Rem Koolhaas's Seattle Public Library

My husband and I went to Seattle last week for the wedding of our lovely niece and took the opportunity to arrive a day early so we could check out his old haunts (he lived there during the “Nirvana” years), kick around the city for the day and FINALLY…finally check out quite possibly the coolest library around (IMO).  Rem Koolhaas spearheaded this glittery and ambitious project.  His signature touches are apparent of course right off the bat…its getting inside and learning a bit more all the thought and touches that went into this building where even if you can’t back the brutal chic design of the building, you can certainly appreciate his forward thinking design – emotive, green, colorful and for lack of a better word…rad.

Almost 10,000 insulated glass panes are sandwiched between the aluminum outer skin/grid and the thicker, inner steel grid.

bold colors, universal graphics and large lettering leads visitors through spaces

loved the escalator color......

this video installation is by artist Tony Oursler....they are talking "egg heads" that just roll their eyes and mumble randomness....completely reminded me of Disney's Haunted House talking heads.....a semi-creepy, unexpected surprise in a library?

narrow escalators whisk visitors up

the inner steel grid was all painted a very calm baby blue - the same color used as primer in Europe...this is the tallest viewing point in the library

polished wood planks by artist Ann Hamilton that are filled with backward phrases in 11 different languages....this was in the world languages section

children's center beyond

Soundtrack is Seattle's "Viper Creek Club".....check these two out - they are replacing my "Tennis" addiction for now:

having a cute HUSBAND....

i love my husband for so many reasons.......he is just such a character, but one of the reasons i love him the very, very most is his passion for design and how he embraces design and RUNS with it.  he is constantly introducing me to new and fresh design while always remembering my greatest hits and loves.  Take for example our anniversary.  


My husband just LOVES doing a THEME.....with our anniversary it will always revolve around the mysterious, sexy color BLACK.  It was a big part of our engagement (black diamond engagement ring) and our wedding.  


My two year anniversary gift this year from my dolly husband consisted of the theme "black and that dude you won't shut up about"....combining a mix of fresh, new modern design (i hadn't ever even seen Fukasawa's "inside" piece) with a different level of design all together....AM ring.

Naoto Fukasawa's "inside" for B&B Italia 

us.

major excitement happening here.

love, love, love.

crazy for CORAL!

I spend a large portion of my day glued to my computer and sourcing for clients on-line.  I couldn’t get over all the super cute coral colored rugs, lighting and case goods that I kept coming across this week!  I am loving all these pinky, orange, juicy shades right now…..these warm colors evoke tropical drinks, toasty toes in sand, aqua oceans, the smell of coconut, Palm Springs, St. Tropez, yacht parties and big, striped beach umbrellas…..

Sigh.

So why am I sitting here sipping hot tea, bundled in numerous layers and with cozy slippers on?

Oh, yeah, I’m in San Francisco.

1. china seas “new java java” wallpaper in salmon orange  2. 1950s Italian shell back arm chairs with side table laminated with shells  3. parcel-gilt and crackle lacquer bed by axel einar hjorth – sweden, 1929  4. coral chandelier in any custom color from coup d’etat  5. custom james mont table lamp, 1952  6. vintage coral, sapphire and diamond cluster broach, 1930s  7. quilted chanel bag  8. 1960s harvey probber lacquered sideboard

9. 1960s edward wormley for dunbar buffet cabinet  10. 1920s French nickel display case  11. coral patent leather heels by christian louboutin  12. tulip enamel drop earrings  13. pair of 1950s peachy silk low wing chairs  14. 1930 andre arbus silk rug  15. pair of peppercorn, lacquered table lamps by ado chale  16. danish ribbed vase from 1952

Soundtrack today is one of my all time favorites, The Skatalites - rest in peace Lloyd Knibb.  You were amazing.

Coup d'Etat...will you be my friend?

Coup d’Etat is the coolest kid in San Francisco.  Seriously.

Just take a look at the deifintion of their name:

A coup d'état (English: /ˌkuːdeɪˈtɑː/, French: [ku deta]; plural: coups d'état)—also known as a coup, putsch, and overthrow—is the sudden, extrajudicial deposition of a government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military - to replace the deposed government with another body; either civil or military. A coup d'état succeeds if the usurpers establish their dominance when the incumbent government fails to prevent or successfully resist their consolidation of power. If the coup neither fully fails nor achieves overall success, the attempted coup d'etat is likely to lead to a civil war. 

Coup d’Etat is Madonna.  

What a perfectly curated studio.

What I love the most about Coup is that they create these spaces where you just envision people coming in off the street and just waving their hand across a corner of delicious furniture, lighting and basic goodness….”.....I'll just take this....”.  They create these vignettes and rooms that instantly evoke a feeling of comfort, style and uniqueness to them.  And they do this over and over again.

Much to my glee Holland & Sherry has landed in a permanent space (after being represented through De Sousa Hughes) in Coup with their luxury throws, floor coverings and natural textiles.  They offer a huge and versatile variety of linens, cottons, supple and colorful wools, leathers, printed small designer brands, etc.  Click here for a link to the lines the SF showroom carries and get ready to swoon. Judy is an absolute doll and is always so helpful and knowledgeable.

Holland & Sherry printed linens + cottons

Holland & Sherry leathers

Holland & Sherry - gorgeous throws, right?!

Holland & Sherry - the softest, finest wools = yummy!!

love this table by Harry Siter.  Did you sit on those stumps in our backyard roasting S'mores for my birthday last year?  Harry cut those for us - he rocks!

Soundtrack = MLVC, of course...