backyard beauty

check out photojournalist peter bennett's new blog, citizen of the planet.  he takes us through a journey of what he sees around him in los angeles and promises to entertain while educating us.  his images are stunning and remind me of the beauty around me as well as my place in this natural world.  thanks peter!

peter documented the junk raft that navigated from long beach to hawaii which took 10 weeks plus making the boat out of 15,000 plastic bottles and an airplane fuselage.

he also captured the LA river expedition in 2008 to help spread awareness that there's even a 55 mile river running through LA and that it's not protected by the EPA because they deem is not navigable.  LA was settled here because of this river.  imagine a thriving river for which LA is known, something of which we are proud rather than being embarrassed.

natural inspiration

thanks to luxe interiors + design magazine, i learned about an incredibly inspiring artist, rex ray, on p55.

the san francisco-based artist creates whimsical and colorful art and graphic design.
he describes his work as digitally inspired, craft-based neo-modernism.

i love his art and knowing that he spent years in colorado in the mountains, hiking and photographing the natural world which he believes had a profound effect on his imagery.

and i just found out on his new blog, that he's designing carpets with samad!  

thank you for brightening our world!

locally made and luscious!

i knew from the moment i first saw this hand-blown glass lighting in person years ago at a trade show, that these were special.  the lindsey adelman studio in ny continues to push well beyond the creative box and create exquisite lighting.  check out the latest creation below.

 clients can essentially create a custom fixture by choosing glass color and technique plus hardware details.  

clearly inspired by natural wonders like the white coral below from her studio where she displays other corals.

lindsey also makes beautiful art with actual hair!  she adheres it to the sticky side of a sticker or archival tape. lindsey has received awards and her work has appeared in such magazines as elle decor and town & country.

eco means color!

colorful treats from palecek

how cool are these?  a plethora of colors and so eco-friendly!

non-toxic, water-based, meets highest air quality standards in the US and made in CA!

eco wallpaper is gorgeous!

thanks again to madison & grow for donating this beautiful wallpaper which absolutely made my adopted room a success. thanks again and thanks for posting on your facebook page.

the eco fabulous tunic i'm wearing is linda loudermilk!

stay tuned for photos of the presidential suite i'm completing at casa del mar!

more visual treats

also, from ford & ching, rs barcelona, a detail of a large square ottoman upholstered

with wide red elastic bands wrapping it like a gift - so clever!

this is a folding screen that is just exquisite, even the shadow it casts on the floor.

impressive treasures at ford & ching

last week i attended a spring cocktail party at the ford & ching furnishings and fashion showroom in downtown la at the historic kimsing theatre. as always, there were fabulous finds including many with eco-friendly elements.

i got to meet one of the furniture designers, george bergere of go build studio. this dresser is zebrawood made with sustainable veneer harvested from plantation-raised poplar trees.

this next item caught my eye because of its beautiful wood finish. geneva sound systems creates a unique and more effective speaker solution eliminating the need for 2 separate speakers.

skram furniture are responsible for this cool cork stool.

samuel moyer crafts these tripod stools out of offcuts of various species.

eric clayton's striking coffee table is made with reclaimed poplar table with a recycled steel base.

ango's rattan and steel pendant.