Archive for the ‘Interior Design’ Category
Interview With ModOp Design’s Alexandra Becket
Readers of Take Sunset know Alexandra Becket as one half of ModOp Design (the other half being husband Greg Steinberg) the house flipping duo responsible for taking Eastside homes in need of a makeover, including my current listing in Highland Park, and transforming them into stunning, high-end remodels. ModOp’s homes have mid-century influence and unexpected design touches, but what really sets them apart is their use of Alexandra’s own hand-painted artwork, printed textiles, upholstered furniture, and accessories.
Fabrics are at the core of Alexandra’s work. She uses water-based paints on silk to create her designs, and her work can be found not only in ModOp Design’s flips, but in homes and galleries around Los Angeles. Alexandra’s fabrics and textiles have also been acquired by high-end home decor companies and designers, like Anthropologie, BCBG, Vince Clothing, Trina Turk, Pottery Barn, Target, Guess, Tadashi, St. John–the list goes on.
Take Sunset had a chat with Alexandra about her creative process, the impact her grandfather (the great LA architect Welton Becket) had on her career, what inspired her to start flipping homes, and where she likes to grab a quick lunch in Silver Lake…
Take Sunset: Your artwork and textile patterns seem to reflect those found in nature. Is that what inspires you?
Becket: Yes, the natural environment is a big inspiration. Patterns created by rock formations, shadows cast by plant life onto the surfaces around them, vegetation and the endless array of shapes that exist in nature. My other big inspiration is architecture and the built environment of Los Angeles, specifically mid-century architecture. I am drawn to the aesthetics of mid-century design and appreciate the clean lines and geometry that came out of that era.
Take Sunset: Can you talk a bit about your creative process?
Becket: I pick up inspiration when visiting places, usually when something calls out to me personally. I capture these inspirations on camera, which helps me to compose an image that I can refer to when designing. Then, I do my best to put these inspirations into work as soon as possible. If I’m working on creating a textile design or a fabric painting, I use a technique similar to batik, using a water-based resist to draw a design. I then paint over the design with water-based paint that I mix to create colors. The artwork is then heat-set to make it colorfast and washed, which removes the resist and reveals the linear design under the paint.
Tom Buckley
There is a great interview on Balustrade & Bitters with Los Angeles-based interior decorator Tom Buckley. Buckley relocated from New York to LA in 1969, after 20 year at the legendary design firm McMillen. He’s been crafting beautiful rooms in Los Angeles ever since. I particularly loved this bit about following your instincts as a designer:
I believe instinct is that little inner voice that says to you, “Do this, do that, or that is it, that’s the right chair.” Every time I’ve violated that rule, I’ve gotten into trouble. My little inner voice says,”I don’t think you should do this.” And I think, “Oh, shut up, I’m gonna do this, it’s gonna be fine.” Sometimes it works out and sometimes it’s been a disaster. I should have listened to that little inner voice. I believe we all have those little inner voices, all we need do is listen.
There are many other gems in this charming and informative piece. Read the rest of the interview with Tom Buckley here.
Photographs by Coleen Ride.
Mohawk General Store
I’ve been eyeing Mohawk General Store since it recently moved to Sunset Junction. Mohawk, the clothing and accessories store, joined forces with Amsterdam Modern, the by-appointment-only Van Nuys warehouse filled with mid-century furniture and 20th-century Dutch designs. And now they’re in one convenient location where you can get everything from cute new shoes, like these Rachel Comey booties in black leather that I am drooling over. (Hurry up and re-stock, MGS!)
Or housewears, like this Small Hanging Geo Planter in White by the always-awesome Kelly Lamb!
You can also pick up contemporary housewares, as well as American, Dutch, and Danish vintage furniture.
Mohawk General Store
4011 West Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90029
(323) 669 – 1601
Missoni Home Sale
Did anyone notice Rachel Zoe’s “major” bedding in the last episode of The Rachel Zoe Project? During the ubiquitous Rachel’s beleaguered assistant helps her pack scene, the camera panned across her bedroom and got a shot of her beautiful Missoni bedding and perfectly made bed. I was immediately jealous. And then wondered: Do you think Rachel makes Rodger tuck in the corners all military style each morning? I bet! I’ve been wishing for a little Missoni in my own life, and just in time allmodern.com is taking up to 30% off of all Missoni Home through September 5th. And shipping is free!
Missoni Home Jocker Throw – List Price: $395.00, Sale Price: $276.50
Missoni Home Passiflora Cylindrical Pouf – List Price: $375.00, Sale Price: Sale Price: $281.25
Interview With Celebrity Stylist Denis De Souza
I recently interviewed celebrity hairstylist Denis De Souza over on Hair On The Brain. Denis is the hair color whiz behind Rachel Bilson’s gorgeous brunette locks. He can be found expertly painting on high and lowlights at Andy LeCompte Salon in West Hollywood. Denis was kind enough to answer some Take Sunset questions about his transition from native Brazil to Los Angeles, his favorite LA hot spots, and more. Check it out!
Take Sunset: How do you like living in LA?
De Souza: I’ve lived in big cities like Sao Paulo in Brazil, London, and now LA. I’ve been in LA for 10 years now, and I think it is fantastic! Not only do we have the best weather, but in a two hours, we have the desert, the beach, the mountains, the snow… We are really blessed.
