THIS OR THAT: THE BENCHMARK ON ENTRYWAY SEATING!

Which of these three foyers do you like best?  They all have something in common...traditional Louis XVI or Gustav style benches, white walls, art.

Wish I had a foyer large enough for seating of some sort. I think even a chair would do!

So do you like any of these or would you prefer your foyer bench free? That's the question in today's THIS OR THAT!

So which do you prefer...1, 2 or 3? Or do you not like any? Be honest...do tell! I'm leaning towards 2 but like the brightness of 1.

Happy Thursday!

xo
Coco

P.S. Sorry didn't post yesterday! Running around like a chicken with no head ...work is super busy...plus making all of these changes at my house before best of friend AM and her hubby JE and their kids come visit in 2 weeks. The not exciting thing is that none of the changes are fun design and decorating changes...they are more functional...like tearing down the fence on the side of my house and building a new one, constructing a new front gate, fixing the side deck, covering the side patio, sanding the main deck, drywalling the skylight in my bedroom and fixing a portion of the wood floors in my house and new outdoor lighting...oh did I mention, I'm sending out one of my sofas to be reupholstered? Things I notice everyday that are driving me CRAZY and would totally bug me if guests were here and saw these things...I'm sure they won't even notice the difference...but I will. So my house is a construction zone right now. Yay and oh dear at the same time!

P.P.S. In the middle of all of this, COCOCOZY is moving into a new office space, so all of that has to be arranged (yes, I took the Beverly Hills office in the shabby building but with lots of light...it is so central and near my day job so I can pop by after or before work...so I chose location. I did inquire about office space in downtown Los Angeles and it was about 1/3 of the price only problem is that I would never ever be able to get to the office because downtown is so far from my house and from where I am during the day that it would have made no sense. We move in on Sunday. Wood floors have gone in, fluorescent lights removed and paint has been refreshed. CM is helping with all of the moving thank goodness.

P.P.P.S. Prepping for my friend AZ's wedding in Puerto Vallarta too...did I mention that? Don't know what I will wear? Resort, casual, beach appropriate attire is in need. Can't wait.

P.P.P.P.S. How do you typically prep when guests are coming to stay at your house? Do you do construction or do you just add a flower here and there? Do tell any stories about getting ready for house guests!


Photos: Stadshem; Bella Casa Design; Joe Schmelzer,Treasure Bite Studios

SEE THIS HOUSE: A CANADIAN HOME WITH A BIT OF FRENCH STYLE!

I like this Vancouver home. It is the home of Canadian interior designer Effie Genovese according to the feature in Style at Home magazine.

Effie apparently lived in Paris for 10 years before moving to Vancouver. So her home is a hint of Paris, a hint of modern and a hint of traditional all rolled into one.

Take a look at it in today's SEE THIS HOUSE!

Love this entry with the glossy black front door and the marble mosaic tiles.  Paris is known for its fabulous doors...this one would fit right in! (above)

Love the idea of a desk in the kitchen...cook, work, eat...cook, work, eat...repeat! (above)

The bedroom has a soothing vibe with gray walls and french inspired armchair and bench. (above)

Dream bathroom! (above)

Of all of the places in the house the garden with the crushed gravel reminds me most of Paris...the Luxembourg gardens perhaps! (above)

what do you think of this home? Like or dislike? Any room you would transport to your home as is? I like the foyer...love marble mosaic tiles! Let me know what you like.

Happpy Tuesday!

xo
Coco

P.S. I promised you a story and photos about the party at Jasper, uber interior designer Michael Smith's grand showroom...but I just looked at my photos and they are all really dark AND blurry - oy va voy! I was able to salvage one photo below. Anyhooo...attended the festive event with friend JH who was visiting from South Carolina. It was fun bopping around the party and being in such a chic showroom. We had a very nice chat with Michael Smith and his lovely partner James Costos. Since JH had just attended the Obama/Clooney event and as it turns out Michael had decorated George Clooney's Los Angeles area home, JH and Michael had a lot to talk about. We also saw Joe Lucas owner of the fantastic Harbinger showroom there...he is friends with Michael because he once worked with Michael Smith Inc as a designer years ago. Joe was so nice...he helped JH after a person named Angela from Veranda magazine accidentally dropped a glass on the ground and a tiny tiny tiny chard flew into JH's leg. Joe came to the rescue - our hero! Angela from Veranda was so sorry for dropping the glass...she was so sweet and escorted us to the ladies room to help JH. JH is 100% fine...just a small small nick but it was kind of amusing that of all people, JH was the center of a little mishap at the posh Michael Smith showroom! Here's a look at the party:

