BEFORE & AFTER : Lipstick Dining Chairs

I found these gems one sunny LA afternoon at REVIVAL furniture in Lincoln Heights east of downtown LA. When I saw them I knew I loved the shape but crushed yellow velvet upholstery.....ugh.

However, the price of $35 quickly changed my penny pinching mind! So I loaded them up, brought them home, and tore them apart piece by piece in order to devise a plan of attack. In the end, I decided black and white would be the way to go. For pieces that came from an afternoon of tediously pulling out hundreds (o.k. maybe I'm exaggerating a little) upholstery staples and a lot of black and white lacquer they were the perfect addition to our dining nook.

I have come across a bit of crocodile leather, so you may see a revised version soon!

Official Communication from The Bureau of Communication

Do you remember playing MadLibs as a kid? Creating hilarious short stories all by simply "filling in the blank"

Well, now there is a spin off of MadLibs for adults from The Bureau of Communcation.

"Every day, there are millions of thoughts that go unspoken. To promote better understanding between the peoples of the world, the Bureau of Communications is pleased to present a selection of fill-in-the-blank stationary for everyday correspondence."

Unlike the fill-in-the-blank game of our pasts, these forms also have a purpose! You now have the opportunity to spread your word with vintage inspired documents such as "Formal Invitation", "Unsolicited Feedback", and "Statements of Gratitude" simply and easily through the Bureau. 

I personally sent the "Declaration of Romantic Intent" and it was greatly appreciated and made for a good laugh.

Send your loved ones, or someone who may have rubbed you the wrong way, notice with a classy approach...or unique at least!  

FEATURED ARTIST: Audrey Smith

 I absolutely love stumbling across an artist that really catches your eye! The other day, while passing time on DeviantArt.com , I found the gallery of artist Audrey Smith.
 Audrey Smith is a talented mixed media artist specializing in collage and sculpture. What caught my eye was a 2008 Collection "UTOPIA"

 

"I can't help but to tie the concept of utopia with dreamy optimism - the same kind that swept through the US after WWII, when everything was brighter, better, and more advanced. A little bit too shiny and gleeful if you ask me. But, out of that era came all manner of fantastic mid-century design that I love."

Her brilliant use of simple layering and pattern are wonderfully quirky and intriguing.  A perfect blend of contemporary art and vintage nostalgia!

 

While studying at  Towson University, where she received a B.A. in Fine Art, she began her studies as a sculpture major. When experimenting with  ceramics she discovered that clay was the perfect medium for her. 

"Although I was required to make functional pottery for classes, my heart remained set on sculpture, and I fit it into my studies whenever possible."

 

You can find a large sample of Audrey's work on Deviant Art at http://audreysmith.deviantart.com/gallery/

Or purchase an Audrey Smith original from her Etsy shop.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/audreysmith

HOUSE TOUR : Atwater Village by RST design and 73 Construction

Originally a 500 sq.ft. cottage on an empty lot, the Atwater Village house has grown to include 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms as well as an office and several outdoor rooms. The intent has been to open up the house to the yard in a way that makes it feel much larger than its 1,150 sq.ft., avoiding dead-end spaces that feel removed from everyday use and the indoor/outdoors spaces.

The house and landscape are connected through the use of "hard" materials such as board-formed concrete walls and benches and a polished black slab floor, as well as "soft" materials including old fence boards, re-used for siding in the living room, and plywood as both flooring in the original house and paneling on the exterior of the addition. 

 

"Completing the work ourselves has allowed for the inclusion of sustainable technologies like the green roof and a rainwater collection system. The house serves as a demonstration for a practical use of inexpensive and re-purposed materials as well as for the benefits of connecting indoor and outdoor living space."

Today is the beginning....

I am so ecstatic to finally have Habitat Habitué up and running! 

As an aspiring Interior Designer and furniture fanatic I have always craved for a way to share my design perspective and inspirations, my experiences, tips and ideas to all my fellow aesthetically driven design addicts. 

Visit me here for your daily dose of design, art, products, and news.

Feel free to drop me a quick note with any comments, requests or suggestions!

-P

Let me introduce myself...

My name is Pamela Jewell and I am curiously obsessed with the visual arts. I find furniture irresistible, garage projects fantastic, and architecture divine. After studying at FIDM in Downtown Los Angeles I have had the great pleasure of working with a wide variety of people in residential and commercial interior design and set design. These great opportunities enabled me to organize Pamela Jewell iD, which provides services ranging from in-house design consultations, graphic branding, and full-service interior design.

Please visit www.PamelaJewell.com for samples from my portfolio.

 With Los Angeles as my playground, I am fortunate to be surrounded by a plethora of vintage and thrift stores, restaurants, galleries as well as amazing architecture. The city is full of inspiration waiting around every corner and I am so excited to be able to share with you everything that crosses my path.

To get things rolling here is an introduction of a few of my favorite things.....

A few of my favorite things...

BOLD ENTRANCE

The most inviting splash of color is a bright and delicious entrance door. The origin of my obsession begins with the austere, black shutter, plantation style home adorned with a brilliant red door. The bold red door was such a beautiful and powerful contrast to an otherwise monotone exterior. By utilizing many other eye catching hues you can emulate your own personality to every visitor or passerby.

FEATHERS

Feather accents have always encompassed feminine luxury and a sophisticated, yet whimsical, playfulness. Peacock, ostrich, goose, natural, bleached, or dyed. Endless creative possibilities and applications! In 2009, feathers have been seen on hats, headbands, purses, apparel, and jewelry. Stay tuned to "Habitat Habitué" for projects ideas for your own one-of-a-kind feather accessories.

Photo by Alex Norden

POLAROID

Even though acquiring the film can burn a hole in one's pocket, there is something irrevocably raw and sultry about images captured on Polaroid. The same desire for instant (well almost instant) visibility that we crave in digital cameras can be achieved by Polaroids as well as an exhilarating nostalgia that becomes an activity in itself. A great way of organizing names and faces at events is to have a Polaroid guest book to capture all of your guests and their "oh! so clever" messages.  

"Polaroids" by Jonathon Leder 

MY TRUSTY CALCULATOR WATCH

After ordering my first calculator watch my inner geek could not have been more pleased. The chunky plastic accessory can't step in as your "go to" piece but it is arguably the most efficient wrist accessory you will ever own! I fell in love with the idea while attending an extremely cut throat sample sale. I frantically rummaged through my bag to find my calculator, just to see how much 70% would save me, only to find that someone had snatched the Dolce Vita Buenos Aires jumper right from under my nose! But never again. I am now armed with the ability to perform calculations at the drop of a hat, or jumper! 

High Contrast : Black and White


A classic scheme that emotes simple elegance which champions the ever changing color trends in design. The high contrast of black and white is a great way to make a bold statement in both casual and formal environments.