a day in the life: shopping

I often get this type of comment when people find out I’m a designer ~ “Oh how fun, you get to shop for a living!”. Yes, this is true (among many other things) and I do love this part of my work. It’s just not always as glamorous as one might think. Don’t get me wrong, I love to shop! I just had to laugh at myself last week, while I was shopping for a young girls bedroom and kids homework room as well as a great room for a different client. I ran around the city filling my car to the brim and squeezing my children in amongst accessories, lamps, pillows and pieces of art.

I thought I would give you a quick behind the scenes look at ‘a day in the life of Nyla Free Designs’.

Day one: Not bad… I could actually see out the back window and fit both girls in the car.

Day two: I should have picked up a larger cart. As you can see things were overflowing and I was having a great deal of trouble hanging on to everything while trying to maneuver the Ikea carts that never seem to go straight!

End of day two. Car is full. I can barely see out the back window, however I can still fit both girls in the car. Good news.

Day three: All shopping bags found their way into my dining room where I could sort and organize the contents. Thankfully I have an understanding husband who can tolerate this type of chaos. (Disclaimer: only for a very short amount of time though)

On Friday the first of two installations was completed. I forgot to take a photo because I was in a hurry, however once my car was packed with the contents of both days of shopping I was full to the rooftop. Thankfully I only needed to fit one of the girls in the car that day.

Kimberley Seldon, based on her Business of Design course, would have words about this I’m sure. I can only imagine something like this ~ “What are you doing hauling all this stuff around yourself? That’s what delivery companies are for!” Well that is all fine and well, however when you are shopping at stores like Homesense, Ikea, Staples, Michaels and the like, it just doesn’t quite work that way. So I managed on my own. I love this part of my work. The finishing touches that inevitably complete the room is like icing on the cake.

Almost every item I bought stayed at the house. Yay! But every bit of garbage went back into my car…

So there you have it. A day in the life of a designer where maybe things aren’t quite as they seem. Designers, Stylists, Stagers, I’m sure you can relate?

Thanks for joining me on “A Day In The Life”!

stahl house

Ever have one of those days? One where something so totally unexpected happens? On this particular day, while in LA for the Dwell on Design show last year, I enjoyed a day I could never have imagined. I attended the show in the morning and finishing up far sooner than I expected I began to plan the rest of my day. How my day transpired from there was completely spontaneous and very out of character for me, however it was incredible. A day I will never forget. It was almost magical. I ended up here ~ at the Stahl house. One of the most famous mid-century modern homes, designed by Pierre Koenig and an icon in the Hollywood Hills. It’s been in movies, in print, and has one of the most spectacular views. I am certainly no photographer, but here are a few photos I took while touring the house. I could have done a better job but the experience was so overwhelming that I wanted to take in everything with my own eyes, not through the eyes of my camera.

Door ~ indicating Mr. Stahl’s initials and Case Study House #22

*sigh*

From the pool looking into the kitchen, dining and living area of the home.

Fireplace looking from the dining room.

View from living room through to the wall to wall, floor to ceiling sliding windows to the spectacular view of downtown LA.

I think what I found most impressive about the house was its simplicity. Almost everything in the home was in its original condition. They update as needed and the tours help to maintain the home. The architecture and view is of primary focus and these two things are what captivate you the minute you walk through the door. It’s a take your breath away kind of moment.

And, um…. yes, that is me lounging on the eames lounge chair. Feet up on the ottoman taking it all in. Sunglasses on because the sunlight that shines into this home is incredible. This is a moment I will never, EVER forget. How I found myself on this virtually private tour with Mark Stahl (son) and his lovely mother (who still lives in the home) is a story I will have to tell you over coffee sometime………

Bottom photo credit: Dan Chavkin

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