Inside the Michael Smith showroom, Jasper, last Friday evening. (above)

P.P.S. Saw all of the usual L.A. designers at the party but also ran into Brooke & Steve Giannetti. Brooke has a store here in Brentwood, she is an interior designer, she just wrote a book and has a great blog named Velvet & Linen. I pop over to her blog from time to time for inspiration. I recognized her and introduced myself...that was fun meeting her in person.

P.P.P.S. Had a bizarre day on Sunday. Was supposed to meet my mom for Mother's Day but then my dog, Mr. Boo, got sick (I thought he ate gopher repellent that the gardener put in the garden) so I had to rush him to the emergency room. On the way down Nichols Canyon with a sick Mr. Boo, a lady was walking a black pig (I kid you not). I waited for 3 hours at the vet emergency room and a lady in a yellow Hummer drives up and rushes in with a possum who just ate rat poison...she demanded vitamin K which is the antidote for rat poison (who knew), she was refused service because she had a wild animal...she stormed out. Then a young boy and mother walked in...they were clutching a cat that I thought was sick, turns out they found the cat and were getting it scanned for a chip, the receptionist scanned the cat, found the owner, the owner came, the little boy cried because he didn't want to let the cat go, the owner gave the little boy $20. Turns out Mr. Boo is fine...he didn't eat anything bad he was just acting funny and then at 3:30pm I finally met my mom for Mother's Day. Hmmm...strange...right?

Photos: Style at Home; Coco of COCOCOZY

THE HARBINGER OF GOOD DECOR!

All photos in this post by Coco of COCOCOZY

When I took someone to an opening at the Harbinger showroom in Los Angeles, they said being at Harbinger was like living an evening right in the pages of a magazine like House Beautiful with all of its beautiful rooms, furniture, wall coverings and textiles. I would agree...

Harbinger is an exquisite showroom in the heart of the La Cienega Design District. The showroom features a well curated selection of fine textiles, furniture, lighting and home accessories.

Owned by uber talented interior designers Joe Lucas and Parrish Chilcoat, Harbinger has a feel of relaxed elegance.

Okay. I must admit, even though I've been to quite a few design showrooms, I still get a bit intimidated by the mood in most high design places...I feel a little out of my element not knowing everything there is to know about everything in design...I often feel like if I say the wrong thing, in those showrooms someone will roll their eyes at me. I may be imagining it but usually when I walk into most high end showrooms, I want to walk right out because I don't necessarily feel welcomed.

At the Harbinger showroom, the vibe is completely different from other showrooms I've been to in the past...comfortable, warm - a home away from home for gorgeous design. While Harbinger deals only in the finest of home furnishings, the showroom personnel (Tami Carey, showroom manager) and owners Joe and Parrish somehow manage to strike a balance between luxury and creating an inviting environment.

So the other day, when JH was in town (after she went to the Clooney/President Obama event), I took a bit of time during my lunch to meet her at Harbinger and hang out in the showroom.  It was only my second time at Harbinger even though they carry the COCOCOZY textiles line (I can't usually peel away from my day job to get to the showroom during the week).  What a lovely hour we spent there. Stunning furniture, beautiful textiles, nice conversation and we got to chat with textiles designer Katie Leede who was showing off her latest fabric line.  Did I mention they were serving a delicious light lunch, drinks and desserts?  Yes.  Home.

The cheerful foyer at the Harbinger showroom filled with texture, patterns and color. (above)

A vignette at Harbinger showcases traditional to modern furniture and accessories all grounded on a very cool striped blue and white rug. (above)

From Harbinger's own furniture line - The Antwerp Tufted Sofa -  a luxe burnt orange velvet sofa with nail head trim

Harbinger's own Swedish Upholstered Back Side Chairs in a dining room vignette! (above and below)

A canopy bed and lovely embroidered linens (above and below)

Textiles display with COCOCOZY fabrics, pillows and throws. (above and below)

Textiles designer Katie Leede showing her amazing collection to my friend JH in the Harbinger showroom. (above and below)

Sigh! Wish I could work out of the Harbinger showroom every day!

