COCOCOZY FIND: AN ULTRA MODERN TAKE ON CANED FURNITURE!

B&B Italia - Canasta Round Armchair - $9,138 (above and below)

Okay...was at a design walk a few weeks back and ran into this outdoor furniture line at B&B Italia on the corner of Robertson and Beverly Blvd. in Los Angeles. Was in love with the use of woven Vienna straw to make entirely caned outdoor furniture - chairs, armchairs, sofas, tables and lounge chairs. The woven oversized caned design was flawlessly conceptualized by Spanish born designer Patricia Urquiola in 2007.

Here is the maudlin part of the story. I took photos of this furniture on my Blackberry when I was at the design walk. Meant to post them as a COCOCOZY FIND...but did not. Then, some two weeks later, I was watching the Bachelorette...yes, I was watching the Bachelorette and I saw "the Bachelorette" smooching some guy on this fantastic outdoor furniture. I was decor "scooped", as they say in the news business, by the set decorator of reality dating show???!!!! Oy...

Anyhoo...after seeing MY furniture on broadcast television, I immediately called B&B Italia the next day and Kyra, a design consultant, was kind enough to send me these photos. So now I'm taking back the "scoop"!




B&B Italia - Canasta Round Sofa - $11,879


B&B Italia - Canasta Armchairs - High back version of the armchair is $4,605.00 and the low back version is $3,830. (above and below)


If you want more info about this fab furniture, I am sure that nice Kyra would be happy to help. Here is her information:

Kyra Ackerman
B & B Italia
8801 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA. 90048
phone: 310. 278.3191
kyra@divafurniture.com

CHEAP TO CHIC: A MENSCH OF A BENCH!

Modern Dose - Tammy Bench - $1195 (above)

Is this the same bench? Same look, same form, same color, same graphic open lattice work design. Two pieces of furniture (seating in this case) that look EXACTLY alike; the only thing that differs is the price. Hmmm....I wonder.

If my house was bigger, I would use as a loveseat in a hallway or in a bedroom. My house is not big enough...so maybe someone will find room in theirs.

Sweet bench! Look up the definition of a "mensch" ...usually applies to a person...but I think it could apply to this bench too!

House Eclectic - Tamara Bench - $1361 (63"w x 22.5"d x 39.5h. Wood open lattice work bench. Comes in black or white) (above)

THE METICULOUS BLEND OF RUSTIC AND CHIC IN A LOS ANGELES LIVING ROOM!

All photos in this post by Coco of Cococozy

A living room in a Los Angeles, CA home combines earthy elements with sophisticated modern furnishings and accessories to create an ambiance that perfectly melds both modern polish and country rustic. (above)
Took these photos a few months ago while on a home tour. These come from a completely remodeled Spanish style house in Hancock Park. I love what the homeowners, architect and interior designer did with this space. Love the texture, the earthen color scheme, the attention to detail in furniture selection...all of which come together to create the perfect warm and inviting great room.


The stunning vaulted exposed wood beam ceiling and simple chandelier made of tree branches both set the tone architecturally and stylistically for the entire living room. (above)


Four avocado green armchairs upholstered in solid green velvet and a peacock paisley fabric surround a round coffee table and provide texture and visual interest to the sitting area. (above and below)



A round Flokati throw pillow takes the room's one settee from traditional to hip and modern. This French style sofa is upholstered in a caramel colored fabric and features wood trim painted in a distressed white. (above)

The ultimate pouf! This orange suede tufted ottoman sits atop a white animal skin rug providing a bold punch of earthy color to the space. (above and below)




Two small stools are placed side by side to create a bench of sorts and complete the conversation area. (above)


A wood art deco credenza or sideboard features polished brass trim and acts as a bar and storage unit. (above)

Simple green faded glass urn table lamps are topped off with brown floral lampshades that compliment the rustic touches throughout. (above)


A modern quilted or tufted leather frame mirror reveals a reflection of the room and makes a unique and dramatic design and decorating statement. (above and below)



The heart of the living room is the large stone fireplace which features rough carved designs and a wood beam mantel...rough around the edges by purpose in order to perfectly complete the modern rustic design. (above and below)


All photos in this post by Coco of Cococozy

COCOCOZY FIND: SPLURGE ON A TURQUOISE CHANDELIER?!

Maison Luxe - Turquoise Empire Chandlier - $6900 ( turquoise chandelier on a dark steel frame) (above)

LOVE THIS CHANDELIER!

Was looking for a rustic branch type chandlier for another post (coming later today) and I happened upon this amazing ceiling light.

