Let's Lift It

I refer to Andrea Stanford as my Fairy Godmother in Los Angeles and the description is apt.  We first met online years ago when I posted pics from C magazine where she was the Design + Style Editor.  She still contributes to the magazine that is worth reading even if you don't visit California all that often.  When I visited LA in 2010, she set up a whole day of meeting designers in their stores and offices.  And when I was shooting my book, she made more introductions.  For someone who is bff's with celebrities and could be a complete diva, Andrea is one of the most generous people I know. Her transition to One Kings Lane where she is Vice President of Merchandising, Designer, and Vintage Sales, has been a match made in heaven too. I'm surprised anything makes it to the online sales before she buys it for the Beverly Hills home she shares with her husband and three daughters. 

When I was in LA this past January, I was able to see Andrea in the new much larger One Kings Lane offices that are going to be beyond chic when finished.  It was there that she mentioned that The Coveteur was coming the next day to shoot her at home.  I did what any self respecting fashionista would do, I begged to come over to watch.  It was also a treat to meet founders Stephanie Mark and Jake Rosenberg in person.  Sadly, Erin Kleinberg was not in town for this shoot.  The shoot just went online today and it was so fun to see the end result.  As you can see, Andrea has a pretty chic home and even chicer closet.  And three very lucky daughters. 

Photos by Jake Rosenberg for The Coveteur

Chic in Montecito

You might remember that I visited Kendall Conrad's little shop in The Brentwood Country Mart on my last trip to LA.  Thanks to C magazine, you can now peek into her design studio and home in Montecito, California.  Just like her logo-free chic bags, accessories and jewelry, her home is pared down and neutral but definitely not boring. 

The design studio inspiration board and desk. 

I love the simple striped rug in the living room. 

A Picasso print sits a top the mantle. 

Kendall Conrad's father, artist Barnaby Conrad, drew the bullfighter here. 

Even the firewood perfectly coordinates with the neutral palette. 

Another Picasso print on a bookshelf. 

Many pieces were purchased at Dos Gallos including the round table in the library. 

The house is very near the beach so hence the seashells. 

More framed bullfighters in the entrance with beautiful terra cotta tile floors. 

Another site had a photo of Kendall in the kitchen and also an outdoor dining area below. 

I love the photo of one of Kendall's daughters below. Looks like chicness runs in the family!

Photos for C magazine by David Cameron

The Hills are Alive

One of my great pleasured every month is receiving C Magazine. Even though it's based in Los Angeles, I always find plenty of interesting articles and products.  The September 2011 issue arrived right before the  hurricane watch began and gave me lots to look at over the long weekend.  The best being the Hollywood Hills home of Jacqui Getty.  You can click on any of the photos for larger viewing and I highly recommend it.  The inspiration board of photos had me at hello and the rest of the house looks comfortable and inviting yet completely chic.  Just like C Magazine!

Photos by Douglas Friedman

Berkus at the Beach

I was checking out interior designer Nate Berkus's website and noticed a few new photos of a beach house. I posted them yesterday without knowing where they were from and in a funny coincidence, they were published in the November 2008 issue of C Magazine (more on C Magazine later) and now I can bring you the entire story.

The 3,400 SF home is tucked away on a beach in Malibu and of course, has amazing views of the ocean. Nate was called by the lucky homeowner who was given a complete house makeover for her birthday and couldn't resist the offer to help her. As I mentioned before, the home is a beautiful mix of black, white and browns mixed with natural fibers since the owner is not a color person which creates a clean and calm interior. It's also nice the decor does not compete with the amazing views. In the living room above, the Corian topped table was designed by Berkus and sits near a 1940's carved giltwood chair and what appears to be a Mies van der Rohe daybed.

A glass desk and wood chair overlook the living room in the study that closes off to become a guestroom.

Petrified wood looks like modern art on the wall of the stairwell.

The downstairs guestroom has a leather topped desk and a photograph taken by a Navy admiral who was a family ancestor.

In the master bedroom, a zebra skin rug adds pattern to the neutral color scheme, as does the Ross Bleckner painting and agate lamps.

Can you just imagine taking a bath with that view? Looks very dreamy!

The dining chairs look blue but are really gray. Another variation on the colors through out the home and take their cue from the colors of seashells and the colors of the beach.

The kitchen has a more industrial feel but Berkus says, "I like things with a touch of the industrial." The floors are softened with seagrass rugs. I think this home is going to have to go into my file of inspiration for my future beach house. It's perfect!

Photos from Nate Berkus and Lisa Romerein for C Magazine