Wednesday, December 24, 2008

The Art of Wreath Making

By Erin Ferucci
Celebrity Lifestyle Designer

I was decorating a few of my client’s homes for xmas last week, when I came across the ACTUAL process of wreath making, at 6 in the morning!! (while the rest of the world sleeps)
A wreath artisan stands at a work station with a machine that resembles a sewing machine; there is a foot pedal on the floor to operate the machine. The artisan places a special wreath form on to the table and begins to load the desired greenery into the prongs. There are many different sizes and shapes of wreath forms. After the artisan carefully arranges the leaves in a creative display he/she pushes the foot pedal and Viola!!! The wire clamps down, holding the leaves on the wreath in place permanently. This wreath is lush with beautiful bay leaves.This beautiful citrus and eucalyptus wreath was custom made for a fancy hotel in Los Angeles...it smelled divine! I thought the whole process was fascinating!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Decadent Last Minute Shopping

By Erin Ferucci
Celebrity Lifestyle Designer


Where do shop when you need a last minute gift that is the ultimate in decadence? Well if you are looking for exquisite, unique gifts of the highest caliber you need to shop the 5th floor of Barney's.
If you need ornaments the selection is lush.

If fur is appropriate for your recipient, there are some lovely choices....

This rabbit throw retails for $1300 and is sumptuous.

Or these remarkable abalone hammershell infused frames, the taste level is exquisite.

There is something exclusive for everyone on your shopping list.

How about a lovely shagreen, tiger eye and bronze stool/side table?

Or a spectacular set of architecture books for the art lover on your list.

But shop fast the clock is ticking.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Malibu Market & Design

By Erin Ferucci
Celebrity Lifestyle Designer

If you saw my recent Blog about Dayna Decker candles then you know that I am a fan. I got an invitation the other day for a Dayna Decker Trunk Show at a lovely shop, Malibu Market & Design, located at 25001 Pacific Coast Highway.
Who could resist? Hands down this is my favorite store in Malibu and certainly in my top 5 for all of Los Angeles. I have to admit that I don’t get to Malibu on a regular basis. But if you are in the neighborhood, it is worth stopping in!

The shop is huge, ginormous, really. It has 4 levels and is built up into a hillside…stunning, stunning, stunning!!! I always say I need to wear my hiking boots to see everything.
They feature indoor and outdoor goods from all over the world. The inventory is always changing as they get in new items from South Africa, Italy, India, etc… The top floor features modern Italian and French kitchens. This is my dream table all 14 feet of it. The middle floor showcases world travels; there is a real Africa exotic flavor with a hut and a wide variety or outdoor furniture from Europe and Indonesia. On the ground floor flowers, plants, candles and gifts are sold. I love these hand blown Italian glasses. My favorite is this amazing powder room sink, Italian, of course!I love the taste level on all three floors.
Put on some comfortable shoes, clear you schedule for a few yours and check out Malibu Market & Design for yourself.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Holiday Shopping at COLCHA

By Erin Ferucci
Celebrity Lifestyle Designer

As a Lifestyle Designer one of the many things I am called upon to do, especially by my Celebrity clients, is Holiday Gift Shopping. Frequently clients will ask me to find that exclusive, tasteful gift that is perfect for a manager, agent or studio executive. I love this kind of assignment because I know it will take me to the door of one of my favorite shops: COLCA.
COLCHA is a quaint neighborhood shop in Venice owned by Sue Cowie. It is filled with lovely, unique gift items that are both exquisite and surprisingly affordable.
http://www.colchahome.com/

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Ceylon et Cie

By Erin Ferucci
Celebrity Lifestyle Designer

November’s Elle Décor magazine features the lovely and wonderful Michelle Nussbaumer who has been a really good friend to me over many years!

Michelle is an amazing designer and a wonderful person. Her passion to hunt down the best taste in everything around the world is infectious!!!
She mixes treasures from all over, different centuries layered together..Regency
with mid-century, ornate with under-stated...she really has "THE gift"!
You walk into any of her exquisite homes and your jaw immediately drops! She is a master at achieving easy elegance that is layered, textured and exquisite.
She makes everything feel so warm and unintimidating! Pure class!

