LA DOLFINA

Several weekends ago I hosted a Bridal Shower at my home for a dear friend's daughter. I figured a weekend in September in the SF Bay Area would grace us with a gorgeous day to celebrate her upcoming nuptials.  And so with the help of the bride to be's mother who just happens to be the best floral designer in town and my co-hostess Maggy we decided to throw a luncheon in my back garden.   This is my dear friend and co-hostess, Maggy. Isn't she gorgeous! She was in charge of the food. About an hour or so before the guests were due to arrive it started to sprinkle...  which quickly turned to a hard, pounding rain, and continued in a downpour which lasted for several hours. All these pictures were taken just minutes  before the weather turned. Soon after, the guests began arriving exclaiming that the streets were flooded as they deposited their umbrellas on my doorstep. ...

We just returned from Southern California where we delivered a truckload of furniture to our son's first apartment in Westwood Village at UCLA. I tried to get him to secure an apt. in the nice new apartment complex across the street that was under construction all last year but he decided he'd rather live here. Finally, he's out the Frat! That is his Fraternity next to the new apartment complex on the left. Sigma Phi Epsilon has been renting this small green apartment house as their Fraternity House since their "House" burned down several years ago.   It only took 3 years and he's still just across the street but  I think he found the perfect solution. I scored the contemporary "Bruin Blue" wide wale corduroy couch complete with pull out bed for $90.   Much more civilized but still close to the action. The TV table, bookcase and desk chair were here when we arrived. I added the captains mirror,...

Ever since reading TOM SCHEERER DECORATES by Mimi Read, I've been bitten by the Bentwood Bug! I couldn't help but notice how often he incorporates bentwood chairs and accessories into his design schemes. A few summers ago I picked up a couple of classic bentwood side chairs like these but with leather seats at a garage sale. I figured they would be great around a small table in my son's "future apartment." They had a masculine vibe that resonated with me. But it wasn't until I took note of the judicious use of bentwood that Mr. Scheerer uses to punctuate his spaces that I really began to have a broader understanding of their impact in design. That is what I love about good design and great designers like my new crush, Tom Scheerer. And so, last week, with bentwood on the brain, I spied this wonderful vintage bentwood coat rack at my favorite salvage yard and snapped it up!  I couldn't help f...

From the moment I laid eyes on the now infamous redecoration of The Lyford Cay Club under the brilliant eye of Tom Scheerer, I was instantly smitten with the man. I stared at that issue of Town & Country Magazine for days before sharing it on my blog .  I was fortunate to receive an advance copy of his new book released this month entitled, TOM SCHEERER DECORATES. I devoured each and every image taking in all the delicious details. What stood out to me was not only the brilliance of his designs, but how authentic and livable his spaces were. As I flipped from page to page, and project to project, I got a clear sense of his process and dedication to creating spaces that truly reflected the personalities and needs of his clients.  I couldn't help but notice the unique and unusual accessories that seemed hand picked. I felt he was a kindred spirit of the treasure hunting kind! In fact, I saw many things sprinkled th...