A series of modern homes in the old area of Palm Springs, off Palm Canyon Drive.

If looking at orange doors, look no further than the  Parker Hotel designed by Jonathan Adler.  Accents of orange pop against the desert colors.

The Parker Gene Autry suite was formerly Gene Autry’s Palm Springs home.  My husband and I visited this hotel in 1983 when it was the Gene Autry Hotel.  I just love what Jonathan Adler has done to give it a fresh, modern twist.

Please let me know what you think about this amazing hotel… doesn’t it make you feel happy. Leave a comment below!

We tend to stay on the antiques side of the Rose Bowl Flea Market, so once you enter these gates, take a hard left and follow the signs into the antique section. There you will find many treasures awaiting your perusal.  As I tell my kids, I feel like a kid in a candy shop when I walk into a flea market, so much to touch, and discover! I recommend you do go to the Rose Bowl Flea Market with the intention of finding a specific piece, or focus on a particular area of your home that you want to enhance.  If not, it is very easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of vendors, antiques and yes, junk!

On this visit, I set the intention of finding the following items.

1. blue glass to add to my collection

2. accessories and night stands for my redesigned master bedroom.

3. blue sea coral to replace a piece I gifted to a client

I actually wrote this down on a piece of paper, placed it in my purse, and knew this would lead me on a productive path down the many antique aisles with Cindy. Follow along as I take you on the journey of what I found, loved and brought home.

Cindy was looking for some religious paintings, maybe of Jesus?  She wasn’t sure, but said she’d know it when she saw it.  This had the colors she was drawn to, but the subject was off.  I blogged about Cindy’s amazing flair for flea market decor in a previous post, check out her graceful style.

Uber Chic Home owners Dustin and Christian are always in the same corner spot at the Rose Bowl Flea Market, and easy to spot.  Uber Chic Home sells items that are in high demand such as grain sack covers, blue antique seltzer bottles, wire baskets, galvanized steel trays – everything is imported from their personal shopping trips to Europe.  They have a store in Salt Lake, Utah, and regularly sell items at other flea markets.  They do a great job of staging all their merchandise in an highly visible corner of the Rose Bowl Flea Market.

A trip to the Rose Bowl Flea Market is not complete without a stop at Uber Chic Home and a friendly chat with Dustin and Christian!

At Uber Chic Home, I purchased one solution dyed grain sack ($25) which I will make into a pillow cover for one of my guest bedrooms.  The price is about a fraction of what they sell them for on One Kings Lane… great deals here, I’m tellin’ ya!  About a year ago I purchased antique blue seltzer bottles from Uber Chic Home.  See my post about how to display these rare treasures in your home.

Moving on, Cindy and I met a lovely couple, Judi and John from Vintage ReCreation LA.  Judi hand sews beautiful linen pillow shams, pillow cases and makes custom slipcover, totes  and custom bedding.  Her prices are so reasonable, I really wanted to take everything home!  John, Cindy’s husband is a very talented furniture painter.   I had my eye on this chair.

So I didn’t take the chair home, but I did pick up  a pair a matching shams for my daughter’s bedroom, and one more for a future project, or possibly to re-sell to a client.

$35 on each item, so very reasonable! Right?   I’ll just pick up my own pillow inserts at my wholesale dealer in Santa Clarita Valley. Judi sells the pillows forms for $5 more, however, that would be too bulky to carry around the bowl.

I haven’t forgotten my checklist.  I had yet to find any night stands that would work for my needs, oh there were plenty to choose from, just not quite right for me.  The lady who sells coral and sea shells said to check back next month, she had already sold her sea coral out.

I figured correctly, that my favorite glass vendor Antique Bottles, Space T-15 at the Rose Bowl Flea Market would have some great glass to choose from.

These glass buoys caught my eye, for a great bit of decor in my home.  In a future post, I’ll show you how I displayed them in my hallway.  So one item checked off the list, blue glass for my collection!

