A LITTLE FIELD OF FLOWERS FOR INSIDE THE HOME? A DESIGN WONDER TRULY BRINGS THE OUTDOORS INSIDE!

Saw this rug on one of my many visits to Design Within Reach (DWR) on Beverly Blvd. in Los Angeles a few weeks back. The rug is called "Little Field of Flowers". I was immediately intrigued by the complexity and density of this rug...with all of the flower and leaf-like shapes piled on top of each other.


Detail of Little Field of Flowers rug from DWR (above)

The rug is by Dutch industrial designer Tord Boontje; designed back in 2006. This hand loomed rug's design uses die-cutting to create the flower and leaf shapes. There are six different shapes and three different tones used throughout each rug.

The rug is really thick ...measuring about 2.5" in depth!


Design Within Reach - Little Field of Flowers rug - small, $4400; large, $6600. (comes in both green and purple tones)(above)

Photos in this post by Coco of Cococozy

A DYNAMIC DESIGN DUO OPENING A NEW STORE IN LOS ANGELES!

West Hollywood Loft - Design by Nickey -Kehoe Inc.

This year seems to be a big year for Los Angeles interior designers Todd Nickey and Amy Kehoe of Nickey-Kehoe, Inc. First, earlier this year, the duo was featured in Domino Magazine as one of the Domino 10 - that's Domino's list of up and coming designers to watch. Now, ending the year in grand style, Nickey and Kehoe are opening their own furniture store in Los Angeles called the NK Shop.

Domino describes the pair's interior decor style as "lived-in bohemianism". On the Nickey-Kehoe website, you can see interiors decorated in what I might describe as hippie chic or mod elan. Love the use of lots of warm (sometimes elegantly worn looking) colors, printed retro wall papers, and antique looking rugs. Lots of mid-century furniture, vintage pieces warm up their interiors to make them full of interest and style.

The NK Shop's "taster vignette" typical of furniture and accessories to be carried at the new store. (above)

At the end of this month, on Highland and Melrose in Los Angeles, the NK Shop will open its doors...featuring Nickey and Kehoe's favorites in vintage/antique furniture, home accessories and a new eponymous furniture line.

Here is what Todd Nickey wrote me about the above picture and his new store:

"The vignette [above] is indicative of the antiques we'll be carrying - the coffee table is French from the 40's; the chair(s)- set of 4 are also French from around the same era; there are taxidermied birds, as well as a host of other vintage blankets, fabrics, rugs, made into pillows and found objects such as jewelry, lamps, and lighting fixtures.

We will also be selling a host of other new items from white porcelain pottery from upstate New York ( White Forest Pottery), Bulgarian pottery, blankets, rugs, pillows from Ethiopia, moss covered planting pots from Italy, John Derian plates and wall hangings. and many other great items from our travels both new and vintage! We'll also be premiering our furniture line which includes chairs, tables,consoles,mirrors and upholstered goods!"

I am going to the store's opening party to check it out! Can't wait. Will keep you posted on more from Nickey-Kehoe!

The NK Shop
730 North Highland Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90038
http://www.nickeykehoe.com/

LE PARIS SPARKLE - SHINE LIKE THE FRENCH DO - AN ILLUMINATING REMINDER OF WHY YOU SHOULD ADD SHIMMER TO YOUR HOME!

AZ took this wonderful very very short video of the Eiffel Tower glittering and sparkling during our visit to Paris in August. Every night, my group of friends (all of whom were all there staying with ne in a great apartment on Rue Jacob) would head out to the Seine to watch the Eiffel Tower shimmer. Each time we saw the shimmering lights, we were awestruck and delighted. This fantastic light show is so surprising and fanciful and grandiose and elegant ...this modern touch so fits in oddly enough with all of the luxe historical Parisian surroundings.

The Eiffel Tower Sparkles (press play arrow to see the video) - Video short by AZ

During the first ten minutes of every hour after sunset...the tower glimmers and shimmers with 20,000 lights...this all started on December 31, 1999 to celebrate the new millennium.

