valentine's day City of Angels: Blackman Cruz

Studded Safe, BC Gentleman's Wing Back Chair, BC Salamander Sconces look gorgeous with a spot of red from the snake skin Windsor Chair

Blackman Cruz. One cannot help running across furniture or light fixtures from this iconic Los Angeles store when flipping through a magazine. Elle Decor, AD, Met Home, you name it....they've been there. I have been following the unique and offbeat offerings from Blackman Cruz for years. Not a stretch to imagine it was one of the destinations on my list when visiting LA a few weeks ago.

It was not a disappointment! Adam Blackman and David Cruz founded the company in 1993 with the thought that they were not alone when it came to a passion for the strange and curious treasures unearthed in their travels around the world.

Blackman Cruz Salamander Wall Sconce

It was not long before they began creating their own furniture and lighting designs, like the Salamander Sconce above.

Dark Grey Paneling sets the tone for Drama with the BC Crown of Thorns Mirror, Brass Ball Series Lamps by Lika Moore and Bergeres.

The furniture, lighting, art and accessories have always captured my imagination. So it was an extraordinary experience for me to see the vignettes that were put together in the shop itself. The vision of the owners became very clear, and I loved it.

In 2008, the showroom moved to a larger space formerly occupied by Probe, an infamous gay nightclub popular in the 70's and 80's. Blackman Cruz took great advantage of the the dramatic, somewhat Gothic, woodwork creating fabulous backdrops for their exotic offerings. The dark gray color is a perfect foil for the buttery linen Bergeres in the vignette above. This is an idea that could be reproduced by any of us!

Blackman Cruz Crown of Thorns Mirror

This mirror is another example of the creativity behind this dynamic duo that is Blackman Cruz.

Ornate Gilt Chair with Red Velvet looks beautiful with Italian Poliarte Sconce circa 1960

valentine's day Italian Iron Altar Candelabra c 1840 is placed with Art Deco Lounge Chair, Limited Edition Bronze Prana Hand Andirons sculpted by Adam Kurtzman, and sconce BC Theater Sconce

Closeup of Prana Hand Andirons by Adam Kurtzman

valentine's day 1960's Brutalist Coffee Table and Brasilia Chair and Ottoman with one of a pair of Bronze Architectural Lamps c 1870 and a grouping of glass domes.

valentine's day BC Harlow Throne in Persimmon with the BC Screening Room Daybed with Hidden Compartments (I love hidden compartments!) and BC Screening Room Coffee Table

valentine's day How fun is this Hanging Pod Chair?! Christian and I had fun swinging in this one!

valentine's day Leather sling chairs looked very cool below the round wall opening

valentine's day One of a Pair of English Arts and Crafts Benches, a series Black and White Nudes c 1920's and a Gianni Vallino Table Lamp.

valentine's day Set of Four Neoclassical Style Klismos Chairs around a gorgeous metal game table. Glass Case holds many one of a kind art objects.

valentine's day Love this BC Hanging Rattan Lounge next to the vintage Nailed Leather Top Table. BC 3-Squared Sconces in Nickel

valentine's day Thonet Rocking Bentwood Lounge, Austria c1880 and Italian Cast Iron Chimera Fixture, 19th Century

valentine's day Collection of Vintage Dog Collars. The collector in me went crazy for this idea.

valentine's day Stunning Gothic Tracery Mirror with what appears to be "Apollo" Sun Lamps

valentine's day XIX Century Bronze Repousse Torso on Wood on top of a Chinese Root Console

valentine's day BC Horny Lamp with antique wood Mannequin....seems to have lost his head!

valentine's day Osvaldo Borsani Adjustable Chaise 1958, Arturo Pani Steel and Brass Trim Pedestal Table

valentine's day BC Minotaur Club Chairs look so handsome on this red, black and mustard striped rug!

So there you have it.....Blackman Cruz. One of the most unique and ground breaking showrooms in this City of Angels. This showroom combines the serious and the oh-so-not-serious, the brilliant and the dark, the handsome and the curious, traditional and modern to create a new vision, that in the blogger's humble opinion is....sublime.

A big THANK YOU to my friend Christian May of Maison 21 for squiring me to Blackman Cruz!!! A better guide I could not have had.

valentine's day Remember This Table?

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Brooke Giannetti had the giveaway of the year on her beautiful blog Velvet and Linen back in November. You may remember that I had entered with my office space in hopes of winning one of the three tables in the giveaway. Alas, I did not win....but the winners did a great job with the tables in their own spaces. It was very fun to see the results! (In case you missed it, click HERE.)

But the blogosphere is a wonderful place. When one computer window closes, another opens. Because of the blog post I did about the giveaway, I was happily reintroduced to an old friend I had lost touch with. Mike Whisten, a talented custom furniture maker and "imagineer", contacted me and we discussed a potential collaboration to make a table for my office. Mike was so inspired by the post, he began a project of his own. Mike recreated his own version of the metal frame table but instead of reclaimed lumber, he used reclaimed sales signs from a Loft project in Sacramento.

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As you can see, his version is quite contemporary, and I love his spin on what constitutes a reuse of discarded materials. I think this table would be great in a loft, a beach house, or any eclectic setting that combines one-of-a-kind furniture peices. This is the kind of peice that makes a home unique. And that is what makes Mike special. He can work with anyone to create a peice of furniture that is perfect for them in size, material and function. Best of all, the prices are RIGHT!!! (This table is listed at $600 on Mike's website!)