As I was about to pay Derek from Antique Bottles for my lovely buoys, I spotted this fabulous painting for my master bedroom re-design.  I fell in love with it!  $150 later it was mine!  Don’t you love the frame?  So I came away with two of the three items I wanted.  I resisted the temptation to look at items not on my list, or worst of all, purchase items I don’t really need or want… see how important it is to set an intention for the day?

Best part of day, returning to the car with our flea market finds, and heading out for brunch with Cindy in Pasadena!

If you seek professional guidance in creating flea market chic for your home, give me a call to discuss my design services.

Cindi Rowley has graced many of my client’s homes with her stunning paint finishes; Venetian Plaster, stenciling, custom ceiling medallions are just a few of the treatments she has added to my projects which put them over the top in my opinion.  Cindi Rowley’s talent is “Next Level”!

I recently attended one of Cindi Rowley’s workshops using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.  I was so pleased with the entire class, I wanted to share the process with you, my treasured readers!

Read on to see the journey Cindi took the five class attendees on one quiet Sunday in February, 2013.

Upon arrival, Cindi had this lovely display of the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint products, which also include fabrics now.

Cindi, in the smock, professionally guided us through this beginner workshop.  Each participant was invited to bring an item to transform with paint.  I chose a small table, while others chose picture frames, a small curio, a drawer, a picture frame and a bed post.

With the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint hand colored paint card as my guide, I selected the paint color for my accent table.

I was inspired by a piece Cindi had just completed for her bedroom, in a lovely color “French Linen”.  She added these lovely mother-of-pearl knobs.  How amazing is this piece?  I wanted to put it in my house!

Here is the small color sample of French Linen on the left, leaning against my formerly “blue” table.  On the right image, you can see one coat (wet) of French Linen on my table.  Already taking on a new feel, right?

Here is a glimpse into the wet paint can, and again, one coat on my table. Annie Sloan chalk paint does not require sanding, base coat or multiple coats of paint!  These chalk paint colors cover in one coat!  That saves time, money and allows me to do more projects on a Sunday afternoon.

We also had the opportunity to paint small moulding samples with various finishes. Cindi was extremely organized and professional, while letting us still play and experiment with finishes.  I felt like a kid in pre-school! The image on the left shows the Annie Sloan dark wax over pink (before I rubbed it off).  Image on right is the pink paint with glaze on only right side of sample, rubbed off.

We did the same application with a Duck Egg blue Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.  See how dramatic a difference the dark wax makes, it ages the paint finish, instantly!

Let’s check in on my classmates and see what they are creating, shall we? Jill started with a kicked-to-the-curb table, which she power sanded, then added a cream color, rubbed it back to reveal more of the blue, then added a dark wax.  Her finished piece looks just amazing!

Bea worked with a bed post and picture frame.  The picture frame started out an antiqued bronze.  Bea added one coat of duck egg blue, followed by the dark wax.  Presto, chango!  A brand new look!

Bea purchased some paint to finish the rest of her bed to match the bed post from the workshop.  She had great results.  First coat was black, followed by a second coat of cream, then rubbing back to reveal a bit of the black (not too much), then a coat of dark wax to age the paint finish.

Cindi explained some advanced painting techniques available in her advanced workshop.  That was a plain cabinet door transformed with paint and stencil treatment.  Cindi has mad skills, but honestly, she can teach you how to do this!

My piece is coming along nicely.  Left photo shows my table drying in the sunshine.  Right photo is after the dark wax has been applied to the French Linen paint.  I am thrilled with the outcome!

There are beautiful Annie Sloan European fabrics available for purchase by the yard to compliment these paint finishes.  They can be used to upholster chairs, make pillows, table runners, bedding etc.

The right tools make all the difference with painting, so I purchased several paint colors and wax finishes, along with the Annie Sloan paint brushes, all of which, Cindi sells at the workshop!

