Fantastic Fakes

I am really falling for “fake” accessories - they’re affordable and nothing was harmed in the process.

Check out some new “fakes” we have around the office

Fake horn magnifying glasses are great when paired together on a stack of books.

I always mix textures to add a sense of sophistication. Here is an ostrich patterned vinyl pillow on a grey flannel sofa. I love how they play off of each other.

One of my favorite places I’ve visited was the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia. I will never forget how beautiful the colorful coral and sea life was. A huge trend right now is using coral to accessorize. Finally, Two’s Company (an accessory manufacturer) has figured out how to make fake coral look real. They make it out of resin and mount it to a lucite base......this is the best of “no guilt decorating”!

This mirror will eventually end up in my new office bathroom. It is also made of resin and is fabricated with a mold that looks like wood. This is called faux bois, a French term for imitation wood. You will start seeing a lot more of this in stores soon - a big trend in design.

Last Night

Royale Wiggin and me with one of Milo Baughmann’s famous chairs

On the other side of the new showroom was Thomas O Brien’s new collection for Hickory Chair. I have always liked Thomas’ product designs - his warm modern style fits my aesthetic. I also like his home accessory line at Target

Thomas O Brien and me at the opening of the new showroom

My Own Design Project

A while ago I wrote about my new place that is still under construction. A lot of you asked if I would share the process I plan to go through as I tackle my own design project. I thought it would be fun to share photos through out the various phases, and who knows, I may need a second opinion.

Because the building is being converted under historical preservation guidelines, it will take longer than usual to finish. The builder is projecting a mid-summer move in. Here are some photos in its current stage.

The building was built in 1927 and is located on Hollywood Boulevard. It was the original Broadway Department Store which was infamous for introducing slacks for women (quite controversial at the time). It also appeared in the Charlie Chaplin epic Modern Times. I outlined my unit which faces the corner of Hollywood and Vine.

Kitchen Master Bedroom

Living and Dining Area Library

The view out of the Living room - the Hollywood sign is on the hill in the distance with the famous Capital Records building in the foreground.

As you can see, it still has a long way to go. I will be sharing ideas and various design challenges along with photos over the next 6 months, so keep checking back.