A burst of color on the ceiling.

I don't know where I would put this in my tiny little miniscule postage-stamp-size miniature small petite Hollywood Hills cottage...

Would love to splurge on this chandelier...would you?

Two questions...
1. Has anyone seen a more affordable version?
2. Anyone seen a rustic looking chandlier made of branches or twigs?

DESIGN ON SALE DAILY: SURF AND WORK IN A BRIGHT YELLOW OFFICE CHAIR!

cb2 - Surf Office Chair - on sale $99.95; regular $199 (Yellow leather office chair with padded seat and waterfall back. Chrome base with casters or wheels)(above)
Love this bright yellow office chair. Would cheer me up if I had to sit in it for work every day. Sunny, sleek and stand out...a stylish way to sit and surf the net at your desk!

Reminiscent of the Eames Aluminum Management Chair in shape and silhouette...but only a fraction of the cost. Hmmm...at over 50% off the original price...a chair definitely worth considering.

CHEAP TO CHIC: ACQUIRING AN EYE FOR IKAT!!

Madeline Weinrib - 19th Century French Ottoman in Brown Daphne - $4500 (Ottoman with turned wood legs uphostered in brown, white and black ikat fabric) (above)

Ikat is one of the "in" fabrics in home decor and design. Ikat refers to a process of dyeing fabric in which the thread or yarn is dyed in a tie-dye like fashion before the material is actually woven. (Sounds complicated...wonder if it wouldn't just be easier to tie-dye?? Leave it to Coco to take the easy way out...)

Anyhoo...was hanging out with GH yesterday while working on this post. Asked if he thought any of the furniture or accessories I was thinking of posting were pretty...his initial response was "I see nothing on that page that could be defined as pretty." After I asked him again (about 10 more times), he finally caved and said that the chair from Urban Outfitters "wasn't bad". A ringing endorsement it was not...but is does demonstrate perhaps that ikat may be an acquired taste!

I tell the story of GH only to say that I think a love for ikat fabrics grows on a person. Often the initial guttural response is iffy (as was for me)...then as you repeatedly glance at the patterns that are abstract and graphic, as you take in the forms with their blurry jagged edges, and as your eye adapts to the bold blots of color, you may start to like this ikat stuff more and more...(that's what happened to me...)

So for you with the advance eye or for you novices take a look again and again and again at these ikat dyed items in today's Cococozy CHEAP TO CHIC...let us know what you think!


Urban Outfitters -Ikat Slipper Chair in Indigo - $325 (Vintage-inspired armless slipper chair, with low-slung profile, covered in luxurious cotton fabric with allover indigo ikat print. Cushioned and curved high-density, foam-filled seat, tapered dark brown stained wooden legs recall mid-century style) (above)


West Elm - Upholstered Slipper Chair - on sale $349.99; regular $429 (Slipper accent chair in woven Ikat upholstery in light yellow or sand dune and ivory. White washed tapered oak legs) (above)


Madeline Weinrib - Ikat Pillows - $450 for 18"x18" (70% silk/30% cotton ikat dyed fabric throw pillows. Clockwise from top left: Blu, Brown Stripe, Blue Luce, Celery (green) Daphne. Available in 18"x30", 24"x24", and in a 9"x28" bolster) (above)

P.S. Was on J.Crew's website and noticed that now in ikat is at work in fashion too this season...check out this cute yellow and white J. Crew ikat skirt...looks kind of like the cousin of the West Elm chair above.

STARCK RAVING MAD OVER TWO MODERN CHAIR DESIGNS!

Cassina - 245 Caprice Chair by Philippe Starck- $1400 (White leather side chair or dining chair. Glossy aluminum legs. Quilted or tufted leather seat. Fully upholstered frame. Comes in different grades of leather. Special order in black, caramel or brown) (above)

Went on the West Hollywood design walk on Saturday. Was fantastic. Got to nose into several stores I have been meaning to nose into over the last year. Lots of very design/artsy people or people who think they are design/artsy walking up and down Robertson Blvd. All drinking wine/champagne and gabbing and gawking at all that is posh in home design, decor, decorating, furniture, accessories, lighting and more.

The funniest scene I think was at Fendi Casa. The showroom looked like a club instead of a showroom. People drinking champagne, lots of want-to-be types draped on the sofas, chairs and beds, and techno music playing in the background. It felt like a club not a furniture store. Oh, did I mention the red carpet out front. The furniture was definitely upstaged by the scene and the people watching people watching people watching people action. Like a furniture disco or night club. Did I mention, it was still daylight when all of this was going on???!@#$%^& Yikes!

