Los Angeles Design Blog | Material Girls | LA Interior Design

I came across this picture on thenest and love the idea of these branches which are hand painted onto the bathroom wall.

Rejuvenation is having a contest featuring home makeovers. Submit your home improvement stories for a chance to win $1000. Check out some of the entries so far – those with the most votes win!

To raise money for charity, Real Simple magazine asked seven designers to create a room each using three items incorporated into their rooms: Terri Crystal Lamp from Circa Lighting, Chin Chin Trays by Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, and Macau Chairs by Ballard Designs. Here are the 7 distinctively different rooms by the 7 participating designers:

A HOME OFFICE

The first room was designed by the Real Simple editors who created a comfortable, multifunctional space. The sofette is from Pottery Barn, the rug Madeline Weintrub, and the walls painted in Blue Hydrangea from Benjamin Moore.

A COZY NOOK

Susan Kasler has a thing for horses and incorporated horse prints on the wall painted in Kingsport Gray and used old horseshoes as curtain brackets.

AN ISLAND IDYLL

Charlotte Moss created a breezy, summery space using natural materials with blue accents. The wall stripes are playfully wide to evoke big cabana stripes.

A SPALIKE BATHROOM

Mary Foley with partner Michael Cox created a serene like bathroom in white with leafy green accents. They mixed matte and shiny objects and added textures such as a terry cloth bench cushion and sea grass rug.

AN URBAN OASIS

Philip Gorrivan envisioned the room as a contemporary apartment with modern touches. The inky, dark walls are painted in Witches Hour and then he used accessories in punchy colors of shades of green.

A RUSTIC RETREAT

Susan Hable Smith created a retreat with “campinglike” elements using mixed tones of greens, cots with duvets tied up with rope, and using the lily pad artwork to create a sense of nature.

A DRAMATIC SITTING ROOM

Jamie Drake created a theatrical room using jewel toned artwork and bright colors with walls painted in Amethyst Cream. He tempered the bright colors with a white sofa and white painted side chair.

Images via Real Simple.

The furnishings in the rooms were sold, raising $500,000 to benefit Housing Works, a New York City organization that provides services to people living with HIV and AIDS.

Alexandra Von Furstenberg’s new collection of furniture is called “Voltage” collection and is made primarily of Lucite in a dark and smoky palette.

Clear acrylic diamond cut table:

And some pieces from her first collection, neon and translucent.

Radiant Table:

Trillion Tables

Alexandra Von Furstenberg Showroom located at 9001 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood.

Window treatments are practically an essential. Whether it be for privacy, to block out UV/glare, provide warmth – almost any commercial or residential space needs some sort of window coverings. In most all my projects, it is certainly the one item we address at some point. There are many options to chose from in deciding window treatments.
Sheers add a nice touch whether it be in addition to other window treatments or as a light weight contrast to a silk hem.

The String Panel system from The Shade Store makes for both a room divider and a window covering.

Available thru The Shade Store by Chilewich, these wood grain roller shades are something really unique and different.

Solar Shades (such as these from The Shade Store) are great for commercial/working spaces.

Relaxed Roman Shades look great and as they are aptly named – have a more relaxed (less tight) feel. Also great for windows that do not have any molding where they can be outside mounted.

Flat Roman Shades with a cornice is really charming.

Drapery panels always seem to add elegance with a hint of formality based on the fabric. There are so many styles and designs for drapery too. Mounting the drapery rod up high extends the height of the windows and the room.

Solar Roman Shades are great for spaces such as a window seat, they are light weight and a bit translucent, but do their job in filtering strong rays.

Classic Roman Fabric Shades lend a more tailed look to a window and are especially nice and streamlined for inside mount windows.

I often do wovens like this on a slider – having a valence straight across the top with the shades split in the middle. This allows for one panel to stay fixed and another to be opened to access the door if necessary. It also gives flexibility in opening and closing at different heights depending on how much light or privacy is needed.

Woven shades are great,especially for places like a kitchen/breakfast room as they allow light to filter thru. Since they are a natural fiber, there is less concern for smell and stain absorption from cooking.

Christopher Lowell flat Roman Shades from Smith & Noble: