Category Archives: HOME

My candle obsesh never ends. Enter Lisa Hoffman’s stunning Japanese Agarwood.

April 28, 2011

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the latest with my candle obsesh – i now ONLY want a wood wick.

that crackling sound is as close to a fireplace as i'm going to get right now.

it burns so clean. it just feels better than the waxy kind.

Lisa Hoffman keeps it nice and simple with only 2 scents in her collection.

Madagascar Orchid (must try!) and Japanese Agarwood which I sampled. 

scent :: deep, woodsy, soulful, peaceful, calming, warm.

what :: soy wax blend, 50 hour burning time, 9 oz, $46 

status :: DIVINE.

(i put mine in a round glass vase and added sand.  whoop there it is on my messy desk.)

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Alexa Rodulfo BOIS DE ROSE candles. Major mood game changer.

March 25, 2011

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Always on the hunt for candle perfection, alas, I arrive at:

ALEXA RODULFO

http://www.alexarodulfo.com/


Alexa Rodulfo’s candles have been the go-to interior accessory for connoisseurs of sophisticated fragrance and chic design.  Her latest scent debuts, BOIS NU and BOIS DE ROSE, are two extraordinarily sensual candles. True luxury items.  Alexa has personally worked with the most revered French noses in the industry to create a pas de deux of fragrances that are provocative, complex and unique. The result is at once primal and elegant, soft, yet sexy. And always evoking calmness, and pleasure.

BOIS DE ROSE is the one I'm burning now and it's literally changing the whole vibe in this kid/baby infested apartment cluttered with primary colored plastic toys that makes me want to jump off the balcony hire a live-in housekeeper that I can't afford this very second.  So not happening on two writer's budgets.  It's meant to evoke a walk in the Provençal countryside, classically feminine and alluring, but with just enough edge to keep it modern.  The bouquet of fresh mint and aromatic geranium, violet leaves, jasmine, white lily, peony petals and, of course, roses is offset by wood winds of cedar and vetiver.  I'M IN EFFEN HEAVEN!!

As Alexa describes it, “It is the feeling you have when you arrive at a place you love and there is an arrangement of fresh flowers on the table. You know you have been there before, but there is something new and beautiful that surprises you.”

The handcrafted candles are mixed and poured in Grasse, France, by the village’s world-renowned candlemakers using cotton wicks. They are then carefully poured into French glass with an elegant lead-free pewter lid, which is hand etched by artisans. Each candle burns for approximately 50 hours.

Buy it here for $69 


It interior designer around town (and my personal style crush) Molly Luetkemeyer will be delivering us loot weekly!

March 17, 2011

Yup, we are lucky!

I've been losing myself in Molly's blog, a visual treasure trove of goodies, since she started it and now GROOMED LA readers can grab a sneak peek weekly of her turn ons!

 YAY!

First up – my pick –  L U C I T E.

Growing up in the 70's-80's – lucite feels like home.

It's so bad-ass.  

Here Molly discusses VASA LUCITE with us!

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A while back, I did a post on multicolored lucite.  After reading it, Rebecca (from The Reluctant Floridian) suggested I check out the work of Vasa Mihich and I am SO glad she did!  He has been making candy-colored goodies since the late sixties and I can't wait to get my hands on one.  See if you agree:

 

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I love the vibrant colors and how they morph into hybrids when viewed from different angles.  The sleekness and polish of these pieces really speaks to me right now.  All of the ones above are for sale on Vasa's site, Vasa Studio.  Here's a little backstory on the man behind the magic:

 

A senior Professor of Design at the University of California, Los Angeles, Vasa is an innovative, internationally known sculptor whose creative work explores the three dimensional interactions of light and color. With an advanced understanding of optical complexities, Vasa has become, in the words of Henry Seldis, former art critic of The Los Angeles Times, "the most sensuous and sensational colorist of the southern California artists working in plastic."

You can also find vintage pieces of his online.  I love this column from 1983 (found oneBay).  As you move around the piece, it becomes almost active – changing into new color combinations from every different vantage point.

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And a little digging on 1st Dibs turned up this amazing table (from the fantastic shop, Fat Chance, here in LA)

 

YUM!  How great would this be in an all white living room with hot pink curtains?  I can see myself relaxing there right now (with my dogs locked outside on the deck).  Enjoy!

 

                              :: for more Molly loot go to www.mollyloot.com ::

Hey people. I’m Molly Luetkemeyer (loot-kah-my-er, just so we can get that out of the way). I have been a practicing interior designer at my firm, M. Design Interiors for the past 10 years (for the full back story, check out my about page). My ongoing mission is to guide clients to create personal, comfortable, chic homes that reflect their needs and particular tastes. No one should live in a showroom or someone else's house. Period. I am inspired by a range of sources from modern and contemporary art to nature, fashion and vintage design books to stuff I see on the street. It’s always coming at me and I want to share a little of it with you.

So take a look and always, let me know what you think atmdesigninteriors at mac dot com

 

Feeling the winter blues? Try a home-decor-color-pick-me-up. Thisnext.com’s Lulu D.K.’s shares some spruce-me-up-staples.

March 7, 2011

http://www.thisnext.com/item/DD3E5037/58DCFAB2/Clic-Bookstore-Gallery-ARTISTS

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Get a few pieces of great artwork to brighten any bland wall 🙂

collages by Lulu deKwiatkowski at www.clicgallery.com 

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Throw in some great classic pieces with a punch of color!

http://www.thisnext.com/item/7C277D72/70D36032/Eames-Aluminum-Lounge-Chair


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Cover your bed in a graphic bright quilt www.ebay.com <http://www.ebay.com>  

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Recover your grandma's old chair with a fun fabric! this one is Bloomsbury by LULU DK  http://www.thisnext.com/item/22C26E64/9CEE0AE8/Lulu-DK-Fabric

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Jazz up a room with great wallpaper, or save some money and just do one main wall!http://www.thisnext.com/item/4603FCAD/9657645D/Lulu-DK-Fabrics-Wallpaper Image006

Give your house a face lift with a new coat of paint…don’t skimp on paint, the quality makes all the difference. Go for Farrow & Ball. I love 268 CHARLOTTE'S LOCKS ORANGE, 74 CITRON YELLOW AND 253 DRAWING ROOM BLUE

http://www.thisnext.com/item/53327F5E/Farrow-Ball-Paint

 

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New extra soft bedding changes every room into a hotel getaway! www.luludkmatouk.com http://www.thisnext.com/item/9D32436E/D9E925FE/LULU-DK-MATOUK-Bedding-in

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I love a spot of red in every house and it can change your space in a blink of the eye. http://www.thisnext.com/item/EF3E6A99/B495DB5F/Strut-Table-Large-Table

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Here is another spot of red to brighten up your kitchen or bar counter.http://www.thisnext.com/item/AD5082E4/642B2B76/IKEA-Bar-stool