NEUTRAL ZONE

Clean lines, simple design, uncluttered color palette...I like these spaces and these looks.  Classic. Modern. Neutral with an edge.

Happy Wednesday!

xo
Coco

Source: Various tumblr; Fashion Me Now

ROOM IN CHECK - ROOM TO LOVE 2.21.14

Am a huge fan of fabric covered upholstered walls...am also a huge fan of anything in a gingham check.  Imagine my delight when I found this little gem of a room...where everything from walls, to windows, to furniture is covered in a black and white gingham check.  Sounds like it would be too overwhelming...but in reality it looks so cute and cozy.

Note to self (and TE)...in future, take a small room and go completely gingham style!

Design non-sequitur...found this adorable knit top and skirt by Narciso Rodriguez to match the room.  Camouflage of sorts for a gingham check room!

Shopping source:
Narciso Rodriguez check knit top
Narciso Rodriguez check knit skirt

Happy Friday!

xo
Coco

P.S.  Just realized I still haven't shared photos from last weekend in Ojai with my guy TE.  Will get to it  this weekend or next week!

Photos: Prue Ruscoe

CLEAN LINES & SIMPLE DESIGN

As this first month of 2014 races by...I am thinking about ways that I might streamline the interior decor in my tiny little cottage in the Hollywood Hills (to see my house click here). My home is pretty neutral in tone...I have lots of texture and pattern going on. While I probably wouldn't remove all of the different prints (very COCOCOZY Collection to layer patterns)...might I consider going the clean line, simple design route. I love my home...but something to consider. Just spent last night shredding documents from 2005! Oy vey. Have to organize today.

Anyhooo... I love this all black and white home from Anna Leena's Home blog. The cleanest of clean lines and a monochromatic design scheme. No frills, no fuss. Refreshing. Leaves room to think.

What do you think of this super super minimalistic design and decor?

Happy Monday! Happy Martin Luther King Day!

xo
Coco

P.S. Taking a moment today of course to reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King and all of the amazing things he did for our country. People like him, who have a vision about making things better for everyone, are truly truly inspiring. Happy b-day MLK!

Photos: Anna Leena's Home

RANDOM STUFF I'M LIKING RIGHT NOW - 1.17.14

A very blue room (above)

Uphostered ikat chevron chair (above)

Make up bag  & clutch (above)

No rhyme, no reason...just a few random things I'm liking right now...all in shades of blue with varying textures, shades and purposes. For the home, for pure style, the practical and more...

The peacoat for winter days (my sis DS is looking for a good coat), the salad plate because I love the design, an arm chair that adds flavor, a gorgeous blue room that I'd love to sit and have a visit in with a good friend, a lovely little cotton pillow from our collection, and a few other cute things.

Flower necklace (above)

Geometric indigo blue cotton pillow (above)

Navy long peacoat (above)

Turkish tile inspired salad plate (above)

Happy Friday!

xo
Coco


Photo: Max Kim Bee

OPEN LIVING WITH DISTINCT COLOR VIEWS - ACCENT WALLS

Nice modern living room - with an organized open floor plan. From one angle it is stark white with white epoxy painted concrete floors, white walls and white cabinetry in the kitchen. A few black and color accents in the furnishings. Flip around in the room and all of sudden - COLOR!

Bright sunny accent walls are carefully planned out to create a modern sleek colorful home.

Open kitchen island in white with yellow accent pops in the backsplash and on the living room wall.

Black mid century modern Barcelona chairs, a dark gray sofa, a light gray shag rug all contrast nicely against the white concrete floors and yellow accent wall. (above)

A floating wall in the foyer is also painted bright yellow. (above)

Benjamin Moore's Sunbeam yellow is a near match...along with the some charcoal gray and light gray tones to match (above)

Could you live with a few bright yellow accent walls?  If not, what color accent walls might you chose or do you already have in your house?

Happy Monday!

xo
Coco

P.S. Speaking of yellow. Date night with TE had a little lemon yellow infused into it. Had a nice lemonade cocktail at the Hungry Cat in Santa Monica on Saturday night...right before going to a very lovely dinner with TE at the very chic and cozy Giorgio Baldi restaurant on West Channel Road. Nice evening really. Here is a scene from the Hungry Cat bar.

Lemons at the bar at the Hungry Cat in Santa Monica....great lemonade cocktail! (above)

P.P.S.  Highlight of weekend was a fantastic dinner with my cute mother and my fantastic aunts LA, MA, JG and my guy TE at the Soho House on Friday night.  It took a bit to get all of the aunts coordinated to meet up, but we did it! LA and MA are visiting from out of town (Boston and France respectively) so it was their send off dinner before they head back. Had a lovely night filled with laughter, good food and good company.  All of my mom's sisters approved of TE!  That is good news!

