At first glance, you may not be one who would give this issue of Elle Decor a second thought. It's loud. Maybe too loud? And while Mary McDonald is one of my favorite designers, the clients for whom she decorated this house have a taste that is bold, colorful, and specific, far beyond my own. If you're at all interested, I highly recommend reading the now edited (by force of attorneys on behalf of the owner and Mary) story written by my friend Joni at Cote de Texas, here. But beyond the cover, and the multi-million dollar beachfront new build mansion decorated in bold colors inspired by a makeup palette, is the sweet and awe inspiring Portola Valley home dressed in neutrals by Mark D. Sikes. Photo by Amy Neunsinger for Mark D. Sikes When I saw the house, I immediately recognized it from Mark's instagram posts over 2-years ago, and a book where the gardens, meticulously curated by Janell Denler Hobart had been photographed by Marion Brenner for a Monacelli Press tome, PRIVATE GARDENS OF THE BAY AREA. The house had been damaged badly by the fires that ripped through northern California and had to be gutted entirely. Now empty nesters, the owners decided to enlist Walker Warner Architects, the firm that built the house for them in 1999, to help them redesign the flow. Mark was brought in to decorate. The first picture I remember seeing of the house was this one, posted to Mark's instagram during the install. A beautiful pool and guest house sit on a lower terrace of the property with a large edible garden adjacent the pool area, divided by a hedgerow. From the Elle Decor story, photo by Dominque Vorillon showing the chaise lounges, and hedgerow dividing the pool area from the garden. The gardens were shot, along with exterior porches and patio areas of the house for the book by Marion Brenner. Can you even believe how gorgeous this is? The homeowner is an avid gardener and cook. Her husband grew up with a mother who also had a verdant green thumb, so this is an important part of their lives. Five years in the making, this garden is as beautiful as it is fruitful, and Mark decided to use this as inspiration for the interior spaces. Mark snapped this photo of the exterior shorty after installing the interiors of the house, and posted it to instagram. Another side of the house, shot by Marion Brenner, landscape design by Hobart. I could spend hours walking around this garden, asking questions and soaking up the beauty of it all, couldn't you? Mark posted this picture to his instagram of the twisted vines that create a tunnel from one area of the garden to another. And another photo by Brenner of roses climbing softly along the corners of the porch and mudroom. A photo from Mark's instagram during install showing the view from this window to the outside areas. A flower cutting area and soapstone sink and counter. Even if you were a terrible flower arranger (and you're not) but EVEN IF YOU WERE, who wouldn't love spending time at this sink reaping the beauty of that garden. A photo by Brenner, showing the porch beyond this mudroom looking out into the beautiful garden, with vine covered pergolas and hedgerows guarding glorious bed after bed of edible delight. And the view! Spectacular. From the book. Seriously - so good. If you're a gardener, or you simply love the beauty of a garden, you won't be disappointed in your purchase, I promise. Inspiration on every page - particularly in this garden. Like many of the projects that high end designers like Mark complete for clients, photos are sparse until the house is published by a magazine, or included in a book. And true to form, there aren't a lot of interior shots prior to the Elle Decor feature, nearly 2-years after the house was finished. But Mark did show this: On his instagram, Mark sits on the stairs covered in a navy and natural striped sisal with Ruby, the pup of the house. Isn't she beautiful!? Oh the life she must lead! A navy and white dhurrie at her feet. The steel and glass doors of the pantry are on my must have list. I thought that this photo felt like quintessential Sikes - blue, pretty, California. From the Elle Decor story posted by Mark to his instagram. Gotta love those Birkenstock mules! A broader view of the space, more of the dhurrie, the chairs and antique table, but sadly no Ruby. Seriously, I think Ruby should have been in all the photos - I'm just saying. Precious girl. This felt like the Mark we have all come to know. So it was a pleasant surprise to see that he departed from the blue a bit when it came to the living room: There are still hints of blue, but the room is done mostly in shades of apricot, camel and cream. And it's beautiful. Naturally! I found a couple of screaming good deals on Amazon for pieces like Mark used that would give an updated feel to a traditional interior you've already got! I wonder if this sunset had anything to do with his color choices? Again - glorious, captured by Brenner for the book and Landscape Architect's website. Another view posted by Mark to his instagram, not featured in the Elle Decor magazine spread. This shows the beautiful rug a little more with its rich apricot and terracotta tones. A peek into the living room from the entry. Antiques mixed with modern accessories and beautiful fabrics. I really love this house. And from Elle, the dining room with wicker chairs soften with beautiful cushions in green, wheat, and blue (my new color palette at the apartment). I'm also gonna be buying some of those wooden bowls I've linked! How fun are they? There's more of the house in this issue of Elle Decor, including the beautiful bedrooms. So pop into your local story and grab a copy, or purchase the online version through Zinio. And if you're in need of more beauty from Mark, grab a copy of his book: More books featuring the photography of Marion Brenner: And purely my opinion, but the interiors featured in Mary's book are much more my taste than the one on the cover of Elle Decor. And if you can't get to a garden (or you live near me and a garden is covered by snow) you could always light one of these treasures:
St Mark's Clock is the clock housed in the St Mark's Clocktower, on St Mark's Square in Venice, adjoining the Procuratie Vecchie.
