Design on the Town

Thursday night is always a good time for industry parties in the L.A. and this past Thursday was no exception.

To start the evening off Brooke and Steve Giannetti hosted an exhibit for Linda Broadfoot's botanical and insect specimen photography at their store Giannetti Home. Below are some photos of the evening. I'm not exactly a photographer so hopefully you can still appreciate this inspiring home store.

A window display as you approach on San Vicente Boulevard.

The store's concept is really unique. The front of the store, or 'house' as they say in retail, is a shop open to the public for shopping and browsing. It houses all of Brooke and Steve's fantastic finds and designs. The back of the house, separated by floor to ceiling linen sheers, is actually the design studio where the architects and designers work their magic.

Interior store view.

Linda Broadfoot's photos atop a lyrical x-base coffee table.

A-ma-zing- sofas.

Fanciful bird cages displayed behind the beautiful sofas.

Back of the house.

Fortuny Chandelier, from Brooke's trip to Italy, hanging in her work space.

Hosts Brooke and Steve Giannetti with their inspiration wall in the background.

What a great way to begin the evening. Brooke and Steve were gracious hosts and we would have loved to hang out longer. Unfortunately we had to get across town for another fun event.

We were off to Hollywood at Home where the equally talented Peter Dunham was busy hosting a book signing for Annie Kelly and Tim Street-Porter's latest collaboration, Rooms to Inspire in the Country. My husband wasn't sure what he'd gotten into with all these artsy types but being a good sport he road the wave.

I've written about this enclave of shops before and it truly is a slice of West Hollywood heaven.

A hedge lined, gravel walkway leads you to the shop tucked off North Almont Drive. Outdoor furniture, pots and found objects line the walkway to the front door.

The entrance to Hollywood at Home.

Up a narrow red carpeted stairway is the shop itself. Once the apartment to some lucky soul, the converted store with raised ceilings and larger windows now houses Mr. Dunham's beautiful textiles and designs. Gorgeous fabrics from Brian Ferrick, Jed Johnson, Carolina Irving and Martyn Lawrence Bullard are available as well.

A new fabric for Peter Dunham, GLOBE, upholstered with nail heads on an English Club Chair.



Ivory tufted chaise, with the How to Marry a Millionaire Rush Chair in the background.

Back at the party everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, especially honored guests Annie Kelly and Tim Street-Porter signing books and mingling.

Photographer Tim Street-Porter, Western Interiors Editor-in-Chief Michael Wollaeger with his wife Margot, Designer and Author Annie Kelly.

A courtyard view.

Hollywood at Home's Joel Longenecker and Nicky Rising, with proprieter and designer Peter Dunham.

One the right, the fabulous Jackie Terrell, one of House Beautiful's Top 100 Designers, and me.

A relaxing nook on the upstairs balcony.

All said, it was a bit of a whirlwind evening. For those of you living in L.A., imagine driving from the South Bay to Brentwood to West Hollywood during rush hour, all in the name of DESIGN.

Just another day at the office.

We finished the night off at a favorite L.A. restaurant, Chaya Brasserie. Chaya has been around for about twenty years (can that be possible?) and it still holds its own in this fickle town.