SUNNYLANDS + MUST SEE

 Wonderful symmetry created by artichoke Agave

Steel framed reflecting pools along side the cafe terrace

The view looking back over the great lawn to the visitors center

Landscape architect James Burnett has created a striking modern landscape to compliment the visitors center

On a recent trip to Palm Springs I was fortunate to visit the Sunnylands center and gardens.  Recently completed to house the visitors center for the Annenberg estate, although the estate tours have been sold out since opening earlier this Spring, for now the visitors center gives a very satisfying glimpse into this architectural treasure.  Every Friday the garden docents lead an hour long tour free to the public, in the summer months it starts promptly at 7:30 AM to witch I am grateful for the cool desert morning.

The visitor center is beautifully done with interiors by Michael Smith showcasing collections from the Annenbergs estate and presentations about the estates history.  The main house at just over 25,000 square feet was completed in 1966 by the renowned architect A. Quincy Jones and interiors by William Haines and Ted Graber.  For more information and tour dates visit www.sunnylands.org

Tea Party (not what your thinking)

 This was fun!  My latest floral presentation for thirty ladies at lunch.  My client has the most amazing collection of tea pots,  every one of them a work of art,  I almost did not need to add flowers. . . But I did!

(click on photos to enlarge)

Do you have a collection of something wonderful?  What a great way to share as table centerpieces,  use a variety of the same type of collection in mass for a visual feast!

BLUEPRINT FOR AN OUTDOOR ROOM

People often ask me, where do start to conceptualize a project. I always start with the given architecture as a major influence on the design concept, along with that I create "mood boards"

Objects, elements and materials that lend to choices to be made on any given project.

The biggest mistake most people face is to many choices and unfortunately using all of them.

This is were your mood board or in this case your digital board comes in handy, the biggest lesson to lean is restraint, you may love it all but, use your editing eye. It will help make the most important decision on what direction to take.

This board is for an outdoor space incorporating cooking, dining, lounging and along with it all the needs of privacy and incorporating style from the interior and most of all the relationship to the landscape. This is my first stab at concepts, from here I will edit and add elements as the design progresses. . . I will keep you posted!

ARTIST OF THE MONTH + RON MANN

Ron Mann is an extraordinary designer / artist, I have always been fond of his work in Corten steel. Pictured below are a few examples of his work, what I love about these pieces is the organic relationship it brings to the installation

BEACHFRONT CONDO / Before & After

We recently completed this remodel of a beachfront condo in Southern California, the low-rise mid Century building built on the sand with an Iconic view of the Santa Monica pier.

While the interiors were dated (and not in a good way) the design plan was to keep the clean lines and accentuate the feeling of space and wonderful light the unit has. Because of time and budget considerations we choose to use products almost exclusive from Ikea. While I am a fan of Ikea I have seen my share of bad results from consumers "high on saving a buck", a little design restraint and always a good plan goes a long way . . .

Following are some before and after images, (click on the photo to enlarge)

The kitchen was bad. It was dark and felt small, the full depth refrigerator was barley three feet from the sink cabinet. One word sums this up "Demo"

We were able to borrow a foot from the closet behind the refrigerator wall, this helps expand the space and the addition of floor to ceiling pantry storage behind white glass sliding doors was huge. This enabled us to eliminate wall cabinets and use 1" white glass tile giving a wonderful reflective surface under the stainless steel shelf.

Oh my! While I have nothing against mirror, this is just wrong. The combination of the gas fireplace (which did not work) and white shag carpet, did not say welcome to the beach . . .

We found this cool electric (and very realistic) fireplace framed in honed gray limestone, along with simple framing details to create niches the room has a relaxed sophisticated vibe.

The bookcase niches are covered with thin stacked porcelain tile and the floating Ikea shelves are back lit with LED lights

The before photos of the bathroom were to ugly for public viewing, (think White shag carpet and silver mylar wallpaper with sea shells covering walls and ceiling).

These cool "floating" sink cabinets with integral porcelain sink tops really cleaned up the bathroom spaces. We repeated the white glass tile and the mirror doubles as medicine chest on one side.

Unifying the whole space is this wonderful wood floor, actually it is not wood at all but vinyl planks from the "Free Fit" collection. I loved the driftwood gray reclaimed effect, not to mention how practical it is at the beach.

Artist of the month + Charley Snow

You have to love a good cow painting! And those of artist Charley Snow are wonderful. Charley is able to capture the personality of each of his "subjects" as if an old friend has come to visit. If you are visiting Palm Desert in the next month check out the show at the Coda Gallery or find there web site here.

Sedum & Succulent centerpieces

(Click on photo to enlarge)

I had fun today creating these table centerpieces, using a variety of sedums & succulents.

Simple clear glass low containers, the perfect touch to your summer dinner party!

Best of all, once you are done with the centerpieces you can transplant them to the garden!