I'd have to say that Los Angeles-based interior designer David Phoenix is a man of many hats. He is a pro at so many styles - traditional, moorish, to contemporary and modern. That takes talent to be able to create such diverse spaces. "Drawing upon both the timeless design traditions of American aristocracy and the laid back luxury of the West Coast, David Phoenix’s projects are inspired by the rich, diverse landscapes of New England and California. As a native Bostonian living in Los Angeles, David Phoenix’s projects meld a dual design perspective resulting in spaces that are both relaxed and elegant for his elite clients." Those elite client include members of the Kennedy family, and Governor Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver. I'm smitten with the first kitchen below...so inviting.

Labels: interior designer

What a fabulous way to end the working week with these beautiful shots from Toronto photographer Angus Fergusson. I'll chant the usual mantra about great light, composition, angle, grasp of colour but really it's the photos that do the talking. That old cliche about a picture painting a thousand words .... true.

Labels: photographer

San Franciscan Patrice Bevan Cowans creates spaces that are "elegant without being intimidating". They are often bright and bold with lots of graphic patterns. Timeless and energetic. Fresh and fun.

Labels: interior designer

If minimalism is you're thing then French photographer Jean-Pierre Lemoine has a portfolio that will warm your heart. When you think of minimalism as cold Jean-Pierre's shots make it cool. His photos are clean and crisp at the same time adding that hip French touch. And don't get me started on the light!

Labels: photographer

I recently went hog wild in a bookstore and bought a ton of decor books and shelter mags, including House Beautiful. While flipping through it last night, I nearly passed out. In the issue was a home designed by Jonathan Berger, and the entryway was painted in the most GLORIOUS pink I've ever seen. It's Benjamin Moore's Razzle Dazzle (and it looks much better in print), and I'm smitten.


I got it in my head last weekend that I just cannot take the ugliness of my 2 bathrooms anymore. I have decided to redo them on the cheap, while I save up money to gut them and redo them properly. So I'll be scouring my basement and the basements of loved ones looking for anything I can use to spruce them up. And I will DEFINITIVELY be painting the powder room in this pink (if it's available in Canada that is). I cannot wait!!!

Labels: pink

Meyer Davis Studio, based in New York City, creates such overwhelmingly beautiful spaces that this is an encore post. (Jo blogged about this firm back in '07). I am completely smitten with the colour scheme first 4 photos - so fresh and modern.

Labels: architect

Stylist Tony Hutchinson pulls together a look that speaks of elegance and a time of leisure, the finer things in life but also the things that matter like home and hearth. With a portfolio that is rich and fresh, bright and white it's no wonder you're drawn in to this fabulous white wonderland. Images here from Tony's rep's site but you'll find many more inspiring photos on both sites.

Labels: stylist

Just wanted to give you all a bit of a heads-up on something coming up. Modernica is having a huge warehouse sale on July 18th. It was voted the best modern furniture sale by LA Magazine last year. This year's sale will be twice as big! They're offering a football field sized warehouse of modern treasures to fulfill your design dreams. Purchase Modernica’s Case Study units, daybeds with unique upholstery (OH I WANT ONE!!), fiberglass rockers (OH YEAH!) and bubble lamps at the lowest prices of the year. Other featured guests will include clothing designers, antique dealers, djs, the Green Truck, Don Chow Taco Truck, Scratch Lounge and more.
Where: 7th & Alameda
When: Saturday, July 18
From: 10am – 4pm
**NOTE: Sale will also be available online (7am-7pm PST - select items only)!!

Labels: midcentury

Quite some time ago I blogged about the architecture and interior design firm of Coburn Architecture. I adore their practical and youthful approach to the spaces they design. And I desperately want the sink in the first photo for my bathroom.

Labels: architect, interior designer

Serendipitous. That's what it is when you find a house featured in a favourite magazine (Inside Out), check their digital teaser (dammit not there) resign yourself to not sharing and then an email from the owner pops up in your in box. Matt Eastwood turned an ugly 80s ducking into this bright white swan. Project managing it he removed walls, joining rooms and creating the perfect space for his well curated collection of design classics. Matt you're in the wrong business! Interior design calls. Check out all of Matt's inspirations on his blog things i have seen.

Labels: blog, reader's home

Want to see how much fun some bold colours and patterns can bring to a space? Check out the work below by British interior designer and sculptor Kathy Dalwood. Love the eclectic vintage vibe and the saturated colours.

Labels: interior designer

It's our next reader's makeover as guest blogger and interior designer Jason Martin helps Maggi with her Brooklyn apartment. Maggi is looking for something unique and interesting for the space. I'm loving the "to and fro" conversations in these e-consultations and once again Jason has come up with some great ideas!. Remember Maggi does the "DIY" after Jason adds the "+".


Maggi emailed ...

Wow! Exciting! Here are the top three things on my apartment wish list:

1. I would like to create a more interesting arrangement of space in my apartment. I have three almost exactly equal-sized rooms with doorways between each (very symmetrical!). The space itself is pretty boring architecturally and I’d like to avoid mimicking that symmetry in the furniture arrangement. I would like to do something really unique and interesting with the space. If possible, I want it to be both dramatic and cozy.

2. I need to do something with my windows. There are seven of them and right now they are naked: a wasted opportunity, for sure.

3. I want everything to have a place and for that place to be (mostly) inside drawers and behind doors. I don’t need to see the visual clutter of my everyday “stuff”. I want the focus to be on the art and furniture instead.

By the way, the reason I didn’t send pictures of my bedroom is because that’s the one room I haven’t yet done anything with so it tends to be the dumping ground for all of the crap I need to sort through, file, hang up, etc. (Embarrassing and unattractive!)

Floor Plan


... and from Maggi's inspiration files


Jason’s notes

Maggi,

You have such a wide range of artwork and activities going on in your small space that I think the best advice I can give you is how to make the apartment functional and efficient while still interesting. You need a home that can act as backdrop and not compete with what is going on in the space.

I think you could create a more interesting arrangement of your space by balancing the overall symmetry of the apartment with some asymmetry in each of the rooms. Build from the architecture out. The apartment doesn’t have much existing architecture so you have to create it. Here are my suggestions:

1. Create a sense of Enfilade with the doorways.
2. Unify the rooms with a consistent idea.
3. Create defined functions for each space

Create an "Enfilade"

Unify the rooms with a consistent idea

A low living space

Storage/office space

Dining Room

Bedroom Ideas- clean, simple, warm

So what do you think? I love the low sofa suggestion from Jason. It's my latest sofa crush the Togo from Ligne Roset. Next week is Jason's last guest post and it promises to be absolutely fabulous! Thanks again Jason for all your wonderful ideas!

Labels: dilemma