Dorothy Draper chest

Don't you love ebay? This is my latest score - a Dorothy Draper chest from the 50's.

I've been eyeing this chest for months, but every time someone is selling one, they're normally very expensive.

She is one of my favorite designers, so glamorous, over the top & a big inspiration to most Hollywood Regency designers.

It looks like a bunch of tiny drawers, but it's really 3 long ones. I'm planning to put it in my guest bedroom, set against chocolate brown walls.

Nail Polish Painting

One of my colleagues buys art from every place he has lived. I think it's wonderful, but several of the cities where I have lived have never inspired me enough to buy a piece.

That was, until I moved to Atlanta and made my first art purchase.

The artist was Scott Ingram, and I fell in love with his nail polish paintings after seeing them in an article. He simply buys a bunch of nail polish and drips the contents down the canvas.

I fully understand the argument that modern art can be a big hoax. After all, the guy buys dozens of nail polish bottles and after spilling the contents, calls it art AND charges an arm & a leg for it.

But you know what? I loved the work and realized I truly treasured my piece when it was the only thing that I was worried about arriving safely when I packed up all of my things in Atlanta, put them into a pod and had them shipped out here to LA.

There's even a treasured little drip that hangs from the bottom of one of the nail streaks and I was worried the little drip could break and fall off.

It didn't, and I'm still waiting to display my beautiful work.

I think I may hang it over my bed. I can see it surrounded by a soothing grey palate, the painting shining on its own.

It's a piece that I am proud of, because I picked it out, while my husband (who has a great eye) has discovered most of the artists we love and seek out.

I have the pride of ownership. By the way, the first photo is the one I bought. I love the reds and pinks together.

Cathy Waterman earrings

These Cathy Waterman earrings are so beautiful, they seem like they could have been made centuries ago and passed down through generations.
I spied them on Barneys.com

Lacey Lamp

They look more like chandeliers to me, but aren't these the coolest light fixtures?

The lone lamp is called the Bobbin Lace Lamp, by Niels van Eijk.
The photo doesn't really do them justice!

The lamps consists of hundreds or thousands of fiber optic strings.

Fiber optics usually have one tiny point of light at the end of their strings.

Instead, the artist broke the fiber optics at various points, so the light emits like rain drops a different places on the string. The effect looks like lace. It's very lovely.
I saw the lamp at the Radical Lace & Subversive Knitting exhibit at the Museum of Art & Design in NY.

The grouping of lamps is at a hospital in the Netherlands.

Plagiarism Museum

Wouldn't it be fun to go to this museum in Germany? It's called Museum Plagiarius Solingen.

These are some of the products on display. The original is on the left, the copy on the right.

It's not like we don't see knockoffs in everyday life. One local hub is Santee Alley in Downtown LA, where you find $8 D&G glasses and $50 Chanel purses.

It was just funny to see how many other products are copied so precisely.

I happen to have a crush on those round cabanas. They remind me the Ball Chair by Eero Aarnio. Everyone does a little copying it seems.

Funky Fruit Bowl

I don't really like clutter on kitchen counters, but I like these little trays for fruit, called Fruit Bowl No. 4 & 5. Maybe it would help me eat more. I'm more of a veggie person though. From Designfenzider, New York.

Art walls

I'm planning on an art wall up my staircase. These photos are so inspiring! Some of these photos were snatched from stylecourt.blogspot.com

Beautiful barstools

My barstools are in & I can't wait to spin around in them while sitting at my breakfast bar.
I can't resist the Kelly Wearstler Emerald Cut pattern .
These were custom made just for me by wandrdesign.com :)

Finally, photos of my renovations

My husband uploaded these photos of our project, which is steadily coming along.

We added new windows and doors downstairs, which bring in so much more light.

These photos are post-drywall and primer.

Now, we're adding the paint, you can see by the hallway photos. It's so exciting to see my house become slowly what I had always dreamed it would be.

We aren't keeping the carpet. Isn't that obvious? Just take a look at the stairwell carpet that the drywallers had fun making a mess of.

Mousepad notepad

Our computer desk space is littered with small scraps of paper. Post-its, shoe-box tops, corners torn of pages.

When I saw this notepad mousepad in Real Simple I was so thrilled to have a solution.

At only $8.50, I love the price and the bonus is the super-cool pattern on the notepad..

It's from seejanework.com, and they have lots of other great things for your office space.

Easter indulgence

Happy Easter!
In the spirit of all the yummy treats that will be enjoyed this Sunday, I will share my absolute favorite chocolate company with you.
Let me preface this with the fact that I don't normally like flavored chocolate or truffles, because it's usually too rich.
I tend to prefer a simple chocolate-dipped strawberry, plain milk chocolate or a snickers.
But these Norman Love Chocolates are out of this world.
Flavors that make me swoon include peanut butter & jelly, orange, and apple.
They sound strange, but seriously, you'll thank me later.
Just try them.

Ships ahoy

I'm loving the nautical theme happening with lots of companies right now. I'm so ready for summer.

It makes me crave a visit to my parents' home, where we like to walk along the peninsula, both the seaside and bayside are a treat.

Along the sea, there's an old weathered boardwalk. The sound of footsteps on the wooden planks and the salty smell of ocean spray is so invigorating.