This tower of sparkle definitely brightens one's outlook on life....designed to do just that I think!

How does this relate to decor you may ask...? Well I guess I would say always try to put a little sparkle in your home to brighten up the space and to put a delightful smile to your face every time you see the gleam and shine of some home accessory or shimmering piece of furniture.

Any sparkle will do...whether it be a shimmering candleholder on a dining room table; or hanging wallpaper in your bedroom that has a bit of gleam to it; or maybe tiling your bath room with stones, quartz or marbles that have specks of shine; or do as my friend JLF did, adorn your house with crystal chandeliers, sconces and light fixtures.

...you can bring the Eiffel Tower sparkle home...and you should!

COCOCOZY FIND: NOTHING NEBULOUS ABOUT THE NEBULA COFFEE TABLE!

Pure Modern - Nebula Table - side table, $1,290; coffee table, $3795 (this side or coffee table is made from powder coated steel and is cut precisely with lasers.) (above)

Dictionary.com defines the word "nebula" as "a cloud of interstellar gas and dust" or "a diffuse mass of interstellar dust or gas or both, visible as luminous patches or areas of darkness depending on the way the mass absorbs or reflects incident radiation". (Hmmm??? I get it???)

Pure Modern defines the "Nebula Table" as "influenced heavily by the mathematical origins behind the formations and organization of the cosmos".

Both definitions refer to galaxies, stars and fantastic formations out in space...

The Nebula Table is a definitely a fantastic formation here on earth...love the ethereal quality of this table. Am mesmerized by the complex maze of lines and angles formed by the laser cut steel...reminds me of stars bursting with rays of light.

I like the idea of juxtaposing this modern table with furniture considered less than modern. For example, the Nebula table could easily be placed alongside classic furniture in a traditional home...next to a Louis XVI armchair perhaps. It could also be wonderfully married with vintage or retro pieces in mid-century modern living room.

What do you think of this other worldly table?

COLOR WATCH: KELLY GREEN WITH ENVY OVER A BRILLIANT GREEN DINING ROOM!

Katy Daly and Ashley Manhan's hip modern green dining room. (above)

Went to a fab dinner party at friend Katy Daly's house the other night. She invited a group over for a relaxed Friday evening dinner. Was really looking forward to the evening all week because: a) Katy is great and love hanging out with her; b) Katy invited a fun crowd of people; c) same "situation" that was confusing me on Monday when I went table shopping (see post below) was still confusing me on Friday and I needed a good distraction; and, d) Katy works in design (she works for a company that supplies beautiful fabrics to hotels) and love visiting anyone's house who is in design because it usually turns out to be a treasure trove for Cococozy (this night was no exception).

Of course, I was late. Dinner party was to start at 7:30p and I got there at 8:00p. That is good for me. The delay was due to the fact that I couldn't decide what to wear. I started out very casual in some J Brand jeans and a cute Marc Jacobs blouse. But then I decided I wanted to wear tights because it was freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzing outside (note: freezing in Los Angeles is defined as any temperature below 70 degrees Fahrenheit...it was 68 degrees that night). The parade of outfits began...what about this huge Theory microfiber pleated skirt and this purple ruffle blouse? No I look like a clown with pleats. How about this black asymmetrical skirt with ragged edged trim all around it with a tight black sweater? No...can't wear anything really tight these days, feel a muffin top baking right on my waist. I've got it...what about this old Blue Cult denim skirt and this red wool sleeveless turtleneck? No, I look like I am a college student in the 1980's and should have my hair in a high ponytail on the side of my head. And, the parade of bad outfits went on and on...

After about an hour of trying on different outfits...you would think I would have hit gold...well not the case...I finally ended up in ribbed black tights, a grey ribbed Prada sweater and embarrassingly enough a black skort (yes a skort...skirt and shorts combined in one) that I had bought almost 10 years ago while in law school.

