Aesop Design

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I’m quite taken with the design of the Aesop Signatur-Store, Berlin spotted in Architectural Digest – German Edition.  The green scape of tiles used make a stunning abstract backdrop to the simple dark bottles of the Australian skincare brand.

Each Aesop store interior from Melbourne, New York, Paris, Hong Kong and beyond are designed by architects around the world keeping each design different from the other…no two are the same.  Dennis Paphitis, Aesop founder explains why in an exclusive interview in DezeenIt wasn’t so hard to respectfully consider each space individually, consider the customer, the context and to bring a little joy into the conversation.”

In Taipei “we needed to work with a local Taiwanese architect on the first store there. And that just got me thinking about the kind of assault on the streetscape that retailers inflict through the ordinary course of mindless business, the idea that one size would so often be forced to fit all. It wasn’t so hard to respectfully consider each space individually, consider the customer, the context and to bring a little joy into the conversation….Architecturally our criteria is always to try and work with what is already there and to weave ourselves into the core and fabric of the street, rather than to impose what we were doing…

I’m personally more comfortable with under-designed looking design, if that makes sense, or design that dissolves and recedes rather than screams ‘look how clever I am’.” ~Dezeen 

Please visit Dezeen  for a look at other Aesop store designs from around the world and to read the whole interview.

~images via AD

Moroccan Rugs

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I recently went rug shopping for myself this time, not for a client.  I really wanted a vintage Moroccan Beni Ouarain Rug, so I went to see what Badia Design in North Hollywood had. This place is great. They have a big movie prop and party rental business and offer tons of handmade furniture, tiles, and rugs to designers and the general public.

After looking at the shaggy tribal rugs, I realized my cat would rip the sh*t out of those with her claws.  So I checked out the Moroccan wedding blankets as another option.  No good. She’d rip the sequins out of those in a heart beat.  I did settle on this lovely striped flat weave shown on above.  It’s Super Fab, don’t you think?

You should check them out.  Badia Design is located at: 5420 Vineland Avenue, North Hollywood,  CA.

Shop the Store : : Pigeon

With 18 years of restaurateuring in Los Angeles, most notably Cobras and Matadors, Church and State, Potato Chip, and Escuela,  Steven Arroyo turns his hat to one of his long time passions; Design, into a new business venture.

His newly opened Pigeon on Beverly Blvd,  carries his hand picked vintage home furnishings, found curio, and even his own custom designed pieces.  In the few short weeks of being open, the store has already been getting noticed by Design magazines, people who want to collaborate with him, and the many who are intrigued by the diagonal blue and white stipe sign out front who have to stop and find out what’s inside.

I asked Steven to answer a few questions:

What tunes are you listening to right now?

Anything played on 91.5 KUSC.  I’m finding classical music to be the most gangster and rock n roll right now.

What things do you like to collect?

I’ve been collecting books, and old bistro chairs since the turn of the century. That’s about it.  I’ve been selling the chair collection, but I would never sell a book I only have two of.

How do you describe your style?

 ill 🙂

What is your most treasured possession?

I have a few pieces of art, and a few pair of boots I really treasure. But the thing I would  part with last are photos of my children growing up and my parents growing old.

 Pigeon is located at 7613 W. Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036  thepigeongalleryla@gmail.com

MARFA Amigos

The designs of Marfa, Texas come to Los Angeles via Heath Los Angeles and Jamey Garza for 6 weeks with Opening Reception March 24, 2012, 5-9 pm.

Works on display includes furniture by Jamey Garza, soaps and glassware by Marfa Brands, decorative pillows and textiles by Constance Holt, wood by Pat Keesey, and posters by El  Cosmico.

After getting your donuts on today (part of Around the Clock: 24 Hour Donut City), come by for some BBQ, tequila cocktails and Mexican beer.  Heath Los Angeles is at 7525 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, (323) 965-0800.

~images via Heath Ceramics & NY Times

 

 

Shop the Gallery : : Gray

Laurent Esquerre

Nancy Lorenz

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Antoinette Faragallah

Tile Wall by Peter Lane

Incredible Vintage Paul Evans Wall Unit

Come shop with me….

Momma (that’s me) hit the pavement today.  Thought I’d check out a few spaces I hadn’t been to in a while and a few new ones, like Gray Gallery.  I’ve noticed it on Melrose for a while now, but hadn’t had the time until today.  Well, I checked it out and wasn’t disappointed.

Above are my fave pieces.  BTW…Laurent Esquerre’s Skull is huge.  You can sit on it!  LOVE>

Gray Gallery is at 8751 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA

Thank you Nicole for your welcoming tour.

 

Persephenie Store Opening

You might remember I had Persephenie as a guest on Design*ByProxy a short while back. Well, she just announced her studio is now a botique selling Japanese incense, botanical perfumes, oils and her jewelry and much more. Just in time to pick up something cool for yourself or someone you love for the holidays.
Come by December 14th @ 12 for tea, wine and Zen chocolates.

A Visit to Art Luna


Yesterday I made my twice annual visit to Art Luna Salon in Santa Monica.  It is Art that I trust with my unruly tresses. Not only is Art and architect of hair, he is an architect of landscapes as well and his salon brings new meaning to “Mixed Use” space.
The quaint, little beach house on Main Street not only serves as his well-known hair and beauty salon, but the bungalow in back is his studio for “Art Luna Garden” his Landscape Design company with a lush botanical paradise with chirping caged birds set in between the two buildings.  
But wait!  that’s not all.  It’s also a nursery, selling potted plants, succulents and his own line of tree lighting.  And inside the salon he sells the most amazing selection of Design Books from the world of Fashion, Interiors & Art, Jewelry with a bohemian handmade vibe, Fragrances, and uniquely curated finds from his travels abroad.
I wanted to share Art’s space and hope that you will make a visit someday soon.

SAVE THE DATE : : O’desa FALL SALE

For those of you who remember Desiderata on Third Street, Owner/Designer Don Stewart of Desiderata Design, Inc. has amassed a veritable collection of cool vintage finds over the years.  

Join us for the BIG Sale of these items slated for November 5th. Designers, dealers and public all welcome!

L’Aviva Home

granada lantern

alpaca blankets

uzbek copper tray

bolivian hammocks

kuba cloth cushions

L’Aviva Home was featured today on Remodelista for their Temoaya Blankets, but you know why I love this place? Because of the belief that the things we surround ourselves with should possess a soul, a history, and a purpose beyond mere decoration: they should help us connect to the world.

L’Aviva Home offers collections featuring handcrafted homewares from artisans around the globe.

Check ’em out here.


Cero Designs


As of late, I’ve been toying with the idea of getting both my wrists tattooed with solid black bands. I’ve always loved cuffs and I’m pretty lazy when it comes to jewelry. I do wear jewelry, but it stays on me for a long time. I seldom wear pieces that I have to remove, so the tattoo idea seems pretty cool. Only thing is that I don’t have any tattoos now and I’ve made this far without getting one and when I told my husband I was thinking about it, he gave me a yukky yuk face. So I’ve been trying to just give up the whole notion, until……
I saw these really great silver lined, wood veneer cuffs designed by Tadd Sackville-West of Cero Designs at A+R in Venice. They come in Rosewood, Zebrawood, Walnut and Dark Walnut with or without the silver. I got 2 of the Dark Walnut ones and I swear it looks like I have my tattoos.