ggemdesignco

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Why Work with an Interior Designer...  Thanks TheHome.com! Loved chatting with you at market! 

[ggemdesignco]

3 Alternative Christmas Tree Ideas...for those years you just can't.

Some years you just can't get out the ornaments, unpack each one, untwist the lights, blah blah blah Christmas stuff...

Adulting can be repetitive. Some years just don’t call for a tree. And guess what, the holidays are also FOR you! They are for you to enjoy, as well. I know that news can be a shocker. One more time, the holidays are also YOUR time to relax and enjoy time with friends and family. They are for you. 

A few reasons a CHRISTMAS TREE may= PITA some years....

a new, wily cat or crazy puppy or a human infant! 

traveling extensively 

everything is in boxes

you just don’t wanna

You can have a perfectly acceptable Christmas, and be filled with gratitude, and the joy of the season, and still not have a traditional tree situation!

Humans of the world, if it feels like a pain in the ass, don’t MAKE yourself do it. They are your holidays! 

I hereby declare that you, Yes, even you, the one who runs the household, can skip having a traditional Christmas tree in favor of something easier on yourself. 

Here are some alternatives. 

Put the whole situation outside

This requires some specialized shopping, but for me, it took 1/3rd of the time of setting up a normal tree. It was a trip to the drugstore for 2 containers of shatterproof ornaments, and wired pinecones, and hooks that bent to securely attached them to the branches and one string of lights. About $50 and 1/2 hour. 

I had some sheer fabric on hand, and I tore it into 8″ wide strips in order to make that “garland”.  I also unravelled one of those plastic shower scrubbies when I needed one more row. I stuck some berries on branches in there, and loved seeing the birds visit. Birds do poop, so there was some serious nature going on on the deck. 

cost: $50

time: (shopping, set up and break down) 3 hours

floorspace: None! Outdoor! 

other pros: It was gorgeous to have the tree out the sliding doors (that is a wall that opens, it’s a multitrack glass door system), because it reflected in the glass and therefore, doubled. It was fun to get such a TALL tree! It took 10 minutes to take this thing down. 

other cons: There was no sentiment on this tree. None of our special family ornaments, none of our treasures. But I also didn’t have to pull those out, clean, unwrap them all, clean them and all the accoutrements. 

It totally blew down. So be prepared for that. I’d affixed everything so I just stood the thing back up! 

Mix it up with potted trees

If you’re feeling like you want the smell and the lights but not the full magilla, get some potted trees from your local nursery. In this case, we bought 2 trees we thought we’d use in the yard, the planting here never happened (they now grace our neighbor’s gorgeous yard). We pulled out some remnant silk, tied a giant burlap ribbon, stuck some battery operated lights on them and voila! Christmas! 

cost: depends on tree type and size but for us $60 per tree, $20 for the lights. 

time: trip to the nurseries and shopping there, time to tilt them up inside and add the battery operated lights- 2 hours. 

floorspace: 8 sq ft 

other pros:  Super easy, once the trees were loaded in, and it was nice to have living trees.  These could have held our normal ornaments The two trees encouraged us to mix up the placement They never dried out, because they’re actually alive! 

other cons: There was soil involved, so overwatering meant soil on the floor.  They were heavier to carry up the stairs

When the day itself came and we entertained, we all made paper snowflakes for these and I use those as ornaments on regular trees since. 

Our merry mess on Christmas day...  NO TREE AT ALL

The real deal. No tree or tree-like plant at all. I know it’s a leap but, what if you were my guest? 

Would you demand I have a tree for your eyeballs to behold and make us go and cut one down?

Would you leave in a huff, angry that you hadn’t been able to view my sentimental ornaments? Like the bread dough elf I made in kindergarten? 

That’s literally how ridiculous it ALL is, the pressure we apply to ourselves. It really, actually and truthfully does not matter if there’s a tree, a garland, or a couple of pines in a 25 gallon pot. 

By the time Christmas rolls around every commercial space, we’ve all seen a billion GORGEOUS trees, so if you want to skip it and just do wreaths, a garland, a cool wrapping theme, big ornaments or even those blow up larger than life santas and snowmen, have at it! Whatever is fun for you! 

