Venice Beach Home

This relaxed residential home located at Venice Beach, Los Angeles has struck a chord with me. Designed by Simo Design, I really like the smart, clean lines and refined spaces. The details and furnishings complete the fresh and homely feel. After visiting Venice Beach earlier this year, I think this aesthetic really suits the cool vibe of the town.

Photographs by David Gilbert via Remodelista.

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Last of the Holiday Photos

The window display at Converse retail store, Santa Monica.

To finish off the week, here are some highlights from my trip. And as from next week, we'll be back to all things interior design. I hope you have enjoyed my images as much as I have re-living them.
On the way to Italy, I stopped over in Los Angeles for several days and stayed with a friend and fellow architect in Santa Monica. We had lots of fun.

This is how they advertise MAC make up in Santa Monica.

Bamboo forest, Huntington Gardens

We visited Huntington Gardens and I cannot recommend it enough. If you like gardens and landscaping, this place is worth a visit. Just stunning.

Desert Gardens, Huntington Gardens

Lots of gorgeous trees at Huntington Gardens.

Walt Disney Concert Hall by Frank Gehry, downtown Los Angeles.

Jacaranda trees were in flower all over LA and Santa Monica.

The double helix staircase at Vatican Museum.

While in Rome, I spent one of the days at Vatican City - there is lots to see and take in. It was amazing to be inside the famous Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms at the Vatican Museum. Be prepared to look up a lot - incredibly detailed ceilings. I also did a lot of looking down - lots of cool tiled floors.

Frescoes are everywhere - so detailed.

Lots of cool tiles

Looking up the domes at St. Peter's basilica

Climbing up the high dome of St. Peters and looking down

View from behind at the top of St Peter's Basilica.

The view from the top - Piazza San Pietro and Rome beyond.

The detailed Duomo - Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence.

While staying in Tuscany, we visited the nearby towns of Florence and Siena. Beautiful.

Looking over the famous Piazza del Campo, Siena

I do like angels and there are plenty of them in Rome.

Passionfruit flower in the Villa Borghese Gardens, Rome

Near Galleria Borghese, Rome.

A well deserved gelato on a hot summer day in Rome

I was captivated by draped fabric on statues - so realistic. This lady was at Piazza del Popolo, Rome.

I came across this vintage carousel on the way to Vatican City, Rome.

Photographs by Charlotte Minty.

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Moby Celebrates L.A. Architecture

I am off on a overseas trip at the end of May and on my way to Europe, I am stopping in Los Angeles for 5 days. It looks like I need to check out the Pacific Standard Time Presents: Modern Architecture in L.A. while I am there. Remember Moby? Not only is he a DJ and musician, he is also an architecture blogger (who would have thought?). Here he riffs about L.A. architecture.
(Psst, I think this guy does it better - check out this video from last year where Ice Cube talks about the Eames).
Video via Getty Trust.

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Spindle Back Chairs

Host restaurant in Copenhagen, Denmark by Norm Architects.

Hyperion Public restaurant in Los Angeles, USA by Claire Stansfield

I love the use of the spindle back dining chairs in these two diverse restaurants from opposite sides of the world. I think there may be a childhood influence here as I seem to recall a similar chair when I was younger. The chairs rock in the black, whites and greys.
Photographs via Remodelista.

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Laurel Hardware

This is Laurel Hardware  - a former hardware store which has been reincarnated into a restaurant and bar earlier this year. Located near Laurel Canyon in West Hollywood, this establishment has retain the old fashioned charm of the former store, while creating a homey spirit and fresh vibe with the new installation. Check out the amazing back courtyard and I love the contrast between the fresh white tiled eating area and the moody bar at the back. Designed by Sam Marshall.
Photographs by Laure Joliet.

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Los Angeles Home of Amanda Peet from Vogue.

My, it's bone cold here in Wellington this afternoon. What is hard about this cold season is that all the northern hemisphere's publications come out with light and bright summery images - do they really need to do that?
Here is the delighful and summery garden/home of actress, Amanda Peet, located in Los Angeles from Vogue. Read the article here.
Photographs by Francois Halard via Vogue.

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