Jason Martin Design

2010-01-28T10:34:00.000-08:00

My interview with Ivan Meade

2010-01-28T09:58:00.000-08:00

Read it here: Meade Design Group: The Blog

Dwell

2010-01-27T10:54:00.000-08:00

I know it is one of the last design magazines left but I LOVE that someone is making fun of the arty pretense of Dwell Magazine. Here it is Unhappy Hipsters

Flaming Lips cover Madonna

2009-12-16T17:23:00.000-08:00

2009 Flaming Lips & Stardeath and White Dwarfs - Borderline from George Salisbury on Vimeo.

We found a new home for our Stray- Her name is Lulu

2009-12-09T10:54:00.000-08:00

Our boston terrier, Aldo and I were at the park last night when we saw this frantic scared dog in the street. I think (in fact, I am certain) someone ditched her there because she kept searching all the cars parked on the street. She immediately ran to me when I called her and was so sweet and friendly. I wish I could say the same of Aldo - he is a one dog show and barked, snapped and pretty much made this poor dog and me miserable all the way back to our house.

Jon and decided that the best thing for her would be to spend the night at the city shelter -where she wouldn't be tormented by Aldo. I gave her a bath, some food, bought her a new collar and took her out to the shelter. The shelter was better than I though and they explained that she would be held 5 days so that if the owner is looking for her they have time to find her. Then she will be put up for adoption.

She is a sweet, friendly dog who never barked, bit or acted out at all- no matter how much she was provoked. Please contact me if you or someone you know can give her a good home.jason at jasonmartindesign dot com

She is at the Los Angeles North Central Shelter

Her Animal ID is #A1080832

The phone number for the shelter is (213)485-9241

She will be available for adoption starting this Saturday Dec 12th- 09

Table Design, Heath Ceramics

2009-11-23T12:21:00.000-08:00

My Table Top Design from this weekends

Open Studio and Sale at Heath Ceramics.

LA Times Article on the open studio at Heath this weekend

2009-11-20T12:03:00.000-08:00

FROM LOS ANGELES TIMES: People from the art-and-design collective Commune and furniture-and-interiors designer Jason Martin will create indoor and outdoor table settings; potter Adam Silverman will give tours of his studio (11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday); Susan Brink of Venokado wine and gift store will offer tips and tastings for the holidays (1 to 3 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday); and Gilly Flowerswill offer floral design tips (1 to 4 p.m. Saturday).

Franklin Project

2009-11-19T14:48:00.000-08:00

I will be at the Open Studio at Heath Ceramics Saturday the 21st

2009-11-19T09:01:00.000-08:00

Think of it as 10 days of our Annual Sale, book-ended by two great weekend events. It's Heath's version of the holidays - complete with inspiration and suggestions, food, drinks, fun and shopping! Here's your table of contents to help you navigate all the excitement with grace...

HOLIDAY A LA HEATH & FRIENDS

ANNUAL SALE 20% OFF EVERYTHING

OPEN STUDIO

ANNUAL SALE

November 20-29

- 20% off everything in our store

- Dinnerware (firsts and seconds), Tile & Homeware

- Gallery pieces excluded

- Discount for in-store orders only; online orders receive free shipping

OPEN STUDIO

November 21

- Designer Table Settings - How will they set their table?: Indoor setting by Commune Design,

outdoor setting by Jason Martin Design

- Studio Tours with Adam Silverman 11am and 2pm

- Holiday wine suggestions and tastings with Venokado's Susan Brink 1-3pm

- Floral Design with Gilly Flowers 1-4pm

- And, 20% off in-store orders (gallery pieces excluded)

House Beautiful - Next Wave

2009-11-17T14:47:00.000-08:00

I am excited, humbled and very very happy to be included in House Beautiful Magazine's list of the next 20 designers to watch. The list, called "The Next Wave", is a group of 20 designers across the country that the editors of HB think will be the next Nate Berkus, Ruthie Summers or Laura Kirar. It is featured in the Dec/JAN 2010 issue of House Beautiful.

New At Thom Brown- Michael Hainey

2009-11-12T07:00:00.000-08:00

Thom Browne Presents a New Artist

Also On The Topic Of Rugs...

2009-11-11T07:00:00.000-08:00

From Kathleen Clements Design at Woven Accents, Gypsy/Maturin is a collection of rugs created from all natural materials. Whether made of vintage Turkish kilim and adorned with spare and elegant hand embroidery, or loomed out of plush mohair and textured hemp, the organic variations and rich details that are marks of the collection truly make each rug a unique work of art.

New From The Rug Company

2009-11-10T07:00:00.000-08:00

The Rug Company's first collection of children’s rugs, designed by the award winning design duo Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby. They are called Butterfly (in Pink and Orange), Fishes, Owl and Snake, and are all hand knotted, 100 knot, Tibetan wool rugs. Like all Rug Company rugs, they can be custom ordered to size and color, although the original colorways are very vibrant and striking!

More of Arlo

2009-11-09T07:00:00.000-08:00

The Littlest Dandy

America's most stylish 8-and-a-half-year-old, Arlo Weiner, reveals his fall style secrets

The Anthropologist Claude Levi-Strauss

2009-11-06T17:51:00.000-08:00

FROM AN NPR REPORT ON DEATH OF CLAUDE LEVI-STRAUSS:

The anthropologist Claude Levi-Strauss changed the way the self-styled modern world came to understand the so-called primitive world.

