Contemporary Design

Current contemporary design has such divergent directions. In the world of architecture, straight lines of steel and glass typify most structures (except Frank Gehry's magnificent stainless curvilinear shapes). It seems there is a standard formula of colorless glass, steel and wood (or stucco, or both) that is repeated over and over again. However, in the world of interior design, upholstered pieces tend to be sinusoidal shaped sofas, chairs, and chaises....often in strong, bright colors.

What's going on? Is this the interior design community fighting back at the cold, angular exterior? Or is it the homeowner's desire to relieve the starkness of the structure they are living in? I haven't heard a clear answer, but whatever is happening a wonderful contrast is created between these two distinct styles of contemporary design.

Getty Villa

I recently visited the Getty Villa museum in Malibu, a magnificent reproduction of the Villa dei Papiri in Herculaneum that was buried by Mount Vesuvius' eruption in AD79. The museum underwent a nine year renovation and is now even more beautiful than when I visited it over twenty years ago. The structure is magnificent, the setting idyllic, and the antiquities displayed inside are beyond description. The museum itself has elaborate decoration and some of the finest faux painting I have ever seen (this art form was very popular at the time). The tile work is breathtaking, with complex marble designs on the floors, walls, and ceilings. The antiquities date from the Greek and Roman empires, ranging from hundreds of years BC to several hundred years AD, all in the finest condition.

Time Warp

Walking in my neighborhood a few days ago, I came upon an area that absolutely intrigued me. Accessed by one road, this area has about a hundred homes that were built in the 1950's and 1960's. Walking the area was like being in a time warp. The homes are in pristine condition and have stayed true to their original architecture and design. Although some had been refurbished, the upgrades were done in keeping with the original home. Refreshingly, there wasn't one MacMansion among them! It struck me that this neighborhood should be preserved as a historic area. It was originally a Boy Scout camp until the developers came in the 1950's, and it essentially looks today the way it looked over fifty years ago.

Area Rug Shopping

Not surprisingly, shopping for area rugs is similar to shopping for art. You don't really need either, but a beautiful rug, like a beautiful painting, can be a major addition to a room. I needed several area rugs to define spaces in my recently remodeled home. So off I went to Aga John, a wonderful rug showroom in Los Angeles. Having done business with Aga John my entire design career, I had high expectations of finding suitable rugs there. And I did! I found a deep red rug for the living room to convey the richness of the space and a small rug in the entry to pull out the deep blue of the adjacent drapery. I was thrilled when I returned home and put them in place....it was like adding the last pieces of a jig-saw puzzle.

Rug buying, like buying art, is typically a "love at first sight" experience. If you aren't sure it probably isn't the right rug for you. Continue to look and the ideal rug is usually right around the corner.

"Tuscan Style"

For months my wife has been searching for a wrought iron soap dish, so yesterday we trekked to a Pasadena store that might have one. Upon arriving at Napa Style we were not disappointed. They had the perfect soap dish to echo the Spanish Colonial look of our home as well as a treasure trove of other suitable consistently-themed items and accessories. It is often difficult to find decorative accessories to one's style and taste, so when you find them it is a good idea to buy at the time, even if you weren't planning to do so. If you wait they can be unavailable when you finally decide it's time to purchase. In our case, we have several areas in our newly-remodeled home that need decorative items, and Napa Style had the right feel for us. Needless to say, we left the store with much more than just the soap dish!

This elegant rustic style is becoming increasingly popular across the country. In my own design business many clients talk of their love of "Tuscan style" even though it is often ill-defined. In my mind it is a homey, rustic look befitting the very old farmhouses and homes of southern France and the Tuscany region of Italy. It is warm and inviting and, although rustic, can also be very elegant. There is a real honesty to the design, with functional hand-made pieces and the use of heavy woods, wrought iron, and simple decoration. Not only is this style a personal favorite, but my home (a classic 1926 Spanish Colonial) is the perfect backdrop for this rustic design. My "new" home has many such pieces that I designed, such as this little side table for the master bathroom. My upcoming book will describe my home remodel experience as well as show other pieces of furniture and cabinetry designed by me .

Exciting Windows!, Baltimore

I just returned from a fabulous appearance at the Exciting Windows annual conference in Baltimore and it was a treat for several reasons. First, I was around the "best of the best" of window treatment professionals. They have such creativity, enthusiasm and a true love of what they do. I am certain the Exciting Windows organization will become the gold standard of that industry.

Second, the event was held in the Baltimore Tremont Hotel, part of which was once a Masonic lodge. The building dates back to 1866 and the meeting rooms, which have recently been restored, reflect the magnificent style and design of those days. I could have spent a week there admiring all the details!

The Joy of Flying

Sometimes I think I should have been a pilot, which is what I imagined I would be while growing up in England. As a young boy, my father was in the aerospace industry and we annually visited the Farnborough Air Show to see the latest, fastest planes show off their stuff. Last Sunday, flying from LAX to Baltimore, the views of the cloud formations were stunning, appearing as stretches of ocean crashing onto the mountainous rocks. I also saw snowy peaks and endless magnificent views of our country. It is a joy to just stare out the windows and marvel at nature's beauty. This is design at it's finest.