I hope you have a chance to check out Mike's company website, 12M Design.

Give him a call and see what you can conjure up.

Meanwhile, Mike and I are talking about my Office table.

valentine's day What This Room Needs Is A Little Oomph!

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How many times have I said that when designing a room? Well, here's a little something to consider: chic little tables like the one above in lots of delectable colors. And where do they come from you ask?

Hop on over HERE to get a little Oomph for yourself!!

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Perfect little occasional tables to hold your Martini.

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Or lemonade.

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Glossy Lacquer finishes in lots of colors.

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Pretty designs.

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Finished off with Grass cloth tops,

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And Fabric tops.

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Prices range from $300 for the Tini Table to $1950for this Edgartown Coffee Table.

Read all about the three gals who thought all this up HERE.

Do a little shopping HERE.

All Photos Courtesy of Oomph

valentine's day blankblank: Sutter Collection

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The Sutter Collection, Designed by Rob Zinn for blankblank

"In the Sutter Collection, the structure is always the frame and the wood is always the art."— Rob Zinn

A collection of sideboards, coffee and console tables

Powdercoated steel, solid wood doors and drawers

Custom colors, dimensions, woods, configurations, and finishes available

Made in California

Please direct your inquiries to Jon Dennis at blankblank by calling (916) 446-1502 or emailing jon@blankblank.netwww.blankblank.net

1915 17th Street Sacramento, CA 95811

Pretty cool. I could see these being used in so many different settings: a restored barn home with reclaimed wood floors, and white-washed walls in New England, a New York loft or mid-century apartment, a Victorian house in San Francisco for some much needed refinement. If you have not already heard about Rob Zinn, he is a masterful craftsman and designer of lighting and furniture who designs with the idea that functional items can also be art.

valentine's day Somerset Bay

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Essex Chest

Running through a copy of the San Francisco Design Center Fall 3D Issue, I spied a charming furniture company. Now maybe some of you have heard of Somerset Bay, but I was unfamiliar.

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Bald Head Console

I was immediately reminded of Summer beach houses.

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Catalina Four Poster

And Cozy Fall Bed and Breakfast getaways

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Carmel Chair

Intimate Winter Dinner parties

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Camden Display Case

And Spring organizing

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Kennebunkport Cocktail Table

But no matter the season, it is clear that classic design with a twist of color, and a bit of wit translates into charming keepsakes.

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Sonoma Armoire

To find out more and see the full website, click here.

Enjoy your weekend!

valentine's day Bungalow 5, New Stuff!

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Just got this and thought you might like to know.

HAPPY WEEKEND!

valentine's day Roy McMakin Follow-up

As a follow-up to the previous post, I'd thought it would be very worthwhile to show you some of Roy McMakin's other wonderful work.

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Roy McMakin originally started the company Domestic Furniture in Los Angeles and San Diego. Joining forces with talented craftspeople, his designs are now realized by the company Big Leaf Manufacturing in Seattle, Washington.

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These are but a few of his playful creations.

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Now that summer is on it's way, these pieces conjure images of beach cottages.

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The colors are strong and clear, but the forms are described as "temporally ambiguous".

Architecture has also found it's way into the company's repertoire and goes by the name Domestic Architecture. While utilizing recognizable vernaculars, whether it be Tudor, Spanish, or Cape Cod, Domestic Architecture tweeks things just to keep you on your toes.

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A remodel of a Tudor Style house carries it into another realm.

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This house reminds me of a family house at Balboa Beach California where I spent every summer growing up. Perhaps this is what draws me to it, especially this time of year.

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I can just see this space filled with kids in bright bathing suits and striped beach towels. The perfect backdrop.

Be sure to visit the Domestic Architecture site. The images there are wonderful, but not downloadable.

valentine's day Benjamin Noriega Ortiz and the New Met Home Collection

So, I had posted awhile ago about Benjamin Noriega Ortiz and his design talents, which he deftly illustrated at the Mondrian, Scottsdale. Mr. Noriega Ortiz has joined forces with Metropolitan Home to create the Metropolitan Home Collection:

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This new line of home furnishings will be debuting at retail stores this fall. I must say after visiting the website, I was much more impressed. There are some really creative and beautiful pieces that reflect the exceptional abilities of Mr. Noriega Ortiz. (My favorite is the Dining Table with silhouette legs. )

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I was also checking out the latest and greatest on Mr. Noriega Ortiz' website, and lo and behold, he has additional photos there. Here is just one:

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If any of you are unfamiliar with Mr. Noriega Ortiz, here are a few of his many brilliant design projects:

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New York apartment Media Room as featured in Metropolitan Home October 2006. I love his signature feather lampshades. Very "luxe"!

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The Living Room in the same apartment. The use of seersucker for upholstery is wonderful as is his use of antiques in such a modern way.

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I can never resist a white bedroom.

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Images from the Casa Decor Showhouse in Miami as seen in Blueprint Directory January 2007.

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Images from the Mondrain Scottsdale. This hotel has been in too many publications to count. It is whimsical and beautiful, don't you agree?

Mr. Benjamin Noriega Ortiz will be introducing his new line of furniture at Macy's Trend House in Chicago, IL, on September 26th if you happen to be in the area. He will also be doing a book signing for his new book:

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A new furniture line AND a book signing?!? Sounds like the place to be Sept. 26th!