THE FLIP FLOP HOUSE - ARCHITECT TOUR

Pivoting walls offer ocean front views. (above(

People who live in glass houses...are very lucky if they live in houses like this!

Okay...this is perhaps one of the coolest hones I have seen in awhile.  Architect Dan Brunn was given free reign and $8 million dollars from a Los Angeles based couple to create this Venice Beach home.  The couple's only requirements were that there should be no brown in the house and they needed a place to hang their art and photography they have collected over the years.

Architect Brunn's solution was to create a house with louvered walls - pivoting walls!  These turning panels create wall space so that the couple's art could be displayed while also allowing for fantastic ocean front views!  The Flip Flop House name is inspired by the turning walls.

The house is tres modern (my way of saying ultra modern).  Sleek Terrazzo floors, shiny Valcucine white glass cabinets, stainless steel wrapped structural columns and tons and tons of floor to ceiling glass imported from Switzerland.  5700 square feet.  A modern wonder beach house!

Side view of the home with the louvered walls that open and close. (above)

Louvered walls allow art to displayed but then open to show off the fantastic ocean views. (above)

Stainless steel columns and floor to ceiling windows in the family room. (above)

White glass modern flat front cabinetry surround the television in the family room (above)

Staircase has glass rail with Terrazzo covered floors

What do you think of this house? Would you want to live in a house with flip flopping walls?  I would!

Beautifully done by the architect!

Happy Monday!

xo
Coco


Photos:  New York Times; Dan Brunn

$24 MILLION DOLLAR MALIBU ESTATE - SEE THIS HOUSE

East comes west with this home listed for sale on Broad Beach in Malibu - a bit of a Cape Cod feel right in a million dollar California neighborhood.  So, did you know that it costs $24 million dollars for a 4,889 square foot home right on the water on one of the most coveted beaches on the West Coast?

31134 Broad Beach Road was built in 1958 and designed by architect Gerard Colcord. This real estate listing from Prichett Rapf Realtors, features 4 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, 3 car garage, several outdoor living areas and 100 feet of beach front. The living room has hand hewn oak floors and the rustic country kitchen has a fireplace, copper sink, breakfast/dining area, and opens to an outdoor covered patio.  The home is gated.

Don't know whether the Cape Cod eclectic style is up my alley but the views certainly are!  Take a look.

The exterior of this Malibu, CA home looks like it should be set on Cape Code! (above)

The living room with light wood paneled walls and a huge fireplace (above)

The living room and dining room open up to a gorgeous view of the Pacific Ocean (above)

The rustic country kitchen has a brick floor!  What do you think of that?  (above)

The garden boasts several outdoor living areas including this covered patio with fireplaces and teak outdoor furniture. (above)

So what do you think of this multi million dollar listing?  Would you take it or leave it?  Even if it is not your style, could you work with it?

I would take it and then revamp.  Oh did I mention the listing price includes all of the furniture!  Hmmm...I think I would negotiate the furniture out of the deal...get rid of the wall to wall carpeting in the bedrooms and start from scratch with the decor.  I might however keep the brick floors in the kitchen.  Hmmm...what do you think?

Happy first day of July!  Happy Monday!

xo
Coco

P.S.  It was a gorgeous very hot weekend here in Los Angeles.  I spent a lot of time in Santa Monica at dear friends BN and SN's family beach house right on water - I was there both days...a little work lots of nice catching up with them and all their cuties.  Will share a photo of their very cool beach home that has an amazing eclectic international well traveled vibe maybe tomorrow here on the blog.  Anyhooo...on Saturday night, I captured this lovely sky just after sunset at my little tiny cottage in the Hollywood Hills.  It was a gorgeous night!

Sunset at my little tiny cottage in the Hollywood Hills! (above)

P.P.S. As I write this blog post early this morning, it just started to rain outside!  What in the world?  Global warming.

P.P.P.S.  My favorite grammatically incorrect quote from last week is as follows "I is what is I is and I'm not changin'".  Makes me chuckle.  Do you know who said it? :-)

P.P.P.P.S.  Dropped off my mom at the airport on Saturday!  She is in Paris for the summer!  What a nice life.

P.P.P.P.P.S. Making last minute plans to go to Atlanta market in two weeks.  We are launching new COCOCOZY product and I have to be there!  Can't wait.  Will give you all details so you can stop by and say hi!

