J.Latter Design

so….blue

admin — Mon, 07 May 2012 21:31:44 +0000

Last year, I started having a thing for blue. Not the turquoise-y green blue that most of my friends know I love, but a different,deep, dark, inky, indigo blue. Slowly, I’ve started seeing this color creep into the wider consciousness. And just today, this was in my inbox.

Stampa featuring Britt Browne

Last week, I got this.

Dosa launches spring summer collection featuring indigo.

And of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the introduction of indigo to the collection of you-know-who.

A variety of blues from Restoration Hardware

What do you think of all of this blue? Does it reflect the current mood of our nation? Is it part of the home gardening boom?

Grown in California

admin — Tue, 01 May 2012 21:37:36 +0000

An early Saturday morning alarm, two kids and my mother in tow, we headed north to Santa Barbara for the Raoul Textiles Sale. Afterwards, a little worse for the wear, as if right out of a stampede at Filene’s, I was happy to discover the Carpinteria Growers Association hosting free behind-the-green(house)-door tours of some pretty fantastic flower nurseries. Most notably was Westland Floral, growers of cymbidium orchids and gerber daisies among other varieties of flowers that make up many of the bouquets offered at grocery stores nationwide.

Cymbidium as far as the eye can see.

These cymbidium blooms are getting ready for their Mothers’ Day harvest. Each plant is over 50 years old and sports its own shears, dangling from the elastic grow line overhead, to prevent cross-contamination.

Pink gerbera daisies.

Personally, I am usually pretty satisfied with myself when something even grows under my watch. But for these nurseries, farmers know exactly how many blossoms they will get out of each plant in its 5-year life span. Each of these Gerbera plants will have a new bloom approximately every two weeks. That’s about 130 flowers in its lifetime.

Rainbow of gerbers.

Franco Albini Pouf.

admin — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:16:49 +0000

Hi J. Latter friends + fans! I’m Tracy, new Project Manager at J. Latter Design. I’m so excited to be working with Julie because I (finally get paid to) come across items like this pouf by Franco Albini, which we saw recently at Blend. Check this thing out!

It’s sculptural and refined but also very organic-feeling because of the material: woven cane. Albini was known for working with inexpensive, available materials but in a highly artisanal way. (I feel like if we were talking food, his designs would be akin to some blow-your-mind roasted cauliflower.) Because of the shape of this particular piece, I can’t help but think it’s an architectural, stylized tumbleweed. Which is pretty much the holy grail of design as far as I’m concerned. ~tc

You darn tootin’!

admin — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 03:17:22 +0000

Not usually one to toot my own horn, I’ve decided it’s time to show off some press that was featured a few months ago in Angeleno Interiors. Belonging to parents of young twin boys and two upholstery-loving pugs, this home was a particularly fun project because the homeowner was incredibly knowledgeable about design, easily referring to past issues of Domino Magazine. As a result, she had strong opinions about what she wanted in her reconceived home and was more than willing to take risks.

The homeowner’s courage allowed me to use this bold Osborne and Little wallpaper in the entry. Though covered in flowers, this paper does not feel sweet in the slightest.

Glossy hall paint and two seating areas.

In the living room, I created two separate seating areas – one with a pair of custom orange sofas in a pug-proof fabric and the other with a vintage Italian settee and a stunning recovered Sergio Rodriguez chair and ottoman. The Moroccan rug, vintage lucite table, and collection of art make the area feel comfortable and complete. Wanna see more? Check it out here.

Textiles, textiles, textiles.

admin — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 03:36:17 +0000

Just when I feel like I’m sick of everything I’ve seen, along comes a whole new batch of great stuff. Check out these gorgeous textiles I’ve discovered over the last few weeks. I am particularly drawn to textiles with a handmade feel – embroidery, quilting, silk screen, block printing. I just love the slight imperfections that real human beings bring to the creative process.

Designer's Guild Havana Corales in Lime

Peter Dunham's quilted Lamu fabric in indigo

Designer’s Guild Brera Mattone in Duck Egg

A stunning selection of woven fabrics at Pat McGann

Beautiful earthy grouping of Vietnamese throws at Harbinger