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....

Celia Fabric

Today, while talking to a client about making pillows from Celia Birtwell fabric, Suzan broke out a few small samples from the Celia Birtwell Pop Story collection. After the client left the showroom, I shyly asked Suzan "so, those Celia samples...what are those about?" ( attempting to sound like I didn't get really excited about a few fabric samples....) Suzan informed me that this is a collection that was released after the couture collection- which is what is in the showroom. Don't get me wrong, I love the couture collection, but this Pop Story Collection is really fun and SO different from what I have come to know as "Celia" fabric. Here are a few of my favs: 

More information to come on minimum order allowed, pricing etc. I just emailed our England contact to verify that information! 

What a lamp!

This lamp has serious character! I love it... I think it is both fun and practical, which is helpful with the current economic times. When I buy something now, I not only have to LOVE it, but I have to be able to USE it too. That is the beauty of this little guy! Not only is it cute, but it really works well for any area that needs some extra lighting.....

 

In the Showroom Today

Wow- what a crazy day! We had so many people into the showroom, which was nice because it always makes the day go fast. What was so funny is that EVERYONE who came in asked about the gold and silver plated French teaspoons. I already thought the spoons and forks were really cute, but after all the attention and sales we had today, I really want my own set! It was nice for me to have the chance to hear Suzan talk about the sets to clients. I feel like I know so much more about how special they really are!

As an added bonus, they are on sale right now. Every set is 50% off! Seriously. I don't think they will last long....

Vintage and Modern: Just Launched!

During my time with the Suzan Fellman Showroom, I have been working weekly on our new venture, Vintage and Modern Inc. We (meaning the showroom) signed up at the end of May to post some of our collection on Vintage and Modern Inc. This allows us to reach a wider client base and really showcases our product well. So far, we have been on the site for 2 weeks. We are please with the response and hope that our client base continues to build.

After spending a few weeks moving things to photograph, measuring items, and coming up with clever descriptions for everything (or at least what I think are clever!), I think we are really getting the hang of how this site works. I encourage you to check it out. Not only do we have some great stuff posted, but the site really has a nice variety of pieces available. Every Tuesday, new products launch. I will keep everyone up to date on what we are going to post as we have new items posted on the site. We have 2 new items today that are launching... Take a look:

A Fantastic Big Bear Time

Colin and I had the pleasure of staying at Suzan's cabin in Big Bear this weekend. It was the cutest cabin I have ever stayed in! We had a great time exploring the lake, the mountains, and the village of Big Bear. Here are some photos of the cabin which can only be described as charming. My photos don't really do it justice. It is TOO cute!

Now on Twitter....

Follow my personal Twitter account. There is now a link at the bottom of this blog page! 

A Closer Look

Ever since beginning my internship, I have had my eye on these beautiful Victorian gold antique magnifying glasses. I obviously don't need them for reading (yet.... maybe in a few decades!) but I LOVE them for a decorative item. How great to place on a book shelf or on top of a pile of old books? I think they not only look great, but are a really interesting piece to add to the home.

These are from Anthroplogie. I enjoy these because they have a stand allowing for display. And the three different sizes make it easy to decorate!

These are vintage gold magnifying glasses that we have at the showroom. I LOVE them!

These Remind Me....

I think these Chippendale chairs are beautiful! I know first hand that they are in MINT condition. They remind me of furniture I used in a project for my third year interior design studio. I love the detail on the chair back.... something that you don't see very often.

Bonus Post: A Delicious Discovery

Although this has nothing to do with interior design, since it is the weekend, I thought I could throw in something random. My husband and I went to Diddy Riese Cookies & Ice Cream in Westwood, CA. (Only about 15 minutes from Santa Monica) I enjoyed it so much I thought I would blog about it!





A yummy triple scoop of peanut butter ice cream....




A build-your-own ice cream sandwich!

This was my 'peanut butter cookie with

vanilla ice cream' sandwich. Best of all....

only $1.50!!


The best thing about Diddy Riese were the prices! 3 cookies for $1. The ice cream sandwiches for $1.50... All really reasonable. I know we will be going back!

Weekend Wandering

Friday is here! This weekend I am planning on doing as much 'discovering' as possible. Who knows where I will end up.... LA? Pasadena? Laguna Beach? Santa Barbara? I do know one thing- I am on the lookout for cool and unique showrooms at any of the above areas. Pictures to come on Monday!

Bright Bold and Beautiful

I typically play it safe. My wedding colors were earth tones. My car is tan. My bedroom is chocolate brown and shades of tan and green. Safe. Lately, and I don't know whether it is LA or summertime, or neither of the above, but I have been LOVING bold and bright colors. Everything I am drawn to is some sort of fun and bright color. Here are some of the random items I have found.....

Love these bright orange lamps!

Vintage scarf pillows.. all one of a kind!

Beautiful suzani that is hand-stitched. Amazing!

Back of the same suzani. Both sides have a unique pattern.

An OVERSIZED Father's Day Gift

So, in a couple of weeks Father's Day will be here. Fantastic. Not that I don't like Father's Day, but really- what do you get a Dad that they actually would enjoy? Gourmet coffee? No, that is a Christmas stocking stuffer. A tie? Yeah, my dad is an electrician. A tie is a waste of money. Gift card? Again, no. When I give my dad a gift card it is lost within a week and resurfaces after it has expired 2 years later. Sorry Dad. 

Anyway, for the Dad who has everything, or the Dad who loses everything.... Here is a really funny novelty JUMBO golf ball!  You can autograph and personalize these. They are ceramic and HUGE! The golf ball would be a great gift for any Dad who loves to golf. How fun to have your kids sign and customize! I bet he does not already have one.....

 

Only $25 for Father's Day.....

You can see a cell phone next to them for scale. These are monster golf balls!

Discovering the Showroom- Why Didn't I Think of That?

Every now and then I come across design items that I think are GENIUS! Which always leads me to question out loud- yes out loud- "Why didn't I think of that?" (Since I obviously think I am a genius, you know....I kid.) The Showroom carries Ideca tie-backs that are magnetic, so no drilling into your wall is required. This allows you to have stylish curtains AND not piss off your landlord. For anyone who has ever lived in a rental property, I am sure you have always reluctantly put nails and screws into your walls, thinking the whole time of never seeing your security deposit again. All for the sake of a pretty place. Anyway, Ideca tie-backs are the solution. They wrap around the curtain to give the appearance of a regular tie-back, but are being held together by a strong magnet. Seriously, why didn't I think of that?

I love the organic patterns to the design. Also, Ideca did a great job of having a variety of finishes available. (There are many not pictured) Just in case you are interested, these retail for $250 for the pair. I am seriously considering these for myself.

Working on the Weekend

Happy Monday! This weekend, I worked BY MYSELF in the showroom. I was a little nervous about being by myself for 7 hours, but it went well. It was a quite day in the showroom Saturday, which gave me a chance to re-stage some of the display areas. Here are the before and after pics. Can't wait to hear what Suzan thinks of my new design.....


The John Widdicomb credenza before....


Front table before.....


Old Lampe Berger shelf before....


Another Before shot....


Now the AFTERS!

Gold decorative balls next to the Foo Dogs were enough for this shelf. I didn't want to over-do it since these are such big pieces.



Moved Watts Stemware (gold glasses shown) to go next to other gold items. I thought it added a nice touch.




Overall shot of the tall shelf after my makeover.



I moved all of the bar ware from the front display to the long dresser.




The John Widdicomb did not change too much, except a few little accessories were added and taken away.