Kenneth’s Journal

Jul 30, 2007

Monday

As I begin the design process for my new place, I find myself torn with so many options.

My design concept is updated traditional so that the interior respects the architecture of the exterior. Since the building was built in 1920 and is adorned with classic columns, I do not want to ignore its classic roots.

My furniture plan calls for 2 wingback chairs in the living area. While wingback chairs have been around since the 17th Century, today’s styles do not look like my grandmother’s wingback chair (sorry grandma - I know you’re not from the 17th Century). In fact wingback chairs are in fashion again- and many of the updated versions work well with my updated traditional design concept.

Did you know that Wingback Chairs were originally designed to keep the draft away from your head (especially your ears) to help prevent catching a cold?

Bill Sofield’s Wingchair and Thomas Pheasant’s Moderne Wingchair (both from Baker) are excellent examples of this updated traditional look.

Gerard’s Ensign Chair and Dessin Fournir’s Florian Wingback chair are in the running as well

Troscan’s Hyde Wing Chair is another favorite

Many of you have asked to learn more about how I plan to design my new place. Keep checking back as I plan to share my final selections and preview more design options (and show some before shots too)

Jul 26, 2007

Thursday

The September issue of Traditional Home features a loft project I recently completed. This issue should be on newstands now. My goal was to create a loft that balanced traditional and modern style. I also wanted to create a design that was not what you expect a loft interior to look like. Let me know what you think

Jul 23, 2007

Monday

My first job in Los Angeles was for a company that designed Hotels and Casinos. It was a great experience straight out of design school. If you’ve ever visited Las Vegas, you know how the hotels are based on a theme. You can see everything from the Luxor, built as a pyramid with an Egyptian Theme, to the NY NY Hotel and Casino based on the NYC itself, to The Paris Hotel and Casino based around an Eiffel Tower replica, just to name a few.

I spent this past weekend in Las Vegas with a view of the Eiffel Tower from my hotel window (yes, this is Vegas, not Paris).

Having a design theme is important when you work in the Casino design business. I, however, consider it a big no-no when doing your own home. Instead of having a theme for your home’s design, consider a design concept. I often hear my clients use the “theme” word when they describe the look they want to achieve. For example, an Island theme is best described as a light, breezy and casual design concept. Otherwise you’re going to get too theme-y and look like you live in an amusement park.

So here’s a little design tip: A theme is too literal for your home’s design. Instead work toward a concept which helps to identify the feeling or atmosphere you are trying to achieve.

The new Wynn Hotel and Casino avoided an obvious theme. I did, however, notice a common design concept of bright fresh colors in custom tile work, silk flower topiaries hanging in trees and colorful lanterns hanging over a staircase. This concept created a more elegant design experience. More than I can say for the hotels that had an obvious theme.

Jul 19, 2007

Thursday

Is it normal for your heart to sink when you see something like this happen in your neighborhood? On my routine morning walk with Oliver and Benson we pass by this original Spanish Duplex. I remember peering in the lush courtyard on Monday to see a bright red bougainvillea plant that must have been 40 years old.

This is what the building looks like now. At this rate, there will nothing left by the weekend. I regret not taking a picture of the building while it was still standing.

When I first moved to Los Angeles from Baton Rouge I fell in love with the Spanish Style Duplexes built in the 1930’s. They held a piece of history that I had not been exposed to before. These duplex and triplex apartments were originally built as an experiment by developers to create a premiere living environment for the growing middle class in a depression-era Los Angeles.

Today, many of my friends live in these duplexes and each time I visit, I am impressed at the attention to detail they have. Ceilings are adorned with beautiful moldings, hand plastered walls, original iron sconces, beautiful original tile and my favorite, original stained glass windows. It is nice to see people living today the way they did generations ago.

I understand that cities grow and the need for more housing increases. However, is it necessary to tear down a piece of history to build stucco boxes with no respect to history or any attention to architectural detail?

While some developers decide to go this route, I want to thank the other developers who are respecting history and working within the confines of an older building to create housing. For example, take a look at Palisades Development Groups recent project www.theloftsathollywoodandvine.com I was lucky enough to be enlisted to design units in the building to reflect the individuals that will make this building their home.

The building’s gothic-deco design includes exterior artwork, hand carved gargoyles, floral designs and twisting rope trim, some of which had been covered over and is now revealed, maintaining the architectural integrity of the building’s original design.

Originally completed in 1930, a bank occupied the ground floor and Hollywood agent Myron Selznick, in the upper floors. Selznick’s agency represented a “who’s who” of Hollywood stars including Vivien Leigh, Gary Cooper, Laurence Olivier and Henry Fonda. Avi Brosh, founder of Palisades says “there’s something inspiring about being in an iconic building --you feel a connection to the past, like you’re part of history.” He clearly gets the importance of respecting the past and has a firm grasp on urban reuse projects. Thank you Avi.

This Palisades building is located across the street from my future new home, which is also an older building being converted into residential units

As soon as I start designing my place, expect to see many journal entries with photos.

Jul 18, 2007

Wednesday

Chris Newton and his company Barrett-Newton Interactive have been managing my website development for 7 years and is the one responsible for our recent website facelift.

I wanted to create this special entry to say Congratulations Chris and Bonnie Newton on their new arrival Violet.

Violet Anne Newton, born July 12, 2007, was named after her mom’s grandmother. Congrats Chris and Bonnie - and thank you for all your hard work on my website

If you haven’t already, check out the new batch of questions in the Ask Kenneth section.

Jul 15, 2007

Sunday

I spent the day at the J. Paul Getty Museum. The museum is located on top of a hill in Los Angeles and is the permanent home of one of my favorite pieces, Vincent van Gogh’s Irises.

