Fromental Friday

I first fell in love with this hand painted wall paper when I worked at The David Sutherland Showroom in Los Angeles in 2006.  Fromental was my all-time favorite wall covering line that the showroom represented and I'm still dreaming of the day when I use it in my own dining room or entry way. 

Tim Butcher, former Creative Director for the world renowned Chinoiserie house, De Gournay, and his wife Lizzy Deshayes started the company in 2005.  I had the pleasure of meeting Tim one night at a party in Hancock Park at the home of interior decorators Hal and Dan.  

Tim was quite the character, I loved his kooky London cockney, and I would describe him as a hot "design" nerd reminiscent of Austin Powers, but that was just my impression.

I love this chinoiserie called Paradiso, especially in the green!  I want canary yellow curtains to match!

That striped carpet on the stairs screams London cool....reminds me of something The Rug Company would make...who knows???

This gray colorway is timeless and perfect!

 This was the print I wanted for my "dream" nursery.

 I could never tire of this one in a dining room with white Louis Chairs with pink fabric!  The pops of green give off the best energy and the brown keeps it subtle and unexpected.

I apologize for being MIA lately...between going back to my day job as a Creative Recruiter, taking care of baby Barron, and trying to have a personal life, my blogging has taken a backseat.  I LOVE blogging, but sometimes we all hit a creative road block.  I hope you understand, dear readers, and I hope you keep coming back!!!  

...and thank God it's Friday!  

I Adore Snow Leopard

I'm currently obsessed with this fabric from Hinson & Co. called Snow Leopard.  I'm planning to recover my bedroom bench in this one.  It adds just enough leopard glam without being too cheesy!     

 You may have seen it before, Jan Showers regularly uses it in her interiors and she used it for the cover of her book Glamourous Rooms!  

Crushing on Kelly

I first was introduced to Kelly Hoppen's style while working at The David Sutherland Showroom in West Hollywood. Now, I am not one to be a name dropper, but she was THE designer for the Beckham's new LA home....this was back when Posh and Becks were first establishing residency in California.
I soon learned and was pleasantly surprised to see how huge she was across the pond! From residences to hotels, books, textiles, furniture, you name it Kelly has her finger print on it. And she is even married to the Ed Miller, father of my favorite fashionable It Girl Sienna Miller!

Her interiors exude minimalism coolness at it's finest...

...and I love the edge these Louis Chairs have in pink satin with recipes written on them she did for a restaurant. I want to dine here!

Oh Suzani!

I found this image some time ago in Canadian House and Home. I can't recall the designer who did this room (if anyone knows, please tell me!), but I have to say it's one of the most creative ways to display a bold print like Donghia's Suzani.

I first became acquainted with this gorgeous print during my time working at The Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood. I would walk by the Donghia Showroom during lunch breaks and just stare at a dining room vignette that used this print for chairs.
It definitely takes guts and the right execution to pull off this bold pattern to make just the right statement. And I love the combination of anything bohemian and glam all rolled into one. I used the colorway pictured above for my own home.

...and for my sister's place, we went with the blue colorway.

How gorgeous would this print look with aquamarine walls, a camel colored sofa, white rock crystal lamps, and these as accent pillows??!!!

Fabric Lust: Perennials Catwalk Collection

I love a good leopard print. Whether it's a little dose on my shoes, a scarf, throw pillows, a guest towel, or over coat (a la Mrs. Robinson), I can't resist the instant feeling of glamour that is associated with leopard. A few weeks ago, I stopped in to see my dear old co-workers at the David Sutherland Showroom and was introduced to their newest collection appropriately named "Catwalk Collection." I was immediately enamored!

Sophisticat is a true classic leopard print! Mix it with paisleys, pastels, florals, prints, hot pink (my fave), modern, contemporary, and traditional rooms. The best part is it's tough, yet soft all at the same time blending masculinity and femininity to any interior or exterior space.

Crazy Cat is just that! I could see this one in a baby girls nursery, kids room, or on chaise lounges by the pool!

