It is one of the typical SoCal Spring afternoons in March—warm, breezy and a lot of sunshines. After Building Symposium, we think it might be a good idea to stroll around the West Hollywood neighborhood. We found this cutie gallery, M +B, a hiding gem among greeneries. The sign on the door says: Please Use the Side-door.
It turns out that today is the last day for solo exhibition of Mishan Kahn’s whimsical “Just Around the Bend”. And several workers are busy with setting up the new show.
The gallery room is all white—neat and clean, a perfect backdrop to showcase the unique artworks.
It’s a wonderland for a big party.
As you can see from the above video, Mishan Kahn’s artworks are about furniture and sculpture design. The art objects he creates are unusual assemblage of various of materials, usually an interplay between the handmade and the technological.
Such a beautiful jewel-tone sofa framed in steel and wood, upholstered in cashmere. Don’t you just love this adorable color palette—light purple, dark red, bright red, pink, yellow and orange… so pleasing the eye and mind.When patterns meet colors and forms… I think I am ready for a fun party.
A work desk or a vanity top in brass?A pop of bright yellow! Love it! Yes, this mirror design is awesome!When furniture becomes art—framed in steel and wood, upholstered in cashmere. Again, love this color palette and fun form!
To read more about Mishan’s “Just around Bend”, please click here
Wouldn’t you agree with me If life is about to open curiosity of cabinetry, life will be more fun. I guess that might be the reason that I enjoy design career so much.
I recently went to BD West —-a boutique hotel design show in the west coast to check out what’s new & trendy in hospitality design industry and also would like to get some fresh ideas that I am able to apply for home or whatever the projects in the future.
Here are some pretty cool trends I got from the show:
It’s about luxury experiences:
Luxury Experience #1—Comfy with a touch of luxury. This black velvet upholstered club chair is light, stylish and super comfortable. Love, love the sheen on the black velvet—such a luxury!
2. It’s about having fun:
Luxury Experience #2—a fun atmosphere. Duo chandeliers, the gourmet cocktails, the stylish bar setup and moody candles—these all set up a good mood for a chill-out and cocktail party. And similarly, kitchen island area is also the most popular spot at home. So embrace some cool components and make this area a drama!
3. Play with patterns and forms
Love love this black striped garden chair with this cute form.
4. Of course, Pantone color of the year 2019
The more I look at Pantone color of the year 2019, the more I like it. It is fresh, warm and inviting. Of course the color here is a lighter version of Pantone Color of the year 2019. I love how their pair the color with brass and the artwork with a lot of black—it’s kind of cool.
5. Last but not the least—-customization, customization and customization.
It’s good to know even in hospitality industry, owners try to develop their own brands and customize whatever possible. It looks like nobody like cookie-cutters. And one of the things they do customization is using unique decor by hiring local artists.
Finally, rain stops and sun is out. And most importantly, the weather is finally getting warm up to 70 degree in Los Angeles. I know it has been a weird cold for a very long time since last Nov. I think I prefer the warmer weather with a lot sunshines. Who wouldn’t?
Well, it is March and spring is just around the corner and Easter is coming soon. I just cannot wait to put up a beautiful outdoor tabletop for entertaining with some fresh color palettes and romantic components. What about you?
So, I decided to go through some photos and videos from the events we have been to recently for inspiration. Then I found this video I shot—I wish I could have done it better. Maybe next time. But the whole set-up, organic components, the sun-lights, crystals and yummy cookies in pastel colors and of course fresh flower pedals really talk to me. I love how they have a large wood branch as a center piece with elegant crystal sculptures scattering around. The contrast between organic elements and high-polished items creates such a beautiful , moody, refined yet relaxed and casual atmosphere. And fresh flower pedals all over the table are just such a romantic touch. It’s a dream afternoon.
DTLA has being experienced huge changes in the past several years from new apartment condos, office buildings, luxury hotels, to shopping venues, one-of-the-kind eat-in kitchens, cool restaurants to booming art scenes and designs. We are just literally amazed by the creative new things everyday by different artists.
