CALIFORNIA DREAMING

Mark and I recently returned from the Design Blogger’s Conference in Los Angeles. It was an exhilarating four days of learning, networking, collaborating and catching a few golden rays of sunshine. Our favorite part of the trip was spending an afternoon in the Melrose Avenue Design District, immersing ourselves in the wonderfully eclectic world of California design.

From super chic, to earthy bohemian to curated obscurities, Melrose Avenue is a design mecca for California cool. Below, we captured a couple of our favorite moments for your perusing.

At the blogger’s conference, we were excited to meet the superstar founders of Consort Design; Mat Sanders (the stylish gent on the end with the mustache) and Brandon Quattrone (the sharp dressed chap next to Mark).  Mat was kind enough to give us the scoop on the local design scene, telling us that Melrose Avenue was THE design destination. 

Our first stop on our tour was no surprise – it was Mat and Brandon’s store.  Their showroom is set up to feel like individual rooms in a fully decorated home. Mat has described it as “an ever-rotating carousel of design”.  We’re looking forward to the launch of their new furniture line next week. High style. Fresh modernism. We’ll be sure to them at High Point Market next month.

Another favorite stop was Peter Dunham's Hollywood at Home showroom.  The space featured an amazing collection of textiles, wallpaper and wall murals with vintage furniture organized in cozy room settings. His style has inspired me to use more tribal weaves and Mid-Century leanings. 

Here's my take-away list after seeing these cool curated collections; incorporate more vintage, mix tribal patterns and colors, play with focal walls (mural-like wallpaper, fabric on the wall or even large tapestries), lighter woods are definitely back and plants in excess are a must! I’m sure we'll see some of these trending next week at High Point. Even if we don’t, we’ll be seeing them in some of our upcoming designs!