Massucco Warner Miller
Thanks to my latest issue of House Beautiful, I found out about Interior Designer Melissa Warner. Warner is one of three women who forms the trio Massucco Warner Miller, an Interior Design and Decoration firm based in San Francisco with recent expansion into Los Angeles and Seattle.
Warner's own apt is in the current issue of House Beautiful and I had to share the images as well as other projects from the design team.
I'll start with the House Beautiful spread.
This room can easily be categorized as traditional with the skirted sofa, but the zebra print accent chair and geometric pattern throw pillows transition it into a more contemporary space.
The word eat definitely makes this dining area more playful. And the fact that it is casually placed embraces its playfulness.
She wallpapered this closet door. Brilliant, brilliant idea. And what a fun desk she created.
Oh my, I want this room. The black color is striking against the pale walls and the coral from the pillows and green from the vase add a nice punch. The array of patterns from the throw pillows, stool, quilt and bedskirt arouse great emotion.
Here are some of my favorite projects I found on MWM site.
This Scalamandre Zebra wallpaper is out of this world. Adds some whimsy to this otherwise traditional guest bathroom.
This is exactly how I'd imagine my teenage daughter's bedroom.
Those roman shades complete this whole little breakfast nook. I want.
I think every room needs a little pop of black and this office captures it perfectly.
It's a small world after all. I used this picture in my Totally Toile post and just came to find out it was created by MWM.
W - More Than Just a Letter
image via latimesblogs
I'm way late to post about this, but I'm doing it anyway. Two weeks ago I attended the WOW! collection, a showcase featuring the work of seven Interior Designers for the official launch of the residences at the W Hotel in Hollywood. Of those seven designers, Kahi Lee, my boss, designed the biggest unit with the least amount of time. Just saying. The inspiration behind the three bedroom, four bath penthouse - with amazing views of the Griffith Park Observatory, the Capital Records building and Hollywood sign - was a young Marlon Brando. The design concept was based around the idea that Marlon Brando would live in this penthouse in present time. Totally not trying to earn brownie points, but Kahi (not like she even knows I have a blog) knocked it out of the park. The result was a sophisticated, moderately rustic, swank bachelor pad with some representation of Hollywood elegance.
I suck at taking pictures, so I'm borrowing these from Kahi which all have people in them. But behind all the people is an awesome design. Check 'em:
image via Kate
Living area, looking into the dining room and kitchen. Both with custom light fixtures by Originals 22
A little nook adjacent to the living room. Kahi decided it was best to turn it into an additional seating area since plenty of events will take place in this unit.
Custom wallpaper by French American.
Miss Kahi Lee herself.
One of the bedrooms.
Candlesticks and black vase were a designstILes find. Impressive, I know.
Drais nightclub is on the same floor as the penthouse suite. Hello.
This Romo wallpaper is crazy good.
The tactile effect is fuzzy goodness.
Please tell me you notice the light fixture in the background. It was ideal for the inspiration.
The Designer and her Design Assistants.
And just in case you're wondering, Kahi's shoes are Loubs.
Mine, are not.
View of Hollywood Blvd.
Pictures taken by Gary Reisman via Kahi's facebook fan page. Become a fan.
The six other units were designed by Mark Cutler, Cantoni, Barclay Butera, Poliform, Econnect Group and Interior Illusions.
Will You Sign My Book?
A few months ago, I bought a side table at H.D. Buttercup and must have forgotten that I signed up to be on their mailing list because I was a bit curious as to why I received something from them in the mail last week. Regardless, I quickly recognized that the room on the cover of my HDB correspondence was that of Thom Filicia. I immediately opened up the sealed card in hopes he would be at the store. Sure enough, I was right. Along with launching his Thom Filicia Home Collection, he was also there to sign his book, Style. His book was given to the first 100 guests, but I already had my copy. Props to me.
I'm not one to be starstruck but I was quite nervous waiting in line for Thom (we're on a first name basis, you know) to come out and sign my book. Once my turn was up to meet him, I was pretty much speechless. Thanks to Evan who was there by my side to do the talking. I was in line for almost an hour and rather than play Tetris on my phone, I should've thought of some ways to verbalize my appreciation for his work. I'm still shaky thinking of the lack of interaction. But what's done is done and I walked away with a signed book, a hug and kiss on the cheek, a picture and a greater admiration of his work.
Thom appeared to be just as friendly and humble as he does on television and in his book.
I apologize for not taking pictures of his collection. That just means you'll have to swing by Culver City to see it in person. You will not be disappointed. Plus, H.D. Buttercup has a huge selection of furnishings that will appeal to most design aesthetics.
Eye-Opener
I came up with the slogan: A modern update to classic style thinking I was sure this is what my design point of view entailed. Though the crux of my aesthetic holds true to my slogan, it seems to evolve as I mature and learn more about the industry. I came up with the tagline before interviewing for an internship at Omniarte, the design firm of Erinn Valencich. Waiting to be interviewed brought back memories of flipping through magazines trying to figure out the direction I would someday take. Suddenly, sitting in Erinn's living room, I saw the light bright and clear. Her space was fun, quirky, witty, colorful, comfortable, all-embracing - everything I didn't know I was searching for. I quickly realized an aesthetic can't always be defined by one term or genre, or even a slogan. My internship at Omniarte was short-lived, but I will forever cherish this moment for experiencing my goal in person and not through some glossy pages of Elle Decor or House Beautiful.
I share with you, some of Erinn's work.
Her use of color, pattern and texture is always so harmonious.
This was for a spread in Better Homes and Gardens.
In typical intern form, I steamed these drapes and ironed the heck out of the pillow shams. Lucky me.