Celebrity Style

Mandy Moore's Altadena Home: A Showcase of Lulu and Georgia Designs by Sarah Sherman Samuel

Mandy Moore's recently renovated Altadena home, a collaborative effort with her long-standing designer Sarah Sherman Samuel, showcases a delightful blend of playful elegance and modern aesthetics. Samuel, known for her whimsical approach, has imbued the space with a vibrant palette of warm hues, lively patterns, and contemporary forms. What's more, many of the distinctive furnishings that define Moore's charming interiors are accessible to the public through Samuel's exclusive collection with Lulu and Georgia, currently offering attractive discounts.

The culinary area of the Moore-Goldsmith residence features a breakfast nook where Rivas dining chairs, with their antique-inspired design, introduce a striking contrast against the pale wooden elements. These pieces exemplify Samuel's talent for blending diverse textures and styles to create a cohesive yet dynamic environment.

Upon entering Moore's home, guests are immediately greeted by the distinctive Ripple Mirror, a hallmark of Samuel's design philosophy with its signature undulating edges. This mirror is strategically placed above a sleek stone console table, its wavy frame providing an intriguing focal point that enriches the entryway's otherwise pristine white aesthetic.

The dining room, a haven for those who appreciate eclectic design, is anchored by a refined Archer dining table. This piece harmonizes beautifully with the plush, high-backed chairs, upholstered in Samuel's Garden Walk linen, and the deep navy walls, creating a sophisticated and inviting atmosphere for entertaining.

In the children's room, the Ripple Accent Chair, a standout item from Samuel's collection, adds a touch of playful sophistication. Its warm wood tones are complemented by the soft duck egg blue walls, and its robust construction ensures durability, making it a practical yet stylish choice for a growing family.

The primary bedroom exudes an airy elegance, thanks in part to the Hyvaa bed frame. This grand yet unobtrusive piece, with its rounded contours and elevated structure, prevents the room from feeling confined, even with its luxurious velvet upholstery. It contributes to a serene and open ambiance.

The brand's Merrit nightstands, with their slender profiles, elegantly flank Moore's velvet bed. These pieces do not overwhelm the spacious primary bedroom, instead offering functional and stylish accents that enhance the room's serene and uncluttered aesthetic.

Lulu and Georgia is celebrated for its seating options that masterfully combine cutting-edge designs with supreme comfort. The Babs accent chair, with its vibrant chartreuse velvet upholstery, adds a lively splash of color to Moore's living room. It beautifully complements the patterned sofa and draws attention to the lush greenery visible through the windows, creating a harmonious indoor-outdoor connection.

For individuals seeking a subtly patterned floor covering, Samuel's collection offers irregular grid rugs. A prime example is a rug in a muted olive green, boasting a high-pile texture and a delicate geometric design that introduces just the right amount of visual intrigue without overpowering the space.

The careful curation of every element, from the dining chairs to the bed frames and mirrors, exemplifies Samuel’s commitment to creating spaces that are both personal and universally appealing. This blend of artistry and accessibility allows design enthusiasts to incorporate a piece of Moore’s unique style into their own living environments.

The Most Exquisite Embroidered Sheets to Elevate Your Bedroom Decor

Elevate your bedroom's aesthetic with the timeless charm of embroidered sheets. While customized details are often associated with bath linens and mattresses, embroidered bedding introduces an exceptional level of refinement. Whether featuring intricate threading or elegant printed patterns, this meticulous craftsmanship transforms even the simplest sheet sets into artistic focal points. Embroidered linens are also remarkably adaptable, seamlessly complementing a wide range of interior designs, from the stately elegance of spaces like Blair House with their monogrammed touches to the vibrant playfulness of a maximalist's personal sanctuary featuring jacquard weaves.

Discovering the Art of Embroidered Linens: A Curated Selection

For those seeking the crisp, cool comfort of percale, Sferra offers a remarkable collection. This brand's sheets are a staple in prestigious hotels, including the Hotel Saint Vincent in New Orleans and the Thompson Hotel in Washington, DC, renowned for their impeccable feel and sharp lines. With over a dozen color options, Sferra's flat sheets promise a luxurious, hotel-like escape, making your bed so inviting you'll want to linger beyond your morning wake-up call.

If you prefer the smooth, silky embrace of cotton sateen, The Company Store presents an opulent choice. Their Legends Luxury Hewett Luxe Smooth Bed Sheet Set, adorned with a delicate feather motif, offers a truly indulgent sleeping experience. For a personal touch, these sheets can be monogrammed with initials, a name, or a special word for an additional charge, adding bespoke elegance to your bedroom.

Boll & Branch, celebrated for its commitment to organic and fair trade practices, delivers on both luxury and ethics with its Signature Embellished Sheet Set. Architectural Digest's shopping director, Rachel Fletcher, is a devoted admirer of the brand's bedding. Their new embroidered collection upholds these high standards, crafted from 100% long-staple organic cotton. The curved scallop edges and piped embellishments create a sophisticated bedscape. Contributor Yelena Moroz Alpert praises the fabric's "whipped butter" texture and the elegant piping that evokes a high-quality hotel feel, even noting the brand's excellent flannel sheets for cooler seasons.

Coyuchi, already a favorite for its relaxed linen sets, introduces its Refined Organic Percale Sheet Set, perfect for warmer weather. These sheets are refreshingly cool to the touch and feature eye-catching geometric patterns inspired by vintage deco lace trim, offering a fresh, modern twist on classic design.

