I meant to post this earlier in the week....but work (and a power outage yesterday on the city block from 5 AM  to 2:30-ish PM!) got the best of me. You still have today and tomorrow to hit this sale, though! If you live in the LA area....a trip to Hennessy and Ingalls is worth it. So, so, so worth it! Enjoy! (And plan at least an hour to peruse their offerings!).

I have an article published on the front page of Ava Living. Check it out.

Domino is folding. I can't say I was a religious reader (I did carry a subscription, but I do admit I read look through my House Beautiful and Traditional Home first, in fact- I have a few Domino's in their plastic wrap sitting on the book shelf still!)...but I am a bit surprised! Doesn't EVERYONE love this magazine?! And isn't it always like, $10 or $12 a year? I know they just published a book, too...I feel like there is a disconnection in the sudden fold of the entire magazine.

I admit I know nothing about magazine publishing...but I'm confident (well, not really- but it sounds good) that the decree came from the publishing house (the official reason sited on Domino was their ad revenues were not up to par and they could not go on). I would imagine the writers and editors that work so hard on Domino probably would have done nearly anything to save the beloved magazine (and their jobs right now). Couldn't the higher-ups have adjusted the game plan and rolled with the punches? Or let the staff hash out some creative thinking?! Cut down on some overhead, maybe? Downsize the office and have everyone that can do so work from home? I mean...the economy will get better at some point! Can't they hang in there and tough it out?

I guess its just my optimism, and my sadness that such a prominent shelter publication- that everyone loves!- will be no longer. Bye, bye Domino! Its been a great 4 years! Maybe they will at least keep the site up...

{For the record, two other magazines I had subscriptions with, 'Home' and 'House & Garden' have also failry recently folded. I now have about three years of Met Home on credit. Good thing I didn't renew Domino! I had their renew notice in my sorter to be paid when I did my billing this week!}

I'm off to Chicago for the holidays!

Normal blogging will resume in 2009.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year 2009!

Hurry!

Horchow is having their 20-30% off EVERYTHING sale online!

Its the holidays- and that means its holiday home tour season! Holiday home tours are a great way for the community to come together and enjoy the holiday spirit and residential design together. As an addded bonus, many tours are associated with local charities or community organizations. Your ticket and gift purchases helps strenghten our local Southern California communities, so pick a tour and mark your calanders! Click each link for complete details and purhasing information.

Pasadena Holiday Look-In Home Tour: Saturday & Sunday December 6-7, 9:30-4:30 pm, $30-$35 ticket.

Balboa Island Walking Holiday Tour : Sunday December 7, 11-4:00 pm, $20 ticket.

Capistrano Valley Christmas Home Tour: Sunday December 7, 11-5:00 pm, $25-$35 ticket.

Redlands Home Tour: Sunday December 7, 9:30-4:30 pm, $25-$30 ticket.

Vista Holiday Homes Tour. Sunday December 7, 10-4:00 pm, $20-25

I just came upon a fantastic blog post highlighting beautiful Classic libraries from around the world. To view the compilation, click here. Enjoy!

Where: Hennessey + Ingalls Art and Architecture Bookstore

214 Wilshire Boulevard - Santa Monica, CA - 90401

When: November 1-11

What: Annual 20% off EVERYTHING sale!

Why: Unsurpassed selection of architecture, interior design, art and graphic design books and magazines. Plan to spend at least an hour in this gem of a store. After, stop for lunch at Houston's then walk down 3rd street to window shop and trend spot. Park in nearby parking garages or take change for the meters.

I just got my postcard and thought everyone should know!

Along with whatever strikes your fancy, check out some of my favorites from my personal arch/ID library:

I'll be in Manhattan next week.

Check back the week of September 29th for new posts.

Janelle had the opportunity to meet celebrity interior designer Michael Payne! You may recognize Michael from his acclaimed TV program, Designing for the Sexes on HGTV. His success as an interior designer started with his education from UCLA's Architecture and Interior Design program. Janelle was honored to meet Michael Payne and continues to be honored by their same Alma mater.

I was privileged to attend a private tour of the national Natural Resources Defense Council offices in Santa Monica, California on Wednesday, April 30. The NRDC, located on 2nd Street near the famous 3rd Street Promenade, is the nation's "greenest" building. Platinum LEED Certified, the building uses sustainable building materials, systems and design theories from the basement to the rooftop. The "Green" movement spans many issues: health, environmental concerns, natural resource use, sustainability and animal & people protection. There are many ways for interior designers and architects to "go green", or at least incorporate green concepts and materials into their work. The NRDC building is an outstanding example of innovation and commitment to green systems.

To visit the NRDC Building in Santa Monica, click here.

When you see it out on the stands...snap it up! Their format is refreshing (both the layout and the over-sized pages are awesome!), their features & advertisers are trend-forward (and, for the most part, local), and their featured design spreads highlight great design and architecture. You will love this one! It's like an unstuffy version of Architectural Digest.

$6.95/issue, $20/year (4 issues)

To visit their website, click here.

Its designer home tour season! Don't miss these great local design tours this Spring:

- Floral Park, one of the most famous and architecturally charming neighborhoods in Orange County is hosting their annual Floral Park Designer Home Tour. Don’t miss out on this charming pocket of Federalist, Spanish Colonial Revival, English Tudor Revival and a sampling of many other historic residential architecture styles that are sandwiched between Broadway and Bristol in Santa Ana . Visit www.floral-park.com for pre-sale tickets ($25), or purchase them “at the door” ($30) on April 26-27 2008 from 10am-4pm, rain or shine! For complete details, and to learn a little about this wonderful neighborhood, visit their site! (also, don’t miss the chance to drive down Victoria St. to see some awesome homes! Heliotrope also has a nice stretch deeper into the neighborhood, above Santa Clara.)

-The Philharmonic Society of Orange County - House of Design 2008. The House is located in the exclusive community of Crystal Cove in Newport Coast and will be open to the public from April 22 through May 18, 2008.

-Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts, April 20- May 18, 2008. Visit pasadenashowcase.org for complete information. Advance tickets: $35/$40 at the door.

-Los Angeles: “Views from the Top” May 4, 2008. Mid-century design meets 21st century inspiration. These spectacular hillside homes epitomize glamour and elevate the “location, location, location” mantra to a whole new level: views, views -- breathtaking views! Tickets are $85 per person. Visit AIA.org for more information.