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When A Stranger Comes Knocking, Open the Door, It Could Be CSA

Lori — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:48:43 +0000

Lately I’ve been watching a work colleague show up with all sorts of unusual fruits and veggies for lunch, discussing things like how to cook fennel what to do with turnips . So I inquired, “Sara, why do you keep buying things you don’t even know how to make?” She told me,” it’s from CSA. ” For those of you who haven’t heard, CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. Basically, it’s a bunch of local farms keeping it old school by delivering in-season, non-toxic produce to your doorstep.

Now, as much as I’m an advocate for having an edible garden, yields are sometimes lacking and the weekly produce run to Trader Joes or the farmer’s market is still a reality. It was fortituous when a stranger with a daisy in her hair showed up, knocking at my door last night. She was from CSA. Although there have been a few robberies in my upscale neighborhood lately and my very good, but very paranoid friend was over for dinner and was vehemently opposed to talking to the unannounced stranger, I opened the door, invited her in, signed up immediately and sent her on her way with a jar of my now famous, homemade fig jam.

I am all for the CSA warriors in their crusade against corporate greed and the systematic poisoning of our population via chemical laden, unseasonable, non-nutritious ”fruits and vegetables” shipped from thousands of miles away and picked at the height of not ripeness.

Anyone who knows me, knows I grew up without much. When we did buy fresh produce, it was always what was in season, only because it was abundant and therefore, cheap. But there’s something to eating what is in season and nature has a funny way of giving us exactly what we need, when we need it. The CSA works the same way. You get a weekly or bi-weekly package with seasonal, local and fresh surprises. Because they send what is abundant in their field, it’s affordable. I thrown down $60 plus a week for organic fruits and veggies at Trader Joes or farmer’s markets. CSA is half that.

My first shippment comes next week. I can’t wait to see what I’ll get. Bring on the turnips and kale (good thing they come with suggested receipes). I’ve got a sense of adventure and one hot husband who can cook in the kitchen too!

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L’Occitane Ladies First

Lori — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 19:55:50 +0000

As far as body products go, if I wouldn’t eat it, I wouldn’t wear it. Olive Oil is pretty much my go to product for body, face, eye make-up remover, hair and cuticle conditioner and anything in need of moisture. Olive oil is cheap, non-toxic and it works. But there is one brand for which I will make an exception and splurge, L’Occitane.

I always loved the smell, the feel, the metal tube and the fact that it came from France. ( Doesn’t everything French seem more luxurious?) It’s also non-toxic made of mostly shea butter and almond, lavender and coconut extracts. But I just learned that since 2006 L’Occitane has been working hard at doing good in Burkina Faso, providing literacy and micro-credit programs to foster economic development for the women of this African country.

A new limited edition collection with packaging inspired by traditional African graphics, celebrating regional tribes, is an homage to the women who grow the ultranourishing shea butter- the heart of the L’Occitane lines.

Twenty dollars for a tube of hand cream that supports women (who just want to support themselves) is a pretty inexpensive luxury in today’s economy. That combined with pair of Tom’s shoes could give real meaning to “giving” this coming holiday season.

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The Los Angeles Interior Designer – Celebrity and Cinema

Lori — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 23:10:38 +0000

What is it about the Los Angeles Interior Designer that is so captivating?

When your daily drive includes views of the Hollywood sign, when the guy sweating next to you in yoga class is David Duchovny, when your client dresses Angelina Jolie, when you are surrounded by film crews, set designers, writers and producers at every turn… you realize you simply can not escape the glow of the silver screen. It forces the Los Angeles designer to create and compete with multi-million dollar productions and events that mesmorize the entire world. Everything is magnified in High Def, and the Los Angeles interior designer constantly responds by inventing new ways to impress. And if you want to rise to the top of the pack in Los Angeles, you must add acting to your list of design services.

It’s exciting to watch winners Martyn Lawrence-Bullard and Kelly Wearstler transform from mere interior designers to bonafide celebrities. And I can’t wait to do the same!

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The Simple Pleasures are the Ultimate Luxury

Lori — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 20:01:06 +0000

I’ve just returned from an idyllic trip in the Cotswolds, the English Countryside. A great part of my trip was working for Volvo, “recording luxury through my eyes”. (In the works, the ultimate, luxury SUV.)

ELLENBOROUGH PARK HOTEL

ELLENBOROUGH PARK DINING ROOM

RANGE ROVING AROUND THE COUNTRY

We stayed in fabulous Ellenborough Park in Cheltenham Spa and drove the sheep dotted, rolling green, hilly terrain in a Vouge Edition Land Rover, visiting charming villages, castles and palaces. Breakfast served on freshly pressed linen, china by the Queen’s designer and formal attention from Sandro, our Italian maitre d, began each day. It could not have been more pleasant. But I noticed I was most impressed by the simple things, like yogurt served in ceramic jars and water in glass bottles instead of plastic. And the bald, old, tire swing in the front “yard” overlooking the manor and the Cheltenham Horse Track, brought immense joy to husband, daughter and me.

