ARTSY APARTMENT IN PARIS - ODE TO PIET MONDRIAN

A house that derives its style from a famous painter!  Interesting 2600 square foot apartment in Paris.  It is located in the 1st arrondissement overlooking the famed Louvre Museum.  Quite apropos to its location near arguably the most famous art museum in the world, the apartment seems to be themed after the work of early 20th century Dutch artist Piet Mondrian.  Mondrian was part of the De Stijl movement in art. Mondrian founded an abstract art style that he called "neoplasticism" - black lines and color blocks on white ground.

This apartment features lots of windows, black wall molding and window trim, and color blocked rooms in yellow, turquoise, white and hot pink.  In reality, the black moldings are the glue to this home's decor by Sarah LaVoine.

Piet Mondrian, Tableau 2, 1922, Oil on canvas. The Guggenheim Museum, NYC (above)

What do you think of this color block style?  Do you like it or would you just leave it for art or fashion?  Do tell.

Happy Monday!

xo
Coco

Photos: Sarah LaVoine Design; Guggenheim Museum

MODERN TRADITIONAL HAMPTONS BEDROOM

Pattern on pattern in this very lovely girly but sophisticated bedroom in the Hamptons designed by Kemble Interiors.  I don't know how to describe this style but I like it.  I think I will call it "Modern Traditional" - an oxymoron in name but when put into play the two styles definitely work!  Very traditional furniture - Queen Anne canopy bed, scalloped bench, the demi lune sofas, Gustavian side chairs and chintz upholstered slipper chair - juxtaposed with modern textiles and prints - with gray vine wallpaper, the wild chevron pattern rug and the dotted fabric pillows.  Yin and yang. Traditional yet modern.

My guy TE is very modern on his take on home furnishings...I have more of an eclectic style that incorporates modern pieces with time tested classics.  Wonder what TE would think of this girly master bedroom.  Hmmm... Is this a girl's girl room or could guys love it too?  Thinking on that.

Oh...did I mention the turquoise blue painted dome ceiling in the sitting area.  Love.

My favorite elements in this space are the wallpaper, the ceiling and the canopy bed.  What do you think?  Like all of the pattern play here?  Do comment below.

Happy Thursday!


xo
Coco

P.S. Press Alert! - Our Coco's Flower rug is featured in this month's HGTV magazine.  Good friend JH from the NYC area emailed me to say she saw it in a magazine!  I had no idea!  Was a thrill to see my rug design in print!  Wooohooo!!!!

COCOCOZY's very own Coco's Flower hand knotted Indo Tibetan wool rug featured in the Jan/Feb issue of HGTV Magazine! (above)

Photos: Kemble Interiors

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!!!

TASTE TEST CELEBRITY CHEF'S KITCHEN & BATH

This is celebrity chef Bobby Flay's kitchen and bath in his Hamptons home.  Two rooms...two very different styles.

Small bits of his summer home are featured on Elle Decor's website.  I chose two rooms with a bit of bold design to show you.

I was immediately attracted to the cement Moroccan tiles on the master bath floor.  Daring, whimsical and pretty I think.

Then there is the turquoise kitchen with a gray slate backsplash.  Not a room for the shy in decorating at all!  A cheerful conversation piece room for sure.

Turquoise blue kitchen in chef Bobby Flay and actress Stephanie March's Hamptons summer home. (above)

What do you think of either of these rooms?  Like or dislike?  What inspiration would you dare to take away from these spaces.  I want cement tile floors for sure in my bath...you?

Happy Tuesday!

xo
Coco

WEEKEND PHOTO - BLUE STAIRS

Fantastic sleek modern blue stairs.  I like.  A touch of playfulness added to the decor in this apartment.  Love these stairs.  Would consider doing something a little daring with stairs if I had a two story home. Would you?

Happy Saturday!

xo
Coco

Photo: Henrik Bonnevier

THIS OR THAT: MONOCHROMATIC FLOORS & DOMAINE HOME!

Got these images from Domaine Home...a new online interiors magazine website created by the founders of Who What Wear!



Domaine Home launched yesterday and it is just fantastic. This shelter website features lots of really beautiful images and ways to "Shop the Look". Can't wait to find a minute to sit down and browse through.

Found these two images there of solid color floors...one in an office and one a home. I like. The black painted wood floor above is so dramatic...while the turquoise floor (can't tell if it is wood) below is bright, cheerful and playful.

If you were going for color on your floors...which would you chose?

I think I might chose the black! I would pair it with lots of white clean line furniture and light blue and gray accents. Would look so cool!  Which would you pick?

Congrats to the Katherine, Hillary, Mika, Matt and Estee on the launch of Domaine Home! It looks awesome.

Happy Tuesday!

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

COLOR WATCH: BOLD BEDROOMS IN SHADES OF BLUE!

A blue bedroom.  Seems sort of standard right?   Well was browsing through New York interior designer Amanda Nisbet's portfolio and changed my mind about the use of  the word "standard" when associated with blue bedrooms!