See the Harbinger website to check out all of the fabulous lines they represent...a design delight!

What do you think of the furniture at Harbinger? See anything you like? Where are your favorite places to shop for furniture?

Happy Monday!

xo
Coco

P.S. More to share with you from design week here...including a bit about a fun party at Michael Smith's Jasper showroom. That's for tomorrow.


All photos in this post by Coco of COCOCOZY

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Photo in this post by Coco of COCOCOZY

Spending the day today with my wonderful mother! Look forward to it. A lovely mom daughter day!

Have a fantastic day to all of you who are moms. Enjoy the day!

Happy Sunday! Happy Mother's Day!

xo
Coco

P.S. Took this photo of these beautiful roses yesterday when having lunch here in Los Angeles at The Ivy with friend JH who was visiting from South Carolina. What a gorgeous weekend it has been in L.A.!  Hope it is nice where you are too.


Photo in this post by Coco of COCOCOZY

WEEKEND PHOTO!

Lovely outdoor setting...right? Who doesn't want to be sitting under an umbrella looking down onto rolling hills and fields?

Hope you have a wonderful weekend. Am off to spend the day at play with friend JH who is in town!

What are your plans?

Happy Saturday!

xo
Coco

Photo: Peter Carlsson

SEE THIS HOUSE: THE L.A. HOME OF INTERIOR DESIGNER ABBY WOLF-WEISS!

The center hall of Abby Wolf-Weiss' Los Angeles home. (above)

The other day, I got a nice email from Los Angeles interior designer Abby Wolf-Weiss who directed me to her website.  I clicked on the link and immediately wrote her back asking if I could feature her work.

Turns out Abby is friends with my friend interior designer Kristi Bender, who is a partner at Wendy Schwartz Design.  I got a call from Kristi the other day about Abby too.  Kristi said Abby is awesome and that she is a huge fan of Abby and her work.

Well after seeing Abby's work Kristi didn't need to say much...I became an instant fan too.

Classically casually elegant.

I also love a story about someone who has made a change of careers. Abby, as it turns out, was once an entertainment executive.  About a year and half ago, she hung up her Hollywood power suit and decided to tackle the world of interior design.  These images are from her own home here in Los Angeles.  Tah dah and here she is!  She thought it and made it happen.  She also happens to have great taste it seems.  I like Abby's style.

Take a look!

A cozy living room seating arrangement...4 armchairs and a round upholstered ottoman...the scene is so inviting. (above)

I would love to kick off my shoes in this library...love the faux bamboo chandelier and the long gray sectional sofa! (above)

Silver wallpaper and a traditional dark wood oval table make for a very impressive formal dining space. (above)

I'd certainly be happy with this kitchen! (above)



I like the idea of putting a world map on the wall of a child's room...great colors and texture and a little geography lesson too! (above)

What do you think of Abby's home?  Which room is your favorite?

Innate talent I think...she just took up design less than two years ago!  Abby has opened up a little design studio in a flower shop in the Larchmont area of Los Angeles.  She's also been selling vintage goods on One Kings Lane!

Yay Abby! Can't wait to see what you do next!  Nice meeting you via email.  I'll definitely stop by the shop this summer!

Happy Friday!

xo
Coco

P.S.  Friend and co-god mother JH is town today and tomorrow (we are co-godmom's to our friend FF's son...we often joke that FF clearly didn't think either of us was capable of godmother duties on our own so she paired us up!).  JH and her husband DH flew in from South Carolina yesterday and went to the President Obama dinner at George Clooney's house last night here in Los Angeles!  Whoa!  Wow!  I spent about a half an hour on the phone with JH this morning gabbing about what she saw and the event.  It sounded amazing.  She said George Clooney's house was gorgeous...a Tudor style home with grounds and kind of compound like setting with other houses...she said the decor was gorgeous...livable, casual, chic.  Oh how I wish I could have attended!  Oh, and she spent the whole evening chatting with tons of celebs and glitterati at a sit down dinner for maybe 150 people!  Whoa.  So cool.  I am seeing JH tonight and I'll get more scoop from her!

