Yesterday I was cruising Tumblr, and one of my favorite rolls to follow over there, my farmhouse, had posted an insanely eclectic living room that made me very curious. It turned out it was designed by Gary Spain Design and I just had to see more. While I cannot seem to find a thorough “about” column, the pictures tell a lot. Gary Spain design’s service include not only interior design, but set design and styling as well. I thoroughly enjoyed going through each slideshow on the site, and there are a wide range of styles included. Here are a few more favorites (it’s hard to choose):

He mixes in bold art and classic busts:

Arranges a perfect David Hicksian tablescape:

Creates serene and beautiful work areas that blend right into any room in the house:

And mixes color, art, and modern to perfection. Wow.

all images via garyspaindesign.com

I loved this story in the AJC the other day, mostly because it is a good commentary on the untainted, not-yet-too-cynical, fresh approach that companies are likely to get from student designers. Staybridge Suites has decided to hire Savannah College of Art and Design students to design its hotel rooms.

“Every three years we work to evolve our standardized room program,” said Robert Radomski, vice president for global brand management extended-stay.

Normally, he said, the company would go to tried-and-true professionals who have years of experience, But sometimes, he said, their ideas can be recycled and they often must juggle multiple assignments, making it hard to focus on one client.

“This time around when the cycle came due . . . we were thinking we’d like to take a different approach,” he said…“They represent the next generation of designers and the next generation of travelers.”

This post does not seek to disrespect or devalue the work of experienced professionals!  I just loved doing student projects and get excited when I see people tapping students for fresh ideas. For example, The Beltline Project in Atlanta started out as Ryan Gravel’s thesis project at Georgia Tech.

Do you have any student projects you’d like to share with us, either current or from way back in your portfolio archives? Do you have any good student project stories, good or bad? Share them with us in the comments section!

This just in from the fabulous Vanessa de Vargas of TurquoiseLA. If you are in L.A. this weekend, be sure to catch this sale!

We are delighted to invite you to our premier designer tag sale, a HIGH-END DESIGNER SHOPPING EVENT!! Please feel free to forward this to your friends and contacts!!

The Designer Tag Sale is an interior designer yard sale/tag sale organized by interior designer Vanessa De Vargas and design editor Vanessa Kogevinas. Hosted by entrepreneur Amy Swift (SMARTY.), the sale will feature over ten top Los Angeles designers selling items from their personal inventories including small furniture such as side-tables, lamps, rugs, pillows, art, accessories and more at incredibly low prices! Nothing will be over $200 and prices will run as low as $5.

Designers include Molly Luetkemeyer, Ron Woodson, Jamie Rummerfield, Lindsey Dann Miller, Vanessa De Vargas, Paula Smail, Carla Lane, Jennifer Culp, Michelle Workman, Krista Ewart, Kelly Van Patter, Erica Islas, Jonamor Décor, Stephanie Visser and Cory Pernicano.

Confirmed vendors are Sobe, Elixir G, New Editions, and Yelp who will be participating as a media sponsor.

Free gift bags will be offered to the first thirty attendees and will include items from Henry Road, Bueller Designs, Blue Pool Road, Yelp, Fauna Pet and C Magazine’s newest issue!

There will also be a raffle with gifts from Apartment Therapy, Kreme wallpaper and Anney Friday Jewelry. Complimentary entertainment will include Elixir G Margaritas, Yvonne’s Gluten-Free Cookies, light passed appetizers and beauty treatments. DJ New Berlin will be spinning.

Any non-purchased/left-over designer inventory will be donated to Biet T’Shuvah, a local Venice residential treatment, spiritual and education center.

The Designer Tag Sale will also feature free mini-consultations and appraisals by designers so we ask that you bring pictures of your home and furniture items if you wish to participate.

Entry fee is $10. Cash only please.

We look forward to your participation and support, and thank all of our participants, without whom this event would not be possible!

Check out our blog for websites and more info!!

 

Designer Tag Sale logo and invitation designed by Tatiana Kogevinas.
All rights reserved.

After seeing Kristen Bell’s Hollywood home in the last issue of In Style, I decided to try and find out more about her designer, Stacey Vurduris. She has a few of her projects up on flickr, right here. Below are a few of my favorites, which feature great texture achieved through using beautiful tiles:

To see more of Stacey Vurduris’s work on Flickr, click here. Her website is here. The Kristen Bell In Style spread is here. Here’s a peek, God I miss Veronica Mars!

First three photos via flickr. Last photo by Francois Halard, via In Style via StaceyVurdurisDesign.com.

In a continued effort to find environmentally friendly design right under my nose, I present the Netto Collection Moderne Dresser. I’ve been rather obsessed with all things David Netto since that iconic Ione Skye issue of Domino. It has influenced my personal style so much, from the doughnut phone to the striped rug, the rattan to the beautiful wood floors. Now I just need a hanging chair…

What makes it green? It is made from sustainably harvested wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. All composite materials meet the stringent European “E1″ toxicity standards. Finishes are non-toxic and non-VOC emitting. The is safety certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association (JPMA).

Netto is one of my favorite designers. He has such a range. He handles California Neutra houses, Park Avenue apartments, Hamptons showhouses, teenager rooms, exhibitions, nurseries and restaurants with aplomb. To see more of his design work, check out the portfolio on his website. Here’s a teaser for what you’ll find there:

I love the way he considers every object in the room, especially the way he can work a neutral palette to highlight texture and art. This makes each item, like that chair and even the firewood basket, a piece of sculpture. Brilliant!

Thank you for removing the paper towel roll and random dishtowels when styling this shot. They tend to ruin even the best of kitchen design images!

Ione Skye home from Domino, via flickr member xJavierx.

Bottom photos from David Netto Design