Los Angeles Design Blog | Material Girls | LA Interior Design

This past Thursday evening, I met up with friend and fellow blogger Christian May of Maison21 for an event at TableArt on Melrose Avenue featuring Kelly Wearstler and her line of dinnerware for Pickard.  It was an intimate event and Kelly was on hand to sign copies of her latest book, Hue, among chatting with many of the guests.

The highlight of my evening (aside from M21’s ability to silence a room) was seeing Kelly inspired by the fashion of other guests.  With M21 & I standing beside Kelly, she picked up her iPhone to snap a picture of a girl in a slim fitting camel colored coat with over size, unique textural buttons (I think it was the buttons that intrigued her). I overhead someone say something to the effect would it be inspiring the next project.  Like many of us designers, being able to capture a photo of something (whether it’s architecture, a textile, nature, or in this instance, fashion); these are the things that lead us to be inspired and create.  I can’t help but wonder what is on Kelly’s iPhone camera and would love to see the images she captures and how that translates to what she designs.  So Kelly – if  you are ever so inclined to share with us what you photograph on a daily basis, I am sure many would love to see what captivates and inspires you!

On the subject of inspiration, here is the line of china for Pickard designed by Kelly:

Table setting and guests at the TableArt event.

{For more on the event and to see a picture I took of Kelly & Christian, read M21’s post here.}

This Thursday, January 28th join Angeleno magazine in sponsoring the Art Los Angeles Contemporary opening night reception at the Pacific Design Center.  For more info and to purchase tickets, go to:  www.artlosangelesfair.com

The Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade is a holiday tradition that has been taking place in Newport Harbor for 101 years now – it’s the oldest boat parade in the nation! While I did not attend the boat parade this year, I have many times before.  In fact, the parade route goes right by where we keep our boat and in the past we’ve entertained friends and family while watching the parade from the back of the boat. Sad to have missed this year’s parade but I was able to find pictures to share with you.  Over 100 vessels take part in the parade – everything from electric bay boats, to small craft boats, to yachts, even canoes & kayaks.  Each year the parade lasts for five nights (this year from December 16th – 20th) attracting millions of viewers.

The parade route makes it’s way through the entire Newport Harbor (where the boats turnaround at the breakwater).  Given the size of the harbor and the route it takes – there are many location spots in which to view the boats pass by.

Lights galore – apparently some boat owners have spent over $50,00 decorating their boats for the parade!

The boats really light up the water at night!

The Christmas floats make their way around a 14 mile route which passes by restaurants, yacht clubs, private homes, boat docks, and the public beaches of Newport Harbor.

Many boats are also entertaining guests aboard during the parade route (which lasts over 2.5 hours) – it’s fun to see the party-goers enjoying the spirit of the parade and the holidays!

Hopefully next year I will make one night of the parade (and take some photographs of my own!). Hope everyone had a good holiday!

{Images via The Orange County Register}

For my Orange County readers, there is a new Jonathan Adler pop up shop located at Fashion Island in Newport Beach for the holiday season!

There will also be an exclusive designer event on Wednesday, December 2nd for local designers in the area.

Here’s the info that was sent to me:

We are thrilled to announce the opening our new Jonathan Adler store at Fashion Island Shopping Center  in Newport Beach.

We are a pop-up store here for the holidays and would love to share our “happy chic” vibe with you.  We invite you to participate in our exclusive Designer Event to be held the evening of Wednesday, December 2, 2009 from 5:00pm – 7:00pm.

-          Feel, see, and smell all of Jonathan Adler’s fabulous products

-          Learn about our 10% discount offered exclusively to designers

-          Champagne & chocolate for a treat

-          Meet fellow designers  in the area

-          Receive  a complimentary gift from Jonathan Adler.

You can find us in the middle of the mall across from the Koi Pond.  We hope to see you on Wednesday, December 2^nd from 5-7.  Give us a call to let us know you will be attending.

Have a “happy chic” day!

