A Week in Umbria

My dearest husband and I have finally landed in the most wonderful Bed & Breakfast in Umbria. Well, it’s actually so much more than a B&B — it’s an amazing PALAZZO our friend from New York, Michael Laplaca, has restored. We just got here so we’ll tell you more. Right now we’re just blown away and need to get ready for a fabulous dinner Michael has promised us. Stay tuned.

Firoozeh
DesignSchematic

New York

I had a wonderful time visiting friends, and family on my trip to New York last week. I originally had planed this trip to see The Kips Bay Decorator Show House and also 'cause I Love New York during the month of May. Unfortunately I was very much disappointed to learn that the Kips Bay Decorator Show House, has been postponed this year until the fall, so I guess I'll have to go back in the fall. I still had much to see, great restaurants to eat at, and wonderful shops to wonder through. I also lived in New York for about a decade and have many friends and family to visit with. I thought to share some of the pictures with you.

Shopping on Sunday at the Chelsea Flee Market

Street artists creating with colored sand

Pillows, and accessories displayed at ABC Carpet and Home

New York City is so inspiring can't wait to go back

Firoozeh Khorrami
DesignSchematic

Room of the Week

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Michael Smith's new home away from home in New York City
as seen in Elle Magazine this month

Firoozeh Khorrami
DesignSchematic

Chinoiserie Wallcovering

Chinoiserie is the French term meaning Chinese-esque, a style that became popular in Europe from the mid 17th century and peaked in mid 18th century. Chinoiserie was only expressed in the decorative arts, and was used to decorate all forms of furniture, wall covering, porcelain, and even buildings. Since Chinoserie was the work of European artisans it depicted life as they had imagined and not just with the "Chinese taste", but also with influences from India, Japan, and Persia. In France Louis XV style gave a great opportunity to Chinoiseri as it blended well with the Rococo style. Whole rooms were painted with compositions in this style, no court residence was complete without a Chinoserie room.
With the rise of the neoclassic movement, Chinoiserie lost some of it's popularity. In the world of antique and collectibles, Chinoiserie has remained very popular, and Chinoserie wall covering has become somewhat of a craze.

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Kelly Wearstler has used this beautiful blue in BG (Bergdorf Goodman's restaurant)

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The Japanese influence of this paper works well in a contemporary room by designer Windsor Smith

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With so many colors to savor, there are dozens of schemes that are inspired by these wall coverings

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Another gorgeous room brought to life with this beautiful hand painted paper by Gracie

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de Gourney hand painted wall paper, I frequently visit their website for inspiration

Firoozeh Khorrami
DesignSchematic

Have a Sweet Weekend!

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Enjoy this beautiful spring weekend

Firoozeh Khorrami

DesignSchematic

April Showers bring May Flowers

Hard to believe we are already in April, my favorite month of the year. Here in Los Angeles, due to the heavy rain we had during the winter months I'm hoping to have lots of beautiful flowers in the garden and around the city. It's also a great time to start cleaning out and re-accessorizing outdoor rooms and patios.

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By adding drapery and a beautiful lantern a covered patio can be used as entertaining space to spend summer evenings enjoying the company of friends and family

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Even if you have a small backyard to work with a little creativity can transform any size garden into an outdoor oasis

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Container gardening is another way to bring beautiful flowers and even a small vegetable garden to a balcony or a side yard.

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Plan your outdoor room, it will expand the square footage of your home and enjoy the few short months of summer entertaining in your new found space.

Firoozeh Khorrami

DesignSchematic

Affordable Housing Design Competition

Earlier this week I attended the kick-off event for the Southern California Chapter of the The Institute of Classical Architecture & Classical America (ICA&CA-SCC) and Habitat for Humanity 2010 Multifamily Housing Design Competition, hosted by Waterworks in their beautiful West Hollywood showroom. Last years' competition was for single family housing, 25 teams submitted designs and the winners were announced at a gala event on July 16th at Waterworks. This year promises to be even better with the award ceremony and gala reception at Janus et Cie's showroom in West Hollywood. The winners will have their designs published in a pattern book to be distributed by Habitat for Humanity.
The goal for this competition has been to inspire neighborly, affordable, sustainable, housing projects to be built by Habitat for Humanity volunteers. This is a way for the many talented designers and architects in our community to reach out and help provide a well designed, aesthetically pleasing solution to the critical need of safe and decent housing for families in Southern California.

You can see some of the winners from last years competition here

About the ICA&CA-SCC
The ICA&CA is the leading national non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the practice and appreciation of the classical tradition in architecture and the allied arts. The organization fulfills its mission through four program areas: education, publications, awards and advocacy.

The Southern California Chapter regularly produces unique events, home tours, lectures, continuing education courses and discussions with architects, authors and designers committed to advancing the institute's core values.
For more information, visit www.classicist-socal.org

About Habitat for Humanityof Greater Los Angeles
Habitat For Humanity Of Greater Los Angeles strives to eliminate poverty housing through advocacy, education and partnership with families in need to build simple, decent affordable housing. Since 1990, HFH GLA has built and renovated nearly 500 homes locally and worldwide, transforming the lives of hundreds of individuals.
For more information, visit www.habitatla.org



If you are interested in participating or sponsoring this competition please send me an email here.

Firoozeh Khorrami

DesignSchematic