{article: HomeFurnishings.com}

Sur La Mer Design, founder and interior designer,  Melissa Enriquez speaks to reporter Jane Kitchen about “Delicious Trends In Dining Furniture”.

http://www.homefurnishings.com/category/discover/dining-rooms/article/delicious-trends-in-dining-furniture

{chair shopping: New York}

A few weekends ago I was in New York on a chair hunting expedition for one of my clients.  Although we didn’t have a plan for exactly what we were looking for, we found some great pieces in some of my favorite designer stores.  When you are not sure exactly what you want or need, make sure you keep a very open mind!   You’ll be surprised what you can find in the nooks and crannies of your favorite stores. 

My clients fell in love with a few that we ended up buying for their apartment.  The end result of their space is going to be spectacular! 

 This pair of English style crocodile-embossed leather wingback chairs with contrasting lamb skin leather back and nailheads circa 1920’s, were showstoppers!  We bought these for their entry foyer from  Thomas O’Brien’s showroom, Aero. $13.5k for the pair.

Pair of 18th Century French Fauteuils with oval back with charcoal silk velvet upholstery from Antony Todd.  $22k for the pair.

Klismos style chair in lizard skin from Antony Todd.  I’m completely in love with these, and will convince someone that they cannot live without them… or, more likely, they will end up in my house. $8k each

 Ralph Lauren Spencer chair from ABC Carpet.  We’re considering this for an extra chair in the living room. $6k

Pair of vintage chairs at Aero.  I’m trying to remember the details, but I believe they are from the 1950’s and were gorgeous. $12k for the pair.

{Los Angeles Antiques Show: April 21-25, 2010}

OPENING NIGHT PREVIEW PARTY

WED, 4/21 7PM

BARKER HANGER

SANTA MONICA AIR CENTER

Host Committee
Maria Bell
Kimberly Brooks
Courteney Cox & David Arquette
Waldo Fernandez
Jennifer Meyer & Tobey Maguire
Cameron Silver
Julia Sorkin
Elizabeth Stewart
Dita Von Teese
Kelly Wearstler

To purhcase tickets, click here

{designer: Herve van der Straeten}

During WestWeek a few weeks ago at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles, Ralph Pucci hosted designer Herve van der Straeten in their showroom.  Herve designs furniture, lighting, and jewelry.  He is a gallerie owner and has a meticulously controlled workshop where a team of craftsmen work to perfect his highly sought after pieces.    It was his premier on the west coast, and I nearly fainted when I saw his lighting hanging in the Ralph Pucci showroom, one of my favorites in the PDC.

Herve has been very popular in Europe and New York for many years.  His designs are in high demand and certainly on the high end side of the pricing spectrum… which doesn’t phase the devout followers.  You can find his jewelry line in Bergdorf Goodman, which is how he began his illustrious career. I have an incredible pair of his earrings, and am hoping to add one of his chandeliers to my home very soon!

If you love design, and beautiful craftsmanship… you will be enraptured by the integrity of his designs and the materials he uses to translate his vision into functional art pieces. 

See his showroom here here .  You will be glad you did!

{follow us: Facebook & Twitter}

Click here   to follow us on Facebook

Click here  to follow us on Twitter

{trend watch: skins, leather, fur}

In a questionaire for Architectural Digest about the Home Design Show, I was asked about what the next *trend* was.  Of course, that question sends a bit of a shiver down my spine because I like to think of myself as a non-trend person… but my answer was this:

MME:  “I’m seeing, and liking anything that is leather, skins, and fur.  Especially, snake skin and fish skins being used as fabrics.  I recently was in the Holly Hunt showroom at the Pacific Design Center in LA and saw a huge wooden bowl, lined inside and out, in snake skin…  It was a design *moment* for me.”

My answer got me thinking about what I am unconsciously reaching for as I’m shopping for myself and for clients.  Today, I was in Calypso St. Barths  picking up a few pieces of clothing.  Since I work for Calypso Home, they want us to wear the clothes, so I’m in there quite often buying their latest cashmere and cute leather jackets…  This trend is making its mark across the board- jewelry, clothing, and home decor.

Anyway, as I was at the register, I noticed some amazing snakeskin and faux lizard bracelets from Ted Rossi …

and snakeskin beaded necklaces from Serpui Marie. 

I’ve also noticed that I have been accumulating a collection of leather wrap bracelets from Chan Luu.

One of the things I love most about fur, whether you wear it or use it for decorative purposes, is how it adds warmth and texture to a space.  This shaved rabbit fur throw is amazing and adds that extra finishing touch.  In the same way this throw finishes a room, a cute fur shrug can complete an outfit.  The line between fashion and home is a very blurry one for me. 

