Archive for the ‘Lectures’ Category

Martyn Lawrence Bullard Wins Big

Tuesday, October 26th, 2010

I knew the stakes had been raised at the PDC last Monday night when I walked across the lobby and saw a red carpet with  Sharon Osbourne and no less than 20 cameras flashing their bulbs.  It was Marty’s big night, DESIGNER OF THE YEAR, hosted by the PDC and brand new Andrew Martin, super chic, buy off the floor showroom. 

Everyone was there to congratulate Martyn and PARRRRTEH, including Taylor Dayne (who still has PIPES) and Downtown Julie Brown.  I got so excited during Tell It To My Heart, that I jumped on stage with hunky Martyn and boogied my bootie.   Bravo’s new show Million Dollar Decorator was filming, so let’s “Watch What Happens” and see if I make it to the episode.  Big night, big party, big award and great, big, talented, sweet man.  Congrats.

A few days later I spoke at the Solargy showroom opening party in Tarzana.  The first of its kind in Los Angeles, it’s a good looking showroom room filled with energy effiicient solutions for residential and commercial buildings. My favorite was the HVAC system that has an automated humidifier for those dry winter nights.  And designers, co-owner Gabrielle  is quite the charmer. Make sure to book your tour with him.

Immediately after I popped into the Jean De Merrry Party to talk about my book, say hi to everyone and see Mike Ragan’samazing fabric display.  The Melrose Place showroom is breathtaking and I love the way they transformed the parking lot into a green paradise complete with fountain, sculpture and exquisite outdoor lanterns. I’d expect nothing less from Jean De Merry.

Rounding out the weekend, the SoCalContractor and I headed over toFabrik Magazine’s Arts District Art Walk and visited the studios of some of LA’s finest. Sculpture by David Hollen, Canvas by Robert Reynolds and Photography by Cyril Helnwein were all fantastic. The experience was entirely surreal going behind the concrete walls into studio spaces that were buzzing with energy and unbridled, urban beauty.   

DAVID HOLLEN

DAVID HOLLEN

ROBERT REYNOLDS

CYRIL HELNWEIN

 Beautiful blonde Italian, Gemma Sonego (architect, floral artist, collector of vintage furnishings) and little Elle Bell took a liking to each other and stayed side by side for the better part of our visit.  I fell in love with both her and her husband, Robert Renoylds and will be having them soon for a soiree on the West Side. 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Architecture and Design, Artists and Galleries, Events, Furniture, Green Living, Interior Designers, Lectures, Magazines, Public Speaking | 1 Comment »

Hollywood Regency Vs. Regency

Wednesday, October 6th, 2010

This morning at the Pacific Design Center architectural expert Virgil W. McDowell gave a lecture on the difference between Regency and Hollywood Regency.  Technical difficulties aside, it was a compelling session comparing the  two styles, exemplified in McDowell’s own architectural drawings, copious photographs and actual clips from old Hollywood movies starring dreamy Carey Grant (yum). 

 I just love it when eye candy is soooo educational!  

A Los Angeleno, McDowell finds inspiration in the work of legendary, Southern Californian architects like George Washington Smith, Wallace Neff, Paul R. Williams and Reginald D. Johnson.  Who wouldn’t ?

Immediately after the lecture I headed over to the ASID office for my interview of Tracy Murdock, January 2011covergirl for LA Design Magazine.  On a rainy LA day she was as glam as ever in her sparkly, leopard print, cashmere sweater from Neiman’s, a triple strand pearl choker and a pair of shiny black Channel rainboots.  When I asked her what places have inspired her during her travels, she told me she didn’t have to go anywhere to be inspired.  Books like  Memoires of a Geisha painted pictures in her mind that were a lot less expensive and time consuming than flying to Japan.  It reminded me of the interview I read on Laura Hunt who said she didn’t need to leave the United States to be inspired or find the best of the best.   

Green lesson learned this week: reduce your carbon footprint by staying home and reading. 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Architecture and Design, Artists and Galleries, Books, Interior Designers, Lectures | 1 Comment »

Fall Market 2010 at the Pacific Design Center

Sunday, September 26th, 2010

The day started at Baker with jazz and mimosas ,( BTW Audrey Hieb a big thank you for sending the Dwell feature on me.) followed by a kick-off,  keynote address discussing the New Face of Affluence. Something I’ve never seen before is Charles Cohen, owner of the PDC, welcoming everyone and introducing the day’s events.  I felt honored, but had to wonder if business is suffering somewhat for him to make an appearance to a less than standing room only crowd.

 Michela O’Conner, Dwell Media President;Frances Anderton, wunderkind reporter KCRW- – P.S. Frances I will not stop bugging you until you interview me on your show;  Jennifer Siegal, Office Of Mobile Design and Funky Williard Ford, Ford and Ching told us all about their experiences with the new affluent.  Basically they love Apple, the environment and will place  Ikea directly next to a rare antique.  MY PEOPLE!  I also got confirmation that my efforts on Facebook were worth the while, as 87% of “them” are using it.  Now, I liken the FB experience to having a phone number.  You’re simply out of touch without one.  Perhaps the most provoking part of the presentation was the comment from a woman in the audience who reminded us not to forget the design loving,  Chinese consumer, attending the EXPO in Shanghai to the tune of 46 million visitors.  Michela O’ Conner wholeheartedly agreed.  I owe a lot to that lady in the audience- my big public relations meeting the following day took on a whole new direction focusing also on China- NI HAO!

When the keynote ended, I was minding my own business when I walked down the hall by the new ASID office.  There sat the  past president, president and president elect who summonsed me in and told me I had been appointed Editor in Chief of LA Design Magazine, the chapters’ Quarterly. WTF?  So, now I’m an editor of a design magazine -pretty cool.  First order of business: CALLING ALL WRITERS: anyone who thinks they have something to contribute- – Hollah Back at me!

Other things at market that inspired me were the exhibit at Mya Stark’s pop up gallery featuring a massive collection of other people’s old photos.  I seriously wish I had a few hours to really look at all of them (there had to be thousands) because they really told a story of American history without saying a word- although some had some did have informative comments written on the back ranging from racy to ridiculous.  Greg Gorman’s A Distinct Vision was also among my favorites with striking, larger than life (literally) photography displayed along glass walls.   Get over there and take a look before they’re gone.

After a day full of informative programs Janus Et Cie threw… yet another fab party with killer appies, a stocked bar and hip deejay.  Unfortunately for them 3/4 of the regular crowd was gone.  Margaret Russell was up on the third floor throwin’ down one hell of a shin dig for Thomas Lavin’s  10th Anniversary. The SoCal Contractorwas VERY impressed with the Scotch selection, not an easy fete for a man who bar-tended in Scotland. I saw people I haven’t seen in ages including Keith Granet and Lloyd Princeton. I’ve known and loved Thomas from way back and was delighted to see all stars aligning for this wonderful man. Congrats TL, you really deserve it.

Thomas and Lori: Back in the Days Before I Needed Botox!

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Architecture and Design, Events, Interior Designers, Lectures, Magazines, Parties, Press | No Comments »

« Older Entries