop on a plane and visit us!

Note the large wood balls in the urns. I love using an assortment of wood balls; contact us for current in-store selection...

A simple linen slipcover is given added panache with a French floral fabric border.


Sconces in waiting as we pick the perfect spot on the wall...



Reproduction wood candlesticks are difficult for us to keep in stock right now! In faint shades of blue, white, cream, black or brown....





A new Vintageweave favorite. While I'm typically not a fan of slipcovered sofas, this tailored look over the chic, elegant curves make me gasp. Custom orders are running approx 14 weeks....!

Mmmm, in luscious LINEN or HEMP in shades of natural, canvas, or celedon (sage). {Call for quote.}




Sorry, but ocean saltwater and sand are not included in Vintageweave custom orders............dipping toes into the nearest body of water is always optional! Massive thanks to Kammy Kenman--an amazing designer!!

Fashion Island, Newport Beach

In the midst of running errands, my TO DO list took me to Newport Beach, CA today, where my favorite outdoor shopping experience is located, Fashion Island.

Fashion Island has the best of the best boutiques, from David Yurman, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales Home, Trina Turk, Gearys Por Donna, Bose and numerous quality boutiques....and the usual anchor stores of Restoration Hardware, Shabby Chic, and Anthropologie.

{Anthropologie's entry display; outside display of hay "sofa"! Luv this!}

While here, I stopped dead in my tracks. The design master team at Anthropologie are in a league of their own. Their creative minds work up eccentric, out-of-the-box displays....I love their wild eye.

Reminds me of Tim Burton meets Betsy Johnson meets Gary Busey. Just plain OUT THERE! Wild. Wonderful. Wacky.

{Amazing use of pages from old books. A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.}