LET'S DRESS THINGS UP AND CELEBRATE!!!

     This Sunday we celebrate Easter – a time of rebirth and jubilation. And in honor of this day, we really love to dress things up. . . our churches are filled with white Easter lilies, our little girls are adorned in frilly pastel colored dresses (complete with matching hats or bows) and our eggs are tinted in hues of yellow, pink and green. We’ll add a spring wreath to our front door, a bouquet of tulips to the foyer table and fill our homes with ceramic bunnies, yellow stuffed chicks and candy filled baskets. Oh, what fun!!   

     While we’re at it, let’s not forget our dining and buffet tables – the place where we gather round in celebration with family and friends. This is where I think it can be the most fun to decorate. Personally, I prefer to avoid the anticipated bunnies and decorative eggs, and shoot for something a little less expected.  Below is some great inspiration for doing just that.    

If the temperatures aren't quite warm enough for

outdoor dining, then bring spring's flowers inside.

FLORALS BY TONY GARNER

PHOTOS FROM COUNTRY FRENCH FLORALS & INTERIORS BY CHARLES FAUDREE

 DESIGN BY NINA CAMPBELL

                               

COURTESY OF VERANDA

FLORAL DESIGN BY MARIO BUCCELLATI

But if the temperature allows, by all means, take it outside.

COURTESY OF TRADITIONAL HOME

COURTESY OF VERANDA

Here's wishing you all a very blessed and happy Easter!!!

A PASSION FOR ART

Passion drives my art

The pure love of color, texture and light

The ability to bring something to life

That never before existed

I thrive on the challenge

To push something through

to the next level

always taking the risk

always moving forward

The ability of the human spirit

And it's ability

To rise against adversity

Is a constant inspiration

I search for it in

history

literature

and music

Particularly in the lives of those around me

Through my work

I hope to offer this optimism

Back to the viewer

    Paula Des Jardins                         

 

 

     These are the words of Paula Des Jardins, a local artist whom I had the pleasure of meeting a number of years ago when the La Jolla design firm I was working at was displaying some of her oil paintings in their showroom.  I instantly fell in love with her abstracts. 

UNTITLED ABSTRACT

     Since a computer monitor generally compromises the true beauty of a painting, I was  hesitant about showing her artwork online. But Paula's paintings have an intensity that manages to still come through, even on a computer.  

 

STATE OF BALANCE

BREAKING THROUGH II

IT'S ALL GOOD

       Every other month Paula opens her studio to visitors for a viewing of her work, which is really the very best way to experience her creations.  Just think of how incredible these paintings are live and in person!  She will be holding her next "Open Studio Night" on May 14th, 2010 and I strongly encourage anyone who will be in the San Diego area to attend.  You will not be disappointed.  Check out her website for further information and to view more of her work.

BEFORE AND AFTER

     I love it when I open my mailbox to discover the most recent issue of Architural Digest tucked inside, just waiting for me.  Despite wanting to sit down immediately and dive right into it, I refrain from doing so because I know it will be all the more enjoyable when I can take my time and work my way from front to back while enjoying my morning coffee or even better, an evening glass of wine.  The one exception to this is when it's the "Before and After" issue - I almost always end up opening that issue to take a quick peak at the magic acts  performed by various designers.

     So, today I thought I'd share with you some before and after photos from a small project completed by LPC Designs, which was a home office remodel. 

When our client hired us for this remodel

she was working on completing her PhD

in clinical psychology. Her desire was for

a space that would be both funtional and

comfortable, representative of her personality

and could eventually be utilized as an office for

meeting with patients.

Our challenge was to provide ample storage for

a large book collection and filing system, conceal

the computer equipment to maintain a clean look

and eliminate the many exposed wires. We needed

to bring light into a very dark space and provide

access for visiting patients.

After gutting the entire space, the exterior wall was opened and the existing windows were replaced with a pair of French doors and casement windows. This allows natural light to fill the space, provides access for patients and a view to a beautiful rose garden.

AFTER

     Custom designed bookcases, painted in an antiqued soft yellow, were added to store computer equipment, books, files, etc

 

AFTER

AFTER

AFTER

The pallet of yellow, green, off white and burned orange work to enhance the lighting, as well as create a continuous flow from the inside to the outside.

SPRING HAS SPRUNG . . .

Spring has sprung,

the grass is ris,

I wonder where the flowers is.

