When someone great is gone...

This week I wanted to reiterate an important point: You can't take it with you.

I went to visit my great aunt in the hospital (hospice) yesterday to find that she's slipping away and will mostly likely pass on in the next few days. She's been the closest thing to a grandmother to me as an adult since all of my real grandparents died when I was a child. She offered support, encouragement, and unconditional love when I really needed it over the past 12 or 13 years. So it was heartbreaking to see this tall, strong, intelligent woman looking so tiny and fragile in a hospital bed.

It reminded me of how, years before he died, my father was more than ready to let go of his possessions. It started with the vintage clothing he gave me when I was in high school and college. Later, he gave me his old car, a badass Buick. Do I still have any of those things? No, because they’re possessions that I loved, used up, and eventually had to discard as I moved on.

We often brag about that cool piece of furniture or accessories or antiques that we “scored” from a family member. Just remember that piece might be a reminder of a loved one, but it shouldn’t take the place of the memories you have. For example, I’ll always have the memories of the things I got from my father, the way he used them and how I gave them a second life. Now that the items are gone, have my memories or feelings changed? Of course not! (I mean, what would the point be of keeping an old car that doesn’t work anymore?)

Use it up and, when the time comes, pass it on or give it away. My mother (something of a hoarder herself) just gave me an old pot that was just sitting in her garage yesterday after I told her about an orchid I needed to re-pot. Looks like she’s learning, too.

I got a brand new pair of roller skates, you got a brand new key...

Following up on stuff I'm loving this spring and summer, I've got to let you all know about my obsession with Greek keys.

Sometimes it can also be found in Asian designs in fretwork borders or screens, but we most often associate the keys with neoclassical interiors and various revivals.

Check out this rad hand-painted key border by Jean Cocteau. I would love the chance to draw or graffiti something like this in an interior space with a big fat marker:

(Check out the rest of this French home that Cocteau designed in this article.)

I'm totally going to get these Euro shams from West Elm and use them as a summery headboard:

I love these because they take that classic geometric pattern and, like Cocteau, give it an organic, handmade feel. It's relaxed and easy and fun--just what you want for the warmer days ahead.

Go ahead and go Greek this year--get yourself a brand new key!

Hey! You! Get off of my cloud!

After using one of these indoor/outdoor ceramic stools as a side table in a project for Ye Olde Dayjobbe, I've been obsessed with the celestial cloud pattern:

And check this out--they're even availble in lamp form from Arteriors! I'm dying to use these in some project, whether for Retrograde or Ye Olde Dayjobbe:

Chalk it up to collective consciousness or subliminal marketing, but I'm really digging the clouds for this spring and summer.

(And remember to stick with a designer, either me or one of my colleagues to the right. We can save you money on purchasing, and in some cases like the Arteriors lamps, you can only get them through us or the trade!)

Check out this hotel in Taiwan that's taken the clouds to a more modern form:

This is how we do it...

Alrighty, after last week's birthday shenanigans, I'm back to the regular postings!

I've been working with a great new client, figuring out her style and helping her get rid of a bunch of hand-me-down pieces she's been living with for the past few years. However, there were several hand-me-downs that were actually family heirlooms which neither of us would ever consider throwing out!

The bedroom is filled with these huge antiques, which have been passed down several generations:

How to break it up and make it feel less formal? It all comes back to the balance that I use in my Retrograde work.

Step 1: Add some fun bedding.

This bedding from Dwell Studio is grounded in a formal European floral/animal pattern, but is also incredibly bright and colorful and really packs a punch.

Step 2: Mix it up. With the bed furniture pretty much set, the only way to balance out the heavy wood pieces was with bedside tables and lamps. In all three options below, you'll see some combination of contemporary and formal, with most of the traditional shapes re-imagined in modern materials or colors. 

Option 1 features inexpensive lamps in a traditional shape but also a shocking pink color, combined with nesting tables made out of clear plexiglass.

Option 2 features nightstands made of foxed mirror (which is a really traditional finish) in a really clean, modern shape. The lamps are playful plexiglass takes on rococo-style lamps.

Option 3 combines super-modern wall sconces with a ghostly floating table made of clear plexiglass.

Why so much plexiglass, you may ask? Yeah, each option features it, and I thought of using it in all three options in order to lighten up the space visually and to provide an ultra-modern foil to the carved wood bed and dresser. Maybe I read too many Wonder Woman comics when I was a kid, but I also like to think of it like the Invisible Jet--functional and totally rad all at the same time.

Anyhow, it all comes down to balance, balance, balance. It's the key to so many designs. This is how we do it, people.

Come to my window...

Quick post this week seeing as how I was so busy at Ye Olde Dayjobbe last week, shipping things out for the One Kings Lane Tastemaker Tag Sale. I'm telling you--this sale has killed me! Guess who had to ship out all those bolts of fabric and small accessories that sold?

That's right--me.

Anyhow, whenever I was feeling stressed out between OKL and a new commercial project at work, I just took a moment to enjoy the view out my kitchen window:

The yellow flowers, the plum trees, and the lemon tree remind me that spring is around the corner and that I shouldn't worry so much.

If you've been as stressed out as me, just take a minute to enjoy your local scenery too!

Like four seasons in one day...

The cold weather and rain of the past few days has forced me to stay and--what else?--play around with my living room.

Just a reminder to keep experimenting with what you have. When you're cleaning up and dusting, take a moment to rearrange things. A change is always good!

Four years ago:

Last year:

A few months ago:

And this weekend: 

I love the David Hockney portrait I got from Wayne Pate!

And I also love the corbels I got from Accident and Artifact (from an old Japanese temple). That shop really is like Indiana Jones's private study or den...

I even switched out the London bus blind in the entry for a smaller grouping of pieces:

I found the vintage Chinatown illustration at Thrift Town in the Mission (there's a companion piece depicting Nob Hill, too!)

One room, done four ways. See what you can do on a cold afternoon!

She bop

So while I was in New York last week I snapped some pics of the East Village apartment I helped refresh.

Yes, there are a lot of recognizable CB2 pieces and such, but there are also quite a few new affordable handmade accessories and art from Brooklyn Flea, which is just rad.

The point of it all? JUST DO IT--do something if you want to add a little pizzaz to your space. I keep telling everyone I work with that their spaces should reflect their personalities. Well, now this New York pad looks much more like the spirited young lady who lives there. With just a few trips to a couple of places (and some professional painting), we were able to add some color and life to her apartment rather quickly.

So here's a before and after of the living room:

And here's another before and after:

And here's the bedroom (the bars will come off the windows soon...promise!):

Color...pattern...bold prints in a small space...New York iconoclasts...of course Cyndi Lauper would be something of an inspiration!