Exotic Contemporary Comfort, Episode 21
Sunday, Sep 18, 2011 43 Comments Here we are folks, Exotic Contemporary Comfort. All pretty pics by Mark Champion. Every time i say his name the song starts up.....
Michael Reisz is a writer (Boston Legal and In Plain Sight) but you might recognize him from Star Trek Next Generation and Days of Our lives. Just dropping names. What? what do you want? for me to not tell you how cool my clients are? I live in Hollywood, baby, this is just how it happens here. But i remember the Marlena being possessed years and totally recognized him. He's totally rad, hilarious, adorable, and we got along super well.
He also has really good taste, but his house before was small, so all his furniture was way out of scale for this new extremely large house. Making a living room feel this cozy is a total challenge, not gonna lie. Everything has to be big, and big is spendy, my friends. So I went for vintage, but reupholstered. i found the navy blue sofa for $75 at Good Will, but i saw the lines and the scale and I was all, 'yup this is actually a designer sofa with insanely awesome architecture that just needs a facelift'. I don't know who made it but trust me, somebody good.
It cost $500 to redo and $150 for the fabric so the entire sofa cost $725. Not too shabby my friends.
And when you reupholster you should know that it comes standard to strip it down to the bones, get rid of all fabric and foam, so don't worry, its all clean and new and fresh.
This sofa was also a deal. $750 for the whole sofa and huge chair in the corner INCLUDING reupholstery. We bought it from Pepe's on Sunset and he said if he we hired him to reupholster it he would sell the whole thing for $700, although if it was anything complicated i would NOT have hired him because he's burndt us in the past. (his 'lacquering' job is always just spray paint, i swear to god) But this was a deal we couldn't say not to especially since it was so simple (no tufting, etc).
Let's talk awesome rug-age. From West Elm, $799 for an 8x10 and its super cozy. Buy it HERE. The lamp is from Crate and Barrel, for $399, (I know, a splurge, but its a good lamp) Buy HERE
Little stool was from the flea market, $80. He's so cute. I think his feet are coming out of his throat.
Alright the drum and those three dressers that i put together to make a credenza came from Lankershim blvd, (there are four stores in a row there, all awesome). I think the dressers were $250 each and they are kinda awesome. They are plated with metal and then at places scraped down and rusted. I think they were used on a film, meant to look super old and industrial, but i loved how they looked - although since they aren't that old they actually are just super functional. The drum was $100. The scale on top is from Wertz Brothers Antique mall for $160. The dining table is from HD Buttercup, on sale for $1500 i think.....still pretty great deal considering how genius it is (watch the episode and you'll know what i mean).
Orlando made the pendant and how now posted on his blog how to make it, learn how you can yourself by clicking HERE
I LOVED this crazy painting that he had. I don't know much about it except that its huge and looked like bubble gum. and i love bubble gum.
Baskets get a bad rap. And sure they can be totally dusty and gross, but Michael had a pretty good collection of antique handmade japanese baskets that are really beautiful, and we added to them.
Alright the drum and those three dressers that i put together to make a credenza came from Lankershim blvd, (there are four stores in a row there, all awesome). I think the dressers were $250 each and they are kinda awesome. They are plated with metal and then at places scraped down and rusted. I think they were used on a film, meant to look super old and industrial, but i loved how they looked - although since they aren't that old they actually are just super functional. The drum was $100. The scale on top is from Wertz Brothers Antique mall for $160.
I LOVED this crazy painting that he had. I don't know much about it except that its huge and looked like bubble gum. and i love bubble gum.
Baskets get a bad rap. And sure they can be totally dusty and gross, but Michael had a pretty good collection of antique handmade japanese baskets that are really beautiful, and we added to them.
The coffee table was from HD Buttercup and I think it was on a massive sale for $250. Insane, i know. Normally i think was around $600.
Let's talk drapery. So here's how i keep it from being 10,000$ because as most of you know, custom drapery (or even Pottery Barn) is super expensive. I use this company called 'Grey Lines Linen' in New York. I have their swatch books and i order straight from them and ship it to my seamstress. Most of their linens are 7$ a yard, and in this case i think we needed 4 double panes at 25' each = 200' = 67 yards, and then you have to include at least an extra yard per panel for double hemming on the top and bottom. So i think we had around 75 yards. So that is $525 already, plus labor and hardware and lining? I don't remember what it was but i think we kept it under $2000. In a space like this though, unless you have filtered windows, make sure to get a light colored fabric, because the sun is going to bleach it out on the edges. This light grey had a lot of texture and color variance in it, so even if it does fade, i will look natural and organic.
