"California Look" begins as an amalgamation of different styles, mixed with unique twists and has been called collaboration with some of the great decorators of the past. Starting with Syrie Maugham's emphasis on shades of white, adding in the ornateness of Sister Parish and the simple exquisiteness of Frances Elkins' design would then infusion of one's own style. A look born in the past yet completely new.

Implicit in that design philosophy is a melding of styles and ages. A set of antique Italian chairs beside an Andy Warhol  print; Chinese chairs set around an unvarnished wood table atop a Yosemite granite base. There is no arbitrary law which says that midcentury modern juxtaposed with traditional can’t work. The only consideration is how well these or other pieces look together; do they compete with each other or do they create a felicitous sense of contrast?

An important piece of the design aesthetic is to bring the outdoors in, adding natural forms into ornate rooms.  And the effect of light in a room will drive many of design decisions.

SHOP THE LOOK