Thursday, March 28, 2013

Three Design Legends

Since I've been househunting, I've been doing a lot of thinking about design.  Looking at a bajillion homes from all different eras and all different styles kind of forces you to go there.
About 12 years ago I got serious about design (as serious as a single mom of three, accountant with no design skills can get anyway).  It was the olden days with no pinterest or blogs, so I studied magazines.  Slept with piles of them on my bed.
Here's what I learned from three design superstars all those years ago that stuck...for good.
From Mary Emmerling:
All white walls.  Always.  
Remember the above photo of her Key West home...Country Home magazine June 2001 (not that I still have a 12 year old magazine, which of course, I do)

(Forgive the crappy photos..it's an old magazine!)
From Tricia Foley:
You can never have too much white & cream with dark wood.
(remember Victoria magazine?)
From Barbara Barry:


Crisp white with classic wood is timeless and dining room lighting is best at eye level.

I firmly believe that the best way to judge a designer's style is to look at their own home.  All of the images above are of the designers' homes and all of the images are at least 10 years old, some are older (as you can tell by the quality). 
But in my book, they are all still fresh, stylish and relevant.
I would love to hear what you have learned that has stuck with you and from whom. 
Please share!
xo
~Karen~

 

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Grey and Scout

Sometimes I come across a style that makes me rethink everything.  I get pretty excited when that happens. 
Stylist Liz Bachman writes the blog Grey and Scout...you may already know it, but if not you must check it out.

Feast your eyes on Liz's lovely home.
  


 
 
 
 
 
 

 


 
 
 


 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


I love her style.  Check her out.


#sochic


xo
~Karen~


(all images via Grey and Scout with permission from lovely Liz)

Monday, March 18, 2013

Luck of the Irish?

Maybe so!  I'm only about 1/4 Irish but I'm definitely having some sweet giveaway luck!!
 
 
This morning I found out I have won
TWO giveaways! 
 
I am the lucky winner of this awesome Cococozy pillow (above) from the lovely Coco!  Coco has a beautiful blog and she is also the owner, creator and designer of the awesome Cococozy line.  Check out the full line of home decor products at Cococozy.com.  They are stunning.
 
 
I doubled down my winnings with this second awesome prize from Rene at Cottage & Vine.  Rene's was one of the first blogs I became addicted to and is still one of my very favorites!  If you are not familiar with Cottage & Vine, you might be living under a rock (I mean she has been mentioned in House Beautiful people!)...check her out!
 
 
From Rene I won this sweet Martha Stewart wristlet and a $50 Staples gift card!  How cool is that?!!  I am so excited!!
 
(I'm noticing that my two prizes coordinate very well in black and white...got a theme going on.)
 
Thank you so much Coco & Rene for my lovely prizes.  You ladies rock!!
 
My week is off to a fantastic start!
 
Hope yours is too!
 
#cantsayIneverwinanythingeveragain
 
xo
~Karen~
 
 


Thursday, March 14, 2013

Groovy Hollywood Hills Pad

Despite all the wonderful prayers and good wishes from everyone, alas the 1929 West Hollywood Spanish condo was not meant to be.  The owner got a little greedy with all those offers flying.  Whatever. There are more fish in the sea.
 
I'm now honing in on this charming 1960s co-op in a sweet neighborhood of the Hollywood Hills called Beachwood Canyon.


(took this the other day standing in the middle of the street on a very cloudy day...kinda cool looking)


Nice views all around....this is out the kitchen window...




Parts of this tiny gem have not been touched since being built in 1961.  Such as this relic from the Jetson's space age era... 

 
 
 
 
I would almost feel bad ripping out this groovy tile...almost.
 
 
More grooviness in the bathroom...
 
 
Obviously this would all go buh-bye, but then what?
 
I am not a country kitchen person, nor a lover of modern and sleek. I guess I prefer something classic, not trendy.
 
So I ask you this...
What style do I replace the 1960s with?
How important is it to honor the era of the building?
 
Thanks in advance for your opinions and advice!
 
#keepongroovin
 
xo
~Karen~
 
 

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Knock Knock

Who's there?
 
 
Me!  I'm here and I want to live here so please pick me!  I just love this little peek-a-boo in the front door!
 
I'm one of a bajillion people offering on this tiny 1929 Spanish style condo in West Hollywood.  Pray for me.
 
Here's what else I love about this home:
 
Actual foyer...tiny but a real foyer.
 (MLS photo)
 
 
Beautiful old hardwood floors in great shape.
 
 
 
Cabinet lighting - under the cabinets and above the cabinets.
 
 
 
Ten foot coved ceilings.
 
 
 
 
Extra large windows that even on this gray day are light & bright and look out at this courtyard.
 
 
 
 
Kitchen updated nicely in the style of the home (with no granite...houzzah!).
 
 
And naturally, the service entrance...yes, yes, through this door my servants will come and go.
 
 
 
Bathroom window




Courtyard fountain
 
 
Outside entry
 
(MLS Photo)
 
 
And finally, this is the street.  I took this photo the other day when the sun was shining, standing in the middle of the street.  I could be motivated to walk more with this view.
(all photos via my iphone unless otherwise noted)
 
If you are the praying sort, all prayers will be appreciated.  In this crazy real estate market, I will definitely need some divine intervention. 
As with all things, it's in your hands Lord.
 
xo
~Karen~