COCOCOZY HEADQUARTERS OFFICE - NIGHT SPARKLE

COCOCOZY front office late night with a Louis XVI chair upholstered in signature COCOCOZY fabric.(above)

Had an after hours meeting at COCOCOZY HQ yesterday with the very smart TH. Trying to see if there is a project we can work on together. Went by the COCOCOZY offices for the meeting at about 6:30pm last night and our little headquarters office in Beverly Hills was sparkling.

During the holidays, our landlord puts lights on our building...and last night, the office was sparkling with the light from our front office crystal chandelier, mood lighting from some Stiffel vintage brass lamps and then the wonderful white holiday lights shimmering outside the window.

As most of you know...I have another full time job during the day...but at nights, my full time job is COCOCOZY. I love our little office. I feel inspired here. I wish it was bigger...we are growing...slowly but surely.

I told TH that my business strategy is to build my little luxury textiles company into a huge national lifestyle brand. He liked our little space and said it was "stylish"...he told me that I should continue along the path I am on.  He said I am laying good ground work.  Was very good to get some encouragement. I've been making up my entrepreneurial plan along the way...it was good to hear from somebody who knows business that I am building a good foundation.   First a blog, then a luxury textiles company, then...

We'll see...to get to where I want to go, I'm sure I will spend lots more late nights at these little offices, lots more elbow grease will be used up, and lots more risk taking to come.  Exciting...scary...living my dream really.

In the meantime before all of the hard work ahead...I'm just enjoying the simple things...a little glow and a little sparkle in the COCOCOZY headquarters office on the eve of wonderful holiday season.

I like.

Here is a glimpse into my world.

(Sorry for the blurry pictures...I took them with my phone!)

This is our main conference table...where we get a lot of business done! (above)

Blurry photo of the sparkling lights outside our COCOCOZY headquarters office window...right in the center of Beverly Hills! (above)

Just to note...COCOCOZY textiles started out of my house...for over a year, I had all of our textiles and business functions based out of my little tiny cottage in the Hollywood Hills.  Now we are in about 45 stores around the country, have several license deals, and we are in great fabric showrooms around the country.  Last year,  during the summer, we moved into these offices.  Baby steps! One foot in front of the other.  Step by step!

I am still decorating the office and will give you a better glimpse in the future...but we are building!

Thanks to CM and NG for keeping COCOCOZY HQ so neat and orderly.  Looks great guys!

We'll add some subtle holiday decor into the mix over the next few weeks...will share with you all definitely.

Happy Friday!

xo
Coco

Photos in this post by Coco of COCOCOZY

WEEKEND PHOTO!

My friend SB gave me this gorgeous pink Phalaenopsis orchid. So sweet of her but totally unnecessary. I got tickets to a t.v. show taping for her and her kids and other family members.  Getting the tickets was absolutely no problem.  I loved her wonderful thank you note. I thought that was sufficient...but then a day later we got this GORGEOUS flowering plant at COCOCOZY Headquarters in Beverly Hills. So sweet of her.

Anyhoooo...this is my weekend photo. The orchid at dusk in a window at our office. Love the pink flower against the green ficus tree back drop.

My weekend photo!

Happy weekend!

xo
Coco

THIS OR THAT: SPOT ON CHAIR VIGNETTES!

Same animal print spotted wallpaper two very different chairs and looks.  Which do you prefer.

One chair vignette is a bright turquoise blue faux bamboo fretwork chair loaded up with fab fashion books and a stack of magazines in the home of interior designer Tiffany Richey.

The other scene is in interior designer Meredith Heron's design office and features a black leather Louis XVI side chair, black bookshelf complete with a carved stone bust.

Does one of these vignettes appeal to you more?  Which might you prefer in your home?

Thibaut - Tanzania Wallpaper - $72 per roll  (black and off white spots. Animal print wall covering)(above)

Oh...by the way...I am LOVING this Thibaut wallpaper.  So wonderful.  Am totally not an animal print or animal spots girl...but I LOVE this wallpaper.  Can you tell I am obsessing over wallpaper lately?  Might have to branch into that next for COCOCOZY!

Let me know in the comments below...which chair picture is perfect for you? I would love to hear your thoughts. I'm leaning towards the bright turquoise chair against the spotted wall but am not sure.

