Flower Arrangements- Valentines Day Options

Don’t get me wrong, I am a romantic and love the idea of giving red roses for Valentines Day. But why not break the rules this year and step outside the box? Check out some of my favorite arrangements - who wouldn’t want to get one of these for Valentines Day?

The use of the purple artichoke is brilliant!  Mixing textures puts this one at the top of my list

A shapely vase makes this arrangement stand out.  What is below the water line is just as important as whats above the water line - a well thought out design!

classic - this one makes me think of Harper - super sweet in pink

Fantastic and Fresh - love it

Taken from Southern Accents Issue Jan/Feb 2009
http://www.southernaccents.com
Floral Designer: DeJuan Stroud
Photographer: Monica Buck

Loving These Color Schemes

Blue and Grey have never looked better.  These rooms are great examples of using a simple color pallette with a huge design impact.

The Cutest thing in 2009

How dreamy is this toddler’s bed?  It is one of the most unique pieces of furniture I have ever seen

Designer Showrooms
It’s that time of season when all the showrooms host fantastic parties. Last night was one of the best at Blackman Cruz

The crash refers to the large vintage disco ball/sphere that looked like it had crashed to the floor in the center of the showroom. 

A packed showroom - their new space on Highland Road is amazing and just a few blocks from my office. (disco ball in the center) 

It’s always great to see friends and fellow designers that I haven’t seen in a while.  Josh Brown (seen here) and I have known each other for 10 years - time is flying by

Blackman Cruz is the go to place for one of a kind pieces that make a big statement. These floor standing magnifying glass-like pieces are incredible. I’d put these in a large entry way for a huge first impression

A chair like no other - is that a bird?

This skull lamp is a great representation of the Blackman Cruz aesthetic

Another great metal lamp with fantastic lines
check out their site http://www.blackmancruz.com

My Gift Ideas for 2008

It’s the small design details in a home that can make a huge impact. I thought I’d share the gift ideas on my list for my friends and family this year

Every home needs a splash of animal print
http://www.wshome.com/products/p9021/index.cfm?pkey=ggftggfetg

Something that sparkles is always on my list
http://www.vivaterra.com/pls/enetrixp/!stmenu_template.main?complex_id_in=482007.2561145.2561499.2862173.page

I love a small night light in a powder room - love this leaf one in silver, brass or copper
http://www.vivaterra.com/pls/enetrixp/!stmenu_template.main?complex_id_in=482007.2561145.2561499.2862173.page

Something functional for my friends who live in snowy and wet climates
http://www.ballarddesigns.com/shopping/product/zoom/altviewmain.jsp?iProductID=195&Default=view

A nice first impression
http://www.vivaterra.com/pls/enetrixp/!stmenu_template.main?complex_id_in=482007.484184.1062177.2862271.page

Everyday task should have beauty involved
http://www.wisteria.com/searchprods.asp

For my friends that have everything. Glass risers can be used to give an accessory the importance it deserves
http://www.wisteria.com/images/extra/w2299b-large.jpg
http://www.wisteria.com/prodinfo.asp?number=W2299

This will work with anyones decor style
http://www.wisteria.com/prodinfo.asp?number=W2623

For my green thumb friends
http://www.vivaterra.com/pls/enetrixp/!stmenu_template.main?complex_id_in=482007.484184.484198.3424816.page

For my bird loving family members, a handmade birdhouse
http://gumps.com/jump.jsp?itemID=10399&itemType=PRODUCT&RS=1&keyword=bird+house

Holiday Arrangements

During the holiday season I find myself running all over town to pick up this and that, and it never seems to end. With an exhaustive To Do list, I challenged myself to think outside the box for holiday entertaining. It hit me while I was shopping at the Grocery store. Have you ever noticed the beautiful the colors, textures and shapes in the produce department? I decided that I would test a few arrangements made only from items found at the grocery store and that would take only 10 minutes to create. Here are a few of my test cases-

Purple cabbage nesting in a custard cup holds tangerines and dried apricots with wooden skewers. Simple, easy and a great punch of color for the holidays. And no waste - you can eat them when the party is over

A miniature cauliflower acts as a place card holder. just cut a small slit across the top and cut the bottom even so that it can stand up.

Brussel Sprouts still on the branch look like a Christmas tree. Using toothpicks I added in red cherries and chocolate covered in gold foil to decorate it. It’s placed in a vase with sugar to look like snow. I could see a few of these used together as a large centerpiece

Using a silver mixing bowl, I coated lemons with egg white and then sprinkled sugar over them to get a holiday look. To bring in greenery, I picked the leaves from an artichoke and added the egg-white and sugar too. With the addition of a few raspberries and Hershey’s kisses, the arrangement is done. For make-shift candle sticks, core out an apple and place tapered candles in the hole and light

After hollowing out the large yellow squash, I used it’s shell as a container to hold red radishes, sugar coated tomatoes and candy resting on a bed of collard greens. Add a little egg-white to the outside and sprinkle a little red sugar for a holiday glow. The top of the squash did not go to waste as it acts as a candle holder to complete the look

Like I said, these test cases prove that decorating doesn’t require a trip to the craft store or any glue guns.  Just a trip to the grocery store and a little imagination.