Anyhoooooooo....back to the dinner party.



Two silver bud vases with a jar like shape hold beautiful red roses and act as an elegant simple centerpiece on the dining table. (above)


So I arrived at the door in my skort and with a bottle of wine in hand, only to find that Katy lives in a great Spanish style building in the heart of L.A.'s Miracle Mile. Her apartment is gorgeous and huge...stylishly decorated with many wonderful touches. Much to my Cococozy delight, I also found out that Katy has a roommate named Ashley who is an interior designer! Eureka!!!! A night in a great setting with friends and even a few who want to talk about interior design! Perfect for getting my mind off of that "confusing" situation. So before our lovely dinner, I spent much of the time gabbing with Ashley about their cute and well-decorated apartment and Ashley's design inspirations.

The piece de resistance in their apartment is of course this bright green dining room...filled with flea market finds, vintage pieces, signature modern furniture and treasures from travel abroad.

Love this dining room. Katy and Ashley dared to make a bold statement with the bright green walls and it payed off!



Flea market finds like these clear lucite barstools make for stylish retro accents in the room. (above)



A simple white lacquer West Elm shelf acts as a buffet and credenza to store serving items. (above)




The glass and polished metal dining table is centered in the room by a zebra print rug, surrounded by four Panton chairs (designed by Verner Panton circa. 1960), and finally two leather and polished chrome side chairs act as host chairs at either end of the rectangular table. A portrait of Ashley's father as a child overlooks the space.(above)

A lovely bright yellow tray table sits in the corner of the room providing another burst of daring bright cheery color to the room. (above)

A black candelabra hanging from the ceiling and centered over the dining room table provide a color accent that ties into the touches of black throughout the room. (above)



A vintage leopard print ice bucket found at a flea market provides stylish form and function in this ultra chic dining space. (above)



Ashley Manhan enjoying conversation (or maybe she's posing for a picture I forced her to take... I can't recall) in her lovely green dining room. Katy was in the kitchen cooking our delicious meal so she missed this photo op. (above)

Katy and Ashley...thank you for having me over! Was delighted to be at this dinner party and charmed by your amazing design sense...

Can't wait to visit again.

P.S. Conversation didn't just center around decor...it was very well rounded...we talked about books, boys and bikini waxing too. Important stuff you know in these ever so serious times.

P.P.S. Am also hoping that Ashley will become a guest blogger on Cococozy. She just might have her own segment called Ashley's Arrondissement...stay tuned!!!

All photos in this post by Coco of Cococozy.

A LOS ANGELES DECORATOR CREATES A CLEVER DO IT YOURSELF INSTANT SPACE DESIGN SYSTEM IN A BOX!

instant/space linen wrapped design presentation box - Designer Betsy Burnham's home decor solution. (above)


instant/space box contents -Each box comes filled with a master plan outlining everything a client might need to start decorating their space. (above)


instant/space personalized design board (above)


instant/space design board detail (above)

instant/space is the invention of Los Angeles decorator Betsy Burnham of Burnham Design. With instant/space, Burnham offers clients do-it-yourself custom-designed spaces for a reasonable fee.

Burnham created instant/space for clients who don't need the full services of an interior designer. Those who are lsimply ooking for design help and a starting off point to decorate their homes themselves. Great for someone only needing to decorate a few rooms, or someone who lives outside of Los Angeles but wants Burnham's design assistance, or just someone looking for a master design and decor plan for a room or their entire house.

Here's how instant/space works. Clients send Burnham and team some pictures of their room, measurements and some images decor images they like. Four to six weeks after clients sends their information to instant/space, they received a personalized design box.

The design box includes:

• Personalized design concept board (using color images, magazine tears, sketches, etc.)


• Detailed schematic furniture plan, drawn to scale.