Happy Wednesday!

xo
Coco

P.S.  UH OH - After 3.5 months out of my house due to construction for water damage...I was supposed to move back in this weekend!  Woohooo!  Right?  Wrong.  We of course had a little snafu.  A big snafu really!  The wood floor stain on the brand new wood floors is not at all right. I wanted a light gray floor but instead I got a weird putty color with yellowing varnish showing.  Needless to say...I wasn't happy...so today...the floor guy is back at the house...re-sanding the floors and will try at it again.  Here's a look at the floors in my bedroom that now need to be redone AGAIN.  Oy vey.  Look, I recognize, there could be a lot worse things that happen to me so I am taking this all in stride.  We are doing several samples.  Last time the guy only showed me sample with one coat of varnish...he put 3 coats on and I think a lot of the yellow from the white oak came through.  My neighbor JH came over yesterday during our "floor meeting" with the contractor and the floor guy...she is an expert in decorative finishes...so that helped.  We'll see!  They said it would take 4 or 5 days extra.  Keeping fingers crossed!

This is my bedroom in my tiny cottage in the Hollywood Hills - the floors are not quite the right color - back to the drawing board (above)

P.P.S. To leave on a positive note...had a great conference call with JP, AR and AR today discussing the marketing and p.r. for my partnership with them...they are the people we made the 500 pillows for...a major fashion brand that we are collaborating with this summer.  It all is very exciting.  Will tell you more soon.  They are really nice and we had a fun conversation.


Photo: MASH by Tiffany; Meredith Heron blog

MY NEW NAVY LOUIS CHAIR - COCOCOZY OFFICE DECORATING!

Here's a new addition to COCOCOZY Headquarters (HQ) in Beverly Hills!  A side chair with an oval back upholstered with my own fabric from the COCOCOZY fabric collection.  A little navy chair.  At first I wasn't sure I liked it but now I'm loving it!

My little tiny tiny office is starting to come together!

I went with a dark blue matte finish for the chair and chose navy COCOCOZY Logo linen on the front and COCOCOZY Fence in navy on the back.  The dull matte finish is a nice contrast to the glossy white desk I think and my vintage brass Stiffel lamp.

The Louis Side Chairs is from Ballard.  Ballard's p.r. people asked me to customize my own chair earlier this fall.  So I did. I chose the fabric from our collection and the color, CM who runs operations at COCOCOZY sent the fabric to them and just yesterday Jenn West (aka JW) who assists at COCOCOZY HQ took these photos (great photos JW!) with the huge NSR camera I bought last year that I never use.  Well it got put to good use yesterday. &nbsp

What do you think of our little office addition?  Like or dislike?

Happy Thursday!

xo

Coco

P.S.  Am blogging this morning from my sister DS's warm comfy house after my unplanned move out of my cold water damaged house yesterday.  Feel very lucky to have a cute sweet nice older sister (she is 10 months older than me) who told me as I moved several huge suitcases into her house, "this is your home".  Mr. Boo, my dog, is also here.  He's welcomed too but if he chews anything up he will have literally worn out his welcome.  Watch it Mr. Boo. (see yesterday's post if you don't know what happened)

P.P.S.  My mom has been so fantastic through this whole thing.  She knows I've been stressed but she continues to give good advice about solving the problem.

P.P.P.S.  I mentioned silver linings yesterday.  In the middle of the move, one of my moving guys said to me..."Lady, how old are you?".  I asked, "How old do you think."  He said, "Oh maybe 19, 20 or 21".  This nice moving guy made my day!  I'd like to point out that he said this at the beginning of the 7 hour moving odyssey...and while I was tapping my feet and looking at my watch the whole time and I even started loading boxes and furniture, this moving guy's age comments worked.  Somehow, I was not at all annoyed that a 4 hour move turned into a 7 hour ordeal.  Flattery will get you everywhere!

P.P.P.P.S.  Thank you for all of your nice emails about my house...you are so sweet.  I will be more than fine.  As I said, this is merely an inconvenience...a hiccup in life...a very challenging hiccup...but a hiccup.  Seeing the news of all of the families mourning in Newtown has helped me keep great perspective over the last few days.  Again, my thoughts, condolences and deepest sympathies go out to them.