What Levi-Strauss did, arguably more than anyone else who had gone before him, was to erase forever the notion that primitive people were simple people, lacking in intellectual skills or aesthetic richness. And that argument not only changed how we moderns look at those others, but says Mick Taussig, it rippled across the whole of contemporary intellectual life.

A quote from Levi-Strauss:

There is today a frightful disappearance of living species, be they plants or animals. And it's clear that the density of human beings has become so great, if I can say so, that they have begun to poison themselves. And the world on which I am finishing my existence is no longer a world that I like.

Steven Gambrel

2009-11-06T07:00:00.000-08:00

I am really loving the work of New York-based design firm S. R. Gambrel lately.

Angeleno Interiors

2009-11-05T10:34:00.000-08:00

I would like to thank

Alina Sookasian and Alexandria Abramian Mott for the nice write up on my DIY+ design option in the new issue Angeleno Interiors Magazine. You can see it here.

Eating Animals | Farm Forward

2009-11-05T07:00:00.000-08:00

Eating Animals | Farm Forward

Jack Penate

2009-11-04T07:00:00.000-08:00

November 5th - Alma Allen show at Heath LA.

2009-11-03T07:00:00.000-08:00

November 5th from 5-8pm - Save the date for the opening reception of the Alma Allen show at Heath LA. An exhibition of sculpture, salvaged wood furniture and hand turned wooden bowls, along with exclusive pieces from a collaboration between Alma Allen, Commune Design and Heath Ceramics.

2009-11-02T13:58:00.001-08:00

The Desert: 128 Miles Northeast of Los Angeles from Arkitip on Vimeo.

2009-10-23T16:23:00.003-07:00

Untitled by aldobrockett101 on Polyvore.com

2009-10-23T16:23:00.001-07:00

Untitled by aldobrockett101 on Polyvore.com

2009-10-23T16:22:00.001-07:00

Untitled by aldobrockett101 on Polyvore.com

2009-10-23T14:26:00.000-07:00

Untitled by aldobrockett101 on Polyvore.com

2009-10-19T15:23:00.001-07:00

Untitled by aldobrockett101 on Polyvore.com

2009-10-19T15:20:00.001-07:00

Untitled by aldobrockett101 on Polyvore.com

Items in this set:
Roomandboard.com accent chair, $749
Circalighting.com lamp, $630
Ikea.com sofa, $299
Potterybarn.com, $299
Cb2.com accent table, $199

2009-10-13T18:42:00.001-07:00

Untitled by aldobrockett101 on Polyvore.com

2009-10-13T17:56:00.001-07:00

Untitled by aldobrockett101 on Polyvore.com

2009-10-13T15:57:00.000-07:00

Untitled by aldobrockett101 on Polyvore.com

2009-10-12T14:10:00.001-07:00

ko lee 3 by aldobrockett101 on Polyvore.com

2009-10-11T14:58:00.000-07:00

ko lee by aldobrockett101 on Polyvore.com

Looking Forward to Fall

2009-08-26T11:54:00.000-07:00

25 reasons to be glad summer is over - interesting collection of stuff to look forward to this fall on MEN.STYLE.COM

2009-08-24T15:48:00.000-07:00

2009-08-24T15:44:00.000-07:00

2009-08-04T17:00:00.000-07:00

Amazing Day!!

2009-08-04T12:32:00.000-07:00

Our friend Laura Ling was pardoned along with Euna Lee by the North Korean government today. Thank you Bill Clinton.

2009-07-17T16:12:00.000-07:00

At Heath LA

2009-07-17T15:58:00.000-07:00

A New Show of work by Adam Silverman and a mix of other artist. Saturday. July 18th at Heath - 7525 Beverly Blvd L.A. Ca .

Mariana's House

2009-07-17T15:45:00.001-07:00

Mariana's house is up on Desire to Inspire. Take a look.

Julius Shulman dies at 98

2009-07-16T15:12:00.000-07:00

Julius Shulman, whose luminous photographs of homes and buildings brought fame to a number of mid-20th century Modernist architects and made him a household name in the architectural world, died Wednesday night. He was 98.

And you thought you did a good job with your kids Flat Stanley.....

2009-07-15T12:21:00.000-07:00

Study in yellow

2009-07-10T14:50:00.000-07:00

Maggi's Apartment DIY+

2009-07-10T14:36:00.000-07:00

The DIY+ page fro Maggi's New York apartment is up at Desire to Inspire. Check it out.

Roeshel's DIY+ Project up at Desire to Inspire

2009-06-22T14:26:00.000-07:00

See everything at DesireToInspire

DIY+ Desire To Inspire Dining Room

2009-06-10T12:20:00.000-07:00

Rali's House on Desire to Inspire

2009-06-01T14:44:00.001-07:00

Rali's DIY+ project is now up on Desire To Inspire. Take a look.

DIY+ Desire To Inspire

2009-05-26T07:35:00.001-07:00

The 1st in the series of DIY+ post for Desire to Inspire is up today. Jo and Kim did a great job of editing through the email conversations I had with Adrena to show the design results. Take a look.

Candlelight Vigil for Laura Ling and Euna Lee

2009-05-21T16:12:00.001-07:00

TONIGHT- Los Angeles, CA.- Stephanie Huang Tsai & Michael Sutherland Fitzgerald
Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Location: Meet: Stories Bookstore Back Patio, Vigil: Echo Park Lake, POST TBD
Street: 1716 Sunset Blvd.
City/Town: Los Angeles, CA

Let everyone know about them, please.

