Palm Springs exteriors

When I travel, I always have to check out the local architecture, design and food. Palm Springs is a gold mine for all three! It is the Beverly Hills of the desert, in my opinion, its much better because you aren't in LA(ok "westside", as not to offend).
The large and mostly gated estates have unique architecture, usually mid-century or Early California, sprawling flat lots and lush landscaping. In stark contrast to what you would except in the middle of the desert, Palm Springs is in full bloom this time of year, the weather is perfect and the homes are immaculate.
Here are a few of my favorite exteriors:

Laguna Design Market Pics

I know I have been a flake this past week, but the worst part of my job and personality did me in! I have been lifting too many samples and pushing around too much furniture lately. As a result, my back is shot and with it went my ability to sit and type for any period of time. So, until my interviews are written, look forward to lots of pictures.


This is a Red Fern Glass chandelier in one of my favorite showrooms, Witford. I was first introduced to these boys, at their SF design showroom when I worked up in the bay area. They are the go-to for any style, everything from Palm Springs modern to cozy ranches are covered with their great mix of upholstery and casegoods.

I picked up a few of these antique kilim covered poufs for a client(rug covered cubes in front of the sofa)from Witford. They are great and can work as seating or foot rests.


Nancy Corzine signing my copy of Glamor At Home, her new book for Rizzoli. I absolutely loved her! She has an amazing story and she is a true business woman with a graceful sense of style.

Nancy speaking to a packed house at Market

Designers Jane Butcher and Karen Moller

The new Walteriors paper line on the wall of the Kravet showroom

Some of the 3 ft Walteriors samples. They are eco-friendly, stunning and come in so many sophisticated textures. My favorite, the one on the far left, has real crushed mica in it. It is shimmery, modern and elegant.

Laguna Design Market

Today was a busy day at the market. So much news and photos to come tomorrow, all around a wonderful day! Talks by Barry Dixon and Nancy Corzine. Exciting new wovenwoods, kilim poofs, sconces and chandeliers, outdoor fabric and pots.

Barry Dixon




Nancy Corzine


Nancy's Palm Beach Storefront

Sunday Reading

I always take a little time on Sunday's for inspirational reading. I like to flip through the new issues of design magazines, swatch books and some new internet purchases that I received during the week.
Today, I looked at the new issue of Elle Decor, and saw this:
The Top 10 Screens


It reminded me of my January 25th blog, "Dividing Line," and was glad to see other designers are catching screen fever. Although, I still favor fabric as a material of choice, I thought the massive wood slab by Hudson Furniture was incredible. It's 19,000.00 price tag and massive scale probably will shelve it to the " in theory" section of my products, but cool, none the less.



A favorite of mine, since its release, Barry Dixon Interiors, is a bedside regular. Today, I pulled it out to help me fine-tune a few questions to ask the design legend on Tuesday.
If you aren't familiar with Barry's work, he has a brilliant eye. What drew me to his style, is his ability to place antiques without ever making a room look stuffy. He tends to mix genres and periods to create rooms that never look trendy, but always fresh and livable.
But I digress... more to come on Tuesday after our chat!


I am working on a project for a Colombian client, who loves Mexico and classic California architecture.
Casa San Miguel by Annie Kelly is a great resource for sophisticated, but minimalist Latin American design. Lots of very old haciendas, almost all decorated by American designers, creating an interesting juxtaposition of Mexican architecture and antiques with American modernism.

Milk does your home some good

I have been trying to do things healthy and non-toxic, that usually is referred to as "going green," but my greatest concern is limiting my daughter's exposure to chemicals.
I have been doing some projects with milk paint recently and I thought I would also share some info about milk paint here as a green design resource.
I like milk paint because my baby puts her mouth on everything and it is environmentally safe and non-toxic. The paint is safe for kids furniture and toys, and can also be used for interior walls for people who are allergic to modern paints.
Milk paint is an organic material that gives surfaces a distinctive color-washed finish. Milk is a principal ingredient in the material, it binds the pigment instead of laytex or oil, like other paints. It has been used for centuries and has been found on artifacts dating to ancient Egypt. The fact that the material doesn't give off noxious vapors (often called VOCs) accounts for its continued appeal within today's green building community. Craftspeople, meanwhile, value its saturated colors and translucent finish, which can be used to give wooden furniture, terra-cotta pots, and other textured surfaces an antique look.
Although the available colors are some what limited, because they are derived from natural elements, you mix it yourself so you can add white to lighten or another color to blend.

You can buy milk paint from:

Old Fashioned Milk Paint www.milkpaint.com
They have nice colors, but not a really great rich royal blue. Buy their non toxic sealer if you are planing on using it on a work or food surface.

Real Milk Paint www.realmilkpaint.com
This company has some great blues and blue-greens.


For DIY info about actually mixing and using milk paint, see my other blog http://littleameliah.blogspot.com

Mirror, Mirror on the floor?

