BLOG - February 1, 2012 - February 29, 2012

Don't you sometimes feel as is you've seen everything there is to see in the world of interior design?  Some been there, a little done that?  As a designer you, quite honestly, come across a lot of the same things over and over.  After all, there are only some many vendors and they produce only so many product lines.  It is such a great feeling to come across something you've not seen before.  The immediate reaction is along the lines of "I want to use everything they make!"  I recently had one of those moments when I discovered a British company called Soane.

Soane was founded in 1997 by Lulu Lytle and Christopher Hodsoll (I guess I'm a bit late to the party on this one...).  The company's pieces are historically-inspired but have a thoroughly modern relevance.  I find many of the items they offer to be just one step to the right of normal, which makes them feel very unique and fresh to me.  Check out some of my favorites below.  And Soane, if you're listening - come visit us on this side of the pond.  We could use a bit of your British sensibility!

Top row:  Swivel Quiver Klismos Chair, Card Table, Karnak Cabinet, Globe Wall Light

Center row:  Colonnade Bench, Bascule Desk

Bottom row:  Ripple Console, Crillon Dining Chair, Large Bookcase Etagere, Yacht Bar Stool

I was in Ralph Pucci yesterday and as usual was stopped in my tracks when I wandered by this sofa.  It is one of my all time favorites.  It's silly how many tear sheets and images I have of it saved on my computer from various presentations.  We have yet to get a client to use as its quite pricey, but it's so good looking and out of this world comfortable! Anyway I thought I would share one of my all time faves with you all.  I also happen to love the table on the left of the sofa.

Being the weekend of the Oscar's LA feels particularly alive and busy.  You feel like you just sort of want to be out on the town.  Last night we took some friends who are in town to one of our favorite restaurants  in Venice which got me thinking of all the places I love here in LA.  The one that I always come back to is Cecconi's.  I don't know if its because I love the space and the vibe or its because I love the food, it really is a total toss up, both are an A+ in my book.  

The original Cecconi's opened in London in the 1980's.  I used to go with my parents when we lived there although I don't have much recollection of it.  It was started by the youngest member of the Cipriani family, Enzo Cecconi.  If you love Cipriani's then Cecconi's will be up your alley.  This location in West Hollywood was opened in 2009, and although no longer owned by Cecconi himself it still maintains the classic venetian food.  Next time you are in LA I suggest checking it out! 

The Bar at Cecconi's.  One of my favorite places to go have a drink.

The Main Dining Room

The Covered Outdoor Terrace is Great for Breakfast

I'm dying to find a reason to throw a dinner in the private dining room

A quick post today as we are busy working away on bedroom schemes for a new project. The goal is to keep things feminine, sophisticated, and not too serious.

I love this Groves Brothers print above. I imagine the headboard having a elegant shape.

This Rosslyn paper by Farrow and Ball is one of my favorites. I love how different it looks when the background is dark as shown below.

So, I'm having a bit of pink moment.  I'm sort of drunk with the multitude of stylistic possibilities that might befall my new abode, and am looking to be inspired.  One of my favorite high priestesses of the blogosphere (myfavoriteandmbest.com) recently decided she would paint her living room pink.  She put up some images, and it got me to thinking - maybe I need to bring some pink in to my life?  I love the idea of a space inhabited by members of the male species who are not afraid to use a color that has feminine connotations.  In perusing the world wide web for images to elucidate my point, most of the ones I came across used pink alongside other colors that were more muted.  By balancing out the feminine tone, you can achieve a space that is all-together gender neutral.  For example, I love using a pop of peony pink up against a dark gray wall.  Stay tuned and see how I manage to incorporate a bit of pink into my apartment's color scheme...

In the meantime, check out some rooms that tickled me pink below:

Creamy, muted pink walls prove to be a fantastic backdrop.

Oh, hello gorgeous pink grasscloth!

Don't you just love these two colors together?

There is a whole lot of feminine Hollywood Regency action happening here, but I love the balance between the pink walls and the black floors.

Mouille sconces love pink, too!

This pink sofa brightens the room.  It doesn't scream masculine or feminine.  It just works.

Yes! to everything happening here.  The pink headboard, the muted seafoam green bedside tables, the strong graphic on the floor, the dark charcoal walls, and the smattering of ornate artwork.  I love it!

Images borrowed from elledecor.com, myfavoriteandmybest.com, aiforai.tmblr.com, and the Flickr of Jamie Meares.