"MID" - After:
And Before again:
Mid-After:
I hope you agree with me that this is looking MUCH improved! We painted the baseboards, added crown, and new paper by Philip Jeffries. I return to San Diego next Thursday for the "big reveal", as my cute client has referenced the installation. I can't wait and I hope I'll have good photos to share soon!
My trip out to California was great. The weather was 75 and sunny the entire week - a nice reprieve from the 105+ heat in Austin. My sister-in-law, Heather was a perfect host and I loved spending time with her over dinners. On Wednesday, I hit up La Cienega for antiques and new friends...
Loved Lucca - in fact, I purchased a lamp there for San Diego. Here I am snapping photos. Yes, that is a pashmina - in July! Yay!
I enjoyed Lee Stanton Antiques as well - he has a beautiful garden in the back of his shop.
After lunch (I lunched at Catherine Malandrino's cute cute cafe outdoors) I took a break and shimmied over to Robertson so I could scope out the t-shirts at Kitson. I parked the car, walked that way and was suddenly surrounded by the Paparazzi! I admit I was expecting someone fabulous like Jennifer Anniston, Posh Spice or Gwyneth, and was sort of bummed to learn it was Ciara. In fact, I had to ask a young teen standing near me in the shoe section who it was! A few pics of the paps..... 
I never ran into Kelly Wearstler but I did happen to park right in front of her office on La Cienega! 
Thursday was more antiquing and a visit to the Pacific Design Center for fabrics.
When I returned to Austin, I worked for a week, and we then had some friends in from Dallas. We MIGHT have gotten into some shenanigans! Amanda, Katy, and Dougie were here for the weekend to ring in America's birthday. We spent most of the time on the lake, which was perfect considering there is really no other way to enjoy an Austin summer unless you are moving!
We somehow ended up on a bright yellow ski boat with this guy - Jorge Moreno - who was in town for the weekend from Miami. Jorge was nice to share wake-boarding advice with the hubs and was also quite nice to provide such pleasant eye-candy for us girls. (unfortch for the Dallas gals, he's married). 
We concluded the night at a party on the lake - where we had a great view of the fireworks. (I did not take this photo, but thought it was better than mine).
I was literally SQUEALING when I commenced my LA/ Hollywood shopping research last night. I plan to hit up MANY places in only 2 days - Here's only a few I plan to check out: 
Hollyhock - Suzanne Rheinstein's shop - v. pumped to check out.
And of course if I have the time (which is looking doubtful) I would love to go to the Getty, as I have never been!
On my latest trip to New York, Ginny and I spotted this cute fashion/design-maven couple walking the streets in the West Village. ... (Simon Doonan and Jonathan Adler).
Keep you posted! Off to pack -
My go-to store Uncommon Objects is seen in the background of this pic on South Congress.
Come and see for yourself!
Then, the response from Ginge: You may not believe but I have nails now! You may not have known that I didn't before. Quit the biting when I got here. Just got 2nd mani in the city. No Bees Please is the bomb color. Check it out.
Layton: Ginge… don’t think I didn’t notice your nails – or lack there of… before. I’ll check the color… wish I got a mani today.
Ginge: a neutral. But the best one I've seen. OPI
Layton: Better than coney island cotton candy? That used to be my go-to!
Ginge: No shimmer if that's what you're in the market for.
Layton: Well, my market is typically metallic… you know I like to draw as much attention as possible to the smallest hands on an adult… well, second the “Mayor Claw”
At which point, Ginge felt the urge to send a visual.
Finally, my response: "Ya'll are killing me."
Meanwhile, I drew a sketch and sent to my client / friend Scott for his grill area in the outdoor pool cabana.....
His classic response: 
I visited SO many lovely stores and made a few new cute friends! Ann Koerner had beautiful things....
As did Karla Katz, Anne Pratt, and Gerrie Bremmerman. GB is a designer who does lovely work, often featured in Southern Accents...
You may recognize these photos?
I also enjoyed Mac Maison........
When in Gerrie Bremmerman, I admired a few of the contemporary paintings by George Marks, Meredith Pardue, and Amanda Talley. They told me to stop in Amanda's studio right down Magazine and so I did! She was so adorable! I think we'd be friends if I resided in NOLA. Here she is in her cute little studio....
Her work is impressive - she's been featured in several magazines (Southern Accents below)..
My husband has (not so) indiscreetly let it be known that he would love to move to New
Orleans. I have to say, I think I might not mind it too much.
Ciao!
