Last Friday I got to take the afternoon off to attend the Harper’s Bazaar Coachella poolside fête at the Parker Palm Springs. Sipping white sangria, browsing adorable items in the shopBAZAAR.com cabana, and doing a little pretty people watching is not a bad way to spend an afternoon! Bonus: festival style inspiration was in full effect…
About a month ago, I posted how Michelle Adams’ bedroom gallery wall inspired me to redo my own. This is my 3rd version over the past two years, but with each revision, I get to explore a different aspect of my style. It’s so fun! In the midst this new exploration, I wanted to share a few quick pics of the progress thus far (I’m waiting on two pieces, and will have a formal shoot with my photographer in the next month, along with some other updates I’ve been making in the house!).
I’ve also been developing my design book library, so swapping out books into different groupings according to what’s speaking to me lately has been a great exercise. Bottom line: in your workspace, you should switch it up often to remain constantly inspired!
How was your weekend? Mine was surprisingly productive (after my quick Palm Springs trip!): worked on my gallery wall, made progress on my canvas, cleaned out the garage, and finally had a chance to delve into one of the more recent additions to my design book collection, Kelly Wearstler’s Rhapsody. I’d seen many of the shiny, extravagant interiors featured in the book, but had not seen this organically glam beach house in my local O.C.. Of course, the throwback to a vintage 70′s vibe — complete with rich wood paneling, soft-on-the-skin furry chairs, driftwood objets, overstuffed furniture and classic Platner dining chairs – captured this North Shore, Oahu girl’s heart immediately. Takes me back to that redwood house in Hawaii I grew up in…sigh…
Happy Friday! A last minute decision to head out to Palm Springs today for a Harper’s Bazaar party at The Parker, and dinner at my client Workshop Kitchen + Bar! Therefore, I had to pull what I had out of my closet and no time for shopping for something shiny and new. Boo! But I knew I didn’t want to show up at my client’s restaurant looking like I stepped off the lawns, so I’m trying to be smart about it by just changing up my accessories for the evening. I’m a huge fan of the romper — always so versatile and hip! So all in all, it will go a little something like this…
My goodness, do I love Spanish style. They do eclectic like no other: the minimalist architectural detailing and material selection in this modern home is top-notch, while the furnishings that inhabit it are classic, sophisticated, and guiltlessly glam. (Not to mention the fantastic mix of art styles…oh, the art!) I keep trying to tell my contemporary architect husband that the two can co-exist, and this 70-year-old Madrid home remodeled by Codo a Codo Arquitectura is my argument incarnate…
I was thrilled to learn that artist Natasha Law’s paintings are on exhibit at the MaxMara store in Beverly Hills right now! I’ve been a fan of her work for many years (probably since I saw Sara Gilbane’s workspace in Domino?), so the opportunity to see these large-scale Pop Art-like pieces in person would be, most likely, once in a lifetime for me.
Law’s exhibit titled “Inside Out” features women in the act of undressing — awkward yet intriguing, raw yet feminine, abstract yet suggestive…and thoroughly modern. Law says of her subjects, “It’s become really important for me that I work with my friends as models, as the resonance of that affection and relationship is hopefully there. There is some quality of real, everyday female ‘whatness’ that I don’t get tired of exploring.”
Here’s a sampling of her work…
(Please note: there is artistic suggestion of nudity in a few of the images below)
Today I have the pleasure of featuring a FIRL (“friend in real life”) and fave client’s work!! I had the opportunity to finally meet the talented Naomi last year in New York after following her interior design blog for two years. I’ve sung her praises here many times before, so it was an incredible honor that she and her father decided to work with me on the rebranding of their family-run company, Design Manifest. I thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with them on a new logo, new business cards, website and blog that would really showcase the totally unique style, expert eye, craftsmanship and execution that they bring to each and every beautiful project. Here is just one example…
I’m back from Hawaii, but not before I was able to squeeze in a beach photo shoot for a gold spike necklace giveaway from Gold & Gray! Jewelry designer and blogger friend Lily’s über stylish blog was one of my first reads and still a fave to this day. So I had to take advantage of such an ideal location for her to showcase the beauty of this simple statement piece…with a chance to win one of your very own! I paired it with an easy breezy beach look — how would you style yours?
How about a little eye candy today? Shall we?
Let’s forget the fact that I’m old enough to be his mother for a sec (a young mother, but still…) so that I can introduce you to the current boy wonder, if you haven’t already been acquainted. Despite a striking resemblance to an Italianate marble statue, Sean O’Pry originally hails from Georgia and was discovered while still in high school, just after his girlfriend dumped him before prom. His debut: opening the fall 2007 YSL show in Paris, after which he quickly became the face of Calvin Klein and Giorgio Armani (among others), was named the world’s most successful male model of 2009 by Forbes, and as of February 2013, topped the models.com list of the Top 50 international male models…
Spring is officially here! You know I’m all about a bargain, so what better way to spruce up your decor for the change of seasons than with a budget buy, I say! I personally love what Target’s been up to lately — always so on trend. A few fun, frugal finds from their latest Threshold collection…
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small shop
[a brand styling studio]
by Erika Brechtel
xoxo@smallshopstudio.com
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