STEP UP TO THE PLATE THIS THANKSGIVING

Thanksgiving provides the perfect opportunity to set the table with great style. With a plethora of choices out there from the old guard companies to the young artisans, here is a selection of the best for your holiday table.

Photo courtesy of Pottery Barn
Mr. Turkey Lurkey will have a nice perch here on the Turkey Serving Platter from Pottery Barn!

Photo courtesy of Gien
Gien's outdoorsy Sologny wildlife pattern captures lowland vegetation. Available through Michael C. Fina.

Photo courtesy of Nymphemburg
When the sky's the limit, Nymphemburg hand painted porcelain is the way to go. See their entire collection of custom china at their Chicago store, Kneen and Co.

Photo courtesy of Anthropologie
White looks great when the food is the star. Anthropologie's ceramic Monochrome Mosaic Dinner Plate.

Photo courtesy of Meissen
After years of covering tabletop trends, German hand painted Ming Dragon porcelain from Meissen still tops my list.

Photo courtesy of Raynaud
Stripes add a linear element for a kicky table. A new design from Raynaud.

Photo courtesy of Royal Crown Derby
Blue and white is the go to for a traditional table. The Aves bird pattern from Royal Crown Derby has been around since the 1800's with new color introductions since then.


Photo courtesy of Albertini
For a more modern table, Sydney Albertini's hand painted ceramic Dipped Dinner Plates are each slightly different.

Photo courtesy of Juliska
Bamboo is right for you-- try Juliska's new instant classic called Classic Bamboo.

Photo courtesy of Christofle
Maybe the rest of your table is blue and white china and you need dessert plates? Well, here is just the thing! These charming flowering branch dessert plates come in a set of 6 from Christofle.

Photo courtesy of Asprey
Parrot Tulips grace the China Tulip Charger from Asprey. Floral patterns look great all year long, especially when your garden is not in bloom.

Photo courtesy of Medard de Noblat
Combining blooming branches and a geometric border, Medard de Noblat's Eden pattern adds pastel hues to the table, from Michael C. Fina.

Photo courtesy of L'Objet
Your pumpkin pie will look even better against the red of a Kyoto Dessert Plate from L'Objet through Vivre. Available in a set of 4.

Photo courtesy of Devine Corp
One of the most beautiful patterns for it's raku glaze finish, Jaune de Chrome's Finition has an earthy hand created quality.

Photo courtesy of Pickard
Last year Kelly Wearstler came out with a few patterns with Pickard. The Mulholland pattern is a modernist composition intersecting lines, perfect for the urban aesthete. Available through Table Art.

THE MAILBOX IS BETTER THAN THE INBOX: J. CREW TEAMS UP WITH CONNOR FINE PAPERS

Photos courtesy of J. Crew
Instead of relying on your email and the inbox, walk to the mailbox this season. Connor for J.Crew has just launched the "Write Again" Collection in time for Holiday 2010. Just hitting the web and 10 select stores now, the exclusive collection of wedding invitations, elegant boxed sets and calendars are now available at select J.Crew boutiques, jcrew.com, through 800-562-0258, and the catalog as of December 1st. Choose from fun motifs to make your thank you's more original. Connor's detailed engraving is created in their Paris atelier with hand stamping done in the US. As a newer entrant in the fine paper category, the young stationer creates artisanal writing papers with endless monogram and motif design options. Rich dye hues and golden accents set off their die stamped hand painted icons in the most unique way. But wait it gets better. Packaging their papers in handsome grey linen - wrapped boxes, they are a treat to receive. Recently, Connor opened an appointment only space on the mezzanine level at the Plaza Hotel, so if you need something custom, pay Justin Felber and creative director Henri Richter-Werner a visit. From classic to cutting edge, Connor is helping to make the lost of letter writing relevant again. Make the mailbox instead of the inbox work for you, and pick up a set.

The classic Italian linen wrapped box with clean type has a distinctive look.

Pick a motif. Choose from 5 varied patterns that come in a set of 12 notes per box.

XoXo Guns for those you love but would sometimes like to kill.

A Rhino because they are so darn cute.

Feeling dangerous? Then the Snake is the way to go.

Elegant and full of mystique, Flamingos evoke old world glamour.

Need to keep better track of your time? How about the Connor 2011 Giraffe Calendar? It comes with a brass easel and could perch on a desk or table nicely.

WHAT IS STYLISH IN LA RIGHT NOW? CHECKING IN WITH THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST DESIGN STARS

Checking in with the LA design tastemakers and influencers Mary McDonald, Martyn Lawrence-Bullard, Leslie Hunt, Hillary Thomas, Windsor Smith, Madeline Stuart, Brooke Gianetti, Katie Leede, Rose Tarlow and Marjorie Skouras, I wanted to get their take on what is hot in LA now. From their favorite coffee spots to antique shopping, I knew I would get a cross section of the best places to go and wanted to share them with you.