If you chose to make yourself responsible for someone’s Christmas memories (like for us, we CHOOSE to host Christmas Eve) I think it’s nice to have some type of Christmas decor to offer to the situation. You know, somewhere for the Christmas Eve photo! But make it fun or ask for help. Or both! 

This garland and great year cost: $160 

time: (shopping, set up and break down) 1.5 hours

floorspace: None!  other pros: Look at this gorgeous thing. It was so so glorious. I drove downtown to our wholesale flower mart to get it but could have bought it locally. I added some wreath charms I made from branches in the yard, so that was fun for me. 

 other cons: There was no sentiment on this.

BUT I can tell you with authority that the particulars matter, but not SO much. 

Mostly the warmth, love and cheer are the main event. 

The 7 hours of tree up, ornament unpacking and repacking and handmade bows and ornaments and coordinated ornaments and “tree themes” have not really had as much impact over the years though they were always received positively. But it’s just not actually about that tree. It’s about the whole loving, wonderful thing.  So if you’re traveling or got a cat or just don’t feel like it, just don't. Do something else this time. Something creative and fun for you.  It’s a pleasure and honor to have the comfort to be able to even consider temporary decor.  Pinterest and home magazine images are actually real, and my colleagues and friends are generating that content, but it’s an actual JOB to make things look that way. Or it’s a pleasure. It’s not a duty. 

And it’s ok to have simplicity, and to enjoy your family, and to make something meaningful or silly or clever or nothing at all. It’s up to you, and anyone else who wants to do something else can. Pinterest is not the boss of you, and neither is this blog post! 

So do it all, do nothing, do whatever you want! The holidays are ALSO FOR YOU. For you to enjoy and feel looked after. Love you. You’re doing great in life, it’s enough, you’re enough- enjoy your own holidays!  It’s all ok. 

XO

-Shannon 

[ggemdesignco]

3 Easy Ways to Cure a Boring Table Top

Have you ever had a tabletop fail? Was it too spare and empty? Was it overly full? Was there a “vase in the face”? Did it look like someone parked William Sonoma in your house with just a bunch of random store stuff and no art, or life or tabletop soul?! 

I gotcha. Here are 3 easy ways to cure boring tabletops without parking the contents of an entire kitchen store on top of it. 

1. GET TO A THRIFT STORE, OR BUY VINTAGE

Get out there to any thrift store. They are often overwhelmed with glassware and plates and vases and bottles. The quickest and easiest way to mix it up is to add some weird vintage to the mix! Go ahead, stick some tiger stripe with your grandmother’s china. I sure did! 

These bone china tiger print plates and the adorable vintage bird salt and pepper shakers are from the thrift store. This bamboo Noritake pattern is available at @replacementsltd. Check out those acorn-y branches! 

       Shopping hacks: 

To look for bone china (Which may feel the least sturdy but is actually VERY strong) read the fine print on the plates, they will often just say “bone china”, and hold plates up to the lights to see if light shines through. If it does, it may be a fine piece! 

To find good crystal that will sparkle in the candlelight and throw rainbows when sunlight streams thru, flick the side of any glass while holding by the stem or base. If it’s a resonant sound that carries, it’s likely crystal. If it’s a click, clang or thud- it’s not.  Do not limit yourself to just plates and crystal! A collection of vases, globes, cookie jars, candles, or boxes, or or or or... groups of things look incredible with some branches and a set table. 

 2. GET OUTSIDE

Go cut some branches. They are truly seasonal of course, because the seasons are happening! They have the “local sense of place” because they grow right in your yard, and they can make a GRAND gesture. The added benefit is you probably needed to prune, so....  Add a little bit of florist bought floral (I love real florists because they usually have refined tastes and get beyond the basics, in both filler AND flowers- but I also totally respect the basics offered at places like Trader Joes and farmers markets). The mix will give your table vibrancy.

Wash the branches you bring in and check them for aphids and the like. 

