Design.Wine.Dine.

Executive Office Inspiration

In July my company expanded and moved into a new sales and marketing office in LA which was a huge step for our little startup.  Previously, we had a tiny executive suite in Manhattan Beach (in addition to our Orange County headquarters) that housed two of our LA team members who worked there daily.  While the other 4-6 of us rotated in and out, used the floor’s conference room when it was available and primarily worked from home, it quickly became apparent as our team expanded that we had outgrown our one-room office and needed a collaborative environment for our company culture to really thrive.  When it came to designing the office, being that I was the only one with a design background, I spearheaded the project and it has been SO. MUCH. FUN!  It was a thrill to get back into AutoCAD (NEVER thought I would say that) and finding creative ways to work within our tiny budget, albeit extremely challenging at times, has been more fun than I could have ever anticipated.  It’s been a work in progress for months and we’re finally getting ready to finish our executive office which is one of the final items on the list.  Take a look at my inspiration board and sources below.

1. Rug – West Elm  |  2. Console Table – Lulu & Georgia  |  3. Pillow – West Elm  |  4. Sea Urchin Art – Pieces  |  5. Chieftians Chair – DWR  |  6.  Mug – Custom  |  7.  Tray – CB2  |  8.  Lamp –  The Land of Nod  |  9.  Tumbler – West Elm  |  10.  Pouf –  Jonathan Adler

While the rest of our office is a combination of white, lucite and neutrals, I wanted this space to have a darker and slightly more masculine feel while remaining in line stylistically with the rest of the office’s modern aesthetic.  Currently we have a donated white sofa, the above rug (also donated) a white Ikea Expedit and desks to start.  The next steps are to paint the walls this color and start moving things into place.  Obviously we’ll never have anywhere close to the budget for the Chieftians Chair, but I would love to find something similar (and for 1% of the bill) for some casual seating.  I love the combination of the black leather and the exposed walnut frame to really warm things up.  I foresee a few DIY projects in the near future!  Stay tuned 🙂

NYC Design High

Before 2011, I had never been to New York which seems crazy to me now that I’ve been fortunate to have ventured there a few times since… AND LOVE IT!  From the architecture to the hustle and bustle to the food and the people – nothing compares to it.  There is something new around every corner and I always leave heartbroken that I have to go home so soon.  On a recent visit, a friend of mine took me on a tour around ABC Carpet & Home and I about died.  GAH!  I could go on and on about how obsessed I was with everything in sight, but I’ll spare you from my design high rant and just show you the pictures instead 🙂

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, it absolutely pains me to think of so much of that city under water and the number of people left to start over from scratch.  A few of my favorite artists and designers are doing everything in their power to help.  Be sure to take a look below.  

{Mercury glass!}

{Clearly I was too excited about this mercury glass explosion to take a straight photo.  Love.}

{Blue and green heaven}

{These were actually ceramic even though they look like recycled aluminum cans.  I feel a DIY project coming on!}

{So much inspiration!  Future kitchen cabinet and bookshelf ideas}

{Intricate, hand blown tumblers and flutes}

{I could have taken this entire tray!}

{I’m sorry… but original chevron flooring?!  Please come home with me}

{Industrial pendants}

{Vintage window pane room partitions.  Aaaamazing idea}

{Gorgeous table}

{Recycled glass bottles for days}

{Rifle Paper Company notebooks.  I’ll take seven.  Thanks}

{Cordials that reminded me of my Grandma’s}

{Yes!}

{Ohhh just my favorite Madeline Weinrib rug IN LIFE}

{This makes me want to change my color scheme 😉 }

{And this makes me want to keep my color scheme and just buy all new rugs}

Hurricane Sandy Relief

The proceeds from this gorgeous Caitlin McGauley print are being donated to the American Red Cross to help the Hurricane Sandy relief effort.  I absolutely adore her work.

I love this bag from Wedding Chicks!  100% of proceeds are donated to the American Red Cross.

If you would just like to make a donation, please do so here.  Any amount will help.

