Postcards from 101 California - V2
Not too long ago, Abbott Kinney Boulevard in Venice was an inconsistent stretch of boarded up store fronts, small galleries and an occasional vintage store. In a true organic fashion, it has grown into one of the hottest shopping, design, dining and trendsetting streets in Los Angeles.
Colcha: With its warehouse-like space, the store has the feel of a really, really good garage sale: one-of-a-kind wood furniture, antiques from Europe and found objects with histories as interesting as the items themselves. When you find yourself in need of a decorative, moderately functional 6-foot woven basket, look no further. Colcha’s goal has always been to feature unique pieces that work in contemporary and globally influenced environments.
Digs: The Upper East Side vibe at this furniture showroom-regal foyer pieces, swanky living room sets-promises to transform a West Coast pad from drab to fab. Well-lit and dramatically staged, the store’s goods don’t come cheap, but then again, can you really put a price on what a black lacquer dining room set will do for your studio apartment?
Surfing Cowboys: Surfing Cowboys is part vintage furniture showroom, part vintage photography and art shop, and part pop culture bookstore, with a little modern-day jewelry thrown in for good measure. The owners are former commercial fashion photographers who traveled the world and started collecting pieces along the way. They wanted to share the pieces and their inspiration to reconstruct the California dream. When you walk into Surfing Cowboys, you feel like you walked into the coolest living room in Venice - since the owners used to live in the back of the store it’s not far from the truth!
Brick Lane: Dark wood floors, white antique tables, a British phone booth perched casually on the lawn, and the owner’s dog napping on the porch: the environment is quaint and the goods are chic. Ben Sherman tanks share the racks with Ted Baker’s feminine, sophisticated blouses and edgy, embellished blazers and cheeky undies for men. Glamorous Lulu Guinness sunglasses, candy-colored rain boots and beach totes round out the collection. If it’s English and a little unexpected, you just might find it here.
Turquoise:
Three Square Bakery: Going back to square one is never fun, but Three Square Bakery is the exception. I can personally recommend the almond croissant and a non-fat latte to keep up your strength while navigating Abbott Kinney.
March 21st, 2008 by Kimberley Postcard from 101 California
Los Angeles is not only my second home, but serves as one of my greatest inspirations. You can find nearly anything here. Just this week I was wandering the Pacific Design Center and I stumbled upon a great new resource for my design projects - Charles Jacobsen.
Charles Jacobsen specializes in Asian-inspired aesthetics. Their choices are more architectural than Epcot center; which means I can include an occasional Indian or Chinese furniture piece into a classical room without risking a dreaded “theme” taking shape. I love drama in design and the product here delivers. Strong lines and natural materials such as wood and stone inform most of the pieces, each one with a story to tell.
The fountains and outdoor marble seating were especially enticing. I would place the stone bench at the end of a garden path and put the fountain next to the most comfortable seat where I would curl up with a good book and iced tea to read. Heaven.
Beauty emerges in all forms but simplicity usually leaves the most lasting impression.
February 29th, 2008 by Kimberley HSN
This week was our official launch of Kimberley Seldon’s Concierge Collection for HSN. I am the inspiration for the collection and have been working closely with HSN for a year to create this exclusive line of home décor products for HSN viewers. (If I look tired in this photo, you’ll forgive me when I tell you that I was on camera for a 24-hour appearance). As the host of Design for Living (seen on Wealth TV in the US) I had the opportunity to experience some of the world’s finest accommodations. Concierge Collection was initially inspired by this five-star hotel lifestyle but it’s growing to encompass a much wider range of product for savvy consumers. Attainable aspiration - that’s what excites me. We all deserve a home environment that’s beautiful and nurturing. Our mission, at Kimberley Seldon Home is to bring value and affordable luxury to a wide audience of home enthusiasts like me.
The launch comprised of a coveted “Today’s Special” - one favored item that’s sold throughout a 24 -hour period. I sold 21,000 beautiful 500 thread count sheet sets. (21,000 people sleeping better tonight!). There were 8 delicious colors and it was an amazing value for the product quality. We surpassed HSN’s expectations and were thrilled to get a huge hit right off the top.
I’ll make an appearance with the Concierge Collection on HSN every other month. I’m keen to expand the line to include table top, decorative accessories and furniture - feel free to tell me what you need at home. In addition to the sheet sets, I sold 6 different bedding sets, towels, lamps, ottomans, headboards, featherbed tops, pillows…….talk about being prepared!
As with good design in any arena, it’s the details that made a difference on the set.
This was one of our more modern sets. Quite a departure from the typical HSN look.
February 26th, 2008 by Kimberley Design Express Toronto Design Development weekend Toronto, Saturday April 12 - Sunday April 13, 2008. Learn Best Practices of successful design firms. Visit showrooms and manufacturers, learn the secrets of styling like a pro, create fail-proof worksheets and build a dreamy bed. Now’s your chance to ask the questions you need answered. Design Express Toronto picks up where design school leaves off.
Cost $995.00 plus GST. Includes all learning sessions, supplementary learning materials, light lunches and dinner on Saturday. Travel between locations by luxury coach. Space is Limited. Sign up Today: 416-78-9187 ex 234, or Cheryl@kimberleyseldon.com
February 14th, 2008 by Kimberley Viva Las Vegas
When I think of Las Vegas, I return to the classic vintage style of the 1960s. Not that I remember it personally, since I wasn’t born until the decade was well underway. However, I do remember visiting with my mom and dad when I was a wee lass and even before I knew what “cool” was I knew that Vegas had it. Still does as a matter of fact. This last week we attended the Winter Las Vegas Furniture Market. The exhibit spanned more than 3 million square feet and hosted about 1,300 global companies. There were two special areas that caught our attention - “Design + Living” and “Living Green Pavilion”; together these exhibits celebrated the top echelon of style with a focus on green and design-inspired products. Big hits included natural woods, fibers and textiles. If you love texture, this is your year.
Sophisticated Simplicity was definitely part of the trend.
Making deliberate decisions about what surrounds us was a consistent message.
February 13th, 2008 by Kimberley Wait for it…Kimberley Seldon’s blog is coming soon. Just in time for Christmas.
November 20th, 2007 by Kimberley |
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