New year, new client, new mood. Here’s where my head is at the moment for 2012. A mix of cool and warm. Soft, low light. And definitely a little 70′s bohemian undertones. Jessie, this is for you.
I have an unhealthy obsession with lighting. I find myself constantly looking at light fixtures. Lighting can make or break a project so it’s important that the light fixtures used not only fit the mood of the space but they also put out the right quality of light. So I’m always on the hunt for the unusual.
The cord chandelier by Brendan Ravenhill is just what I mean. It’s simple, minimal and even a bit unpredictable. That asymmetry makes this light fixture a stand out. I love how it looks from the side, but that photo from below, that’s good. Real good. Brendan’s bare lamp is pretty much on point too with it’s hand blown glass socket. Now go, check out Brendan’s handiwork.
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I came across these white blocks recently by Fort Standard. Although they are a game I can’t help but think how beautiful they would look as objects on a small table or with other white pottery.
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scouting | brendan ravenhill
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scouting | colorado cabin – the basics
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scouting | little by jenny tipi’s
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I still love brass. I know it’s nothing new but I can get over how fancy it make a room feel. And as jewelry, it looks great on just about anyone. I read somewhere that in a recession, people are drawn to warmer, richer colors because it adds just that to a space. Take that recession.
Interior left: Charles Mellersh | Interior right (unknown) | Calvin Chair | Elton Vintage Wire Round Table
Interior left: photographed by Michael Graydon | Interior right: Grand Hotel Stockholm | Sabine Floor Lamp via I Art U | Lisbon Vintage Brass Bar Cart | Savoy Polished Brass Pendant
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scouting | italian getaway
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scouting | anchors away
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scouting | a traditional anniversary [for him & her]
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Well hello. It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Maybe you noticed, maybe you haven’t, it’s been quiet around here for more than a few weeks. November was hectic and December was a blur. No excuses (I know we’re all busy) but I needed a break from being here. And aside from a lovely and unusually dry December, January in Portland is here and has me thinking of Palm Springs.
I never got around to sharing these photos from a girls trip back in November. They seem fitting now. I know I could use a Palm Springs trip in my near future.
I coaxed the ladies into an architectural tour one afternoon. These homes are like my crack. I can’t get enough.
I also got a chance to see the Kauffman house. Or at least poke around outside from the street. It’s just as amazing in person. Some day I’ll get inside.
We stayed at the Ace Hotel for the entire weekend. It was also PRIDE weekend, so it seems fitting to show a babe and the Robert Lewis’ love light. Don’t love the light but I do love the babe.
Speaking of babes. Here’s my gal Sarah pool ready. And who could resist a giant elephant macramé. Not me.
These colors are so serious. You don’t get this kind of blue in Portland.
Kristin romping around on the rocks. Every man in town for the PRIDE weekend was after that coat and for good reason. Meow.
We made a day trip up to Pioneertown and had some celebratory drinks at Pappy and Harriets, a saloon of sorts in an old ghost town. A lot of the old Westerns were filmed here back in the 50′s and 60′s.
Love this flora. These flowers were completely dried but that color is amazing.
And Meghan giving you her best P.S. I love you. Gotta love a girl’s trip.
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field trip | tasty n sons – portland
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field trip | imogene + willie – nashville
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field trip | old faithful
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I was at the Pop Up Flea last week in New York with the Tanner Goods crew. The flea in itself is an exercise in restraint, even though it’s centered around menswear. As an interior designer and a furniture junkie, I fell pretty hard for Sit and Read. Many of these pieces I saw in person and wanted to carry home on the plane with me. But we all know how frugal I can be and the thought of shipping any of these pieces was more than I had time for. If you happen to be in Brooklyn do yourself a favor and stop in to check out the finery.
Danish Cabinet | Illum Wikkelso Ringstol Chair | Candlesticks | Hans Olsen Dining Set
Sit and Read Gallery
236 Grand Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(347) 927-3194
12–6 Saturday and Sunday,
by happenstance or appointment
Sit and Read at Strawser & Smith
487 Driggs Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 388-7600
11–6 Wednesday–Sunday
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A few weeks ago I came across the most amazing floor lamps. I love a good lamp, like some women love a good handbag. Design Within Reach does this smart little write up on all their designers. I was so intrigued by the simplicity of the lamp and the first time I heard the name Greta Grossman, I was sucked in and read further.
