The perfectly crafted cocktail is a thing of beautiful.  A mix of herbals, liquor, fruits or vegetables and water – it’s a reminder of the end of the work day and the start of relaxation.  It’s one of the reasons I enjoy placing bar carts in many of my designs; something just so sophisticated and debonair about them.  The tinkle of ice in a crystal tumbler.  The refraction of  light off amber bottles.  The neat discovery of forgotten spirits.  At the fear of sounding like I need to go to Betty Ford, it’s a bit magical to me so I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered that fellow designer (and equally snazzy dresser) Scot Meacham Wood shared my love of the bar cart……..

I was even more surprised when I went to see Scot’s design that was part of the Peninsula Volunteer’s Decorator Showcase Home.  His homage to Lily Pulitzer was inspiring but what truly caught my eye was the magnificent yellow bar cart that he had in the space…….

As I said, I was smitten with the cart (and Scot’s pants too FYI) and quickly inquired where to get the piece.  A few emails later and I am happy to say that not only was I able to connect with the folks who produced the piece, I was able to convince them to be part of my Joy & Revelry store!  I am so excited to be able to have the Shaftesbury Cart as part of my permanent shop…..

But here is the kicker – while I may be selling it, Scot is giving one away!  Yes folks, you have the chance to win the exact cart that Scot used in his Showcase room.  Go over to his blog and read on how to enter.  But on the off chance you don’t win, know that I will have a drink in hand waiting for you to ease your wounds!

So this week I raise a glass to friends and family as we embark on yet another adventure!

[photo credit: bon apetit // nicolas smith]

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So I was tasked with providing storage for his electronics and TV, incorporate color and tie in his sofa along with the more rustic elements in the space.  Common sense told me that we needed to do something custom to fit all the requirements.   I immediately set out seeking inspiration for the piece.  During my research, I ran across this image from Mondrian ……

It was instantly struck by the colors and the clean lines.  It led me to do a quick sketch of this…….

I worked with the fantastic team at Oak and Wood to bring my drawing to reality.  After a few back and forth’s with the client and myself, we agreed on this design……

See the Mondrian inspiration?  We all agreed that we could leave the speakers out of the final piece as the client would probably downsize.  However, we did create space for all his electronics in the “tower” to the left, creating a false bottom so we could place a power cord and only snake out a single plug.  The television will sit on top and the drawers will hide all those cords and things that we all seem to have.

A few months later and I could not be happier with the final piece…..

It has all the elements we needed to tie the room together but still hold true to the urban vibe the client desired.  It’s a beautiful piece and I am not saying that just because I designed it!  It is going to be the jewel in the living room and I can’t wait to get the space done!

Need design services?  Feel free to email me to inquire!  Okay I am off to a photo shoot – details to come shortly!  Have a GREAT weekend……

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I was recently introduced to the furniture line Miles 112 and it’s owner and creative director, Benjamin Hall.  I was immediately smitten with his work – the lines are beautiful, the materials luxe and it feels how custom furniture should…..as if it was designed just for you and only you.  It is this attention to detail that found me inviting him to create a capsule collection for my Joy & Revelry store.  The three piece collection distills what Benjamin does best —- beautiful quality pieces for the modern home.

I sat down with Benjamin and we talked about his career path, his inspirations and what he thinks is the greatest compliment someone could give him……

Why opening up a furniture store?  There are so many different types of stores to open, so what did you see that was “missing” from the home goods landscape?

It wasn’t a calculated decision. I was personally developing pieces that inspired me to imagine. I have a tendency to want to rethink things we already take for granted. This is my mentality and it’s pointless to explore if you don’t share your journey and discoveries. That’s why my shop exists.

Can you share a little about your background?  Did you always know you wanted to be an artisan?

I grew up loving to draw and helping my dad with carpentry projects. It wasn’t until I went to college for architecture that I found a concrete application of those two passions.

Your designs have a fluidity and balance to them?  What inspired the 3 pieces that are currently featured in the pop-up store?

