PETALUMA PROJECT - A preview

My current project in Long Beach is coming back to life as each day passes.

A couple photos of the entry so far to entice you...

You can sum up this stylish house in 5 words: plaid, butterflies, shag, bricks and mirror. There is/was a total of about 10 mirrors in this house, creating a very strange sensation. I actually walked into one! Most have already been removed and, lo and behold, the space doesn't feel any smaller.

After a brief moment of concern, the new owners agreed to remove the ramshackle coat closet somebody erected during a remodel.

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After about 12 hours of ownership, Mrs client had removed a good amount of wallpaper and Mr client had removed the carpet, the under-laying and about 10 millions staples and nails. 

Unfortunately, the wood floor isn't great. There is water damage, there is carpet damage and the hole where there used to be a furnace is an eyesore. Not only that, but to everyone's unexpected surprise, the planks of the wood floor run left to right rather than front to back. 

Secondly, the lower half of the wall to the left, now void of plaidness, is actually composed of nothing more than paneling attached to two by fours. 

So. The walls have to be re-done (which conveniently allows us to update any missing insulation) and the wood floor is being nixed.

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A few days later, with dirt, dust and holes everywhere, you might say the house looks worse, but

look at the change without the coat closet!! 

I'm so happy

Now, the entrance is open and expansive, and the lower ceiling flows rather than feeling choppy. (I love how it drops down again in the far door way)

We have also removed all the baseboards as they will be replaced within something simple and substantial.

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Now, all I have to do is come up with a right color to paint the front door...

Between you and me, I want the homeowners to install this front door hardware, but I REALLY want them to change the doors to glass, so...it won't happen, but it's great hardware, isn't it?? 

Stay tuned

FOR THE CATS: Scratching Seat Scuplture

Cats like to claw and rip and climb and attack things. 

Furniture usually suffers pretty badly, especially with 3 cats like we have. 

Rather than completely deter the behavior

(and because cats do whatever they want when nobody's home)

I came up with a chair just for them...

As soon as I brought it home, the cats knew it was for them.

The fabric was perfect for clawing and climbing. 

The chair legs are great for attacking with all four sets of claws from a laying position.

 

And it created a good spot for looking out the window. 

The next one I make will not have the batting. 

Two layers of fabric instead. 

We have had it several years now and it's still putting up a pretty good fight! 

trademarked!

CONCRETE BLOCKS / CINDER BLOCKS

 This blog sums it up...

...but I still want to post some photos.
 

I also think painted cinder blocks can be very cool.

these are fun...

and finally...

COOL THING: Twice Twice Clock

Twice Twice Clock $150.00 

Modern interpretation of the two-sided railway station clock....

Somebody was reading my mind. I've been meaning to re-design this!! 

UPCOMING EVENTS: Saturday, July 16th is John Lautner Day

That's right. 

The city of Los Angeles officially proclaimed July 16th "John Lautner Day".

Because, as devout readers of my incredible blog, you already know how John Lautner is

 {My Blog Entry: Bond James Bond},

 I will skip directly to the point...

The John Lautner Foundation has an extensive calendar of activities this year in celebration of Mr. Lautners 100 birthday. 

I had no idea. 

Here is a small selection:

From July 16 - July 24, LACMA has a small exhibition featuring an abstracted composition, archival model, and photographs of Lautner's famous Goldstein Office...

  

LACMA info

...never heard of the Goldstein Office, but that's the point, right? 

On July 30th at 7:00, American Cinematheque and The Egyptian Theater present a double feature to pay tribute to the architect. 

 Movie Info

At a date yet to be announced (for some reason), The Getty Research Institute is hosting a Behind The Scenes tour of their archive....which you can get a tiny glimpse of here:

Getty Info

And so much more!!!

WHY SHOULD I HIRE AN INTERIOR DESIGNER? Latest project notes

My most recent client lives in the infamous Seal Beach Shores mobile home park. 

We have worked on the interior (it's completely traditional and high end on the inside - which is fun compared to the outside)...

Upon her return from a holiday in Sevilla, the client called me in to do a little something to the exterior - without painting the whole can. 

I came up with a few ideas.  

The first thing I did, which I have been wanting to do since the very first time I saw this little house, was to add a detail to the roof and some casings around the front window. Thank you, again, trusty Microsoft Paint.

My first idea is completely to the taste of the client. She will love it....

My second idea is OK. I'm not thrilled....

My third idea is my favorite, but a little risky...

VOTE NOW!!

MI CASA: Changes to the Manor de Lord Boutelle

I spray painted my magazine rack. 

We got this rattan magazine rack at Stat's for less than $30.

 

Then I found the perfect spray paint at my local hardware store...

VALSPAR

GLOSS

EXOTIC SEA

65201

and one stinky  afternoon later...

ta-da!

(We also painted and re-arranged the Dining Room)

(I still need to change the plug)