Martyn Lawrence-Bullard receives interior design award, and Absolutely Not Martha goes to the ceremony.

One of the perks of blogging and living in Los Angeles is having the opportunity to go to various parties and events. Last Monday night I was invited to a star-studded awards gala (at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood) honoring Martyn Lawrence-Bullard, the recipient of the prestigious 2010 Andrew Martin International Interior Designer of the Year Award.

A little background on Martyn: He was named one of the world’s top 100 interior designers by Architectural Digest and will be featured on Bravo’s new program, “Million Dollar Decorator”, set to debut at the end of 2010. His client list includes Cher, Elton John, Christina Aguilera, Eva Mendes, Ellen Pompeo, Kid Rock, Sharon and Ozzie Osbourne and Tamara Mellon, founder and President of Jimmy Choo. Very impressive.

I love his work on Ellen Pompeo's classic 1920s Spanish-style home in the Hollywood Hills...
Back to the gala. Wolfgang Puck catered the affair, and I definitely enjoyed my share of miniature grilled cheese sandwiches, thin pizza mini slices, chocolate-covered Ho Hos and teeny tiny (maybe 2 inches tall) vanilla ice cream cones.

While the majority of the previously mentioned celebrities were not in attendance, with the exception of Sharon (and Kelly) Osbourne and Ellen Pompeo, I did see Shannen Doherty, Lance Bass, Cheryl Tiegs, Taylor Dane and Camille Grammer (The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills). The evening's highlights for me: telling Shannen that while we were dating, my husband and I never missed an episode of Beverly Hills, 90210; chatting with Camille and letting her know I can help with any real estate needs (I just passed the California real estate salesperson exam!); and watching Taylor Dane perform "Prove Your Love". Photos of celebrities at the red carpet event are here if you'd like to see.

(Camille, call me.)

(Photos via Elle Decor and Google Images)

Green = Good + Glamorous

Los Angeles-based interior designer Lori Dennis is author of the soon to be released Green Interior Design (November), a book which covers every aspect of residential interior design from a green perspective. It's filled with over 100 color photos of projects and furnishings and is a wonderful go-to resource for those looking to create eco-friendly interiors.

I couldn't resist posting a few photos of this Hollywood Hills home which Lori worked on...

Visit Lori's portfolio to see more examples of her amazing work.

Cool pools

With the unofficial start of summer last weekend, I think it's only fitting to bring on the aquatic imagery.

(Photos via Apartment Therapy)

Word play

It took a couple seconds before I got it.

The artist's bio states:

Hello my name is colleen and I'm living the dream. No job, no fixed address and no one to please apart from myself. I'm from Bristol in the south west of England but am living in Wellington NewZealand at the moment, being well looked after by my best friend (I owe her big time).

I'm a graphic designer by trade and an ideas person by nature, nothing makes me happier than a clever concept. I have the sort of brain that never switches off so I carry notebooks everywhere and can often be found in cafes scribbling on napkins.

My favourite things are Saturdays, hot coffee on cold mornings, riding my bike, bright colours and the eagles of death metal. I dislike icy pavements and people who don't say please and thank you.

(Via here, then here.)

Fashion icon Alexander McQueen dies at 40

(Via Google Images and J'adore)

A fair display of temporary tattoos and notable dates in history.

Etten Eller's latest collection of necklaces named and designed after historical dates such as Kate Moss' birthday and the day Marilyn Monroe sang Happy Birthday to JFK at Madison Square Garden.

(Top photo via Garance Dore)

Tattoo stockings

While on the subject of tattoos, do you have a real one?

(Via Etsy shop Tattoo Socks)

Framed!

While these art walls inspire me to do something about the un-hung artwork, empty frames and hundreds of photos still scattered about a small corner of our living room floor (we moved four months ago), I probably won't. Or maybe I will.

(Top photo via Flickr; bottom photo via The City Sage via Elle Decor)

Got chairs?

It seems like a while since I've posted some inspirational interiors. These are actually all from one residence. There's a womb chair, an Eames rocker and even a chair designed for IKEA. (For the record, I adore IKEA.) Don't you just love the variety of styles all under one roof?

(Photos via Design Sponge)

Wallpaper as artwork

Calling Nama Rococo's wallpaper wallpaper sounds sinful. And like the website states, we ought to "think of it as wallpaper as fine art." If you haven't already visited the site, please go ahead. Especially if you're thinking about doing something with those blank walls. (Did you know there was such a thing as couture wallpaper?)

Etsy find

If metal (not heavy) is your thing, then you'll love the handmade urban rustic metal jewelry at Cindy's Art & Soul Etsy shop. She designs bracelets, necklaces, earrings and rings using sterling silver and copper metal in addition to creating inspirational, custom stamped jewelry.

Do you have a beef with big cities?

Graphic designer Christopher Wade Sherron of Providence, Rhode Island takes a cue from hip-hop culture in creating posters intended "to provoke attention towards an unacknowledged city by starting beef with well-known, prosperous cities in hopes to gain notoriety."What would your poster say?

It may be gray, but it's definitely not drab.

I think it's apparent that this apartment belongs to a graphic designer and an interior design shop assistant. I also think it's apparent that I've been liking gray for some time now.
(Photos via Design Sponge via The New York Times)

The Human Calendar

While reading the fab and gluten free blog Fab Grandma, I discovered a calendar gadget on her right sidebar. The Human Calendar is a website where you can obtain the code for widgets/gadgets/contraptions of the calendar to place on your own website or blog. Neat, huh? Notice The Brady Bunch-esque quality to the calendar's design.

A Persson's Interiors

I really like these Per Magnus Persson interiors. Fun seating. Fun colors.

(Photos via Apartment Therapy)

Do you have wood floors or carpet in your bedroom?

My husband originally wanted wall-to-wall in our bedroom, for a more comfy and cozy feel. I always liked the look of wood floors. So we have wood. Though I think the room could probably use a throw rug. Or two.Answers to yesterday's Map That Outfit!:

1. Milan
2. Sao Paulo
3. Paris
4. Hamburg
5. New York

One more thing. Visit Vanilla Spoonfuls for a refreshing and healthy summertime snack.

(Photos via Design Sponge, weheartit and Flickr)

I love when dining chairs don't match.

In fact, in my home we have taken this design concept one step further. Not only do our chairs not match, but some are now broken (due to their vintage state) and subsequently have been removed from the dining area for safety reasons. So currently we have two mismatched chairs plus one ottoman which adorn our custom-built dining table. For a party of five no less.
Don't get me wrong. This works too.
(Photos via .v photo's photostream except last one via weheartit)