Candlelight Vigil for Laura Ling and Euna Lee

2009-05-19T15:00:00.001-07:00

On Thursday, May 21, 2009, five cities across the country are hosting public vigils to bring awareness to the plight of Laura Ling and Euna Lee, two journalists who have been detained in North Korea for the past 10 weeks. Laura, who’s sister is television reporter Lisa Ling, and Euna were on assignment through Current TV on the China-North Korean border, when they were arrested by two guards.

Vigils in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Portland and Orlando have been organized though a grassroots effort through Facebook for purpose of gathering peacefully and showing support. Notably, these vigils hope to bring awareness to the plight of these two women.

To date, Euna and Laura have been kept in separate cells, and have not been allowed contact with their families. They’ve only received one outside visitor, a Swedish diplomat. The government of North Korea is accusing these two women of “suspected hostile acts,” charging them with spying and illegally crossing the border, which has been founded untrue. If deemed guilty by the North Korean government, these women will be charged with 5 to 10 years in prison. The worst part is that the trials in North Korea do not follow due process and don’t ascribe to international laws. It is assumed that Laura and Euna are being subjected to intense interrogation, which could include various forms of torture.

As this news has not really received much media attention, the candlelight vigils are to shine light on to their story. We invite you to come out and show your support. Bring candles, lights, signs, cameras and video cameras to share the experience and, most importantly, Euna and Laura’s story.

For Laura and Euna.

A message from Lisa Ling:

Dear Friends,
The families of Laura and Euna are inexplicably touched by your support of our girls. This has been an incredibly difficult time for us. Please understand that due to the extreme sensitivity of the case, it is vital for our families to stay quiet. Please know however, that when you are out there holding those candles, that we are there with you with fires lit in our hearts.
Most appreciatively yours,
Lisa Ling
4/24/09

Laura and Euna

2009-05-15T12:49:00.001-07:00

Hello everyone,

As some of you may know a friend of Jon and mine, Laura Ling, has been held captive in North Korea for almost two months now. I won't go on about how much respect and gratitude we have for Laura and the work she does because this email is going to be long enough already but please take the time to read her story and take action to help her get home safely to her husband and family.

Thank you for your help,
Jason
-----------------------------------

Here is a brief summary of her story:

The two American journalists from Current TV, Euna Lee and Laura Ling, who were arrested in North Korea on March 17th, are now facing trial in early June. The women have been indicted on charges of illegally entering the country and for committing “hostile acts.” They had been working an assignment about the Tumen River on the Chinese and North Korean border, which is used by North Korean refugees fleeing their homeland. The details of their arrest are mired in controversy, as there is ambiguity as to whether or not they had illegally crossed the North Korean border.

According to the South Korean network YTN and the Taipei Times, North Korean guards crossed the Tumen River into Chinese territory to kidnap Ling and Lee. However, the North Korean news agency KCNA, claims the reporters were arrested on North Korean territory. "Our related agency has decided to turn the U.S. reporters over for trial based on findings of their crimes," KCNA reported. Although the North Korean government has not stated what charges it will press, the Associated Press has reported that the journalists could receive up to five years in prison if convicted of espionage.

Since the 1990s, at least three Americans have been held by North Korea and all were eventually released after negotiations. This has led observers to speculate that the regime of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il intends to use Lee and Lang as bargaining chips to gain aid or other concessions.

Here is the action you can take---------------

Send this letter to the following addresses and any other news outlet you know of:

Hello,

I'm asking for your help, in any and all ways, for the safe release of Journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling.

The Journalists have been in a North Korean prison for over 3 weeks now. This is over 3 weeks too long.

I am a citizen of the World and I'm asking for your aid to peacefully resolve this situation.
How you may ask?
Your media stations could help by letting the story be told and raising awareness of Euna and Laura's story.

Countries importing from North Korea can halt imports.

North Korea has been in the news for their testing a missile. The missile was said to be a satellite launch, by North Korea, but many officials believe it was for far worse purposes.

Halting imports will cut funding for North Korean efforts to launch anything.

I am concerned about Euna Lee and Laura Ling's safe return to their families.

You can aid in this effort by getting involved.
Your efforts are needed.
Any and all of your help will aid in the safe release of Laura Ling and Euna Lee.

We are all citizens of the world, boundaries should never keep us from helping one another.

Will you please help in my effort to have Laura Ling and Euna Lee to be released from North Korea?

It's time we stood together.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
(YOUR NAME HERE)

-------------------------------------------------------
Here is the cut and paste list of who to send to:

netaudr@abc.com,nightline@abcnews.com ,2020@abc.com ,evening@cbsnews.com ,earlyshow@cbs.com ,ftn@cbsnews.com,comments@foxnews.com,Special@foxnews.com,Foxreport@foxnews.com,Oreilly@foxnews.com,Hannity@foxnews.com,Ontherecord@foxnews.com,dianne.doctor@foxtv.com,jim.driscoll@foxtv.com,dateline@nbc.com,hardball@msnbc.com,joe@msnbc.com,nightly@nbc.com,today@nbc.com,newshour@pbs.org,editorial@nytimes.com,letters@washpost.com,ctc-editor@tribune.com,bdold@tribune.com,JHirt@tribune.com,letters@latimes.com,Inquirer.Letters@phillynews.com,letters@sfchronicle.com,letters@time.com,editor@people.com