Tawni transformed her Pottery Barn curio (originally black) with a coat of duck egg blue, followed by a coat of dark wax.

To really enhance a piece, consider changing out the knobs, yes… Cindi sells a line of these too.  They remind me of the knobs I have seen at Restoration Hardware, only better!

Thought you’d like to see my piece at home next to my double chaise lounge.  I think I’ll add a little vase and the book I am reading.  I am very happy with all I learned and my first attempt at working with Annie Sloan chalk paint.

So if you want to learn more about an Annie Sloan workshop in your area, they are only conducted by authorized Annie Sloan Chalk Paint vendors.  You can contact Cindi Rowley via email to learn about her schedule of classes, if you live in the southern California area.

If you need guidance in pulling a room or your entire home together, help is only a phone call away.  As a professional designer, I have the ability to help you define and express your design style within a reasonable budget!  Please check out my design portfolio, and if it feels right, I would be honored to have the opportunity to help you!

Happy Decorating!

xo

Tami

The photo Joy sent me of her ready made drapery reveals her design style in her furnishings. She identified her style as contemporary traditional.  She wanted black, red and white as part of the drapery.

Once I saw the stone color walls and white sofa with accents of black, I suggested this lovely fabric from Fabricut.  The large scale floral was an instant hit with Joy.

This black natural woven shade from Horizons is the perfect compliment to the fabric, and it plays nicely against the Dunn Edward’s Porous Stone paint color on the walls.  The color is named Madeira Espresso, you can see it installed in the photo on right side.

On the installation day, the draperies need to be trained to pleat, otherwise, they will flair out and be shapeless.  I suggest clients keep them in the training ties for 5-7 days, so the pleats remain in place, open or closed.  In the photo above, the draperies had been just hung, next photo, we train the pleats.

During the two and a half hour installation, Joy watched with amazement as her living room and dining room were transformed.

I line my draperies and Roman shades Bella Notte blackout lining, which has a beautiful soft hand, not like the stiff cheap stiff kind you may have seen at a motel.  This allows the true pattern of the fabric to be featured day or night, as the sunlight will not alter the color of the weave in the fabric.

If you need help with one window, or your entire home, help is only a phone call away!  Tami Smight Interiors will custom design your draperies, shades, shutters or blinds to express your design style.

Give me a call to discuss your design project, and as always, please comment, so I can blog about things you want to learn about!

Happy decorating!

xo

Tami

The home itself is lovely, but  what makes the house “sing” is Molly’s original artwork (Molly painted many of the paintings, and some are inherited from her father’s collection).  Molly casually places an array of baskets under her china cabinet to give it a more casual look in her living room.  A sisal rug, and terra cotta floor tile give the floor a textured, artistic feel as well.

Molly has an innate talent for displaying artwork.  Molly and Kevin hail from the South. Time living in Alabama, Mississippi and Texas inform Molly’s warm, Southern style of decorating.   A walk through this enchanting home is candy for the eyes!

The McCarthy’s hired me to design draperies throughout this charming one story home.  My design inspiration came from Molly’s beautiful paintings and her innate talent for decorating with a casually elegant style.

Don’t you just want to sit down with a cup of coffee and stay a bit?

The dining room is small, but so stylish. The drapery is a simple linen designed to accent the sliding glass door and soften the harsh western exposure.

I just love the kitchen in particular. The original owners had modified the floorplan, to open up the kitchen.  It has a Napa style or Santa Fe flavor through every material chosen.  The terra cotta floor, green stained kitchen cabinets, hand painted tile backsplash combine to create an artist’s kitchen.

The bedroom palette of cream, blue and beige evokes a serene feeling, reminiscent of the ocean.  For this room, I chose a simple blue velvet drapery.

As you can see in these photos, expressing your unique design style creates an inviting home.  If you need help defining and expressing your design style, help is only a phone call away.