If this isn’t chic, then I don’t know what is.  This hand made embossed leather desk tray by Olivia Song Design  is a must have.  Once you have it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

I was in the always amazing Elyse Walker boutique the other day and picked up these snake embossed leather sandals by Elizabeth and James. 

This Python bag by R & Y Augusti is gorgeous- and the same designer makes the most incredible stingray furniture pieces…

and accessories, such as this tray.

It’s no secret, I’m a slave to anything home design related, which more and more is finding it’s way into my clothing  and fashion choices.  Having a fashionable home and closet- a design dream!

{Architectural Digest Home Design Show: NY 2010}

Architectural Digest turned up the volume this year at the AD Home Design Show at Pier 94 on March 18-21 in NYC.   I visit a lot of shows throughout the year, so some stand out more than others.  This show had some great stand out designers and exhibits, which I am happy to share here, and answer some questions for Architectural Digest.

AD: Name

Melissa M. Enriquez

AD: Profession

Interior Designer, Entrepeneur

AD: Your six word style memoir

Innovative, Textural, Multifarious, Selective, Stimulating, Refined

AD: Your WOW moment at the ADHDS (can be anything- object, person, observation)

MME: My absolute WOW moment was from Cocobolo Design artist Peter Lane.  His large scale sculptures were at once, stunning and inspired.  The textures he is able to create on these pieces seem impossibly intricate and ancient.  I’m an instant admirer.

Peter Lane will be exhibiting his large scale works and sculptures in a solo show from April 15th-May 28th at the Cocobolo Design Gallery

AD:  What is the one ADHDS item you cannot live without?

MME: A nature inspired, hand built ceramic sculpture by Pamela Sunday.  Her pieces felt so alive and organic to me, that I just wanted to reach out and touch them (which took much resistance to control myself)!

 www.pamelasunday.com

Green River Stone company showcased relics from Wyoming’s Fossil Lake.  I’ve seen them a million times, but they always seem to capture my attention.  I used them in my Tahoe Cabin guest bathroom, and adore the outcome.

[art] addiction had some fantastic pieces that were an innovative take on the traditional.  Since I’m loving anything lucite and shiny, these pieces fit the bill.  I also love the thought of hanging them in a way that light can come from behind them and make them almost glow.  The scale and drama of these pieces, along with the amazingly low price point make these a must for future design jobs.

Seen here, the lovely and talented, Ann Haagenson- buyer for Calypso Home

Tucker Robbins has some beautiful pieces.  Of course, the fantastically colored orange and purple feathers catch your attention initially…. but then you stop and look at his gorgeous wood tables and chairs, and ceramic garden stools, and you can feel his infectious energy flowing through each of his pieces.  If you were at the show, I guarantee you saw him bouncing around at some point.  Wait, maybe HE was my WOW moment!

Crystal based lamps- Organic, ancient, beautiful and modern.

AD: Idea you plan to borrow from the show?

MME: This was one of the last exhibits I saw, and it was a *moment* for me!  These wallpapers are by Fromental and are all hand done, and just STUNNING.  Then…. you meet the couple behind it all, and it all starts to come together.  There is nothing about them, or their product that isn’t spot.on.cool.  I will absolutely be using these papers and luscious coordinating fabrics in future projects.  I only wish I would have taken a picture of her shoes…. It would have all come together!

www.fromental.co.uk

Pretty vases and glasses in gorgeous colors.  The lighting made this display seem ethereal among the rest.

AD: What are the “trends to watch”?

MME: I’m seeing, and liking anything that is leather, skins, and fur.  Especially, snake skin and fish skins being used as fabrics.  I recently was in the Holly Hunt showroom at the Pacific Design Center in LA and saw a huge wooden bowl, lined inside and out, in snake skin…  It was a design *moment* for me.

{DIFFA: Dining By Design 2010}

The Architectural Digest Home Design Show not only is host to vendors of art, design and style… but also shared Pier 94 with DIFFA’s Dining By Design.  It is a display of beautiful, creative tableaus merging the creativity of culinary giants and designers.  These were some of the tables that caught my eye.

This Manhattan themed table was one of my favorites.  I loved the yellow pop of color, the taxi cabs and skyscrapers giving a not so subtle nod to New York. 

This is a shot of the floor by one of the tables.  It is difficult to see in the picture, but it is aged, rustic planks of wood- with silver glitter and paint in the cracks, and crystals lining the crevices.  It looked really amazing in person.