It’s difficult to say there is a divine inspiration that the three share, but I can say that these three items all share my interest in steel. The planters are about repurposing a commodity item. The two chairs are about sitting in a frame that acts like a spring with or around our body.

  When creating a new furniture piece which comes first, the design or the material?

 This is tough because my mind is subconsciously hardwired to the properties of all sorts of materials, so when I put pencil to paper I usually already know what the material is internally. My biggest problem is when I play the game of switching materials. This typically sends me back to the drawing board for a whole new design.

In your opinion, what makes a “”good chair”?

 This is difficult because, like architecture, the needs or comfort change as you get older. I used to love big puffy chairs that I would sink into, but then I got older and realized that I had very poor posture, partly due to how I was sitting in chairs. Then, I developed back problems when building. With those needs in mind, I developed the chair “Modesto,” which has a low-to-the-ground slung cowhide with a simple steel frame. At first look, you might not even know it is a chair, but oddly enough this chair has done wonders for my back. That being said, a good chair is a chair you like to be in.

 Your job is something that many consider a hobby, so it begs to ask what do you do for fun? 

 It’s true, designing and building furniture is a hobby, passion, and a dream. My day job is applying these attributes to architecture, but when I step away from design altogether to have fun, it’s to do outdoorsy things.

If money was no object, is there a furniture piece that you would go out and buy for yourself?

I have always been a big fan of the work of Poul Kjaerholm. I find his work way ahead of the times and much more rich than the Eames, especially when you look closely at the details.

At one time, furniture was bought, as something you know would be passed down from generation to generation.  You are creating heirloom quality pieces that I see future generations coveting, so with that said, what do you think could be the greatest compliment someone could say about your pieces in 50 years?

That’s really kind to hear. I’d would be honored if my work was coveted. I suppose the greatest compliment would not be a verbal one, but instead a visual one. Most of my work is made from natural materials that, when used often, leave a patina. The quality of the patina is a direct story of how much the piece is loved.

A big thank you to Benjamin for sharing his insight and thoughts.  As I said, I am excited to be working with Benjamin on this capsule collection and hope you enjoy it to!  To see more pics of the pieces, visit my Joy & Revelry store.

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Entertaining guests is one of my favorite things.  I love touring folks around San Francisco and wine country, cooking fancy meals and having the opportunity to open the “good wine”.  Guests mean I can splurge on cut flowers, spruce up the guest room and indulge myself a day or two to rediscover the area I call home.  I wholeheartedly believe that being a good host is part of paying it forward with friends and family.

Well for three days…… On the fourth day, you get cold cereal in the morning, directions to the airport and a bus pass.  I say this in jest, but I do believe that there is an art to being a good host and I share my tips and recommendations in my June column for SheKnows.com where I discuss how to prep your home for the inevitable summer visitor…..

Special thanks to Kelley L. Moore for allowing us to shoot in her beautiful San Francisco home and my partner in crime Adza for capturing the images.  Writing this month’s column got my itching to spruce up my guest room but alas I think I need to turn my attention to the master bedroom.  So many designs and so little time and money…..

So this week, I ask that you be gracious and kind to those who visit you whether it be at home or work.  Once a stranger but your actions may soon make them your friend!  Have a great week!!!

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Each of the ladies tackled styling the vase in their own unique way……

Hi Sugarplum

A Thoughtful Place

BlueLabel Bungalow

Check out each of their vignettes and learn what they think of the vase.  I am just so excited to see how amazing the piece looks in three different spaces!   I am now itching to get one of my own and style it for the house!

Alrighty — I am off to finish an install and hopefully have a relaxing weekend!  I wish each of you the same!

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1) Models work hard…..

2) Models have to wear uncomfortable outfits

3) Models get to have a sh*t ton of fun while working

The below shot proves my point……

But in any case, check out the Pottery Barn Blog, Inside & Out for the full shoot.  And I think there may be a video floating around in the ether — I will post that to the Facebook page if I can find it!  Until then, you can bask in my feeble attempts at lawn bowling …..which I thought I would ROCK and alas I didn’t which leads me to my final conclusion…..all lawn games are better when you have a cute date and booze!

