BUNGALUX

TOP 10 LISTS

• Meridith Baer

  Staging with Meridith Baer

  

  Although many people think the coolest part of my job is seeing fantastic houses, in reality, the best part of my job by far is coming in contact with amazingly talented people. And Meredith Baer is definitely one of those incredible talents.
  
  Imagine how hard it is to pick out a single sofa for a living room, and then imagine furnishing, top-to-bottom and head-to-toe, a 10,000 square foot house in a few days. I can't, but Meridith, Brett Baer, and the rest of her team manage to do just that. They are superstars in the world of both house staging and design. Time and time (and time) again they create magic through their staging, and I've seen it directly translate to faster sales and higher prices.
  
  I had the opportunity to chat with Meridith, (who's not only a star in my world - she's now the star of HGTV's "Staged to Perfection"). Take a look at our Top Ten to get some insight and advice from Meridith on dressing up your house. Whether you're an agent or a seller, Meridith's advice is invaluable.
  
  Thanks, Meridith, and I'll see you, Brett, and the rest of the gang on our next project.
  Read More

• Simone LeBlanc

  Alex Chats Gifting with Simone LeBlanc

  

  We had the honor of welcoming Simone LeBlanc last year as she joined us on Bungalux to talk about Valentine's Day gifting. Her VALENTINE'S GIFT GIVING ARTICLE remains one of our most-read stories ever, and it's a must-read for all of you who have a Valentine this year and are in search of the perfect gift.
  
  For those of you who don't know her, Simone not only founded the world's most fabulous luxury gifting service, Simone LeBlanc, but she is also one of those women whose real life mirrors the incredible life she creates for others. Simone is fashionable, stylish, fun, and down-to-earth.
  
  We wanted to do something different this year ... so we did. I sat down and interviewed Simone and it's one of my favorite interviews because she was so warm and forthcoming. Of course Simone gave us advice on Valentine's gift giving - 'tis that time of year after all - but she also allowed us a sneak peek at her secret shopping spots and a few outrageous gifting stories as well.
  
  For those of you searching for the perfect gift for that perfect someone, we highly recommend you contact Simone for assistance. Gifts from Best Buy for Valentine's Day don't count - be creative!
  
  
  Photo of Simone taken by Katrina Dickson. Read More

• Tobe Reed

  Ten Natural Items in Decor

  

  I love today’s story on a number of different levels.
  
  As with every story, it all starts with the guest editor. And today we have one of my favorite bloggers, Tobe Reed, from the great site BECAUSE IT’S AWESOME.
  
  Be it design, typography, fashion or interiors, Tobe has fancied the arts from a young age. This led to a career in the field of graphic arts, and a passion for all things design-related. After countless years as a reader, Tobe began writing her own blog, appropriately titled Because It’s Awesome, which chronicles her many influences and admirations, and even a bit of her own work and home decor choices. Her BLOG is one of my daily reads, and I know when you click over it will be one of yours as well.
  
  Today Tobe's writing about natural materials in the home. Technology and manmade beauty are everywhere, but there's something still so beautiful about materials indigenous to our environment. Tobe has chosen fantastic photos to show us how to incorporate good old-fashioned nature into our lives. Take a look and be inspired!
  
  
  Photos courtesy of RYAN KORBAN, LIGHT LOCATIONS, FERNHOME, LONNY MAGAZINE, ASHLEY WHITTAKER, SCHUYLER SAMPERTON, ESTEE STANLEY, MATCHBOOK MAGAZINE, and NUEVO ESTILO. Read More

• Clare Vivier

  The Fashionable World of Clare Vivier

  

  For the longest time "chic handbag" meant ridiculously expensive. That is, until today's guest editor CLARE VIVIER came along and shook things up.
  
  As in the case of many successful products, Clare created her handbag line out of a need - in her case, she was looking for a chic way to carry her laptop. Soon after, she launched her eponymous line of handbags and, well, the rest is history. Clare's collaborations have included those with Theory, Refinery 29, Steven Alan, Commune, Wren, and Jasmin Shokrian. And her handbags - everything from clutches to overnight bags - are a favorite of celebrities, Downtowners, and Uptowners alike. There's not a single cool girl we know that doesn't own one of Clare's bags.
  
  Yes despite the beyond cool handbag line, the hot store in Silverlake, and the huge brand recognition, we love the Los Angeles-based Clare because she's warm, sweet, accessible, and still as passionate about her line now as when she first started. We are so so thrilled to have Clare with us today to talk handbags, icons, and home. And, of course, for those of you who don't own your own Clare Vivier bag yet, CLICK HERE ASAP. We promise her bags are the chicest, quickest way to the best dressed award at any party.
  
  For a list of stores that carry Clare's line, please CLICK HERE.
  
  Photo of Clare from from Jeana Sohn's wonderful site CLOSET VISIT.
  Read More

• Scott Mitchell

  Alex Chats Design with Scott Mitchell

  

  In an age of "celebrity" everything, I think it's pretty cool when you meet someone who tries to be under the radar.
  
  It may or not be working in the case of the fabulous designer, architect, and landscape designer extraordinare SCOTT MITCHELL. Despite his every effort to the contrary, Scott's prodigious talent is putting him on everyone's radar and design A-lists. Scott's clients range from ... well, people you've heard of, but we don't mention here because neither does Scott. Suffice it to say some of the world's greatest tastemakers have brought Scott in to make their homes perfect.
  
  Scott's resume is one of the most impressive around. Before starting Scott Mitchell Studio in 1999, Scott worked at Stephen Miller Siegel & Associates and with Preston T. Phillips, a former protégé of architect Paul Rudolph. Following his time in New York, Scott completed an internship in Norman Foster’s London office, and then moved back to the US to continue his studies at the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc). Under the mentorship of architects Richard Meier and the late Charles Gwathmey, Scott has spent the past 20 years developing his practice.
  
  I've been fortunate enough to get a peek at some of Scott's incredible projects. I'm most struck by his use of rich materials, light, texture and, in the cases of new construction, siting. Yet most interesting to me is that every one of Scott's projects speaks directly about the client more than the designer. That is a true talent.
  
  I caught up with Scott last week at one of his incredible projects - an incredible seven year-in-the-making compound on six acres overlooking the ocean in Malibu. Over lunch at the Malibu Country Mart Scott chatted design, his own house (which I've been to ... I assure you he's being way too modest in its description), and simplicity.
  Read More

• Jeanine Hays

  Ten Ways to Bring Cultural Style Home

  

  Today I'm incredibly honored to be joined by one of interior design's most respected and creative forces on the web: Jeanine Hays, Creative Director & Founder of AphroChic . Originally taking shape as interior design blog, AphroChic became a place for Jeanine, a former policy attorney, to escape the stresses of legal work and share her passion for design.
  
  Jeanine's story is truly one of my favorites. Our style is so often infused with a bit of copycat (our neighbor has it!), and I feel as if so much of what we see is the same. Below, Jeanine talks, in her usual fun and refreshing tone, about how we can bring worldwide cultural style into our homes. I know from a personal standpoint one of my biggest "talked about pieces" in my own home is an oversized basket I have in the middle of my floor. After reading today's article I'm encouraged to buy other pieces to make my home unique and cultural. Thanks, Jeanine!
  
  
  Image Sources: TANGIERS, ELLE DECOR, MEXICAN TENANGO, LAVIVA HOME MEXICAN BEADSPREAD, LOTUS BED, SILHOUETTE BOOKEND, PINTEREST, KILIM PILLOW COVERS, FILIGREE TEARDROP PENDANT, MUDCLOTH CHAIR, SCOUT DESIGNS. Read More