TIRE SWING AT ELLENBOROUGH PARK

LA FERMIERE YOGURT IN CERAMIC JARS

Visiting stone clad, charming villages and cities with their fine cathedrals, manors, historical treasures, castles, palaces and more palaces was, of course, delightful, even surreal. But it was the little things like the candy shop displays, glimpses of a dragon or two and the way the sun glowed against the buildings, warming us at the end of a chilly day that felt like slices of heaven cake.

BLENHEIM PALACE

GLOUCESTER CATHEDRAL

CLIVEDEN

FANCY SWEETS

WHAT A DISPLAY

WHIMISICAL DRAGONS

THE SUN ON THE GLORIOUS CRESCENT IN BATH

So the lesson is, at home or away, look out for the small things that make you smile. They are the truest luxuries in your life. Of course if you have the miles or can afford it, going first class doesn’t suck either!

VIRGIN UPPER CLASS- FULL RECLINE BABY!

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Time for a Big Girl Bed

Lori — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 18:29:29 +0000

Anyone close to a toddler is familiar with the big boy/girl bed right of passage. In an effort to minimize the “shock of the move”, a big deal is made out the bed, bedding, pillows, their design and decoration. With the best of intentions, brand new mattresses, bedding and pillows are purchased- chock full of toxins.

What people might not realize is that one of the best things you can give your child (and yourself) is a truly clean place to sleep and rejuvenate at night. The space should include organic materials- free of pesticides and toxic petrochemicals.

Here’s how I did it.

Step 1. Find a kick-ass head board that someone decided to put out for the trash man.

Step 2. Paint in non-toxic color that coordinates with your scheme.

Step 3. Design a fun bedding set with organic cotton fabric.

Step 4. Sew away.

Step 4. Enjoy

In this endeavor I was also happy to learn about Naturepedic. They make one of the best twin mattresses I’ve encountered. In addition to being made of high quality, organic materials that will last until college, it’s ultra comfortable and has 2 sides. One side is plush, organic cotton and the other still comfortable but it’s pee-pee proof so the matress isn’t destroyed during middle of the night accidents. It’s also hypoallergenically designed to protect against dust mites.

FYI- all these steps will work with adults beds too.

Sweet Dreams!

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An Eco-Friendly Shampoo That Actually Works

Lori — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 21:52:34 +0000

After searching for over five years and spending upwards of $30 a bottle on recipes that left my hair lifeless, I’ve finally found an eco-friendly shampoo that works.

As if a 92% biodegradable formula containing no silicons, no dye, no parabens and a 50% post consumer recycled plastic bottle weren’t enough, Garnier Fructis’ Pure Clean is infused with antioxidant Acerola Berry.

My hair looks and feels great- no Seinfeld low flow shower hair. To top it off, all 25 ounces sell for under $7.

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Well, West Elm’s Figured it Out

Lori — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 20:54:30 +0000

In the mid-priced budget, there’s less and less need for a professional designer when retailers like West Elm have nailed a look that reflects a well lived and traveled life.

Have you seen their latest catalogue? It looks like they robbed Nathan Turner’s shop to be able to offer their latest items at such affordable prices. Add that West Elm is at the forefront of pushing retail one step further to help sustainable products go mainstream as a growing number of their items are 100% green and there’s little reason go elsewhere.

For years I’ve been teaching designers and the public about eco-friendly and healthy resources. Lately my push has been for awareness of the people who make the goods we buy. West Elm’s latest partnership is with Aid to Artisans. I’m terribly impressed that a huge retailer has realized a way to profit and create economic opportunities for artisan groups around the world.

This season they are focusing on All India Artisans and Craftworkers Welfare Association. The Indian women’s yarn co-op creates one of a kind, hand loomed and hand woven pillow and throws without the use of any electricity. Pieces from Stray Dog Designs can also be found at West Elm. Stray Dog Designs has been an enormous part of pre and post Haitian Earthquake artisan commerce among a lengthy, charitable, corporate agenda .

With Certified 100% Organic Cotton textiles for bedding and bath, FSC certified furniture and accessories that are rapidly renewable, reclaimed or recycled, chic and totally within your budget, West Elm has NAILED IT.

Add the new collaboration with A-List Design partners like Allegra Hicks, Benjamin Moore and David Stark and it’s clear that West Elm has made the taste for champagne on a beer entirely possible.

I’m not saying you’ll be able to pass their furniture on to future generations, but clearly West Elm understands a green, triple bottom line. They’ve got great style and you can feel good (physically, socially, mentally) about what you buy from them.

