Thursday, June 30, 2011

CARRY ON WITH STYLE: WIN A KAYCE HUGHES FLOWER BAG

In the bag...
Photo courtesy of Kayce Hughes
Summer days require a great run around bag that has a bit of whimsy and attitude. For day or evening, this red flower bag with bamboo handles designed by Kayce Hughes is a great option. The pinwheel flower on the front gives it that extra zing. Well, it can be yours! Kayce has generously made one available for a Stylebeat giveaway. I have known Kayce and her family since I was little. As the mother of 7 children as well as a thriving children's and ladies clothing business, she is a busy gal. Her blog explores recipes she loves to make, big events in her life, her children's experiences, and her retro chic clothing collections, all with a charming, personal take.
All you have to do to win this ruby stunner is "like" our Facebook pages, Kayce Hughes and Stylebeat and leave a comment here. The winner will be picked at random. You have until Friday July 9th. Good luck!

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

JEFFREY ALAN MARKS MAKES HIS MARK ON THE LA RESTAURANT SCENE

Have you been watching Million Dollar Decorators on Bravo? If you have, then you are familiar with Jeffrey Alan Marks, and the second Hungry Cat restaurant project he is working on in Malibu on the show. If you have not watched, you should- you are in for some good old fashioned design drama fun!
Perhaps then, if you are watching, you were curious to see the restaurants he has designed. Well here they are! The transition from private residential to public commercial spaces is not always an easy shift for interior designers, but Marks has crossed over with aplomb.
Tavern, the chic resto in Brentwood, has been met with great success, for the delicious food from James Beard-award winning Chef Suzanne Goin and for the stunning space, courtesy of JAM. The Hungry Cat, in Hollywood, has been a staple of LA movie nights, where a casual night out might include catching a film at the jaw dropping Arclight movie theater, followed by a yummy meal there. The Cat continues, and Marks has made his mark on the newer locations.

Photo courtesy of LA Times
The exterior of The Tavern with an elegant yet country sign complete with a brass rooster. Brentwood is a sophisticated suburb of Hollywood that has a real neighborhood feel.

The long view of the room with a tented ceiling and drum shade covered chandeliers has residential touches to make dining out a familiar yet fabulous, glam experience.

A touch of greenery complements the sage green chairs and overall airy light space.

What could be better than dining beside a tree indoors? Instant shade and a bit of nature. It is a place for intimate conversation with less flash and more substance.

In another area, a long chesterfield sofa goes on forever against a wall of windows. The light filled space has a counter for takeout that also displays wonderful desserts.

The job he has been working towards each episode gets the big reveal here:

The exterior of the Santa Monica location is similar to that of the Santa Barbara boite, with paneling painted in a deep grey blue.

The raw bar at the shore location channels the best aspects of beach - house chic: light floors, dark wood bar chairs and zinc accents come together with a crisp look.

Photos courtesy of Jeffrey Alan Marks
The beachy look includes chairs in a rustic grey finish and tailored white touches in the light fixtures. It came together quickly, but I can't say I am totally convinced that timeline was real! It is Bravo, after all.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

STYLISH SHOPPING: MRS. HOWARD ATLANTA

Walking into the retail and design shop Mrs. Howard in Atlanta is like walking into a gracious, beautifully designed home. I visited the shop last fall and am still mesmerized by it. I have to say I have never seen anything like it. It is genius. Spanning two floors, the rooms, stairways and nooks are styled to the hilt, in an elegant and traditional style that is move in ready. Classic architectural details and mill work make the spaces seem like they have existed forever and provide a sophisticated canvas against which everything shown is available for purchase. Phoebe and Jim Howard shop for antiques, decorative accessories, artwork and upholstery incessantly, and know their clientele well. I am a total convert to this kind of shopping experience, that where home and retail are fused as one, blurring the lines of commerce. I am sure I would not be the first person that has walked in saying, I want this for my home! To feel like I am stepping into Mrs. Howard every day, I read Leah Kennelly's Mrs. Howard Personal Shopper. If you are heading south, visit the wonderful gals that work with Phoebe, like Anne Patterson in Atlanta, at 425 Peachtree Hills Avenue Suite #23. Or, when in North Carolina, visit the Charlotte location a 1001 East Morehead Street. If south means Florida for you, Phoebe's style can be found in Jacksonville, at 4128 Herschel Street and at Jacksonville Beach 2400 Third Street South Suite #304. Enjoy!

Painted wall panels of climbing trees are a lovely natural element against this major mirror.