San Francisco-ing

Last Wednesday, I flew up to San Francisco for a gorgeous few days of work and play.  I’m so in love with that city, it’s hard to put it into words and pictures never do it justice so I always wind up yearning to go back from the moment I hit the ground at LAX.  The architecture, the food, the history and the seemingly endless hills with panoramic views of the city from every street corner leaves me with the desire to pack my bags and find little a bay-windowed studio to call home.  Check out a few of my favorite weekend moments below.

{Quick lunch break at The Melt at Stanford.  This place was amazing!  They only serve different types of grilled cheese sandwiches and soups for dipping.  YUM.  Side note: They’re expanding from 4 to 22 locations in 2012… Proof that a simple (but great) concept and design are a winning combination}

{Platters of finger food for our Hope at Home tasting in Santa Cruz}

{View of the Golden Gate from my friend’s rooftop as it started to light up at dusk}

{Views from the top of Nob Hill}

{So very envious of this rooftop (yes, I was doing some stalking).  Great little grilling/entertaining space with a patch of grass for a very lucky city pup}

{Taking in the architecture and hills}

{My friend Megan’s adorable gallery wall in her room}

{Some wine and kitty cat snuggle time while finishing up our work day}

{On my walk from Nob Hill to Union Square}

{Gorgeous}

{San Francisco buildings are never short of character and detail}

{On our walk to Sunday brunch}

Restoration Hardware Spring Launch Party

Last Thursday, I was invited to attend the Restoration Hardware Spring Launch Party in LA (yes please) and it was gorgeous to say the least.  Their showroom on Beverly is nothing short of eye catching with a tremendous outdoor space attached and I’ve been looking for an excuse to drop in for a while now.  Everything about this space is absolutely perfect… from mirrored fireplace walls, to the reclaimed hardwood floors to the dark, fabric wall coverings cascading up the grand staircase.  Needless to say, as a huge Restoration Hardware lover, I was obsessed with nearly every room I walked into and had to capture a few (or 100) pictures to share.  Here are some of my favorites.

{The Cameraman asked if I wanted him to move his tripod so I could get this shot… trying to be polite, I said no, but now I really wish I would have said yes.  How amazing is this mirrored wall?}

{Restoration Hardware’s amazing signature crystal and iron chandeliers were a staple in this space}

{Stunning}

{Loved the continuous music sheet art as we walked from one room to the next}

{Beautiful orbs}

{Amazing idea for a non-working fireplace}

{Rustic farmhouse dining table + leather egg chair + spotlights = heaven}

{Naturally, I was drawn to this stunning floral display}

{Inspiration for my future store… wink, wink}

{Couldn’t get enough!!}

{The floral designer himself, Eddie Zaratsian}

{Please excuse me while I dive on in 🙂 }

{In love}

{Carrara}

{Gorgeous cascading bird cage chandeliers}

Green Machine

My favorite color in the world is green and for whatever reason, I couldn’t really explain why (other than the fact that it feels “fresh” to me) until a few days ago.  A friend of mine from work, Leila Khalil’s wedding was featured in the Spring 2012 edition of Martha Stewart Weddings.  I had a feeling her favorite color was green after visiting her office, but in the eight page spread, she explained why she chose to incorporate its many hues into her absolutely stunning nuptials: “I LOVE the outdoors and all things GREEN.  The color symbolizes GROWTH and RENEWAL which is what weddings are all about.”  I don’t think she could have summed it up any more perfectly.  In the spirit of the great outdoors and this little blast of gorgeous summer we recently had in California (that has now seemed to have disappeared), here are a few of my favorite fresh green pieces this season.

1.  Sofa – $1,663 – Ballard Designs
2.  Paint – $65.99 – Benjamin Moore for Pottery Barn
3.  Pendant – $195 – Jayson Home
4.  Table Lamp – $219 – Crate & Barrel
5.  Swirl Finial – $55 – Chic Shop LA
6.  Pillow -$39.95 – Crate & Barrel
7.  Dr. Seuss Note Pad – N/A – Chic Shop LA
8. Water Color Art – N/A – Caitlin McGauley
9. Green Glass Bottle – $9.95 – Crate & Barrel
10.  Teal Glass Bottle – $12 – West Elm
11.  Chevron Wastebasket & Tissue Box Cover – N/A – Chic Shop LA
12.  M Stationary – $26 – Kate Spade
13.  Bowls – N/A – Anthropologie
14.  Range – $36,000 (est) – La Cornue
15.  Colander – $9.30 – Crate & Barrel
16.  Striped Rug – N/A – Madeline Weinrib
17.  Arm Chair – $1,196 – Jayson Home

Hooray!

