Outdoor Dining & Cooking

Taking your cooking al fresco with these great outdoor cooking and dining spaces!



An outdoor poolside BBQ, fireplace for cool nights, and a table long enough to accompany several guests.



This outdoor kitchen is suitable for year round use!



A wine country terrace for late afternoons of wine tastings.



An outdoor kitchen like this is like having two kitchens in one room!



A modern oasis and great indoor / outdoor flow for entertaining.



Poolside retreat and entertainment space.



A chic bungalow with an outdoor dining and lounging terrace.



All stainless appliances keep this outdoor kitchen sleek.



Such a great idea - a kitchen extension! Just open up the windows, have an extended counter ledge, pull up bar stools...and you are serving burgers in no time!

Images via Home Portfolio and Pinterest.

Nautical Notations

Summer style = a bit of nautical decor!

{Nautical tote bag from Shrimp & Tiddlers UK}

{Vintage whale poster from Etsy.com}

{Sailboat shelving display, image via Pinterest}

{A chair to anchor yourself in, via Pinterest}

{Captain's Quarter Sconces, available at Shades of Light}

{Vintage 1950's pair of Anchor Andirons, currently available on 1stDibs.com}

{Bunk bed bedroom worthy of a ship cabin, image via Pinterest}

{True nautical notations, via Pinterest}

{Rope chandelier from Restoration Hardware, image via Casa Sugar}

{Rope tie backs from Restoration Hardware}

{Keeping ship shape!}

On the Roof

[Hotel at Lebua State Tower, Bangkok]

On a nice summer evening, the idea of visiting a rooftop bar (or pool!) is enchanting. With real estate being a tight space in big cities, rooftops are a hot commodity. Check out some of these rooftop spaces across the globe!



The Trafalgar Hotel in London, England.



Fresh Hotel in Athens, Greece.



The Marmara Para in Istanbul, Turkey.



NH Parque Central in Havana, Cuba.



Terrace Hotel, Paris.



Hotel Gansevoort, NYC.



Bairro Alto Hotel in Lisbon, Portugal.



Hotel St. George Roma in Rome, Italy.



Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai.



The Ritz-Carlton in Moscow, Russia.

May want to add these rooftops to any summer travel destinations!

Images via Trivago.

Art & Rugs to Benefit PS Arts

(Area Rug by artist Alex Mason of Ferrick Mason)

This Fall, Marc Phillips Rugs will be holding a fundraiser to benefit PS Arts (a program devoted to ensuring art education in the community). In anticipation of the event, Ginna Christensen of Marc Phillips has invited eight Los Angeles based artists to design rugs for Marc Phillips, which will then be auctioned off to benefit PS Arts.

Recently, Ginna hosted a visit to meet one of the artists and tour his studio. Here's a look "behind the scenes" of artist Cole Sternberg's studio located here in Los Angeles.

A work in progress.

Art by Cole Sternberg.

Christian May of chatting with the artist.

Host Ginna Christensen of Marc Phillips, with artist Cole Sternberg.

Drinks were provided by Matcha Tea.

Cookies and truffles by Bon Melange.

{Photos courtesy of Ginna Christensen}

Trends: Chevron Pattern

It seems the chevron pattern is an ever increasing trend, as seen in area rugs, furniture, floors, textiles, - and even on walls! It can be seen in muted or neutral colors or fun vibrant colors! While it may be popular, it remains a classic formed pattern. Check out some of these chevron print items!



Dining chairs from Room Service LA.



A chevron patterned painted wall for a girl's nursery - so fun! (Image and how to via Project Nursery.)



Chevron pattern with tiles in a bathroom, classic in black and white. (Image via La Dolce Vita.)



Colorfully graphic! These waste baskets make such a great accessory statement!



West Elm's popular zig zag pouf.



Multi-color chevron pattern in this area rug from Dwell Studio.



Chic table lamp from Jill Rosenwald.



Fun fabrics, from Spoonflower.



A retro chair, recovered in a lively chevron print. (Image via here.)



This whole room is more pretty because of the pink chevron stripes! (Image via House Beautiful.)

Last but not least, chevron print on top of chevron print - why not! (Image via Pinterest.)