When my grandmother passed away a few years ago, my aunt Chris decided to decorate a room in her honor. Perhaps the most touching design concept I can possibly think of, the room is filled with Grandma Bunny’s favorite things: family pictures, her signature rabbit tchotchkes, her best dresses, and–my favorite–her hand mirror collection.
My aunt hung the six Bakelite pieces on the wall, clustering four in the center with two flanking the top and bottom. The verticality of the display and the varying shapes give the display real presence. I currently don’t own a single hand mirror but after seeing this collection, they are officially on my flea-market radar.
For anyone charmed by this idea but equally short on supply, Umbra is releasing a great line to get you started. Fairest is a series of frameless mirrors but cut into classic shapes. Sold in a set of five for a ridiculous $26.50, they will be available in late October. Whether you go with all new mirrors, vintage, or a mix–it will be an undoubtedly sweet display.
When we moved into our apartment last year, we worked as quickly as possible to make it our own–painting, wallpapering, changing hardware, excavating fireplaces, and refinishing floors until there was virtually no trace of the former tenants Jersey/Tuscan villa touches. Though for some reason the easiest thing to change has been one of the last on the list: the kitchen chandelier. 
At this price ($199) and with this photo, we actually almost bought multiple lamps. Lined up in a row, I cant think of more drama for your dollar. Mike and I measured it out and realized it would a bit much for the space, but if you’ve got a contemporary rectangular dining table in need of a lighting soul mate, two or three of these will be the match made in heaven.
In honor of Mothers Day, I need to give my mom some credit. If I have good taste, it started with her. An East Coaster by birth, a former resident of Tokyo, and a Los Angeleno of thirty-five years, my mom Robin has taken the traditional look, peppered it with Asiana and given it a West Coast cool. She is a great collector, ruthless bargain hunter, brilliant DIY-er, and a woman who knows her style. As I was growing up, she dragged me to antique shows, flea markets, flower markets, fabric houses–and I may not have loved it at the time but now these are the places I get my inspiration.
Though we had a formal dining area and a kitchen table, we still spent most meals and nearly all our chats around the butcher block island. When Mike and I moved into our new condo and were presented with an empty kitchen–I knew an island would be the answer to a warm and inviting space.
This sitting room is an extension of the kitchen. Ill never get sick of this color red.
This is her sitting room, one of the many places blue and white dishes can be found. Flow blue, Canton, Willow, transferware–you name it, she’s got it somewhere in the house.
The obsession of hanging blue and white plates led to a less discriminating love of china in all colors and backgrounds. The pattern hanging here in the dining room was actually my great grandmother’s dinnerware.
Chintz may be where our tastes diverge. It’s just too traditional for me to ever use in my house but I can completely appreciate that wing chair when paired with the red linen velvet sofa.
In recent years my mom has been cutting back on her antiquing but recently she spotted this adorable tufted green chair and couldn’t resist.
Last weekend my sister, cousin, their significant others, and Mike and I rented a house in Santa Fe: the central location between our homes in L.A., Denver, and Hoboken for a little reunion. We could have checked into a hotel for our three-day getaway but to truly catch-up, we needed a place we could settle in. Rather than meeting each morning in a lobby for breakfast, we’d brew coffee and sit on the sofa in our pajamas. After exploring town all day, we’d return to our patio for wine and cheese. Under one roof, the constant coordinating between multiple hotel rooms went away and everyone could finally hang out like family again.
I loved the open plan of the house. The living room, dining room, and kitchen all had their own distinct spaces but with an easy flow between areas. The furniture choices were contemporary but the architecture was distinctly Santa Fe.
The dining area was set off from the living room with smart lighting choices. A chandelier hung above the table and the rice paper lanterns warmed the space.
Though we didn’t use this deluxe kitchen to its fullest potential, the get-together would have never been the same without the fridge, coffee maker, and wine opener.
The bathrooms may have been my favorite part of the house. The tile work in this powder room was decidedly uneven but in varying neutral colors, it gave the space great texture.
In the bedrooms, the owner spared guests the bad filler art and made strong decorative choices with architectural headboards and graphic rugs.