The 12 Days of Christmas...Designer Style.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my designer did for me...

12 gifts for under your tree......

Merry Christmas from everyone at CRAIG OLSEN. 

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my designer did for me...

Vintage wall letters!

There are so many fun things you can do with these letters...you can stack them, place them all over a wall or two, or use them to spell something meaningful in your life: Family name, the names of your children, the city where you live...the list is endless!

Get Creative! These are a guaranteed conversation starter for any guest to your home.

Call the CRAIG OLSEN showroom to order your letters or to get a quote! 323-677-2111

On the tenth day of Christmas, my designer did for me...

Drapery Panels

Custom is always the way to go with window treatments. Of course you can buy them for a fraction of the price "out of the bag" but they just never quite look right or hang right. It's important never to ignore the windows! Roman panels with an overlay of drapery panels fill the space and make the room feel well dressed and warm.

Something creative to try - take an existing nook in your home -have a setee or seating bench custom made to fit into the niche perfectly then have some custom drapery panels made to help create an intimate space.

On the ninth day of Christmas, my designer did for me...

Coffee Table Books

Books are very important as they are a subltle way of sharing your interests with your guests, and are usually great conversation starters. From Fashion to Home decor, from pets to sports - the coffee table books are a must!

On the eighth day of Christmas, my designer did for me...

A variety of 8 new fabulous pillows- silkscreened and available in ranges from 16" to 22"

These beautiful pillows are eco friendly and made with water based ink on 100% unbleached cotton canvas.  Finished all raw edges with a professional overlocked edge with a matching colored hidden invisible zipper at the bottom end so the cover can easily be removed for washing. To wash, just unzip, remove cover, turn inside out, and wash with like colors and air dry and iron. All fabrics are pre-washed before sewing to prevent any shrinkage during washes. These pillows are constructed to be well made, durable and practical.


Call the CRAIG OLSEN showroom to order your pillows! 323-677-2111


On the seventh day of Christmas, my designer did for me...

A set of fine bone china collection - bottles and jars - to accent your living space with a touch of clean, useful art.

On the sixth day of Christmas, my designer did for me...

Monolpoly tokens for coffee table or bookshelf display. Perfect gift for the gamer in your life.....

Automobile  4.75" high x 3.75" wide x 10" deep

Dog 6" high x  9" wide

Hat 3.5" high x 8.5" wide x 7.5" deep

Iron 4.25" high x 7.25" wide x 4.75" deep

7.5" high x 12.5" wide x 4" deep

Thimble 6.25" high x 4" diameter

All are made of pewter/cast iron.

Call the CRAIG OLSEN showroom to order your Monopoly Pieces! 323-677-2111

On the fifth day of Christmas, my designer did for me...

Lighting.

Vintage McCallister movie light. For side table in corner. We love layering up lighting and nothing is cooler than our collection of Vintage MsCallister movie lighting from the 20's, 30's, 40's and 50's currently residing in the Craig Olsen showroom waiting to get back in action in your home!

Miramar table lamps: for each end table next to the sofa.

Miramar lamps are stunning with the tint of blue in the glass and a metallic bronze pillar style base.

Cadillac floor lamp for next to corner chair:

Fronting a mile-long curved and polished hood. Nestled between sculpted wheel fenders while framing a huge chrome radiator. Bronze Art Deco accents.... A combination of polished aluminum and brass brings home 1930s style, perfection and craftsmanship. Check out its details, its imposing size, and the tall ebonized tripod complete with a travel compass dating back to the Mille-Miglia of the 1920s!

Star pendant

This is a Antique Mirrored Moravian Glass Star Light gives interest to any space. Because it is mirrored it only escapes just a touch a light leaving the room with a feel of soft ambiance. We sell this star in many options from clear glass to frosted to antique mirror as shown here. The star also comes in different sizes and has different finishes on the frame. The star shown here has a bronze finished frame.

On the fourth day of Christmas, my designer did for me...

Four Coffee Tables.

Drafters coffee table. Glass top with industrial metal base with hardware that will allow the coffee table to actually tilt at an angel to allow for you to work from your coffee table.

Milano silver table. For next to the corner chair. Silver metal 15x15x18" tall - available on quick ship.

A pair of Jaden side tables. Iron base with an organic recycled wood top 20x20x26. Quick ship or pick up in showroom. This rough top becomes very interesting when placed next to waxed leather. 2 for each side of your sofa.

Call the CRAIG OLSEN showroom to order your tables at 323-677-2111

On the third day of Christmas, my designer did for me...

Three comfortable sitting chairs

These chairs are perfect to flank your sofa or accent a sitting room.

THE Sherman Chair

26” x 29” x 32” High

http://stores.homestead.com/hstrial-COlsen4/-strse-379/Sherman-Chair/Detail.bok

On the second day of Christmas, my designer did for me...

Two layered rugs.

Have fun with your space! It's always interesting to layer textures and step out of the box a bit. We love the natural organic marriage of animal hide and wovens together.