While the drapery looks kinda thin here, it wasn't. Each panel was around 10 feet, its just scrunched a bit too much. Huge tray was from Pottery barn.
God i love that sofa. 1970's chunky, comfy goodness with arms you could rest a plate on.
With Exotic Contemporary Comfort basically means that its clean lined and masculine in shape. But mixed with some pieces from around the globe and making sure that its totally comfortable at all costs.
So heres' a funny story: I had planned two huge custom sisal rugs for this space, for a couple of reasons, 1. i love a sisal, i love the way it feels under my feet, i do. 2. It brought in that warm but 'exotic' thing. 3. its affordable for a space this big. I think we got 1 that was 10x12 and 1 that was 10x10 and they were each around $350 with binding. and 4. i hadn't done them before so it was showing the audience something different.
I normally have one final meeting or at least a phone call with the homeowners about 10 days out as a 'speak now or forever hold your peace' on ANYTHING they might really want or really not want. They don't have much of a say in the end, but of course the happier they are the more fun it is and the better the show. We had this convo, nothing came up.
Then during the diagnostic Michael said, 'Oh i learned that i HATE sisal rugs. I hate how they feel, look, everything'. I was all, 'uh huh, sure', but the look on my face told him everything. When you customize rugs, there is no way to return them. (oh and did anyone notice how i said i was getting the binding that was the same color as the sisal and then it came white? yeah....a total bummer, their mistake).
Anyway, we both started laughing and it was a running joke all week. I ended up keeping the sisal under the dining table - because obviously no one really lays down on the ground under the dining table - at least not til they are drunk enough that they won't care that its scratchy. But West Elm saved the day with the other rug. They shipped it in in two days and he loved it. We sold the other sisal on Craigslist for $200 i think.
And that amazing orb pendant that 'Orb-lando' made will be explained (is now explained, step by step) on his blog this week. He made it from scratch, it was awesome, but he can give you all the details. Check his blog, yo. www.hommemaker.com Click HERE for that very detailed post
The only thing that i'm on the fence about is the custom art piece that we made. In my mind it was going to look rad, but we ran into many problems. What did you guys think?
Reader Comments (43)
I liked the custom art a lot actually! What kind of adhesive did you use? And I think you said that was watercolor paper? I'd love to know more about how to re-create something like it! :)
We are currently doing a remodel while living in the house (luckily our kidlets are teenagers), but are without tv during these few months so I can't watch the full episodes and it's killing me. Every time you do a post I'm blown away. and I really thank you for your generosity in listing all your sources, although it makes me wish I lived in LA (as an SF girl, that kills me, too!). You are my favorite designer, because everything you do seems almost possible for the rest of us, if only we had your eye!
you can do no wrong. hence, I like the DIY art. :) wasn't there an episode between this one and untamed modern funk? I feel like I was waiting for another post. maybe not...
I am caaaaaahhhhraaazy about that abstract! You MUST NOT doubt it's awesomeness. Those slate blue walls are the perfect backdrop for it too. Can't wait to hear about the chandy, it rocks my socks. Fabulouness all around as always, I'm major digging the accessories and upholstery!
xo
Kate
Loved this room, (and all of them this season, really) I liked the art project because of its scale, and I DIED over Orb-lando. I will be stalking his blog for the DIY. Thanks, as always, for sharing so much great info with your viewers.
Emily- Love the rug! Something different and i would want to squish my feet into it.
I looked up Grey Line Linen and want to visit the store when I go to NYC next month! Linen is soooo beautiful and it sounds like linen heaven.
Loretta
I really liked this redo. I thought the blues and grays played really well off the wood tones. I'm not in love with the art you created, but that wall needed something. You art definitely gave the wall some presence. If he doesn't like it, he clearly has an eye for art and can replace it, no problem.
I really liked this episode. When I first saw the space, I was like, "oh lord, what can she do with this?" and I was concerned when I saw the walls go white. I should realise by now that you'll pull it off! I loooove the pendant. So freaking awesome. I want to make a small scale version of it for my dining room. I have floral wire left over from making my friend's daughter a YHL style mobile.
I can't lie, I'm not in love with the DIY art. It's so close, though. I feel like it would have looked a bit less home-made if the paint had gone to the edge of each piece of paper. As it is, it feels a bit off to me, sorry. I like the idea behind it a lot.
Have to agree with elz - while it may not be the greatest piece, it does show the scale for the "right" piece. The rest of it was, as usual, genius, and a delight to watch you create.
I loved the color palette of this room and thought it was really interesting how you painted the hallways dark so that the architecture of the living room popped. I would totally do that if my place had any good architectural details.....but, alas. I'm not really into baskets so that wall behind the dining table didn't do it for me...it looked a little over styled or cluttered, but maybe I just couldn't get over all the baskets. Everything else came out great. That living room rug rocked!!! I wish i needed one.
