California Spanish Revival
Spanish Revival can take many forms. My way is, unsurprisingly, to bring out the essential craftsmanship by stripping away cluttered layers. The much loved design of the 1920's is modern - the liberal use of white to offset black iron, rich wood and beautiful artisan tile. Authenticity is important, without weighing down the home. Our approach to Spanish Revival is to celebrate the period, from a fresh Cali perspective.
Pierre Charpin
These glass cylinders by Pierre Charpin are part of the final touches for my Belgian filmmaker client. So simple yet so intricate, heavy and light.
Happy Holidays!
Dreaming of a white Christmas... with homemade gingerbread cookies and glogg (Swedish mulled wine). Have a wonderful holiday!
Pinecone
When searching for the perfect lighting to complement a client's interior, I inevitably find pieces that I lust for myself. This Holiday season, I am loving the luscious Pinecone by Paola Navone for the venerable Italian lighting company Fontana Arte. It is available as table and floor lamp as well as a pendant and in clear or opaline glass. My favorite is the table lamp in gold and opaline glass.
Scents and Sensibility
Aptly named for the religious origins of our festive holiday season, Byredo's new perfume candles, Altar, Incense and Rose Water, are presented in beautiful blood red glass.
Mangiarotti
I adore the work of Angelo Mangiarotti and I am delighted that Agapecasa has put them back into production. Mangiarotti was deeply moved by Carlo Scarpa (one of my all time favorite architects) as well as the purity of materials in his contemporary Nordic designers work. I am especially fond of the Eros marble table and the TRE chair. Forever on my wishlist!
Minimal Classics
Carrara marble will never go out of style. I love the old world gray veined kind, used in a modern application. Another minimal classic, the black steel hand forged railing. So simple, so stunning. Both are on the drawing board for a new commercial client who specifically wants her office to mimic a classic minimalist home. Happy to oblige!
Oliver Gustav New York
Minimalism connotes near empty spaces with rectilinear architecture. A modern asceticism. While a modernist with minimalist leanings, I have a soft spot for the ancient and the adorned, especially when mixed with spare furnishings. My soul searches for a sense of place, for history and storytelling and nobody does that better than Oliver Gustav, my fellow Scandinavian. His shop in Copenhagen is legend and the new outpost in New York is a must visit every time I am there. Soak in the peaceful atmosphere and admire his curated collections from today's top talent among those of centuries past.
Too soon Tom
We have lost another giant. Tom Petty was only 66 when cardiac arrest took him. Too soon. Much too soon. Maybe the 40th anniversary tour that just wrapped took its toll. I wished I had gone to see him at the Bowl. Instead I am sitting here listening to old Heartbreakers albums, loving his stylish outfits and missing the cool cat.
Lovely Lavender
We love the Spring Summer 2018 Collection by Victoria Beckham. The beautiful Brit has nailed elegant ease and her color palette is always a step ahead. We are especially enamored with the lavender. Feels equally fresh as an interior accent...
Olive trees
After a long summer break in journal entries, we resume with a glimpse at a recent landscape design. The Olive tree is a perfect fit for California (hardiness zone 10) - drought resistant and sun loving. The perfect shade tree and a gorgeous ornamental addition to any property, large or small.
Timber
Exploring timber cladding for new project.. Drawn to the pairing of modern lines with material that has felt the teeth of time. My country men use gray cedar beautifully, especially seaside. It may take some convincing here in Cali. Or not. Our clients continuously surprise and delight me.
In the Mood for..
It may be high summer and stark sunshine outside, but the sun will set and the night knows no season. Well almost. And I am in the mood for this type of nights, dark and seductive, in black velvet and lace. Clare Waight Keller, formerly of Chloe legend, is the first female artistic director at Givenchy and judging by these sneak peaks by famed photographer Steven Meisel, she has left her soft, pastel femininity behind. I can't wait for more.
Arket
I grew up in Sweden, in a house furnished with Josef Frank, Bruno Mathsson, Paavo Tynell and Carl Malmsten greats, lovingly selected by my stylish mother. Some day I may bring some of those heirlooms here to LA. In the meantime, H&M's new venture, ARKET, has taken up production of Malmsten's Skedblad chair, which should be available online soon. I love the gracious lines and humble material.
Dinesen Douglas
Dinesen Douglas Fir floors are the most beautiful in the world, in my humble opinion. The fourth generation family owned business has been producing douglas and oak flooring with exceptional planks since 1898, in the small Danish village of Jels. With my Scandinavian upbringing and love of light I am especially drawn to the lime and white soap finished floors shown here. Having been fortunate to install a couple of these magnificent floors in recent projects, I can only say that the result justifies the price. Ten to fifteen inches wide, these planks define the space with a quiet grandeur.
Abstract Sculpture
I love abstract sculpture. It has an evocative power and quiet strength that fills space in a unique way. These gorgeous pieces are forged by the father of abstract sculpture, Constantin Brancusi. More than able to carve realistic masterpieces a la Rodin, just look up his early work such as The Child, his true calling came when he started to distill the essence of identity and emotion in his later abstract work. If ever in Paris, make a trip to his studio, it is not to be missed.