--------------------------------------------------------------
List of the above people:

ABC News email addresses:

General e-mail:
netaudr@abc.com

Nightline:
nightline@abcnews.com

20/20:
2020@abc.com

Email forms for all CBS news programs:

CBS Evening News:
evening@cbsnews.com

The Early Show:
earlyshow@cbs.com

Face The Nation:
ftn@cbsnews.com

Fox News Channel email addresses:

General:
comments@foxnews.com

Special Report with Brit Hume:
Special@foxnews.com

FOX Report with Shepard Smith:
Foxreport@foxnews.com

The O'Reilly Factor:
Oreilly@foxnews.com

Hannity:
Hannity@foxnews.com

On the Record with Greta:
Ontherecord@foxnews.com

news director dianne.doctor@foxtv.com

news director jim.driscoll@foxtv.com

MSNBC/NBC email addresses:

Dateline NBC:
dateline@nbc.com

Hardball with Chris Matthews:
hardball@msnbc.com

MSNBC Reports with Joe Scarborough:
joe@msnbc.com

NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams:
nightly@nbc.com

NBC News Today:
today@nbc.com

PBS email address:

The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer:
newshour@pbs.org

New York Times:
editorial@nytimes.com

Washington Post:
letters@washpost.com

Chicago Tribune:
Gerould W. Kern, Editor
ctc-editor@tribune.com

R. Bruce Dold, Editorial Page Editor
bdold@tribune.com

Jane Hirt, Managing Editor
JHirt@tribune.com

L.A. Times:
letters@latimes.com

Philadelphia Inquirer:
Inquirer.Letters@phillynews.com
200 word max

San Francisco Chronicle < style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; line-height: 1.2em; ">letters@sfchronicle.com
150 word max

Boston Globe:
letter@globe.com
Time:
letters@time.com

People:
editor@people.com

2009-05-14T17:16:00.000-07:00

If you are on twitter please follow - LiberateLaura.

On Facebook you can join the group Detained In North Korea : Journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee, please help.

2009-05-12T11:22:00.001-07:00

8 weeks today- Our friend Laura Ling and Euna Lee are still being held in North Korea. If you know a journalist ask them why so many of their colleagues are ignoring this issue. Please join this group:http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=60755553149

North Korea Detains Two American Journalists

Source: www.youtube.com

Rachel Maddow reports on North Korea's detention of two American journalists. The North Koreans have responded to American inquiries into the treatment of Laura Ling and Euna Lee with laughter and cryptic references to Guantanamo. ...

Mexico City Blues

2009-05-11T16:38:00.000-07:00

I came across this title by Jack Kerouac today. I am not exactly a Kerouac fan nor do I have a personal connection to the poem but I do love Mexico City. It's difficult to hear about the hard times that have fallen on the Distrito Federal but after having spent time there it is clear that if anyone can weather the storm it is the people of this beautiful city. Here are a some photos from a trip we took few years ago.

Don't forget - one more week for submissions

2009-05-08T11:07:00.000-07:00

From Desire to Inspire for - DIY+

Still taking photos and measuring up? Jason says he is getting some great submissions. Remember details here and submissions go here. Good luck!

The Traditional Bedroom

2009-05-06T08:25:00.000-07:00

The inspiration for this style was a photo of David Hockney that I found on the site The Impossible Cool. Hockney transcends any staid idea of tradition with his twist on the preppy look. Every bit wearing the uniform, his appearance almost never changes but it could hardly be considered bland or boring. It is the best representation of the unstuffy traditional look that is quickly becoming my favorite design style -- it feels so fresh and optimistic. The perfect look to wake up to and -- because of its longevity -- the perfect look to invest in.

A few more impeccable preppy looks to consider for inspiration-

Translation

How much more direct of a translation can you get- Two bedrooms in the home of Andy and Kate Spade, designed by Steven Sclaroff.

Elements

I love the idea of mixing all kinds of different plaids and stripes. The best place to start is the floor and work your way up. This rug from Dash and Albert is surprisingly affordable and about as good looking as you can get.

Or you could build a fantastic room around this nautical style rug from Pottery Barn

Same for this Dhurrie rug also from Pottery Barn

One piece of furniture that I rarely turn to vintage shops for is the bed. Other than wanting a bed that is sturdy and won't squeak every time you get in or out of it, vintage beds are almost always too small. The largest size you can find is usually something just smaller than a queen size. So maybe consider one of these-

Above is a great design sold at West Elm. And I should know because it looks suspiciously like one we designed for our old retail shop, Silho Furniture, several years before the West Elm version arrived. I am not saying anything but....

Bedding from WShome that would look great with this bed

A new take on the classic Greek key design for this pillow from Pottery Barn

Top it off with this plaid throw from Ikea, yes Ikea

I know this bed has been everywhere but there is a reason for it. It is about as simple as you can get but still charming and inviting. I suggest painting it white or a pale gray. If you didn't know it is Ikea

Play down the "off the shelf" aspect of the Ikea bed with a tailor made duvet out of a great Madras in either a classic color combo like this or something bolder. You can't go wrong with Madras.

Some pillows made from vintage rugs sold at East meets West

Just the opposite of my thoughts on beds, in most traditional bedrooms I think vintage is the way to go for dressers, cabinets and side tables. For the price you can find a higher quality vintage piece compared to a new one for the same cost. It takes some looking around but it’s worth the effort.