Photos: 31134 Broad Beach

CITY VERSUS SEA - OUTDOOR LIVING ROOMS

Sea - A stunning outdoor living room on a deck overlooking the ocean! (above)

Summer...all I can think of is outdoor decor really. I love a beautiful outdoor space. Nothing like enjoying the outdoors with the comforts and design touches that we use inside our homes.

I like these two outdoor living spaces. One with a decidedly international flair and a striking ocean view and the other sits in a more controlled environment inside an elegant city brick wall townhouse courtyard. I like both for different reasons.

Which do you prefer...sea or city outdoor living room?

City - A cute structured outdoor courtyard in a London townhouse. (above and below)

I know I should chose the "sea" outdoor room for the views alone...but I think I might like the "city" look. Not sure though. Reason I chose the city is because I feel like this is a look that I could realistically have at some point. Realistic dreaming perhaps?

You? Which do you prefer? Weigh in please in the comments below.

Happy Tuesday!

xo
Coco

P.S. Grace Home Furnishings, one of my favorite posh home furnishing stores in Los Angeles, is having its annual clearance starting this weekend but COCOCOZY readers can start shopping the sale on Thursday.  So many chic offerings with discounts up to 75% off!  The official sale begins Saturday, June 8th.

Grace Home in Los Angeles is having its annual clearance sale with discounts up to 75% off! (above)

GRACE HOME FURNISHINGS
11632 Barrington Court
Los Angeles, CA 90049
Phone (310) 476-7176


Photos: Pia Ulin; Inspace Locations

OCEAN VIEW OUTDOOR LIVING ROOM IN THE MDR!

Mirrored wall hangings and an ocean view! (above)

This is TE's lovely ocean view deck...

So to make a short story long...a few weeks ago TE and I started sprucing up his outdoor decks.  He has a gorgeous ocean view in Marina del Rey (the MDR as I call it) - you can see the water view from not just one deck but two!  He is literally about a 1/2 a block from the beach. The sprucing was in preparation for some of his family members and guests coming into town.

I took these photos this morning.  We were up until 1am last night putting up the mirrored wall hangings and then enjoying a glass of wine and some music on the deck.  This morning while taking these photos I looked quite like a clown:  bleary eyed (with some residual mascara or eyeliner around my eyes), a night gown on, a hoodie over it, leggings, Converse sneakers and hair sticking straight up...but I didn't care if any of TE's neighbors saw me...I was doing my own private photo shoot!

Anyhooo...it was gorgeous up there on this ocean view deck this morning...with the sun rising and waves crashing in the distance.

TE's deck with a view of the beach in Marina del Rey! (above)

A planter filled with a gorgeous array of cactus and succulents - TE designed this himself (above)

Corner bench with gray seat cushions and coordinating navy blue and white pillows. (above)

A boxwood plant in a glossy ceramic pot sits on top of a square white garden stool (above)

Two chaise lounges are placed side by side in a nook to create an outdoor bed of sorts! (above)

This project is done...next design project...a little surprise for sis DS at her house and then my house needs to be addressed as far as decor!

To see the before photo of TE's deck...follow me @cococozy on either COCOCOZY Instagram or COCOCOZY Twitter.  I'll post a few photos in a bit...so follow along so you get the update in your feed.

Happy Friday!

xo
Coco

P.S. Hope you have a great weekend!

Photos in this post by Coco of COCOCOZY

SEE THIS HOUSE - $6 MILLION DOLLAR MALIBU OCEAN VIEWS FROM UP HIGH!

Newly built Malibu canyon home for sale with an all white interior and lots of natural light (above)

A lofty real estate listing! Nearly $6 million dollars for this 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath Malibu canyon home.

The property is listed by Irene Dazzan-Palmer of Coldwell Banker Previews.  It is 6,200 square feet of home, sitting on around 4 acres of land.  Features both ocean and hillside views. 15 foot ceilings with exposed beams, hand scraped wood oak floors, a chef's kitchen with Wolf appliances and custom ash wood cabinetry. A state of the art surveillance system is included.

My kind of home actually. Something sort of modern and rustic about the home if that is possible. I think the pitched loft like exposed ceilings have something to do with the rustic part.

The best of both worlds...a spectacular ocean view from high up in the hills. Now just need to find $5,999,995 to pay for it. Anyone have any ideas? Anyone?

Pacific ocean view from the home's backyard!(above)

What do you think of this Malibu retreat?  Like or dislike?  What might you add to the home decor?  I might add a COCOCOZY rug or two actually!

