2015

Juju Hats Ruffling Feathers — Again!

As 2015 comes to a close and all the talk turns to “out with the old and in with the new,” the beautiful and mysterious African Juju Hat, my personal top 2015 decor obsession, has me tickled every shade of pink seen below.  Why?  Because I’m not alone in my quest for some answers regarding this (ever?) lasting trend and some good Juju to go along with it!   Now let me explain, the first time I saw one of these beauties was earlier this year in this Lulu and Georgia campaign (below), and while I had no idea what it was, I knew it was love.  I also remember thinking to myself, what is that fluffy beauty and how…

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Warming Up To Christmas Cali Style

Originally hailing from the East Coast, Christmas in California or simply the holidays here in general, never fail to both amaze me and sneak up on me at the same time.  Because without the cues from mother nature to signal their impending arrival, I always find myself dazed by the passing of time here in Los Angeles.  And even though I’ve now lived here for more than 15 years, I find I still miss those seasonal markers that announce The Holidays, and I suppose I always will.  I can also say that I will probably never get fully used to the idea of celebrating holidays on the beach but I’m not exactly complaining about it as much either. In a…

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Studio Reveal: 108 SQ Feet of Inspiration

It might be tiny but this once empty pool house turned high brow lash studio offers up some major inspiration in a modern yet bohemian kind of way — and it’s all packed into just 108 square feet.  So whether you’re drawn to the watercolored walls, the modern fixtures or the couldn’t be more perfect rug, there’s no denying the impact of the small space and its’ ability to make you lose any sense of its’ zip code as you take in all it has to offer.   Now I know I’m bias, but this is just the kind of room that is both calming and inviting without being predictable or dull.  It sets the cool and collected tone as…

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Baby, It’s Cold Outside!

Fall is upon us!  And by us I mean the west coast.  I know the rest of the country has known for weeks, maybe even months now (and to that I say, sorry?) but here in LA, it’s night number 3 I’ve closed all the windows, snuggled up in a sweater and still complained, I’m freezing.  I know, I know, I’m weak. It is after all November, and I’m aware the pumpkins are turning into reindeer.   And therefore it’s probably about time I pay attention to the plaids and chunky knits also piling high on the shelves and find a home in my home for some faux fur too.  Yup, I’m ready, cause not is sadly no longer an option….

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Design Dilemma: How to Hide an AC Wall Unit

Answer:  a wood pallet and a faux “living” wall! In Megan’s Lash Studio, smack in the center of the wall just below the ceiling is a large AC unit, 20” x 29” to be exact.  Now, that may not ordinarily seem like an oversized beast to tame, and in a larger space it’s really not, but you have to consider the room itself is only 12′ x 9′.  And it’s the first thing you see as you open the door.  Add on to that those walls I painstakingly watercolored and the AC unit became bigfoot with an ankle monitor, the monitor being one of the largest plugs I’ve ever encountered 4 inches below big Bertha.  And every day, for the…

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Heads Up!

When the idea hit me to install a wall of faux animal heads in my friends showroom in downtown Los Angeles, I had no idea the buzz it would create — or the amount of inquiries I’d receive from that one faux frenzied wall.  What started out as an idea that percolated in my head for a few days expanded into the showroom’s show stopper, growing from 3 or 4 faux heads to an entire wall.  The more I thought about it, and all it’s possibilities, the more dedicated I became to the idea and the more elaborate both the wall and the heads became.  I think on the one hand I was having so much fun adorning the heads with…

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Bar Cart Brigade!

Spotting a bar cart in an interiors photo these days is much like playing a game of where’s Waldo.  Some are completely conspicuous, standing dapper in the corner ready with your favorite drink while others are in camouflage – working hard to blend in while performing alternative duties.  But either way you cart it, there’s no denying this home accessory’s current fame — and as it’s popularity continues to rise, so do the uses it’s demanding public has has found for it!    Sans alcohol and all the traps and trimmings that make a bar cart easy to spy,  these multi purposed and uber functional carts have proven they’re up for any challenge.  You can spot them providing towel service,…

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Why You’ll Fall in Love With Black Doors too!

It was almost 2 years ago now that I first read an article on Houzz titled 11 Reasons to Paint Your Interior Doors Black, and like you, and as even the author of the article admits, it seems counter intuitive in a way.  Black?  Really?  It seems dark and goes against almost any image you can conjure up in your head of intetrior doors and I’m guessing you didn’t grow up with any painted anything but white or eggshell either.  Yet after seeing the photos, because words alone cannot convince you, I couldn’t wait to try it.  Nor could my friend Kristi who recently rennovated their new home.   We were instant converts and I’ll show you why! First up,…

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60 Second No Carve Pumpkins

Last year when the calendar turned to October 1, our house was one of the first on the block fully decorated.  And when I say fully decorated, I mean Sebastian and I spent 2 solid days preparing our house for the “candy” holiday  — and we were able to do so because the inside had been decked out for nearly 2 weeks.  How I managed to hold him off those two weeks I have no idea.  This year however, life is bit crazier  — I don’t even have costumes for the twins yet let alone time to carve a pumpkin. So, this year, not wanting to disappoint, I came up with 60 second pumpkins — it’s like speed dating for…

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Once Upon a Watercolor

After a few months on hiatus from this project, I’m finally back in my friend Megan’s soon-to-be lash and make-up studio.  When I originally posted Gettin’ Set to Bat an Eyelash, we were still finalizing the overall esthetic, but the one thing Megan absolutley wanted no matter what was a “wow” factor. She wants her clients to feel like they’ve escaped ‘the valley’ and create a space where they want to hang out and get comfortable. Now, it’s a tiny space, but anyone who knows me knows I LOVE SMALL SPACES.  Why?  Because it’s insanely EASY to make every square inch crazy good!  You can pack a whole lotta design into a small space and it’s also insanely easy to…

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The Power of a Good Mood(board)!

