MODERN DESIGNERS 101

Modern furniture studio - DESIGN WITHIN REACH - has an incredibly thorough encyclopedia of classic designers right on their site. Click here to learn about the creative architects behind popular pieces such as the Eames Lounge Chair, Saarinen table and Arco Floor lamp.

Enjoy!

YULIA HANANSEN MOSAIC STUDIO

I love seeing mosaic designs. The Wynn Las Vegas has an amazing mosaic floor throughout the hotel that is always inspiring (bottom pic). I recently discovered mosaic artist Yulia Hanansen. I love love love her peony piece (top pic)! See her work here.

Enjoy!

HARMONIE INTERIEURE

I recently discovered the French-based Harmonie Interieurie and the gorgeous vintage wall decals and decorations that are available on their online store. Pretty, chic and stylish - these art pieces would be a timeless addition to your small space.

Enjoy!

DOMINO TURNS A MOVIE INTO A ROOM

I have posted before about turning an outfit into a room. One of my resources noted was Domino Magazine as they often feature this inspiring idea. Well the May '08 issue steps it up a notch by turning a movie into a room.

Highlighted classic film- The Graduate (1967).

I love how effortlessly the design team re-creates the aesthetic and feel of the popular movie. I epecially love the black plantation shade room divider, pop of yellow from the lemon and the scale of the palm tree.

Enjoy!

DESIGN INSPIRATION: Ruben Toledo

I'm a big fan of Ruben Toledo's pretty illustrations! His latest art fills Nina Garcia's new fashion guide, The Little Black Book of Style. He's also penned his own work, Style Dictionary. Plus he's collaborated with Dolce & Gabbana and Marc Jacobs, to name a few.

Small space tip - cut out your favorite drawings and frame them to create a gallery in your home.

Enjoy!

SMALL SPACE ACCENTS: Silhouette update

Just spent a nice afternoon at The Grove in LA. I popped into Barney's CO-OP to find a whimsical and hip silhouette display. Visual displays in boutiques are a great way to get inspiration for your own space. Also, I spotted and snapped up the new fab Marc by Marc Jacobs Airline Jaquard Magazine clutch. Fun!

CURB APPEAL

We dig our neighbors tiny over-the-garage apartment. In particular the cute balcony and what looks like a stylish pad from the outside in. Take note of your favorite home or building in your neighborhood and draw inspiration from it.

Enjoy!

LOVING EATING SMALL: Father's Office via Culver City

Ok - Father's Office Culver City is not as small as the original Santa Monica location. But this popular bar & restaurant definitely serves up the same amazing burgers, sweet potato fries and 20+ beers on tap just with a bit more space. Freshly opened this week, Father's Office 2.0 (as the LA Times has dubbed it) features a large outdoor deck and is the perfect stop for a bite and a beer while checking out the great furniture shops housed in the old Helms Bakery.

Enjoy!

CALYPSO HOME via BRENTWOOD COUNTRY MART

Just as stylish and innovative as it's sister-store for clothes and accessories, Calypso Home offers home goods inspired by store owner, Chrisitane's, world-travels and appreciation of fine craftsmanship. The collection embodies her signature style through a variety of interesting textiles, furniture, and exotic objects from Africa, India, Syria, Europe, South America, and much more.

Check out my friend's gorgeous lamp she purchased there last year. Oh, and when at the Brentwood Country Mart, get a chocolate brownie at The City Bakery. Yum!

Enjoy!

AN HONOR JUST TO BE NOMINATED...

I always thought that line was silly but it is true for this year's Apartment Therapy's Small Cool 2008 contest! Although we won't be winning the contest, it was fun to be picked as a semi-finalist and to be part of the community of great little apartments on display. Check out all of the Small Cool pads here. And see our little square in the above pic - bottom row/middle.

Enjoy!

NEED HELP PICKING YOUR COLOR PALETTE?

When creating the look of your small space, pulling together a harmonious color palette may seem to be quite the challenge. How do you strike a color balance between wall, floor, fabric, furniture pieces?

Martha Stewart Living's May issue has a resourceful spread about color and how to pick a palette. Definitely click here to see all of the information about color principles.

SMALL OUTDOOR SPACE AT IT'S FINEST

This gorgeous rooftop "room" in New York City is amazing! (via Metropolitian Home magazine) A small space in it's own right (500 sq ft), this space allows the homeowner to enjoy a room that serves multiple purposes - relaxation/entertaining/enjoyment. The use of eco-friendly materials only adds to this one-of-my-favorite spaces ever! And interestingly enough, the horizontal slated wood design creates vertical space, drawing your eye up to create a feeling of depth of space.

Enjoy!

COOL EXHIBIT: Geoff McFetridge

Geoff McFetridge for Pottock wallpaper's super cool designs are featured as "art" in a current exhibit held at the tragically hip french boutique, colette. (via Josh Spear) Check out my other mention of colette in a posting about Andy Spade's Book Covers as Art exhibit.

Enjoy!

FARMER'S MARKET COLORS

There are awesome farmer's markets in Southern California. Tons of local produce and vegetable farmers set up shop and offer a huge selection of vibrant organic delights. The colors are super inspiring! Even our made-to-order omelettes were colorful! Add our nice walk on the beach and it was a lovely day :)

Hope you had a nice Sunday!

MIRRORED CLOSET DOORS TWIST

I like this twist on mirrored closet doors! The molding is interesting - it adds even more depth to the room.

Enjoy!

WINDOW MAKEOVER UPDATE

A few weeks ago, I featured Emma Jeff's pretty window surface designs that create privacy with style. I also found these neat designs via Rare Device. Designed by Strossel Designs in Sweden, this group comes in a variety of opaque patters with some including pale shades of purple or grey.

Enjoy!

CLEVER: Acrylic end tables

Love this idea of showcasing a stack of books under a clear side table! (via Apartment Therapy)

LOVING EATING SMALL: delicious in Los Angeles

I work a few blocks away from - delicious - a little cafe that's attached to the Frank Gehry building. They have a nice menu of prepared foods, sandwiches and smoothies plus a perfect deck to eat your lunch.

Enjoy!

SMALL SPACE D.I.Y.: Original artwork

I love the idea of creating original artwork for your small space. It's personal, fun and rewarding to extend your creativity. I have created a few things for my home. We loved this picture of a real jazz band posing. I did a little Photoshop magic, got a few frames on sale and - voila - a colorful centerpiece for our mirrored buffet!

Enjoy!

SMALL SPACE ACCENTS: Coasters

It's all in the details! Pick up some fun coasters that match your decor! Iomoi has a fun selection of customized coasters, along with other goodies like stationary, paper weights and tray.

Enjoy!

DESIGN INSPIRATION: Andrea Cobb

I discovered Andrea Cobb's gorgeous illustrations a few years ago in an In Style magazine spread that now lives in my Inspiration Notebook. Her work in is truly amazing! Beautiful colors and design, they almost seem like abstract photography to me instead of original illustrations.

(pictured top : bottom)

In Style spread in my Inspiration Notebook, Central Park, American Beech & Breeze.

Enjoy - and get that Inspiration Notebook started!

SMALL SPACE ACCENTS: Penmanship magnets

These penmanship magnets designed by Pink Loves Brown are super cute and fun! Pick your favorite letter to showcase on your fridge.

A tip for small spaces - think about the little little things. Like color coordinating magnets on your fridge to compliment, say, your plateware?

Enjoy!

CLOTHES CALL

We keep our laundry hamper in our bedroom vs. our not-so-big walk-in closet. We went with a pretty wicker design but I also like this Maire Pi interpretation, made with natural wood and fabric.

Enjoy!