While you are looking for dressers keep you eyes open for a set of luggage like this from ThisisnotIkea to use as a side table or extra storage.

To add in a little more of Hockney’s eccentric flourish try something with a technicolor pop like this screen or side table Both from ThisisnotIkea

As for art, thrift shop paintings and antique maps are great. Just try not to get things too murky. A lot of second hand art can be fun and cheap but often the dull colors can really bring a room down. If you want to see vintage finds done right take a look at the Etsy site, Blue Bell Bazaar. All of the following are from there.

Don't forget to pile on the books. No Traditional room is complete without stacks and stacks of the classics.

Bohemian Living

2009-05-04T17:25:00.000-07:00

To me Bohemian style is all about an artistic, nature inspired and well traveled look. It's easy to achieve in most spaces because it’s all about layering. The keys to this look are bright warm colors, primitive materials and romantic details. The quirky combinations of these elements keep it interesting. However, too much quirk can be disastrous. Use the checks and balances of design here – if you have something overly romantic is looks best balanced with something modern. Same with layered patterns against clean lines or something weathered juxtaposed with something new.

Devendra Banhart

The Selby Free City

Two great inspirations for this look

The first image is Picasso. The second is Isabella Blow. Both artists in different media who were all about being inspired by nature, reusing materials in unexpected ways and color, color, color.

Translation

These are perfect examples of spaces with just the right use of Bohemian style and modern restraint.

First two images – Desire to Inspire last image – Peter Dunham

Elements

The floor is an important focus in Bohemian design. Lounging around a low table on pillows seems like a natural fit for this style, especially in the summer. Bold geometrics, stripes and floral work well. Even layering several flat woven rugs, like Kilims, over each other is classic Bohemian.

Dash and Albert

Pottery Barn

John Robshaw

You can really go all out with vintage pieces in this look. Just make sure you stick to a tight color palette and throw in lots of crisp white and bright tones to keep things from getting muddy. This Suzani inspired chair is perfect for this look as is the ceramic seat or anything made from a natural element like these tree root stools.

Absolutely Beautiful Things

1st Dibs

Strong patterned pillows like ikat, batik or even painted silk can help you layer on the pattern without spending too much money.

John Robshaw

West Elm

Pottery Barn

Moroccan lanterns can be a bit cliché for this look but a formal chandelier in a kooky color works great as do these tree inspired lamps or an inexpensive vintage piece like this bright yellow pottery fixture.

Urban Outfitters

Pottery Barn

1st Dibs

Accessories like these vintage studio vases from Germany are perfect pops of color. Try to pull together a good collection of vintage vases and bowls from second hand stores and flea markets to display on bookshelves and tables. Stick to a certain color group, texture or style. A table with a pile of books, a bowl of fruit and a small vase of causally arranged flowers can look really expensive but cost little or no money if you use foliage from around your house (doesn’t have to be flowers – tree branches, leaves or vines work just as well) and inexpensive fruit (like oranges or green apples).

image from Free City

Sometimes within the frenzy of patterns and layers it is nice to have a break. Try to work in something solid to give your eye a rest. In a bedroom this could be a white hotel style sheet set with an accent pillow like this one from Missoni.

Restoration Hardware

Missoni

As for art, I think the whole room becomes art in a well design bohemian space. Maybe the best thing for your walls is a well placed mirror.

Ballard Designs

Oly

I also like this idea of prints and postcard pinned to a wall in the Ace Hotel in Palm Spring.

Modern Beach House

2009-05-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

The idea of the “Modern Beach House” look started with this photo that I saw of Anthony Perkins in GQ. I chose it not just for the great furniture in the shot but also for the feel of the photo - relaxed, modern and to me – quintessentially American. Those are also the words I would use to describe my idea of the modern beach house.

The Translation

So we have our visual reference. The photos below are examples of how this image could translate into a room for me.

all images from Desire to Inspire

The Elements

You can make a huge change in a room – and for not a lot of money -- simply by rolling up your old rug in exchange for something like one of these summery options. You could use an outdoor rug inside like this one from Dash and Albert or a beach stripe inspired choice like this blue and white one from John Robshaw and there is always the classic sisal like this option from West Elm

Interesting furniture additions can help bolster the mix of modern and beach inspirations - like a makeshift side table from a canvas and teak cooler from Batter Sea or a woven chair for a textural indoor/outdoor element. And for a really cheap fix, this sea grass floor cushion from Ikea is a great find.

A mix of vintage style work lamps from Circa Lighting, ocean inspired netted lamps from Pottery Barn and a classic modern cube also from Circa Lighting.

Minimalist blankets and pillows are also an easy way to add to the feel of the room. These are from West Elm-

You can also add vintage photography to the space like these images of Ships from Lost Art Salon or you can even find post card images that you inset into pre-made frames.

The fastest way to make a statement in the design -- as mentioned above – is to use lots of natural elements. Fill a bowl with river rock from somewhere like Pearl River or a tray of granite gravel from a nursery. Maybe a grouping of clear glass vases (West Elm or Ikea) filled with shells or long lasting succulents.

Color

This design draws is calm feel from a paired down cool color palette of blues, grays and blacks. The idea comes from these Barnett Newman paintings. If you are industrious you could try creating your own version of one of these painting. Use the largest canvas you can find (pre-stretched and prepped is best so the painting doesn’t warp), a couple different shades of your favorite paint color (house paint is a good economical alternative to what you would find in a art supply shop) and some painter’s tape. I’m not saying you will end up something comparable to Newman but it is worth the effort.