P.P.P.P.P.S.  Must go buy storage today for sis DS's house...I brought so much stuff over...if I don't organize it, I will wear out my welcome I'm sure!!!

P.P.P.P.P.P.S.  TE is leaving today for a week. He is going to Europe to see his family. In the middle of all my house craziness chaos, last night we managed to exchange Christmas presents.  He is so sweet.  He got me something for the vacation we're taking next week. Was nice taking a breather from construction and moving to enjoy the holiday.  We're going to Beaver Creek for New Years.  We'll stay with best of friend FF and her family in their huge home and then we'll go to a resort for 3 days.  Can't wait.

P.P.P.P.P.P.P.S. UPDATE ON COCOCOZY LUCITE TRAYS - Not too late to order these trays before the holiday or as a Christmas gift, a present for yourself or housewarming gift. We have them back in stock and can overnight ship to you so they make it in time!

FABRIC SAMPLES FOR NEW 2013 COCOCOZY COLLECTION ARRIVE AT OFFICE!

Photos in this post by Coco of COCOCOZY

A stack of new 2013 fabric samples sits on the conference table at COCOCOZY Headquarters in Beverly Hills. (above)

So I went over to COCOCOZY Headquarters (HQ) in Beverly Hills earlier this week before work...to check out and photograph our 2013 new fabric samples!

I was so thrilled when CM who runs all things operations called me and told me JW had picked up the fabric from the workshop where we have all of my designs printed.

Have been working on these designs over the last few months - drawing, photographing, working with graphic designer to realize them in digital files, fretting, being unsure, making decisions and then spending the money to have all made - after all of that, it is always so fun to see the designs that I dreamed up come together as actual textiles!

Can't reveal just yet as we will show the 2013 collection for the first time in Atlanta in January and in New York in late January/early February. This will be a new line of pillows called COCOCOZY Light...a little more affordable hopefully than our luxury linen collection...but still on brand with everything else I've designed for the collection and that have become standard to the "COCOCOZY look".

As with all of our pillows, the new collection is made in the U.S. from imported fabrics (I design, print, sew, and assemble here in the United States but the base raw cloth we use is imported).  Not that you care but interesting to note, for labeling purposes according to the Federal Trade Commission (I called a nice person at the FTC and asked him what we need to say on our labels) - our labels say "Made in the U.S.A.  from imported fabrics" for our pillows.  Our cotton knit throws are just Made in the U.S.A.

There a few designs in the new COCOCOZY Light 2013 bunch that feel somewhat different than anything else I've designed over the last few years - best of friend AM had some notes on one of the patterns because she worries it feels like such a departure from what I've done in the past. She's 100%  right by the way but I'm going to take the risk and see what people think!

Anyhoooo...so I took these photos shown here one morning this week at 8a at COCOCOZY HQ. This is the stack of strike offs which are 1-3 yard samples of the new COCOCOZY designs.  If you look closely you might get a glimpse of what's to come in the new year!

Would like to thank CM and JW who work at COCOCOZY....because when I brought the new designs in...they weighed in on which they liked and which should remain on the cutting room floor...we narrowed it down to about 7 that I am happy with...we'll see what you think.

Here's a close up of all the 2013 COCOCOZY Light designs folded with the designs concealed...but you can see just a bit if you look closely! (above)

I am looking forward to all there is to come in 2013.  Is there anything you are looking forward to revealing next year?

Happy Friday!

xo
Coco

P.S.  Our COCOCOZY Logo Lucite trays have been a hit.  We now are sold out...but will be accepting pre-orders that will ship after 12/19/12.  We are going to offer express shipping in case you need it by Christmas.

Photos in this post by Coco of COCOCOZY

MY FOUND BOTANICALS! (AND A SNEAK PEEK OF OUR NEW OFFICE FURNITURE)

All photos in this post by Coco of COCOCOZY

So...was rummaging through some closets in my tiny cottage in the Hollywood Hills this past long weekend...not really cleaning anything out...really just rummaging...looking for stuff...I actually was looking for some stories I had written years ago about my Grandmother.  While rummaging, I happened upon these...

