A CLEARLY GREAT PHOTO PROVOKES ONE SIMPLE QUESTION. WHAT KIND OF GLASS IS THIS?

View from inside a London interior looking through an architectural glass pane onto the street. (above)
Photo courtesy of and by AT

So was out to dinner with dear friend AT last night...AT is in from London for a bit.

For some reason, instead of conversing like normal people, we were scrolling through AT's iPhone looking at pictures, when I came across this cool photo featured above. AT promised to email it to me immediately but didn't...you know the story by now...so I woke up this morning, called, emailed and generally hounded yet another friend and voila, here it is.

Love this photo taken of a London street as seen from inside a building, through the front door and through a glass pane. A glass light in the door that looks like the bottom of a bottle; thick architectural glass of some kind with a circular pattern that gives the effect looking at the world through a drop hitting a pool of still water. Love the textures, the distorted images of the cars and buildings across the way, and the dreamy feel of this photo.

On a more mundane level, I just saw glass. I wondered and wonder...what kind of glass is this? I had seen it only once before...this past summer in Paris (see photo below). But before then, never. European, one might deduce, perhaps...

Am I clueless? (Do not answer this question generally...only posed for this specific reason...afraid of how some I know might answer if I left this open for general comment)

Is this glass so common that all of you all are going to think I am a dunderhead?

(Coco secretly hopes that the answers to the above questions are both "no". If they are "yes", Coco must immediately stop watching bad reality television shows and start reading really big important books, attending art lectures, doing complex math problems for fun, involving herself in highly intellectual discussions about literature, politics and philosophy...in sum doing a major re-training/education of her now mushy mind. Please say no...please say no...)

Okay you architects, designers or just smart people out there...what kind of glass is this? Do tell?


A high gloss red wood door in Paris that features thick green glass panes that look like the bottom of a bottle. (I know, photo is blurry, but I had never planned on posting it...AT's photo forced me to make a connection) (above)
Photo by Coco of Cococozy

IT'S ALL ABOUT FLOWERS WHEN DELANEY T. BAGWELL DESIGNS AN ELEGANT SOUTHERN SUMMER WEDDING!

All photos in this post courtesy of Delaney T. Bagwell Associates

Design and function come together when event planner Delaney Todd Bagwell designed a chic and stately hydrangea topiary for a summer wedding reception lounge for visual impact...and also created a luxe sitting area by surrounding the impressive flower arrangement with light blue velvet ottomans. (above)
So, I've happily known Delaney Todd Bagwell (DTB) for several years. I met him 6 years ago (or so), when he planned the gorgeous Nantucket wedding of best friend FF and husband CCF. Ever since that wedding, DTB has become a good friend and I have secretly anointed him the supreme taste, style and entertaining guru. He doesn't know that I have given him the ultimate title...he does know though that we all look to him for all advice when it comes to events, entertaining, etiquette, style and "the right thing to do" in any situation. Each time he throws an event, it is filled with charm, elegance, good taste and entertaining delights.

Always listen to DTB when it comes to parties...if you don't, there will be trouble. I once decided to venture out on my own when planning a party in New York (why I don't know). I needed a caterer for a baby shower (AM's). DTB had recommended a caterer who he used several times and whose food he said I could trust. For some bizarre reason, however, I decided to find my own non-DTB recommended catering service. It was like bad karma struck me for not taking DTB's advice (I won't even go into detail about what happened). Just know, if DTB hasn't put his stamp of approval on it...you can bet it is not going to be good as it can be. I learned my lesson needless to say - the hard way. DTB knows all when it comes to events and entertaining...I know now and will never to forget it.

Anyhoo, DTB was kind enough to send me some beautiful photos of a Southern June wedding he planned last year. DTB was also kind enough to submit to another Cococozy Q&A...here goes...

COCO: When was this wedding held?
DELANEY T. BAGWELL (DTB): June, 2008.

COCO: Where was the wedding?
DTB: Little Rock, Arkansas.

COCO: What time of day was the wedding and reception?
DTB: Evening.

COCO: How many guests were you trying to accommodate?
DTB: 225.

COCO: Can you tell us anything about the bride and her tastes?
DTB: The bride is very smart and was finishing her Ph.D. while we planned the wedding. She and her family are very well traveled. So, their taste was very refined and very sophisticated. I think that came through with the way the event looked and felt.


Table setting with lavender hydrangea centerpiece, lace overlay tablecloth and French inspired colored glassware. (above)

COCO: What did the bride want for an overall theme...was it about color, flowers, location?
DTB: Favorite colors blue and lavender. Favorite flower....hydrangea. Perfect match between colors and flower.