For today’s design world, we cherish hand-made, craftsmanship, organic materials and their applications in a noble ways. It is always so amusing when seeing how a group of designers, engineers, fabricators and artists work together to create an amazing project or piece of art.
We were recently invited to a glassworks demo by Neptune Glassworks All of the glass materials they use are from labs and recyclable. We were just pretty blown away by how they put up such a stylish party in a totally industrial warehouse and offered such an intricate demo. Their creation of piece of sculpture is just more than amazing.
An array of lit candles welcomes guests at the entry of the warehouse. Guys, don’t you love this vibe!Such a romantic setup at the warehouse! What a warm hospitality!Glass Artist —@SIBELLEY at demoIt’s a team work-@SIBELLEY@NETPUEGLASSWow, here is the finished piece! It’s more than amazing!
Just in case you would like to enjoy the whole process in a continuous way, here is the youtube link
When we just came back KBIS a week ago, we were really blown away by some of the innovations in the show. After all, the kitchen is the fastest growing sections among the whole home improvement industry. We always see some of the coolest things in kitchen from pro cooking appliances, range hoods, to refrigerators, faucets, countertop, smart technologies, lightings, etc… Although I am still working on the blog of KBIS 2019 (hope soon I can publish it), we were invited to a local trade kitchen showroom industry event several days ago, and actually were able to see some newer trends and technologies in the showroom that resonate what we saw from KBIS2019. This kitchen showroom is not that big but quite modern, neat and sleek even with a luxury walk-in closet and some cool technologies. Ladies, who doesn’t love a stylish, open and airy walk-in closet with a lot of bells and whistles?!!! And last but not the least, we had professional chefs working in the kitchen and making some yummy gourmet foods. Here are some of our wonderful moments from this beautiful night!
Fresh flowers always make guests feel so welcoming! I just love these saturated colors! They create a cheerful mood and beautiful moments. It is always such a good idea to have some fresh plants and flowers in kitchens. They make everyone happy and enhance the appetites!Hospitality! A stylish cheese platter is always a great idea to host a party in kitchens.What an eye-candy!Floral art
Here comes our pro chef! One of the things when we cook at home is that we can always use fresh veggies and other ingredients…
Yummy and beautiful!The kitchen is quite modern and sleek. Yet I like how the showroom styled the food with wood trays –very organic, warm and welcoming ..
Pretty and organic!
Here are some cool things in the kitchen area:
Touch-to-open sliding cabinet door! How cool it is! specially when you have a tight space, this type of doors can be a great idea!Miele Coffee machine—How neat it is! The coffee station incorporating a compact coffee machine in the kitchen is quite trendy in 2019. It’s convenient and very handy. Who wouldn’t love the coffee aroma in the earlier morning in our own kitchens?Here is my espresso just made from Miele coffee machine!
Time for some desserts
Yummy and pretty!
Well, after being through all of those above kitchen experiences, I think everyone just cannot wait to create a pretty live-in kitchen for ourselves or host a family/friends get-tother event soon in the already-pretty kitchens. After all, it is a life style!
Ok, let’s continue our beautiful evening by walking to the rear of the showroom. Wow, here is the large walk-in closet:
Love the central island and above chandelier and of course the lovely tufted leather bench.What a nice touch to be able to see your jewelries on the top island surface.Here is the overview walk-throughObviously, I don’t have any problem to just chill out here for the whole day!
Couple of days ago, i wrote about Lee Radzwill’s (March 3rd 1933–Feb. 15th 2019)New York apartment. You can click here to read the story. Lee Radzwill is a former European princess and actress, socialite, interior decorator, sister of the late Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy Onassis (1994). She owned properties in New York, London and Paris. Each home really reflects her personalities as a style icon. Today, I am going to show you her Paris pied-à-terre, her love at first sight. Overlooking Avenue Montaigne with a view of the Eiffel Tower, the home was originally decorated by Christian Liaigre, it is perhaps one of the most iconic Parisian abodes of the 20th century. Her Paris home was featured three times on magazines, Vogue in 2003, ELLE Decor in 2009 and Times in 2013 and it had being evolved each time.
