Interiors: A Modern, Organic Beach House

After commissioning Kelly Wearstler to renovate her New York City loft, an "anonymous, A-list actress" tapped the designer again to revive a 70's-era beach house just south of LA. While many would regard its wood paneling as an eye sore, both the designer and home owner embraced its natural beauty. Using a neutral palette, Kelly added her usual glam along with contrasting textures of the rough and refined.

The two-story, carved ceramic fireplace, by local artist Stan Bitters, is flanked with 1960’s Italian alpaca chairs. An Italian brass-and-gunmetal chandelier hangs from above. (Below) A study in varying textures and finishes.

More mid-century modern touches can be found in the dining nook, with its classic Warren Platner chairs. Of the warm, honey-colored wood paneling found throughout, Kelly muses, "You feel like you are on a boat or the set of a James Bond film." See more pics after the jump.

Images: Grey Crawford, Rhapsody

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ADE: A “Mother-Father” Moment

On Thursday, when I should’ve been spending time with the beau, I was completely distracted by new images of Kelly Wearstler interiors. And when I say completely, I mean completely and utterly. He seemed confused by my persistent sighing, swooning, and the occasional "Quit playin'!" at pics like the one above. So, I decided to put things in context. I compared Kelly’s creations to the $10k Rolexes that he ogles on occasion, or the beautiful custom wingtips that he simply adores. Everyone has a passion for design, and moments like these reaffirm that I’m simply smitten by interiors. I've got a fever, and I've got it bad.

I’m sure some of you know what I mean. Ever verbally exclaim at the sheer perfection of a design??? As in, "Oh my golly, this is too good not to say it out loud!" Or as the beau would simply say, amending an expletive:

MOTHER-FATHER!

Image: Kelly Wearstler

Interiors: Bold in Bel Air

With the help of Tichenor & Thorp Architects, Kelly Wearstler completely revamped this Bel Air mansion, stripping the place right down to the studs! After seeing Kelly’s work, the homeowners decided to take a leap of faith and let the style maven exact her magic on their newly-purchased estate. "We knew from Kelly’s house and her books that we’d end up with something totally unique." The results speak for themselves – a very Kelly aesthetic mixing natural stone, metals, and vintage furnishings.

The pièce de résistance might be the master suite, which Kelly fashioned out of a former guest room. The striped vestibule leads to the sleeping quarters as well as ultra glam baths and apartment-sized dressing rooms for him and her (That's right. They each get their own baby apartment for getting dressed, chatting with besties, or whatever else. Kelly calls them "hangout rooms").

In perhaps the most glamorous moment of the home, the wife's dressing room features gold-leafed wood paneling, inset with antiqued mirrors and trimmed with antiqued brass. I'm in love.

Of course, Kelly didn't limit the luxe to the estate’s interiors. She also helped design the landscaping, new swimming pool, and a swank pool pavilion (below). Its herringbone floor is stained walnut (magnifique!) and the striped bath is equally stunning. Poolside or bedside, there’s never a dull design moment when Ms. Wearstler has her way.

Images: Roger Davies

Glam it up: Kelly Wearstler's Fantasy Dinner Party

In a post for Vogue Daily, Kelly Wearstler sets the table for a fantasy dinner party using pieces from her tabletop, home accessory, and jewelry collections. Her approach to creating the perfect table includes personalizing each place setting right down to the chairs! As for the fantasy guest list, Kelly selects Martin Margiela, Christian Louboutin, Dries Van Noten, and the legendary Alexander McQueen.

Just last week, I posted Kristen Nix's fantasy guest list of Tory Burch, Kelly Hoppen, Celerie Kemble, Aerin Lauder, Randy Powers and her mother. Though a common question, I’ve never thoughtfully completed the exercise...

Who would you invite to a fantasy dinner party?

Images: Denise Crew, Vogue

Glam it up: Rhapsody Preview Part II

Kelly Wearstler fans: If you have yet to pick up a copy of Rhapsody, here are a few more pics to tide you over. The varying styles demonstrate that although Kelly has a distinct aesthetic, she’s able to uniquely apply it based on the needs of each project. Rhapsody walks you through this creative process in Kelly’s own words.

Still life of four graphic Kelly Wearstler dinnerware settings.

Soulful periwinkle bar sparkles with its many metal details and citron chairs.

Be open to unusual color combinations and to strong, confident hues. Never allow rules about color usage to restrict your self-expression. – Kelly Wearstler, Rhapsody

Artful hand–painted wall covering in a guest bedroom.

Newly commissioned Sheila Hicks wall tapestry grounds a tranquil sitting room.

Book–matched onyx coexists with a variety of graphic marbles in this serenely timeless lady’s grand bathroom.

The shape of something, and the way your eye and your spirit reacts to it, is as important to the soul of a room as the color on its walls. Whether it’s the lovely soft curve of a female nude, the sharp, graphic edges of an art deco chair, or the geometric pattern on a marble floor, our visual senses are constantly observing and absorbing the ebb and flow, the sometimes subtle, sometimes strident interplays of our tactile environment. – Kelly Wearstler, Rhapsody

See my first Rhapsody preview for more pics from the book.

Images: Rizzoli