All proceeds of this event benefit DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS

For more information, please visit www.diffa.org

{Sur La Mer Design wins Design Award & Magazine Cover}

Sur La Mer Design Cover

Tahoe Quarterly magazine is THE resource for style, design and information for Lake Tahoe.  They have a yearly edition which is called the Mountain Home Awards for design innovations.  We submitted our home into the pool of many, many entries, and were told we had won an award, which we were obviously overjoyed about.  Then came the waiting game…..

At long last…. after impatiently waiting many months to find out which award we won… they awarded us with the Overall Remodel Award AND the cover!!

 

More pictures here

http://surlamerdesign.com/portfolio_donnerlake.html

Our house, located on Donner Lake was a huge renovation project that began in 2007.  The main house is now complete and is what is shown inside the magazine.  I am still building the new guesthouse and garages, which will be completed by the end of summer.  The whole process and end result has been so gratifying and a wonderful learning experience, topped off by being recognized by such a great magazine representing Lake Tahoe and the surrounding areas.

I can’t wait to sink my teeth into another Tahoe project!

If you would like for us to send you a copy of the magazine, or if you are interested in design services from Sur La Mer Design… please email me at melissa@surlamerdesign.com

{Valentine’s Day: make a list of things you love}

I don’t necessarily subscribe to the whole idea of a holiday that forces romance… but I do like the intent behind it, as long as it doesn’t revolve around a generic card or bouquet of cheap red roses.   Does your significant other know ten things that you absolutely love, or that represents something about you, or just something simple that would bring a smile to your face?  Maybe the better question is, do you know ten things that represent your significant other? 

I put this list together last year, and every one of them still holds true this year… Make a list of your own and maybe you’ll find out something about yourself.  If you don’t have someone in your life, go ahead and give yourself a gift off of your list!

Do you have a hobby?  Well, I love photography, and the Nikon DX can’t take a bad picture. For those of you who take photography seriously but don’t have the time to be obsessive, this is a great camera.  It’s the gift that keeps on giving…I’m obsessive about having a nice pen and notepad onhand at all times. My father always had a collection of beautiful fountain pens, which I inherited a passion for.  Smythson of Bond Street papers and agendas are the perfect companion to a beautiful pen.  I live for making lists, and have many on my Blackberry… but nothing can replace the feeling of crossing things off a paper to-do list.

Perfume is something very personal to me.  I hate telling people what I wear, but I will say I mix a few different perfumes with an oil to make it my own personal scent.  Scent memory is a very primal sensory, and should be taken seriously.  When I smell Shalimar, I instantly look around for my mother…

One of my passions is gardening, and garden design.  Succulents are architectural and stunning, and grow beautifully in southern California. I have them all over my patio in LA.  A succulent wreath is a great alternative to a standard floral arrangement, but a gorgeous bouquet of peonies (my favorite flowers) would also make my heart smile.

Being an interior designer, I understand the necessity for beauty AND functionality.  A space can’t just be a pretty, but unusable spot.  Having a squishy velvet chaise to curl up and read on, is always a must.  If you don’t have a standard, go-to spot,  figure out a good place for one, and make it happen!

DayNa Decker candles from the couture line, the scents will knock your socks off.  The wood wick makes them crackle like a mini fireplace.  When people come into my house, they always ask me what smells so good.  Trust me on this, they are perfection.  

Okay, I know… I know- chocolates are a bit cliche’ for Valentine’s Day.  I don’t care, I love Marie Belle chocolates and would appreciate getting them any day of the year.

Cashmere sweaters have become a bit of an addiction for me.  I have just about every color, and wear them almost everyday.  I like to think of it as a collection, rather than an addiction.

A gorgeous hot bath is an inexpensive indulgence; and how much would you swoon if your honey ran a bath for you with candles and beautiful products.  I make it a point to indulge myself every single day before I go to bed.  No bath is complete without Jo Malone oils and Laura Mercier products.  To die for.

I can’t say enough about my books… Old, new, cookbooks or design books.  Life would be dire without them.  I have a running list of books-to-buy, onhand at all times. 

Some other ideas I like, are things that have to do with activites that you could do together.  Get creative, or keep it simple- just make sure you make it meaningful!

Do you both love to travel?  How about new luggage or travel accessories (or a trip!)….

Do you both love to cook?  How about a fun cooking class… or hire a private chef to make a romantic dinner at home.  Careful though, pots and pans as a gift may not go over very well…

Do you both love sailing?  Schedule sailing classes or hire a captain to take you out for a day on the seas.