Well, anyhoooo...before meeting up with my design gawking companion, I wandered into Cassina on Beverly Blvd. I was offered a glass of prosecco the minute I walked into the door of Cassina (thank you very much). LOVED THAT! Made me want to stay and look around of course. (Am I too shallow for words? Again, readers, do not answer this question)

First things I ran into after the sparkling Italian wine were these chairs. I LOVED them. Don't know if it was the design or the prosecco...I found myself petting, gawking and almost drooling over these little dining or side chairs.

I glanced up and noticed one of the design consultants from Cassina staring at me. I composed myself and said, "Excuuuuoooose me sir (I affected my best lock jaw)...how much is this marvelous chair?". He jumped to attention and told me the number which I immediately forgot because of the prosecco I think. I continued to drool, "These chaaaiiirzzzzzzzs ahhhhrrrre just gggrrrreeeeeaaaaat!" He seemed stunned by my over emphatic love of the chair but carried on with information. I immediately forgot what he was saying again.

Solution..."What is your name?", I said. "Dany", he said. I immediately forgot his name as was the pattern that afternoon. "Well, I have this little design website (avoided the word blog so as not to seem like a computer urchin who spends all of her time writing about frivolities in some sort of bizarre online diary) named Cococozy. I would love to feature these chairs. Can you please send me photos...I forgot my camera?" Eureka...this worked. Who needs a memory, pen or piece of paper anymore!

Low and behold on Monday morning, Dany Ka from Cassina in Los Angeles forwarded me the photos! Here they are...

The Philippe Starck Caprice chair is FANTASTIC. A chair that looks both modern and classic. The rounded back, the tufted or quilted leather seat and back, the skinny metal legs all come together to create a near perfect blend of form and function.




Did I mention that these chairs were first introduced in 2007? I know...I am little off on being on the cutting edge of design. I am on my own design time it seems...! Please forgive.

Oh, by the by, that Dany Ka got my drift about what I like because he also threw in some photos of the Passion Chair by Philippe Starck...same sleek idea for seating but with a slight bit of armchair comfort infused into the design.


Cassina - 246 Passion Chair by Philippe Starck - $1553-2012 depending on grade of leather (Side chair with glossy aluminum tapered legs. Chair frame completely uphosltered in leather. Quilted inside.)(above)

These chairs come in a variety of different finishes including ones with plastic exterior or with black enamel steel legs. Hmmm....a few chairs definitely worth considering.

Anyhoo, if you like, I am sure that nice Dany would be able to help you...
Dany Ka
Cassina
8815 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90048
310-278-3292 X 113
dany.cassina@divafurniture.com

RANDOM STUFF I'M LIKING RIGHT NOW 5.28.09!

Jonathan Adler - Desmond White Screen - $1500 (White lacquer and nickel screen. Trifold. Graphic square pattern design) (above)
No rhyme, no reason, no theme, no scheme, no purpose...just some random furniture and accessories I'm liking now. A little this or that for the mansion, ranch, home, house, apartment, loft, condo, cottage, shack and anything in between.


Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams - Arabesque Mirror - $245 (Decorative accent mirror with resin graphic cut out frame. Shown in soft white. Also comes in dark brown or espresso)(above)

Plantation - Orange Lacquer Boxes - $295 (Set of three glossy wooden boxes with velveteen lining. For dresser and jewelry or to add color and storage to an accent or coffee table) (above)


Woodson & Rummerfield - Beth Console Table - $3549 (Custom hand forged iron base console table with bone concrete top by Bradley-Hughes. Top also available in antique mirror, onyx, wood, color glass or star fire glass finishes. A 20% surcharge is added for rubbed bronze, aged pewter, or antiqued gold finishes to iron) (above)


Jayson Home & Garden - Cove Sofa - $4595 (White tight back sofa or etagere, single cushion seat, six legs. 72"W x 32"D x 31"H. Upholstered in vintage oyster linen. Sustainable construction. Antique brass casters. Maple wood finish )(above)


Baker - Tear Drop Bottle Lamp - $962.50 direct from Baker (teardrop shaped glass table lamp is made of hand blown Sommerso glass in a rich mocha amber color or hue. Topped with a matching Murano glass finial and off white shade. Made in Italy.) (above)


Urban Outfitters - Rattan Pouf - $88 (Pouf, in woven rattan. Works as a seat, ottoman, small shelf, stool. Imported. Wipe clean. 13"h, 30"diameter.) (above)

SEE THIS HOUSE: A VENICE BEACH CRAFTSMAN COTTAGE GOES INTERNATIONAL ECLECTIC!

