Have you ever wanted to just leave the city?

You’re sick and tired of it all and can’t do another conference call.  So you drive, drive, drive.  All of a sudden, there are no more billboards.  No more big box stores.  No more fast food joints.

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Did you know 2016 is the Chinese Year of the Monkey?

Mischievous. Curious. Clever. The monkey of Chinese myths is a favorite companion to children of all ages. He’s an underdog who thumps his nose (and tail) at the authorities and somehow always comes out ahead in the end.

Here ares a few of our favorites to help you start your Year of the Monkey right.

Cold weather might bring back plaid and tartans, but they don’t have to make your home look like those oversized lumberjack shirts in the back of the closet.  In fact, plaids are a great way to mix things up and introduce different colors.  Says renowned NY event producer David Stark in his recent Pretty in Plaid feature for Martha Stewart:

If you’re the type of person that wants things to look cohesive, but not too matchy-matchy, try mixing different colors of the same plaid. For color mixing, pick a particular color that each plaid will have in common. For example, if each pattern contains a vibrant cherry red, it will keep your look together. These flatware sets all have the same base color — a neutral white — so they can be mixed and matched on your dinner table.

And here are the plaids he chose, in London Chic chocolate red, London Chic cucumber green, and London Chic denim blue:

And the best part?  The stainless steel flatware has ABS plastic handles which are dishwasher safe and treated with Xtra Wash, a unique technology that keeps colors looking like new after hundreds of washes.  These are an absolute steal at only $15 per 5-pc setting!

We still remember watching the Martha Stewart TV shows years ago, so it’s a real treat to be featured in her blog now.  Thanks for thinking of us, David and Martha!

How would you display one of the most coveted contemporary art collections of our time?

Eli and Edythe Broad, by now L.A.’s most famous art collectors, were so particular about how their art was to be displayed, they actually turned down just about every museum in town and commissioned their own $140-million museum by Diller Scofidio + Renfro:

When we visited The Broad last weekend, we realized that part of the reason might be how to display the art in the proper light.

Art is usually kept away from direct sun light to prevent damage.  Eli Broad knows this well: he once kept a van Gogh in a desk drawer so it wouldn’t get sun damaged.  But art shown under artificial light just looks different.  So The Broad employs a special architectural detail to show its art under perpetual indirect natural light.

Each of the openings in the ceiling and on the side of the museum, dubbed the “veil” by the architects, functions as a light cell, bringing in a small amount of natural light and casting it on a concrete surface:

The light from many such small concrete surfaces then add up to a bright but indirect light for the interior, dubbed the “vault”:

On the side of the museum, the light cells bring in the outdoor light with just glimpses of the outside world, instead of creating distractions to compete with the art:

Seen from the outside, the museum may look like a bold gesture for the revitalization of downtown Los Angeles, especially next to the Walt Disney Concert Hall:

But in fact, it is actually a perfected machine for showcasing art in the best light, thus fulfilling the Modernist creed of “Form Follows Function” to a T.

Have any of you been to The Broad?  If so, we’d love to hear what you thought!  If not, get free tickets to The Broad by clicking here.

In the glamorous world of Fox’s new hit show, Empire, work is as decadent as play. If you love this opulent style, take a look at some of our favorite picks to transform your work space into queen’s quarters, just like Cookie’s!

For more ways to make your office over the top, click here!

I’m always thrilled when my boyfriend volunteers to do the dishes… until I hear the chilling sound of another glass shattering in the sink! Between him and his brother, those 4 hands have broken a good 20 or 30 glasses over the past year. My solution? Mario Luca Giusti‘s durable, beautiful, boyfriend-proof drinkware.

In so many colors and styles, these glass-like acrylic pieces were just what our kitchen needed. Now, when I hear something tumble into the sink, I keep my feet up and remote in hand, knowing he’ll never break another glass.

For more fun and easy styles by Mario Luca Giusti, click here!

Marrying the magic of summer with the anticipation of Holiday merriment, Fall is the perfect time for a truly enchanting wedding. And who better to keep us on trend than Occasions Magazine? Here, we give a peek at their Fall 2014 issue, where they feature our Vietri Fantasia Dinnerware and Waterford Lismore Crimson Champagne Flutes in their delightful Sunflower and Scarlet motifs.

