Have you noticed the shelter mags you pick up are slightly
contradictory? Cottage Living vs Dwell. Veranda vs Spaces. If your
library has a vast disparity, then you need Urban Country Style to
bring your design worlds together.
Nancy Gent and Elizabeth Betts Hickman are the creators and authors of Urban Country Style
For decades now, architects have been re-thinking the formal living room, replacing it with studies, music rooms and TV dens. Well, a Los Altos architect with roots in Pakistan has come up with a new one: her living room is now her swimming room. That’s right, stretching along the length of the living room is a 40-foot long, four-and-a-half foot deep swimming pool.
"My husband said ‘go for it,’" said Malika Junaid,
The other night the Lookiloos Team and 100 of our closest friends and colleagues gathered to officially celebrate the launch of Lookiloos at the posh penthouse of The 88.
With food and drinks mixed up by one of our favorite downtown restaurants, E&O, we were all set to celebrate high above San Jose on the swanky 21st floor. You may recall I wrote a story about the great space. In true Lookiloos form, I imagined what it would be like to live there and the types of parties I’d host – and low and behold, The 88 was gracious enough to make a dream come true. Thank you Seth, Brandy and Ron!
The view of the San Jose skyline on the penthouse deck at sunset and by candlelight stole my breath away. Many party goers remarked, "This is not the San Jose I am used to." or "Who gets to party up here, where you could practically touch the stars? Not many." Since the number of high rises in downtown San Jose could be counted on two hands, that assessment was definitely on the money. Guests were also given private tours of the building and its amenities.
We were entertained by the Michael Brilliot of the Jazz Mechanics and raffled off prizes donated by some our favorite artisans from Etsy. Thanks to Dhelia of La Jardiniere and Jan DiCintio who donated handmade pillows. We talked about our partnership with the San Jose Mercury News, where our articles will be featured occasionally in the Saturday Home and Garden section. We are thrilled. Look for our articles in the paper and online.
The weather, music, food and company were perfect! We are ecstatic about everyone’s enthusiasm and grateful for their support. Thanks for attending and if you couldn’t make it -stay tuned we’ll be sure to host another party in another fantastic spot soon!
All my "party hosting" in fantasy homes may come true after all.
With art pieces named "Sax in the City", "Issues:Blue Stiletto" and "Pouring it Out on the Green", this lookiloo knew that Sonya Paz was something special. Her use of bright colors and shapes is what drew me in and has propelled her nationally as a leader in the new "pop art" movement. A regular on the local art and wine festival circuit, one would be hard pressed in Santa Clara county to find someone who does not know Sonya Paz or has not seen her lively work. With a cubist and modern art perspective, Sonya breathes life into everyday objects, from wine glasses to the Golden Gate Bridge adding a touch of whimsy and the unexpected into your home or office.
To push the unexpected even further, Sonya has also created a line of wearable art, so you can take her vibrant perspective with you wherever you go. Last year her watches were part of the much coveted "VIP Goodie Bags" at the Academy Awards and Sundance Film Festivals. One could catch Samuel Jackson and Quentin Tarantino in one of her fashionable watches ($85.00), or buying ceramics and clocks. In addition, she recently created pendants ($40.00) and silver jewelry ($55.00) that carry her images.
According to Paz, "my art reflects my life", which is apparent in the range of her subjects. For example, her love of her dog Sami has inspired her to get involved with animal charities. Her art is often a fundraising vehicle for these local causes for example, she moved both art and animal lovers to become new donors to the Santa Clara County Humane Society at the recent "Fur Ball".
This week Sonya and five other artists kick off a new exhibit this weekend, Cosmic Art of Robots and Space. With artists from California to Arizona, this eclectic group will highlight various pieces that were inspired by robots and the cosmos. Sonya remarked that what sets this apart from other exhibits is that "you get to meet and talk with all the artists in one space" and that one can actually buy space age style art and add it immediately to their home collection.
"I grew up in an Eichler home, and was inspired by that sense of style. Some of the pieces available will be like Eames meets Herman Miller. Come to the show and you can ‘atomically’ decorate your home," encourages Paz. With artists including Christine Benjamin, Tracy Cox, Doug Horne, Paul Loughridge, Sonya Paz and Shaunna Peterson, the show is sure to be out of this world!
Opening reception:
Saturday, October 4, 2008, 5:00-9:00 p.m.
Open to the public. This exhibit runs through October 17th.
Sonya Paz Fine Art Gallery
1793 Lafayette Street, Suite 100
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Photos courtesy of Sonya Paz.
Update: 
This post is featured in the San Jose Mercury News Home and Garden section here.
Well, what a fabulous day yesterday turned out to be. Hooked on Houses held a virtual open home tour. I spent the majority of my time perusing great open homes from all over. And let me tell you my feet are tired. I walked all over this country, well virtually I did. I do have a few favorites that I must share.
Laura from Shorehouse Chic showed off a great place to vacation on the Jersey shore in tent cabins. Ordinary tent cabins these aren’t. They are so popular there is a ten-year waiting list. I can see why though. The tents are filled with charm inside and out. Make sure to scroll down to see the photo with the row of tents with the awnings out. Postcard perfect!
Next a visit with, A Day in the Life of Ramona. She is giving a tour of her Pacific Northwest home. It’s a true beauty. I loved the brickwork. The porches are wonderful. I’m a sucker for a good porch. She has a lot of great artwork. I love the piece in the Powder Room. It’s a must see.
And for the true Lookiloo you need to see Attic Mag for an amazing fantasy house located in San Francisco. This home is gorgeous. Every room is filled with fabulous detail. The fabrics and furnishings, the colors and textures, oh yeah and the views of San Francisco Bay!
Now Julia from Hooked on Houses had a wonderful home on tour. It reminded her of the home used in the movie Father of the Bride. It is very sweet and charming. It is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and it’s for sale. One of my favorite features besides the sun room, is the painted ceiling in one of the hallways. It draws your eye up and down the hall. A great effect I’m trying to figure out where I can do that in my own home.
So this is my round up. Check out these places and let me know what you think. There are a lot more homes to check out as well. I’m thinking we need to do this again. It was a lot of fun visiting homes from all over.
Update: Here’s the our recap of the house tour.
The internet is an amazing place. Today I was wandering around looking at blogs of home design and came across Hooked on Houses. Hooked on Houses is sponsoring a virtual open home tour. What a great idea! Wonderful homes from all over open to view….a true Lookiloo find!
We at Lookiloos are happy to share a wonderful beach house with 10 acres of beach front property. A very rare find, but California style at its finest. Check it out here.
For 20 years, the lot across from San Jose’s Municipal Rose Garden sat empty. Through the 1930s, houses sprouted up around it _ all of them designed to look like something else from somewhere else _ Cape Cods, Georgian Revivals, Monterey Colonials. When Tresse and Alden Campen broke ground, they built themselves a house of its own space and time. The year? 1956. The style?
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