The trailer dream…
Posted by Peggy | Filed under Musings
Can you imagine living out the nomadic trailer dream? I have to admit, I've given this thought more than once or twice. Purchasing an Airstream and just take off, up the Pacific Coast Highway then cross country? That would be the day… and I'm not saying it sarcastically, I do think it could happen, I mean, why not right? Especially seeing these photographs. How could you not dream a little? Everything thing about it is so warm and cozy. Potted plant on the windowsill, patchwork quilts… Notice how the trailer is decorated with mix and match fabrics – from the curtains to the wall AND ceiling coverings. The floral silk curtain is actually quite a nice touch. Let me tell you, I'm eyeing that pendant lamp in the bedroom, those intricate folds, just gorgeous. Not too shabby of a trailer really, I spotted two Vitra pieces: the turquoise chair by the trailer door (shown below) and the coffee table in the bedroom. And a few fun Liberty fabric prints sprinkled around add to the eclectic vibe. But you know what I yearn most about living the trailer dream? Keeping everything down to minimal, bringing with me just the absolute bare essentials…
Tags: bedroom, interiors, kitchen, trailer, travel
Checking in: Hotel Lautner…
Posted by Peggy | Filed under Musings
Let me prefix this by saying I had waited three years for this – we were one of the lucky few who got to stay at the Hotel Lautner this past weekend when they had a soft opening. Originally built in 1947 and known as The John Lautner’s Desert Hot Springs Motel, this hidden gem was, and still is, quite a place. The property was purchased back in 2008 by Los Angeles based interior designer Tracy Beckmann and furniture designer Ryan Trowbridge. After a long three-year renovation by Tracy and Ryan, Hotel Lautner is finally resurfacing. A combination of redwood beams, smooth concrete, tall glass windows, and orange-red steel supports are part of the characteristics of this four-unit (yes, four!) desert retreat. Plans are in place to build a clubhouse and outdoor lounge on the adjacent property as well. Even though the hotel is still under construction, you can already feel you are in your own private oasis, especially with the additional wall that was built around the entire site. What I also love are all the personal touches by the owners. Tracy and Ryan shop for all the decor and furniture pieces to give each room its own personality. When I heard Miles Davis playing in the background as we stepped into our room, I knew straightaway that we are going to enjoy our stay there. The best part? Lying under the stars in our own succulent garden/patio, it was truly a magical experience…
Tags: architecture, Hotel Lautner, interiors, John Lautner, mid century modern, travel
Entertaining at the Chinati…
Posted by Peggy | Filed under Musings
The Chinati Foundation is a contemporary art museum established by minimalist artist Donald Judd (such a big fan of his!). Located on the former site of Fort D.A. Russell in Marfa, Texas, this museum houses large-scale installations across its vast 340 acres of land. A very limited number of artists exhibits here and each artist's work is installed in separate buildings on the museum's grounds – including old artillery sheds and army barracks – how cool is that? What really caught my eye was this former horse arena (shown above) which currently serves as a dining hall. I would love, love, love to throw a party at this space, complete with Judd's ultra simple and modern pine tables and chairs. Now that would be a designer's dream come true, mine for sure! Sigh…
… an outdoor grill designed by Judd himself. Love the simplicity of it all.
Partying aside – as an endnote, I would like to share this quote by Judd with you: "It takes a great deal of time and thought to install work carefully. This should not always be thrown away. Most art is fragile and some should be placed and never moved again. Somewhere a portion of contemporary art has to exist as an example of what the art and its context were meant to be. Somewhere, just as the platinum iridium meter guarantees the tape measure, a strict measure must exist for the art of this time and place." unquote.
{ all images scanned from Great Parties: The Best of Martha Stewart Living, photography by Todd Eberle }
Tags: architecture, Donald Judd, entertaining, furniture, Inspiration, interiors, The Chinati Foundation
La Ricarda…
Posted by Peggy | Filed under Musings
A Catalonian house designed by Antonio Bonet Castellana. Discovered this beautiful home while flipping through the latest catalogue pages of TOAST. Built between 1953 and 1963, this architectural gem is tucked away in a pine forest outside of Barcelona. Castellana worked closely with the owners, Ricardo Gomis and his wife Inés Bertrand Mata to making this into a family home. With vaulted roofs that look like rolling waves, it's really an oasis all on its own. Not to mention the gorgeous light that streams through these glass panels…
Tags: architecture, Inspiration, interiors, La Ricarda
Be inspired…
Posted by Peggy | Filed under Inspiration, Musings
Happy New Year everyone! What are your resolutions this year? One of mine is, believe it or not, start an inspirational wall. Yup. Since moving into our new home a year ago, my pile of swipes, clippings, and trinkets are getting higher and higher… my folder is literally bursting with all sorts of inspirations that I need to give them all a home. I've kept our walls quite bare, and it has worked for us. But for 2011, I am ready to jazz it up a bit. I was particularly inspired by Thomas O'Brien's oversized bulletin board (shown above and below), which is part of his living room decor. I thought to myself, I have a big white wall on one side of our work/living space as well, and I am going to make it happen! There are certain inspirational boards that really appeal to me, and here are a few that stood out for me – even years later I'm still thinking about them. The more eclectic, personal, and lived-in, the better.
1 Here's another version of O'Brien's bulletin board, a year after the top image was published in 2006. This gave me an idea: should document mine every time I switch out the materials. How great is it to go back and look at what I was inspired by year after year?!
2 I especially love this one, not only because of the typographic clippings, but because it belongs to my friend Alex Bates, the Creative Director of product development for West Elm. A glimpse inside her office space was very aspirational to me as a designer.
3 All the different textures in this shot make me want to dive right in!
4 Here's one for the minimalist – perfect for a stark space. Notice warm tones on top, and cooler ones on bottom, beginning to like this formula…
{ credits: top image Elle Decor Jul/Aug 2006 / 1 House and Garden Sept 2007 / 2-3 Lonny Magazine Apr 2010 / 4 Mo+Mo Living }
Tags: decor, Inspiration, inspirational walls, interiors