All photos in this post by Coco of Cococozy

A classic Craftsman style home in Venice Beach, CA charms with a subtle exterior paint color scheme of light grey siding, green and white trim, a portico with traditional white columns and a bright red door in high gloss paint. (above)

This is my friend Juliana Jaoudi's charming Venice Beach home. Juliana (or Julie to those who are in the know) has lived in this lovely beach home for the last five years. The cottage was built back in 1921 and now, after a renovation, features three bedrooms and two baths.

Julie throws fabulous parties at her adorable home. She has a great backyard, deck and party space...a warm and cozy home that has successfully been the backdrop for quite a few of Julie's entertaining evenings (and dance parties) with friends and family.

I have been obsessing about Julie's house for Cococozy for the last few years. Every time I see her, I beg her for photos of her home. After at least 10 requests with no photos supplied, I was convinced that Julie thought I was just the ultimate geek (her "geeky friend") who constantly pestered about pictures for some kind of strange interior design website. I imagined that each time she saw me she thought, "That Coco is so weird...she keeps bugging me about photos of my house...I would NEVER want my house on that kooky little design website." Well that is what I thought.

Turns out, just this weekend, Julie (or Juliana to those who are not in the know) had another gathering...in honor of Memorial Day. She invited a couple dozen of her friends to enjoy a sunny Southern California afternoon and barbecue. (I was responsible for bringing my famous "summer salad" (P.S. it is the same salad I make for winter, fall, spring and any season in between...I just pretend to those who don't know that I make a different salad for each season...my secret...well, before I just gabbed about it here, it was my secret...anyhooooo...back to Julie's house...))

In the middle of this gathering, Julie actually invited me to take photos (phew she doesn't think I am "weird")! An opportunity I couldn't pass up. I dashed out to my car, grabbed my camera and then spent a good part of the bbq photographing every detail in her house (I think the other guests were slightly alarmed by my behavior...and while Julie didn't think I was weird, many of them did I think...oh well, what's a girl to do?).

Because I took so many pictures, I will have to feature them in a series of posts. This first one is focusing on Julie's charming living room.


Julie's well edited living room is filled with colorful accents and natural textures which compliment the Craftsman style home and architecture. (above)

When I asked Julie about the design theme and overall aesthetic objective of her living room, she said the goal was actually NOT to have one specific theme. The living room is filled with a mix of modern, traditional and international pieces of furniture and accessories.

Here's what Julie texted me about her living room design:

"Didn't want one specific theme - thus the Asian nesting tables + the modern hutch + natural window coverings. Wanted it to be comfortable while incorporating accents I've brought home from my travels..."

Exposed brick around the fireplace stays true to the home's Craftsman roots, while two sketches set in simple dark frames add modern design to the mantel. (above)


White built in book shelves on either side of the fireplace provide storage for books and for many of Julie's treasures collected on her many international travel adventures. (above)


A Buddha Julie bought in the dirt market in Beijing, China is displayed in a book shelf and presides over the living room in a regal manner. (above and below)



A trip Julie took to Italy's Amalfi Coast yielded this classic hand painted Italian red and white ceramic urn. (above and below)




A bright orange leather armchair is actually one of Julie's favorite pieces in the living room. While this find comes from Crate and Barrel, Julie says she was excited to "find something with so much character in such a practical place". (above)


Color and texture are the order of the day with a brown and off white dotted linen throw pillow that adds visual interest and charm. (above and below)


A Moroccan side table gracefully contributes to the international allure of the space. (above)

While the room is filled with international finds and high style modern accents, the home's architecture is traditional Craftsman...starting with the front door! (above)


The metal and glass entry table and the avocado green colored ceramic table lamp are modern in form but blend well with the room's stylish and eclectic mix. (above)




A simple arrangement of framed art and mirrors on the main wall welcomes guests as they enter the home. (above)


A collection of floral prints from Julie's trip to Jaipur, India lines the wall facing the home's dining room. Decorative trim and wall moldings make the entire vignette a stunning point of visual interest. (above)


The warm yellow paint used for wall color, the white baseboards, white crown molding and the large windows, make this cozy space bright and cheery. (above)


Bamboo window shades and woven natural fiber drapes allow just the right amount of sunlight into the living room. (above)

Thank you Julie for allowing me to take photos of your living room! A tremendously beautiful space...a space in which your personal touches make the room a decor stand out!

Readers...stand by for more from Julie's house. If I can get my act together, I will do a post on the bedrooms and a guest bath! Stay tuned...

All photos in this post by Coco of Cococozy