They are botanical prints  that I bought in London maybe 8 years ago.  I bought them at the Portobello Market in Notting Hill while wandering through the market with some friends.  They were about $10-$25 USD each and one of them has "circa 1870" penciled in by the merchant on the back.   If it is true, they are antiques.

I bought these botanicals, brought them back the U.S. to be framed, put them on a counter I'm sure, and then into a closet for safe keeping and then tah dah here they are...years later.

I chose this plant and flower prints for their colors. I liked the tropical plants...the palm tree is my favorite and then I loved the bright orange red color of the mums and the soft yellow of the Acacia flower.

Such a fun surprise to find these pretties...tucked away in a closet...treasure hunting at home I guess!

Which of these do you like? How would you group together on a wall? Do you like botanical prints in home decor or as art? Do tell.

I will get these framed. The question is what kind of frame to put them in? The other thing I was thinking is that I could have them pressed inside a lucite coffee table tray or something...hmmm...thinking... Help!

Happy Thursday!

xo
Coco

P.S. COCOCOZY HQ Office Furniture Update - We got some more furniture yesterday at COCOCOZY HQ in Beverly Hills - 2 huge book cases and a desk were delivered yesterday afternoon! Have been waiting for 12 weeks for this furniture to arrive.  I picked out these pieces back in June or May I think...and because we wanted some customization as far as colors it took 3 months for the items to arrive.  It was a game of patience waiting for these goodies.   We also got a cool outdoor table from France a few weeks ago (it is not shown here) and that is our main conference table.  Went straight to COCOCOZY HQ after work last night to see our newest office furniture.  I immediately took these blurry pictures. Reminder...the office is small small small...the furniture just came yesterday...nothing has been put on shelves...nothing has been styled...but I think we'll be able to work with these new pieces.  I like them! Again, sorry for the blurry pictures...it was getting dark outside and the light was low.

Wood desk that arrived yesterday with custom white lacquer and one of my brass vintage Stiffel lamps. (above)

One of the super tall cases I had custom painted for the COCOCOZY HQ...just came in yesterday so we have to figure out our storage bin situation right away. (above and below)

The COCOCOZY HQ is oh so tiny...we now have to get rid of the temporary furniture we've been using -- you can see a bit of it here on the bottom right. (above)

P.P.S. We are still waiting on a few more pieces but wanted to share the latest. Most people who are smart and coy only share the before and after....I can never wait that long...so does that make me not smart and not coy?  Over Sharing Syndrome (OSS) kicking in as usual!! Wooohoooo....! Let me know what you think.



All photos in this post by Coco of COCOCOZY

COLOR WATCH: MINT & GOLD!

A hallway of doors and mirrors with mint walls and gold decorative molding! (above)

I am obsessed with mint colored things this summer for some reason.  So drawn to it that earlier this year I designed a mint colored pillow for the COCOCOZY textiles collection - our COCOCOZY Arch Sea Foam pillow.  I am considering buying a pair of mint sandals for my summer travels too.  I'm a mintaholic right now...help?

Loving mint combined with gold.  That's the combo of the day for today's COLOR WATCH!

Made by Girl - Love Candy Print - $35 (16"x20" letter press print in mint and gold) (above)

A bedroom with mint walls and gold Moroccan poufs at the end of the bed. (above)

Anthropologie - Viscid Watch - $58 (above)

What do you think of this color combination?  Do you like or dislike?  What do you think of mint?  Any color you are obsessing over this summer?

Happy Monday!

xo
Coco

P.S.  Happy and sad to report that I spent yesterday working...happy to have gotten a lot done...sad that I was working on such a beautiful gorgeous Sunday here in Los Angeles.  I was over at COCOCOZY HQ (again not really a headquarters...just two small rooms in a slightly shabby office (or errr vintage) building in Beverly Hills).  I don't get to spend much time working out of COCOCOZY HQ as I am working during the day at my regular job...and I haven't really been able to go at night because I had them take out the not so pretty office lighting that was in the office when we got it...and just on last Thursday we  finally put up our own mercury glass pendant lights over the temporary conference table.  Am also still waiting on lots of furniture, lighting, window coverings and office accessories...all on order and expected to arrive at the end of August...the loot includes a cool table from France. Until then we are using temporary tables and shelves.  We have some new chairs I like, some pendant lights (still looking for a chandelier for the front room), and we had our sewing room make a huge drape in COCOCOZY Logo gray that hangs across the front room to conceal storage...the drapes are hanging from a track on the ceiling.  Anyhoooooooo...all of this to say the office still isn't done...but it was fun getting to work out of there yesterday.  C & E who are working out of the office seem to be okay with the slow decorating progress and say they like it and the location.  One step at a time...I guess. Want this to be done soon...but must have patience I guess!