Take Sunset: Since moving to LA, where have you lived?
De Souza: When I first moved here, I lived in Hancock Park. Now I live in Beverly Hills, but right on the border of West Hollywood.
Take Sunset: How do you like that area?
De Souza: I’m in a very quiet and safe area, but it’s just blocks away from all the shops, cafes, and restaurants on Robertson. And even better, I’m only a few blocks away from Andy LeCompte Salon where I work. It’s convenient and quiet. I love it! At the moment I rent there, but I’m hoping I can buy something next year.
Take Sunset: Do you gravitate toward a particular interior design style?
De Souza: Because I rent at the moment, I haven’t really gone all the way with a design that I like. I pick things I like and enjoy having at my apartment, but when I get my own place, I will trick it out just the way I want it to be! I love Kelly Wearstler, and I’d like to have a Hollywood Regency style mixed with a more contemporary look and simple lines.
Take Sunset: I love Kelly Wearstler! I miss Top Design. What’s your favorite LA restaurant?
De Souza: There are a few restaurants I love in LA, and that I go to often with friends, clients, or even on a date, like Cecconi’s, Sur, The Little Door, Mozza, and The Soho House, which I love!
Take Sunset: What are your favorite places in LA to shop for clothes?
De Souza: For clothes I like Opening Ceremony, Church, Maxfield…
Take Sunset: Where do you go for housewares?
De Souza: I like to browse at Cassina and all the design shops between Robertson and Beverly to get inspiration for when I’m ready to decorate my new home.
Thanks for answering all my questions, Denis! For more information on Denis De Souza, visit his website at denisdesouza.com. Or go see him in person at:
Andy LeCompte Salon
616 N Almont Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90069
(310) 273-4100
ModOp Is ‘Home of the Times’
The Los Angeles Times featured Greg Steinberg and Alexandra Becket’s 2-bedroom home off Melrose Avenue as the ‘Home of the Times’ this week! Greg and Alexandra, of ModOp Design, are the flippers who did my current Highland Park listing, as well as this amazing flip in Silver Lake earlier this year.
The L.A. Times featured Greg and Alexandra’s own home, which Greg bought in 1992. He stripped away many of the Spanish style elements, bringing the home almost down to the beams last year and opening up the interior significantly.
There are plenty of mid-century modern design influences thought, like Heywood-Wakefield dining table, credenza, and Eames Hang-It-All.
They also added a kitchen with the help of the Los Angeles firm Marmol Radziner.
They added a privacy fence and hardwood back deck, as well.
Check out the entire feature and see more photographs over at latimes.com. Visit ModOp Design at modopdesign.com.
Marimekko-Inspired Wallpaper Transfer
Interior designer and blogger Kibwe Daisy created his own Marimekko-inspired wallpaper by tracing and printing out sections of the pattern, transferring the template onto the wall, and drawing it.
Kibwe explains how he did the whole project in detail over on Curbly. Templating took him about 5 hours, including printing and transferring. Drawing the linework took him an additional 5 hours. The whole project only cost $20 and looks so cool!
Commune
Commune is the Los Angeles-based design firm behind the amazing Ace Hotel and Swim Club in Palm Springs (pictures above and below). Commune was founded in 2004 with a diverse staff of interior designers, architects, and graphic designers. Using a collaborative mindset, they assemble a team for each project, whether it’s a residence, commercial space, retail environment, website, or corporate identity.
Aside from the Ace Hotel, Commune’s past commercial spaces include Heath Ceramics in San Fransisco, Oliver Peoples in Malibu, Opening Ceremony in Tokyo, retail design for the Standard Hotel in New York, and many more. Commune has designed residential spaces throughout LA, as well…
Calypso Home Rugs
We’ve been looking for a new rug for forever. I’m currently loving these hand-loomed rugs from Calypso Home–such great patterns and colors! My only concern is that I’d wind up designing the room around such a bold rug. What do you guys think?
Pushkar Jaipuri Rug by Calypso Home. I think this one would be great in a bedroom. It was hand loomed in India using 100% jaipuri cotton. Size: 6×9. Shown in pink ivory. Price: $650.00.
Zig Zag Jaipuri Rug by Calypso Home. I’m a sucker for a zig zag pattern. And I love this indigo color. Hand loomed in India using 100% jaipuri cotton. Size: 9×12. Shown in indigo ivory. Price: $1,200.00.
Tile Jaipuri Rug by Calypso Home. This would probably be the easiest to work with since the pattern and the aubergine and ivory colors are more neutral. And, of course, it’s the one the interests me the least. It’s still very cool though! Hand loomed in India using 100% jaipuri cotton. Size: 6×9. Price: $650.00.
Mid-Century Dream Home In Studio City
Lynn Harris, an executive vice president of production at Warner Bros., and her husband, Matti Leshem, founder and CEO of the branding company Protagonist, remodeled this classic mid-century post-and-beam house in Studio City. It was built in 1951, by architect Maynard Woodard, a former studio set designer for his personal residence while working at Welton Becket & Assoc., the architecture firm that designed Los Angeles landmarks like the Capitol Records Building and the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.
Harris and Leshem took the home through a yearlong renovation process, stripping, repairing and replacing everything in sight with the help of friend and LA-based designer Sarah Walker. The result is an absolutely pristine example of an updated mid-century modern, and pretty much my ultimate dream home!
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