• Sample/swatch ring of fabric, wallpaper, paint, flooring, tile, and hardware


• Shopping list of resources - both local and on-line - for all design elements


• Step-by-step outline of how to pull all the elements of the presentation together

LIVING ROOM PLAN - WALLOON LAKE, MICHIGAN

This living room features two peacock-blue chesterfield sofas placed back-to-back, orange bergere chairs alongside the client's own piano, large upholstered ottoman and leather club chairs and a zebra rug.




MEDIA ROOM PLAN - BIG SKY, MONTANA


The plan for media room includes custom built-in cabinetry that can hold audio/video equipment and features room for a small computer station. Furnishings include an angled sectional, a pair ofcowhide ottoman, and an eco-friendly deer head mounted above the sofa.




BEDROOM - HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA

Pale blue, black, and hermes orange make up the color scheme of this bedroom. The bedroom asl features silk drapes, Hermes orange lacquered bedside tables, a vintage white bamboo desk serves as the vanity and a black Philippe Starck LouisGhost chair

INSTANT/SPACE COST

hallways, entry-ways, powder rooms: $895

dining rooms, bedrooms, home offices, bathrooms: $1150

living rooms, kitchens and family rooms: $1495

What a great idea...do it yourself design and decor in a box...bringing in a remote designer may be the next "it" way of doing business in interior design!

For more information and to get started on your diy design, click on this link to go to instant/space.

Photos/images in this post courtesy of Besty Burnham of Burnham Design.

STEWING ON SMALL KITCHENS AND OPEN SHELVES - THE PERFECT BLEND OF FORM AND FUNCTION!

Have a small kitchen that feels cramped and claustrophobic? An excellent recipe for an unappetizing cooking space. The fix...tear out those upper cabinets and make the room feel bigger by adding in open shelves instead! Here are three very small kitchens made bigger with good old fashioned wall mounted shelves.

Photo courtesy of Ann Sacks
One open stainless steel shelf above the stove is the perfect place to store dishes in this kitchen. Gorgeous Ann Sacks Capriccio handmade 3" x 6" ceramic field tiles in tasmania green make up the backsplash. Stainless countertops match the shelf. A black rustic very worn looking country table acts as a kitchen center island providing more working space and a bit of storage too. Interior design by Tom Lekometros. (above)

Photo by Reid Rolls

Clear glass open shelves replace the traditional use of upper cabinets in this small contemporary kitchen in a Memphis Tennessee loft apartment. Honey colored sleek cabinets, dark stained wood floors and stainless steel appliances (oven, microwave and dishwasher) find their color compliment in the multicolored marble backsplash. Interior design by Kelley Jones. (above)

Photo by Grey Crawford

In this home, an all white modern country style kitchen features wood bracket shelves hanging above grey countertops and white lower cabinets. These shelves hold a mixture of cooking items including spices, serving dishes and cookbooks; allowing easy access to cooking essentials it seems. Bright yellow chairs surround the kitchen table to make this small space as big and bright and cheery as it can be! (above)

CHEAP TO CHIC: STRAIGHT TO THE POINT ON A LINEAR CRYSTAL CHANDELIER!

A linear crystal chandelier at the Design Witinin Reach store on Beverly Blvd. in Los Angeles. (above) Photo by Coco of Cococozy.

A few months ago was wandering through DWR and took some pictures of things including these linear chandeliers. On that Saturday afternoon, I actually took about 25 pictures of these bejeweled looking chandeliers because I was fascinated with the way the light danced off the crystals. Hence this post.

I really like the sparkle and the simplicity combined in one. A wonderful modern chandeliers with the crystals adding a very feminine classic touch.

Incidentally, the ever sparkling JLF has one in her dining room. She recently flashed a sparkling smile as I toured her posh new home and said that she had upgraded to a linear chandelier with Swarovski crystals - if you are going to glitter why not gleam with the best!

