Today, ladies and gents, I'd like to turn you on to an artist I discovered recently who is doing a few very cool and different kinds work.  His name is Nick Lamia and he paints, draws and creates installations, but it's not the range of mediums that intrigue me as much as his diveristy of subject matter and style.  I am a sucker for art that observes the natural world so was rather moved when I saw some of his recent watercolor and pencil studies of dead flies and bees and other bits of natural detritus. 

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Hey peeps.  If you find yourself wandering the La Cienega corridor tomorrow in search of something to do, come check out a panel that I am a part of discussing how to balance new and old objects of local and far-flung provenance.  I am very honored to be included in such esteemed company:  Trip Haenisch, Richard Hallberg and William Hefner.  Wowza.  Needless to say, I have a bevy of butterflies duking it out in my stomach.  The panel begins at 2:30pm at the swanky new Galerie XX (665 North La Cienega).  It is sponsored by California Home+Design as part of the Legends of La Cienega-palooza taking over the design district for the next two day and will be moderated by CH+D's witty editor, Erin Feher.  Come by and see how I do (and maybe even learn a little something...)  Enjoy!

 

Hey peeps!  Today I am going to turn you on to, hands down, the chicest shop in Los Angeles.  It is called the Gray Gallery, and when I first saw it, I was stunned into silence.  For those of you faithful readers of Mollyloot, you know what a rare moment that is.  The gallery captivates and entices you in from the moment you approach the front window:

Upon entering, dead ahead is a monumental wall ceramic relief wall by Peter Lane.  It is brutalist and moody and demands you come over for closer inspection.  I adore the vitrines sliced into the massive sculpture.  So much texture and gusto!  So chic!

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On my last visit to New York, I was able to carve out an hour or so to sneak over to MOMA to see the jaw dropping Cindy Sherman show (more on that to come).  When I was finished and needed to digest the range and intensity of what I had just seen, I slipped out to the sculpture garden.  When I lived in New York, I spent many, many hours in the garden's previous incarnation so was curious if the new version would stand up.  I am thrilled to say that even on a brisk day with the trees denuded of their foliage, the garden was thrilling.  Every element is considered from the placement of the magnificent sculptures, to the selection of the trees, to the architectural details.  I forgot how much sculture, especially twentieth century sculpture, moves me.  I love how evocative each piece is and that you can touch and feel the work.  I dare you to remain unmoved:

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I sat out Westweek this year due to a hideously over-extended schedule but the one event I could not miss was the always fabulous House Beautiful party, this year at Peter Dunham's oasis of understated chic, Hollywood at Home.  As we approached, Kate squealed out loud and said, "Oh my God!  LOOK at those chairs!"  Imagine my delight and surprise when I rushed over to find that the coveted chairs were designed by and covered in my dear friend, Rodman Primack's gorgeous fabric from his RP Miller line. I immediately grabbed him and made him perch on said chairs while I snapped away like a loving paparazzi.  I mean, come on.  Look at him!

Please note the slim yellow piping that makes these dynamite chairs really crackle! The entire RP Miller line is carried at Hollywood at Home.  Below are just a few of my faves.  The pictures are good but you really should see the fabrics in person so you can appreciate the luxurious weight of the linen...

Peter's Stripe:

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I know.  I know.  Where the hell have I been?  Well, let me tell you, my lovlies, all work and no play makes Molly a dull girl.  I am deeply delighted to have so many fantastic projects (truly) but it doesn't leave much time for anything else.  That said, I had to take a break in the action to share the coolest new site I have seen in months.  It's called same dream as you and is the brainchild of Emily Wagner and Shane Edelman.  Together they are a design powerhouse, working in art direction, photography, branding, textiles, web design, illustration, film, invitations and fine art.  What, you say?  How can they do it all?  Well, it appears that they have reserves of talent and creativity that put me to shame and make me think I should just hang it all up.

Here's a little sampling to whet your whistle.  For starters, next time I throw a party, I will definitely have these guys do my invitations.  This is, hands down, the funniest and most creative invitation I have seen in years:

And how about this gorgeous, hand-painted fabric?

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I was in Denver this past weekend seeing some clients and over-celebrating the Super Bowl but managed to squeeze in a visit to the new Clyfford Still Museum.  I have always been a fan of Still's work and was excited to see and experience this space completely dedicated to him.  The building itself, designed by Brad Cloepfil of Allied Works Architecture, is composed of austere materials (concrete, steel and wood) used in innovative and exciting ways that create a subtle but dynamic backdrop for the art. 

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Yesterday, I had the distinct pleasure of seeing the final performance of Fela! at the Ahmanson Theatre.  I wish I had gotten myself down there earlier so I could tell you all to run, not walk, but alas, I barely snuck in under the wire.  The show was an incredible portrayal of the extremely hip and extremely harrowing life of the incomparable Nigerian singer and musician, Fela Kuti.  The performances by the actors, dancers and muscians were excellent across the board and I left the theatre both pensive and ready to shake my booty (sorry to rub it in).  What I can share are some of the fabulous looks the patrons were rocking, clearly inspired by this African icon.  So damn fly...

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I was cooling my heels this past week at the Criminal Courts Building in beautiful downtown Los Angeles performing my civic service (aka jury duty).  It was a motley crew gathered in a dingy, fluorescent lit holding room for 8 hours a day but it was punctuated by an hour and a half lunch break (which is completely unheard of in my regular life).  I decided to take advantage of my proximity to MOCA and headed over to their fabulous store to knock some gifts off my list and see if there was anything I "needed" to have.  Turns out there was.  

M. Design has just moved into a new office (hooray!  we have a dedicated library!  and a kitchen!) and I was thrilled to discover that MOCA was selling a series of mugs emblazoned with images of Sister Corita's punchy, graphic seriographs.  Dig it:

After snatching these up, I saw their selection of mugs wrapped in a bevy of Pantone colors and thought this neon yellow would help out on groggy mornings:

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A crushing amount of work (all good, just a lot), the holidays, a stomach flu and preparations to move into a new office have all conspired to keep me away from you, dear readers.  But I have a pause in the madness and thought I would share some pithy and practical thoughts on redecorating by one of my design gurus, Sir Terence Conran:

Take everything our of your living room.  While it's empty, consider the quality of light and how you can improve it.  Move back into the room only furniture that you really love or things that are very practical.  If your sofa looks down at the heel, recover or replace it. Next, consider your storage and audiovisual needs.  Go buy yourself a lovely, low table to put in front of the sofa, or a new standing lamp.  Finally, decide if you want color in the room.  This approach is fairly radical, but it can be rewarding.  I used it myself when I remarried.  

If you want more of his excellent advice, may I recommend you head on out to a purveyor of quality books and check out the large array of helpful tomes he has written on topics that span bathrooms, kitchens, gardens, inspiration, storage and much more.  My all time favorite, the book I return to again and again, is the 1986 classic, The House Book.  Savvy ideas from a man who has been in the design business most of his 80 years.  Enjoy and here's to a stylish, peaceful and healthy new year!

Quote courtesy of Elle Decor, image courtesy of Black Neon