Stunning large floral topiaries made of branches, white and pale purple hydrangea were arranged in antique off white urns to welcome guests to the wedding reception. (above)

COCO: What design element do you think guests most enjoyed and why?
DTB: The blue hydrangea topiary trees were a big hit.

COCO: Talk about those big beautiful topiary like hydrangea arrangements. Who came up with that idea and how? Where were they placed?
DTB: Those were large blue hydrangea topiary trees. It was my idea and we did them to make a BIG statement for the cocktail hour and following the dinner for the after party lounge area. We surrounded them with blue velvet ottomans creating a seating area that gave the impression of an "indoor garden"...


COCO: The table settings were gorgeous. Please describe in detail from linens, to china, to stemware, to centerpieces?
DTB: Because it was a seated dinner, the MOB [mother of the bride] wanted really pretty tables and she loved the idea of softening the Sevres inspired china and Baroque water glasses with the Alencon lace overlays....All very French in feeling.




Wedding reception dance floor is flanked by four white classic columns wrapped in a floral garland of white, purple and lavender flowers. (above)

COCO: The dance floor looks quite grand with the flower wrapped columns...what was the goal in this space?
DTB: The goal again was to make a BIG statement and again, bring the "garden inside". We wanted it to look like we made a nightclub outside...





COCO: What is your favorite part about planning events?
DTB: The "day of" and seeing it all come together and the happiness the client has when they arrive at the venue and see it as well.


Delaney Todd Bagwell, Event Planner (above)
Once again, thank you Todd for these wonderful photos and for sharing a bit about this event! Can't wait for the next...watch out, I will be hounding you very soon!

Delaney T. Bagwell Associates
dtbagwell@hotmail.com

DESIGN ON SALE DAILY: DECORATIVE BOTTLES ARE A GEM!

Brocade Home - Gem Bottles (Leaf green) - on sale $29; regular $69 (set of two glass decorative bottles with stoppers. Small 4"w x 2.5"d x 6"h and large 5"w x 3"d x 7"h) (above)

Lovely set of decorative bottles. I like these. Would look great on a dresser or on a vanity table in a bedroom. Come in green and charcoal grey. Perfect for perfume or perhaps they are just there to look good...why not?

DESIGN ON SALE DAILY: A CABLE KNIT PILLOW!

West Elm - Lutz & Patmos Cable Pillow Cover - on sale $29.99; regular $39 (Wool blend cable knit pillow cases designed by Tina Lutz and Marcia Patmos of Lutz & Patmos, luxury knitwear brand. Espresso (brown), feather gray and oatmeal (tan). Pillow inserts $12-$14 sold separately) (above)

Sweater weather is pretty much over here in Southern California...it has been in the 70s the last few days. If I can't wear a sweater, why not have one as an accessory in my home?

Love these knit pillow covers made to look like a classic cable knit pullover sweater. Love the muted dusty colors too!

UGLY OR PRETTY? A WEEKEND FURNITURE HUNT RAISES A QUESTION STILL UNANSWERED!

Photos by Coco of Cococozy

Lawson Fenning - Brass Sarreid Cabinet- $4400 (Made in Spain in the 1970s. Vintage nine drawer cabinet or chest of drawers with turned wood feet, copper nail heads and brass sheets over wood) (above)

NN and I were furniture hunting a few weeks ago on Beverly...well errrr...I was furniture hunting and NN was forced into it only because I was the one who drove (he suggested I pick him up...just so you understand that the events that ensued were not premeditated...no design malice intended).

That weekend, NN became my latest victim - one in a group of friends who I agree to go to lunch, dinner, or a movie with but who I trap (in a way) when I ask them to briefly stop by a store or two for a casual "look". Much to their chagrin, however, these friends unwittingly end up on the sidelines (the sidelines of my world) for hours in furniture shops while I obsessively peruse and photograph everything there is in site. Is that a form of kidnapping? Torture? Hmmm...?

Poor NN. It was Saturday and all he wanted to do was have lunch and to go see Watchmen. (Thankfully, by the time we got to the Arclight on the opening weekend of Watchmen, and much to my relief, the movie was sold out. To pretend I was just as into the movie as NN (to indulge his interest in this movie rendition of a graphic novel and only because he had been so indulgent with my interior design aside), I begged every single person at the ticket counter to release the four seats that are held aside and never sold for every movie "just in case a seat breaks or something". My begging was useless. The group of ticket sellers was resolute...they thought and said as I pretend begged, "No tickets for you."! "Fabulous", I secretly thought...but put on a very sad face to NN).