On the first day of Christmas, my designer did for me...

1 leather sofa.

Available in 79" or 55" -custom leather available.

Inspired by the clean, classic look of architect Mies Van der Rohe's Barcelona chair, the Picasso Sofa complements any room by walking the fine balance between graceful simplicity and world-class elegance.

**Also available in a chair version with ottoman.

Call the CRAIG OLSEN showroom to order your Picassa Sofa 323-677-2111

Hollywood NOIR is the NEW REGENCY

Being the "style maker" that I am (I know my sister Kendra is rolling her eyes at this one!) I'm going to break down the difference between HOLLYWOOD NOIR and HOLLYWOOD REGENCY.  


If you haven't hear of the HOLLYWOOD NOIR design style, then I'm coining it as my re-discovery, I'm brining NOIR back! (calm down everyone...I know, I am excited too..;)


The Regency look started with William Haines in the later 1940s, while Noir pre-dates it by a decade or two.

HOLLYWOOD REGENCY

Both looks are an attempt to recapture Retro Hollywood but the styles couldn’t be more different.

HOLLYWOOD NOIR

Well known designer Kelly Wearstler reprised the Hollywood Regency Style a decade ago.  Remember the belted, full-skirted mom look, lots of chintz and hominess.

The colors are techno-brilliant with sunflower gold, powder blues, greens and that unfortunate shade I like to call Pepto Bismol pink.  It’s definitely eye-popping with low modern furniture, all buttoned-down with Asian chinoiserie and painted furniture.

Personally, I think the look is TELEVISION vs. the GOLDEN SCREEN. 


Backing up to the Hollywood Noir look of the 20's and 30's is like stepping into a richer and much more sophisticated era.

Think of that pale silhouetted glamour girl in her emerald satin gown descending the staircase into the gentlemen’s club.

The lighting is moody; the colors are crimson, sapphire, with lots of high gloss  glamour. It is unapologetically opulent.

You can bring the dramatic expressiveness of this legendary era into your home by seeking out the sumptuous furnishings of the period. Pair them with good vintage lamps and gleaming polished wood.

Draw the eye to classic movie posters featuring movie idols such as Edward G. Robinson, Humphrey Bogart or Joan Bennett. 


The search for the right furniture and accessories will lead you to some unique collections.  Don’t get frustrated if you're not able to find the NOIR look at your regular shopping spots.  Check out estate sales and auction houses, or drop into our showroom and find pieces to add a little NOIR style to your home!

Adding fur blankets, pillows or possibly if you're daring enough, a Sheepskin Pouf in grey in the right setting will create a fabulous NOIR appeal.

Any kind of Hollywood lighting, theatrical or cinematic will give the NOIR appeal.

Don't be afraid of sapphire blue and emerald green!  A modern fabric on an old french chair paired with a contemporary rug can give NOIR decadence.

Putting it all together can give you pure HOLLYWOOD NOIR STYLE!

Come into the CRAIG OLSEN design showroom to further your education and STAY TUNED FOR MY NEXT BLOG, in which I will invite you into MY OWN BEDROOM (get your mind out of the gutter;) and show you how to update your style with a few subtle changes to your personal space that will make all the difference in the world! 


CRAIG OLSEN, INC
130 N La Brea Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90036


323.677.2111

Who Else Wants a Piece of Hollywood History?

As an interior designer I am exploring the art-deco phase of my life and no one is more my current design muse than recently departed well-known Hollywood talent agent, Ed Limato.  He was my friend and he influenced me more than he could ever know. I miss him terribly.

Edward F. Limato

Visiting Ed Limato's many homes was always a visual delight. Since his passing I’ve decided to feature several of his personal furnishings in my Los Angeles showroom. Each piece is unique and speaks of impeccable style. Drop by my showroom on La Brea anytime to see some of these fine examples as many will be proudly displayed for sale throughout the year with all monies going directly to the Ed Limato Foundation.  

For example, this French Bergere Chair (set of two) sat proud in Limato’s Pool House.

I’ve re-upholstered the set in grey linen to create a fresh chic and sophisticated look.

I’m proud to have designed this deco style side table for Limato, this deco side table which we now have copied was placed prominently in Mr. Limato’s Billiard Room. 

The wooden frame structure of the 3-piece Plateau Table below makes it a rare find as most were made of silver metal.  This beauty graced the Library room of Limato’s Estate in Beverly Hills and boasts silver leaf on an intricately carved wood frame and oxidized mirrored top. 

These truly classic styles from Limato’s estate are sure to compliment anyone’s décor. This is what he continues to teach me even from beyond, good quality is timeless and transcends almost every style.

Another great opportunity to take home a piece of old Hollywood lore and own one of Ed Limato’s unique furnishings is to attend the A.N. Abell major fine art and antique auction to be held February 20, 10 a.m. here in Los Angeles.

Craig-Olsen

130 N. La Brea

Los Angeles, CA 90036

323.677.2111