     Spring may not officially begin until this Saturday, but I can definitely see, feel and hear it all around me right now. We have been having the most gorgeous weather this past week and with all of the winter rain we received in Southern California, everything is so green.

The birds are definitely enjoying themselves; they’ve been singing and chirping and chasing after each other so much that I find myself drawn to the windows just to watch and vicariously take in their joy. And, despite the lack of attention my courtyard flower containers have received of late (since I refused to venture out into the cold this winter to tend to them), some of my plants are full of buds and actually have flowers growing! Isn’t Mother Nature wonderful?

     Yes, Mother Nature may be wonderful, but she hasn’t done all of my work for me – there is still plenty to do. This week-end would be the ideal time to begin revamping both my courtyard and back patio. 

     With that in mind, I’d like to take you on a mini tour of some of my favorite shops for finding not only beautiful and unique plants for both indoors and out, but also some fabulous containers, accessories, patio furniture, etc. I always leave these places feeling totally inspired.

     First stop, Roger's Gardens of Newport Beach. Let me warn you, this place is huge - 7 acres huge.  When you enter it for the first time it will take your breath away; sometimes it's difficult to focus because there is so much to take in.  Just make sure that you've set aside enough time to visit all of the different garden rooms and walk the full grounds - it's spectacular!
     If you dont' live near enough to physically visit Roger's Gardens, I suggest you visit them online.  You can't purchase online, but it's still a great source of inspiration and definitely worth your time perusing.

It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so! ~Mark Twain

Spring is nature's way

of saying, "Let's party!"

   Robin Williams

"The earth laughs in flowers." e. e. cummings

Gardening requires lots of water -- most of it in the form of perspiration.

                 Lou Erickson

     Next stop, Inner Gardens. They have three different locations in Los Angeles, all with wonderful items.  They are not nearly as large as Rogers Gardens, but still have plenty with which to entice you and get those gardening juices flowing.

"I stuck my head out the window this morning and spring kissed me bang in the face. "

  Langston Hughes

Gardening is the art that uses flowers and plants as paint, and the soil and sky as canvas.

                   Elizabeth Murray

             All through the long winter, I dream of my garden.

            On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into

            the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar.

                                                       Helen Hayes

Our third and final  stop is Rolling Greens Nursery.  They have two California locations, Culver City and Los Angeles, but Culver City is the only location that is a true nursery.  Their  L.A location is primarily home and garden accessory items mixed in with some great items for the bed, bath and kitchen.  

    

                 "Earth laughs in flower."  Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Kiss of the sun for pardon. Song of the birds for mirth. You're closer to God's heart in a garden than any place else on earth." --

                        Dorothy Frances Gurney

That concludes our tour for today . . . you may exit towards the left.

HAPPY ST. PADDY'S DAY!!

     In honor of St. Patrick's Day it seems only appropriate that I share with you some beautiful interiors where green is the color of the day. I think I'd prefer to drink up the beauty of these rooms and take a pass on the green beer!

From The Private House by Rose Tarlow

Interior design by Jane J. Marsden Antiques & Interiors

From Interior Color by Design by Jonathan Poore

Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

Interior design by Charles Faudree

Interior design by Dan Carithers

Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

Interior design by Rose Tarlow

ONE STEP AT A TIME

     As a young child one of my favorite places to hang out was on the steps that led to the 2nd floor of the old New England home I grew up in. That was where I’d sit to read a book, or do my homework or just look out of the landing's colored glass window and dream of what life had in store for me. It was also where my older sister would create a make-believe schoolroom where I and many of our neighborhood friends would sit, one behind the other, and practice our additions or subtractions, or take in whatever she was teaching that particular day; we thought "playing school" was loads of fun.  I know it probably sounds a bit odd, but a lot of fond childhood memories have their roots in that staircase.
     So it’s not surprising that when I became an adult and was looking to purchase my first house, I naturally gravitated towards those with two stories. How could it ever be a home without a set of stairs? How could I deprive my children of a staircase?

     It’s also not surprising that as an interior designer I place a great amount of importance on the staircase and all of its components. Often a staircase is the focal point in a house and it shouldn’t be treated as simply the way to get from one floor to the next. I think you’ll see from the following photos that I’m not alone in my way of thinking.

Design by Thomas Pheasant

       From The Private House by Rose Tarlow

Source: Unknown

Courtesy of Veranda

Ballustrade by Peter Pennoyer

                                   

Design by Lorna Perez-Caster - LPC Designs