Not your average area rug...

On my last day in LA Suzan took me on a little 'field trip' to on of her favorite LA showrooms- The Rug Company. Just pulling up to the building I was intrigued because the outside of the building has this crazy pattern all over....(maybe to look like an area rug?) Anyway, we wandered around the showroom and took a few pictures for a client. The Rug Company has AMAZING handmade rugs and wall coverings. Here is just a sample of what the showroom has to offer....

Stylish main entry display area....

Wall of all different designs....

A wall covering....

My favorite design of all...

More rugs at every turn!

Positively Patterned

Pattern Tales is a refreshing company that doesn't believe in mass-production. All of their lines are limited-edition, which is nice from a designer's perspective because a client has that option to have an exclusive design in their home. To make it even more unique, you can color your wallpaper in if you choose. ( I personally think it is beautiful on its own, but coloring it in with markers is an option.) These papers are non-woven, which allow them to have a fabric feel. Pattern Tales also says that non-woven wallpaper is easier to install, remove, and has a much better durability. The BEST thing about Pattern Tales is that it is eco-friendly. These papers can actually be removed from one wall when you move, and rehung on your new wall!



There are only four showrooms in the USA that currently stock Pattern Tales- luckily the Suzan Fellman Showroom carries it. (Please feel free to contact the showroom for a sample of either of the following. I know we have a nice supply of wallpaper samples to send out!)

'TOPO CHOCO is a rich and exquisite combination of pale grey and chocolate brown mixed to perfection, a more dramatic and refined finish, suitable for a sophisticated palate.' - according to the Pattern Tales website. (I couldn't come up with a better description, so I used theirs!)

I love that even with such a busy pattern, it still works to create a peaceful room...

Topo Azul, designed Alan The Gallant co-partner, Ana Montiel, who is also a Spanish artist. Obviously a pretty talented artist....

I just love this photograph. It really shows how intriguing the pattern is. How fun!

Light Up!

I recently was given the task of putting together a huge 3 ring binder- a spec book- that came from a vendor I had never heard of- Urban Electric Company. If you know me, you know I LOVE looking at new product, especially if it is presented to me in a really nice way. Urban Electric sent a beautifully wrapped book with page inserts of all of the lighting they offer. Here are some of my favorites- and one that I don't prefer at all.....

"Dorothy" by Carlton Varney... A Dorothy Draper inspired chandelier. LOVE IT!

How pretty! "Morris Ribbon" - a standard white paper shade and diffuser....

"Society" designed by Michael Amato for Urban Electric Company...

This is the "Andrew Reflector" designed by Mark Maresca for UEC - obviously a wall sconce. What a beautiful reflection the antiqued mirror makes....

Not a big fan of the "Melissa" floor lamp designed by Mark Maresca. I don't like the exposed cord- looks a little messy. And the scale is too small overall.

Hollywood Homes Tour

I guess when you have company in town, you feel this need to entertain them. This weekend Alyssa, my sister-in-law was here. By no means did she make us keep her busy, but Colin and I both wanted to show her a good time while she was here.
We did what every good tourist in LA does... Hollywood bus tour! (you know those double-decker red buses- yeah, one of those!)

There were a lot of good sightings- including a Jonas brother that I yelled at ("hey jonas, over here!" I screamed from the bus while driving through Beverly Hills.) Not my classiest moment. However, it worked - and he turned and waved to the bus! He probably was just excited I was not a 13 year old girl yelling at him.... Check back for photos this week. An entire blog is going to be about celeb sighting!

Here are some of my photos:

Here is Simon Cowell's house. Just black, white and GIGANTIC!

Larry King's house...

Brad and Jen's old house during happier times....

And the most ridiculous- this is the SERVICE wing of the Spelling mansion!

Going to the Getty

Today Colin, Alyssa (my sister-in-law) and myself decided to go to the Getty Center. The Getty Center is a HUGE complex of art museums located in LA. The art collection is amazing itself, but I was the most impressed with the architecture of the building.

It would be almost impossible to take a bad picture of the place. We went on a 45 minute architecture tour of the whole complex, which was really informative. (Personally, I love to go on tours to find out random information about places. It's always good to have facts in the back of your mind to pull out in conversation- makes you look smart!)

Also impressive about the Getty was the large outside garden. Between the running water stream and the garden based off of a painting, it is really picturesque. Finally, the most amazing fact about the Getty is that it is LEED Silver!

Mood Board

I have spent the bulk of my day working on a 'mood board' ( a graphic image that showcases the loft project we are currently working on) So far, after 5 hours of work, I have a few images put on the board- all overlaying a floorplan. Not too much to show for 5 total hours, however, anyone who has ever designed a board in photoshop understands how painstakingly long this process is...

More later on the mood board! I may even be able to post the finished product...

A little something....

There are a LOT of things that I like, but can not afford. ( I am a full time student.... husband is a teacher.... living in LA for the summer... need I say more?!?!) At the showroom we currently have a small basket FULL of these cement ornaments that are only $10. They are great because they are small and they have a hook on the back for hanging. I personally may put one or more in a shadow box display to hang or put on a bookshelf. These are really cool because they have been 'antiqued' with Minwax, so they look as if they have a beautiful patina. (This Minwax idea is clever to make anything look aged. Suzan suggests trying it on planters outside to make them look aged and more natural looking...) Can't beat $10 for a little decor!

Here is an image of all of the styles we currently have available... There are small and large available!

They can really go anywhere! Really easy to decorate with....