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

2009-05-04T06:02:00.000-07:00

I thought this week would be a good time to talk about temporary changes you can make to a space to give it a fresh face for the summer. I like to rethink our house every once in a while so that things don’t get stale and for some reason it always seems to be around summer when that happens. Maybe it is my love of the idea of a summerhouse -- when it gets warmer I always want to move things around and lighten up the look of our place. There are simple ways to make tweaks to your space so that it feels newer. You can do a lot or a little depending on your motivation and budget. Over the next few days I am going to post three different style ideas that might inspire you to take a new design path even if only for the summer. I have started a new design service for JASON MARTIN DESIGN called DIY+. The DIY+ plan is specifically set up so I can work with clients by email and phone conversations to create a design plan book that they can implement themselves. I will be using these posts to show an abbreviated version of how that service will work. You can get more information and a pricing menu on from my website.

Notes on Change-

Here are a few bullet points I like to keep in mind when updating a design.

Have a visual reference-

I always like to have some kind of visual reference when I start a project. It can be a photo or a painting maybe it’s a piece of vintage fabric- just something to refer to as the center of a design. There always seems to come a point in a project where after you have made a thousand choices and compromises the design can stay on track or lose its way ending up with a totally different outcome than you were expecting. Having a visual reference is a way to keep you coming back to the original feeling you wanted for the project.

Don’t go overboard-

When you are doing a seasonally inspired design there can be the temptation to over do it. Think subtle change based on the feel (bright, airy or relaxed) you want for the house rather than clichés - like seagulls, lighthouses or sailboats.

Don’t under do it-

It is OK to go a little cliché. A bowl of seashells or a vase of driftwood can make a big impact for a small price. You can always pile on the natural elements. Also, don’t spread it out too thin. If you want to make the biggest impact it is best to focus on one or two areas of the room like a coffee table of entry console rather than having bits and pieces here and there.

Make it personal-

You will feel much more comfortable in a space that relates to your own experience. We almost always think of the beach when we think of summer but that isn’t everyone’s experience. Figure out what idea of summer is the most nostalgic to you and go with that whether it is a beach house, a mountain cottage or summer camp- maybe it is a mix. Keep it personal

DIY+

2009-04-29T09:17:00.000-07:00

DIY+ is a design service for those who want help with a design project but wish to complete the project on their own and in their own time.

Do It Yourself + help from JASON MARTIN DESIGN is an easy and inexpensive way to design a space.

HOLD ON

2009-04-29T09:09:00.000-07:00

I mentioned in my last post that I would be writing about changing up your house for summer but I am going to hold on those posts until next week. On Monday, we have a great offer to make to the readers of this blog and Desire to Inspire that will coincide with these posts. So hold on until then and check out the news on Desire to Inspire.

Starting Next Week

2009-04-24T15:16:00.001-07:00

Starting next week I will be posting about changing up your house for summer.. A few collections of images and ideas to create a vacation house look and feel at home. I love these three photos and thought they would be fun to use as inspired.

Traditional: Based on the style of David Hockney- a casual mix of preppy traditionalism mixed with bright color and pop modern quirk.

Bohemian: Based on this image of Pablo Picasso and Francoise Gilot- Ethnic influences, bold pattern mixing and deep saturated color.
Modern - Cool restraint. Based on this image of Anthony Perkins, a modern well edited mix with vintage pieces, interesting texture and a cool color palette.

My Post for Design*Sponge on "Where Do You Go For Inspiration"

2009-04-24T15:14:00.000-07:00

Ok, so it’s casual Friday. You have been clockwatching for the last four hours. And you would give up two sick days just to be able to open one of those hermetically sealed windows to get a minute’s worth of fresh air. When you can’t take one second more of the low buzz of florescent lighting…Where do you go — be it reality or fantasy — for a vacation? Where do you go for inspiration?

These two photos are by one of my favorite photographers, Steve Wood. They hang above our bed—the grassy landscape on my side and the vast stretch of ocean on my partner Jon’s side. Where they hang is appropriate because they represent our favorite places. Jon grew up spending summers at the beach in Northern Florida and I grew up in the high plains of Amarillo, TX. The photos are exaggerated (rather greatly exaggerated) symbols of the two places. Jon loves the water – ocean, lake or swimming pool — and I get inspiration from the land be it desert, plains or canyon. In my design work, I am drawn to simple, clean lines and low horizontals - very much like the place I grew up. It even extends to the art I prefer – I love pen and ink, abstracts and stark photography. It seems strange to attribute my love of the modern to a place like Amarillo, which is as middle American and traditional as you could get but that’s my experience with the land itself (I’ll be writing more about the modern movement and the strange ties it had to Amarillo in the 60’s and 70’s on my blog in the next few weeks).

Sometimes the best way to see your house with a fresh eye is to leave it for a while and come back. Here are my suggestions of ways to do that. And if you can get a vacation and some design inspiration in at the same time — all the better. I know now may not be the time for any of us to take an extravagant exotic holiday but I think we all could benefit from some version of a vacation — no matter how short or close to home.