The museum is full of inspiration for me. Not only am I inspired by the works of art, but also the artist themselves. Vincent van Gogh only lived for 37 years and sold 1 painting in his lifetime. After cutting off his ear on Christmas Eve 1888, he was committed to an asylum. Although he suffered a dark life of mental anguish, he still managed to produce beautiful art full of life. His painting, Irises (below) was done in the garden of the asylum in 1889 and he died in 1890. He will never know how his art is inspiring artist today. For me, the beauty of art is that it will continue to inspire others.

In addition to permanent collections, the Getty is also at the forefront of restoring art. One of their current exhibitions was discovered in a basement in Germany. For the first time in 150 years, the works of 18th century animal painter Jean-Baptiste Oudry have been restored and are on display through September 2.

http://www.getty.edu/art/exhibitions/oudry/index.html

Getty Conservationalists spent 6 years re-weaving fragmented bits of canvas with tweezers and a magnifying glass so that we could enjoy Oudry’s Painted Menagerie.

The most famous of Oudry’s paintings is the life-sized portrait of Clara, a 3-ton Rhinoceros who became an international celebrity throughout Europe in the mid 1700’s. This photo does not do justice to the actual life-sized piece. When you are in the gallery with this painting, the enormity of the piece is so fantastic that I found myself staring at it in awe.

When Clara toured Europe in the 1700’s, she created clara-mania and rhino-mania. Artist were inspired to create whimsical hairstyles ‘a la rhinoceros’ as well as small rhino sculptures, clocks, cases, prints and coins which were used as decorative objects in the homes of European aristocracy.

Jul 13, 2007

Friday

When traveling, some people collect sno-globes or refrigerator magnets from the cities they visit. My favorite thing to collect is old books. I enjoy searching for small bookstores that are locally owned and operated. You would be amazed at the beautiful out of print books I have found over the years. Another great thing about local bookstores is the people who work there usually know a lot about the city I’m visiting.

I enjoy older bookstores where the stacks are placed closer together and you have to dig to find hidden treasures. The smell of older books also reminds me of elementary school. Check out the home-made signs used to delineate the different sections (to me, this adds to the unique quality of older stores)

16 years ago I started my collection with 4 books I purchased on a trip to Memphis, Tennessee. Today, I have a library in my home where I keep my collection. When I am feeling under the weather (like yesterday) I pull a few books off the shelf and look through them. They transport me back in time and I get lost in the moment. Old books are almost as good as comfort food and certainly a lot nicer looking than refrigerator magnets and sno-globes.

I hope all of you have a nice weekend - Kenneth

Jul 06, 2007

Friday

Some of my favorite projects involve working with homeowners that have completely different styles. I recently finished a design remodel for soap stars Julie Pinson and Billy Warlock. They were recently married and Billy moved into Julie’s Spanish style home in the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles.

Julie signed up to be on my show because she and Billy were facing a huge design dilemma. Her home was decorated in pink, yellow and cream floral and Billy was moving in his masculine black leather “batchelor” furniture (complete with a big screen TV). It was a design style collision. Unfortunately we had booked all projects for the season, so I agreed to tackle their job through my private practice.

USA Today is running the story in today’s issue (it will be on newsstands all weekend as it is their weekend edition) If this paper is not available where you live, copy and paste the link below to your browser and read more.

http://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/2007-07-05-athome-pinson-warlock_N.htm

Julie and Billy in their living room. I selected a masculine wall color so that the coloful feminine accents would stand out more. This was a great way to combine their 2 styles.

The living room was once dominated by a large pink and yellow floral sofa. We replaced the sofa with a beautiful forest-green mohair one and added floral accents back into the room with art and accessories.

Jul 04, 2007

Wednesday 4th of July

Having a holiday in the middle of the week is nice - wouldn’t it be great if we had every Wednesday off? It would make Tuesday’s feel like a Friday. But then it would make Thursday’s feel like Monday’s

I am back in Palm Springs where it is already 103 degrees at 10am. I don’t mind the heat - it actually keeps me in a constant relaxed state of mind.

If you haven’t seen my latest appearance on the Tyra Show, click on the TV / Media page above. You’ll see the summer patio make-over I did for $1000. Hope you enjoy!

An “after” photo of the patio I completed for the Tyra Show. To see the before, during and more afters, click on the TV/Media page above, then click on Tyra.

Jul 02, 2007

MONDAY

I am completely flattered to introduce you to Linda Wiley. Linda has been following my career for a while and is a huge fan of my show reDesign on HGTV. I have been blessed with many special appearances and speaking engagements. Each time I look out in the audience, Linda is there.

It never crossed my mind that a fan club was forming. I am grateful for all of you and can now officially say that Linda Wiley is the President of the Kenneth Brown Fan Club. Along with the other content on my website and TV shows, the purpose of my career is to share my knowledge of good design with all of you. I strongly believe that all budgets deserve good design. With this new outlet, I hope to share even more. We will be adding a page on my site dedicated to all of you who wish to post a message.

Again, I can not thank you enough for your continued support. I will continue to share my design talent with everyone and hope that in some way I can return the favor.

I enjoyed lunch with Linda Wiley at the Spanish Kitchen recently. I am blessed with her effort and enthusiasm. You can reach her by emailing

Jul 01, 2007

Sunday

I’m enjoying a nice relaxing day watching Wimbledon. Roger Federer is an amazing tennis player - what a talent.

Last night I attended an event hosted by Cyndi Lauper benefiting HRC. Located in the foothills of Los Feliz, the Greek Theater was a beautiful backdrop for the fundraiser. One of my favorite British synthetic pop duos, Erasure, performed songs that brought me back to my days in High School.

Hopefully you’ve been able to view the newest edition of the Ask Kenneth section. You may have to scroll down once on the page to see the first question. We are sorting out a technical issue that should be fixed by mid Monday.

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