Dikka and Vega's Home Tour

From the moment I approached Dikka and Vega's home, I felt like I was being transported to a place where sereneitiy, whimsy, love and art all combined and exploded into a magical place.  Their Glendale apartment was cozy but no short on the things that make a home special.  Both being from Bali, Indonesia, their place was filled with sentiments of the their homeland and culture but also combined with vintage americana and little tokens of their love all over.  Read more about Dikka and Vega's home and their story below! 

10 great gifts for design lovers to give (or get!)

We're embarrassed at how long it's been since our last post. But we're back in time for the holidays and very excited to have our first guest post by Casey. We all know from his home tour that Casey has a great eye and he's pulled together an awesome gift guide for design lovers.

Let's be honest: It can be stressful to find something special for all the friends and loved ones on your list -- almost as stressful as wondering what they, left to their own devices, will leave under the tree for you this year.

Well, we're here to help.  We've scoured our favorite online stores and found 9 well designed gifts, each under $100.  And with all of these in stock and ready to ship, you can shop from the comfort of your couch while everybody else is trying to find parking at the mall.  Even better, a few of these are from small businesses and nonprofit organizations so you know your money is going to a good place.  

With great options like these, it's bound to be happy holidays for all!

1. Yield USA Geo Stand Set ($60) 2. Commune: Designed in California book ($42.88) 3. Muku Wooden Desk Clock ($60) 4. Alex Prager Crowd #10 Puzzle ($75) 5. Fishs Eddy Floor Plan Studio Square Plate ($9.95 each) 6. Film Society of Lincoln Center John Waters Tote Bag ($22) 7. Artware Editions Domino Set by David Shrigley ($55) 8. Uniqlo SPRZ NY Keith Haring blanket ($29.90) 9. Jonathan Adler Scales Knit Cotton Throw ($86.99)

Anything else you'd add to this list?  Leave it in the comments!

Featured Hotel :: Hotel Lautner

I came across photos of Hotel Lautner in on Instagram and thought 1) it reminded me of Mark's home and 2) I need to add it to my list of weekend destinations. It was built in 1947 by architect John Lautner in Desert Hot Springs and after a varied history and changing of hands, it was renovated and reopened in 2008 by interior designer, Tracy Beckman, and furniture designer, Ryan Trowbridge.

 First three photos by Darren Bradley via Modernist Architecture. Last photo by Dan Chavkin via Palm Springs Life.

We Love :: White and Wood

I've been trying to make some updates around the house, mainly swapping out the heavy and dark with lighter and brighter colors, textures and fabrics. So it's no surprise that I'm in love with all things white and love the contrast against wood. Here are a few things I'm eyeing:



1. Florence Knoll Credenza via 1stdibs. 2. Ladies and Gentleman Perimeter Tray via Dwell. 3. Case Study Planters via Modernica.

Carmen and Lupita's Home Tour

We were so happy to meet Carmen and Lupita and visit their apartment in Hollywood, CA.  Since we met the couple through Paula, it was only befitting that Paula was also able to join us on the day of the home tour.  With it's brick walls, local energy and everything you can imagine within walking distance, the couple instantly fell in love with the place.  Over the years, they have filled the home with vibrance, life and color.  After getting to know Carmen and Lupita, we couldn't imagine the place any other way.
Both are in a creative industry and love travel, music, film and anything design related.  Read more about them below.

Rethink :: Wallpaper

I feel horribly guilty for the lack of updates. It's been an usually busy time at work and it's left me with little energy and a severe lack of focus on the blog. It seemed like a mere few weeks since we shot and posted Jinny and Matt's home tour, only to realize that that was two whole months ago.

 The good news is that we recently shot another home tour and should have that to share soon. In the meantime, I thought I'd share a little visual inspiration with some of my favorite wallpapers.

I'm not exactly sure when wallpaper transitioned from something synonymous with old ladies and outdated decor, to something modern and contemporary. I never grew up with wallpaper so never had an appreciation for how great it can be. But these favorites are definitely something I could get into:

Sources (top to bottom) 1. Domaine Home 2. Cupcakes and Cashmere 3. Isabella Blog Flickr 4. Decordots

Jinny and Matt's Home Tour

As one of my oldest and dearest friends, Jinny has always had a great sense of style accomplished with ambitious DIY tendencies. And the home she's built with her husband Matt (and dog, Ziggy!) is a great reflection of this. They live in an amazing, spacious duplex that mixes character with modern upgrades.

Jinny and Matt were also expectant, first-time parents when we documented their home, and we especially loved the nursery they put together for their son, Liam. Little did we know that Liam would arrive less than a week after we took these photos!



A spacious living room and Ziggy showing off.



Inspired by Etsy, handmade by Jinny!

Rethink :: Rugs

It's amazing how much interior design is like fashion.  I was reminded of this again as I started noticing all the great rugs featured in our home tours.

Like fashion, I love the idea of layering and this concept extends to rugs.  It's the perfect opportunity to mix high and low and to combine prints and patterns.  

If you've ever shopped for a rug, you know that the larger the rug, the more expensive.  A common solution is to layer a bolder, smaller rug over a natural woven rug which is less expensive.

Don't be scared to mix prints and colors to add a fun but warm look to any room.

via Creamy Life

via Creamy Life

Finally, add in textures such as a sheepskin or cowhide rug to add a little glam.

Via Karen and John's home tour

via FashionToast

Karen and John's Home Tour

As Creative VP for HauteLook and NordstromRack.com, it's no surprise that Karen’s great style extended to her home in Hollywood, CA where she lives with her husband, John and daughter, Sophie.  Their home was beautiful and the neighborhood was absolutely charming.  We especially loved the home's arched pathways, French style windows and the winding staircase.  It was complimented perfectly with John and Karen's very stylish aesthetic. 