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Oysters and Gowanus Canal

Lori — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 23:53:15 +0000

When I think of oysters, glamorous appetizers, champagne and the resulting amorous night ahead flood my mind. When I think of urban canals, especially Gowanus in Brooklyn, I can literally smell the stench of sewage filled waterways. In my experience dilapidated waterways and oysters are no match. Good thing Kate Orff thought otherwise.

Gowanus Canal Brooklyn, New York

America’s leader in upcycling industrial wastelands (think High Line Park), fabulous New York City is the breeding ground for one more brilliant idea. Known as “oyster-tecture”, Kate Orff, founder and partner of Scape/Landscape Architecture , paired oysters and the dirty canal like Felix and Oscar and consequently has one huge hit on her hands. The problem: a polluted bay. The solution: Oyster thrive while simultaneously filtering the dirtiest of waterways. In fact, one oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day. Imagine what an entire farm could do.

When Orff approached the locals and Port Authority with her plan to transform the canal into an oyster nursery, creating a clean and dynamic new form of ecological life, their response was, “why didn’t we think of this sooner?”

It’s the simple things (and solutions) in life that are sometimes the most worthwhile. Savoring oysters from the Gulf Coast to France’s Atlantic, it’s nice to know they satiate my appetite for cleanliness too.

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Top Interior Designers Selected for Greystone Mansion Showcase

Lori — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 00:13:28 +0000

Getting ready to settle into a relaxing Fourth of July weekend, I kicked back and opened the latest issue of LUXE. Then I saw it, my name in the first, official ad for the Greystone Mansion Showcase House. What a way to start the holiday!

LUXE Maison de Luxe has chosen over 20 top leading designers from all over the world to participate in this fall’s show house for the historic Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills. You can imagine how excited I am to be included. This event is one of the largest and most majestic show houses in the country and is sure to be awe-inspiring.

Lori Dennis

HGTV and my show The Real Designing Women will be following the action, along with celebrity friends like Martyn Lawrence-Bullard, Nathan Turner and Mary McDonald from Bravo’s “Million Dollar Decorator.”

Any reputable showcase designer list would include the old gaurd and this one is no exception. You’ll see legends like Hutton Wilkinson, Jamie Drake, Barry Dixon and Suzanne Rheinstein.

My Fabulous Friend Hutton Wilkinson

Colorful Jaime Drake

Lady Suzzane Rheinstein

Lord of the Manor Barry Dixon

Built in 1928, this Baronial-style estate is over 46,000 square feet with 18.5 manicured acres of land. It’s our city’s most famous palace and certainly rivals those of Rhode Island Coasts.

Show House Tour runs November 4-20, 2011 and Designer Lecture Series are November 4, 11 and 18. For more information, Please visit www.beverlyhills.org/maisondeluxe.

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Legends of La Cienega: Mood Boards

Lori — Fri, 13 May 2011 18:42:21 +0000

This morning I will be speaking at Legends of La Cienega on the topic of creating mood boards. Here’s a simple 5 step approach that’s an efficient and impressive way to convey your designs to your clients:

There are many benefits of creating a digital Mood Board. It’s incredibly fast to search online and simply copy/paste images onto a page, or create a visually compelling and exciting presentation using other graphics programs. Now you won’t have to shlep a big board with you from place to place – just email it. This conveys your ideas to your clients, and with their reply you’ll have an idea of the direction they’d like to go. It speeds up the design process so the project can start moving right along.
Let’s say you want to evoke the feeling of a Bali style resort and need a little inspiration. There are many places you can search for your style: HGTV, online Magazines (Elle Décor, Traditional Home, Veranda, Architectural Digest, Luxe – or Google “Interior Decorating Magazines” and a list will pop up). Blogs are also a fantastic way to find inspiration and see what trends people are writing about. Some of my favorite blogs include So Haute, All The Best, Apartment Therapy, Tobi Fairly, Remodelista, Design Sponge, Inhabitat, Decorati, 1^st Dibs, or Desire to Inspire.
There are simple and effective ways to do an image search on Google using keywords, quotes and (+) signs. For example (Bali+Style+Design) picks up all 3 words listed on websites or images. Quotes make sure that the entire phrase – in that order – will pop up (“Balinese Design”). Don’t forget to save each image that inspires you.
If you know the piece you’d like to use in your design (sofa, drapery, rug, tassel, etc.), or just have a general idea, search for the item on a vendor or Industry Partner’s website, online catalogue, or again on Google Images. Most of your favorite showrooms or stores will have plenty of items for you to skim through. Once you’ve found what you’re looking for, again save your image under an informative name (vendor + item+description, ie: Scalamandre Wallcovering Stripes).
A program like Photoshop or InDesign would be ideal for creating your mood board, but don’t worry if these aren’t available to you. Simply insert your images into a Word Document, organize and title each image for an easy presentation and voila!

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