A Tale of Two Rooms

 

I’ve been working from home for the past few years and I truly love it.  I am much more productive and less distracted so I can get more done from home.  I am the type of person who works all day, every day,  so having my “stuff”  around me here is a great benefit.  Up until the last year I had my office and my studio in the same room and it tended to get cramped and very messy at times.  The office is right off my master bedroom and you can see it from there so I like to have it neat and tidy if I can.  So, after my daughter was gone at college for three years I decided to bite the bullet and take over her bedroom as my new art studio. 

Now I have plenty of room for my sewing machines, fabric, art supplies and everything else.  It is still very much a work in progress.  I am looking forward to putting up some Jackie Von Tobel drapery hardware from Helser Brothers soon so keep tuned. 

 

I did this room on a serious budget of $100.  I used all existing furniture that I had.  ( Yes, I can be a pack rat and had a lot of stuff in my garage including some old furniture I had made for my husbands office that he outgrew)   The only thing I bought was a few gallons of white paint and a couple of unfinished doors to serve as tabletops.  I slapped a coat of white paint on everything, including the floor, and called it a day! 

 

My favorite piece in the studio is a rolling cart that my sister Trudi gave to me.  I can roll it out into the center of the room and walk around it 360’ or I can tuck it neatly under my larger table so it’s out of the way.  I am also filling the walls with my kids art that they did as little ones.  I would much rather look at that than anything else.

 

I have tons of storage plus a huge closet that is far to messy to show you.  I’m sure I will fill it up in no time.  My office helpers above are hard at work fighting with each other!   Just like the real thing…..

 

This is what they can usually be found doing.

 

I love working in the new room.  It is so bright and sun filled and most of all it’s a constant reminder of my beautiful girl.  I left her yellow paint just as it was, warts and all.  It makes me smile every time I walk in there. 

 

You would think with all this new studio space that my old office would be perfectly organized and never messy but here is my desk today.  It’s just as crazy as ever but that’s how I like it.

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Architectural Digest + Brad Pitt = A Good Thing

I have not read an issue of Architectural Digest since their March 08' issue on the Bush decorated White House when I questioned their poor timing, here. I have been a fan on and off but over the last few years I just couldn't get excited about the interiors they were featuring. But when my husband brought home the January issue with Brad Pitt on the cover I felt obligated to give it a once over.

design: Peter Marino photography: Durston Saylor

To my surprise the issue was absolutely stunning, filled with a scintillating variety of diverse designs that, while certainly luxurious, offered inspiration that could be applied to any interior.

design: Chakib Richani Architects photography: Marina Faust

The locations of the homes featured are as exciting as the interiors. From this beautiful home in Beirut, which seems to be such a departure from the images we normally associate with the war torn city, to a collectors paradise designed by Samuel Botero in New York.

design: Samuel Botero photography: Phillip H. Ennis

Jennifer from The Peak of Chic, recently posted inquiring what had become of the decorative arts collector. Well Jennifer, I believe he's doing very well and living in this gorgeous apartment which is done to perfection and filled with a diverse collection of art, architectural elements, and antiques.

design: Hendrix Allardyce photograph: David Matheson

One of my favorite interiors in the issue is this eclectic but elegant home in Melbourne. The jubilant mix of furnishings in the great room is nothing short of perfection. It is a study in the superb use of scale, balance, and harmonious effect.



It takes a lot to overshadow the glorious Mr. Pitt but I was so entranced by the interiors in this issue that I almost forgot about him. The issue takes a look at the efforts of his Make It Right Foundation to help rebuild the devastated neighborhoods in New Orleans using safe, affordable, and sustainable homes. Learn more about the organization at www.makeitrightnola.org.

On another note: Hot on the heals of their New York auditions, Architecturl Digest is holding another series of try outs in California. Brooke Gianetti - get on over there !



In an age where shelter magazines and design book publishers are in serious trouble I plan to do my part and subscribe to AD. If this issue is any indication of things to come I know it will be well worth the price of admission!

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Put A Cork On It

I've always been a fan of the cork / ribbon board. I love to look at what people put up as inspiration and their personal mementos. Here are some great examples of using them as a focal point.

This is an awesome application in formal panels above the breakfast table. What a great way to communicate with your family. Every member could have their own section.

Allesandra Branca - a fan of the ribbon board

Another Branca board

Love these alternatives to cork - clipboards and chicken wire and clothes pins , Who knew!

The top board is made from actual corks! You'd certainly have fun drinking all the bottles of wine you'd need to make this one.

How many of us grew up sticking pictures and notes to our vanity mirror? Here's a grown up version. I love it.

Wall pockets are a new trend. Very tailored and great for the neat freak who cannot tolerate the chaos of a conventional board.

No matter how you pull it off, inspiration, message or memento boards are a great personal touch to any interior.

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Miss Pedigrew Lives in a Really Bitchin Apartment

After a long day at the San Francisco Mart last week my daughter and I went to see the new movie Miss Pedigrew Lives For A Day. I was expecting a very funny movie - but it was just so so with some weird pseudo lesbian undertones and bad casting.

Normally this would irritate me but I was too busy being blown away by the great set design - it was awesome!!!!


Satin upholstery, fur rugs, gold leafed walls, Art Deco and Art Nuevo accessories galore. The sets - particularly the apartment - were fascinating stylized snapshots of that era - prewar Brittan 1939. It reminded me fondly of all the vintage films I loved as a kid and still tune in to see on TCM.


If you 're looking for a flick to see this weekend - give it a try. The movie might disappointed but the eye candy won't.

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