Shopping LA

I just got back from a wonderful trip to Los Angeles. Here are some shopping highlights:

Blackman Cruz

Blackman Cruz is a little off the beaten path but hands down the most unique of the bunch.  The showroom is set in a huge warehouse and features a mix of rare midcentury furniture, industrial finds, bronze skull lamps, and other curiosities. 836 N. Highland Avenue

photo by Lendon Flanagan

Obsolete

Located in Venice, Obsolete contains a fabulous mix of antiques, upholstered pieces, lighting and fine art. The store is arranged in thoughtful vignettes that showcase their finds in a artful manner. 222 Main Street

Lucca Antiques

Lucca Antiques occupies a large light filled space in West Hollywood's design district.  They have a beautiful mix of their own custom pieces and vintage finds. They have a lot more here than in their New York showroom and so it was great to experience the full breath of their products. 744 N. Cienega Blvd

JF Chen

Leave plenty of time to peruse JF Chen's 40,000 sq ft warehouse of treasures. The style and period of his selections runs the gamut so there is something for everyone. 941 N. Highland Avenue

Ping-Pong by BDDW

BDDW is on my go to list whenever I am in SoHo. The small American made furniture company is set in the perfect brick clad space to showcase their impeccably crafted pieces. They are known for their heirloom quality solid wood furniture, traditionally joined, in a number of domestic hardwoods. 

One of their more unique items is this cherry and maple Ping-Pong table. It features a removable leather net hooked on with cast bronze brackets and comes with four leather cased paddles. At a high of 30" it also works perfectly as a dining table when not in use. 

BDDW 5 Crosby Street, NYC 

Rajasthan

India is a country that everyone should visit at least once in their lives. It is impossible to fully describe the intensely rich fabric of sights, sounds and smells that make it unique. Having just returned from my second trip, I have an even greater appreciation for its beauty. Below are three hotels we stayed in around Rajasthan that are worth the trip alone! 

AMANBAGH

 Amanbagh lies within a walled compound once used by the Maharajah of Alwar to site his mobile hunting camps in search of the tigers known to roam the nearby hills. The resort is very much a modern day 'Mughal Palace', conceived in the present, but paying homage to the architecture and design of India's golden age.  This place was a little of the beaten path but definitely one of the highlights of the trip.   

OBEROI VANYAVILAS

The Oberoi Vanyavilas is located on the edge of the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve. The luxury tents with embroidered canopies, and private walled gardens are in perfect contrast to the ruggedness of the jungle.  I was lucky enough to see a Bengal tiger up close on two of our safari drives.

RAMBAGH PALACE

Set in forty-seven acres of landscaped gardens in the center of the Rajasthan capital, this is one of the world's most famous palace hotels. After hectic days shopping in Jaipur, nothing beat the luxury of our suite.

House Beautiful March 2014

Thank you so much to all of the staff at House Beautiful for the wonderful story in the March issue. 

Everyone working on the piece was so delightful and such a pleasure to work with. 

I especially want to thank Doretta Sperduto, Paul Raeside, Olga Naiman and Douglas Brenner for all of their hard work.

Malibu living

February is my least favorite month in New England. As I watch another snow storm out my window I can't help but daydream about relocating somewhere warm. Patrick Dempsey's home featured in the March issue of Architectural Digest seems to fit the bill. The house which is located in Malibu was originally designed by Frank Gehry in 1968. However, it was the outdoor spaces that captured my attention. Landscape designer Scott Shrader introduced lush gardens with built-in seating and low walls  made out of recycled concrete to provide structure and intimacy. I would imagine they spend just as much time outdoors as they do in the house. 

Madeline Weinrib + Project Mala

Madeline Weinrib just launched a new design called the Mala Carpet for Project Mala, a nonprofit organization that builds schools in the carpet weaving regions of India with the hopes of eliminating child labor.  They also provide meals, health care, clothes, shoes and school supplies for the children. 100% of the proceeds of the rug will go to the charity. The rug design was inspired by vintage Moroccan carpets with plush textures and graphic patterns. It's a fabulous rug for an even more faboulous cause.

Carl Auboch

I was recently searching for some brass accessories when I was reminded of one of my favorite industrial designers, Carl Auboch. He was the second of five generations of Aubochs associated with the Werkstatte Auboch and one of the leaders of Austrian Modernism. He trained at the Bauhaus School and is best know for his work with brass. The family company is still in operation today producing many of his designs.

Polished brass and coiled cane bookends

  Glass pitcher with cognac leather brace and brass handle

Brass and wicker four piece coffee service, c. 1950

Leather safari chair

Brass key bottle opener

Black leather sling and brass magazine rack, c.1950