Quirky Living

Designing with TLC: before & afters!

Last week I had the honor of redesigning the Arts & Crafts Room of the Boys & Girls Club of Atlanta for a pilot we shot for TLC.  The center serves disadvantaged--yet amazing kids, providing them with a safe haven for fun activities after school.  The Arts & Crafts Room serves hundreds of kids each week and was anything but inspiring. We installed sturdy laminate wood flooring, crisp white ceiling planks, custom desks, tables, storage and reworked the existing lighting.  My favorite element in the room?  A completely mobile stage--to encourage the kids to find their own inner stardom.  Check out the before and after pics below!

  

  Our room needs a lot of TLC.  Now for the AFTERS!

 

 New flooring, paint, custom round tabletops.  Our window treatments use pretty designer fabric sewn onto store bought white grommet panels.  Big savings!

 

The stage is my favorite addition to the room!  Our picture frames hold cork board to encourage creativity and keep things fresh and new.

 

Built-in table tops flank the room.  New and attractive storage above.

Somewhere in the room (on the ceiling) we mounted another flying bird decal to remind the kids to be that free spirit.  Always follow your dreams.

 

Check out our warm laminate wood flooring.  Our central seating zone is defined by carpet tiles.

 

From Granny to Fabulous!  Black glossy vinyl w/ piping is super durable for the kids.  It also gives our instructor a dignified place to sit.  Note, our free spirit bird is mounted above.

 

 Our internal windows are transformed into a custom chalkboard and pinboard, finished with crown molding trim.

  

  

The kids give thanks.

 

    Celebrity Carpenter and co-Host Russ Hemmis and I on a job well done!

 

High-style LA Loft on a budget

Bryan Boone's LA loft located downtown in the fashion district pulls off a Jonathan Adler-esque point of view at a fraction of the cost.  As he explains on his Apartment Therapy home tour, most of the pieces were found from a near obsessive scouring of for sale items on Craigslist.  Bryan certainly knows his style and that combined with a neutral color base of black and white, bold graphics and a symmetrical furniture layout proves that you don't need to break the bank to achieve a high-end look.

       

Sale of the Century at 45 Three!

 

Now I'm not one to covet my secret sale spot locations.  If there's a bargain to be had, I love spreading the word.  I've gotten to know Staci Cain, proprietor of the 45 Three Modern Vintage Home in Little Ethiopia on Fairfax and let me tell you, the girl's got style.  Her store has been open for a little over a year now and she never ceases to amaze me in providing a fine-tuned selection of desirable designer vintage furnishing with history and style.  Best yet, her prices are right on the money.  I recently purchased two hard to come by ceramic 1970's lamps that totally rocked in my client's condo.  I'm letting you in on every Los Angeles designer's favorite store so you don't want to miss this opportunity to score some great pieces at deeply discounted prices.  She's breakin' into the storage unit so run--don't walk, to 45 Three this Saturday!

45 Three Modern Vintage Home
1051 1/2 Fairfax Ave.
Los Angeles, CA  90035
323 932 0832

Deep discounts this Saturday only!  8am -4pm

Click here to read all about the buzz on Apartment Therapy!

Make your life easier with simple storage solutions

There are certain advantages to having a professional organizer as a best friend. This weekend I teamed up with Derrick Johnson of DTBD to help me find some simple solutions to house my ever growing collection of fabric, paint and wallpaper samples for my home office.  Not only was my space being over run with client projects, I needed a simple "grab and go" solution that would allow me to take each project with me on my daily hunts for furnishings and finishes.

Previously I used Ikea's stylish Kassett white cardboard storage box with chrome detailing to hold all my fabrics mish mashed together.  Derrick pointed out that although attractive, the cardboard would not hold up over time, nor could you see what was inside.  

He convinced me to go with the Ikea Samla Plastic Bin, allowing me to view the contents, and at $2 a pop for both bin and lid, I could stock up.     They are clear so you can see the contents, waterproof, the lid stays in place and are easier to stack.  

Now combining the bins with the Antonius Frame and Basket  storage component I have an easy and affordable way to house my tools in my closet with pride having hassle-free access to my samples.  To truly test the usability of these products, I took my bin with me to the fabric store.  Previously I'd juggle my current samples in hand while selecting and cutting new samples.  With bin in hand I felt organized and prepared, allowing me keep multiple projects on hand and orderly as I searched for new gems for my clients!  Thank you DTBD!

Insider scoop: secret sale spot in Venice

If you venture to Venice Beach on the weekend I'll fill you in on a secret sale spot I came across.  On Strong Street between Venice & Washington Blvd. one of the canal houses holds a consignment sale with desireable and vintage home goods, hats, accessories and clothing.  Call it a high end yard sale if you must, but he sells an interesting collection of items for a number of dealers who vary from week to week.  I snagged this pair of turquoise foo dogs for $18.  They're a steal!  Love 'em.

Neat ways to use the #1 best design at Ikea--The Expedit Bookcase!

The expedit bookcase is hands-down the #1 greatest design sold by Ikea.  I have seen this bookcase used by countless designers, often times in their own design firm.  Why?  Because it's simple, it's clean and it's functional.  Click here to see countless ways to turn your organized chaos into a colorful and collected focal point.

...Or buy it here at Ikea.

5 Free Ways to Update Your Home & Beat Recession Blues

courtesy of Living Etc.

Penny-pinching?  Recession got you down?  Redecorating my apartment always raises my spirits. Here's 10 ways to spruce up your pad without breaking the bank.

1.  Gather a collection of chunky books and magazines and stack them to create an impromptu yet stylish side table.

2.  Display a favorite dress or vintage robe on a pretty hanger. 

3.  Rummage through your cupboards and create a wall collage of decorative plates.  Odd numbers tend to look better.  Mix in saucers and graphic plates to "de-granny" the look.

4.  Remove a few doors on your kitchen cabinetry and display your best dishes.  Optional: Line the back with funky wallpaper.

5.  Rearrange your furniture.  Try living room lamps in the bedroom, refocus a seating arrangement on something other than the television for an instant update.

Can I get this in pink?

I've become very girly lately and the search continues on for the perfect office chair.  My ideal office houses a super long white sawhorse work table, with a PINK office chair like the one pictured here, with one wall papered in Osbourne&Little and a big steer taxidermy to watch me as I work.  The Eames Management Chair pictured here is a wise choice and surprisingly comfortable.  The supple leather upholstery comes in a whole host of colors (sans pink) and is available at DWR.  PS.  You can get the knock-off version, the Lider Chair, in limited colors.  

THRIFTY FINDS: Glam it Up on a Budget!

Fantastic design on a budget?  Urban Outfitters has a few great selections if you're going for that glam, girly kind of look.  You will look fabulous lounging on this velvet eggplant fainting sofa for only $575.  Another cute bargain are these mirrored end tables which serve as the cutest set of night stands for $250 a pop.  Adorably dreamy are the "I Dream of Paris" pillow case set for when you're just too busy to get away to the city of Love.  $28.  Who says all design has to cost an arm and a leg?