We had a blast getting to know Karen's family and having girl time with little Sophie!  They recently decided to move into a larger home so we're happy to have been able to capture their lovely home before the move.

We Love :: Copper

I recently saw this copper KitchenAid mixer and loved it (little did I know how expensive copper can be!) Regardless, it made me appreciate copper finishes and I found a few similar treasures for the kitchen.



1. Segno Italiano copper kitchen utensil set via Monoqi.

2. Copper Pendant light via Cibone.

3. Asahi Japanese drip coffee copper kettle via Ebay

4. Kaikado Canisters via Tortoise General Store

Featured Home :: Puglia, Italy

It's one of my not-so-secret dreams to live abroad and take on a historical renovation project to restore an old property. A farmhouse in the countryside of France or Italy would be ideal. So when I saw this home in Puglia, I fell in love. It was a renovation project taken on by its architect owner who wanted the space to maintain its cultural and historical integrity while creating a modern refuge for his young family. I especially love the rustic elements that have been maintained throughout the home, and the statement furniture pieces that add unexpected pops of color.

Yes, I could live here. 











Featured in Milk Magazine. Photos by Alexandra Meurant

Featured :: Institute of Domestic Technology

We're deviating a little from our usual topic of home tours but I promise that it's worth it! Last weekend, I spent the day at the Institute of Domestic Technology where the staff was kind enough to let me observe and photograph their Foodcrafting 101 class. It's one of several hands-on classes, workshops and events the Institute hosts throughout the year to not only educate participants about food staples but to inspire at-home adoption and application. I first read about IDT in a past issue of Martha Stewart Living, and knew I had to make my way there, especially when I found out that its headquarters was more or less in my backyard in Altadena, CA.

IDT was founded by Joseph Shuldiner as he envisioned a place to share the "lost art" of food basics that seemed missing in today's culinary landscape. These topics range from cheesemaking, pickling, jam making, coffee roasting, fermenting, etc., and are just a few of the courses offered by IDT. Joseph is supported by a great group of knowledgeable and accomplished craftsmen - chefs, restauranteurs, cookbook authors, cheesemakers, etc. - that serve as faculty for the Institute.

Foodcrafting 101 was a day-long class that focused on four main areas: jam making, breadmaking, cheesemaking and DIY mustard. Each section was led by a different instructor who walked participants through a basic recipe, and showed techniques to recreate the processes at home. Even as an observer, I had such a great time and learned so much about how easy it is to create these basic pantry staples -- it's definitely made me think twice about buying them at the store!


The majority of Institute classes take place at the Zane Grey Estate which has an amazing history unto itself, and also still serves as a private residence. 




Students cutting and prepping fresh strawberries for jam making.










The Estate is also home to Mariposa Creamery, a micro-dairy with a small herd of goats.


The beautiful entryway of the Estate.


The Estate also features a solar-powered Airstream that's available for farmstays via AirBnb!







I hope to go back and take some courses (tofu making, anyone?) Many thanks to Daniel and everyone at IDT for allowing me to visit. For more information about and all upcoming courses and events, visit the website.

Rethink :: Portait Paintings

A recent T Magazine article touts the prevail of personal style and tastes over trends in interior design, and it made me realize that this is the common thread that runs through our home tours. We've certainly seen trends in our home tours, but each application is varied and suited to the specific space and personality of our subjects.

It's also another reason that I love shooting these home tours. It's opened my eyes to new ideas and new ways of looking at space, color, design and creativity, even beginning with the first home tour we featured. I developed a new appreciation for portrait paintings after seeing them at Casey's, and now have an affinity for them after seeing these:









From top to bottom. 1. via Marie Claire Maison 2. via Savvy Home 3. via Alice Gao 4. via Ethnic Cottage

We Love :: Sofas

A great sofa can serve two important functions: 1) they serve as the visual anchor and focal point of a room; and 2) it's the best invitation for your guests to sit down, relax and make themselves feel comfortable in your home. I loved Wasima's sofa (complete with her pineapple pillows!) and wanted to share a few great finds for inspiration.



1. Gus Modern Thatcher Sofa via Design Public. A great modern, clean shape with a diamond-quilt detail that makes it unique.

2. Genova Sofa via HD Buttercup. Velvet sofas - there's an innate sense of cozy and comfort in it, and a bright one like this could add a pop of color to a room.

3. Reese Sofa via Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. A great, classic shape with lean lines that can easily be incorporated into any room and decor style.

4. Livingston Sofa via West Elm. There are so many elements I love about this couch - the wingback shape, button tufting, contrast piping. Adds a lot of style while still being clean and modern.

Wasima's Home Tour

Wasima's home is truly a labor of love.  We were introduced to Wasima by Mark and even though this was the first time meeting Wasima, we left feeling inspired and in awe of her passion for design and dedication for making her home uniquely hers.

Wasima's home is a mid century home in South Pasadena, with a beautiful deck overlooking the canyon.  After buying her home, she spent the next few years working with architects, pouring through design details and adding her own personal stories into the decor of her home while still thoughtfully keeping some of the original design elements of her home.  We were amazed how each room or design element had a story behind it and spoke to her eloquent style, her creative talent or her bright personality.

Featured Retailer :: Spruce Apothecary

We love creative, beautiful spaces and our recent trip to Abbott Kinney inspired us to look at retail locations as another source of inspiration.

I came across  the feature of Spruce Apothecary, based in Portland, Oregon, in Remodelista and loved its minimalist decor and symmetrical presentation. I am admittedly a sucker for judging a book by its cover and it's exactly the kind of store that I would be drawn into.







Read more about Spruce and its founders on Remodelista here. Photos by Josh Partee.