Fallen leaves and eucalyptus branches for a holiday table in the Silverlake neighborhood of Los Angeles. 

3. GET WEIRD!

Table top is just fun, so don’t be afraid to get totally weird. I get weird with fabrics; from vintage finds (quilts, picnic blankets, tarps) to remnants from wonderful past projects, all kinds of fabric. I also get weird with random decor items (inspired by my incredibly chic aunt’s antique bowling pins and wooden spools). Here, I’m going to show you the same table, styled 3 different ways.  

Above is the “no fabric” look to avoid “vase in the face”, I’ve spaced the place settings accordingly, but let’s be real, I’m gonna put that thing on the counter and replace it with the wine when dinner rolls around. 

In this photo above you’ll see colorful remnant fabric, a bunch of our Toyon bush, and some gorgeous Cedar we had in the yard, with some florist-bought thistle and eucalyptus bud creating an impactful low arrangement.  My vintage globe collection is tucked in there, too. There was no moving this monster, it was dinner for 16! 

And a picnic blanket fall table. The blanket was too small for the table, but thrown over the seat of the banquette it was just as impactful. I found the perfect oak branches with acorn caps still attached in the backyard. That vintage trophy in the center is slim enough it can stay put. 

Last thing.

4. THERE ARE NO ACTUAL RULES

Just know that there are no actual rules. You can put the glasses on the wrong side, you can not have the “right” glass. You can put salad in a bowl, you can put soup in a mug. You can use a ship’s ladder as a bar as we did for the Pasadena Showcase House with Mystic Waster Gardens.

Ship’s ladder as a bar. 

Mismatched vintage brooches with ribbons salvaged from gifts makes a perfect napkin ring on this formal table New Year’s Table. 

Table top and entertaining is a super satisfying way to be creative on a smaller scale, but you gotta remember this... It’s also ok to blow off this whole blog post and have paper plates and a plastic cup full of sporks. I swear, it’s all fine! 

If you wanna get creative, try some of this, and if you wanna take it easy, do that! And if you’re in the Los Angeles area, and need a little help with styling using what you’ve got, we can handle it in a consult and a follow up package full of vintage goodness. Give the office a call.  xo -Shannon Photos by @mpkelley_

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[ggemdesignco]

ONE ROOM CHALLENGE REVEAL!  WEEK 6- Ggem Design

Done!!!! Hooray!!! The #oneroomchallenge was a huge exercise in adaptive reuse, flexibility, and that magic zone where creativity meets a deep belief that it’s all okay. 

And it is. So here is a photo of the finished space.

It’s design & art and meant to be a fun delve into the wonderful right now-ness of well... right now, wherever you are in your life and creative journey. 

Sooooo fun! I love it. Let me make you a list of what you are seeing...

1. Vintage baker wing chair, SAVED by Cindy, Kiwi Shoe polish and on new casters!

2. A fabulously giant pine table with a nice patina and ball & claw feet (from Craigslist)

3. A mid century accountant’s chair (from facebook marketplace)

4. Incredible ceramic lamp from an estate sale 

5. Woolsey Fire charred shelf board on plain old brackets installed by my master carpenter, general contractor husband, even though it’s cupped AND bowed.

6. Artist’s easel x 2 (one belongs to my incredible studio mate and one is a gift from my prior amazing studio mate!)

7. Mid century fine art; works on paper by Bea Husman (1915-2011) Encino, CA

8. Peel and stick wallpaper stars from Devine Color at Target (I used lots of brands and tried them but the two remaining styles are Devine Color) 

9. Existing maple floors and loft ceiling with insulation and pipes. Love it!

10. (below) Philippe Starck 14′ bench (from the reboot of the SLS Hotel) in gorgeous caramel leather

Overall, taking part in the One Room Challenge gave me a reason to connect with you and others, a way to stay specific goal oriented during travel, an excuse to figure some technical things out with my blog, and a good old fashioned excuse to invest some @Ggemdesign time on Ggem Design infrastructure! 

