Unique Lamps from Regina Andrew

We thought we show you some really pretty lamps from Regina Andrew today. We found her at the High Point Furniture Show last year and we thought her stuff is very unique. The line is constantly updated with new stuff-which is really nice.

Here are some of our favorites:







In addition to lamps, Regina Andrew also carries a decent collection of decorative accessories and furniture as well. To see the complete line, visit Regina Andrew web site.

Ideas for Loft Furniture

We like the minimal look when it comes to decorating a loft. Something about a loft just DEMANDS a minimal look. Anything else doesn't seem right.

At any rate, we think minimal doesn't mean boring, and it also doesn't mean cheap imitation of Corbusier or any of the mid-century masters. We think it can be original and elegant.

We came across Maria Yee furniture a few years back and we thought we show you her stuff. Her furniture has a refined quality that we like:







To see the complete product line and find a dealer nearby, visit Maria Yee web site.

Pretty Cottage Furniture from Somerset Bay

When we get stressed out with our daily life, either from running our business, managing our finances or just dealing with life in general, our mind always wander off in some far away places--where life is a bit simpler and you can just sit on a porch sipping lemonade or something.

In our fantasy today, we're at a little cottage somewhere in the South, by the lake. And in our cottage, there are some really pretty furniture, of course. We're tired of the shabby chic look though. That is so 80's. Now the updated cottage style is just as soft and pretty and colorful...

Take a look at the furniture from Somerset Bay and you'll see what we meant:







All of the furniture can be custom-finished in delicious-sounding colors like creme brulee, carmel chew, butterscotch, roasted marshmellow..

To see the complete product line, visit Somerset Bay web site.

Soft & Pretty Decorating Scheme

Our taste has evolved over the year. As we watch decorating trends come and go, we've concluded that certain styles just stand the test of time better than others--especially if they are updated.

Recently we have gradually gravitated toward softer, prettier decorating scheme. We find it more relaxing; and not so trendy that you have to change out your stuff every three to five years.

Here are some of our latest favorite things:


SOURCES:

Flowers by NDI
Rug by Surya
Lamp by Jamie Young
Chair by Nathan Anthony
Artwork by New Century
Chandelier by Arteriors

Pretty Things-Brown and Gold

We thought we share with you a few of our favorite things this week. It's a combination of brown and gold-two of our favorite colors.

These two colors together are sort of glamorous in a very modern way.

We thought this would make a pretty space for a small room, like a reading room for example. Alternatively, you could use this in any small corner that can double up as a sitting area as well.

Here are the sources:

1) Rug 8x 10 $1100
2) Chaise Lounge in fabric shown $1785
3) End Table $745
4) Orchid $350
5) Lamp $695

Hollywood Regency Done Well

The Los Angeles Times has a feature on a Hollywood Regency today that looks very liveable and well-done.

Check it out here.

Source: LA Times

Where to Shop & Eat in LA

We've been meaning to share with you our favorite list of where to shop and eat in LA. It occured to us whenever we travel--that how nice it would be to have someone shares the local spots--as if they were your friend.

Well, we'd like to consider you our friend, and here is our short list:

Where to shop for home furnishings:

Most of the home furnishing stores are located in the West Hollywood/Melrose area--but our favorites is Weego, which is located in Santa Monica. Their stuff is very much our style, fresh and fun and colorful. Decently-priced too..

Another fabulous store is Grace Home in Brentwood. In fact this is our favorite store in all of LA. It's small but it's done very well. Pricey though.

Where to shop for clothes

For clothes/shoes shopping, the better stores are located on Robertson Blvd/Melrose Blvd. Rodeo Drive is actually quite boring and stuffy.

A great place for outlet shopping is the Camarillo outlet, which is about 30-40 minutes from LA. Here you'll find some very high-end stores like Saks, Neiman Marcus, Dolce & Gabana. Shop wisely though. Not everything is a bargain.

Where to eat

For eating, our favorite thing to do in the world, a marvelous place to try is Beechwood in Marina Del Rey. Their sweet potatoes fries and Angus burger are to die for. So yummy.

Gjelina on Abbott Kinney in Venice opened about a year ago and got rave reviews. The food is excellent.

For amazing Chinese food, try the San Gabriel/Abraham area. Check the LA Times food section for the latest spots.

For Vietnamese food, you'll have to drive down little Saigon off Bolsa in Anaheim.

What to do:

A very LA thing to do, is to see a classic movie at the Hollywood Cemetary in the summer. Click here for movie schedule.

Go rollerblading along Santa Monica & Venice. You can go for miles, and the people watching part is a blast.

Have a drink at Shutters or Casa Del Mar and watch the sunset... At night, go to the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica and have a drink by the pool while laying beneath the palm tree. It's a marvelous bar at night. Beautiful & young crowd.

For updated listing of things to do, check out Caroline on Crack, an LA blog.

Would you like to share your list? We'd love to have it! Please send us your favorite spots in your town, with some pictures if possible, and we'll publish it.