Anyhoo, before the Watchmen expedition at the Arclight, NN and I went to Lawson Fenning on Beverly. The first thing I saw was this gold cabinet. I was transfixed.

I asked NN..."Is this ugly or pretty? I can't tell."

NN definitively responded "Ugly."

"Is it really pretty? Or is it really ugly? Or maybe on a continuum it circles past ugly, around to pretty and then back to ugly and then lands somewhere in between pretty and ugly?", I mused.

NN definitively responded again, "Ugly."

Then he disappeared as I stared at the cabinet for another five minutes.

With no audience in sight, I finally replied "I'm not sure...in the right setting, although I don't know what, this might work?"

(Crickets chirp)

But, even as I spoke, I wasn't all that sure. Part of me thought beautiful...part of me thought absolutely not beautiful (verging on gauche).

I need more than NN's opinion and my indecisiveness to decide on this one.

What do you think of this vintage brass cabinet...ugly or pretty?

(I do think this is a striking and bold piece that could make an amazing design statement...but don't know just how...so what do you say?)




Please click on comments link below and weigh in!

Photos by Coco of Cococozy

CHEAP TO CHIC: TO BE ANNOYED OR NOT TO BE ANNOYED? THAT IS THE QUESTION ABOUT A KNOCK OFF CHAIR!

My DWR purchased Philippe Starck designed Louis Ghost Armchair is placed next to a vintage Heywood Wakefield Penthouse dresser in the bedroom of my Hollywood Hills cottage (above)
Photo by Coco of Cococozy
I won't even wax poetic about this one...

I am annoyed.

(or at least leaning toward the annoyed end of the mood spectrum)

I have two clear Design Within Reach (DWR)-purchased crystal Philippe Starck Louis Ghost Armchairs in my bedroom (as seen in these photos). I decided against upholstered armchairs in my room because my house is so small. I thought I was being extremely clever and space conscious by using see-through chairs which provide seating but give the illusion of taking up absolutely no space. I also liked the fact that the chairs came from the chic DWR store here on Beverly Blvd in Los Angeles.

Well, I don't feel clever anymore. When I got an email from Modern Dose saying they had a knock off at nearly half the price, my jaw nearly dropped onto my laptop computer.

Questions: Does a cheaper knock off take away the cache of my chairs? Does it make my chairs feel a little less special?

Thoughts?

I may have to dump mine or use them out on my deck now. So much for clever modernism...now that these chairs have been so perfectly knocked off, I may have to go back to staid traditionalism and find some unique upholstered chairs that cannot be knocked off!

To those of you who have wanted these chairs, but price was an issue...here you go...they are all yours. (Do I sound bitter? Not meant to be...really not bitter at all...really...not bitter...really...kind of...not really)


DWR - Louis Ghost Armchair - $410 (My crystal clear polycarbonate Louis XV chair designed by Philippe Starck for Kartell (2002))(above)
Photo by Coco of Cococozy


Modern Dose - Louis Ghost Style Armchair - $265 (Acrylic knock off chair comes in transparent and other colors) (above)

P.S. Good for Modern Dose though for being smart enough to knock off and sell a chair that has become a new furniture classic. Must give Modern Dose props for that!

COCOCOZY FIND: A LUXE BLUE VELVET CHAIR!

Photos in this post by Coco of Cococozy

Mecox Gardens - Parks Blue Velvet Arm Chair - $3000 (Peacock dark blue velvet chair with wood legs and pewter nailhead trim)

Good solid chair...love the nail head brassy pewter trim, the blue velvet fabric, and the curved wood legs. Saw it at home furniture store Mecox Gardens on La Cienega here in Los Angeles.

Perfect for a home office, library or den...right? Would you put in your house?




Close up of pewter nail head trim design detail on blue velvet upholstery (above)

Photos in this post by Coco of Cococozy

SHOP WATCH: INSIDE INTERIEURS!

All photos in this post by Cocco of Cococozy

Exterior of Interieurs store on Robertson Blvd. in West Hollywood, CA (above)

Was driving along Robertson Blvd. here in Los Angeles a few weeks ago. When a small store caught my eye. It was enshrouded in greenery (ficus trees and boxwood shrubs it looks like) and looked like a cute little house.

I immediately pulled over (without regard for the what was happening with traffic behind me) and popped out of my car. The home furnishing store is called Interieurs. Reason why the store and its name also caught my eye is because way back in December someone from the L.A. store emailed asking if I would do a feature post...I had said yes...but then forgot about it (oy!).