So here is today's Cococozy CHEAP TO CHIC on linear chandeliers:

Pure Modern - Krystelle Linear Chandelier - $303.75(48"W tube steel with chrome finish body and hanging crystals. Takes 25 Watt candelabra bulbs)(above)

Z Gallerie - Linear Strand Crystal Chandelier - $329 (At 47" wide, this chandelier deflects the light of nine bulbs through numerous shapes and sizes of full leaded, faceted crystal. The crystals can be re-arranged simply by shifting them from groove to groove along the aluminum rod. The design is anchored by a clear cord, flanked by two thin steel cables)(above)

DWR - Cellula Chandelier -$2200 orig., on sale for $1980 (Adorned with Swarovski® crystal pendants, the Cellula (1996) design refracts the light of nine bulbs through numerous shapes and sizes of full leaded, faceted crystal. Over a century old, Swarovski is the leader in precision-cut crystal, which has a much higher refractive index than standard glass, resulting in a more sparkling illumination.) Photos by Coco of Cococozy. (above and below)

SEE THIS HOUSE: L.A. CHIC MODERN LIVING - A HOUSE AND A LIFESTYLE FOR SALE! (COCO'S DREAM HOUSE...IS IT YOURS TOO?)

Living Room - the living room in my dream house features dark hardwood floors, white walls and a vaulted ceiling with dark wood beams. The furnishings are in a neutral color palette with a taupe shag rug, white Barcelona chairs and zebra striped lamps. A white round mirror elegantly adorns the fireplace. Photo copyright The Sunset Team/La Kaza Design 2008 (above)

This is my dream house. I don't own it. I can't afford it but this is the house I would like to live in. FOREVER. It is for sale. Anyone have a solution on how I am to get this house?

The home is located in the center of Los Angeles on a street called Kilkea. It is 3bed/3bath with a pool. The house is set on a lovely lot with a front courtyard and a gorgeous landscaped backyard.

I wandered into this house one Sunday afternoon a few weeks ago during an open house. I was mesmerized. The serene neutral colors...the stunning dark(almost ebony) hardwood floors, the bright white walls and the wonderful architectual and design detail.

What I liked most is that this 1928 Spanish style house was completely remodeled recently but still has much of the character of the old house...with arched doorways, curved ceilings, plaster walls and of course the classic Spanish roof tiles cap off the old world home made modern.

The owner designed the house herself with the help of Roberto Sexias from The Sunset Team. The staging was done by Meredith Baer and Associates.

The house is being offered for sale by The Sunset Team.

The price tag: $1,699,000. Worth every penny in my view!


Dining room - An arched doorway takes you from the entryway to the light airy dining room in my dream house. Coved ceilings and large windows and hardwood floors make up the framework. The room is elegantly and simply decorated with a large rectangular dark wood rustic dining table, white upholstered dining chairs, a simple wrought iron chandelier and the finishing touch on the staging is white french tulips in a clear glass vase. Love it. Photo copyright The Sunset Team/La Kaza Design 2008 (above)

Here's how my dream house is described on The Sunset Team's website:

"In this amazing redesign home, Santa Barbara's top designer has achieved the perfect balance between the true Spanish architecture and modern interiors. This beautiful and bright home offers 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, living room with vaulted ceilings, exposed beams and fireplace, kitchen with professional appliances, formal dining room, designer bathrooms with extensive use of Ann Sacks tiles, great backyard with cabana overlooking pool and spa."

Kitchen - The gourmet kitchen features stainless steel appliances and the sleek cabinets are dark stained rift white oak. Marble countertops and fantastic small brick metallic ceramic tiles are stacked on top of each other to create the backsplash. Photo copyright The Sunset Team/La Kaza Design 2008. (above and below)


Photo copyright The Sunset Team/La Kaza Design 2008



Master Bedroom - A white upholstered headboard, polished silver lamps and a Moroccan patterned wool rug make up this peaceful space. French doors lead out to the backyard and pool. Photo copyright The Sunset Team/La Kaza Design 2008 (above and below)