Lee Radziwill in her Paris apartment. Photographed by Mario Testino, Vogue, August 2003Elle Decor, 2009
We can see the style in her Paris apartment is very different from her New York home. As herself said of her New York apartment :” but it’s extremely full. So it’s wonderful to have the contrast [in Paris] of having it totally Zen, totally peaceful. In what other city do you find doves outside your window…” All of the furniture in her Paris home is clean-lined, yet there are gilded antique mirrors, gilded coffee tables, floral upholstery ,tons of artworks and books and a lot of detailed soft touches. Her interiors are just like the way she dressed—modern , elegant and chic, yes American chic.
Elle Decor 2013. Don’t you love these chinoiserie patterned fabric? This is her favorite Chinoiserie Le Manach fabric which brings the soul, feminity and elegance to the room.This is the real-estate photo when the house was put on sale several years ago.Another real-estate photo when the house was put on sale several years ago.Obviously, pink is her favorite color. With a large amount of creams and whites in the back ground, mixed patterns of stripes, chinoiserie played off with pink on the sofa.. It is just such an elegant and peaceful place you want to wind down.Again, pink, stripe pattern, plant artworks, florals, neutrals for the background and the sunshines… I would love to just sit here for the whole day watching doves flying by.Chic, chic, chic…A true style icon.
Several days ago, when I browsed through my Instagram and I read the news of Lee Radziwill. — an legendary international socialite and fashion icon, the little sister of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis is now with Jackie forever.
I have always been obsessed by her fashion and interior decorating styles—artsy, chic, elegant and with touch of surprises . She owned homes in New York, Paris and London. Today I would like to share some of her New York apartment photos which was published by Architect Digest in 1975
The highlight for this New York apartment is really that red-velvet upholstered wall in her living room—it’s sumptuous, luxury, feminine, warm and inviting. It’s enliven the antique, artworks and old furnishings in the space. She mentioned that the reason she wanted vivid colors because she just experienced the “white period” and want something different.
I always feel that red color makes regency furniture look good and alive.Love the artworks and antiques.I love how she played red with lemon green.Each living room needs a fireplace.
Whenever I go to Vegas, I always love to schedule some time to check out the new restaurants. Ken Fulk is one of my favorites designers based in New York and I follow his Instagram. He recently posted this awesome restaurant he designed —Sadelle’s , Bellagio. It is kind of vintage New York vibe, very chic. I really like the color palette–pink, green, blue and gold— he used for the restaurant and decided to visit this time for my KBIS trip.
This is the shot from Bellagio Botanic Garden. Love all pale-blue ceilings and wall panels. The first impression—very un-Vegas but Paris-inspired instead.
Animal-print on the chairs
love how he plays drapery panelsOpen air yet still inviting and intimate thanks to the elegant to-the-floor drapery panels.Overview the Botanica gardenLounge area with a lot of curves. seating area—love the emerald green couch and flower pink chairs
Pleated brass wall scones—classic vibes
I think the main successes for this restaurant project:
Vintage and classic color palette;
Drapes and upholstery soften the 10,000 square foot space
What about food–“a breakfast-centric morning, power lunch spot mid-day, and a dinner experience at night right in front of the resort’s Conservatory and Botanical Garden as the backdrop” Click here and see reviews from foodies
Guys, Happy valentine’s Day! It has been raining whole day here in Los Angeles. It’s a perfect day to enjoy my little world of romance on this raining day. Yet I wish everyone out there safe and stay out of the rain.
I am still in the process to work out our spring collections in fashion, home and art. It has been a a fun journey so far. Spring is all about hope, freshness, flowers, greenery, everything beautiful in mother nature. I have been inspired by nature and by all of the new designs in 2019 everyday. For the vignette I created for Valentine’s Day, it is about all of these—fun, romantic and boho chic:
