DECOR FILE : FABULOUS!

ESPASSO! SIMPLE BEAUTY

If you have not discovered Espasso, well then, you are missing out on some fabulous Brazilian furniture design and talent! I first discovered Espasso while meandering through the Pacific Design Center. There is something so alluring about the simplicity of most of the pieces you will find in their collection. Its like the little black dress-you know, classic, simple, and always a smart choice? I find that in design, more often than not- less is more. I came across this point the other day with student designs and I tried to emphasize that, rather than try and make a chair into a Swiss Army knife- they would be better served in honing their vision and skills to the task at hand...a comfortable, well designed chair. This was truly a case of live and learn.

The point is that you don't really need all the bells and whistles, gobs of swags and pleats, or even a mine full of bling to make a succinct, successful and beautiful vision come to life. Look above and you will see my point-- even if its illustrated with pieces of furniture and not rooms.

I think the same is true in life- we spend so much time investing in the gobs of swags and pleats and putting on all the bells and whistles that we forget that, most of all, what would serve us best is to present ourselves not as Swiss Army knives but as simple, beautiful people.

here's to beauty and style!

DECOR FILE : FABULOUS!

LILAC & LEMON- WEST ELM SPRING PREVIEW

I am gaga over the soon to come spring line from West Elm. Lilac, lemon and that uber chic Kilsmos inspired chair. OY! Love, Love Love! The console/desk reminds me so much of those higher end ones from to the trade showrooms - the Magistrate from Randolph & Hein. So chic! Get ready for some yellow, folks

(images:westelm, randolph& hein)

SPY OR BUY

I SPY

alessi marli bottle opener - conran shops

guggenheim museum logo set - anthropologie

leather tray - mecox gardens

silver and rope charger- jayson home and garden

FELLOW*

HELLO AGAIN, MISTER!

It has been a crazy and trying ride this year with working on projects that have me traveling from here to there and back again...all in the same day. This past Thanksgiving, I worked in Palm Desert until mid day- hopped in the car and drove 4 hours to have a fabulous meal in Santa Barbara- and then headed right back out, for another 2 hour dive, to LA Friday morning to continue working. All of this had me thinking...what a wonderful time I had around that table, enjoying a festive meal with friends, and how much I missed the times when I could stop and soak in the good times. For myself, there is nothing more enjoyable than getting in the kitchen to cook a feast that friends and family will enjoy. There really is such a thing as Soul Food and its mighty good. I also was thinking how long it had been since I had sat down to pen an issue of Fellow*...my little e-zine filled with visual feasts. With life as hectic as it is, I am yearning to throw a good fete or two- but the truth is that it likely won't happen and being such I hunkered down these past few days and gathered all of my ideas into this mini edition for you to enjoy.

This holiday edition is filled with tabletop inspirations that put a fresh spin on familiar traditions. After all, who says that the holidays are only candy canes and tinsel garland? At Fellow* we like to take a different approach to holiday decor and say that your table can be adorned in sumptuous jewel tones or with natural beauty. We prove that decking the halls doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg- rather with carefully edited selections and a choice pop of color you can create a modern approach that is certain to dazzle all your friends. The same is true where feasting is concerned. Gathered in these pages are simple, delicious dishes that are proven winners when we have entertained. Some are go-to recipes that we serve time and time again and have yet to find any flaws. We prove, once again, that beautifully basic food- prepared with heart- and presented with style and beauty can soar high above any complicated, expensive, or cumbersome meal. Nothing is has to cost a million bucks to taste like a million bucks and, trust us, after seeing what is inside- you will be hungry.

As always, the goal is to throw out inspiring ideas that will spark a light to stoke your creative fires. Take a little from here, some from there and do it your own way! If we help lighten your load during these busy days so that you can raise a glass with your fellow friends and enjoy life's little moments-- then we say cheers to you!

all the best my friends!

DECOR FILE : FABULOUS UPDATE

PALM DESERT PROGRESS

First impressions from the past: You used to walk into plastic trees, orange and grey ceramic tile

Now honed vein cut Europa stone, contemporary wall fountains and dreamy seascapes welcome residents and visitors

What a mess the reception used to be. Dated, dull just plain ick. The receptionist could not even be seen from behind the desk!

One of my favorite elements of this entire renovation- the new reception desk, storage and the FANTASTIC original artwork! The painting incorporates all the hues used throughout the facility--coppery tones, misty blue greens, golds.

The old lobby. No words needed.

As you can see we are still in transition here in this space. But I have added slatted "screens" to define the space and make it feel more intimate. Replaced the carpeting, carried the stone through the lobby. New, custom, upholstered furniture is soon to arrive

The lobby had a very interesting challenge- this window from an office next door. Frankly, it was uncomfortable and seemed much like a viewing room. The solution was to create a glossy bump out that covered the window and then draw the eye to the corner of the room with an amazing focal detail...

Our focal detail- mother of pearl covered fireplace wall with a large ottoman. The ottoman allows visitors to sit and visit with the residents who may be wheelchair bound and all can enjoy the "fire". This is so dramatic and yet blends in quietly. Understated elegance.

This used to be the view down the front hall

Now you see a wonderful, textural, and elegant seating arrangement. I particularly love the table scape I created.

I can't believe that is has been almost three weeks since my last posting! Life has been thrown me several curveballs and dealt me a good hand of funk. With filming for HGTV, trying to balance 4 skilled nursing facilities, travel and just general upkeep in life- I am afraid I have fallen a bit behind on certain duties. Time seems to just slip through my fingers. What was supposed to be a day visit to my Palm Desert Facility- turned into a four day stay - including part of the Thanksgiving holiday.

As you can see, we are making great progress on this project. and though we still have a ton of work to do - Its great to finally see some real transformation! I can not express how happy the residents and staff are at the changes. People who have been in that building for 10, 15, even 18 years say it has never looked better or felt more welcoming. That is the greatest compliment. After all, my mission is to bring style and beauty to all for them to enjoy and experience. In the words of a long time resident, "Now, I am happy to live here. I am happy."

How can you do any better than that?

until next time...

DECOR FILE : FABULOUS UPDATE

PALM SPRINGS PROGRESS

Above: One of the old interior courtyards. Below- the new version

Above: The previous nurses station. Below - the new version

You can see how tidy the nurses are. not even five minutes later. oy!

In the past few days- a lot of progress occurred in Palm Springs at the nursing facility. We completed the interior courtyard renovations as well as rear nurses station. It has been a slow, and arduous task thus far. I think we forget just how far we have come until we see the before and after pictures side by side. To my best guess- this is because I see these things day in and day out...and I see them in all the separate components as well as the whole.

The interior courtyards underwent the least dramatic changes- although the impact is impressive. Seeing an opportunity to utilize these, once neglected , areas as an extension of therapy and enjoyment-- the first task was to rip out the entire pad and re-pour a level concrete pad so that residents could safely maneuver through out. Once that was complete it was on to the "decor" low level fountains that could be enjoyed even if one is confined to a wheel chair. Desert plantings that will grow over time to lend a "unplanned/wild" aspect to the areas with plants that will bloom winter and summer. The gravel was added because many residents have homes in the area that have gravel walkways and transitions. Here the therapists can rehabilitate residents to transition from concrete to gravel safely and effectively. The key is to combine form and function so it is seamless.

The nurses station is quite a transformation! We had an inspector out who said "wow, that's a pretty nice station!" He sees these day in and day out- so I took it as quite the compliment. I have to agree. The new station is a far cry from where we started. Its modern, chic, and has understated elegance. Cerused oak meets ivory colored Silastone and brushed bronze laminate counter tops. The standard plastic corner guards have been upgraded to antiqued bronze iron. The window pane grid walls conceal conduits of phone lines that come from the acoustic tiles in the ceiling. I also think they add a tiny bit of "privacy". Again- we needed to address function-- house wires-- and come up with a beautiful solution.

So, slowly but surely we move on.

Happy Tuesday!

DECOR FILE : FABULOUS!

OH, BOY- OH, JOY!

I am in LOVE with this note book I found while perusing Oh, Joy! Love, love love! Just had to share...

DECOR FILE : FABULOUS UPDATE

PALM SPRINGS- BEAUTY AND STYLE FOR THE LOBBY

above and below: the dated, over-worn lobby of Palm Spring Skilled Nursing Center. Notice the ceiling fans ala 1980. The country Pine furniture and mustard yellow wall colors. Oh the Southwestern Prints as well!

Below: The same lobby after a major overhaul to update the area and bring graceful, edited style. NO more ceiling fans or prints. Hello Philadelphia Honed Stone flooring, eco-chic upholstery, custom fireplace walls and hand-blown glass and bronze pendants!

Again: The after below

Since, approximately, this past February- I have been working diligently on several Skilled Nursing Facilities- or SNF's as they say in the biz. This past Saturday was our first major install in the lobby of my Palm Springs project. It has been such a long time coming but FINALLY I can show some dramatic before and after images. What you should realize is the following:

1. my budget is frugal- considering the task I was handed and the scope of the project/improvements that needed to occur. The building is over 26,000 square feet with 100 beds.

We have replaced all the flooring through out with either luxury vinyl tiles, stone or ceramic in the case of the baths.

Paint Through out.

New bedding, draperies, headboards, nightstands.

Demo'd and rebuilding two nurses stations.

Demo'd and re-poured exterior courtyards. Added fountains and new plantings.

All new lobby furnishings.

artwork in the Lobby

Draperies through out the public spaces.

Renovated the Physical therapy gym-

Created an efficiency apartment for Occupational Therapy...

the list goes on and on and I can still tell you that we are still about $15.00 a square foot if you did the math! This my friends, is unheard of.

2. The details are what matter. Everything that my hand touches or my eye sees undergoes intense scrutiny. This is to say that everything and every detail is just as important as the next. One link on the pendant fixtures versus two. Draperies hanging 3/4" above the floor versus 1". Charcoal stitching on the opalescent leather pillows versus black. Orchid arrangements made my my own hands because the nursery could not get it just right. You get the picture. This is not about finding something retail and plopping it down...it is about a pointed vision and well edited elements.

Here are just some of the great details:

the luxury vinyl was selected to cut down the use of chemicals around the residents.

custom draperies, night stands and headboards, as well as healthcare appropriate bedding are in the patient rooms.

lobby furnishings are custom designs, eco friendly with FSC certified frames and foam that is either of recycled content or soy based.

Fabrics are designer, to the trade- all while meeting stringent standards (This has been most challenging.)

lobby artwork is ORIGINAL paintings! Not prints - Original hand-made contemporary pieces.

3. I have single-handedly facilitated everything. No assistants. No foreman. Meet your General contractor- in a sense.

While there are still many items to tackle, another nurses station to install, and some painting to complete... I am supremely pleased. The aim was to bring style and beauty to individuals who often are ignored. To demonstrate that luxury and grace can be accomplished with out excess if you have a well edited, trained eye and comprehensive know-how. (Imagine if I had generous budgets!) And that we need to change the face of typical health care design to incorporate the refined, upscale aesthetics that the boomer generation has grown accustomed to. Today its about being effortlessly chic.

Happy Monday!

DECOR FILE : FABULOUS!

NY INSPIRATIONS AT THE MET AND THE CORNER BAR

Byzantine Necklace- Divine!

There was something so intriguing about this display of figures on pedestal...definitely something to hold onto

Coins of Antiquity- I have so many ideas for these!

This was by far- one of the most quaint and welcoming bars I have visited...a tiny, tiny corner in TriBeCa...every element was perfection!