Here are three rooms where blue is used boldly!

A navy and white bedroom with a bold striped upholstered headboard and roman shades trimmed in white has a nautical feel to it. (above)

Not sure if this bedroom is just straight light blue or if it has that hint of cornflower to it...wall to wall blue in this room works. (above)

Detail of tufted headboard, sconce with light blue shade and coordinating colored grasscloth wallpaper. (above)

Shades of turquoise stand out in this cheerful bedroom with its ikat chevron drapes and bright blue accents. (above) 

Which of these three bedrooms do you like the best?  I'm leaning towards the cornflower blue room but I always love navy and white too.  You?

Happy Tuesday!

xo
Coco

P.S.  I can't believe Christmas is next week. It is not too late to shop!   Head over to the COCOCOZY Shop to check out some of our gift items including our popular Lucite Trays, wonderfully scented COCOCOZY candles or our soothing Lavender Sachets...and if you can't decide just get someone a COCOCOZY Gift Card.

P.P.S.  Going on a little holiday soon...to Beaver Creek.  Need cute cold weather outfits.  Best of friend AM is going to Sun Valley for the holiday and she and I have been obsessing over all winter fashion from Moncler.  I love all Moncler jackets and coats.  GORGEOUS.  Never thought a ski jacket could look so chic.  Yesterday, AM just informed me that she got a Moncler jacket for Christmas from her hubby as an early gift over this past weekend!  Am happy for her...and dying for one for me!  Needless to say,  I won't be in Moncler for my ski weekend.  No time to shop for cute apres ski wear now due to the latest turn of events at my little tiny cottage in the Hollywood Hills!  See below!

P.P.P.S. Yesterday, I had a repair guy come over to look at some water damage in a wall. The day ended with several workers in demolition mode and my bedroom floor ripped up, holes in the wall and much more due to tons of water damage! Today they take out part of my bedroom walls and then I have decide if I am completely moving out to check the whole house. This is forcing me straight into deciding on my wood floors throughout the house! Expensive and means I am without a home for the next few weeks. Thankfully I have sis DS's house which is so nice. And TE was sweet offer me a place to stay too.

P.P.P.P.S. Needless to say, today I'm trying to figure out next steps on my sudden construction project. As I went into a panic yesterday at first, I had to put things into perspective when I remembered all of the poor families in Connecticut who are really challenged right now. Makes my little dilemmas so insignificant really. My thoughts, tears and condolences are so with those Newtown families. Really.

THIS OR THAT: BEDROOM WALLPAPER!

Hope you had a fabulous July 4th holiday! Now back to design!

Two bedrooms with a little something in common. Wallpaper.

Wallpaper is used on a feature wall behind the bed in each of the rooms. The styles are very different...one room is modern and sparse with cool gray and white tones...while the other room is more traditional with the use of bright green and turquoise.

Do you like the way wallpaper is used in these sleeping spaces? If so, which one do you prefer? These are the questions in today's THIS OR THAT!

I'm going to have to go with room #1. You?

Happy Thursday!

xo
Coco

P.S. Check out COCOCOZY Twitter to see where I spent the 4th.

P.P.S. Also, make sure to follow me on Instagram...you can see the vintage brass Stiffel lamps I just had rewired and that I think I will use at COCOCOZY HQ offices.

Photos: Stadshem; David Kleinberg

THIS OR THAT: OUTDOOR LOUNGING!

A gorgeous city balcony outdoor living room with plenty of comfy cushions and gorgeous views. (above)

Ahhh...summer is here. Yesterday marked the official beginning of summer and I am thrilled. I plan to spend the summer working during the day and in my free time I'll be working some more (such is the life having 2 full time things going on).  I do also plan to spend some down time though with friends and family (although I'm missing the family trip to Paris this year which also includes a jaunt over to Morocco...so sad I am missing out...!!!!). I also plan to spend a lot of time outside...soaking in the good weather, entertaining hopefully on my deck, taking a little time at the beach and for nice walks up and down the hills (some would call it hiking...I call it walking). Now don't get me wrong...I am not an "outdoors woman"...I will not be climbing Kilimanjaro, or biking from Los Angeles to SF, or competitive sailing...but I will be outside...doing some activities and doing a lot of lounging.

Here are three outdoor spaces where I'd be happy to lounge. They are all in homes and they all say "Come put your feet up here!". Which of these three outdoor living areas would be your ideal summer outdoor spot at home...?

A double wide backyard garden chaise lounge with striped cushions looks like an inviting spot. (above)

A modern pool area lounge with bright turquoise cushions matches the bright blue pool! (above)

Hmmm...let me see which do I like best?  I love the city setting with the marvelous views but I think I love the backyard garden the best with the double wide lounge...very cozy I think.

Which of these outdoor lounging areas do you prefer?  City, garden or poolside?  Where will you be spending most of your summer?

Happy Friday!

xo
Coco


Photos: Brian J. McCarthy; Windsor Smith; Tracey Overbeck Stead