I offer e-design in my menu of design services, so even if you live outside of Southern California, Tami Smight Interiors can create a design plan just for you!

I am off for a one week cruise in the Caribbean with my family! More to share when I return.

Happy decorating!

xo

Tami

juxtaposition |ˌjəkstəpəˈziSHən|(noun)

DEFINITION: The fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect: the juxtaposition of these two images.

By definition, this store is staged to express the beauty of contrasting objects. Timeless in its design, I poured over every vignette to gain design inspiration. Take a look at what I found during my visit.

I suspect this store changes often, so visit and see what you discover, then let me know!

As the sign suggest outside the front entry, give the unique store a chance, rather than relying on the chain stores to feed your design fix.

Gray concrete planters are placed next to each other to create this pleasing grouping. Offset by size and placement, the repeated design has interest and variation.

A symmetrical vignette of chairs and feather pillows beckons a cozy conversation.

The juxtaposed wood with a matt finish plays against the reflective buckets and chrome mirror.

The pair of round mirrors work as a frame to ground the armoire as the centerpiece of the room.

Juxtaposition is evident everywhere in this photo, can you find all of the ways it is expressed?

If you need help pulling together one room, or your entire home, I am here to help. Please contact me so we can discuss your design dilemmas.

The design principle of repetition is one such tool and can be a friend or foe. If thrown together without consideration,  a repetitive grouping can be boring and messy.  To avoid the monotony of the same thing over and over, it is important to add variation, be it with color, size, and texture.

When implemented correctly a series of similar objects repeated in the same space or close together, become a work of  art.

If you just can’t get enough of something, repeat it!  Why?  Because when we repeat a design element, such as color, shape, or texture, we delight the eye as it dances around the room finding more of the same.

These lanterns are all similar yet hung at varying heights they create a dramatic cathedral effect and draw your eye upward creating the illusion of a taller ceiling and larger space.

Deep color and intricate delicate design add  more layers of dimension and drama.

This collection of vases offers interest in varied colors and textures of the glass.  The stoppers finish off this jewel like grouping and give your eye something to explore. Try placing a grouping like this on a bookshelf, sofa table or transom window to capture the incoming light.

Succulents and baskets compliment each other so well. You can create a virtual garden party or  in any space by repeating these colorful and low maintenance clusters of natural art in various groupings. The variation comes in the form of texture and color.

I captured this photo while visiting the Pelican Hill Resort.  The gardener created these baskets to place in guests rooms.  Aren’t they beautiful?

One of my recent installations features a repetition of form in the light fixtures of this hallway, leading the eye toward the archways and into the next room.  The light dances off the Venetian plaster coffered ceiling quite nicely!

Do you also spy the repetition of the color purple in the chair, irises in the vase and the pillows on the settee in the distance.

Sometimes all you need is a bit of help to pull together a space in your home.  I am here to help you!  Tami Smight Interiors is a full service design firm.  Please contact me so we can discuss your design project.

Happy decorating!

xo

Tami

Claire and I were treated to a tour of Cindy’s charming apartment in the historic Los Altos apartments.Once inside, I captured this full shot of the living room.  The gray walls offset Cindy’s wall letters LOVE so perfectly.  There is a theme of “love” in her decor, as you’ll see in the photos that follow.

Everywhere I turned, I smiled, because Cindy’s home is a true reflection of her love of life, family and decorating!

These are vintage table cards from a restaurant, now used to display Cindy’s family photos, how clever is she? I was inspired every where I looked.

The vintage Cocktails sign was quite a find, Cindy knew she had to have it!

Cindy’s bedroom is delightful.  The antique shutters serve as a headboard, while the flower box at the foot of the bed adds whimsical charm.

Cindy enjoys a view of the Hollywood sign off her bedroom balcony which is adorned with vintage lawn pelicans and live plants.  Take a bow Cindy, you have mad skills my friend!