After I wrote Love Life Like Lindsey, I got to work on creating the vision board or mood board for Lindsey’s space, or one similar as this is currently on my wall and doesn’t surround a vanity.  But I did so because I wanted a test run before installing her actual wall for several reasons, the most important being it’s tone.  I wanted to have an actual reference sample so that we could have a meaningful conversation on what she wants her inspiration board to look like and find out what images do the best job for creating the emotions and feeling that truly inspire her.   And I wanted to do this because like me, she doesn’t take these…

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Love Life Like Lindsey – Inspiration Provided!

As I work on making sure Lindsey’s Hughes (a.k.a. BeautyBaby44) new loft is everything her heart desires plus all she never knew she wanted or needed, I find myself in very familiar territory — scouring Pinterest and the design blogs du jour in search of new ways to capture her creative spirit and nail them to the wall, literally. Maybe you guessed it — I’m dreaming up her collage wall.  And I say this is familiar territory because it was less than 6 months ago that I carved out my own little office space and filled it with happy reminders of what makes me tick, what keeps me engaged and what keeps me connected to a life filled with bliss….

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10 Chalkboard Tricks To Elevate Your Black and White

One of my favorite additions to Lindsey’s loft update is the chalkboard painted walls.  Not only do they allow Lindsey and all her friends a fun way to constantly update and personalize her space, but they are seriously functional and can be high on style as well.  And a simple google search will confirm just how serious some people take their chalk!  But fear not, to achieve a stunning black and white is actually pretty easy, so if you want to up your chalkboard game, here are a few tricks and tips to do just that.  Our kitchen is one giant chalkboard so I can promise these tips are tired and true and help you achieve any look you’re after!…

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It’s a Beauty, Baby!

I wish I had the words to describe how crazy the last 3 weeks of life has been but even now, searching for them, I simply can’t find any to do it justice.  I guess it’s more of an undefined feeling that lies somewhere between sheer exhaustion and utter exhilaration that accounts for most of the blur, but truth be told, it was all in good messy fun!  And when presented with the opportunity to work with Lindsey Hughes, Beauty Baby 44, I knew I wasn’t going to let myself off easy.  So I guess I had it coming! But let’s get to the reason why you’re here, the transformation of Lindsey’s newly renovated downtown loft.  When I first met…

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“Decorate For The Life You Want”

In case you missed it, a much anticipated interior design book hit the shelves last week much to the delight of myself and interior enthusiasts everywhere.  And although mine was pre-orered and delivered promptly by Amazon prime, I’m a little embarrassed to say I just opened it for the first time last night.   Now, I knew I was in love with Anne Sage’s first frolic into bound pages from the instant it’s title seeped into my consciousness, but with every flip of the wrist and turn of the page, my devotion grew ever deeper.    But let’s start at the beginning, Sage Living |Decorate for the Life You Want, “Your best life starts at home.” Simply and eloquently put….

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60 Pretty Pumpkins We’ve FALLen Hard For!

It’s officially Fall in just 2 days, and while I was set to keep my porch pumpkin free for at least another 3 weeks, my sister went ahead and picked a patch of the prettiest pumpkins I ever did see.  And when I say pretty pumpkins, I mean just that- p r e t t y pumpkins.  Think glam squad for the gourds at your doors people!  As in a serious upgrade to last year’s pumpkins without ever going under the knife, these pretty ‘kins will have you falling in love OPI style and seeds free!  Just think pretty in pink or peach or pumpkin and then some!  And without a whisper or a whiff of Halloween, just the prettiest in…

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Painted Pumpkin Donut DIY

This painted donut DIY is easy as pumpkin pie!  Seriously, if you can hold a paintbrush, you got this. It’s easy on skill but huge on style!  Pick your pumpkins, your paints and your donut style.  Paint your “donuts.” Let ’em dry.  “Ice” your donuts.  Let ’em dry.  Sprinkle on some happy, don’t be shy.  Let ’em dry.  Stack and style your DIY pumpkin donuts to trick or to treat or simply look good   enough to eat!      For more ways to style a pumpkin check out the ultimate no carve pretty pumpkin round up here!  

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Celebrity Stylist Talks Fall: What to Buy Now, Wear Now, Layer In Later !

In deciding what to post about Fall Fashion, perhaps the most anticipated season in the industry, and by in large the biggest delivery for most labels, I decided to leave it to a true expert.  Because lets’ face, it may be fall inside but it is still sweltering outside.  And so here’s some great advice from my personal friend and celebrity stylist Kristi Brooks on how to handle this tricky time of year, what you can buy now to satisfy your cravings for what’s come down the runway and layer into your wardrobe later, when the real Fall shows up, fashionably late as always. Working the summer to fall fashion transition Ugh… It’s hot, very hot. It’s hard to imagine Fall…

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The Best Apps to Help you Save Time, Money and Advil

There really is an app for everything.  But I had no idea life could be THIS EASY…so easy I’m kind of speechless — and therefore out of words, which is probably a good thing.  So I’ll let the apps do the talking via my favorite time saving trick, the Pinterest Board.  Click the board and do yourself a HUGE favor. Follow Messy By Design’s board There really is an app for everything! on Pinterest. The highlights: Already you feel lighter, don’t you?  

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