I love a road trip. I think it is the quintessential American vacation. These days the idea of leaving when you decide, not having to stand in security lines at the airport and packing whatever you want – that’s luxury. The last road trip we went on we took our dog, a pile of books and our own coffee maker. Try doing that on an airplane. The photos below are from our favorite drive – from Los Angeles up to the Napa Valley and over to the coast side of Sonoma. We are very lucky in California to have the Coast highway and it has provided countless ideas for my design work. It can be something as basic as seeing new spaces and design ideas in a hotel – we stayed at the Carneros Inn in Napa where they have an ingenious indoor/outdoor shower that is connected by a frosted glass door. I can’t wait to use that in a design. We then moved on to the Timber Cove Lodge on the Sonoma coast (probably one of the most amazingly located hotel I have ever been to) where I could have spent weeks exploring all the color and textural combinations in the landscape along the coastline. We ended in Inverness, Ca where we took the below photo of cows grassing on a ridge overlooking the Pacific Ocean. There is so much to glean from the slowed-down experience of driving. I would love to hear where you go when you get in the car and just drive.

1. Carneros Inn – Napa 2. Timber Cove – Sonoma Coast 3. Inverness, Ca

How ‘bout a weekend away at home? If you can’t take the time or don’t have the resources to head out for a week or even a long weekend, a good alternative is to find a vacation closer to home. When you just can’t take another weekend in your own environment it can be surprisingly relaxing to check into a local hotel. We’ve done it. In fact Jon and I checked into a hotel that I think was in the same zip code as our house. We arrived on a Friday evening straight from work (the drive took ten minutes), ordered room service, swam in the pool, ate at the trendy restaurant and after a late check-out Sunday were home and “unpacked” without one baggage claim ticket or surly cab driver. All the while taking inspiration from the hotel design, lighting in the restaurant, and people watching (lots to learn from that). Now that I think of it I should have written it off as a business expense.

If all else fails get book and head to the Park.

If finances or time schedules act as road blocks keeping you from your inspiration vacation, at least try to get yourself to a park — stopping on the way at the book store or library of your choice to pick up a book on whatever topic you desire - exotic locals, design style or time period, an interesting art movement - just get something you are interested in. If you can’t get to a park, even a comfortable sofa or chair will do. Just pack a picnic, bar the door and crack open the “vacation of your choice”.

Here are a few options to get you started

Bon Voyage.

My Post for Design*Sponge on "How to Build a Well Rounded Room "

2009-04-24T15:12:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I wrote about translating personal style to an interior. I think it could help to also take a look at the practical elements of a room as well. When I am working on a project I try to follow a basic rule: “Something old. Something new. Something rough. Something smooth.” This helps me keep in mind a balanced mix of elements that create a well-rounded room. Notice that I don’t mention anything about high end or low end – expense has little to do with it. Any of these elements can run the range of price. As long as there is — as touched on in Monday’s post — a value and quality to each piece in the room, you can achieve the look you are striving for. Let’s break down the elements:

Something Old – Pretty basic but every space needs a sense of age and patina to give it weight and a bit of nostalgia. It doesn’t have to be an antique. It doesn’t even have to be furniture. Maybe it’s the antique Chesterfield sofa in Alexander Wang’s studio or even the new version of the wing chair in this space by Will Meyer. Both pieces are formal styles that add tension to the space forcing you to notice each individual item in the room. In the third photo, classical shaped vases create a silhouette in front of the modern graphic wall.

Something New – Just like something old but in reverse. In a room full of traditional shapes it livens things up to add something modern. Wake up a stately space by throwing in a curve like the low grey benches in this entry hall or the Egg chair in this otherwise very sweet bedroom.

Something Rough – By layering in a rough element to a room you give the space texture. The rough element — much like the old element — brings a sense of casualness and warmth. It can be calming to walk into a room and see touches of imperfection. It signals that the room can handle guests. This bedroom by Carrier and Company is the perfect example of counterbalancing crisp and clean with the rough in the wood ceiling and tree stump side table. Rough elements should be used sparingly because they can easily overwhelm. A good way to add lightly could be in accessories like these vessels by Atwater Pottery or in natural materials like this aged leather chair from Blackman Cruz.

Something Smooth – Bringing a smooth element to a space creates formality. A smooth surface brings light into a room and creates depth. Call it narcissism or shallowness; we are all attracted to something shiny. The Lucite coffee table in this living room opens the space up in a way that no other material would – it gives a weightlessness that the monochromatic grays need and is a visual link to the mirrored wall. In the bathroom the stainless steel counter creates a strong gleaming horizontal line between the natural stone walls. Much like the rough element, smooth can quickly overpower. If used too much it can look hard and cold. It’s important to temper smooth with rough — like these side tables I made for the guest room in my own house.

My Post for Design*Sponge on "Who is Your Home"

2009-04-22T15:14:00.000-07:00

Who is your home? Sounds like a strange question but what it means is who does your home reflect? Yesterday I mentioned that the new modern should be rooted in personal style. But that is a difficult part of the equation if you don’t know what your personal style is. Once, when I had my furniture showroom on La Brea in Los Angeles, a seemingly stylish A-list actress bought a sofa from us. There happened to be a writer for a home magazine in the store at the same time. The writer asked if, when the sofa was delivered, I could find out if the actress would be interested in having her home photographed for the magazine. Not knowing exactly how to handle a possible invasion of the actress’ privacy, I called her assistant about the potential article. I will never forget what the assistant said: “I don’t think her house would be right for the magazine because she does not live like she dresses!” Later when I saw the house in person, I found out the assistant was right. It never occurred to me until then that someone that made millions for a movie and who was photographed for every fashion magazine would not have a house of equal style. A few years — and a few blockbuster films — later I saw the actress’ house in a magazine. It was beautiful but totally void of personality. Void, at least, of her personality.

