natural colors and textures

In styling my home for the holidays, I’m finding great inspiration from natural colors and textures…although this gorgeous Hallberg-Wisely designed interior is void of traditional holiday decorations, it does incorporate “green” gestures that, for me, feel fresh, festive and ready for a party! Here’s hoping this artistic gem offers you some new (and natural) ideas as you style your home for the holidays…wishing you a very happy weekend!

photography by Miguel Flores-Vianna for Veranda

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well read ~ part two

“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.” ~ Charles W. Eliot

Wishing you a lovely weekend!

Hallberg & Wisely

Haynes-Roberts

J. Randall Powers

Jacques Grange

James Huniford

John Minshaw

John Saladino

Juan Pablo Molyneux

Kara Mann

Karin Blake

Lars Bolander

Lauren Gold

Luis Bustamante

Magnus Lundgren

Mary McDonald

Meichi Peng

Michael Smith

Michele Bonan

Miles Redd

Nina Griscom

Richard Shapiro

Robert Couturier

Sheila Harley

Steven Volpe

Suzanne Rheinstein

Ted Tuttle

Thomas Jayne

Thomas O’Brien

Tricia Huntley

Vicente Wolf

William Frawley

Windsor Smith

Yves Saint Laurent

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living with statuary ~ part one

living with statuary…from grand to petite, these sculpted forms add drama, sophistication and texture to our interior world…more tomorrow…

Feau & Cie

.

Andy Newcom

Charles Spada

Coorengel & Calvagrac

Dennis & Lean

Diana Kelly

Gil Schafer

Hallberg & Wisely

Candace Barnes

Richard Hallberg

Windsor Smith

Haynes-Roberts

J. Randall Powers

Jacques Grange

Stephen Sills

John Minshaw

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the house of windsor

My October 2011 issue of Veranda arrived the other day and much to my delight, they featured their summer showhouse on the cover! I have been waiting patiently for more pictures of this masterful concept home and let me tell you, it was worth the wait! I would highly recommend picking up a copy as there is a wonderful article and some additional photos…for me, I still enjoy seeing the images on the pages of a magazine…somehow there is an intimacy to the printed page that I lose with the computer…my heart still beats a bit faster when I see a magazine arrive in the mail!

Aptly nicknamed The House of Windsor, it takes its name after Windsor Smith, lead designer for the 8,000 square foot project situated in Los Angeles’ Mandeville Canyon…joining her, an all star cast of fellow designers ~ Candace Barnes, Stephen Block (patios), Peter Dunham, Richard Hallberg, Kathryn Ireland, Martyn Lawrence-Bullard, Paul Robbins (landscape design), Richard Shapiro and Tara Shaw…what makes this project unique is Windsor Smith’s vision for the home…she wanted the architecture and interior design to reflect the needs and wants of today’s family…a return to tradition and intimacy…what a wonderful collaboration and stimulating challenge for this talented group of designers…I believe the images speak for themselves…enjoy!

below ~ entry hall designed by Windsor Smith

below ~ family room designed by Windsor Smith

below ~ great room designed by Richard Shapiro

below ~ dining room designed by Richard Hallberg

below ~ kitchen designed by Windsor Smith

below ~ study designed by Peter Dunham

below ~ media room designed by Martyn Lawrence-Bullard

below ~ master bedroom, bath and dressing room designed by Candace Barnes

below ~ bedroom designed by Tara Shaw

below ~ guest suite designed by Peter Dunham

below ~ the stable designed by Kathryn M. Ireland

photos from Veranda, Los Angeles Times, Coco Cozy

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the architectural beauty of a tall sofa

the gorgeous pair of high back and high arm sofas from yesterday’s post inspired me to write a themed post today…I’m passionate for this cocoon like form…many of my favorite designers either create their own version or incorporate this sofa style in their interiors…I hope you enjoy this closer look at the architectural beauty of a tall sofa…makes me want to curl up in the corner with a great book!

above and below, Heiberg Cummings Design

below, Alex Papachristidis

below, Bobby McAlpine

below, Dransfield and Ross

below, Hallberg & Wisely

below, John Saladino

below, Richard Shaprio

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formations ~ dennis & lean

The story behind Formations and Dennis & Lean is as fascinating as the showrooms themselves. Richard Hallberg, Barbara Wisely and Dan Cuevas met in their college cafeteria in the late 1970s; three young design students with dreams of creating their own furniture line and showroom. Happily their united vision became a reality, and in 1986, the stunning showroom Formations opened their doors providing Los Angeles with a seamless assortment of their favorite things: stone mantels and vessels, contemporary iron tables and mirrors, antique accessories, well-patinated reproductions of antique furniture and even their own innovative line of ceramics. But this is only the first act of the happy ending. Distinguished design veterans Jerry Leen and Leo Dennis attended the opening of Formations and bought many items for themselves giving the new showroom their stamp of approval. They quickly became trusted friends and in 1989, just three years after the opening of Formations, Jerry and Leo decided it was time to retire and made arrangements for Formations to purchase their beloved company of 25 years. Now, Formations and Dennis & Lean live harmoniously side by side, providing clients with everything from one of a kind objects to numerous signature pieces manufactured in their Los Angeles workshop, humming with over 150 artisans, woodworkers, finishers and gilders. Their happy ending is one that will stay with me…a partnership filled with passion and creativity, a friendship that has stood the test of time.

above, Veranda April 2008, Dennis & Lean

below, Veranda April 2008, Formations

“Our friendship is what keeps our creative juices going as well as our unending love for beautiful things.” ~ Dan Cuevas

below, Formations

below, Dennis & Lean

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hallberg & wisely ~ a sophisticated duo

so·phis·ti·cat·ed

1) having a refined knowledge of the ways of the world cultivated especially through wide experience

2) finely experienced and aware

3) intellectually appealing

For almost thirty years, Richard Hallberg and Barbara Wisely have been creating sophisticated interiors with a strong emphasis on architectural design. Today’s post features four of their thoughtfully designed interiors…for me, they are a masterclass in scale, proportion, color and juxtaposition. I’m especially drawn to the room above…the four chairs invite conversation and create an intimate setting while the soaring ceilings and natural light allow the room to breathe…the warm wood armoire, textured fabrics, and golden glow underfoot make for a relaxed yet elegant environment (one that I would be very comfortable in!) Please enjoy all of these timeless sophisticated moments…

above and below, Architectural Digest August 1992

below, Veranda March – April 2006

below, Veranda March 2009

below, Veranda October 2010

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natural hues ~ a world of texture

Today’s post features a 1930s Santa Barbara beauty re-imagined by interior designers Richard Hallberg and Barbara Wisely. With three decades of experience, they bring a wealth of knowledge and passion to each and every project, and it shows. Every detail of this 3,200 square foot home is fully realized from the olive trees to the rustic wood shutters made in France. Marble and granite replaces outdated tile, pickled and washed wood freshens the palette, and an 18th century French limestone mantelpiece adds grandeur and texture. Notice the effortless mix of Roman antiquities, 18th century objects, and contemporary art. The juxtaposition of elements is perfection. For me, this house embodies all that I’m drawn to ~  a simple palette of natural hues, a decadent world of textures.

above and below, Santa Barbara Magazine, August-September 2010

“Everything is art…if it’s a plant or a drapery, it still has to have form.” ~ Richard Hallberg

“We don’t try to recreate history, we interpret it. We listen to people’s wishes and dreams, and mix it with our sensibilities, style, and sense of proportion. We create environments…that’s the fun of it.” ~ Richard Hallberg

below, Veranda, October 2007

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