Texture vs. Pattern

I’ve been seeing a lot of Shagreen covered tables, lamps, boxes and mirrors around town and now I wonder what’s next. At first, I fell in love with the idea of a new texture as all my projects mix interesting textures and materials without a lot of pattern. But now I test myself to think about adding pattern and dialing back on the texture. I’m rambling because I spent today selecting a coffee table that is going to set the look for a large project I’m working on. Design is in the details!

A sample of Shagreen. Originally, people applied the skin of a sting-ray to give furniture a shagreen finish. Today, we see more embossed leather and vinyl fabricated to look like sting-ray skin.

This coffee table above has Asian-style legs with sweeping curves and is topped off with a Shagreen finish. While I was first thinking this piece for a project, I’m now thinking of how a pattern would play in the room.

While this table’s shape is nothing more than a large rectangular cube, the graphic pattern created by the contrasting wood tones strikes a nice chord with me.

I think I’ll go with the pattern coffee table

KBTV

Next week will be the last episode of the Hammer residence on KBTV. http://kennethbrowndesign.com/index.php/kbd_main/video_blog/

It’s perfect timing as Western Interiors Magazine is featuring this project in their Jan/Dec issue (which will be on newstands early next week). For those who have been watching the KBTV episodes you’ve been given a sneak peek at this wonderful home in the Hills of Los Angeles. This project is one of my favorite projects because I loved working with Dennis and Shawn and because they allowed me to try my hand at doing a ‘resort-style’ design.

The main living room of the Hammer Residence. By layering many textures and adding beams to the ceiling, we were able to create a space that is both relaxing and elegant at the same time.

Beginning on Monday November 24th, KBTV will begin to air episodes of a very modern home I recently finished in Manhattan Beach, CA. I enjoy giving these tours of the projects I’ve completed and although the quality of the video isn’t the best, I hope you’re able to take away tips you can use in your own home

The living area of the Sturz Home. The design style is a 180 degree about face from the Hammer residence above. That is what I love about my job - design variety!

Warm Modern Design or Transitional Design

Why are so many people afraid of Modern Design? I think most of us think Modern has to be bright white rooms with lots of glass, metal furniture and cold surfaces. Throw the word Warm in front of Modern and it changes the entire look. Is Warm Modern Design the same thing as Transitional Design without having to use the word Modern?

Earlier this week I attended the ribbon cutting and dedication of the Founder’s Room at Cedars Sinai that I designed. Many people asked how I would describe the style. I think it’s a good example of Transitional Design or Warm modern design if you’re not afraid of the word modern.

The beginning phase of my design process - creating a furniture plan that creates flexible seating

After finalizing the furniture plan, I create a perspective drawing to understand the volume of space. At the same time, I start pulling fabrics for the furniture pieces.

Once fabrics, furniture and colors are finalized, I add color to the perspective drawing so my clients can approve the design and understand my vision. It’s easier to describe a style visually instead of with words.

The finished room - showing a few changes that were made. I reselected the chandeliers with a dark bronze metal to ‘warm’ up the important light fixtures

My goal was to create a design that felt warm, welcoming and functional. Whatever style it’s labeled, the important thing is that it reflects a clear vision that was carried through from start to finish. That is the beauty of design, not defining it with words, but with a vision.

Easy Looks on a Budget

With everyone tightening their belts in this economy, I’ve been asked by magazines and morning shows about how to update a room without spending a lot of money. My advice is simple - look in your backyard or the neighborhood park

I love the look of branches tossed in a simple clear vase. In this case, one of my favorite leaves comes from the silver dollar Eucalyptus tree. Not only do they offer a fresh look in any room with their silver-like leaves, they also smell great. The key to keeping them fresh longer is to cut a 1/2” off the base of the branch every time you replace the water (every 2 days)

These branches come from the papyrus plant and have these huge pom poms that bring in drama and height. I’ve seen this plant for sale at most Home Depots for about $20 and if you keep it in a bucket of water (it loves water!) you can keep it inside near bright light and have cuttings for arrangments all year round.

Not everyone has a fig tree in their backyard, but anytime you can use branches with fruit on them it adds great interest to any room. I especially like using containers like this watering bucket for a vase!

Even after branches have lost their green, dried leaves can add just the right look for a fall tablescape