Happy Thursday!

xo
Coco

P.S. So bummed that I didn't get a chance to sign up for a fab art auction that is going on today. Art consultant and good friend Samantha Nugent has a piece in today's Wright's "Living Contemporary Auction". I was traveling back from market and didn't get a chance to view everything until late yesterday...I've never bid in an art auction online and if I had signed up yesterday I could have.  Awhile back I was into collecting art from emerging artists here in Los Angeles. Browsing through this online auction has got me thinking about art again!  Thank you Samantha for sharing this with me!  Anyhooo...here's the piece Samantha has up for auction today. Love it - literally and figuratively speaking!

Robert Indiana, Heliotherapy Love (1995)  Screen print on board - $6000-$8000 (above)

CALIFORNIA FALL IN SANTA BARBARA!

All photos in this post by Coco of COCOCOZY

A pomegranate tree on the grounds of a vineyard in the Santa Ynez valley. (above)

Sorry I didn't post on Friday or the last few days. Was running off for an autumn weekend in Santa Barbara...one of the most beautiful places around I think.

Had a wonderful time of relaxing, dining, wine tasting, pool lounging and more. It was absolutely delightful.

Imagine a long drive in a convertible up the coast, with the top down, gorgeous weather and great company.

We stayed at Bacara.  It was so pretty.  I had been to Bacara once about 10 years ago, not too long after it had opened, and the resort was not quite up to speed.  This weekend however Bacara was just lovely.  The grounds looked beautiful, the ocean views were spectacular, the service was great and the pool was the perfect place for a bit of people watching and early afternoon napping.

Ventured out to the Santa Ynez valley for wine tasting on Saturday afternoon. Stops included Rusack Vineyards and Beckmen Vineyards.  We had wine and cheese outside at Rusack and enjoyed the beautiful views of the vineyards.  At Beckmen we met the wine maker and learned a little about what it takes to make grapes into wine.

The grape vines and views at Rusack winery. (above)

A blue boat on the grounds of the Beckmen Vineyards. (above)

Fountain in the front circular drive at Bacara. (above)

This weekend at Bacara - the weather and the views from the pool were perfect! (above)

Bloody Marys overlooking the water - the Pacific Ocean! (above)

Amazing dinner at the Wine Cask in Santa Barbara - I recommend the bread pudding for dessert! (above)

Spoke on the phone with best of friend AM on Sunday as we were heading into Santa Barbara to walk around town for the afternoon before heading back to Los Angeles.  As you know, best of friend AM lives in NYC.  AM was headed to the store to get candles and supplies for her family (hubby JE and cute kiddies LE and JE III) in preparation for Hurricane Sandy.  Felt like we were in a California bubble, while the rest of the country was dealing with real life.

Reality check: It is now 6:00am on Monday (today) - I woke up at 4:30a.  I am madly trying to figure out blog posts for the week and am responding to emails.  I also have an 8:15am weekly meeting at COCOCOZY HQ with CM and JW...we will go over goals for the week for COCOCOZY.  Then I will head off to my real job where we are right in the middle of a major project. Busy Monday! I have so much catching up to do after taking a full 2 days off.  I would do it again and again though.  It was a perfect weekend.  Is that possible?  A perfect weekend?

Happy Monday!

xo
Coco

P.S.  My thoughts are with everyone on the East Coast who is in the path of the storm.  I hope you and your loved ones stay safe and your homes stay intact.  xo


All photos in this post by Coco of COCOCOZY

TIME TO RELAX - NANTUCKET DAYS!

All photos in this post by Coco of COCOCOZY

"The scene" at the Cliffside Beach Club in Nantucket...lots of relaxing going on! (above)

Arrived in Nantucket yesterday. Bliss.

Visiting with best of friend FF and her husband CCF, fantastic CF, and adorable godson CGF.

The minute I got off the plane I went into to deep relaxation mode. Hence there was no COCOCOZY post yesterday.

It is spectacular here.

I got on a small prop plane from Boston to Nantucket early morning yesterday after taking the red eye. At the Cape Air counter before you get on the plane while checking in, they always ask you your body weight.  Arrrghhhhhh.  If they feel like you are not telling the truth, they will weigh you on the luggage scale.  Total potential humiliation...to be asked in public to stand on a luggage scale to be weighed!