The Dada of Design

When you are determining your personal style it helps to take a kind of Dada approach. Think like the Dada surrealists and take the idea of something that you know and transform it into something new. For instance, the actress from above could have taken her love and knowledge of fashion and translated it into her home. If you are a fashionista like her, look at the overall picture of your clothes. Is there a common color? An obvious love of texture? Are you drawn to a certain shape? Maybe there is an overall theme of tailored or embellished pieces or maybe things are more formal or casual. It isn’t hard to extrapolate the interior design connections that can be drawn here. I have a friend who is a true minimalist to the core. His home and wardrobe never deviate from a color pallet of black or charcoal. Another friend, photo stylist Leslie Landis (http://www.leslie-landis.com), who changes her personal style with the season. She even gives each change a name: Punk Rock Preppy, Art Deco Equestrian, and something to do with pearls and giraffes — I can’t remember them all but they all have an arty urban polish to them and her home is the same. My point is that you could be eclectic or have a laser like focus to your personal style but either way it will help guide the way you look at your home.

For example Diana Vreeland was as famous for her red drawing room as she was for her flamboyant fashion sense—the two were almost inseparable. As you can see from these photos she had enough personal style for more than one person.

(http://www.americaninteriordesign.com/DesignProfile/diana_vreeland.htm)

Sarah Jessica Parker channeling Vreeland for Harper’s Bazaar

If fashion isn’t your thing, take a tour of your bookshelves. Maybe you’re a fan of the romantics. Or you only read the classics. Do you love Bret Easton Ellis? If so you should look at the modern design movement of the Eighties. On second thought you might want to pick another author. How about Truman Capote? A man of an abundant style himself, his writing definitely helped establish the style of his own home. Although he traveled a great deal and had many homes including an apartment at the United Nations Plaza, the place he always returned to was his modest Sagaponack cottage. Much like his books (there were few and none rarely longer than a novella) the house was small and layered with a mix of formal, southern patterns, exotic finds and lots of whimsy.

Not much of a reader? If your library is too spare to get a good sense of style, there is always film. Some of the best design is on the screen - big and small. Be it Mad Men or Sex and the City, I have had more than one client reference a television show for ideas to design their house. Name the Wes Anderson movie and I have used a color palette, wallpaper or a style of fabric from it. Here is the home of Sophia Coppola (designed by Paul Fortune) and a group of images from her film Marie Antoinette. See if you can guess what here favorite colors might be.

Photos of Coppola’s home from House and Garden magazine.

Will Cotton

2009-04-21T16:56:00.000-07:00

It is 97 degrees in Los Angeles ..... So what better time to explore the fantastical landscapes and architecture of artist Will Cotton's oil paintings.

Even in this market it wouldn't be hard to sell a house next to a chocolate lake, a flan pond or even a root beer swamp.

My Post for Design*Sponge on "The New Modern"

2009-04-21T16:45:00.000-07:00

Another design issue that deserves a push of the RESET button is the state of modern design. For the last few years modern has been the popular style of choice. We have lived with design ideas like Minimalism, Zen and Mid-Century for so long that they are starting to feel like parodies of themselves. The true originals of these looks are design classics. I am talking about the work of the minimalist master John Pawson and the true greats of Mid Century design like Eames, Nelson and Knoll but lately all the copies and derivatives are starting to feel anything but modern. I mean when you see a Buddha head go from a spiritual statue to a bookend, to a side table to a doorstop it’s time to rethink what we are doing to the beauty of Zen principles.

So the question is “what IS the new modern?” I see it as more classic modern designs with an emphasis on individual personal style- a kind of New Modern Traditionalism. Sounds like an oxymoron but by this I mean design that takes a truly classic American approach– a melting pot of the best of international influences rooted in crisp tailored modernism. These days it seem like we need something softer, brighter and more optimistic to go home to. A Yes We Can Attitude to meet us at the front door.

Here are a few spaces by the legendary designer Albert Hadley that I think are a great illustration of what I would like to see more of in today’s design seen. These spaces are timeless; they could have been created today or 30 years ago.

And here are some contemporary designs that I think have the same spirit as Mr. Hadley’s:

1. http://www.elainegriffin.com
2.http://www.carrierandcompany.com 3. http://jamiebush.com

All of these spaces have an air of modernism but none would be considered modern in a pure sense. There is a youthful take on traditionalism practiced in all of the spaces.

This is the style I am most attracted to so it is no wonder I would push to see more of it. I try to achieve the idea of classic modern design - “New Modern Traditionalism”-. I plan to expound on the principle I use to build a room in a post later this week so make sure to check back. These are photos from some of my design projects:

Walton Ford

2009-04-20T13:42:00.000-07:00

A few Of my favorite pieces by the New York based artist along with quotes from the press about his work. Ford is represented by The Paul Kasmin Gallery
Entering the world of Walton Ford is like stepping into the pages of a delightfully disorienting picture book. At first galnce, his meticulously made paintings of animals in watercolor and gouache suggest the work of an 18th-century naturalist, or maybe a 19th-century explore......
Although Audubon is the inspiration for Walton Ford's supersize watercolors of alarming birds and animals, the earlier naturalist would probably be dismayed by them. They are far more sinister than Audubon's creatures.....