Riviera View

You know that feeling you get when a friend accomplishes a personal goal and you're so proud of them you don't know what to say? Well, that's how I feel about my friend, Gamie K. Gamie and I met about seven years ago while working at Pottery Barn. We worked together on the sales floor selling and merchandising. To many people retail seems like a pretty simple way to make a living but just like any other job it can be stressful. Pottery Barn runs a tight ship and they expect their employees to multi-task: help customers, set up displays, design, sell, sell, sell and even dare I say it... clean the bathrooms . Anyway, Gamie and I were in the thick of it together and became good friends. Before Pottery Barn, I'd worked in publishing and advertising but took a break from all of that to have a baby and finish my undergraduate degree. Working at PB was a way to be involved with interior design, make a little extra cash, and get a great discount. Of course, most of u

Joel Longenecker from Hollywood at Home asked me to pass along this invitation to Riviera View readers. It sounds like a great way to spend a Thursday evening. ******* Peter Dunham and Hollywood at Home cordially invite you to attend the launch of Rooms to Inspire in the Country Thursday, April 30th from 6:00 pm until 8:00pm. The event will take place in the garden of Almont Yard 636 N. Almont Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90069 Kindly RSVP 310.273.6200 ******* The author, Annie Kelly, and photographer, Tim Street-Porter will be in attendance and signing their newest addition in a series of Rooms to Inspire books. Here is bit more about the book's creative team courtesy of Joel Longenecker. "Annie Kelly is a decorator, design journalist and author of Casa Mexicana Style, Casa San Miguel , and Rooms to Inspire ." "Ms. Kelly is also the book reviewer for Introspective, the first on-line-only design magazine at www.1stdibs.com and editor-in-chief of the New York Observer H

This has been a long time coming but finally the talented Elizabeth Martin has her website up. This East Hampton home looks pretty amazing. I really like the use of blue in the different spaces. The rooms are graceful and relaxed. When you look closer there's a sense of fun too; the large photo of the baby at the beach, and the feather plumed pen in the children's bedroom. My favorite photo is this last one of children's room. I love the color in here, the stripes on the wall and in the rug, the floral fabric, and the painting leaning against the wall. It feels like fun. I'm guessing here, but I think these photos were published about five years ago in an issue of In Style Home. (Can't find my issue anymore so those details aren't confirmed.) I've been waiting for Elizabeth Martin's website ever since. She is one of California's great and refined talents. Click here to see more of her designs.

This video has nothing to do with California design but I liked it.  From The New York Times...

Last December I posted on Pantone's Color of the Year for 2009. Not surprisingly on Inauguration Day, The First Lady wore a stunning yellow suit, possibly to symbolize hope and optimism for the U.S. Isabelle Toledo Subsequently, bright yellow has shown up in the marketplace, and Saturday's L.A. Times Home section had an article about design items sporting similar shades of yellow. Here is some of what was shown... Fu Dog Candles from Bliss Living CB2 Office Chair Shine Home Side Board Nesting Hexagons from West Elm A sleek leather sofa from Roche-Bobois How about you? Have you seen or used the color yellow in any new designs?

This one's just the tip of the iceburg. Francesco Lagnese From www.lagnese.net

"Young Anna" 16x16 "Compliment 1" 38" x 32" "Compliment 2" 38" x 32" "Acqua Ballet" 93" x 80" "Pavan For A Dead Princess" 46" x 50" "Pavane" is of Spanish-Italian origin and is a slow dance between two people. It was painted in remembrance of Princess Diana. Video taken with my Flip Mino. The above images are from John Asaro's recent painting exhibit. The show ran at Bergamot Station's C-1 Gallery, in Santa Monica, California. When it comes to intense color and the human form, John is a master. To see more paintings from the show or to contact the artist directly visit www.johnasaro.com .

This house is amazing. No need for words. Served up by Walker Warner Architects. I'll have whatever they're having. (Originally discovered on Apartment Therapy .)