So when the woman at the Cape Air ticket counter asked how much I weighed, I paused and my eyes became slits, her eyes then became slits, then I cocked my head like saying "Really?", then she cocked her head like saying, "Really." , then I cut my eyes at her again, then she cut her eyes at me again.  We were in a body weight q&a silent stand off.  Then I started to think...this isn't fair. A few weeks ago I was skinnier. Then I had a little bit of an off week so I was maybe 2 or 3 (or maybe 4) pounds heavier than usual.  I wondered whether I should I go with my ideal summer weight or my actual summer weight? Then the lady behind the counter said impatiently, "Miss...ma'am? Your body weight please". In that moment I had to make a quick decision, so I just split the difference between my ideal body weight and my actual weight and then held my breath in hopes she would not send me to the luggage scale. There was a pause on her end and then she said "Okay, here is your boarding pass." Wooohoooo...phew...

So once I got to Nantucket and all body weight issues were behind me, FF picked me up at the airport.  We started off with a quick drive through town, headed over to the Galley for lunch and orange fizzy drinks (something they took off the menu but since we remembered it from a few years ago, they put it back on for us), then headed straight for the beach and the Cliffside Beach Club. At the beach club, my biggest concern was that we couldn't seem to get our sand castle higher than three stories - it was a real problem. :-) Then we went to the pool to watch 7 year old CGF swim laps, then nap time, then a store party thrown by FF's friend AB at a new store called Dakota...some fun summer shopping. I even met a COCOCOZY reader at the party...she's from Boston. Then FF, CF and I went to dinner at the Straight Wharf Restaurant while CCF and CGF stayed home. Delish. Lots of cute people milling around.  Then late night watching Olympics back at the house.  Ahhh...gorgeous day. What a day. Relax.

Here are a few photos from Nantucket so far.

The plane ride to Nantucket...I sat right behind the pilot in a small prop plane. (above and below)

The all wood shower and locker area at the Cliffside Beach Club...love it...so quaint and beach chic. (above and below)

Orange fizzy drinks at the Galley in Nantucket. (above)

Summer sun dresses at new store Dakota in Nantucket. (above)

So am in Nantucket for just a few days.  So I must cram everything into a 48 hours! Am off to do Nantucket type stuff now.

Today we're going fishing...literally and figuratively speaking...must go figure out my fishing outfit!  What shall I wear?

Happy Friday!  Gone Fishing.

xo
Coco

All photos in this post by Coco of COCOCOZY

WHAT'S NEW IS OLD - A MALIBU BEACH RETREAT!

Encasement doors are flung open to show off this Malibu home's ocean view! (above)

A Malibu house...with ocean views...right on the famous Broad Beach.  A new home built to look old!  Owned and built by antiques afficianado Richard Shapiro, the home is a juxtaposition between old and new... from the purposefully chipped sandstone floors, to the buffed plastered walls, to the floor to ceiling encasement windows, to the modern swooping steel balustrade, this villa on the ocean is meant to look as if it was plucked out of ancient ruins with some very modern touches!

The open living plan!

The dining room. (above and below)

A sleek modern black kitchen with slabs of basalt used for the backsplash and the island. (above)

A modern steel balustrade. (above)

A courtyard with turquoise Moroccan tiles in a chevron pattern. (above)

What do you think of this Malibu home? Does the combo of old looking and modern work for you? I happen to adore the courtyard and all of the steel windows and doors!

What do you like?

Happy Monday!

xo
Coco

P.S. Sis DS is traveling right now (lucky her).  She texted in this photo from Morocco this morning. DS and my mother are touring Medina today and were in Casablanca yesterday.  So cool!  This photo below is a screen...one that allows women to see out but keeps them hidden from men! So interesting!

A photo from my sister during her visit to Morocco! (above)

P.P.S.  Have today off from my real job...so will be spending the day catching up on all things COCOCOZY!  Looking forward to a little time to get everything in order before I start traveling for the summer.

P.P.P.S.  Oh, did I mention, I'll be in Atlanta next week for the Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Mart.  Will be showing the COCOCOZY textiles collection at the Christian Mosso Associates Showroom again in Building 1 of the Merchandise Mart on the 9th Floor. Please stop by if you are going to be in Atlanta next week!

P.P.P.S.  Also, if you'll be in New York in the middle of August you can catch up with me at the New York International Gift Fair...come by there and say hi and see the collection.  This will be my 4th time doing the New York show.  I get so nervous and excited about going.  I totally stress out trying to remember all of he details.  Oy va voy...got to hop on it!  Keeping fingers crossed that I'll have a big COCOCOZY related announcement in New York in August...trying to get things in order.

P.P.P.P.S.  Hope you are enjoying July so far! :-)


Photos: C Magazine