I love big mirrors. I found this at an estate sale for 60.00. I know!!! I thought I died and went to "are you out of your mind?" bargain heaven. It's huge( 6' tall) and so I put it in my lovely workhorse and drove away as fast as I could. I still can't decide if they were really that oblivious or they just didn't care about antiques...
It is a gilded, Rococo style carved wood frame with amazingly aged antique glass. I smile every time I look at it. It is one of my favorite pieces and I grateful it is mine.
The trouble with mirrors of that scale is finding a place for them. I am a fan of setting them on the floor. I think it adds warmth, casualness and it takes the edge off what is otherwise a very serious piece.
Anyway, it seems to have become "of now" again and I thought I would show you a few examples:

This is from the current restoration Hardware catalog


I have no idea, i saved this photo and didn't notate!

From Traditional home by designer Loi Thai

Pasadena Showhouse Time

Most people aren't familiar with "showhouses", but they are one of the most fascinating and charitable ways to see new designs, designer's work and new products all while helping a worthy cause. They are all over the country and even in smaller areas.
Pasadena is one of the oldest showhouse events in the country, this is the 45th year and I am very excited to see what they have done with the Cravens Estate.(click here for history)It was the largest and most expensive home built in Pasadena at the time and was styled after a baroque Chateau. It is about 20,000 sq ft on 16 acres, so there is a lot to see! Every room is done by a different design firm and all of the materials and time are donated.
If you live in Southern California it is well worth the drive to check it out and your ticket goes to help youth music programs. www.pasadenashowcase.org


If you want to find a show house in your area:
northeastern US
Southeastern US
Midwestern US
Western US & Canada
Fall Showhouses

Also, here are a few great sites to see some past showhouses:

Tradional Home Magazine has a great collection of pictures and ideas from around the country

Hampton Designer Showhouse

The new blue

I wrote a post about Ormolu caskets on Dec. 16th '09. they are one of my favorite and coveted collector items. I love them, especially the blue hues, from milky pale to the richest royal, they have a depth and weight that is very captivating.
Well, I was flipping through the March issue of House Beautiful and saw this display by interior designer Babs Watkins. This is an amazing collection and is a great example of some of the different glass cuts and colors of these boxes.

Wool carpet

Today I was looking through my new Custom carpet Book from Kravet and I was inspired by the all the new choices for natural fiber rugs. Growing up, we had wool berber wall-to-wall carpet (like the top picture) and I always liked how warm and cozy it was. It is really durable and liquids naturally bead off the surface with out a harsh chemical coating like synthetic rugs have.
Wool is a renewable, biodegradable fiber that has natural insulating properties to help retain heat and increase cooling effectiveness. Among the natural rug fibers, wool stands out as the classic rug material, being flexible, resilient, and easy to dye any color in the world. The wool industry also prides itself on its environmentally responsible production methods which is good for the sheep and the planet.
There is no reason to go to a synthetic fiber made of chemicals and plastics, when the alternative is cost effective, better for your health and the planet. Now that I have a baby, who crawls, play and touches the carpet all day, I think it is even more important to have something I know is natural and easy on her delicate skin.

Going Green

Green is the new everything. After growing up in an organic, environmentally friendly home, I never really understood that was not the norm until I started going into other peoples homes.
My mother was obsessed-ish with things being natural, safe and clean. We always had wool carpets, never ate processed foods and never wore polyester. In the past few decades, the world seemed to go in the opposite direction to the other extreme, even in design. Nylon carpets, melamine, synthetic fibers, chemical paints have become the norm. I think that we have taken our environment, micro and macro to a very unhealthy place in the name of innovation and discounting.
People are finally starting to see a value in "greening" design. It is odd because green elements for the home can be just as durable, beautiful and cost effective. In fact, things like wool carpeting have always been around and are durable enough for the busiest casinos in Vegas.
So, I'd like to introduce 5 days of healthy, natural ideas for a beautifully greener home.

My favorite reasons to use a designer

I am always asked "why hire a designer?" I think I am probably asked that question in some form on a weekly basis. From the husband at a client interview or a woman at a function or a snarky socialite who still thinks that gold and purple damask are "tuscan." My answer is always the same: hire a designer and you will know why.
Today, after dealing with the most difficult contractor I have ever had to work with, I remembered why I am great at my job.There is a real value in a designer far beyond aesthetics. We know how to work with trades: contractors, architects and suppliers to make your environment look better than you could ever envision on your own.
Here are my four favorite reasons to hire a designer:
One. This is what we do every day. We live it, breath it and know it. You are paying for our expertise.
Two. We know where to find what you want and usually at a better price than you think. We have accounts and relationships that allow us to get materials and case goods for better prices than you can from a retailer and we know where to go to get the best quality for your budget.
Three. When you have a contractor that either is crap ,is trying to rip you off or just has no taste, we can save your dream from becoming a nightmare. Hopefully, we can prevent you from hiring such a loser to begin with, but one can only hope...
Four. We can keep you focused, on budget and on schedule.
Five. You will like opening that door every day and coming home to a place that is tailored to you like the finest designer suit.

Time is a chang'in

today's favorite

Love this dresser! Modern, but not screaming for attention. Unique enough to be a statement in any part of the house, but functional. I love this for a smaller space because the pyramid shape creates the illusion more expansive walls.
799.00 38"H, 32"W, 15.5"D. Call for details, order information

Valentine's inspiration

Happy Valentine's day