Finding Perfection in the Imperfect

What's the difference between Barbie and a Supermodel?  A crooked tooth, a distinctive mole, a super-short haircut.  Barbie is beautiful...and perfect, but for one reason or another the Supermodel seems more interesting.  I'd rather go to a movie with her (hopefully a pre-screening of a Cannes favorite), I'd rather eat with her (assuming she eats) and I'd rather go to one of her friend's parties (hopefully in some edgy loft in Chelsea...haha).  

But, all stereotypes aside, Shannon and I are drawn to rooms (and love designing rooms) that are beautiful, but not always perfect as it is traditionally defined.  While we love matching nightstands with a beautiful lamp on each one flanking a luxuriously dressed bed...we also love a less tailored, more unexpected approach to this set-up.

In the Sonoma project, the vibe is eclectic, vintage and relaxed.  Having perfectly symmetrical bedroom configurations would not feel authentic, nor interesting.  We purposely hung the vintage artwork we found from sites like Chairish, and stores such as Stuff and Past Perfect in an off-kilter way.  Two or three pictures on one side of the bed, while only one on the other.  The same imperfection was applied to night-stands.  Maybe one is a desk with a lamp and books, while the other is a side table with a different lamp and leaning artwork.  

The result is look that is less contrived, more lived-in. Less meticulous, more comfortable.  Less perfect, yet possibly more memorable.  

A similar approach was used in the sitting area above.  Traditionally, you might see two of the same chairs opposite one another, but it felt more cozy to mix up the textures and woods by adding another element. The same goes for the black floor lamp amongst the sea of brown wood legs.  There are times when things that "don't go", really go quite well.

This "imperfect" strategy doesn't work in all spaces, and it doesn't work for all people.  Symmetry is visually soothing, and perfectly matching night-stands may bring serenity to the client each night as they crawl into bed.  But, there are many instances when creating an imperfect space is the pinnacle of style, comfort and chic.  Barbie is perfect, but sometimes we find even more beauty in something a little less perfect.

Styling in Sonoma

Shannon and I spent that last few days in beautiful Sonoma preparing for a photo shoot of a recent project. It was an extremely busy and productive 48 hours filled with flower cutting, furniture moving, pillow stuffing and picture hanging.  We were in our sweats and sweating..so when we were finished we decided to get properly dressed and head out for a celebratory lunch!

I am wearing Citizens of Humanity high-waisted flare jeans, a cropped boxy gingham top from Zara (oh, how I wish I could rock it without layering a top underneath...pilates here I come), and Jimmy Choo platform wedges.(similar in link)

Shannon is wearing Rag & Bone distressed denim, a Marissa Webb linen jacket and Rag & Bone booties.

We chose to go to The Girl & The Fig for lunch, one of our favorite spots. We ordered "the works" for a starter which consisted of an amazing cheese and charcuterie selection, homemade fig jam, a baguette and in-house spiced nuts.

I selected the soup du jour (potato and onion purée..sounds boring...was anything but) and followed it with a salmon and avocado crostini main course.  Shannon opted for the omelette of the day..... And Adrianna chose (of course) the girl and the fig salad.  We washed it all down with their proprietary label of dry rose of course. There wasn't an ounce of room for dessert, so we headed to a winery instead :)