I am very excited to let you know that I will be speaking at THE Aesthetic Show in Las Vegas on April 15, 2012, about:

Designing the Luxury Brand – Secrets to Creating Successful Branding Through Design in Medical Practices & Spas

“Branding” has become a popular buzz word.  Businesses will often succeed or fail based on the effectiveness (or lack thereof) of their brand image.  With over 10 years of experience in high fashion and interior design, I will draw from my knowledge gained while working with luxury brands such as Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana, and share insights on how these companies communicate and reinforce their image successfully through their retail interiors.  Attendees will learn how to effectively communicate their own company’s brand in their medical offices or spas, thereby creating compelling environments that appeal to their target clientele.

I hope you can join me!  You can find more information or register here.

Jewelry designer May Yeung developed an interest and passion for jewelry when she was a young girl while observing her mother getting dressed for a dinner or dance party.  Whenever an opportunity arose, May would sneak into her parents’ bedroom and take a peek in the drawer that held her mother’s collection of fine and costume jewelry. It was then when May started coveting pearls and was later gifted her first strand of Majorica pearls from her parents when she was teenager.

As a designer, May is often asked where she receives her creative inspiration.  May is continually inspired by all the women in her life – her sister Kathy, girlfriends, mentors and colleagues. She is happiest when helping modern women feel beautiful, confident and “completing their timeless look”.

One of May Yeung Jewelry’s founding principles is its commitment to being “Made in the U.S.A.” with each piece of jewelry exclusively designed and handmade in Los Angeles, California.

To find out how May lives a fashionable life, click here…

(Photo by Tiffany Rose/WireImage)

Welcome to a candy inspired experience at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards® Official Talent Gift Lounge.  Rihanna, LL Cool J, Maroon 5, Chris Brown, The Band Perry, Jason Aldean and many more experienced “a sweet escape” between rehearsals here, and indulged in what the best of Hollywood has to offer.  This year, I had the pleasure to join Distinctive Assets and event producer, Pam Morrison, to make this very special place.

In designing this lounge, I wanted to create something fanciful that stimulated a child-like excitement in the talent, yet was still sophisticated and edgy to appeal to their rock-star tastes.  Candy colors and the experience of being in a sweet shop was my inspiration.  Monumental pink architectural arches and a black & white checkerboard floor were introduced to bring a modern edge to this whimsical place.

I hope you will enjoy the photos!

CELEBRITY PHOTOS

 The Band Perry  (Photo by Araya Diaz/WireImage)

Anthony Hamilton (Photo by Tiffany Rose/WireImage)

PJ Morton & Matt Flynn of Maroon 5 (Photo by Araya Diaz/WireImage)

Carolina Liar (Photo by Araya Diaz/WireImage)

Mike Love of The Beach Boys (Photo by Araya Diaz/WireImage)

John Paul White of The Civil Wars & Glen Campbell (Photo by Alison Buck/WireImage)

Neil Patrick Harris (Photo by Araya Diaz/WireImage)

Deadmau5 (Photo by Araya Diaz/WireImage)

Joe King of The Fray (Photo by Alison Buck/WireImage)

Skylar Grey & Lash Fary, Founder & President of Distinctive Assets

Jason Aldean (Photo by Araya Diaz/WireImage)

Pauley Perrette (Photo by Alison Buck/WireImage)

LL Cool J (Photo by Tiffany Rose/WireImage)

INTERIOR PHOTOS

Photo credit: Devin Ford (image 1, 3);  Tiffany Rose/WireImage  (image 2);  Araya Diaz/WireImage (image 4)

A heartfelt thank you to all of my contributing vendors who made this event a success!

