Architecture and Design Museum Gala on May 11th

I am honored to have been asked to participate in this amazing event !

It's gonna be the bomb digitty bomb!

CELEBRATE is A+D Architecture and Design Museum - Los Angeles’ annual gala that brings together design leaders and creative thinkers from around the world. This year on May 11 we will toast the artistic journey that fuels great design. The centerpiece of this unforgettable evening will be the presentation and sale of one-of-a-kind carry-ons – suitcases, vintage train cases, modern day satchels, futuristic jet-paks and more – designed and imagined by noted architects and designers. The festivities will also include a curated silent auction, international cuisine, music, drink and more! See list below for the Suitcase Designers, more on silent auction items A+D Museum website . 

I was asked to design and fabricate a one-of-a-kind Carry-on. 
Here's what I designed and fabricated.  I call it "Clearly my Carry-on".

My Design Inspiration :  Vintage suitcases, brass and lucite....I love them, so I drew my inspiration from there to design my carry-on with a twist.  Lucite is timeless.  Lucite has a nostalgic vibe and is futuristic at the same time. I imagine having a clear carry on could be fun. Don't you?  It's bold, maybe a little edgy, but also very chic. Why not make it easier for airport security and the x-ray machine at the airport. Not to mention, it would be very hard to mistake your carry-on from anyone else’s, hence the name “ Cleary my Carry-on” 

The evening will feature a runway presentation of one-of-a-kind carry-on suitcases, imagined, designed, and donated by world-renowned artists, architects and designers, including Karim Rashid, Steven Ehrlich, Yazdani Studio of Cannon Design, Christobal Valecillos, BMW DesignworksUSA, Fentress, Frederick Fisher & Partners, Kathryn M. Ireland, Trip Haenisch, and Craig Hodgetts of Hodgetts + Fung. (Complete list follows at end of release.) The only restriction is that the artwork conforms to the allowable TSA-designated carry-on luggage size. Modeled performance-style during the event, the pieces will then be available for purchase as part of that night’s premier silent auction. All proceeds benefit A+D Museum. The evening will be emceed by actor and TV host (Alter Eco/Discovery-Planet Green) Boise Thomas, while KCRW DJ Raul Campos returns to spin tunes all evening.

Can't wait to see the amazing artwork these creatives created.  Tickets to this amazing event is selling out quick !  Get your tickets here.

CONFIRMED PARTICIPANTS

Adams Morioka
AECOM
ARUP
Chris Barrett
BMW DesignworksUSA
Studio Tim Campbell
Curated.
Steven Ehrlich
Escalante Architects
Fentress Architects
Berenika Boberska, Feral Office
Fitzsu
Form
Frederick Fisher & Partners
Gensler
April Greiman and Michael Rotondi
Trip Haenisch
David Hertz
Heydey Partnership
Hodgetts & Fung
Brad Howe
INTERSTICE Architects
Erica Islas, EMI Interior Design
Kao Pao Shu
Kathryn M. Ireland
Karten: Design
John Friedman Alice Kimm Architects
Kirkpatrick Architects
Dan Meis
Minarc
Lehrer Architects + Arktura
Lorcan O’Herlihy
Gary Paige
Karim Rashid
Jennifer Schanen Rider with Luz Mercado
Gwen Samuels
Selbert Perkins Design
SITEWORK LA
Paola Tassara, Studio BRASA
Cristobal Valecillos
The Warner Group Architects, Inc. + Artist Simon Raab
wHY Architecture
WRKSHP Partners
Yazdani Studio of Cannon Design 

P.S. Thank You very much Andres for helping me fabricate my vision and also for styling the photo shoot !  You are a amazing !  XO

Home Spa with Mr. Steam / Spa en casa con Mr. Steam

Photography by David Young-Wolff - Design by EMI Interior Design, inc.

Bathroom renovations are by far one of my favorite design projects to undertake.  I love creating a bathing experience for the client.  

The Bathroom is the first room you go to in the morning and probably the last room before you go to bed, so why not make it a retreat.  

El baño es la primera sala en la que uno va a la mañana y, probablemente, la última habitación antes de ir a la cama, así que ¿por qué no lo convierten en un refugio.

Home spas are not a trend, they are very common now a days and they are really easy to create. You simply have to start with a steam shower of course. The health benefits of steam showers are so rewarding.

  Steamtherapy is great for your skin, helps relieve tired muscles, naturally detoxes your body of impurities, and much more.   Best part of creating a spa retreat at home is you can customize it with other cool features.  Imagine an aroma therapy steam?  How about Chroma therapy?  

