Icon: Frank Gehry

"You've got to bumble forward into the unknown."

-Frank Gehry

If ever there was a quote that summed up the feeling of designing, that is it.  One must be confident in one's own talent, strengths, and weaknesses, but move forward fearless nonetheless.  For all of us who aspire to grow in the visual arts, losing the fear and coming to the realization that there are no rules, we look to icons like Gehry as a beacon. 

On this his 82nd birthday I thought I would  send out some eye candy of Mr. Gehry's better known projects:



Marques de Riscal Hotel
Elciego, Spain





Guggenheim
Bilbao, Spain



Walt Disney Concert Hall  
Los Angeles, California



Fred and Ginger Building
The Dancing House
Prague, Czech Republic



Love him or hate him, one thing is without question,  Frank Gehry has impacted an entire generation of architects and designers with his progressive, sweeping, epic designs that have stirred us, moved us, and caused us to stop and reassess the real meaning of architecture and furniture in our lives.  He has challenged our traditional notions of beauty and at the same time defined it. 

While I am sure he has many many more years of designing ahead of him, this gentleman sends him many happy birthday wishes.

Never relent, never surrender, never compromise.

Bye for now.

CG

Color Theory: Brown

Some where between yellow and eggplant on the color wheel is that most magical of colors, brown. 

Warm, inviting and decidely NOT black.  Amongst my favorite combinations are brown with gray, brown with eggplant, brown with ochre, brown with cream, brown with camel.




1963 Ferrari Berlinetta Lusso (From the estate of Steve McQueen..who had the car custom painted to these specifications no less)
(Image Courtesy: Christie's)





The 584/g table lamp by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce with brown Perspex shade
(Image Courtesy: 1st dibs)

 



Classic combinations.  Gray/Brown/Black



I often use brown in projects and am certainly partial to it at home. Here are a few favorites:





Chocolate stained custom walnut cabinetry with chocolate wall to wall carpeting.
The gray walls:  Pratt & Lambert / Gossamer
Interior Design: Christopher Gaona, Inc.



LA Mart Design Center Lobby
Palette:  Black/Brown/Taupe/Charcoal Gray
Interior Design: Christopher Gaona, Inc.

 

Palette at home:  Cream/Brown/Mustard Yellow/Red
Interior Deisgn: Chrsitopher Gaona, Inc.





Brown accents typical at home.
Interior Design: Christopher Gaona, Inc.



Guest Bedroom
Brown Linen Headboard with Red Lulu DK coverlet
Interior Design: Christopher Gaona, Inc.

 


Walls in my first apartment.  Brown of course.
Interior Design: Christopher Gaona, Inc.

  A few more chocolate baubles....



Alexandar McQueen  Fall 2007 Leather, Brocade and Fur Dress.
All the best colors.  Even the back drop is perfect.
(Image Courtesy:  1st dibs)



1970's signed Verdura, platinum, diamond and brown zircon earings. 
(Image Courtesy:  1st dibs)




As my friend Marty might say of the dress or earings...perfect for a day of grocery shopping. 

So go ahead throw on some black and brown and don't feel ashamed.

Bye for now.



 CG









What Lies Underfoot

One of my favorite elements in a room is a rug.  Bold and sleek or neutral and textured, there is an intangible change that happens in a room both accoustically and just in how it feels when a beautiful rug is underfoot. 

Serratura. Designed by Piero Fornasetti for Roubini Rugs

Tai Ping Carpets

While I certainly appreciate the beauty of a well crafted floor, a room does not feel completly liveable without rugs to me.  I have been a fan of the bespoke rugs offered by The Rug Company for many years and continue to find great inspiration in their collection after first becoming aware of their product while living in Los Angeles.  In the living room shown below we engaged the atelier to produce an emerald green silk chettah motif rug originally designed by Diane Von Furstenburg as a runner and customized it into a full scale living room rug layered over wall to wall seagrass.  A bold decision but one that instantly energized this apartment's living room.




Apartment Living Room with rug from The Rug Company
Interior Design:  Christopher Gaona, Inc.

 

Much is made of the design advise to select your rug before starting a project and build the palette from their.  While in many instances this is sound advise, I am not convinced that this is necessary.  In many cases you can make the rug the final accent to a room often times resulting in something totally unexpected.  When you build a room up from the rug the result is often a very prudent and safe room. 



Interior Design: Christopher Gaona, Inc.
Rug:  The Rug Company

Other client's I have had look to rugs as an investment.  A reputable dealer can assist a designer and client in sourcing a rug that is both appropriate visually and is an element that the client can purchase confidently knowing that with proper care the piece will appreciate in value.  This is definitely not always the case with other elements in the home. 



Antique Caucasian rug anchoring entry of historical craftsman home.
Interior Design: Christopher Gaona, Inc.




Simple and crisp.  Wool sisal.
Interior Design: Christopher Gaona, Inc.

  Bye for now.
CG