Fall Interior Design:

The season of fall constitutes a whirlwind of expected hues and coziness —the romance of color, the welcoming of textures, and the summoning of olfactory overload with the scent of leather, cinnamon, and a roaring fire. 

Fall interiors have an invitation to expand on this whirlwind. 

Have fun with your interiors! Give yourself the freedom to include the entire harvest of color in warm tones: plaids, velvets, and leathers. Remember to incorporate books, antiques, blankets, and nature’s bounty for table decor. One of the easiest ways to polish this extravaganza is applying a new coat of paint on the front door in a bold yellow, orange or green. Embrace the season with an updated style followed by a classic stew, hot toddy, and a board game. 

Design Trifecta

Spring creates an endeavor that Garret & Garage calls the “Trifecta Effect”! Just as your getting your body—swimsuit ready, your house requires the same attention.

The trifecta effect for a perfect swimsuit would be a healthy diet, a sun kissed glow, and a trip to a fashion house. The trifecta for home begins by creating a contemplative spot, finding that one unforeseen heirloom, and refreshing the walls with paint.

 Having a special spot where you can shut the day away, is a must. Each space should tell a story, and that special vintage piece will supply the narrative. It’s amazing what color can do for the senses—let it transport the psyche into the intended realm.

Sarasota School of Architecture

Having the pleasure of living in an architectural property has propelled an ongoing search to look for properties with architectural "pedigrees". The website, architectureforsale.com is a perfect segue for anyone who suffers the same addiction. (Our therapist--calls it house porn)!!!

Architectural purists seek out the work of notables—like Schindler, Neutra, Wright, Williams, Scarpa, Case Study Architects (Los Angeles/Sarasota), and all unmentioned masters who followed pursuit. Historicism and Modernism never leave our psyche--our backyard calls for something as cool as Paul Rudolph's, Cocoon House (1948) in Sarasota Florida.

Paul Rudolph Cocoon House

New! Art Exhibition! 'Everything But The Kitchen Sink'

Above: The recent showing of Beatrice Novoa's work.

"When you start working, everybody is in your studio- the past, your friends, enemies, the art world, and above all, your own ideas- all are there. But as you continue painting, they start leaving, one by one, and you are left completely alone. Then, if you are lucky, even you leave. " - John Cage.

An inspection of the private work of Beatrice Novoa, one of the founders and creative director of Garret & Garage. The showing included some of her more intimate work as well as a sampling of Garret & Garage branding. A combination of objects, paintings, etchings and casts crafted the tone of the artists professional and personal design work. Overall an exploration of image and the residue from the year of "everything but the kitchen sink".

Building steam with a grain of salt

            I’m going to be addressing our first project for Garret & Garage, a hands-on study in early 20th century movements, including modernism and early cottage living in Los Angeles by engaging the early 20th century idea of indoor/outdoor living. Schindler tried outdoor/indoor living in a similar scaled project, his own Schindler House. Of course he quickly realized that Los Angeles night weather isn’t as perfectly temperate as everyone imagines.

            This design project was a cottage in Windsor Square built in 1942 by renowned LA architect—Paul Revere Williams. Windsor Square, rich in history is situated near Larchmont Village; a small tucked away community in Los Angeles. The project was a labor of love, with the constant question — “would Paul R. Williams enjoy this”?  Remaining true to the original blueprint was at the forefront of all of our changes; we looked at past architectural projects, not in an attempt to revive or imitate, but instead to re-interpret.

            The story goes…the cottage was made for the spouse of a man going off to WW II. The wife instructed Paul Williams to create something cozy to while away the hours in her husband’s absence. Anyone who visits the property feels her request just by entering the front door.

Garret & Garage

The first of many to come.