Kartell: Part II

I pass by Kartell on Robertson everyday on my cruiser. While only it's a three-second time lapse, this store never seems to disappoint my fix of visual stimulation for the day. Every time, something catches my eye. I am in awe of how crisply new and novel everything looks with a modern edge, yet has some very traditional elements that were inspired by Louis period styles.

Right now, I am obsessed  with the Madamoiselle Chair Missoni. I think they would be so fun placed in an open kitchen with a sleek, white table. 

Kartell really knows how to target impulse buyers who are drawn to color offering a variety for everyone's tastes much like an ice cream parlor.

So remember the Louis Ghost Chair from yesterday? It turns out that Kartell even has a target niche of people who impulse buy on account of  the item being in miniature form.  I, too, am one of those people who erases any memory of being a marketing major and obnoxiously jolts "look, baby size" and tosses it in the shopping cart.

Well, guess what?!?!? The Louis Chair comes in a little Louis version!!! When I heard of this news, I impulsively, of course, made my greatest purchase in history. 

You see, soon there is going to be a lil' Louis in our family. My sister is expecting her first baby in February. With a generous sale at YLIGHTING (love) in September, I couldn't resist the urge to purchase this chair for the little one. The sex of the baby remains to be a surprise, but after reading this post, my sis will have one less mystery to solve.  

So, SURPRISE to my bestie and one follower on here. The chair will arrive in the last, dreadful couple of weeks awaiting for the great bambino to be delivered as a "keep your eye on the prize" motivational, sort-of gift. I know that this gift is totally impractical, except for tea parties...so hopefully it's a girl! I can't wait to be an auntie and go along the ride with you picking out baby-sized things. I hope you this gift as much as I loved posting about it!  

Marie Antoinette in Modern Times

Once upon a time, plastic furnishings were meant to stay in pre-K classrooms with primary-colored finger paint spattered all over them. Then, a very merci beaucoup to Kartell, and plastic, contemporary furniture became the go-to for gracing homes with luxe and sophistication. 

Now, Kartell keeps on giving. The classic Louis Ghost Chair (pictured above) that Philippe Starck designed comes in a variety of colors. If I were so lucky to own these chairs, I would keep it traditional with the crystal clear color adding this seating to a dark, domineering, rustic wood dining table. 

Posed with candle light, colorful food and drinks, and a very-well dressed guest list  a dinner party could look much like a lavish one at Marie Antoinette's minus the roller, white wigs..ugh.

Come back tomorrow for more on Kartell and a little surprise!

All Aboard

I told you I have lots of baggage, but so did Holly Golightly... so I believe it's a good thing. No but seriously, I love old vintage luggage, especially as display.  The bottom case was found at a senior center in Maine for $1.50...quite the steal, I know. The best part is that it still has an international customs stamp on it from the 60's. The trunk was found at UCLA Thrift  in Santa Monica for $20. The train travel case matches the bottom Samsonite case identically.  It was bought at a vintage store in the Little Ethiopia district of L.A. for $10. I also managed to find the larger case of this tan Samsonite series in Texas for $25, but American Airlines would have made it total $50 to check it on out here.

In Breakfast at Tiffany's, Holly Golighlty leaves her cream luggage by the door.  I, too, opted for this placement in my bungalow, but moved it to the bedroom as I was in desperate need for an additional nightstand.

With the suitcases set as an additional nightstand, there is this his/her side of the bed theme going on. I like the masculine and feminine tension played in home design because it makes the space feel more like someone actually lives here.  I also used a navy, Jonathan Adler duvet cover with a geometric print to add a more masculine touch with a preppy, frat boy feel. Although, I think the femme side is winning in these domestic quarters.

Now, if only I could get Fred Baby (George Peppard) to come write on this typewriter.

Style Icon: Alison Mosshart

Some people idolize Marilyn Monroe, others admire Jackie O (I do too, obvi), Audrey Hepburn (another fav) is on a poster in every sorority girl's room and then there are those who like Paris Hilton (eww,ugh,wtf and everything in between). But Alison Mosshart, the front woman of The Kills and now with The Dead Weather, makes her usual rocker t-shirt and jeans with buccaneer boots so biker-chic,not-butch is another style icon that I would love to portray just as well. 

Her style offers comfort as she moves with a smooth, seductive grace that would look like a seizure on anyone else. Her rocker style screams as an eff-you-unapproachable look, but one that you can't help take your eyes off.  

Perhaps, it's the way she carries herself in the clothes that I have managed to love as she continues to live as if they weren't any rules ever to exist to even be broken--do you know what I mean?

She's a total badass that can work anything with such talent, but wouldn't even care what you thought anyways. 

And her voice and sound as half of The Kills is amazing, too!

Oh, Coco

I just adore her.

I have a few reproduced prints of Coco Chanel's sketches. The sketches are of the 1920's, 30's, and 40's which I just love! 

I am reading a biography are on her right now...it currently fills the void of not living/ being in France (sometimes).