P.P.S.  While JH was dining with the President and George Clooney, I was out with a fun group of married ladies (I describe them as married ladies...because I was the only single lady with them...oy va voy...need to work on my MRS degree right away!).  Friend and interior designer Alison Blumenfeld invited us to a party and GARDE ... a new store on Beverly Blvd. opened by Scotti Sitz.  It is a delightful posh gift store with wonderful home accessories, arty jewelry and much more.  Very chic.  Here are a few photos I took at GARDE last night (before my camera ran out of juice):

A jewelry trunk show last night at GARDE, on Beverly in Los Angeles! (above and below)

Modern and eclectic home accessories line the sleek shelves at GARDE! (above and below)

P.P.P.S. We ended up at Itacho for a quick bite after the trunk show at GARDE.  My dinner group did not include the President and George, but my group was quite a lovely bunch of stars in my view..Alexandra Kimball, super power publicist, she worked for Oscar de la Renta for 10 years and now has her own publicity company; Alison Blumenfeld and Kristi Bender, very chic interior design gals and Beata Henrichs-Lieb. Beata is fantastic. I met Beata for the first time last night. She is starting her own collection of soft goods that I will squawk about on COCOCOZY whenever she gives me the go ahead. I saw her work at GARDE and LOVED it. I think I will be hopefully carrying some of it in the COCOCOZY online shop too! Very chic idea for the summer lounging.

P.P.P.P.S.  Tonight JH and I will be attending more parties and I need to think of a place for dinner.

P.P.P.P.P.S.  Need to work with sis DS on our Mother's Day gift for our amazing mother MDS...hmmm...let's see...thinking...I always procrastinate on gifts.  Need to get better at that in 2015.  Giving myself a little pad as I know I'll be really busy in 2012-2014.  Won't have time to change my ways of getting gifts last minute over the next few years.  So I'll target 2015 as the time where I transform to the 2 month in advance gift "figure-it-outer" person!

P.P.P.P.P.P.S.  Happy Friday again!

LONNY LOVE!

Me and my faves in May 2012 Lonny Magazine! (above)

Today is a good day for COCOCOZY!  Was so excited to open today's latest Lonny Magazine and see the Blogger Style page with all of my favorite picks in fashion and home decor.

I love Lonny Magazine.  If you don't know it, Lonny is the online interior design/shelter magazine founded by Editor-in-Chief Michelle Adams, and super talented photographer Patrick Cline. It is absolute eye candy for home decor enthusiasts, fashion aficionados or anyone who loves anything to do with design and style!

Lonny has been very kind to COCOCOZY over the last year.  When I first launched the COCOCOZY textiles collection in 2011...the magazine was so sweet to do a little feature on my new collection in the July/Aug. 2011 issue.  And now, they were nice enough to ask me about my faves!  The team at Lonny has been so supportive and I am truly grateful.

I just met Michelle officially this last January at the COCOCOZY booth at the New York International Gift Fair (we had met briefly a few other times).  She was so nice.  There are some people who have been really fantastic to COCOCOZY over the last year...she is one of them.

It was so much fun putting together a list for them...things I like, things I own, things I've made and things I covet!

Also, this issue of the magazine features some GORGEOUS homes, interiors and furnishings.  I will have to read it several times to take in all of the goodness.

So check out the last two pages of the magazine to see my picks...also you'll see more of me than you've ever seen before because they asked for a photo and not a sketch.  (I think they thought the sketch I've been using looks like something out of the witness protection program).  So this weekend, my sister DS took this photo of me on my deck and now it is in the magazine!  Still not the full reveal...as I am still leading my double life (executive by day...blogger/textiles designer by night)!

Lonny Magazine, May 2012 cover. (above)

Just one of the gorgeous spaces featured in this month's Lonny Magazine. (above)

Have you read Lonny?  What is your favorite in this month's Lonny magazine?  What other design magazines do you love?  Do tell!

Thank you to Michelle Adams and team for featuring COCOCOZY in Lonny!  I can't tell you how much it means to me.  They are so nice.