Mark Hearld is the busy, polygamous artist and maker whom I've long wanted to meet. He has made multiple marriages, to print-making and collage, drawing and painting, lino-cutting, ceramics, wallpaper and textile design, cut-outs and collecting, clothing, curating and rampant curiosity. Years ago my friend Anthony Geraghty - who teaches the History of Art at York
Ideal party supplies: these assorted mirror disco balls are exquisite and delicate, nice for party supplies, well matching with dancing parties, birthday parties and so on, which can highlight a joyful and happy flavor and let people have an unforgettable day poesonn Reflective and shiny: those hanging disco balls are covered with mirrored squares, which reflect light off the surface to create a glamorous and shiny visual effect, thus catching people's eyes, stylish and funny, easily enhancing your party atmosphere Scope of usage: these reflective disco ball ornaments can be widely applied for weddings, clothing stores, bars, cupboards, music festivals, centerpiece, home decorations, cake adornments, Christmas, Valentine's Day and other festival celebrations Simple to hang: this small disco party ball has rope attached to it, so it's easy to install, doesn't take much time or effort, light in weight and right in size, convenient to hang where you want, like a Christmas tree, ceiling, light and more
Inst @neothissen
This past weekend, I was proud to present a paper at the American Ceramic Circle’s annual symposium on an exhibition topic I’m developing. I spoke about a German designer named Grete Ma…
HDR photos taken at The Dent Schoolhouse on the Canon 5D Mark III. Photos are COPYRIGHT The Dent Schoolhouse and Rogues Hollow Productions. THEY CANNOT BE USED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES WITHOUT PERMISSION.
Geometric art by Mark A. Reynolds Reynolds on his work: There is a sympathetic magic between pencil and paper that is primordial. Many people have had an experience with this magic in some way. Bring...
Marks Design has developed the headquarters of SGS Europe in the Bridgehead development near Hull, UK. Marks wanted to design a unique workplace so when
Kolmanskop - this room is very blue and accentuated by the daylight © www.markdanielphoto.com Sometimes the image demands a more detailed look, a hint of the light source perhaps, maybe the shadows that play in the sand, the view into the other room? The mystery is sometimes what can not be seen but only guessed at and why we find such mystery in this beauty that was made by nature, not by man. - Mark Daniel
A familiar, everyday object revisited with innovative flair, this iconic bowl will exude modernist charm into any decor. Inspired by sea anemones, the bowl’s conical silhouette is marked by sloped sides and wide, jagged mouth. Fashioned of black paper clay (paper pulp and natural fibers blended into the ceramic mixture), horizontal and vertical ridges are randomly drawn on the surface to create an intriguing textural contrast that is enhanced by the color combination: the black clay exterior contrasting with the pearl-white interior finish. Every one of Paola Paronetto’s creations is unique. Slight variations in shape, colour and size are to be considered a guarantee of authenticity and value. They are finished with non-toxic satin-finish enamels. Although very rarely, it is possible for them to leak after long periods of exposure to water. It is therefore advisable to test their water resistance before using them on delicate surfaces. They should not be used as dining utensils. The white pieces can be washed with water or sanitizing products, whereas the coloured pieces must be treated more gently and cleaned with a feather duster or a soft cloth, dry or moistened very slightly with water.
On Tyeb Mehta’s death anniversary, revisiting his paintings inspired from his tryst with violence as a child.
Impression Desk Yellow by Modern Living Let your best shine forth with the Impression Reception Desk. Greet and welcome while working in organized fashion with five storage shelves and ample seating space. Impression is made of glossy fiberglass, comes with non-marking footpads, and features an organic modern form that is sure to inspire. Perfect as a reception desk in a contemporary modern office or for personal use at home, Impression is a fun and progressive reception or workstation desk that sets a happy tone for the rest of the office. Set Includes: One - Impression Desk Features: Contemporary Reception DeskCoated Fiberglass ConstructionNon-Marking Foot Pads Product Dimensions: Overall: 76"L x 34.5"W x 30"H
Mauricio Alejo took these photos in several of his apartments in New York City, where he lived for 13 years trying to make it as an artist.
Inspiring house located in Westlake Village, California, designed by Shiflet Group Architects and Mark Ashby Design.
i really REALLY love the work of artist Michelle Armas. she started painting to cope with the stress of her career in the world of corporate branding, and eventually turned it into a full-time job.
shankargallery.imagekind.com/ Sumi-e Doors by Richard Lazzara , my standard sized 66x38 inch canvas & acrylics for prints.