As we approach the 1st anniversary of the #woolseyfire, I am looking toward the future as it relates to my community at large. Having a place to gather and work on solutions and resilience is handy, and we will be needed in coming months. Also, when I worked with #replacementsltd it made me realize having a big table to set is going to be FABULOUS and will allow me to do more table top vignettes! I was so grateful for the opportunity to participate, One Room Challenge! 

The whole journey can be found at the blog, Shannonggem.com/blog 

but just to remind you here’s some before and after. 

Until spring, you guys! I loved this challenge and can’t wait to do it all over again in 2020. In the meantime, stay tuned for more blog posts about design and being a person in the world. Be sure to check out the other blogger’s reveals- and remember, I am rooting for you, wherever you are on your design journey! 

The One Week Challenge is a widely anticipated biannual design event, challenging participants to complete a project and weekly blog posts in just 6 weeks. The event is media partnered with Better Homes and Gardens, and I am a guest participant!   @Betterhomesandgardens #bhgorc @oneroomchallenge #interiordesigncommunity #designhounds #asid #shannonggem #ggemdesign #malibudesigner #malibuinteriordesign 

[ggemdesignco]

ONE ROOM CHALLENGE WEEK 5- Ggem Design Studio

Oooooooo this weird week is getting less weird thank goodness.

Oh Halloween! I think most of you know I’m in the Los Angeles area and Southern California is suffering two severe wildfires at this time. Not very near us. There were a lot of fires all over California and and extreme red flag warning. The winds have calmed and we are going to see humidity rise, but I must admit, I lost an entire day of ORC work to low grade anxiety around the weather. My thoughts are with those affected.  

After the #woolseyfire disaster of last year, my community is in recovery mode, and that whole experience gave me a lot of clarity along with some fire prep skills. So if there’s fire nearby, that’s what I am doing. I did a lot of that this week, here’s one of the fire maps from last week... schools were closed. Traffic was weird and Andrew and I called in to most meetings. 

and here’s a shot of the previously mentioned fire meeting from last week. 

But luckily, Cindy! Cindy works for Ggem Design Co (@GgemDesign on Insta) and she is down for whatever fun thing we’ve got going. She took ownership of the chair restoration project! Last week we got fancy casters on it, so I can roll around. 

Friends, you remember my sad, sad chair, right? Cindy thinks it’s green in the “before” phase, I don’t see green but whatevs. It looked gross.

And please recall that I though I love that vintage Baker Chair (and basically all other old leather wing chairs and club chairs), and I left it outside and then tried to restore it with a garden home and a scrub brush. Hot tip: don’t do that.  But Cindy did MUCH better....

I picked up these fancy products from fine specialty store for fine leather care, CVS. Just kidding, it’s just regular plain old CVS. Now I will get random shoe care coupons for the rest of my natural born life, because they track your purchases, but it was probably worth it! 

BECAUSE she fixed it! It’s a little streaky here but it gets better! Note the charred shelf above her! Oh and we got casters on that chair and I love it so much!!!

The wall was needing something, so I got some peel and stick wallpaper... Here it is upside down. Compelling photo of white paper, basically, I know. But you CAN see my new/old bookends. I HEART those! From the thrift store!

OK! Here’s big star 1. I need to make maybe 7, but have only done 2. I need to have finished photography by Wed. Ummmm.... But OK!

And dang gummit (is that how you say that?) I’m making some giant stars. Tomorrow, Sunday, basically all days until Wed. It takes hours but it’s gonna be that good kind of weird, I know it! 

Here’s a shot of some of the rest of this weeks projects (Because I think you know I’m a professional #interiordesigner in the #Malibu area), this is the 2nd to last install at this fabulous beach house. It was a remodel and full furnish, and exactly our sweet spot kind of job! See more and more of our projects at the main site, ShannonGgem.com.

And here’s some fire prep, and the reboot of the patio at the end of the red flag conditions.

Empty patio (dry skin in 4% humidity, 2 friends who sell skin care reached out when I posted this on insta Hahahaaaaa. Follow me there for all sorts of shenanigans. I am a chronic feed-cleaner so things go up and get archived and you may never see this dry skin again)!   Then reboot deck...