One question on something you said that confused me. You said during your 10 day out phone call, nothing came up about his dislike for sisal. But then during the diagnostic, he said he didn't like it. Doesn't the diagnostic happen in the beginning? How would that not have happened prior to 10 days out? Just confused on the timeline of how that stuff happens in "real life" vs. what we see in the half hour show.
Also, loved your HGTV'd episode!!! Another awesome color palette and just loved everything about that room. You were funny too!
I love this, Emily! But why has HGTV stopped putting your recent episodes on the web site? I'll email them too, but tell them you have some eager cableless fans out there. xxoo
I love this room!!! Seriously the major reason that i hate not having cable is that i miss your show:(:(:( I eventually find it on hulu or hgtv buuttttt i like seeing all the awesomeness on a big tv rather then my 13 inch mac!
Painting the wall behind the arches was genius. It make the contemporary architecture really shine in a way I did not anticipate. I have to say that the abstract art piece was not my favorite thing ever, but I think the colors and scale work so it is a perfect placeholder. I think maybe it ended up too balanced/homogenous to be truly interesting? I would have liked more of a focus. In any case it looked good in the space. That orb Orlando made is effing amazing though. I want one. Or five.
I love the artwork that you made. When I saw it up the top of the post, I thought to myself 'I need to know who made that'!
I loved what you did to his rooms! I have so many favorite things. :) My all time favorite is the light fixture above the dining table. My fingers are cross that you will share will you got this light from. We have high ceilings, just like Michael. This light would be perfect in our great room. Please, please share. Hugs to you! xo
As always you rocked this makeover! I am so in love with your style!! Please don't doubt yourself about the art it was fantastic! You Rock! The end!
I loved this room. You took a cavernous space and made it feel warm and comfy, but still chic and cool. Well done. I loved the comfy sofa juxtaposed with the modern sofa and chair - very chic. I also loved the long line of the linen curtains, the orb-elier; and the metal dressers cum buffet; it's all very cool. And I liked your painting; the colors were gorgeous and the scale was perfect.
Thanks for explaining the sisal binding, because you know I was wondering.
More and more I am loving your sense of color. I loved your used of blues and greens, backed with grays and white in this room. Beautiful and right up my own little alley.
Another great room by you. And I loved your HGTV'd room too. Will you post about it? And can we get a post about the modern European room with those fabulous salvaged cabinets? Please???
I LOVE this makeover. One question, what's the source for the tripod/brass antler table lamp on the console next to the cube art? Or, if it's vintage, is there a general term for this style of lamp? I'm totally coveting it. Thanks!
I really liked where this room ended up, even though it wasn't my taste. The DIY art looked a little DIY to me I guess, but it wasn't bad. I think it was good for a room reveal or a placeholder until he finds something of that scale.
My fave was the Orb-lando chandie, and I, too, am waiting, waiting, waiting for him to splain it! I liked the DIY art...I thought it worked in the space, and I loved the randomness of it. It amazed me how comfy and warm that cavernous space evolved with all your work....the rusty metal sideboard was fab, too. You're the BEST!
A
Same question as Katie!
"what's the source for the tripod/brass antler table lamp on the console next to the cube art? Or, if it's vintage, is there a general term for this style of lamp? I'm totally coveting it. Thanks!"
Another great room. Emily, you're a genius! I want to echo some of the comments by others as to why HGTV.com doesn't have your recent episodes online to view. I had to miss this one, which KILL-ED me, AND, your HGTV'ed show. I'm dying for my Emily-Fix. Please, if there's anything you can do, get those episodes loaded up so those of us who missed out can watch them!
I loved the art! Great job, yet again! PS-Sisal rocks.
I cannot tell you how excited I am to see you at Antiques Week in Texas! You will love it! Can't wait!
Emily,
First off, you never cease to amaze me. I don't think there has been one room yet that I haven't liked. You are seriously genius. I need your genius in my living room!
Second, I have been coveting that Crate & Barrel Cleo table lamp for over a year now. It's on my eternal wish list, but no one wants to buy it for me. Since you know where this guy lives how 'bout you snag it and send on over? I promise I won't tell.
Like Jenny B I am without cable, and it's killing me that HGTV has only uploaded the first 4 episodes of season 2 online! Is there somewhere I can send a comment to HGTV that they need to update the episodes on their website? Maybe they just need to be reminded how much we love your show so they can put them up for us!!
Also, maybe this was mentioned on the show (agghhh just put it online HGTV!!) but what about that fabulous graphic cake art? Where is it from, who is the artist, etc?