MORRISON HAIR

February 22nd, 2012

Awhile back I posted a bit of a preview of a design project that Laure and I have been working on and after finalizing a few finishing details we headed down to Morrison Hair in Laguna Beach to do a big photo shoot of the finished space and stylish staff.

James and Rachel Morrison couldn’t be better or more talented folks to work with and we loved that their big dream was to create a salon that felt more like a warm comfortable home than a standard commercial space. In terms of the overall design, we wanted to combine a bit of modern lux, California boho, industrial and rustic details, unique vintage pieces with a nod to James Scottish roots and the buildings architectural past. The salon is located in a renovated 1920’s Spanish bungalow with fantastic original architectural details and killer ocean views. I mean really, the process of helping Rachel and James pull together a comfy and stylish interior wasn’t that much of a stretch.

Admittedly, one of the biggest perks of helping out at the salon was getting fancy haircuts. Although, now I’m ruined for all other salons seeing as I only want  James to cut my hair forever. He’s that good.

Some folks were curious about where my Adelman chandelier ended up and I’ve had a number of email offers come in to snatch it up, but the lamp now resides in the salons main waiting room. I love seeing it lit up while driving by since it looks AMAZING from the street.

There’s a selection of drinks and treats at the beverage bar for customers to indulge in that includes some seriously good coffee – loads of which we heartily partook of on those long installation nights.

We asked our friend Bianca to make us a very special succulent planting for the main waiting area and if you look closely…

…it reveals a miniature scene of two flamingos styling up some hair-dos.

These gorgeous leather strapped mirrors were sourced from Casamidy‘s AltaVista line.

They are perfect and I want them to be all over my house.

An industrial clothes rack with simple metal clothes hangers hold the salon’s robes for customers to change into. I love this solution, so simple but still sleek.

Besides the Adelman chandelier in the main waiting area we used a number of exposed bulb fixtures throughout the salon, including these simple and super budget friendly painted porcelain light sockets with extra large clear bulbs at the work stations and a Satellite pendant from Schoolhouse Electric with some half chrome beauties in the restroom.

One other custom detail that turned out better than we ever could have hoped, was the brass sheet inserts that line the top of each stylists work station. The brass adds an unexpected bit of shine which reflects a flattering warm light and ties in with the brass hardware used throughout the salon.

I grabbed a quick candid snapshot of the Morrison staff getting their portrait shot by Laure.

They all have perfect hair all the time. It is incredible.

This Tom Dixon light is the business.

Casamidy leather magazine holder is also the business.

For the dry bar we asked the incredible woodsmith Dusty Wheeler to fabricate and install a floating eleven foot raw live edge slab of Alligator Juniper, which turned out to be smoother than glass and possibly the most beautiful slab of wood ever seen anywhere. Dusty also fabricated and installed the brass inserts for the work stations and built an amazing wood top for the shampoo room storage cabinet, which also turned out to be better made than anything I’ve ever owned.

Dude has skills and is easily the nicest fabricator to work with. I want to keep him a secret so that he remains available to work on every project I ever do, but also know he’s too talented to hoard to myself and do truly want him to stay busy and help out as many folks as possible. I can’t recommend Dusty highly enough.

*Um. I do need him for other projects, soooooo, calling first dibs.

This leather bit of heaven is from HD Buttercup.

James & Rachel are goddamn adorable.

Everyone who comes in can’t help but stroke the dry bar.

It’s that gorgeous.

The interiors of Morrison Hair turned out to be everything Laure and I hoped it would be and much more. This was such a creative and fun project to be a part of and we loved working with Rachel and James and the entire staff at Morrison to create a space they enjoy and feel at home in.

I couldn’t be more proud of how it all came together or more excited about upcoming projects with Laure and the lovely Morrison family.

 

SUNIA HOMES

February 15th, 2012

I’m late to the game seeing as Laure and Apartment Therapy already posted about this project, but hey, who can stop me? No one.

The ever talented and fun’tastic Laure recently shot this bright and modern model house in Echo Park built by Sunia Homes, a new company focused on building sustainable and affordable residencies in California. Per usual, I had a super lovely time working with Laure and got to style the house (with Ali’s awesome help) for the photoshoot. We focused on keeping the interior decor inline with Jerome’s desire for the space to feel lived in, relaxed and as similarly unfussy as the materials and finishes used throughout the home.

Above are a few outtakes from the shoot. You can also check out more images on Sunia’s site.

Styling.

*Anyone spot the stuff from my house? And no, you silly goose, it’s not the Hermes boxes.

 

CHANDELIER

February 8th, 2012

Farewell Lindsey Adelman DIY Chandelier.

It’s not you, it’s me. I swear.

I’m not a one lamp kind of girl.

You are bright and brassy and great, but it was time and you’ve moved on to a better and more exciting life. Let’s stay in touch, OK?

(moment of silence)

Now that that awkwardness is behind us, lets focus on the reality of living for months without a dining room light- a situation that becomes darkly apparent as I repeatedly flip the switch in an absentminded attempt to brighten the room up. The shame of being so dumbly forgetful in that moment rushes over me in a hot tidal wave of crrraaaapppp.

Brutal-palooza via RUE

After the DIY Adelman’s abrupt departure, I started courting some big brutalist chandeliers in a frustrating game where I’m desperate and they all play hard to get. Three great ones slipped away from me on the old eBay for just DOLLARS while the next potential beast was a ‘sure thing’ until the dealer who’d agreed to a certain arrangement sold it out from under me. Coincidentally, during the week I thought the brutal deal was done, I stumbled on the last and final stabby brass monster which I shortsightedly turned down. Since having two of these things seemed way to bourgie?

via Metro Retro

Suck it, lamp. I’m burnt out on chasing the elusive brutal dream.

Break my heart one too many times and I won’t go back. And really, when am I going to get over this brutal phase? Soon? Probably soon.

Nevertheless, H.F.N.D.R.L ’12 (AKA Hunt For a New Dining Room Light) has entered phase two…in which I sort of look around and consider other lights. Edge of your seat shit, I know, but that big ugly hole is mocking me as I endlessly flip the switch in my spooky dining room. Obviously, life is incredibly rough. Boo hoo. I need a chandelier.

Bourgie.

Bourgie to the max.