Steamtherapy es ideal para la piel, ayuda a aliviar los músculos cansados​​, desintoxica naturalmente su cuerpo de impurezas, y mucho más. La mejor parte de la creación de un refugio de spa en casa es que usted puede personalizarlo con otras características interesantes. Imagina una terapia de vapor aromático? ¿Qué hay de Chroma terapia?

Check out this Video on SteamTherapy.

Haga clic en el video en SteamTherapy.

Mr.Steam’s® full spectrum Chromasteam™ mood lighting system and Aromasteam™ aromatic essential oils system renews mind, body and spirit.

 Click and Create your own home spa with Mr. Steam's Virtual Spa.   It's really simple to use.

Haga clic y Crea tu propio spa en casa con Spa Virtual de Mr. Steam. Es realmente fácil de usar.

And who doesn't love a warm towel.  Okay, I have to admit , that is spoiling yourself, but why not, don't you deserve it ? I haven't met a client who has opposed a towel warmer when I offer it.

  Next time you are designing/renovating a bathroom think about creating a bathing experience, a home spa, a retreat to relax in and reap the benefits.  Start with a Mr.Steam unit and top it off with a Mr.Steam Towel warmer.

Photo: Mr.Steam . Towel warmer

New Orleans Trip Recap PART 1

Blog Tour New Orleans was an amazing trip !  

Dinner at the infamous SoBou Restaurant where they serve Louisiana street food inspired cuisine. The food, ambience and company was excellent!  Great start to the first day.  

  Had Beignets for my very first time.... These were Butternut Squash Beignets.... They were as delicious as they look .

Thank you Modenus . It was SO good! Way to kick off #Blougtournnola!

Before going back to the hotel,  a couple of us took a slight detour to walk off our food and we stumbled upon one of the most famous bars in America, the Napoleon House.  

Rebecca, Tamara , Patricia & Me #Blogtournola

DAY TWO 

Our second day was a treat at Luke's Brassierre, a John Besh restaurant on St. Charles Avenue.  Yup, we had beignets again, with chocolate this time :)  And Chicory coffee :)  I was loving all the southern flavors.  Breakfast was hosted by the lovely KBIS people.  KBIS by the way , was awesome...more on the show on the next post, where I talk about the products I loved at KBIS.

Side note: Next year in 2014, KBIS will be in Las Vegas together with IBS ( International Builders Show).  This will be an amazing event, two shows, two associations in one place to see and connect every aspect of residential construction and remodeling.  

Next, we took a Streetcar ride down St. Charles and then took a walking scenic tour through The Garden District known for it's rich historical architecture.  Courtney Price's Blog says it all . Click Here.

More walking through Magazine Street , visiting local design and antique shops, with a final stop at Shaun Smith Home where he graciously hosted a lovely afternoon shin ding.

But that wasn't all.... 

We then headed to Meet & Greet Miles Redd for his book signing "The Big Book of Chic" at the Ogden Museum.

Exhausted.... after a long day.... was quickly remedied by Mr. Steam who hosted an amazing almost 3 hour dinner!  That's how good conversation and food was.  Mr. Steam ( actually is was Mrs. Steam who was there) spoiled us at Bayona Restaurant which is located in the French Quarter in a charming 200 year old cottage.    It was a perfect evening .

               

The Red Head, Blond and Brunette  - AKA - Veronika's Angels ( Charlie's Angels)

Meredith Heron, Patricia Davis Brown & Me at Bayona , New Orleans.

Hitting New Orleans Today !

I'm hitting NOLA today to meet up with Veronika of Modenus and the incredible group of influential designers / bloggers she put together for BlogtourNOLA.  I am so honored to be part of this group, check out who I'm going with !  Aren't they all Fab!  


Wanna see what I'll be doing? Click on Itinerary.  Modenus and the generous sponsors have put together an amazing itinerary .

I will be sharing with you all via: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest, the design, architecture ,food ,music and culture of New Orleans .  So be sure to follow . I will be posting away, I even have an extra battery pack for my iPhone to be sure I don't miss a thing. 

KBIS is the world's largest international trade event dedicated to the kitchen and bath industry. This show showcases the latest products and cutting-edge design ideas of the kitchen and bath industry. So you will be seeing A LOT of great new things. 

BIG Thank you to the Sponsors KBIS, Mr.Steam, Silestone, PoggenPohl, Blanco, NKBA, DuVerre Hardware,and Toto.  You'll be hearing more about them later in some special feature posts.  AND even a Bigger THANK YOU to Veronika of Modenus for inviting me.