[all photos courtesy of Kirsten Julia Photography.]

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I had the opportunity to spend yesterday with my dear friend Erin Hiemstra of Apartment 34 as she debuted her design work as part of Sunset Magazine’s Celebration Week Concept House.  Truth be told, Erin isn’t a designer by trade but she is a fantastic stylist who has an amazing eye for detail and can curate a space like nobody’s business.  When she first was approached for the gig, we had lunch and she asked if I would be “annoyed or upset” with her since she isn’t a designer by trade.  Here was a friend with an opportunity of a lifetime and she was asking me if I would be okay……

I paused for a moment because for a second I was totally envious.  I wanted that gig.  I wanted to be the young designer getting his big break.  But then that passed and what was left was pride.  As much as I want my own “big break”, I want to be there to celebrate my friend’s accomplishments and revel in their success.  My time will come.  I  know it.  Patience is something I have in spades these days.

For the moment, I am going to be proud of a friend and join her in her celebration.  So this week, I task you to be uplifting, be supportive and be proud of your friends and family as that only will strengthen you in your endeavors…….

[photo credit: Paulo Coelho]

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So when I found these Faribault Mill Wool Throws at JC Penney, I was instantly smitten……

They are the perfect size to cuddle up on the couch for a movie or in my case, drape over guests laps as we sit outside during the Northern California “Summers”. Made from 100% wool, they are super soft and machine washable — a plus when you have a pooch who has claimed one for his own!  The best part is that the throws are now on clearance for $36  online but if you have a JCP near you, I was able to snag mine for $10 each (and yeah I kinda stocked up on them!).  So I suggest you run to your local JCP to pick up a few because there are many more forts to build and super heroes to imagine as Summer kicks off!

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As you enjoy the day with family and friends, take a moment to remember the sacrifices that many other Americans have made to ensure our liberties…….

Happy Memorial Day!

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Time for a little personal gut check and confession…..

I had no intention of working for myself.  Zero. Zilch.  Nada.  I had every intent on working under a more established designer and learning the craft from the inside out with the goal of one day ….. one very distant and far day…..opening my own shop.  Well that didn’t turn out the way I thought.  Most of the designers I approached to work under sorta balked at the idea of having a slightly older (ahem) guy with no previous design experience aside from a keen eye and several design classes work for them.  Matter of fact, I was told by one designer that “her office doesn’t have time to indulge in your hobby….”  Ouch.

So like many before me who had the door slammed in their face, I forged my own path.  It’s been scary, frustrating and more often than not, I find myself in tears (proverbially and literally) after learning from my mistakes.  But I am learning and surviving and some would even say thriving in a business that can be difficult to enter and even more difficult to maintain a foothold in.  Yet, I still had this nagging doubt — this need for validation from someone more established than I to say my work was up to par.  This perceived lack kept me from pursuing some opportunities because I didn’t think my work was good enough to enter the “arena” on a grander scale.

I don’t know why but my internal monologue shifted.  The voices in my head (you know you have them too — don’t judge) finally said “Enough.  You have to try.  You have to believe.  Otherwise, you live in someone else’s shadow.”  So I took the leap of faith.  I followed up on two leads and submitted two projects for consideration to be published.  I pitched my little heart out.  To quote a friend “I put my heart, foot and back into it….”  So essentially I am risking three vital portions of my body for the chance.  I would be lying if I said I didn’t want it.  I do.  More than new shoes and a back massage — I want this.  However, I am at peace  if neither opportunity comes through because in the end, I now realize that validation is nice but what I need is feedback.  That type of honest communication that makes you grow, raises your game and leaves you, well in this case, a better designer.

So this week, here is to finding feedback that moves and improves, rather than validation that merely affirms……

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