The World of Franz Kline

We always enjoy participating in LCDQ's Legends of La Cienega installations. This year's theme is "Celebrate Art". One of our favorite artists is Franz Kline, of which we selected as our inspiration for Szalon's window.

Franz Kline's dynamic artworks were figurative, social realism with cubist overtones. During the 1950’s, Kline developed his unique vocabulary of gestural brushstrokes and became associated with the Abstract Expressionist movement.

They very expressive, evoking the urban landscapes of New York and Pennsylvania. Kline used ordinary household paint and large housepainters’ brushes to quickly apply paint to canvases tacked directly to the wall. The black brushstrokes go beyond the edges of the canvas creating an energy and dynamism, while also giving the effect of presenting a detail or huge fragment of an even more monumental image. In the late 1950’s, Kline introduced color into the paintings, but he died before it became a major part of the work.Art and poetry from MOMA exhibit.
Here is a sneak peek into the Franz Kline installation as we put the window together!These red doors were salvaged from a beautiful Hollywood style Estate in Hombly Hills from the 1940's. The hardware and knobs are stunning. A must see in person.Come to Szalon and see the unveiling!
Hope to see you "on the street" for LCDQ
http://lcdqla.com/legends-of-2011-designers/

Design is a work in progress

Many people, including myself, swoon over a delightfully finished project via magazines, books and blogs. Such instant bliss and gratification! But there is much effort in getting from point A to B in the professional interior design world. Did you know most projects take up to a year in preparation before being unveiled? The design process is one of my favorite parts of a project. From the planning, the inspiration & the sourcing to the sketching & the drawing.

Ron and me creating a design concept.
Many ideas are reviewed, edited, tossed, cataloged and developed. Design is not arbitrary or random.

A huge part of the project is the visual inspiration. Creating insatiable project Mood/Inspiration Boards is key for a road map and documenting a vision.Sourcing for the perfect fabric/textiles is major leg work, yet a fanciful feast for the eyes. Finding the right materials, textures and colors is a wonderful hunt.

Layouts and edits are essential to the process and having a project "On purpose". Typically goes unseen or appreciated, but to us it is all about the magic of process.
This is a part of why we love what we do.My favorite professor once said, "Design ends when you run out of time or money".
Ain't that a fact.
Let's not forget, hiring an interior designer is definitely a luxury service.
Some how it has become quite diluted in this day and age.
Don't let TV or DIY cheapen the expertise, craft, magic and art of this profession!
It takes a lot of experience, work, time, care and effort to usher a successful project through from concept to completion.
There is major value in that alone -- getting what you want.
Ron and me in a finished room.

Tear Sheets

Many people ask us "what inspires you". Do you have a "style"?
Our mission is to make this world a beautiful place.
We are constantly inspired, but one thread is consistent: High style and good taste always catches our eye. Here are a few images for this week's inspiration:

A grainy photograph by Karl Lagerfeld
“Personality begins where comparison ends.” ~KL

Brad and Angie's infamous W photoshoot in Palm SpringsItalian Interior Design
(via Architectural Digest)Speaking of...The Draper's Italian Style
Sergio Mendez Album cover...Classic

In Other News

2010 was an EPIC year. In the last few months, we graced the cover of RUE's inaugural issue. Town & Country featured me in a great article on LA's next female interior designer's. Luxe magazine celebrated our Chasen's Entertainment center. And our signature mirror, the Sunset Mirror has prominently taken stage in the film "Black Swan".
Thank You everyone!

See W&R's Sunset Mirror at movie minute marker 1:25 in the bedroom
and at the end of the Black Swan trailer.

Wish You Were Here

Or wish we were there, rather.
Year after year, even here in California, we eagerly await the unveiling of Bergdorf Goodman's Holiday windows. This year, titled Wish You Were Here, takes you on a wonderful journey through fantasy travel, sly visual wit and far-flung places. Each window features visual influences as diverse as Roman mythology, 1940s Hollywood musicals, the original Penn Station, and the very first science fiction film. Above is titled "The Scenic Route". Absolutely Beautiful.

"A Guided Tour"

"Full Speed Ahead"

"Day Tripping"

"Ready for Takeoff"

It is incredible how much goes into the creation, transformation and story behind the decor of these Holiday windows. Here is a fun snippet on the process.

Insane!
All images provided by Bergdorfgoodman.com

Hey Mr. Postman!

Look what our clients in other cities get in the mail!

This great little package consists of design concepts, images, wallpaper samples, fabric samples and floor plans all wrapped in a box with a bow & sent out our client who lives afar.Like any gift, this box is full of small treasures and blissful ideas to note.

This client preferred a tailored, yet dramatic modern look. Or as she called it "Rocker Chic".

Black satin finish walls are always a good starting point. The package is a great roadmap full of ideas and direction for the client to execute on her own.(above "Dune" sideboard and bathroom via Lonny Magazine.)

Behind the Velvet Rope

A sneak peek behind our design process for the Ritz-Carlton Residences. Inspired by the heydays of Old Hollywood hotels such as the the Chateau and Beverly Hills Hilton, we aimed to create the same essence for a new frontier ~ downtown Los Angeles.

Our mood boards feature sumptuous and vamp tones such as Aubergine, Charcoal gray, Lilac and Smoked Bronze saluting Film Noir.

Opulent and dramatic pieces combined with sparkle that make a classic statement. Animal prints, and noteworthy furnishings evoke the days of cocktail parties and entertaining.

To carry into the twenty-first century of re-building downtown Los Angeles.

Angeleno magazine featured a stellar preview on the look of what's to come and gave
W&R a fab kiss on the cheek.

Me and Ron featured in the sneak peek of the Ritz installation.

Stay tuned for the final reveal of new high style living -
The Ritz-Carlton Residences at LA Live!