MARTYN LAWRENCE - BULLARD:

Photo courtesy Martyn Lawrence-Bullard
Byzantine candle makes a great holiday present-- get yours at his website here.

Here are a few of his favorite things:

-The Anthropology store in Santa Monica is the best and has wonderful home department as does the brand new flag ship that's opened on Beverly drive in Beverly Hills.
-Richard Shapiro's chic gift department within his antique store includes beautiful books , jewels and Armand Diradourian cashmere throws.
-The new Kathryn Ireland showroom in Almont Yard is fab and Nathan Turner's pop up shop in Brentwood is brilliant-- complete with my candles.
-Fave restaurant is Mozza for the best pizza in town and for Sunday lunch, a traditional British style gathering at the Soho house along with the entire Osbourne clan.

LESLIE LOGAN HUNT INTERIORS:

Whatever Leslie does, she does with style. From setting a holiday table to getting designing a whimsical window treatment, her verve comes through. She began her career at Mark Hampton and Scott Snyder, and works with classical design elements creating beautiful rooms. She too has a decorator mom, so she grew up around the business, going to showhouses and antique shops.

Photos by Miguel Flores- Vianna
In a relaxing yet elegant living room, Leslie was creative with the layout, and created an L-shaped banquette for maximum seating, complete with an upholstered ottoman. Whenever I visit her in LA, she fills me in on her favorite haunts since she is a born and raised local.

- Favorite lunch spot with friends is the Thyme Cafe and Market in Santa Monica and Maison Midi on La Brea

- For coffee, Luxxe Cafe in Brentwood is amazing

- My home shopping faves include Big Daddy's Antiques, Almont Yard, JF Chen and everything on La Cienega Blvd.

- For fashion, I love Market in Brentwood and Aura Boutique in Santa Monica

- When I want a night of glam drinks, Tavern Bar in Brentwood fits the bill

- To enjoy the gorgeous California setting I visit The Getty Center gardens

- Growing up here I have places I adore like The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Abbot Kinney anytime, catching summer concert at The Hollywood Bowl, the flea market at the Rose Bowl and hiking Paseo Miramar in Pacific Palisades

HILLARY THOMAS:

Photos courtesy of Hillary Thomas
Designer and lifestyle gal Hillary Thomas has a great new design idea she has just launched on her site called Hillary@home. It is a service for those with a do-it-yourself can do spirit that may not need a soup to nuts renovation or full design services. They put together the color, furniture, fabrics, lighting and accessories schemes and then the client does the leg work, making the purchases and playing and active role in the design installation at their desired pace.

Above, a schematic comes together. This is a great way to access Hillary’s experience and eye, without the issues of time, distance or budget. It is a digital design dream come true.

We grew up in the same town and used to ice skate together, so I knew she was a style maven and a go - to for some good scoop!

Here are her favorite things in LA:

- For lunch with the girls, Soho House. Sitting outside on the roof deck around a Koi pond surrounded by Olive trees is simply heaven!

- For Coffee, it's the Fountain Coffee Shop downstairs at the Beverly Hills Hotel. The BEST!

- For dinner and drinks, I love the Chateau Marmot for the old school feel of the hotel. Very LA! Then there is The Roger Room on La Cienega, a speak easy with a mixologist.

- I get a fashion fix at small boutiques like Church, Curve, and Elyse Walker.

KATIE LEEDE

Photo by Lisa Romerein

With a gorgeous globally tinged collection of printed fabrics and a busy design practice, Katie Leede finds her inspiration her travels to far flung places. She uses ethnic pieces, ancient relics and fine antiques in a varied way, creating truly unique and beautiful interiors.

Here are Katie's favorites:

- My morning: I walk Noodles my Schnoodle to Café Luxxe on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica for a coffee the most scrumptious almond croissant EVER.

-Shopping at L Frank, Liseanne Frankfurt’s jewelry shop

-Casual, cafeteria style lunch at Lemonade or hip Gjelina’s in the garden and If I get really lucky and the stars align with our schedules, I meet the decorator gals Mary McDonald, Lizzie Dinkel, Kim Alexandruick and Molly Isaakson for lunch at the eponymous Polo Lounge

- dinner at a local hideaway for simple Italian fare, Locanda Portofino

- Shopping with clients, I head straight for La Cienega Design Quarter-the stretch of La Cienega between Santa Monica Blvd, and Melrose. You can practically decorate a house in an afternoon by hitting Todd Romano, where I just picked up a zebra rug lined in lime green felt, Hollyhock, Mecox Gardens, Jean de Merry, Paul Marra, Downtown, Lee Stanton for all things English, Hollywood at Home for groovy fabrics,Therien for surprising mid century finds, George Smith, Christopher Farr for contemporary collector carpets, Lucca Antiques, and Pat McGann

GIANNETTI HOME:

Photos courtesy of Giannetti Home
Brooke Giannetti writes the fantastic blog Velvet and Linen, shops for and runs a store, Giannetti Home at 11980 San Vicente Blvd.with her architect husband, Steve and does interior design. How does she do it?