I cannot wait to visit her shop in Dallas called Ceylon et Cie.

Take a look at these lovely lamps of Michelle’s
the darker one is actually petrified wood from Brazil...
(wood that is soooo old it turns into stone that is beautifully textured)I have never seen it in a lamp form, only in a side table stump.

The shell fossil is thousands of years old! called AMMONITE.
It is mounted on an acrylic base with a linen shade...truly lovely.

I think I'll get these for myself!

Rolling Greens

By Erin Ferucci
Celebrity Lifestyle Designer



Last week I popped into my favorite Nursery that I have been shopping at for longer than I'm willing to admit.
Rolling Greens is a wonderful cornucopia of indoor and outdoor pots, flowers and plants.
Before they were wholesale only but now they're open to the public while still allowing the trade their discount.
I went in to shop for some pots and flowers for a client but low and behold...the holidays ARE HERE!!! More on that in a later blog - But if you are looking for something fresh, colorful and inviting for your home check out Rolling Greens.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Market Gourmet

By Erin Ferucci
Celebrity Lifestyle Designer


Okay I admit it; I’m passionate about food -which is why I love to shop at Market Gourmet. Lauren Hunter is the owner. She is wonderful, helpful and willing to walk you through the entire store and share suggestions about the international fare they regularly showcase.
Sometimes I stop in for lunch or just to pick up some goodies for dinner parties...like cheese plates with French olives and cornichons...
or
Handmade porcini ravioli's from Italy. It cooks in minutes! It’s great with a butter and sage sauce… or how about the lobster ravioli with a light cream and saffron sauce...add a salad and voila!
Spreadable Parmesan cheese? who's ever heard of this before? those Italians!
French pates, California goat cheese, pink sea salt from the Himalayas...yum!
And my favorite olive oil from Sicily called "Frantoia" made in an antiqued oil pressing tradition. It has kind of a nutty flavor which I prefer...
The Irish make the best better you will ever taste...I have yet to try the British one though...
Looking for something special for the Holidays? The Market Gourmet at 1800 Abbott Kinney Blvd. in Venice is certain to have it. Drop in or give them a call at 310.305.9800

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Ina Garten

By Erin Ferucci
Celebrity Lifestyle Designer


I have been a big fan of Ina Garten for many years...dating back to her gourmet food shop in the Hampton's called "Barefoot Contessa".

I love watching her show on the food network, and am an admirer of her simple and effortless cuisine. Her recipes are bulletproof.

House Beautiful has a feature article on Ina in their November 2008 issue. She built a "barn like" extension to her already existing property in Sag Harbour, Long Island.
I love it! Who wouldn’t want an open kitchen into the dining area where all your friends can watch you cook?and- the counters are 18" feet long.!!
I love the idea of picking flowers from your garden and herbs for your meals and bringing them inside within minutes.It must be the "country" in me.
I love the open shelves everywhere in the kitchen and the pantry. No leaky zip-lock bags hiding your leaky flour sacks here! And that pantry-so open and so clean, no surprises anywhere. I love that. Notice how perfectly stocked it is…no old pans with rust stains on them. This is truly gracious living.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Greystone Mansion

By Erin Ferucci
Celebrity Lifestyle Designer
This year’s Beverly Hills Garden & Design Showcase was held at The Historic Greystone Mansion and was gloriously hosted by Veranda Magazine.
It was a star studded evening co-chaired by Mary McDonald and Nathan Turner, featuring some of my favorite designers including Michelle Nussbaumer, Waldo Fernandez, Martyn Lawrence and Peter Dunham. The Historic mansion, which is one of the last surviving Los Angeles homes from the Great Golden Age was transformed into an amazing showcase of glamorous architecture and contemporary design. Each designer was given a separate room and the result was stunning.
The Gala Event was spectacular. Congratulations to Veranda editor-in-chief Lisa Newsome on a remarkable evening. The Greystone Mansion will be allowing tours of “The Great House” designed rooms through the 16th of November. The $30 admission is worth the price to check out the work of more than 25 top designers in this magnificent home.