Cool Cat is so subtle and calming, I want to see this on a chaise lounge in my bedroom where I can sprawl out, take a cat nap in the sun, and just leisurely lounge around because I can!

Alley Cat suddenly makes a boring sofa a little more interesting! I love a great neutral base for furniture, why not add spots to a versatile black and brown for personality??? Neutral reinvented!

This luxurious velvet is purr-fectly suited for any indoor or outdoor use. Catwalk's leopard-like pattern is not a print. This innovative quality is the first jacquard-woven outdoor velvet of its kind. Made from 100% solution-dyed acrylic, this means that Catwalk is guaranteed by Perennials' 3-year guarantee against fading.

via www.perennialsfabrics.com

Glamorous Profession: Jan Showers

I was first introduced to the fabulous, and I mean really oh so glamorously fabulous, Jan Showers, while working at The David Sutherland Showroom at the Pacific Design Center. Not only was her product line a favorite of mine, but from time to time she and her husband Jim would stop in the showroom, have lunch with the staff, and would share their glamorous stories of travels to far away places, parties, and interesting people they met along the way.

I loved observing and listening to Jan as she talked about furniture, design, and style. I believe the only words to really describe Jan's outlook on style and life is simply her: Joie de Vivre (translated in English: hearty or carefree enjoyment of life.) I am thrilled that she now has a beautiful new book to add to her repertoire called appropriately enough *Glamorous Rooms* The book is divided into 6 rooms ranging from entry halls, dining rooms, living rooms, bedrooms, private spaces, and outdoor living. Here's a little peak inside:

The foreword is written by Michael Kors where he explains the parallels between exceptional design in the fashion and interior design worlds…

“I think it’s Jan’s great eye for fashion that makes her such an incredible decorator. She always says that people should look great in their rooms, and I love that. Because Jan isn’t creating environments that exist only to be looked at; she’s creating rooms where people want to spend their days and nights. She’s orchestrating someone’s favorite place in the world — not just because of how it looked with that person in it. It’s the same as great fashion design.”

I particularly remember Jan speaking about using personal objects to decorate, especially books. According to Jan, "Nothing adds character to a room as much as a book. There is nothing like a book to truly reflect your passion." In the library above, a wall of books becomes a wall of art.

I am fond of the way Jan uses commodes in entryways. An entryway suddenly becomes more inviting and draws visitors inside.

The Mercer Bench at the foot of this bed is perfect! I just adore the lucite legs and tufting - I want one in sea foam green!

I can't wait to pick up a copy for my own collection and put it on display for all my guests to enjoy!

And now let's take a little tour of my favorite pieces from Jan's Collection...

No. 107

Clark Chair

Every room needs a little dash of zebra - need I say more?

Venetian Series #4 in Turquoise

Turquoise is known for its calming qualities and good energy. This lamp reminds me of my favorite turquoise ring I bought in Ibiza that brings life to anything I wear and strangers are always stopping me asking me where it is from. Like jewelry, this lamp complements many styles and is a statement piece that adds that little punch of something special to any room.

No. 803

Miles Lamp

I mean, are you serious!!?? Just look at the details of of the graining of this gem that has been transformed into a lamp! I can see this piece in my dream vacation home in the foothills of Tucson, AZ. How stunning would this look in a living room with floor to ceiling glass windows with a sunset hitting desert red rocks out the window!!?? All I need are a couple of silk rugs, a caftan (a la Talitha Getty), some Miguel Migs on the decks, a vodka soda with lemon, and I'm set!!!

No. 407

Mercer Bench

Acrylic legs, tufting, 'Nuf said

No. 405

Jan's Commode

Any furniture that is mirrored is a friend of mine!

No. 118

Daphne Chair

I fancy the acrylic legs, but what I love even more about this chair is its size. I want this one for a dressing room or my office. I can just imagine coming home from a night out on the town and throwing my coat and dress on this chair.

*all photos via Jan Showers