A rustic mix of weathered pieces and re-purposed materials fill Giannetti Home.

Swedish furniture with light finishes and Parisian finds are displayed amidst a great selection of the latest greatest design books.

Some of Brooke and Steve's favorites:

- Dinner at R&D for great burgers and martinis, Blue Plate for yummy American casual dinners

-If we're in the mood for Gnocchi or Ciopino, Spumoni on Montana or San Vicente is the place!

- We also love Babalu for Cuban food with a California twist

- Luxxe Cafe has the best coffee drinks in town!

- For a fashion dose, Rita's Rags on Montana has comfortable classics. I live in their cashmere wraps.

- My favorite place to shop for vintage and great finds are the Rose Bowl, Long Beach Stadium, and Santa Monica Airport flea markets

In product news, there are great designs coming out of LA:

MARY MCDONALD:

Photos courtesy of Robert Abbey
These LA gals are busy-- Mary McDonald has a hot new design tome and a new lighting collection with Robert Abbey , where she re-imagined the glamorous lighting looks from the past and interpreted them for today. The Annika Lamp in a red hot and gold finish.


The Ondine Sconce with crystal ball detail


The statuesque Ondine Floor Lamp with circle detail and ball feet

MARJORIE SKOURAS

Photos courtesy of Marjorie Skouras
Designer and product creator Marjorie Skouras embraces color in everything she does. This San Francisco native spent an inspired year on the island of Corfu, where luxe materials made their mark on her design. In addition to her interior design, she became an editorial darling with her inventive lighting line. The coral chandelier and white sea urchin sconce put her on the map and she continues to amaze with her beautiful pieces in unique materials.
A Malachite Stone Topped Table with skinny hammered gilt legs is like jewelery in a room.
Working with semi precious stone beads, black coral, turquoise, pin jade and red coral has been worked into a single tassel tieback.

MADELINE STUART:

Photos courtesy of Madeline Stuart
A lively library Madeline Stuart designed in a Bel Air Georgian home. Since 1998, she has been doing collection of furniture in classic forms with a modern sensibility, handmade in Los Angeles. The line has grown to include over 70 pieces.
The Fielding Chest of Mahogany is a classic piece, available with brass or nickel banded drawers and hardware.
A cozy sofa, the Burlingame, is worthy of a long Football game watching session.

These are a few of her favorite things:

- Interiors: La Cienega Blvd. and adjacent Melrose Place for great antique shops and fabulous fashion boutiques.

- Breakfast: I’ve been going to Nate ‘n Al’s delicatessen-- it’s still my number one spot for Sunday breakfast. Not hip, not chic and sadly Fred Astaire and Groucho Marx are no longer regulars, but it remains a classic spot for LA locals.

- Drinks: The Roger Room on La Cienega for drinks. The décor is fabulous and the drinks are impeccably made. A very old-fashioned, new fangled place, perfectly realized.

- Dinner: I love Jeff Klein’s Sunset Tower Hotel for dinner. It’s one of the most urbane spots in town and the lighting is incredibly flattering!

- Shopping: This girl can’t help it—I’m still a huge fan of Neiman Marcus for all the right reasons it's gracious and glamorous, with exemplary service and fabulous stuff! But lest I offend my friends at Barney’s, I must quickly add that I divide my loyalties between these two great temples to consumerism on Wilshire Blvd! I adore Mameg for their highly intelligent, exquisitely curated collection of clothes.

- Vintage: The Way We Wore is a haven for those seeking impeccable vintage

- LA stuff: Will Rogers house museum and polo field in Pacific Palisades for a sense of what LA was like in the 20’s. The newly opened Annenberg Community Beach House in Santa Monica for great architecture, Hollywood history and inspiring philanthropy. The beach! Because being 20 minutes away from the ocean is what’s really fantastic about living in LA!

WINDSOR SMITH:

Photo courtesy of Michael Wells
With her successful fabric collection for Kravet and other cool stuff in the works, the bubbly designer Windsor Smith has recently added new classic designs with a twist to her Windsor Smith Home Collection.

Photos courtesy of Windsor Smith
This amazing tufted headboard makes a luxe Marie Antoinette statement in girly pink.

