Malibu Mansion? Yes, Please!

While looking at the gorgeous photos of Cindy Crawford and Randy Gerber's Malibu mansion I can't help but wonder how one becomes so fortunate to be born with supermodel good looks AND live in this house. I suspect Cindy was somewhat of a Mother Teresa or Gandhi type character in a past life. Cindy and Randy are long time client's of the First Decorator, Michael Smith. They have collaborated on a number of projects but my favorite is their Malibu mansion. Every time I come across an interior image of this home I think that I would want it decorated the exact same way if I lived there. Oh, and the views.......

Photos courtesy of Michael Smith.

Happy Halloween!

Buck and I are off to a Halloween party tonight and are dressing as Johnny and June Carter Cash. I've been listening to a lot of their music to get inspired and I am always touched by the walk the line lyrics. Have a wonderful weekend!

I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you're mine, I walk the line

I find it very, very easy to be true
I find myself alone when each day is through
Yes, I'll admit that I'm a fool for you
Because you're mine, I walk the line

As sure as night is dark and day is light
I keep you on my mind both day and night
And happiness I've known proves that it's right
Because you're mine, I walk the line

You've got a way to keep me on your side
You give me cause for love that I can't hide
For you I know I'd even try to turn the tide
Because you're mine, I walk the line

I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you're mine, I walk the line

-Johnny Cash

Parisian Tween Fashion

I just had to post this shot that I saw while perusing the Sartorialist. It made me laugh out loud. When I was their age I thought a side pony and layered colored socks with my jeans tucked in was the height of sophistication. Further proof that the French are tres chic!

East Hampton Eye Candy

Archdaily did a feature on this really neat house in East Hampton, New York that was designed by Bates and Masi Architects. I just love the twelve inch wide cypress boards used all over the exterior. Happy viewing!

                                  

For the full story and more images click here.

Photography by Christopher Wesnofske via Archdaily.com

A San Francisco Morning

My friend Wendy and I decided to take a walk around the Marina district this morning. It's a perfect Fall day; sunny and crisp with a little breeze. We just walked aimlessly and came across some lovely homes, landmarks and a lot of natural beauty that is San Francisco. I think I get so focused on finding inspiration in books, magazines and museums that I sometimes forget that the simplest things all around me are the most affecting. Unfortunately, my camera ran out of batteries but I think my iphone took some decent photos.

The Marina was built on landfill from the rubble of the 1906 earthquake to house the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition. The exposition celebrated the reemergence and reconstruction of the city as well as the completion of the Panama Canal. The land was subsequently turned into residential lots with the Palace of Fine Arts being the only remaining structure from the exposition. Many homes in the Marina are from the 1920's and 1930's and are largely influenced by the Art Deco style.

The clouds were breathtaking this morning, especially draped behind the Palace of Fine Arts. 

Here are some typical Marina Style homes....

....and a not-so-typical one.

My favorite colors!

To top it all off, some beautiful landscaping. The perfect start to a great day!

I Heart Celerie Kemble

In an effort to avoid doing homework, a skill I have mastered, I started flipping through some of my design books. I came across Celerie Kemble's book, "To Your Taste", and I was once again reminded why she is so amazing. Celerie creates traditional interiors with a twist. A friend of mine recently said that she gets so sick of the slick stuff, and I totally agree. I think sometimes as designers we can get too "designy" and in doing so lose the soul of a project. I think Celerie infuses a lot of heart and soul into her work and I admire her tremendously. I found an interview with Celerie in Elle Decor and I am going to share it because I love her answers. Happy Monday!

ELLE DECOR: How has your aesthetic evolved? 


Celerie Kemble: Massively. At first I only really knew what I had grown up with in Palm Beach: WASP chic. Since then, my clients have given me binoculars, and I see the world more broadly. I've been the chef of so many different meals -- strict modern, whimsical, earthy organic, Italian minimalist. I'm such an omnivore now it's frightening. 


ED: What materials are your hallmarks? 


CK: I can't get enough of textures like linen and sea grass; I'm definitely a grass-cloth girl. Stone, glass, Lucite, lacquer, wool, silk, silk velvet -- it's more the myriad of materials than any particular one.

ED: What are you trying to bring to design that isn't already there? 


CK: Everything is already there. I'm not inventing a chair. I'm just custom mixing someone's space so it will be part of their identity. 


ED: What design trends will last? 


CK: Organics. People will never get tired of what's natural. 


ED: What is your design mantra? 


CK: Every house needs a soul. I help put the person in the space. Otherwise it's just a space.

ED: What is the most important thing you've learned about your craft? 


CK: My business is about making someone happy. It's about service. 


ED: What advice do you have for someone starting out in the business? 


CK: It's all about the client, not about you. Be prepared to make beds and put away your clients' dishes. You're the interface between reality and aspiration, and your job is to make people feel good about themselves and their rooms. Remember that or they'll go to somebody else.

Interview by Martha McCully via Elle Decor.

RIP Irving Penn

Photography by the one and only Irving Penn.

Man Shops Globe

I can't wait to watch Man Shops Globe which premieres tonight at 10:00pm on the Sundance Channel! This show follows Keith Johnson, buyer-at-large for Anthropologie, around the world as he searches for treasures to sell in their stores. This is the sort of job that I thought only existed in my dreams. I wonder if he needs an assistant? Anywho, I will definitely be tuning in tonight!

Photos courtesy of the Sundance Channel.

Alice in a Couture Wonderland

This set of photographs entitled "Alice in Wonderland" was taken by Annie Leibovitz for the December 2003 issue of Vogue. Alice is depicted by supermodel Natalia Vodianova and outfitted by the surreal visions of the world's most influential designers. This could very well be my favorite grouping of Annie Leibovitz images...it's the perfect combination of the coming of age fable that I remember as a child and the fairy tale dream world of haute couture that could only be realized through the lens of Ms. Leibovitz.

"Curiouser and Curiouser"

(Theyskens for Rochas)

"Down the Rabbit Hole"

(Tom Ford for YSL)

"Drink Me"

(Helmut Lang)

"Advice from a Caterpillar"

(Marc Jacobs)

"Pig & Pepper"

(Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel Haute Couture)

"Cheshire Cat"

(John Paul Gaultier for Gaultier Paris)

"Tweedledum & Tweedledee"

(Viktor & Rolf)

"The Mad Tea Party"

(Steven Jones & Christian Lacroix)

"Who Stole The Tarts?"

(John Galliano for Dior Haute Couture)

"The Mock Turtle's Story"

(Donatella Versace for Atelier Versace)

"Through The Looking Glass"

(Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquiere)

Photography by Annie Leibovitz