When I did poke my head into the store, I was pleasantly surprised. Lots of good lighting...a metal antique French cabinet to die for ...lots of modern furniture pieces with clean lines...and a fresh modern bed vignette tucked away in the corner...

Turns out, Interieurs just opened in November 2008 here in L.A....it apparently is a staple in New York with its showroom in business for 14 years.

Glad I saw the store...a post is a post...better late than never...



Modern furniture and lighting inside the Interieurs showroom (above)



Globe Chandelier - $3750 (Steel structure, hand patina finish, comes in three different sizes) (above)



Ilford Pendant Light - $1350 - (Box shaped pendant light or lantern in brass with clear glass) (above)


Modern four poster bed (above)


French Industrial Cabinet - $6990 (Metal antique 19th century French armoire with two doors with quatrefoil clover design pierced metal design.) (above and below)







Interieurs
http://www.interieurs.com/
450 N Robertson Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90048
(310) 652-5002
Get directions

All photos in this post by Coco of Cococozy

MORE MOROCCAN INSPIRED FURNITURE - THIS TIME A CHAIR!

Windsor Smith Home - Marrakesh Lounge Chair - $2550 (Upholstered or slipcovered lounge armchair. Turned walnut dark brown legs with brass casters (wheels) on front legs) (above)

I swear this will be my last post for a bit on furniture with a Moroccan pattern or a theme. Feels like every post I have done in the last few weeks has some tie or another to Morocco. You would think that I had been to Morocco and loved it so much that I have made it my mission in life to find all things Moroccan. Not the case...never been to Morocco...want to go but never have been. No mission either. The only explanation I have for this inundation is just that everywhere you turn these days...Morocco is there. Seems that in home decor, interior design, furniture and accessories, everyone has come to a consensus...Morocco is in.

(I just swore...I take it back already. No resolve it seems. I already gave up something for lent (french fries) (new parenthetical aside to comment on previous parenthetical - I know giving up french fries seems ridiculous and not quite what lent is for -but please give me a smidge of credit for at least trying to give up what I consider a "vice"). So why should I give up writing about things inspired by this northern African country?)

Let's move on...to this cute chair from Windsor Smith Home...don't know why the chair itself is called the Marrakesh chair when it looks very classic European. The ivory and white linen slipcover, on the other hand, is made of fabric imprinted with a classic Moorish pattern. I think this chair could go in almost any room...a casual den, a formal living room, a light and airy library or home office, or even a stylish master bedroom. Hmmm....something to consider....


Windsor Smith Home - Riad Linen Fabric - $63.20 (Printed pattern fabric on washed 100% linen from the Windsor Smith Home Collection for Kravet. 54.5" width, 13.5" vertical and 7" horizontal repeat)

AM DECO: HAVING A BALL IN A POLKA DOT NURSERY!

AM does dots in a fab nursery decorated in chocolate brown and blues. (above)

AM DECO is back! After months of hounding and cajoling and threatening and whining and begging and pleading, I finally got best friend AM to send in some fabulous home decor photos...so here goes...

This is a room decorated by AM - it's her son's baby room.

In real life, AM is a business woman who runs a financial company...but in her spare time, she loves to decorate. AM has done wonders with the Soho apartment she shares with hubby JE and son JE Jr. She has turned her New York City apartment into a chic space full of color and charm.

Love this nursery. When I called AM to thank her for the photos, I thought I might be able to do a quick Q&A with her. Not the case I discovered (once again). In typical AM for AM DECO fashion, she had less than no time to explain anything about the photos she had sent me.

Here's how the call earlier this week with best friend AM went down:

***

AM/COCO MORNING PHONE CALL (earlier this week)

Ring. Ring.

AM: Hi. What's up? I'm busy.

COCO: Oooohhh, I love the photos you sent. I can't wait to post them. Thank you. (Bubbly and thrilled to speak to good friend)

AM: (Silence)

COCO: I think I will do my first post on the baby room. It looks great. Love the Jonathan Adler Lampert sofa you had slipcovered in that blue and brown polka dot material. Where did you get the fabric?

AM: I don't know.

COCO: How many Lampert sofas and Lampert daybed loungers do you have? I want one. Should I get one?

AM: Four. No, wait until you have more space.

COCO: Good idea.

AM: (Silence)

COCO: So...anyway... (cut off mid sentence)

AM: You know what? I can't talk right now. I've got to go.

COCO: Wait (I screamed)

AM: No. I've got to go.

COCO: Wait! (screaming even louder)

AM: (Silence)

COCO: (Now out of breath) Okay. I'll be quick. What was your inspiration for the nursery? Just a few words. Please...for the post...please? (Pleading desperately for some reason)

AM: I don't know.