The Colony Breakfront with fretwork detail and mercury glass doors brings the allure of early American antiques into today with a sharp white finish.
Her De'Wolf Double Chaise adds a dose of glamour and the desire to languor.

And honoring those that helped pave the way...

ROSE TARLOW MELROSE HOUSE

Photo courtesy of Rose Tarlow Melrose House
Over the past 35 years, Rose Tarlow has come to represent true California style in her interiors through a combination of furniture with mellow finishes, soft textures and tonal settings. Her new showrooms in LA and the D and D Building signal a renewed interest in her beautiful sense of style and design genius with its mix of art, objects and handmade furnishings and fabrics.
This year, she is being honored by The Los Angeles County Museum of Art's decorative arts and design council with their 3rd annual Design Leadership Award from for her achievements in design. Rose has changed design in LA, raised the bar and followed her passion along the way.

Ron Brenner Architects creates new Cottage House Plan

Ron Brenner Architects is creating a new design for the Cottagewood division of Kyle Hunt & Partners. The design is characterized by a dramatic steep front gable roof line and will feature a modern open floor plan. Design refinements are still in progress but the video below illustrates its current state.

Cottagewood specializes in crafting Architect designed homes. They have created strategic partnerships with several Architects including Brenner to provide services for their clients. This design will be featured at their Palmer Pointe neighborhood in Minnetrista, MN.

I just thought I would give you an update on this design we are working on. We have done some "tweaking" of the exterior. The image below is the latest.

Simple,Unique, Creative and Green House Plans

Architects Suck?

I had quite a long conversation with a very nice fellow the other day. I’ll call him Tom, the owner of another pre-designed house plan company. His company specializes in the sale of architect designed houses that were originally designed for a real client. Anyways, Tom talks to people every day that are interested in purchasing his plans. Based on these conversations he believes that Architects have gained a bad reputation amongst the general public. Over and over again he hears a long list of complaints:

• Architect did not listen to client
• Architect ignored the construction budget
• Architect ignored the design budget
• Architect took forever to get anything done
• Architect did drawings that were not “buildable”
• Architect is not cooperative with the builder
• Architect does not communicate
• Architect has “attitude”
• Architects Suck!

All of this is a bit disheartening; but I happen to know the complaints are all too often true. I have heard similar complaints from the builders and contractors I have worked with. In my primary residential architecture business at Ron Brenner Architects we have taken on a fair number of new clients that came to us after having a bad experience with another Architectural Firm.

I am certain that none of my fellow CORA (congress of residential architecture) members fit into this “bad egg” category. But there seems to be a small component of the Architect family that does not put client first. We have a tough enough time out there without having to deal with a bad rep.

Solutions?

Most of us provide a great service for our clients and add value to their projects. We simply need to find more ways to get the good word out. Architects need to start generating some new ideas on how to do that.

I believe the internet is providing architects with more and more opportunity to reach out. One such example is Flickr. Here, Architects can post images of their projects, thus exposing more examples of good architecture to the general public. You might check out the CORA Flickr site which is beginning to post many good images of residential architecture.

You could also explore my own Ron Brenner Flickr site where I have posted images of projects completed by Ron Brenner Architects.

New Simple Yet Dramatic Home Design

I just completed a new home design for a client that will be built in "Tapestry at Charlotte's Grove"; a new community in Lake Elmo, Minnesota.  This modern cottage house plan is a classic example of the kind of work I love to do.  Simple yet dramatic in form.  Clean detailing inside and out.  Open and connected spaces.  Efficient in it's use of space and relatively affordable to construct.  Here is a sneak peek at the exteriors.

Look for a variation of this design to be offered soon at  Simply Elegant Home Designs.

Home Design Ideas - Split the Garage!

At Ron Brenner Architects, I am currently working with a client on a new home design to be constructed in Rochester, MN.  Here we have run into a very common dilemma.  What to do with 3 1/2 cars worth of garage?   

If you put all of that garage to the side of the house you get one very wide plan.  If you put all of that garage forward of the house you get one very deep plan.  Many lots cannot accommodate either one of those plan arrangements.  So what I have proposed to do here is to split the garages into two separate structures.  The main two car garage is directly connected to the house via the mudroom zone.  The additional 1 1/2 car garage is placed on the opposite side of the lot; resulting in a nifty little entry court.  See sketches below.

Here you can see a birds eye view of the layout.  Notice the roof between the garage and house is low.  This helps to reduce the mass of the house.  Pulling the garages a bit forward of the front porch creates a nifty little courtyard.

view from street

view approaching courtyard

nice little composition

So when you develop your next house plan - please think about the impact of that garage and look for creative solutions.