Pure Bliss

Growing up Meg Ryan was one of my favorite actresses. I watched her from her soap days, (now I can’t remember what one), to her first role as Goose’s wife in Top Gun, and my all time favorite movie Harry Met Sally. I always felt like she was someone I could be friends with, don’t ask me why (wouldn’t it be terrible if she turned out to be bitchy), she always seemed so approachable. Maybe I feel connected to her because we’re both from Connecticut and I loved that she was always a little preppy!  Imagine my surprise, when I saw her house in the June issue of Elle Decor.   I knew we were kindred spirits when I saw her Martha’s Vineyard home designed by Marsha Russell of Satinwood LTD in Bedford, NY.  This house is soooooo me!  While I’m trying to add more color into my own home, I am forever drawn to white.  I don’t know why, but for me it’s pure bliss. I know some people prefer color but after 15 years, I never grow tired of white.   My boyfriend thinks we live in a hospital and my friends joke that that I got a white dog to go with my white furniture.  This home is so simple and beautiful that I can’t help but be drawn to it.  It only reinforces my fondness for Meg Ryan and why if we lived next door to one another – we’d be BFF’s.

I love the grandeur of this dining table with this big chairs. I picture this at night with lots of votives burning, wine being passed around the table, and yummy food prepared from local ingredients.

This kitchen just makes you want to cook.  I love that the pendant lights and  how the wood beams give the room more interest rather than a flat surfaced ceiling. It’s refreshing to see a rustic wood table with the wide planks as the focal point vs.. your traditional matching island.  It adds an organic feeling and warms up the room.

What I find interesting architecturally about the house is the use of height and different windows and ceiling materials.  Each room is slightly different yet it all compliments one another.

While some would find this room boring, I love it.  White, white, and more white.  Heaven for me

The bathroom tile looks so vintage and I like how they used the wood room divider. 

I love the clean look of the counter with the oversized sink.  The pendent lights are one of my favorite things in this bathroom along with the oversize mirror.  The whole bathroom is a combination of vintage with modern lines but the materials compliment one another.  I love it.  Wouldn’t you be happy washing brushing your teeth every morning here?

What are your thoughts?  Are you a white person or do you like your color?

 

 

Photo Credits:  All photos by William Waldrom /Elle Decor

Minotti Los Angeles Nothing Short of Elegante

As most of my friends know, I work in corporate America and day dream about hitting lotto and spending my days surrounded by flea markets, furniture, textiles, and anything to do with home design, etc. While some of us have the ability to follow our passion, I have fiscal responsibilities and need to put the same passion I have for the things I love into my work.  Fortunately for me, I work for an Italian corporation and get to deal with some amazing companies.  One of my first clients was Minotti Los Angeles, the most gorgeous showroom in Los Angeles.  Mary Ta is the owner and creative director of this amazing showroom. 

For those of you who are not familiar with Minotti, it is an Italian company that manufacturers case goods, tables, sofas, chairs, and various types of furniture produced in Northern Italy.  Mary Ta is the force behind the first mono-brand store for Minotti.  In the past, Minotti has been a part of other furniture stores collections.  Mary Ta was the first business owner to create a single brand store.  This is something very rare in the Italian furniture world, especially in Los Angeles where most companies carry various European luxury brands. Mary’s concept has been so successful, that today she is one of their highest revenue stores  and her concept is being expanded in other markets.  That’s the highest form of a complement, I’d say!    Her high profile clientele includes many well known designers, architects, actors, actresses, and many industry executives as well as prominent business people. While I can’t revel her client list, let’s just say it’s the “Who’s Who'” of Hollywood.  Mary is known for her fabulous customer service and elegant demure.  How some people say you look like your pet, Mary looks like her showroom. She’s always so put together and always looks elegant and classy.

Here is Mary is seen below with Mattia Biagi one of her employees, a former fashion model and successful artist specializing in tar art.  His art can be seen in various art galleries around the world. 

Minotti is known for it’s clean lines and classic style. It’s contemporary in design but not over the top like some European designs.   You could furnish your entire house with Minotti or if you are more eclectic in style, their pieces are the perfect accent to any room.  See below some of the pieces from the Minotti collection.  The chair below is the Cortina Chair.

The Hamilton sofa below in various configurations.

I love the look of the Klimt sofa, it’s classic.