These harvest hues can instantly bring the charm of the season to your festivities and your home. Take a look at some of our favorite ways to use them every day:

Try a ruby red runner for a splash of spice that lets your tabletop shine through underneath.

Give your boudoir some spunk with a cheery gold quilt and shams.

Ground any space with a bold stripe crimson rug.

Show your kitchen some sunshine with festive kitchen towels.

Add instant elegance to your desk or credenza with a lustrous deep red accessories box.

Summer is on the horizon, and we’re captivated by the citrus palettes making a splash on the design scene! From tangerine to grapefruit, pops of punchy colors are perfect for adding a tangy twist to traditional interiors. Combine two or more extroverted hues, like lemon with lime, for a juicy, ‘Happy Chic’ look, a la Jonathan Adler or Trina Turk.

Here are some of our favorite picks this season:

For al fresco dining, nothing beats the chic but practical acrylic drinkware from Mario Luca Giusti.  We love how artistic the Palla Fluo pitchers look en masse …

… and how easily they can brighten anything up – even an ancient Italian cobblestone courtyard!

Sprinkle your interiors with these citrus accents for a bright, modern, and peppy aesthetic.

We’re in a happy mood just looking at this trend!

Throughout history, monogramming has become the perfect way to make your mark. In ancient Greece, monograms were used on coins to identify the city from which they originated.

However, it was not until the Victorian Era that monogramming became a prominent decorative art, with members of the aristocracy identifying their clothes, tableware, and cutlery with their own initials. It became a luxury that many aspired to, but few could afford.

Luckily, today it is possible to leave your mark on almost anything.  In the U.S., Pickard China specializes in American-made customized dinnerware, making pieces for prominent hotels, restaurants, companies, and government entities, including the United Nations, Air Force One, and several terms in the White House.  Below is the customized design created to celebrate the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.

Obama Inauguration China (courtesy Pickard China)

One of the many political figures who loved monograms was President John F. Kennedy. He had monogrammed tableware, monogrammed shirts (he liked his initials on the left breast), and he even had custom umbrellas monogrammed for his groomsmen for his wedding in September of 1953.  His brothers Robert (RFK) and Edward (EMK) were also well known by their initials.

Courtesy of Life Magazine, 1960

Monogramming for President Lyndon Baines Johnson was easy: everyone in his family had the same initials! From his wife, Lady Bird Johnson, to his daughters, Lynda Bird Johnson and Luci Baines Johnson, and even the dog, Little Beagle Johnson, all members of the family could be identified by LBJ (just like LeBron James!).

The Johnson Family

A few other memorable monograms:  FDR (Franklin Delano Roosevelt), TSE (T.S. Elliott), SJP (Sarah Jessica Parker), LV (Louis Vuitton), CC (Coco Chanel) and QEII (Queen Elizabeth II).

Whether you are looking for the perfect gift (they make great wedding presents) or just want to add a unique touch to your home, monogramming is a perfect way to leave your mark.

Vagabond House Monogrammed Dinnerware From $19

 For more customized items, visit our Bespoke Shop.

Chevron is a classic pattern that’s making a huge resurgence. With its dynamic, graphic zigzags, chevron is the perfect design element to give fresh contrast to both traditional or modern home decor.

A chevron rug gives new life to this otherwise understated living room:

We’re obsessed with chevron in the nursery:

A bright chevron rug gives monochromatic rooms the perfect pop of color:

Get the looks above with Dash & Albert’s Chevron Rugs, available in a variety of sizes and colors, and perfect for indoor or outdoor use:

Don’t forget the bath! We’re obsessed with this new Kassatex Chevron Shower Curtain:

Revitalize your bathroom with this Kassatex Linen Chevron Bath Rug:

These Quilted Chevron Pillows by Lacefield Designs will give an eye-catching hint of movement to any sitting area:

Wake up your home decor with a dash of chevron! Please view all of our chevron selections here.