Sneak peak progress report - COCOCOZY HQ only 1/4th done - Using a temporary table and missing lots of furniture, accessories and window coverings...but have gray hardwood floors, chairs, COCOCOZY Logo fabric and cute pendant lights.  Waiting on permanent conference table, a fretwork desk, huge display shelves, some vintage lamps, a chandelier for the front room, roman shades and so much more...oy vey...just stressed myself out! (above)

Before COCOCOZY -  Before we moved in, the office  had weird office lighting, vertical blinds, and carpeting.

P.P.S.  Check out COCOCOZY Pinterest to see some of the furniture and lighting I am considering for the office...and let me know what you think.  Any suggestions?

P.P.P.S.  Once we get all of the permanent furniture and I've put the on the finishing touches, I will do a big photo shoot and reveal what the COCOCOZY HQ office looks like sometime in the fall.

P.P.P.P.S.  Happy Monday!


Photos: Annie Schlechter; Leann Thornton Designs

COTTAGE CASUAL!

I like this upstate New York cottage from interior designer Shawn Henderson.  Comfy, cozy, understated, fitting for the setting. Love the living room with the exposed beamed ceiling and the wood furniture with the ticking stripe cushions. And then there is the copper tub in the master bath...love that.

I would call this cottage well edited.  Definitely gives off the vibe of being a outside of the city country home with out screaming "I am a country cottage".  i would like to spend a weekend getaway here!

What do you think of this cottage home?  Like or dislike?  My favorite room is the living room.  Which do you like best.

Happy Thursday!

xo
Coco

P.S. Tomorrow, I am going to bring you a tour of a new cute little vintage shop I discovered this past weekend here in Los Angeles.

P.P.S.  Am about to go sign a lease on some very very small office space for COCOCOZY today.  Just need a new place for my operations assistant and possible intern to work out of during business hours.  The office is small small small, it is in a shabby older building but in a good location (right in the heart of Beverly Hills).  The owner says he'll put in new hardwood floors for me.  There is also room for expansion in the building if I need more space.  It is only about 400 square feet of space and has a strange partition with louvered windows in it too.  It is in a great location - near my day job office - so I could easily pop by during lunch if I had to.  We're currently working in a space that will not do and I have to move COCOCOZY business offices as soon as possible.  This tiny tiny office is very expensive for the size because of where it is located. Does the rule about location, location, location apply to office space too?  What would you do?  Tiny offices in a shabby building in Beverly Hills or slightly bigger offices in who knows what kind of building elsewhere?  Should I wait or sign?  We are not doing a showroom yet...hopefully that will come in 2013...this is just a place for my peeps to work out of during the day.  Argggghhhhhhh.  My appointment is at 3pm with the lease office.  Help.  Here are some pictures.

A view of part of the small office space in Beverly Hills. (above and below)

P.P.P.P.S.  Wish I had pictures of other options.  I went to look at a space in the Pacific Design Center (PDC).  The space at the PDC had low ceilings and no windows and it totally made me feel claustrophobic.  It was larger than this tiny space for sure but had no windows...yikes.  The pros of this tiny space in Beverly Hills are that it is centrally located, there are windows that look right onto Beverly Drive (a block from Rodeo), it has windows that open and it has light.  It is small small small small for the money though.  Oh dear. I have a huge decision making problem.  Help.

P.P.P.P.P.S.  Would look forward though to decorating this small space though.  Have ideas for a cute work space already.

P.P.P.P.P.P.S.  On another note, SM is so fabulous...she is working on some great things for COCOCOZY that I'll be able to squawk about later this year.  Very excited.  Will also tell you who SM is at a later date as well!

P.P.P.P.P.P.P.S.  Have a great day! xo