P.P.P.S.  Hope you have a great week ahead!

Photos: Hus & Hem

$30 MILLION DOLLAR PARK VIEW PENTHOUSE - SEE THIS HOUSE

A $29.5 million dollar Park Avenue penthouse on the market - a holiday present for someone?  Anyone?  Anyone?

Listed by Sothebys agent Serena Boardman, this duplex two story home is 12 rooms - 5 bedrooms, 6 baths (3 full + 3 partial) in 6,286 sq. ft.

The apartment is on the 30 and 31st floor of a high end condominium building. 52 large windows, 10 foot ceilings, large rooms including a state-of-the-art kitchen, library and media room.

Love the light colored herringbone wood floors and the very architectural steel stair railing.

Take a tour...

Love the light colored herringbone wood floors in the main living room and bottom floor. (above)

Gleaming state-of-the-art chef's kitchen with stainless steel cabinets (above)

Very cool architectural steel railing on the stairs leading to the 2nd floor. (above)

City rooftop views and a glimpse of Central Park. (above)

2nd floor media room. (above)

Question I always have to ask...would you take it or leave it if money were not an issue but you could only have one home. Hmmm....thinking...I would take it for 5 years then give it to someone else. How does that sound?

Happy Monday!

xo
Coco

P.S. Working on 2014 COCOCOZY collection. Lots to do before the end of the year and so little time. Literally just days and counting.  Some new looks! So excited to share with you.  Will be able to give you a glimpse in January.

P.P.S. Must holiday shop every night this week. I am so behind! Arghhh... Also, have to plan my Christmas Eve dinner...now. Oy.

P.P.P.S. Had a nice weekend with TE. Went to drinks at the Polo Lounge on Friday evening with TE (had a cold glass of champagne and enjoyed the holiday mood at the Beverly Hills Hotel), on Saturday saw a movie with TE and his son EE (we saw The Hobbit!...Had never seen any of these movies and it was quite good), and on Sunday TE and I drove around the beach areas with the top down on TE's convertible (yes, we were driving with the top down on a 75 degree day in December). A nice relaxing weekend.  Should have done at least some of my shopping.  I did none!!!! Yikes.  Help.  Need a personal shopper (or I just need to get to it like most people)!

LOUIS VUITTON TRUNKS TRANSFORMED

I have always wanted to figure out a way to incorporate Louis Vuitton vintage trunks or luggage into my home's decor.  I like the idea of using one of the stylish monogrammed steamer trunks as a piece of furniture.

A collectible piece from the past.  First introduced in the mid 1800's, these trunks and pieces of luggage became a fashionable statement for the wealthy traveler.  To this day, the trunks are so highly coveted that they are priced anywhere up to $20,000.

I can dream...just one little trunk for a corner of my bedroom.

Louis Vuitton Trunk - $15,250 

Louis Vuitton Antique Travel Steamer Trunk -  $14,999

Make sure to follow me on ebay to see my entire collection of Louis Vuitton trunks and so much more!

Happy Thursday!

xo
Coco

P.S. Had a great dinner with LK, SR and KS last night at Soho House. TE was there too with an old friend of his and we had a drink after dinner.  Was a good night.


Photos: Source Unknown; Architectural Digest

(My eBay Collections were curated as part of my collaboration with eBay. #FOLLOWITFINDIT)

LIVING WITH LAVENDER - THIS OR THAT

Saw these two living rooms the other day where lavender is the connecting theme.  The first is a living room with very subtle accents in a light shade of purple.  While the second, takes on lavender living with zest by incorporating a lilac colored sea grass wallpaper and then punches up the decor with even more purple with the ikat upholstery on the side chairs...oh and did I mention the orange sofa.

So today I ask you...which of these two living rooms do you prefer?  Could you see yourself living with lavender?

Happy Tuesday!

xo
Coco


Photos: Brendan Wong; Lilly Bunn

NAILHEAD TRIM WALLS - DESIGN IDEA

Two rooms from interior designer Jeffrey Bilhuber - both with one extra design detail...a bit of nailhead trim on the walls.

Check out the studs lining the arches of in the foyer above.

Also, love the way nail heads were used like a decorative molding detail in the library living room below.

A subtle wall accent that makes a big difference. Studded walls.  I like.

What do you think of this DESIGN IDEA?  Take it or leave it?