For those ready to invest in unparalleled luxury, Frette is an essential destination. Their Classic Sheet Set, available in three sophisticated neutral shades, showcases two bold embroidered lines on crisp percale. This structured design is ideally suited for a minimalist bedroom, providing refined simplicity. This set reflects the brand's reputation for creating exquisite, high-quality bedding.

For a truly eclectic aesthetic, the Stitched Sheet Set by John Robshaw, available at ABC Carpet & Home, is a standout. These hand-embroidered sheets draw inspiration from traditional Indian prints, adding a distinctive global flair. Designed to complement Robshaw's other pieces, they can be paired with a vibrant duvet cover from his collection for a cohesive yet bold look.

Recognizing the importance of accessible luxury, Laura Ashley's Percale Cotton Bedding on Amazon offers an affordable yet stylish option. Featuring charming ruffle detailing, this best-selling set creates a romantic bedscape. It also boasts deep pockets, ensuring a perfect fit for even grand-sized mattresses, proving that quality and style can be within reach.

Matouk's Bergamo Bedding exemplifies understated elegance. Contributor Allie Weiss highlights its minimalist appeal, noting the simple satin stitch that seamlessly integrates with almost any bed style. These high-end percale sheets are celebrated for their silky, light feel, promising a luxurious night's sleep. The collection's components are sold separately, allowing for personalized combinations of fitted sheets, flat sheets, and duvet covers in over 40 made-to-order thread colors.

Finally, the Hill House Home Embroidered Apple Top Sheet is a perfect addition to a bedroom already rich with patterns, such as toile de Jouy. Its delicate vining embroidery lends a classic, traditional feel, reminiscent of a historic New England home. Crafted from high-quality cotton sateen, these sheets offer durability and breathability while maintaining a signature sheen and softness, embodying the best in luxury bedding.

Embroidered sheets offer more than just a decorative touch; they represent an investment in comfort, quality, and personal expression. From the crispness of percale to the silken drape of sateen, and from minimalist designs to bold, eclectic patterns, there is an embroidered sheet set to suit every taste and bedroom style. These linens invite you to transform your sleeping space into a haven of beauty and tranquility, reflecting your unique aesthetic and providing a luxurious retreat each night.

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A Fusion of History and Modernity: Revitalizing a Silver Lake Property

In the densely populated landscape of Los Angeles, discovering an undeveloped parcel of land without a significant past is indeed a rarity. However, a particular half-acre site, offering views of the Silver Lake Reservoir, is steeped in a captivating history. This land was once the estate of Julian Eltinge, a renowned vaudeville artist celebrated for his convincing female impersonations. His remarkable ability to portray women led him to become one of the highest-paid entertainers of the 1920s. Eltinge's legacy is deeply intertwined with the LGBTQ+ history of Silver Lake, a neighborhood that also served as the birthplace of the Mattachine Society in 1950 and a focal point for queer activism.

Eltinge constructed a grand, castle-inspired Spanish Revival residence on a commanding hilltop in 1918, complementing it with an elaborate "Andalusian garden" below. This formal garden featured an octagonal fountain feeding into a rectangular pool, culminating at a classical pergola. After Eltinge's career waned during the Great Depression and his passing in 1941, the property was eventually acquired by Charles Knill, who diligently preserved its historical integrity and Eltinge's memorabilia. In 2015, real estate developer and interior architect Scott Boxenbaum, keen on a water-view lot, initiated negotiations with Knill. A key condition of the sale was Boxenbaum's commitment to restoring the garden, which had suffered significant degradation over the decades. The lengthy negotiations ultimately resulted in a successful acquisition and a vision for the property's future.

Boxenbaum enlisted Takashi Yanai of Ehrlich Yanai Rhee Chaney Architects, known for his work on Boxenbaum's parents' home. While admiring Yanai's modern aesthetic, Boxenbaum desired a distinct, dark-hued structure that would harmoniously blend with the environment, echoing the "gravitas and tranquility" he admired in Japanese architecture. A crucial aspect of the design was creating a pet-friendly environment, humorously dubbed a "very large doghouse" by Boxenbaum's spouse, Ruth Pierich. The 4,500-square-foot house features second-story windows angled to maximize reservoir views, custom dark-gray cinder blocks creating geometric textures, and charred wood siding treated with the Japanese shou sugi ban technique. Yanai’s design seamlessly integrates indoor and outdoor spaces, with a large sliding glass wall on the first floor and terraces reminiscent of Japanese engawa. Landscape architects Jenny Jones and Diego Lopez of Terremoto were tasked with revitalizing the garden. Recognizing the impossibility of an exact historical recreation due to hillside erosion, they drew inspiration from the original design while incorporating contemporary ecological principles. The decorative pool was transformed into a poppy planter to conserve water, and native plants were reintroduced, fostering a thriving ecosystem that now attracts diverse wildlife, transforming the property into an impromptu nature preserve. This project masterfully blends historical respect with innovative design and environmental consciousness, resulting in a unique and inspiring living space.

This ambitious project exemplifies the profound impact of thoughtful design and restoration. By honoring the past while embracing modern innovation and ecological principles, a property can be transformed into a vibrant and sustainable space. Such endeavors not only breathe new life into historical sites but also foster a deeper connection between human habitation and the natural world, ultimately contributing to a more harmonious and enriching environment for all.

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