Jonathan Adler Fashion Island

235 Newport Center Drive

Newport Beach, California 92660

Phone: 949-759-0017 Fax: 949-759-0016

Next Thursday, October 22nd interior designer Kathryn Ireland will be having a book signing at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles for her new book, “Creating A Home.” (See above event invite for details.)

This past Thursday evening I attended the SFERRA/All The Best party at Nathan Turner’s showroom.  It was quite the evening with all the best of the design world in attendance.  From a who’s who of bloggers to a packed crowd of design stars. Beginning with Kelly Wearstler as special guest showcasing her line for SFERRA to Ronda of All The Best celebrating her partnership with SFERRAto Nathan Turner for hosting the event and catering courtesy of Lulu Powers.

As the room(s) started to fill with one familiar design face after the other, it became quite the stellar crowd:  Barclay Butera, Oliver Furth, Jamie Rummerfield, Lizzie Dinkle, Mayer Rus, Minnie Mortimer…However, the highlight of my evening: meeting fellow bloggers for the first time!  Only it didn’t feel as if it were the first time. In a unique way, in this virtual world we are a part of, it felt as if there was a level of camaraderie between my “blogger colleagues.” For instance, following the blog by Ronda of All The Best, I already had a sense of where she goes, who she meets, who she interviews.  Then Brooke from Velvet & Linen; I’ve seen glimpses into her family life, her husband’s projects, & her third place win of the All The Best Bedroom Contest.  A new introduction, I met Scot of TartanScot who is also the second place winner of the All The Best Bedroom Contest.  Megan of Beach Bungalow 8 joined us, and while I didn’t really get a chance to talk to her, it was great to see her in person!  Last but not least, I just adore Christian of Maison21.  We had been in contact for far too long about meeting up, and finally – we meet in person!  It was so great to hang out with him and chat, we’ve already got lunch plans in the works!

(Top, L-R): Ronda of All The Best, Brooke of Velvet & Linen, Megan of Beach Bungalow 8, Christian of Maison21, Scot of TartanScot, and me – Material Girls LA!

(Bottom: Jill & Christian)

All in all, it was the meeting of  “a bevy of bloggers” (as Christian so aptly put it) that was the highlight of my evening.  Not to say the whole event wasn’t a highlight – it sure was!  Thanks SO much to Ronda for including us all.  And to the rest, thanks for sharing an evening of ALL THE BEST!

To see more images of the event, go to WireImage.

The latest issue of Metropolitan Home magazine features Kelly Wearstler’s ultra glam Malibu beach house.  Here’s a preview of some of the images and to read the full article, click here.

The living room of the beach house which includes a serrated arc on the marble coffee table from Wearstler’s home collection for Bergdorf Goodman.

The dining room with a custom art piece above the buffet by Wearstler from the Pagaso Gallery  in Los Angeles.

I love these sculptural stairs – would have made a great image for the blog post on stairs I did awhile back!

In the bedroom, the wallpaper is hand-painted and the linens are from her collection for SFERRA.*

A vanity custom designed by Kelly.

An African sculpture on the table in the dressing room.

The street entrance which leads up to the living room.

{For more images, pick up the latest issue of Metropolitan Home magazine or visit the website.}

*Looking forward to the event tomorrow evening with Ronda of All The Best Blog for the All The Best/SFERRA party with guest Kelly Wearstler.  I will be featuring highlights from tomorrow night’s event on the blog later in the weekend!  Ronda is here in town, check out her latest blog post on where she went to dinner last night!

This Thursday join Angeleno Magazine and FORM for the launch party of 1200 Sweetzer, the opening of 10 original boutique homes designed by Aleks Istanbullu Architects and developer Nick Herts of Urban Movement, Inc.

I was selected to receive an exclusive invite to the All The Best/SFERRA party to be held on October 8th at Nathan Turner’s shop with special guest Kelly Wearstler!  The winners for both the NYC and LA events were announced today on the All The Best Blog.

Looking forward to the party (and meeting Ronda from All The Best!) and highlighting the event here on the Material Girls Blog!

An alternative building event taking place May 8-9 in Santa Monica. {Please click on image to enlarge to view details.}