Felt Never Grows Old

Felt is the oldest form of fabric known to humankind (it predates weaving and knitting) yet we still have not exhausted options on how to incorporate this versatile material into our lives. Clever designers like Pia Wallen and Josh Jakus have introduced new products with a modern twist on this traditional material.

Trivets from Design for Use

Trivets, coasters, and nesting baskets by Pia Wallen

Joshua Stone vase and bowl from Lekker Home (Bonus! This eco-friendly designer uses reclaimed wood for the core of his products)

Just one of many clever Josh Jakus products, this is my favorite.  

It's the centerpiece on the dining table in my home.

These ingenious place mats by Josh Jakus have built-in napkin rings!

6-pack coasters by Josh Jakus

Wine pocket and zip-up pouch also by Josh Jakus

These would make great gifts.

Rugs by Melina Raissnia

Momento Rug from 2 Form

Roses Rug by Nani Marquina

Available in Los Angeles from Plush Pod

Last, but certainly not least.  Check out Paola Lenti's spectacular felt rug collection.  She pioneered a woven version of the material that is extra durable and inspired the use of felt in totally new ways. 

Los Angeles Art Weekend 2008

Start with a self-guided tour of the downtown art scene on Thursday. Mix in cocktails at Moss on Melrose, after hours at LACMA and many more events that will keep your creative side satisfied all weekend. Check out the website for the full schedule of events.

Please Remove Your Shoes

A friend and modern architecture enthusiast from Chicago was kind enough to send me these photos of Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe's Farnsworth House, where he is a docent.  I've only seen staged photos of the home, so the shoes littering the entrance made me smile (Guests are asked to remove their shoes to protect the floors).  To read more about the history of the home and Ludwig, and view some breathtaking photos, check out the website link under 'visit', which includes links to the Farnsworth house, as well as other modern landmarks not to be missed. 

An architect, as well a a furniture designer, I'm sure you'll recognize the Mies van der Rohe pieces below that continue to be popular today.  The officially licensed versions can still be purchased from Knoll Studio. 

Barcelona chair designed by Mies van der Rohe for the Barcelona World Fair of 1929 as part of the German Pavilion; check out this website that helps distinguish the knock offs from the real thing.

Barcelona lounge; introduced in 1930, a year after the chair and ottoman; it peaked in popularity after Philip Johnson used it in his apartment in 1953. 

Brno chair designed by Mies van der Rohe in 1929-30 for the bedroom of the Tugendhat House in Brno, Czechoslovakia

Speaking of the Bauhaus, my friend also informed me about the group Chicago Bauhaus and Beyond.  How many Los Angelenos out there would be interested in joining a design forum like this?  Monthly meetings would bring together a network of designers, architects, and artists to discuss both past and present accomplishments/projects in the design world.  Or let me know if you know of another group like it (besides LAC Mod Com which exclusively discusses preservation issues and I'm already a member).

West Week 08

This year Architectural Digest sponsored West Week, an annual event at Pacific Design Center, and they lured all the best talent to contribute. Among those were celebrity designers Martyn Lawrence-Bullard and Steven Shadley, world-renowned photojournalist, Harry Benson and legendary mid-century textile artist, Jack Lenor Larsen.

"The Beatles" Photographed by Harry Benson

Martyn Lawrence-Bullard: Mexican Residence

Martyn Lawrence-Bullard: Bedroom for Cheryl Tiegs

Martyn Lawrence-Bullard: Residence

Stephen Shadley: Bel Air Residence for Diane Keaton

Photo by David Glomb

Stephen Stadley: Beverly Hills Residence for Diane Keaton

Photo by Tim Street-Porter

Stephen Stadley: New York Residence for Diane Keaton

Photo by Michael Mundy

Jack Lenor Larsen: Aurora 1970 (Rayon, cotton, mohair)

Bio: Russel Wright Center

More at: Minneapolis Institute of Arts

Benson was feet away from Bobby Kennedy when he was shot and in the room when Nixon resigned. Larsen designed the curtains for the international style landmark, Lever House, in NYC (1951-52). Stephen Shadley has been Keaton's interior designer for half a dozen homes and Bullard has a similarly impressive resume including Woody Allen's new pad that will be featured in an upcoming issue of Architectural Digest. To hear these people speak about their work and experiences was amazing, but if you missed out, read more about these extraordinary artists at the links I included above.

Window Shopping

Edgar Kaufmann, the Pittsburgh department store tycoon, commissioned Fallingwater, the Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece, in 1935.  It's clear he had great taste in architects.  So, it makes sense that he would hire Richard Neutra to design his next home, a desert escape in Palm Springs in 1946.  Fast forward to 2008 and take a look at the J.Crew store windows.  Their recent photo shoot at the Kaufmann house delivers the iconic structure to the masses, using it as a backdrop for their spring collection, along with furniture that defined the era.  

"The Architecture of the Jacket"?  "The Architecture of the Chino"? Usually interior design follows fashion, so it's refreshing to see an apparel retailer borrowing inspiration from my side of the equation.  I'll take one cashmere cardigan and a Bertoia diamond chair, please.

Dress Up Your Walls

Danish company, Ferm Living,  just branched out to the U.S. last year and we just celebrated their one year anniversary at this month's Designer's Networking Group at Vanessa De Vargas' Turquoise showroom.  Ferm offers wallpaper and wall stickers in a variety of delightful patterns and whimsical silhouettes.  

 

The stickers are great for minimal commitment (i.e. apartment dwellers) because they leave no residue.  They can add instant drama to any space; small areas such hallways, entries, and stairways.  The products are also washable, so even kitchens and bathrooms are fair game. Check out Ferm Living's Clever Spaces blog for more ideas on how to use their product.  Also check out Domino's Guide to Wallpaper  for more great patterns to dress up your walls.    

Huntington Library and Gardens

I've been in L.A. for five years and I still wait in anticipation for each weekend, for what niche of Los Angeles to explore next.  Last Sunday, I chose the Huntington Library and Gardens, which happens to be just a couple of miles from my home and shamefully I had not been there since 2003.  Even more amazing, my boyfriend has lived here all his life and had never been!  If you haven't been either, here's a glimpse of what you're missing: 








The grounds are varied; Sub-tropical, Desert, and Rose gardens.  It's the Japanese and Chinese gardens that truly take my breath away though.  The Huntington also has an amazing art collection, including Gainsborough's Blue Boy.

Hopefully, I have left you with some inspiration for the upcoming weekend.  Get out, about and enjoy!