Brueton LA – Horse chairs, Trang console table, side tables and accessories
Domaen – Design collaboration & fabrication of pink architectural arches
L.A. ART Machine – “Shanti” acrylic on wood mural by artist CRYPTIK
Micucci
Niche Modern – Plum “Stamen” pendants
Plug Inc. – “Namak” chandelier by Barovier & Toso

Born in France, Samia moved to California in 1997 to study Graphic Design.  After earning a Bachelor Degree in Visual Communications in Fine Arts, Samia’s passion for fashion led her to Genlux Magazine.  In 2005, she was part of the team that launched Genlux where she initially served as its fashion editor.  Then, in 2008 she took on the role of the magazine’s Editor in Chief.  Samia is considered one of LA’s most fashionable women.  She is also a true jetsetter, traveling to Europe twice per year to attend the couture shows in Paris and find perpetual inspiration.  Samia’s personal adoration for fashion and beauty bring an unmatched quality to her design work, from which Genlux is fortunate to benefit.

To find out how Samia lives a fashionable life, CLICK HERE…

It’s so exciting to see all the holiday decorations at this time of the year!  I especially love store windows – looking at them is almost as enjoyable as shopping.  Below is a roundup of some favorite holiday windows.  What I adore about them are the fantasies they create, they transport you to a magical place…

Bergdorf Goodman

There is something about monkeys that is so adorable!

Tiffany & Co.

Van Cleef & Arpels

CHANEL

Saks Fifth Avenue

Barneys New York

All the windows are of stores in New York City.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

I love this time of the year – all the festivities and decorations that abound everywhere…  So, I have compiled images of some favorite holiday decoration ideas from various sources.  Perhaps, they could be inspiring for you as you decorate for the holidays.

COUNTRY CHIC

Photo via Harper’s Bazaar, December 2011/ January 2012

There is something quite romantic and magical about candelabras…

Photo via Elle Decor, December 2011, design by Alessandra Branca

The overgrown greenery and oversize ornaments add wonderful drama to the mantle.

Photo via House Beautiful, December/ January 2012

WHITE WONDERLAND

Louis Vuitton Spring 2012, photo via Harper’s Bazaar, December 2011/ January 2012

Even though this image is not related to home decor I included it because it feels like a fantasy winter wonderland… which I would want to use as an inspiration in my design.

Photo via Elle Decor, December 2011

Simple white flowering trees or flowers arrangements look great mixed with rustic elements. 

Photo via Veranda, November/ December 2011

RED GLAM

Photo via Veranda, November/ December 2011, design by Carolyne Roehm

 This arrangement would work just as well as a centerpiece on a dining table.

Happy Decorating!!!

Photo credit: Karin Kohlberg

Born in Cebu, Philippines and raised in San Jose, California, Alberto Solon moved to New York City as an adult in 1993, where he now currently resides.  He began his extraordinary career in fashion starting with Issey Miyake.  After 6 years, he transitioned to the designer duo he idolized and dreamed of working for, Dolce & Gabbana.  He devoted 10 1/2 years of his life with them, 3 1/2 years of which he lived in Milan as the Creative Visual Manager for Europe, Russia and the Middle East.  With his talents, Alberto continues to make an impact on luxury fashion houses.

He is passionate about his career in the creative field, travels extensively for work and pleasure – Paris, Prague, Budapest, Copenhagen, Spain & Germany, mostly by train. He has an avid passion for photography and foreign films.

To find out how Alberto lives a fashionable life, CLICK HERE…

Having lived in Manhattan for several years, I know the value of maximizing every square-inch of a kitchen – in every possible direction, vertical & horizontal.  Although I no longer live in the tiniest apartment in Manhattan, my love of collecting tabletop and kitchen accessories challenges me to come up with storage ideas.  So, I was obviously excited to come across these storage solutions below by Poggenpohl…

All of my city dwelling friends, and others who just need additional storage for your many collections of cherished items, perhaps you can find some inspiring ideas to incorporate into your own kitchens…

Built-in countertop drawer

Custom sink drawer cut-out

Plinth drawer

Creating usable space out of the toe-kick area is quite smart!

Plinth ladder

Being a petite girl, this is probably one of my favorites…  No more bulky, ugly step ladders!  I love that you can just slide it under the cabinets when done.

Corner solution – Magic Corner

I am very excited to share some photos of a celebrity lifestyle lounge that I had designed for Hollywood mothers, in collaboration with Gifting Services…

Design vignette by Seyie Design

Lisa Loeb

Maria Canals-Barrera

 Jodi Sweetin

Debi Mazar