Happy Friday!

xo
Coco

P.S.  TE and I are headed to San Francisco for the weekend! Will send photos!


Photos: Bilhuber & Associates

GALLERY WALLS - THIS OR THAT

If you have been considering adding a collection of photos, drawings, art, paintings or prints onto your wall, there are options for your look.  Either a an organized arrangement of different sized wall art or a very symmetrical no bending the rules version.

Today I bring you two little living rooms...both feel very fall.  Dark greens, browns, rich textures like velvet, suede, cane, patterns ... both feature gallery art walls behind classic sofas.  The wall above is a wonderful mix match of photos, prints and clearly collected items.  The living room below has a more tailored gallery wall with uniform framed botanical prints.

Which do you prefer...?  This or that?

Happy Wednesday!

xo
Coco

Photos: Source Unknown; Harper's Bazaar

ARTIST BRIAN WILLS & MY LIVING ROOM ART

Untitled Brian Wills art in my living room! (above)

When I put up photos of my living room the other day to get your thoughts on my new COCOCOZY Fence rug, I didn't even think about describing some of the pieces in my living room including the large turquoise painting over my sofa.  Well besides the size of the rug, it was the most commented on piece from my living room in my little cottage in the Hollywood Hills.  I received dozens of emails and a few Facebook comments asking about the origin of the art in my living room.

Well today, I'll give you the scoop.  The work is by the super talented Los Angeles based artist Brian Wills. Brian's work is abstract, linear, modern and fresh. I am truly a huge fan of what he does.

Back in 2003 (I think), my sister and mother gave me the gift of art.  Back then, my sister had been introduced to an up and coming Los Angeles artist named Brian Wills.  She had acquired a few of his pieces. At Christmas (or my birthday...I can't recall), she and my mother felt I needed art in my living room so they gave me a Brian Wills much to my delight.  Well...me being me...so picky...way too picky...while I loved the piece they picked out for me, I wanted to see what else Brian was working on.  I remember, it was a cloudy day in December (or January...oh dear...can't remember anything), and I went to his studio (I may or may have not been with my sister...or I may have been by myself...I have no memory past yesterday...oy va voy).   I walked into the artist's studio, introduced myself to Brian and was thrilled to see there were lots of works in progress.  It was so cool to go into an artist's work space and in a way to see what and how he was thinking through his works in progress.  I spotted this turquoise piece in a corner and I immediately said "I want that one".  It is a huge wood piece...about 4ft x 6ft in size...it is made up of small painted strips of wood...lined up to create a visual staccato of sorts...there is a rhythm to his work that I just love. About a week later after my studio visit, Brian came and delivered the work to my house himself and he installed it...and it has been basically hanging in the same place ever since.  I love it!

I have owned this wonderful Brian Wills turquoise wood and paint piece of art for about 10 years! (above) 

Lexi Brown of Nye + Brown who represents Brian sent me these fantastic images below of his 2013 works.

Brian Wills

Untitled, 2013

Oil, rayon thread on wood

36 x 36 in.

Brian Wills

Untitled, 2013

Enamel, rayon thread, bass wood on wood

24 x 24 in

Brian Wills

Untitled (Blue Cross), 2013

Oil and rayon thread on wood

36 x 36 in.

Brian Wills

Untitled (Peacock Blue), 2013

Enamel, rayon thread, and linear polyurethane on wood

12 x 24 in.

Brian Wills

Untitled (Pink), 2013

Rayon thread, oil and linear polyurethane on wood

48 x 36 in.

Brian's new pieces pictured here range from $7000-$16,000 each.  There are other pieces in his collection not pictured here that start at about $2000 each. An investment well worth it!

If you are interested in artist Brian Wills and his work, please contact:

Lexi Brown
Nye + Brown
2685 S La Cienega Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90034
(310) 559-5215
lexi@nyeplusbrown.com

To learn more about Brian Wills and to read about his last show called Unwound, please click here.

Happy Friday!

xo
Coco

P.S. Tomorrow, am so excited...I am going back to Brian Wills' studio for a visit with the artist and to see his latest works!  A private visit.  Woohooo!!   I have invited TE along...he might bring EE.  I am going to see if my sis and my mother want to come too!  Anyone else??? :-)

P.P.S. Must run!  Have a great day!  Still haven't solved my dilemma of what I will wear to the black-tie-wedding.  I tried on a black Herve Leger dress I own last night...one of those bandage dresses...super tight...must do tons of sit ups and not eat for a week to look good in that...back to the drawing board!!!