My Auntie Lulu

This week's NY Times Style Magazine got it right. In "ChiChi Devil" writer Christopher Petkanas profiles my Great-Aunt Louise DeVilmorin. On the 40th anniversary of her death her story is still quite amazing, her contributions still considerable. She wrote fiction, poetry, screenplays and (even memoirs for Coco Chanel). And talk about connected! Alaia and Lacroix worshipped her, Lanvin too, not to mention her many famous lovers. Though I have met my Parisian relatives, I never knew her. Merci Mr. Petkanas for this fabulous story!

Ace Hotel, Palm Springs

My ongoing love-affair with California is leading me to the new, long-awaited Ace Hotel in Palm Springs this weekend. Nothing like the desert for a little inspiration...the sun, the air, the architecture, I can't wait to soak it all up.

Dad and I often flew down for quick trips to our family home in Palm Desert but I must say I do enjoy the drive. A large diet coke, my Ipod, a friend to ride shotgun is all I need. That and of course a fabulous bikini.

Small World

I just received my Voyage candles. Their lovely creator, Melanie Apple, delivered them personally. We had an instant connection and now I know why. Each candle is named after an exotic European beach town she loves. My first clue.
We then spent a half hour trying to figure out where/when we may have met. I suddenly remembered a tall, tanned girl with long golden hair. Melanie Apple, of course! We both lived in Cannes in our early 20's, went to a small international college then we both came back to Los Angeles to work in fashion/ TV/ film. Now we're busy moms, driving our kids around to ballet and baseball. My dear Melanie, I can't thank you enough for reminding me of all my favorite places!

THE VOYAGE COLLECTION:

Cannes (cucumber) My first time living away from home. I arrived to school in January to a beach blanketed in snow, the first in Cannes since 100 years.

Cap Ferrat (violet): Once, I missed my train back to Cannes, ended up staying all weekend. Magical!

Cap D'Antibes (amber): Dinner on some huge yacht with what's-his-name.

Majorca (rose/geranium): My first night ever in Europe was on a farm in the hills of Fornalutx...the far side of the island. We have family there, American ex-pats. Valdemossa and Calla Deya are possibly the most beautiful places I've ever seen.

Ibiza (tuberose): Spring break, the end of my tanline...and that's all I can say.

Capri (jasmine): The place I think about when I need to escape. No words I know can describe.

Mykonos (lime/basil): Fell in love with a boy from London. Rented mopeds and rode around the entire island together. Heaven.

Santa Monica Forever!

The Ash Francomb collection drops any minute. Call the shop to place your order for a long or short sleeve, super soft, super-chic custom tee. Talk about California cool.

Poolside and Frost/Nixon

Frost/Nixon set decorator Susan Benjamin came to the right place when she called on Poolside to help her re-create summer in San Clemente circa 1977! She knew exactly what she wanted for her outdoor scene(like any excellent designer) and we were able to make it all happen: dining sets, chaises,teacarts...everything completely custom of course, even down to the 3" long white umbrella fringe!
The Ron Howard film opened yesterday to glowing reviews and already much Oscar buzz. I saw the original stage production last year in New York, Michael Sheen was amazing and Frank Langella was brilliant as always. The screen version promises to deliver the same and much more so make sure to go see it and keep an eye out for the sunny yellow Brown Jordan!

Thankful

Wishing you a beautiful holiday weekend. I especially want to thank Monica Corchoran at the LA Times and Judy Kameon and Steve Orr at Domino Magazine for highlighting my little jewel box of a shop this year. Mostly I'm thankful for my fabulous customers who support me and my family and friends who inspire everything I do.

My Style Evolution, part II

I'm admittedly new to the architectural part of this business so I only recently discovered there was name for that classic style that I've grown up with, that easy California look that's both casual and elegant, indoor and outdoor. Cliff May and The Modern Ranch House epitomizes that perfect blend. From Hope Ranch to La Quinta, this is how I grew up...how I live now. Since I opened this shop I've heard his name tossed around here and there, but mainly hear about the strict mid-century heavyweights like Neutra, Lautner and Eichler.


I was wearing Sonia Rykiel and Azzedine Alaia at 18. I was ordering Thierry Mugler and Claude Montana before I could order my first glass of wine. When I figured out a way to get paid to shop (working in wardrobe for TV/film) I was in heaven.  
At a certain point, some time later, my closet and my home decor became mirror images. Nearly always pure white(any time of year) and add in interesting things I've picked up from different people and travels. A crisp-white blouse, white levis and huaraches. A long , low sofa and armchairs in white linen with seagrass underfoot. A dreamy, creamy outdoor daybed with a navajo blanket and a tons of geraniums and succulents in terra-cotta pots and like California, seasonless. This is Cliff May. Once I discovered him there was an instant connection, an understanding. Every page of this book was like a family album, so familiar and comfortable. Not at all the stark coolness of the mid-century design in all today's architecture mags. The Modern Ranch House, is for me, like coming home.

My Big Life, part 1

It seems like overnight everything has changed though I know it's been a long time coming. It was around 1999, I had just gotten divorced and had that weird, worn spot on my finger, that reverse tan line where my rather large diamond had been for quite some time made me feel so naked and exposed. Like I needed to explain. Like I needed a new SUV. Who needed a man when a Range Rover can navigate the road, hold my cup and even warm my seat? I ditched the ring, got the rig. It felt good to be up high, knowing that I could crush a Kia if I ever needed to.
But it wasn't enough, now I needed more big things. An enormous bag, the biggest I could find, a Balenciaga Motorcycle Bag, large enough to hold a small motorcycle. Four inch Prada platform boots made it easier to climb in and out of my new home away from home.I didn't stop there. My house needed to be pushed up and pushed out to make room for all my big stuff. Two sinks, a steam shower, the biggest flat screen, California King, double walk-in closet. Suddenly everything in my life was super-sized.
When servicing my monster truck (which was often)they'd usually give me an equally sized loaner. I'd just take all my bags and phones and boxes and empty super venti cups and toss them into the rental. This one particular day, however, they only had this tiny toy car, a Mini Cooper. I could fit this whole car into my car. I took my boots off and crawled down inside.

Magnificent Obsession

I've finally done it! Rock is here and he's as fabulous as ever. Exclusively at Poolside, four super film posters all featuring the one and only Rock Hudson, all directed by Douglas Sirk. Included in this supreme collection is Magnificent Obsession, Written on the Wind, All that Heaven Allows and Tarnished Angels. They are all US 3 sheets on linen, measuring 41" W by 81" H. They are all original and have been getting much attention so come in and see them or call the store for more details.

Blog Fog

So whole world went crazy since my last post. For the last two weeks I've been paralyzed, unable to find anything important enough to write about, everything seems so ridiculous and trite. Certainly fashion and shopping seem like frivolous subjects compared to the bigger issues of the moment. Still, I can't help but feel excited though and empowered too knowing that soon I will help change our country's course and I feel that same growing excitement around me.
If you haven't registered yet, it's not too late!

http://www.justvote.org/

End of Summer Sale Starts today!

Save up to 50% on Seaton, Missoni, Debbie Katz, Vitamin A and more. Tunics to t-shirts, bikinis to beach hats you dont want to miss this once a year sale! Poolside opens at 11am today come early for first picks!

Who We Were

I got hooked on the Square America site a couple of years ago when I was trying to figure out what to call my store. In googling the word "Poolside" images appeared that immediately captured a feeling I wanted to convey yet couldn't describe. I quickly contacted Nicholas Osborn and he was kind enough to allow me to use the images in my ads and press. Now his long-awaited book "Who We Were: A Snapshot History of America" is finally available. In our digital world, where imperfections are easily deleted or at least photoshopped to death, you will get lost in his world of vintage snapshots that are sometimes comforting, often disturbing, always fascinating.

Cling to your Style Guns and True Religion

In tough economic times like these a true style lover will cling to their Laboutins and Saarinen tulip table like a bitter, small town Pennsylvanian.
So your Platinum card is maxed out and your Range Rover lease payment is overdue, no need to get your Cosabella's in a bunch. You've always been clever and resourceful at finding ways to get what you want no matter which direction the dow turns. So don't get hysterical over this season's "it bag", you've got style guns like a card carrying NRA member and no one can take that away from you.

Weather: you think about it or not?

Part of the reason people in L.A. put up with the threat of earthquakes, the 24- hour traffic jams, the heaviness of the smog filled air is for its perennially cheerful weather. My best friend Tracy lives in Glasgow(the opposite weather-wise) and when she's in town she spends the first few days thawing out. She'll take the sunniest seat at Barney Greengrass's patio, pulling her chair out away from the table's umbrella. She'll open my sunroof(I never use it) to catch any rays she can. She's like a cat who always searches for that sunny window.
I must say I take it all for granted. I've lived here all my life except for the one year I lived in Cannes which as it turns out is the sister city to Beverly Hills and also close to perfection weather-wise (and other-wise wise).
And though the kiddies are back in school this week, and it does already feel a little cooler, today I'm wearing a thin cotton tank top and white linen trousers with my sandals. We're having friends over tonight for dinner in the backyard. The kids will run around barefoot while we drink a bottle of wine around the firebowl which is never really for warmth but instead for the ambience. Enjoy your weekend, wherever you are!

I want Candy!

One of the reasons I even decided to start a blog is indirectly due to Daily Candy. After their article about me/Poolside I realized there was an entire, devoted group out there (I'm one of them now) who love and appreciate style and are able to "get together" electronically. It's taken me awhile but I can see it becoming a new obsession, posting as well as checking out lots of other design bloggers.

Read the article that started it all:
http://www.dailycandy.com/los_angeles/article/30964/Splash+Out

My Style Evolution, Part 1

It's funny to me how you're style is formed over the years. You dont really have to think about it(if it's truly style) and you may not even remember what has influenced you.
It was summer pool parties in the 70's where the grown ups would stay up super late as I'd peek and listen from my room: the cool clothes, the cocktailing, the rock music. I'd almost always fall asleep before the skinny dipping got underway.
I'd study my best friend's mom, a tall blond Berliner, a Claudia Schiffer-like stunner, who would wear heels to water her flowers. I'd jump at the chance to house-sit just so I could paw the Chanel, Gucci and Paco Rabanne in her closet and try on all her shoes and perfume.
Shopping trips would always end in tears and frustration, usually my mother's(we'll get to her style another time). "What's wrong with Sears?" she would scream and eventually stopped shopping with me altogether. Even then I thought of Sears as a nice place to get a giant box of hot popcorn while you waited for your dad to get new tires.There was no place for a 13 year old to buy designer clothes(that I knew of) and even if I saved all my babysitting money I couldn't afford it anyway. We comprimised for Judy's and Contempo at the Northridge Mall.

Only the beginning!

I'm really excited to share ideas with other designers, collectors and the world at large. I'm also really tired because the truth is, I'm not very high tech and it took me all day to figure out how to set this whole thing up. Let's chat tomorrow!