Photo copyright The Sunset Team/La Kaza Design 2008


Master Bath - The tub is surrounded by wonderful windows and the light wood cabinetry makes the bath room feel very spa-like. Grey tiled slate floors help create a cool and serene environment. Photo copyright The Sunset Team/La Kaza Design 2008 (above)


Bathroom - Ann Sacks glass mosaic tiles by Erin Adams in brown and taupe cover the main wall in a smaller bathroom. A white porcelain modern sink and faucet make this room feel like a zen retreat. Photo copyright The Sunset Team/La Kaza Design 2008. (above)


Backyard and Pool - The backyard speaks for itself! Photo copyright The Sunset Team/La Kaza Design 2008 (above and below)


Photo copyright The Sunset Team/La Kaza Design 2008


Photo copyright The Sunset Team/La Kaza Design 2008


IS THIS YOUR DREAM HOUSE TOO? PLEASE COMMENT!

ECONOMIC ALERT ON AN IMPULSE BUY! IN NEED OF IRON CLAD ADVICE ON A BRAND NEW COFFEE TABLE!

Crate & Barrel - Flynn Coffee Table - $499 (Handcrafted of tubular and hammered flat-bar iron with a weathered finish and galvanized roofing nails) (above)


ATTENTION TO READERS....PLEASE COMMENT ON THIS POST....SHOULD I KEEP THE TABLE OR RETURN IT?

...but first I must babble on a bit....

Was trying to keep myself busy this evening for some reason (trying to figure out a "situation" that has been confusing me)...and with the stock market going crazy and everyone I know acting crazy what's the logical thing for a person to do...shop???? Okay definitely not logical and wonder if disrespectful to a certain extent...should I feel guilty? Oh...can't burden myself with guilt in addition to a country on the verge of major trouble.

La dee dah....bubbles...stripes...stars...hearts...exclamation points...asterisks...

...so I decided to go shopping and buy myself some new furniture. Well, the problem is at 6:30p.m. in Los Angeles, not much is open in the way of home furniture stores - leaving me with limited options - and really only one store to select from. Woe was me. On the day Wall Street went bonkers and world markets tumbled, I was on Beverly Drive in Beverly Hills, California trying to do my part to stimulate the economy and only one shop was open for me to help a country in need. "Shop on" I thought "this is your civic duty" I justified. Since Crate & Barrel was the only shop open, then Crate & Barrel would be the only shop to get my money.

After a very long day at work, I sauntered in...ready to peruse the furniture choices at Crate and Barrel. Please note that I was wearing 4 inch black round toe Christian Louboutin pumps and a pin-striped Theory work dress/jumper with a crisp cotton top underneath and immediately fell right out of one of my shoes. Symbolic of the times...things look good on the surface but literally fall apart at the slightest misstep. Okay...enough social commentary.

Bottom line is, after putting my shoe back on, I went up to the second floor and I saw this lovely coffee table. I loved it immediately. I loved the detail of the iron work and the airiness of the silhouette due to the glass top and the open lattice iron.

The table is extremely heavy and has the look of a found antique or old weathered piece of garden furniture.

I bought it.



Flynn Coffee Table - the table I just purchased...side view (above)

Now that the table is mine...I wonder whether it will go with my decor. While I love this table, it is not quite what I had imagined for my small space...I thought I would do an ottoman or some sort of simple lucite coffee table or a wood table with clean lines and no detail.

My decor instincts are saying no for some reason...but my heart says yes...



Flynn coffee table - top view - looking down on glass top (above)

Now I need some help in deciding whether this table works for my space....

Below are some not-so-great pictures of the living room in my small tiny cottage or house in the Hollywood Hills.


The combination living room/dining room area of my small house in the Hollywood Hills (above)


My living room currently sports an old vintage mahogany coffee table (a flea market find from almost 10 years ago)...kind of looks like something a grandma might own! (above)

The new iron table is being delivered Friday during a "two hour" window.

I need your help...should I keep it or should I move on...?