Decorative plaster walls and a rustic beam ceiling set the stage for a dressy elegant room that could work in a city and country locale. This was one of the first rooms I saw upon entering.

Incredible mill work in the entrance ties the flax hues together.

A grey painted bookcase seems to go on for miles. It holds rattan entertaining accessories and could do wonders in a home with lots of space.

Inspiring ideas are everywhere- the mix of artwork styles and frames on this wall showcase how effective artwork can be.

The fresh melon wall color balances the sage green upholstery in this seating area.

Marble inlay floors in a bold square pattern lead to a staircase where the second floor bedrooms await. The mirror sheathed armoire looked so divine there.

A corner cabinet in an antique white finish with beautiful pediment detail is representative of many of Phoebe's great antiques.

As you made your way up the staircase, the landing holds a more modern chrome book shelf styled with antiques.

Pops of blue in the wallpaper, artwork and hurricanes surround a French antique chest.

The piece de resistance- this bed! A cozy little serpentine love seat and side tables at the end of the bed are a great idea when there isn't room for other seating in the room.

A serene white bedroom with a metal bed ensconced with bed hangings. A celery colored settee sits at the foot of the bed, making a nice addition.

A bedroom done in pale blue and cream. I love the little antique stools at the end of the bed.

A pretty antique desk can also act as bar.

This painted secretary is charming and a little tufted slipper chair is a bedroom must. You see a section of the pale blue fabric window panel here and it adds a soft, tonal element against the seafoam green wall.

Serene shades of blue are present throughout the store- it is such an easy color to live with and it makes the dark wood of antiques look spectacular.

Antiques and reproduction pieces make for a move in ready mix.

An airy dining area upstairs with bird prints, a super long bench at the window for perching, and a taupe and cream color scheme.

Multiple sofas and club chairs surround a cocktail table on the second floor. The room is done in a moody, darker shade of blue with white trim.

A checked fabric on the walls with a white painted mirror have a certain charm. What a darling writing desk.

The architectural details in her shop are incredible. The beamed ceiling and window arches add to the feeling of a real home.

Light bleached wood floors and pale ceiling beams make the color in the room pop.

That staircase! Storage is no problem here, as the space under the stairs contains cabinets. This large room feels move in ready from the fab chandelier to the terra cotta tile floor. The seating dining area has a casual elegant feel with fresh white walls and pale blue accents.

This is a good seating plan for a large space, as it incorporates a dining area and multiple seating options.

A beautifully styled bookcase with white accessories. The ric rac edge on the piece is a charming detail.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

SANG AND SERENA: ARTISAN FURNITURE FROM INDIA

I am still adoring all things Indian when it comes to interior design. Yes, it is everywhere, but I love the mother of pearl inlay, ancient printing techniques and rustic, weathered feel of it all. Since this is the case, I had to share Sang and Serena with you. Sang Won Hwang and Serena Sandra Weaver call their pieces "transmodern", fusing age - old techniques, exotic materials, and eco friendly aims. Furniture inlaid with intricate patterns and floral block printed quilts capture the best handiwork Indian craftsmen have to offer.

The writing desk is one of my favorite pieces. It makes doing paperwork and all those tasks less of a chore and more of a nice experience.

The inlaid chest shown in ember

the chest in lotus

A three drawer table makes a nice nightstand or free standing bathroom storage.

Select from these colors with bone or mother of pearl inlay:

Lotus

Ember

Opium

Their block printed quilts come in sweet patterns with a feminine and graphic appeal.

Goddess floral pattern quilt reminds me of the oh so British Liberty prints.

Tribal print quilt with a square, linear motif.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

PACK A COLORFUL PUNCH WITH DECORATIVE CARPETS

When I came across Decorative Carpets, the LA and San Francisco rug resource, I was amazed that I had not heard of them before. Their robust color palette and chic design are fantastic. They create rugs in every corner of the world, and their designs are right on target for their rich hues and bold scale patterns. Mar a Mar, their latest collection has me swooning. Stop in the next time you are in West Hollywood for a dose of global chic.

Photos courtesy of Decorative Carpets
Munir resembles Iznik tiles and comes with vivid blues and reds.

Ziara is filled with many easy to work with colors and a Moorish design.

Style AF IF 107

Style AF IF 100

Style AF IF 106

THE MAR A MAR COLLECTION of flatwoven cotton rugs is made in India, and includes chevron, ikat, stripe and mandala patterns

Martel in blue

Majorelle in pink

Ziv in blue

Pavo in purple

Palmerie in pink

Wadi in coral

Ksar in pink

Layla in gold