The bathroom has the original tile and fixtures. Cindy’s flea market decor is the perfect compliment to the Hollywood glamour of Los Altos Apartment.

Cindy used a vintage window to create a picture frame, placed over her bathtub.  The patina and texture are the right balance in this setting.

There is a theme of “LOVE” throughout Cindy’s decor, the burlap pillow with leather letters is my favorite!  This LOVE art from Fred Segal Santa Monica is signed by Mr. Segal himself.

Cindy found this chair at a flea market in Texas, and had it covered in cowhide!  It is surprisingly comfortable!

This vintage mantle created a stunning focal point in Cindy’s large living room.  I just love how Cindy features images of her kids, mixed among antiques and found objects.  That pink coral is quite rare!

Vintage skis are re-purposed into a cocktail table thanks to Cindy’s creative talents.The candle drippings are amazing.

I hope you enjoyed the tour of Cindy’s “Love” nest.  I felt so inspired at every turn.  Cindy DeFatta is a successful realtor with Coldwell Banker Hancock Park, serving greater Los Angeles area.  If you or a friend are in need of her talents, you can contact her via email directly at ccrealgal@hotmail.com.

Creating flea market decor is so much fun, and with some guidance, I can help you express your design style in your home.  Please review my services and contact me when you are ready to focus on making your home sing!

xox

Tami

Once Cindy escorted us beyond the locked gates to the courtyard, I could see why celebrities such as Marion Davies, Betty Davis, Eva Gardner, Douglas Fairbanks and more called Los Altos home!

My daughter Claire on the left with my dear friend Cindy DeFatta outside Los Altos entry gate.  Cindy has a place of honor in our family because she and our friend Cammy introduced my husband and I.  Cindy is a wonderful realtor in Los Angeles, and has a long list of happy clients!  If you want to contact Cindy, she would be happy to help you find the home of your dreams!  You can email Cindy DeFatta at ccrealgal@hotmail.com.

The Spanish Colonial-style building, located at 4121 Wilshire Boulevard, was built in 1925, went bankrupt during the Depression and apparently was in such a state of disrepair that according to LA Weekly,  ”the building was so unlivable there were large gaping holes from the fifth floor down to the lobby.” Post-renovation, the apartments feature hardwood floors, beamed ceilings, detailed molding, and original light fixtures and hardware.

I loved this photo from the internet of the Los Altos courtyard in full swing during a big party!  Don’t you want to be inside?

All of this has been a build-up for what awaited us inside Cindy’s amazing apartment.  Her flea market decor blends beautifully with the old Hollywood charm of Los Altos.

My next post will feature Cindy’s apartment!

If you need help pulling together a room or your entire home, I offer interior design services via internet (e-design) as well as in-home consultations.  Please contact me to learn more about how I can help you with your design project.

Until next time…happy decorating!

xo

Tami

Note the wet sand played against the various blues of the sky and the ocean water, the white mist of the surf.  The silvery light is an accent reflected off the waves, as well as the neutral accent color of green on the trees above the cliff side.

Use these colors to inspire some decor in your home, to invite the ocean indoors!  Some great choices that are readily available are in the photos that follow.

Mercury glass is a silvery accent that can easily be placed on an accent table in your home, when grouped with candlelight, you double the glow.

A series of antique blue seltzer bottles in a transom window make a dreamy statement when placed together in a grouping.

Blue glass telephone pole insulators can be found at flea markets, antique stores and should cost about $5-$10 each.

Blue sea coral represents the life of the ocean, is organic, unique and textured.  I suggest you place yours on a stack of books or a clear acrylic riser on your bookshelf.

Have fun with your beach decor theme.  Let me know what you find and share your thoughts with me.

Please know that Tami Smight Interiors is available to help make your design projects run on time and budget.  Even if you have great design sense, having help will help you avoid costly errors and regrettable purchases.

I am available for in home consultation or e-design.  Please contact me today to discuss how I can help you get your project completed to your complete satisfaction!