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In honor of my husband who is in a three way tie for world’s greatest father with my dad and father-in-law, I wanted to do a post on his favorite Builder, Joseph Eichler.  I couldn’t have written anything more interesting than the bio I found on kevo.com so please enjoy learning about one of America’s most brilliant contributors to the residential architecture landscape to date (which happens to also include my hubby)!  I promise that you won’t regret the time you spend reading.

Okay, random Monday post but I wanted to share a couple of great stairways with you from Metropolitan Home.  And sadly, against my best efforts of rummaging through my husband’s meticulous collection of Dwell, I cannot manage to find a beautiful shot of a staircase in someone’s home where the couple hand wrote excerpts from a love letter written by the owner’s grandfather to her grandmother.  It is written out on the treads over three flights in what looks like black marker.  It is beyond the idea of thoughtful design and brings an intimate glimpse of a family’s heritage into plain sight.  The deeper metaphor of daily walking in love with your family is beautiful. In a much more shallow sense I adore the graphic element going on with the runner and the risers in the images below.  Stairways really are a forgotten space in a lot of homes.  I think it’s great area to get bold with color, pattern and artwork since you are just passing through.  It doesn’t need to be a restful space, I would actually argue the opposite.  I would opt for an energizing design…especially when you need all the help you can get making it up the stairs!  Go for some drama.  Please.  Someone.

Well, it just got hot folks!  We have had an unusually cool June and for that I am grateful but in a weird way I’m okay with the heat.  I suppose when you choose to live in the desert long enough you must in some sick way enjoy the blistering heat of summer.  So, in honor of the swelter I am going to feature a selection of great outdoor furniture for the rest of the week.  Most of it is cutting edge in materiality and modernity but all of it is just plain cool or should I say hot!

This line comes from Studio JSPR and is called “Plastic Fantastic.”  All of these traditional pieces have been coated in Soft Skin, which is a durable and super soft rubber coating that can withstand the elements.  The colors are bright and reminiscent of Miami Beach.  You can check out more designs at Studio JASPR here.

Just have to point everyone to today’s story on Immaculate Infatuation.  The review on chocolate chip cookies in NYC is great but the video is priceless!

The last installment of modern outdoor furniture is fresh out the oven for you!  Most of it from Dedon, one is from emu and the patio image is from Sunset Magazine.  Please enjoy and have a beautiful weekend.  I’m off to do a surprise makeover of my niece’s bedroom.  Pics to follow.

You know how sometimes you’re just curious about random stuff?  Like, what would one of those sexy one piece bathing suits look like on me or what is it like to drive a smart car or how about what would happen if I actually stuck to my diet?  Well, I have a long list of things I just want to get around to investigating and one of them I have officially checked off my list.  I FINALLY went to one of those huge local warehouses filled with liquidated hotel furniture.  My heart fluttered a little bit at the idea of finding a really great deal.  It was like the world’s biggest garage sale only minus grandma’s old kitchen towels and busted up old TVs.  Oh no wait, those were there….I digress.  Anyhow, I was harassed a little bit by a sales woman who was very straight forward about the fact that she worked on commission and it was quite dark in the back of the warehouse, however, it was a gold mine of old funky furniture begging to be painted some bright cheery color and put in a kids play room. At first blush the prices were very high but after one conversation with the manager he lowered the price on one beautiful mirrored bar by about 75% without me even asking!  So if you’re feeling adventurous go with a truck and your best Tijuana bargaining skills.  If you are lazy, check out the website because it’s actually great!  It ain’t much to look at but they have every item photographed and categorized nicely.  Just please, please stay away from the bedspread section.  I’d need to Lysol my computer just browsing it.  Have fun!

Okay, I am so obsessed with The Rug Company right now!  I am working with a client who suggested we take a look for an entry rug and now I. AM. IN. LOVE!  I am about to throw a ridiculous amount of beautiful images at you but I feel strongly that Tuesday mornings need as much enthusiasm we can muster.

In Saturday’s issue of the RJ, there was an article featuring custom hardware and tile by a company called Metaltec.  They have used innovative new technology that is essentially 3-d printing onto metal, enabling an endless way to design and customize hardware.  I especially love the oceanic motifs.

It’s almost time to celebrate Independence day and with that thought in mind (along with burgers, swimming, relaxing and burning my fingers lighting sparklers) here are some famous shots you’ll be sure to recognize!  

The Blue Room, redecorated by Jackie Kennedy

President Obama reading in the Red Room

or…if you prefer to see a Reagan in the Red Room instead….we’re bi-partisan here folks!

The most famous white house of all…

and for those of you who don’t already know this, First Lady Michelle Obama commissioned designer Michael Smith of Southern California to design the East Wing for the Obama family.  You can read a great article about her pick for the sweetest design gig of all in the LA Times here.