Interior Design Inspiration: A Laurel Canyon Hideaway

Frank Zappa's Laurel Canyon House

clockwise from top left: chair, guitar, sofa, paperweight, pillow, rug, lava lamp, credenza & hutch, holding company concert poster, 

doors concert poster, coffee table, suzani pouf, side table, seagrass wrapped glasses

Can't Wait For: Hockney

Already out in limited release, we can't wait to see this documentary about the incredible British artist, David Hockney.  Told in his own words and with access to his studio, this film charts his career, including the influence California - especially LA - has had in his work.

Find more details and a theater to see it here.

Song of the Week

Grimes - California

Bouquets to Art April 2016

We love the annual spring Bouquets to Art fundraiser at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. This year's show at the de Young had such beautiful color and textural combinations. Here are some of our favorites.

Interior Design Inspiration: California Beach Vibes

We love this cozy family room nook by Amber Interiors, and have been inspired by its California cool style, lightness, and beachy vibes.  See the whole house here.

Clockwise from top left: photo, diagonal pillow, horizontal pillow, 
ferris wheel, rug, chair, lamp, ottoman, buddha 

What We're Talking About This Week

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are hosting their annual Easter festivities in Golden Gate Park on Sunday. There are Easter Egg hunts, an Easter Bonnet contest, burlesque and many musical acts. Our favorite is the Hunky Jesus contest, and this year they are adding a Foxy Mary contest as well.

Growing up we would sometimes visit the Queen Mary with our grandparents. We are excited about the Easter Champagne Brunch they are offering, it looks like a great reason to make the trek to Long Beach. There's also an Easter egg hunt, face painting and a petting zoo, and you can tour the ship.

We're fascinated by Seph Lawless's photos of Disney's River Country, the Florida waterpark that was permanently closed in 2001. The water park opened in the 70's, and used fresh water from a nearby lake. A boy died in the 80's from an infection from the un-chlorinated water. It's been left to decay, and the plants that have overgrown the space have created a haunting landscape. 

The Broad recently opened in downtown LA and we are especially excited to see Yayoi Kusama's piece: Infinity Mirrored Room - The Souls of Millions Light Years Away. Only one person can view the piece at a time, and the space is constructed with mirrors and LED lights, to create a sense of infinity.

We loved the Oscar de la Renta exhibit at the de Young, so it was great to see these photos of the opening night gala on Vogue's website. Curated by Andre Leon Talley, it was great to hear what a fan de la Renta was of the Bay Area: he loved The Slanted Door, and would stop at a peach stand on the way back from Tahoe. 

Song of the Week

Lana Del Rey - Freak

Vista Vision

What We're Talking About This Week

It's nice to have a break after the excitement of the holidays, but as January comes to a close we are thinking about our next vacation.  This guide to some of the prettiest road trip destinations in California is a great jumping off point...

The next big TV event is this Tuesday night's The People vs. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story.  This post breaks down all the major players in the trial, for those who are too young to remember or in need of a refresh.

The temperature is going to drop in San Francisco this weekeend as El Nino ushers in another storm...  It's the perfect time to check out one of these six different mac & cheese dishes. 

 Tomorrow is the SoCal Museums Free-For-All-Day.  Check out their site for all of the locations that are participating, but this is a great way to check out many of LA's museums for free, or at a discounted ticket price.

California Architectural Gem: Case Study House #26

We are big fans of the Case Study Program, where noted architects of the day created designs for low cost housing for Arts & Architecture Magazine. Most ended up being built in Southern California, but #26 was built in Marin County, in San Rafael. Designed by Beverley David Thorne, it was finished in 1963. It used steel beams to build on a steep incline.

Images from Curbed and Arts & Architecture

How to: Terrariums

It may be the middle of winter, but that doesn't mean there can't be some greenery in your home. We love terrariums because once you make put them together, they require minimal maintenance.

To make them you need the following supplies:

1" stones in whatever color you prefer

glass container with a lid

potting soil

plants such as ferns

 Start by placing the stones on the bottom of the glass container. This allows for water drainage.

Next fill the bottom third of the container with potting soil.

Dig a small hole for each of the plants, and press the roots and dirt firmly into the potting soil.

Add 2 cups of water, ensuring the soil is moist, and cover with the glass lid.

Place them by a window with lots of light.

The terrariums should be fine for a few months, since they are enclosed. If the soil looks like it's drying out, add water as needed.

What We Are Talking About This Week: Gift Guide Edition

If you still haven't finished your Christmas shopping, finding the perfect gifts is probably at the top of your mind this weekend.  We've rounded up some of our favorite gift guides to make the shopping a little bit easier...

This zodiac gift guide is perfect for the astrology fan in your life.

  This San Francisco food lovers list is full of great last minute options for anyone who lives in the Bay Area.

 

The editors of Domino have amazing taste and have put together an incredible amount of suggestions for almost everyone in your life.

Likewise, Goop does a fabulous gift guide... full of both reasonably priced items and the splurges they're known for.

This beautiful guide is California-centric, featuring items located/designed/produced in our favorite state.

 

For the friend who has everything, Town & Country has this guide for the uptown girl - we are coveting it all for ourselves.