Happy Thursday!

xo
Coco

P.S.  Last night I went with friend and super talented interior designer Alison Blumenfeld of Blumenfeld Interiors to an event at the stunning Rose Tarlow's Melrose House showroom for the La Cienega Design Quarter week events here in Los Angeles.  A lovely party indeed.  Lots of design folk and lots of my favorite champagne - Veuve Clicquot - all in a chic elegant setting.

Who doesn't love a cold glass of bubbly champagne - this was our first stop at the Rose Tarlow event. (above)

Then inside to the gorgeous showroom.  I should have taken more photos! (above)

SMART DESIGN: A FRIENDLY COLORFUL KITCHEN FLOOR!

Ran across this photo of a bright white small kitchen with a wonderful green floor.

Turns out the floor is a huge sheet of green colored linoleum.

I like this idea.  Still keeps the overall design bright and fresh but adds a bit of vivid personality to this cooking space.

Cool thing is that using the right kind of linoleum can be environmentally friendly too.  See below for some green colored green natural linoleum floor options!

Marmoleum natural linoleum tile colors (above)

What do you think of this green colored flooring?  Like or dislike?  Would you ever consider putting linoleum on your kitchen floors?  Hmmm...food for thought!

Happy Wednesday!

xo
Coco

P.S.  On Saturday, I went to a fab bridal shower for dear friend AZ who is getting married in Mexico in a few weeks.  Am off to a destination wedding and am so excited to travel and to see my good friend get married.  Anyhoooo...while at the shower I ran into Megan Dostal, co-founder of Further, an eco friendly company that makes these cool biodegradable hand soaps, lotions and now candles.  I've met Megan a few times over the years at AZ's birthday parites but we never really got a chance to talk. This time we did. I found out that Further was founded by Megan and her husband Marshall. He began making the soaps in their garage out of recycled vegetable oils picked up from local restaurants!  Just 3 years later, their products are in 400 stores and restaurants nationwide!  I love a great entrepeneur story.  Plus the soap and the lotion are quite fabulous too.  Can't wait to catch up with them at the wedding.  See the soap below!

Further - Hand Soap - $17 (Made from the glycerin derived from the distillation of biofuel. Biodegradable. No animal testing)(above)

P.P.S.  Hope you have a great green Wednesday!


Photos: Bolig Maganiset

THIS OR THAT: CLOSET CONFIDENTIAL!

Starting this post with a non sequitur...

True story...

Last night, when I got home after a dinner out with a friend I found a strange delivery at my front door. It was 10pm. When I walked up the stairs to my little cottage...there was a bed on the front stoop. A bed? Yes. A bed. Really it was huge box that contained a large bed frame. I immediately texted a neighbor and asked her if it was hers...it was not. I did not order a bed. I don't need a bed...but for some reason someone delivered a bed to my front door. It looks like it came via FedEx. It was so heavy that I could not bring it in the house and it was so dark I couldn't read the label. This is one of those bizarre things that seems to happen to me on a regular basis. Anyhooo...I'll have CM look into this strange bed delivery situation today. Strange indeed.

Anyhooooooooo...back to design...lah dee dah.

So as you all know. I live in the smallest tiniest cottage in the Hollywood Hills. This means I have barely any closet space. I dream of a walk in dressing area...where I could study my wardrobe options, test out my fashion prowess, a vanity where I could preen and primp before leaving the house. Dreaming indeed. If I did have such a space, would I line the walls with wallpaper? Or would I leave them blank.

Take these two closets/dressing rooms for example...both very girly and feminine...both using wallpaper with a little shine and glimmer to it. Which of these do you like best? That's the question in today's this or that.

I'm liking the vanity dressing area with the butterfly wallpaper the best I think. I love the rock crystal knobs on the drawers.

Which do you like best? Or would you decline these girly closets and go for something more basic sans wallpaper?

Please do tell!

Happy Tuesday!

xo
Coco


P.S.  Our ever so popular porcelain Ginger Jar made the May/June issue of New York Spaces magazine!  For some reason, this little jar has been one of the more popular items in the COCOCOZY Random Stuff section of the COCOCOZY shop...that's the section where I curated a bunch of random home furnishings I love.  I have two of these jars sitting on my fireplace.  They are cute little accents!

P.P.S.  Hope you have a fabulous day!



Photos:  Mi Casa Revista; Modern Declaration