Mission accomplished 🙂  While I’m sad the journey has come to a close, the relief of there being nothing left to scramble over and complete is tremendous.  My experience at FIDM was truly remarkable and I can’t even begin to articulate how much I’m going to miss it.  It was overwhelming beyond words, but the skills that I am taking with me are 100 times more than I ever could have imagined… I really didn’t know what I was walking into 18 months ago and I mean that in only the best of ways.

Congrats, DDT!  We did it!!!!  🙂

Finals Week

You know how I posted a while back about my Commercial Thesis and how no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t find the inspiration and motivation to get it done?  This week has been absolute payback and this little poster has been resonating in the back of my mind for the past few days.  I can’t say I’ve ever sat so long in front of a computer frantically SketchUp-ing and Photoshopping endless perspectives, elevations and floor plans.  Needless to say, I’m thrilled for this project to finally be over and it’s getting close… as of tomorrow night at 9:00pm, I’ll no longer be a design school student.  Holy moly… it’s been one heck of a ride.

Many exciting updates are soon to come!  Wish me luck!

Good Fortune

The last few weeks have been difficult to say the least.  The end of my final quarter of design school is fast approaching and before last night, I had yet to really feel inspired about my project.  In fact, I’ve hated the entire process which is completely unlike me.  While I’m excited and invigorated by residential design, the daunting commercial assignment of designing a “flagship store” in Toronto could not seem less appealing.  Whenever I finally feel focused for a split second on the endless CAD documents in front of me, I somehow wind up on Pinterest pinning away all things residential or back in my kitchen baking or cleaning something to avoid thinking about the flow of retail spaces and whether or not my fitting rooms are ADA.  It’s amazing how fun organizing becomes when I’ve got a mountain of homework to do.

Last week, Jake and I ordered Chinese for the first time in ages and I was blessed with the best fortune cookie fortune I’ve ever come across.  I rediscovered it last night while trying to organize something instead of working on my project and while I’m not superstitious by any means, the message really struck a chord with me.  It made me realize that this quarter, I’ve been entirely plagued by self doubt.  I’ve never designed a retail space (to this magnitude) and by second guessing every line I’ve drawn, I’ve become completely exhausted and in this perpetual cycle of trying to find the inspiration to pull me through… My insecurities have in effect built the barriers I’m constantly trying to overcome, putting me at square one week after week after week.

That being said, stumbling across my little fortune last night was just what I needed to get the ball rolling again and I’m finally feeling like I’m getting somewhere with my project.  There is no better feeling than progress and I can’t wait to have it soon completed.  Updates are soon to come…

Rainy Days

After a highly productive weekend that felt entirely too much like summer to be true, Monday blew in with a vengeance.  I woke up shivering yesterday morning to grey skies, wind and rain and would have given anything to pull the covers over my head for the remainder of the day.  Picking up a bundle of sunny daffodils at the market was just the cure I needed and some refreshing lemon/mint water at my desk was all it took to turn around my spirits.  Sometimes taking a moment to reflect on the simple pleasures in life is all we need to push through.  Hope your week is off to a great start!

{Check out some of my shots from my Sunday run here}

Lemon and Grey

There is a color combination that I can’t get off my mind lately: Lemon and Grey.  I love the clean chic contrast yet warmth and cheerfulness of the yellow… What a great palate for a living room, office, nursery, kitchen… the list goes on as the two hues paired together are so versatile and inviting.  Love, love, love!  What are your favorite color combinations for your home or office?

{Faceted Mirror Side Table – West Elm, White Capiz Pendant – West Elm, Grey Tufted Sofa – ZGallerie, Table Lamp – Bloomingdales, Moroccan Pouf – Jennifer Delonge, Carrara Marble Coffee Table – CB2, Pillow – ZGallerie}

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