More La Cienega Design District stops

Yes, we are still covering the California trip. It was so beautiful and there was so much to see. The girls and I decided to tuck into Harbinger, brain child of by Joe Lucas and Parrish Chilcoat. The design bloggers were arriving at a reception later, but we wanted to photograph the experience before the room filled up. Below is Bunny's Williams' BeeLine Homes display. 

Bunny gives us a lesson in getting plenty of design bang out of a small space. Floating a pair of neutral well scaled sofas around a focal point creates a functional and welcoming conversation area. You really can pack it in. The ethnic print on the walls will never go out of style for me, and a large scale print actually can make a small area feel larger.  Try painting an old coffee table in a bright high gloss color and adding some hardware. Space expanding large mirrors opposite windows or doorways, cleverly bring the outside in. 

A narrow console along the back of each sofa provides light and height balancing this small space. Note that the wood finishes do not have to match. Client's call me all the time about this and I have trouble persuading them that it is desirable. If Bunny can do it, you can do it! 

The traffic moves along the perimeter. Chic, eclectic little drinks tables add interest and sophistication to a scheme, and I am a big fan of hanging lanterns over the center of a seating area. If you have worn tired upholstery, it can easily be repaired and altered for a new look. Tuck a diminutive bench under your sofa table, and it does double duty as a desk. 

Okay, this is possibly the most glorious bed of all time, decked out in sumptuous Holland and Sherry fabrics and richly embroidered trims. Let the pinning begin. Attention to detail is paramount in this studio.  We lingered over this framed image of the House Beautiful American Design Heritage, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal. Its great fun.  I used a better online image, and you can download it and frame it for yourself and hang it in your office.

We had to slip into Peter Dunham's Hollywood at Home. He had some wonderful vignettes to inspire even the thriftiest shopper.

The blown up geometric floor makes the room. I have always encouraged young girls to use outdoor furniture in their first apartments, because they move all the time and they are light. We often use outdoor dining chairs in the kitchen, because they can be taken outdoors and hosed off.

These teak chairs and casual upholstery pieces give this living room an outdoorsy, porch feel. I love the idea. Using maps over the sofa is an inexpensive way to cover a large space. They can be cut up into smaller pieces and framed as a collection, as well. I favor the antique reproductions of urban cities over the school room maps, but they're fun. We sauntered over to Mecox Gardens, who have always done a terrific job showing us how to use garden elements in the home.

My hands down favorite lamp du jour is this Mary McDonald lamp for Robert Abbey.

We are all remembering and honoring the great Gentleman of decorating Albert Hadley. 

Bruce Weber gave a perfect account of Hadley's life 

in the New York Times.

May your heaven be as beautiful as the world you created and

shared with so many people. 

"Life is all about manners. Nothing else matters."

Albert Hadley, House Beautiful

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Interior Drawings

This July, while visiting New York my daughter suggested I peruse the remnants of the Albert Hadley interior renderings at the Gerald Bland Gallery, so I braved the record temperature, with great anticipation.  He apologized to little me for the mess, as they were rearranging,  I was captured at every turn, by the amazing eye of this patient, congenial man. After all, I was photographing his art, not buying it! I was thrilled to see the original, energetic renderings of Albert Hadley, the kindly monarch of American decor.

Who can resist, the frisson of joy he brought to this project, with star and sun bursts, bold eclectic style mixes, neatly tied up with a ribbon of earthly branches and shells.  Interior renderings marry two passions of mine, Art with interior design. I love to see the loose scrawl, the concept behind a finished living space and the personality of the person this room was to reflect. I can literally hear this room rocking! 

Design history was launched with this famous library. It is worthy of being donated to a museum. Ten rich gleaming layers of oxblood lacquer were expertly applied with handsome brass trim, to transform a "Park Avenue French" room to a sleek 20th century space. 

The dressy balloon shades are brought down to earth with a comfortable Chintz with strong lines, emphasizing the brass trim. As Gerald and I toured around his jaw dropping gallery, he was very generous with his intellect, sharing not only details, but opinion. I was delighted to turn a corner and see the beautiful interiors by his wife, Mita Corsini Bland, 

The way Mita Corsini Bland draws us into the room, evokes the feeling that we are actual guests of Mrs. Astor's. This amazing series of watercolors, was commissioned for The collaborative design book: Sister Parish Design On Decorating, written by Susan Bartlett Crater, Mrs. Parish's granddaughter and Libby Cameron, Sister's last protege. These cultured yet practical designers, engage conversation, on the tradition of truly livable homes, with the illuminati of interiors. They are completely to blame for the lateness of our post!

Again, Mita Corsini Bland resists the temptation to record sweeping room views. I feel like we are just about to sit down on that comfortable green sofa with Miles Redd, visual genius and creator of this comfortable space. I love his quote in the living room discussion: 

"There is perfection in imperfection. You want some things to be a little off. When things are perfect it feels like Disney World, in a way."

It is fun to see the whole room at a glance, and the warmth of perspective, in Mrs. Bland's art, conveys the soul of spaces within a room. We feel the fleeting moment. There is a rich tradition of interior renderings, that I've picked up since my happy (albeit boiling) journey to Gerald Bland's gallery. 

Jeffrey Bilhuber demonstrates the art of mixing high and low with multiple era's. MCB does a beautiful vignette of this disparate, yet harmonious look showing luminous color combinations with raw woven textures. 

Mark Hampton: The Art of Friendship, by Duane Hampton, Harper Collins, 2001

In my next life, I am determined to marry the fabulous Mark Hampton or.... Jacques Pepin. This popular book is a cherished gift from my next door neighbor Margaret. I read it often with a smile on my face. This is Lee Radziwill's bedroom in England, decorated by the fabulous Renzo Mongiardino. I love the painted wood floor, a Sister Parish trademark.

Alexandre Serebryakov (1907-1994) painted this charming watercolor titled: Intérieur à Dytchey in 1948. Isn't that chair amazing, so coifed! 

Here we have another Alexandre Serebryakov, via ArtNet. It commemorates the dining room of Mr. Lundberg. It was painted in 1944, and reminds me of the story of Sister Parish, boldly painting her in-laws ebony furniture, for her first house, to their complete astonishment--white! She decorated homes with confidence because of her travels and educated eye. 

In our little corner of the interior design blogosphere, we are all great fans of all scribbles of Patricia Van Essche, aka PVE.  She is an another encouraging big Sister to the new girls and boys, even though she is a member of the "in crowd." While she does wonderful renderings for J. McLaughlin clothing's historic and charming shops, she does energetic and charming drawings for numerous interior design, lifestyle blog banners. This is a tribute to Mrs. Blandings passion for yellow.

Here is a painting of a friend's stylish terrace, done as a party invitation. Speaking of parties, the picture below is my favorite. 

I love an interior with the human element!

Thanks for coming to our party, we appreciate your visits, following, and comments! 

All the Best, from our coterie, 

xoxo

Liz, Viive, Benji