Grossman House, Claircrest Drive, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California, 1956-57. Photo: John Hartley
Swedish designer Greta Grossman was ahead of her time. She was an architect when women weren’t. She was a designer and above all, she was a modernist. In the 1933 she opened Studio, a combined store and workshop in Sweden geared towards women who worked outside the home, along side fellow Konstfack classmate Erik Ullrich. The was filled with simple designs that were as functional as they were beautiful. To her it was more about a few special things over dozens of tiny odds and ends. Kinda like you and me, eh?
Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times
In the 1940s, Greta, along with her jazz musician husband Bill Grossman, immigrated to Los Angeles where she reopened her furniture store and continued to architect her way around the state of California. She is most renowned for her own home, a modest 1500 SF two bedroom perched on a hillside in Beverly Hills, but designed over a dozen homes from 1949-1959 in California, including one in her native Sweden.
Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times
The home was recently remodeled and nearly doubled in size. Around 3000 SF total and an added pool. Not too shabby. I love when a homeowner and an architect (Tony Unruh) pay homage to the original designer. So thoughtful.
And there’s that lamp that I love. It’s called the grasshopper. Seems fitting. It’s light and angular and looks like it could fit into any interior. And now, thanks to DWR, I, and you, don’t have to pay $10,000 dollars to get one because it’s back into production after 50 years off. That coffee table isn’t too shabby either. Unfortunately, because of the rarity, most of her vintage original pieces will fetch a pretty penny. So now that you know, keep a lookout in those yard sales and thrift stores. You never know what you may run across. Just because it doesn’t say Eames, doesn’t mean it isn’t good design.
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Portland based Schoolhouse Electric recently launched a new line of home wares to pair with their already great collection of lighting. Here are a few of my favorite pieces.
Beckman Chair | Topographic Map | Blackline Stonewear Pitcher | Graduate Lamp | Higgins Mirror | Langley Ottoman
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The rain has set in here in Portland and made for a mellow weekend. There was eating, hanging with family and a few birthdays to celebrate. I started Friday with happy hour mai tais and a pupu platter with family at the newish Trader Vics. The happy hour there is really good, but the regular hour drinks were much better. We followed mai tais with pizza at our favorite, Lovely 50 50. Saturday, I celebrated my friend Meagan’s birthday with kareoke and dinner at Le Happy. Such a cute little place with friendly service and great crepes. I’ll definitely go back. Sunday, I spent the day with girlfriends and came home to Jevan’s homemade Chicken Tortilla soup. A good weekend was had and much needed because this is the calm before the holiday storm.
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I finally had a chance to run up to Seattle last week to catch up with my amazing friend and client, Sally. I took a few quick photos of the kitchen and TV area I designed that was finished this summer. In the NW where it’s rainy and dark throughout the winter it’s nice to have a light and bright house, especially in the kitchen. I like adding in rustic elements like butcher block and wood floors to balance out the white glossy tile and marble.
Sketches | Construction Process
The massive island/bar that obstructed the entire kitchen was ditched (check out the last photo and construction process for more before photos) and replaced with a custom carrera marble breakfast counter and low Tolix stools to add more seating to the living room and open up the two rooms. We all know everyone hangs out in the kitchen and this little table lets friends enjoy the kitchen without being in the way of the cook.
After and Before
There was a weird pantry with folding doors that felt like an afterthought that was removed and completely redesigned. I moved the range so a hood could be included, ditched the RV sink for a deep single basin cast iron beauty, painted the cabinets white with new hardware, replaced the carpet in the living area for reclaimed Doug Fir and slapped on some new butcher block counters
I can’t say enough great things about the contractor we worked with. Luke and his crew went above and beyond my expectations in finishing the project and making sure the details I had in my head and on paper actually come to life. If you are in Seattle and looking to do any remodeling, Luke is your man.
Photos: Casey Keasler
Interior Design: Casey Keasler for K.I.D. Studio
General Contractor: Thoreson Construction & Remodel. 206-786-2471. lukethoreson@hotmail.com
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