Big Week

So far this week I have got a new (to me) car, and actually taken steps away from just being an overly critical house-wife to having an actual career of some sort in the design field. Today I went to look at a school and had a meeting with an admissions counselor. It means four more years of school, and a drastic change of majors (political science is kind of like interior design) but I have a lot of time on my hands anyway so no big deal. I am excited to be moving into a career path that I think I can be happy in and away from one that was really bumming me out. Other big things this week include a trip to Las Vegas for the weekend.
In other news... If you haven't picked up the Spring edition of In Style Homes the Ruthie Sommers fans out there may want to thumb through. There is a feature on Ruthie's eclectic style and why it works. The other stand out for me in this issue was Darren Randall's L.A. Home. Really lovely mix of fresh graphic flocked fabrics, bright colors, and beautiful traditional architectural features.

"Can you just be whelmed?"

I think you can in Europe.

I am watching this special program "Homes of Paris," on HGTV. Maybe I just haven't had enough Tab Energy this morning, but I am so not feeling it. These places are by far and away running circles around my hovel, however, I haven't seen anything that would make me want to devise a plot to assume the identity of the owner, whom I had locked in the wine cellar, so I could live in their place. I was really excited to see Prosper and Martine Assouline's place and then kind of bummed. I was waiting for a phenomenal library because let's face it if my last name were Assouline I would have a pretty spiffy collection of livres. I suppose they don't like to bring work home with them. One of the more amusing apartments had to be completely gutted starting with the drop ceiling. I just have a hard time picturing a drop ceiling existing in Paris. It just seems wrong and unnatural. Maybe I am putting French taste and style on a pedestal. Anywho still worth a watch because after all you never know what will inspire you.

Apartment Living

Ahh, gotta love living in a city where the average home price is above half a million. It really allows for a mediocrity in apartments and homes that is unrivaled. So this is what I'm starting out with folks. Near future plans in the Bedroom include: Window treatments, replacing our cheap just-until-the-dog-sleeps-on-his-own-bed-duvet and linens with the nice ones packed in the linen closet, using my husbands ratty dresser as firewood and replacing it with a beautiful mirrored one, possibly upholstering the walls in a non-permanent way.
Near future plans in the bathroom: Paint, constructing a shade to go over the Hollywood trailer lighting, framing out the gigronomous mirror, added artwork, and perhaps seagrass or jute to cover the icky poo linoleum. What I am going for is kind of a James Bond feeling in the bathroom. Read: English & Exotic; not Kitschy or Themey.
If you have any genius ideas that spring to mind when you see my forlorn apartment let me know!

Real Estate

Kelly Wearstler fans may find this link :http://guests.themls.com/..%5Cview_photo.cfm?mlsnum=06-148869# of
of interest. It is apparently her Kings Rd. abode in Los Angeles. Fun for a sneak peak at the least or for the very serious Kelly fan a possible purchase?

Men and Their televisions, and Other Stories of Heartbreak from the 'Burbs

Does anyone understand why men feel that for a room to be complete there must be a TV the size of an IMAX in it? I just saw this lady sell tons of her personal cherished items (heirloom jewelry box, Tiffany lamp, etc) so essentially her husband could get a big TV. Would he have sold any of his stuff for that awesome antique Gustavian daybed she wanted? (Hypothetical). Men...
In other news, we went to see the house on Saturday. It is amazing how deceptive pictures can be, and we'll leave it at that. So apartment life continues, as does the search for a not apartment (anyone know how to make a million dollars quickie quick?).
Onto the new project I am going to start on. Since I live dans une apartment wallpaper is strictly verboten. But I am super in love with Cole & Sons Pompeian wallpaper (through Lee Jofa). Taking a page out of the Nick Olsen handbook, I am going to paint the shower curtain in the pattern. Now I just have to decide which colourway I like best. What do ya'll think?

Zut alors...

Things that can just make the day pass by in an excessively sluggish manner:
1. Lack of reading material. I think the postman has some sort of aversion to my post box or me because things just take forever to find their way to me. Case in point, how bummed was I to see the April issue of Domino a whole two days ago in the grocery and it still hasn't made it into my hot little hands. Same thing with all other publications I subscribe to, so I am always tempted to buy them on newsstand because I just cannot wait the extra week or whatever to see the contents.
2. While completely creative bent running out of the key paint you need to complete your painting, and being stranded at your apartment. (I am totally afraid of driving and get all manic in cars, which somewhat limits my outings until the Husband makes it home in the afternoon to be my driver).
3. Running out of Tab Energy, which may be one of the more genius products ever. While I don't generally advocate energy drinks or any overly processed food/bev product this stuff is, as I previously stated, genius. Guess I have a date with my French press and will be resorting to coffee.

On a bright note it is Friday. Where did that come from? Seriously when I woke up today I thought it was Wednesday, then again I apparently thought there were spiders on the ceiling. My Husband related to me on the phone how while half awake I started shrieking about spiders. That is what he gets for trying to converse with me at 4:30 in the AM. I can't be held accountable for what I say while not completely conscious, after all.
Tomorrow will be exciting because we are going to look at a house. The place needs a lot of work but I think it could be fun and has a lot of potential if one is willing to put in the work to make the needed updates. It was built in 1975 and if I had to guess has only seen a couple of owners. The lawn is impeccable, which really makes me happy because it seems like people with well-maintained gardens generally have well-maintained homes. We shall see...

The Age of Innocence

Let me begin by saying, I love Kelly Wearstler. Last night she got all Victorian on us with her puffed sleeves. In this photo from Bravo's website she looks like she could be a sassy turn of the century governess. This ensemble more than any of the other's she has debuted on the show really made me giggle when I saw it. Sometimes I think she is trying to make the contestants laugh so that she can get cross with them. OK, but seriously, even though it made me giggle I kind of loved it all at the same time. I really appreciate that she applies the same sense of the unexpected to the way she looks, that she applies to her interiors. I also love that she has the verve to wear some of that stuff, totally defiant, and challenging. I don't know if I could wear some of that stuff out of the house, but hey I don't look like Kelly either. Anywho, it totally amuses me and to be honest I more look forward to seeing what Kelly will wear (and how Margaret Russell will react, if at all) then to the rooms the contestants turn out.
In addition to Kelly's take on the Gibson girl, yesterday one of my fave movies was on telly, Oscar Wilde's, The Importance of Being Earnest. If Top Design were filmed live I might be tempted to say Kelly had watched it also and had been inspired. OK now this is so silly but wouldn't Oscar Wilde and Kelly Wearstler be really fun dinner party guests together? I imagine lots of Lillet, lots of high fashion, lots of wit, and roaring with laughter all evening in the garden.