Santa Barbara Design House

Dennis Franz (NYPD Blue) and his wife created the Santa Barbara Design House and Gardens. It's open to the public but the home is actually designed with the intent of selling it. Some prestigious designers helped with the furnishings like Mary McDonald, David Phoenix, and Ryan Brown. It's listed for $7.5 million. Here is a sampling of the house...

Super Fun Nursery!

Serene Master Suite

Cozy Balcony

Modern Outdoor Living

Vibrant Living Room

Eclectic Guest Room

Art Gallery Hall and Landing

Quintessential Santa Barbara Living!

Neoclassical Seating

One of my favorite periods of furniture is Neoclassical. I adore the symmetry and details. I think a lot of the elements we are seeing today in "transitional" design come from Neoclassical furniture. Its the perfect balance between traditional and classic while still avoiding over the top fussiness. The details on these chairs are stunning! Click to really appreciate the craftsmanship.

French Directoire Chairs

Italian Neoclassical Chairs

George III Chairs

Italian Neoclassical Chairs

Louis XVI Bergere Chairs

Swedish Neoclassical Chairs

Endless Summer

While the rest of the United States is enjoying fall Southern California is still roasting hot like its mid August. I am finally accepting that Summer isn't going away and this hotel looks like a great place for a summer vacation. The Park Hyatt Maldives. I absolutely adore the architectural elements of this place! The materials are so simple but the way they are installed makes the design unique.

The tree is sooo cool!

Marvelous Mosaics

Clean contemporary design is everywhere these days. Kitchens and bathrooms trends have simple white cabinetry and white marble countertops. While I am a fan of the white look, the most eye popping mosaics are available today in some truly amazing colors and patterns. These tiles look so great as a focal point for any area that tile work is needed...entries, fireplaces, floors, kitchens or bathrooms...

Screened In

I haven't used many room dividers or screens in my career as of yet. I grew up with one in my house but I have not found the need or opportunity to work with one in my projects so far. I love the instant architecture screens add to a space. Christopher Guy is a furniture designer that reminds me somewhat of Alice in Wonderland. His designs tend to be whimsical and contemporary. I have been looking for a mirror for my client and came across his screens. I thought they are so cool I would put a few up on my blog. Maybe one day I will use one...

Coffee Table Books

I love spaces with books in them. Whether its 3 or 4 on a coffee table or shelves full of them in a library. I have been coveting new books recently and are a few that pique my interest...

Boring Beige?

I was reading an article on the what home buyers are looking for in the current market and one of the suggestions was gray paint as opposed to beige tones. New buyers are looking for gray interiors and white kitchens. No real surprise considering the latest trends. Look in any design magazine and you are bound too find a white marble kitchen or bathroom as well as a living room or bedroom featuring these colorways. So I started asking myself is beige passe? I don't think so! Here are a collection of beige rooms...what do you think?

Architect/Designer

As I was browsing the Internet I came across an architecture and design firm that has the coolest mix of styles. Tim Barber LTD seems to do it all and do it well! Colonial, Craftsman, Nantucket and Post and Beam. I thoroughly enjoyed looking at all their projects. Here are some highlights...

For more of their work go here.

Restoration Hardware Baby!

I was looking the  humongous Restoration Hardware furniture catalogs last night and couldn't help but admire their children's and baby furniture section! I have always loved sophisticated children's rooms that can easily grow from infancy to adolescence. Some of their furniture look a smidge too industrial for my blood but most of it is to die for! Have a look...