The Calder table below seen in different sizes.

Hamilton bed by Minotti below.  Very sleek and elegant.

The Moore Bed by Minotti (seen below).

  Mary Ta, the owner has been featured in various home and fashion magazines and has co-hosted many events with major magazines.  For many of us women who dream of owning our business, she is a great inspiration.  She had a concept idea that she brought to life and through her vision, Minotti Los Angeles became one of the most successful furniture stores in Los Angeles.  

 

In addition to the Minotti line, she carries a couple of niche designers from Italy to compliment the Minotti line.  Below are chandeliers handcrafted by two artists from Milano.  They are made by Lolli e Memmoli produced by Ivan Lolli and Mario Memmoli.   

You can see how incredible these chandeliers look once they have been installed.  See below photos of Lolli & Memmoli chandeliers installed in the home of Kanye West. Kayne West’s house was featured in Interior Design Magazine.

Mary also showcases various pieces from Mauro Mori (below Mary and Mauro).  An artist who deals mostly with raw materials such as blocks of wood or marble.  His pieces are sculptural in design and are the perfect accent to a room. His ultimate creations are sculptural and organic in design.

"Eyelong," pictured above, is carved from a single Albizia rosewood tree from the Seychelles Islands, is an example of his elegant work.  Below is another sample of his beautiful detailed work.

It doesn’t matter what your style is, Minotti Los Angeles is a beautiful showroom not to be missed.  If your in Los Angeles or shopping on Beverly Boulevard make sure you stop in and see for yourself.  I think Brian B on Yelp summed up Minotti Los Angeles perfectly.

“The superb Minotti store in Los Angeles is the first US showroom featuring the exclusive designs of Minotti, one of Italy's premiere contemporary furniture lines and a must-stop on your Beverly Blvd. furniture of dreams tour. Imagine shopping to furnish James Bond's ultramodern ski chalet and you'll begin to get the picture. Everything from the black lacquered credenzas to the giant chandeliers to the goatskin and reindeer skin rugs beside the open hearth fire says, I'm sleek, sexy, expensive and worth it. If I win the lottery tomorrow, you'll find me here.”

 

Minotti Los Angeles is located at:

8936 Beverly Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA 90048-2421
(310) 278-6851

 

Make sure you tell them Ann from Peggy & Fritz sent you!

 

 

Photo Credits:  Photo 1:  Mary Ta, Photo 2-8:  Home Portfolio, Photo 9-12:  Photo Source Unknown, Photo 13, 14,: Interior Design Magazine, Photo 15:  Chris Weeks, Photo 16 & 17: Source Unknown.

Thriftier vs. Spender

I am always looking for great products that look expensive at a fraction of the cost.  One of the things I hope to share with all of you are items that I find while shopping that can give you great look for less.  I recently purchased this light at Ikea while shopping with my friend Nick.  It was different from most of Ikea's lighting collection because it was more like something you would see in Restoration Hardware or Williams Sonoma Home for a fraction of the cost..   The Barameter nickel platted lamp from Ikea is only $39.99.  It’s a savings of over $250.00 from Restoration Hardware’s Rowan Pharmacy Collection.  If your budget conscious and  looking for something with a high end look this light makes a great bedside table lamp or task light for a desk.  They also have it as a floor lamp which, I also bought, to use in my living room.  The only downside is you can only make the arm swing so far up and then it stops.  I wanted it to go up a little higher and it doesn’t let you do it, however, it’s a small compromise for a great looking lamp for someone on a budget.  However, if you can afford to spend more the Rowan Pharmacy Collection is beautiful and they offer it in an antique brass color which is gorgeous. 

 

 Ikea $39.99 - Barameter Lamp 

 

 

Restoration Hardware $299.00 – Rowan Pharmacy Collection

Night Light

I know it’s been some time since I posted.  Look for upcoming blog posts and keep sending me your ideas.  I have gotten some great ideas for posts courtesy of my friends.  Look for your concept ideas soon.  In the meantime, feast your eyes on this fabulous lighting from Anthropologie and Napa Style.  I love the vintage feel of these lights made from interesting materials such as wire, mercury glass, and mason jars.  They would make great pendant lights in an old farmhouse or cottage house. 

 

 

Photo Credits:  Napa Style and Anthropologie