On the bayshore, the beach is often empty, except for a few swimmers or sunbathers. It's so peaceful and tranquil, especially at night, when the light from homes along the way illuminate the water.

Shown here are the Cape Cod Small Manuela from Kate Spade & Nantucket Heel from alloy.com.

If you knit it, they will come

I'm not a big knitter. I can barely repair a tear with needle & thread, but this makes me smile.
It reminds me of the grafitti artists that litter Hollywood with stickers & posters, but this is done in a feminine way.
I want to touch and feel these!
She's from Texas & has knit all over Manhattan, and I wish she would come & knit stuff across LA.
Check out more of her work at http://www.myspace.com/knittaplease
or http://flickr.com/photos/knittaplease/

Regency lounge chairs

I recently fell in love with these lounge chairs that I spied at Downtown on La Cienega.
The photo doesn't do them justice, because the fabric is so cozy. I don't know what the cream background is, but the circles are chenille.
Couldn't you see these in a sitting room with a window?
I would love them in my master bedroom, if there was more room.
I'm entranced by soft greys and blues, colors I'm dying to use in my bedroom - someday.

Good Luck Bar

I haven't been there in a few years, but goodness knows I'm craving a trip to the Good Luck Bar in Los Feliz.

Last time I was there, there were plenty of spots to lounge, while sipping on their campy drinks with umbrellas, which I have a soft spot for.

I loved being surrounded by the Chinese decor with red lanterns and dragons, all washed in red light.

Ice Ice Baby

Playing off the sno-cone post, let me show you the most darling ice swizzle sticks. They sit in ice trays, and you can stick em in your drink and swirl em around.
These really appeal to my 60's lounge leanings. I could totally see them sitting in a Mai Tai or Gin Fizz.
Wouldn't these be cute at a party for all of your guests?
I only wonder if they're a bit too Martha Stewart for me. AKA too much work!
Regular old bags of ice usually work nicely for me, but these sure are sweet.

Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine

OMG. I was just talking about this with someone the other day.
The Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine. Does anyone remember this?
All the work you have to do to get one measly snow cone, the excitement when you finally get one done and get to scoop out the ice with the tiny shovel, the little snowman and Snoopy with their little red caps that squeeze out the red topping.
It was my favorite little toy, along with the Easy Bake Oven.

God bless Fred Flare for reviving the 80's.

Trina Turk

I just bought this cool dress from Trina Turk. I'm normally into black, but I could not resist this. For one, it's totally flattering, plus it's comfortable!
I already envisioned wearing it for my birthday, but that isn't until September.
I have to figure out a reason to show it off. Hopefully it will start warming up soon here in Cali. At night it is absolutely chilly.
She has a lot of cute designs right now. Usually her styles are a bit bright for me, but I love these 70's colors.

Now I'm craving this groovy dress below. I can't resist the white piping at the neckline!

Little Miss Bossy

My mother bought me this book when I was a little girl. Was it cruel or just plain funny? Anyway, I haven't changed. I was sad when Kitson stopped selling them - or did they sell out of them?

I found it again here, hurray!

Groovy relaxation

One place I love to escape to is Elixir Tonics & Teas on Melrose Ave, near the always busy and crowded Urth Cafe.

It always smells so nice when I walk in. I take a deep breath & I'm already on my way to relaxation.

The shop has little meditation books, candles & Buddhas to ease the stress in your life.

There's often a tarot card reader sitting in the corner, I haven't the nerve to try it yet.

There's a little bar where you can order health-enhancing herbal tonics that are supposed to help do all sorts of things like burn fat, treat sickness and even PMS!

I recommend the cold Liquid Yoga or the Chi Devil and then have a sit in the garden while gazing at the fountain in the center. I don't know if that counts as meditation, but it's pretty close to me.

Inspiration for my guest bedroom

I've been looking for this photo since I spotted it in H&G this month.
I snagged this image straight off Athena Says, a darling little blog whose author clearly has great taste. :)
I love the red and white wallpaper with the different shades of blues & plenty of white to let it all breathe.

When I told my mother I wanted to do my guest room in these colors, she says she thought of the American Flag, but they don't look that way. They're feminine, relaxing and refreshing.

I'm such a sucker for a vanity.

Maybe that's because my master bedroom is the only room in the house right now that's livable. I miss having a feeling of personal space.

Coach color scheme

I love the color scheme at Coach right now. Couldn't you see an entire house designed using these colors? The striped bangle is $148, but the ponytail scarf is $38.

Bedazzled

I love these crystal-studded shells & starfish by Cristina Ferrare.

They look so great sitting atop the vintage consoles and accent tables at Dragonette Ltd on La Cienega.

I'm scared to bring one home, because I feel I might make them look tacky, sort of like a plastic cover on a sofa, but I love looking at them & holding them in my hands.

Hidden litter box

While I'm redesigning my house, I have been perplexed about what to do with my kitties' litter boxes. One lucky homeowner on Oprah had her home redesigned with a built-in kitty box in a cabinet, but it's not the option for me. It's too permanent, and if I sold the house one day, what if those people don't have cats?

I'd love to kick the cats outside, but it isn't an option because we have coyotes & all sorts of wildlife roaming our backyard.

The plant/litter box is a bit funny-looking, but I'm still considering it. If I get them, I just hope the cats don't get confused. I found the cheapest one on Amazon.

If you know any other stylish litter boxes, let me know.