COCO: (Grrrr....eyes half mast now)

AM: (Silence)

COCO: (Reverse silence - strategically deciding to turn the tables in hopes of getting an answer)

AM: (Silence)

COCO: (Reverse silence)

AM: (Strategy works) Okay. I wanted to do the room in blue and brown. Got the idea for the polka dot themed fabric from the balls in the wall decals. Do you see the monkey and zebra decals - both animals are playing with blue balls...I wanted to have fun with the ball theme with the polka dots.

COCO: That's great. I notice the decals and I love the zeb... (cut off again)

AM: I've got to go. I'll call you later. Bye.

Click

COCO: (Dazed and confused and looking at the imaginary camera with eyebrow raised)

***

Well at least I got one sentence out of her about this ADORABLE baby room which will easily transition into a great little boy's room in a year or so.



Whimsical monkey decals adorn the wall above the dark brown walnut stained wood Stokke Sleepi Crib from tottini. To hide toys and supplies a wood trunk is painted bright turquoise blue to match the room's color scheme. Polka dot drapes hang in a small window. (above)


A playful zebra wall decal looks down upon a brown and chocolate polka dot slipcovered Jonathan Adler Lampert Sofa. (above)

Well, AM...once again, I love your style. I love little JE Jr.'s room. Think this room could work for an adult too. Thank you for the photos!

Readers, please look out for more from AM...have some more photos from her...!

WEEKEND FIND: A POSH PREVIEW OF A FINE RUG AND CARPET AUCTION!

All photos in this post by Coco of Cococozy

A Manchester Kashan carpet from Central Persia in purples, gold and blue with bird and floral details. Early 20th century. Estimate: $15,000-25,000. (above and below)


Went to a lovely late Sunday brunch at Cheebo on Sunset Blvd. with AZ and her bf (boyfriend) TG. Because some streets were cut off, I had to park up the street on Sunset right in front of auction house Bonhams & Butterfields. I had never been in before. There was a sign outside that said there was an auction preview going on all afternoon. So while sitting and enjoying the conversation at lunch, I must admit, that from time to time my mind wandered. I was going to my first auction preview at Bonhams!

So after brunch, I said a quick good bye to AZ and TG on the street and then dove right into the world renowned auction house.

Turns out it the preview was for a San Francisco and Los Angeles auction on March 17, 2009 for "Fine Oriental Rugs and Carpets". Vintage and antique rugs...huh...don't know much about them but I thought "why not?"




Exterior of auction house Bonhams & Butterfields on Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles, California. (above)


Lobby of Bonhams & Butterfieds filled with silk and wool rugs and carpets. (above)


A dusty red and tan Oushak carpet from West Anatolia circa late 19th century features a center floral medallion. Estimate: $8500-9500 (above and below)



Rich red classic oriental and Persian rugs on display in Bonhams & Butterfields' preview room. (above)


Brown, pale yellow and tan wool Indian antique rug circa 1900. Intricate floral pattern. Estimate: $4000-6000 (above and below)



Kerman runner from South Central Persia circa 1920. Love this wool runner in greens, blue and golds. (above and below)



A beautiful pale Sultanabad carpet from Central Persia late 19th century. Estimate: $30,000-50,000. (above and below)



Anyway, I spent about an hour in Bonhams previewing all of these posh oriental rugs and carpets. I, of course, fell in love with Sultanabad carpet right above...I say of course because it might end up selling for as high as $50,000!

If you see any rugs you like...this Bonhams auction is scheduled for St. Patrick's day, March 17, 2009. You can bid via online, in person or phone...

Anyone have $50,000 to spend on the rug I love? Anyone? Anyone?!#$

All photos in this post by Coco of Cococozy

DESIGN ON SALE DAILY: DRUMMING UP A SPECIAL DISCOUNT ON TWO CERAMIC ACCENT TABLES!

A white porcelain drum side table or Chinese garden stool acts as simple but perfect bedside table (above)
Photo: West Elm

Once again, cute accent furniture for the home from West Elm. This time two porcelain or ceramic drum tables...both with a Moroccan twist to them. These small tables can also double as extra seating and are often called Chinese garden stools.

Love the pattern on these and also love the high glossy lacquer looking white! Two drums that don't miss a beat!


West Elm - Moroccan Drum Table - special sale $159; regular $199 (White porcelain ceramic accent table with quatrefoil motif) (above)


West Elm - Decal Square Drum Table - special sale $159; regular $199 (Square porcelain drum table with silver Moroccan pattern decals)(above)