Ok, go check out more #oneroomchallenge #bhgorc rooms! People are AMAZING, talented, organized, not making (good kind of weird) peel and stick stars, and it’s super fun and inspiring! 

Yay! 

[ggemdesignco]

ONE ROOM CHALLENGE week 4

The One Week Challenge is a widely anticipated biannual design event, challenging participants to complete a project and weekly blog posts in just 6 weeks. The event is media partnered with Better Homes and Gardens, and I am a guest participant!  

Whoa! So many changes and time obligations, and it’s just sort of wonderful that I HAVE to get this post in, or else I’d procrastinate! I went to High Point, North Carolina (furniture capitol of the world). For 8 whole nights! I saw so many respected colleagues and SUCH incredible product, I did an install for @aldenparkes #showhouseinashowroom. Scroll down for a photo of that fancy business and more info on it. LOVED IT! We had a town hall meeting in my community that I chaired 1 hour after I returned home. We have red flag conditions here at Malibou Lake, there are fires everywhere but not within 25 miles. We are not in harms way. I ache for those who are. I evacuated everyone from a jobsite because of a fire in Malibu yesterday (it was close but put out quickly), I have performed home hardening efforts several days this week, attended a Woolsey Fire Draft incident report feedback meeting and spoke on a topic that makes my voice shake in front of 100s- I used my meditation methods, and my voice did not shake! Many things happened this week.   Ok back to the One Room Challenge

The aforementioned studio -mate, an incredible visual artist, once mentioned to me the need for an enormous table. So I got one as a desk. It’s truly enormous, and fits the glorious Baker Wing chair with newly installed CASTERS! Wheeeee! They look like clear roller blade wheels and I love them!

I wanted something pre patina-ed and fairly chunky and boy did I get that. And more! It’s got a double pedestal base and claw and ball feet and it is incredibly heavy pine with a nice patina. It was a wedding gift to the craigs-lister and he loved it but now they are just ready for something different. I told him he could buy it back if he needed to, in a few years. 

I really want the painter I share the space with to feel completely free to use the whole table when he’s there and I’m not (we haven’t seen each other in years- it’s a perfect share, we keep different hours), so I found a ginormous, partially burnt in the Woolsey Fire piece of the wall of our home that burned and needed replacing. A wall board, 1″ x 12″. It’s 1924 redwood. It’s bowed and cupped and charred from the fire, but it’ll be a perfect place to get everything above head height and create a table space I can totally wipe clean. I was so excited to come upon it during home hardening (which I’m doing as a way to work with the energy fires create in me, and also because it’s proactive and needed). 

My husband and I never say no to helping each other, so when I dropped this into his schedule, he gracefully accepted. He brought fantastic carpenter help! He’s a general contractor, (he came to it from carpentry) and a brilliant problem solver and the best life choice I ever made. We have so much fun. He’s the only carpenter ever who would agree to hang this silly warped and burned board. But it’s ours, from something we went through that made us super strong and it’s really the only board that’s an option. 

He’s the one in the middle. 

So this is happening, The shelf is up.  I have key materials on it it needs better styling. The green performance fabrics I recommend on hangers in the corner, my mohair samples are on the shelf, an antique hat box with my preferred cushion/ pillow filling- all for clients to touch and feel to understand the construction of the pieces I have made for their magical homes.  The table is in. I am so hoping the painter uses it! I wrote to him. 

I happen to love my puffy insulation loft ceiling as is, I thought of adding white wire grids to show some handblown lighting I sell, but I think I’ll use existing infrastructure instead. The swing couldn’t work! It would be very much in the painter’s way with the beam layout- so I canned it.  Jury is out if my carpenter will get to the small door and the moulding- I began the challenge without a pre plan, I would have needed to book more than 6 weeks ago if I wanted in to his schedule for real. But he is going to try!  I think, for function, that I need some shelves on the side wall, and an assistant’s chair. My awesome assistant doesn’t do much sitting- so I need to chat with her about what she wants. The amazing art deco ottomans are horsehair, organic cotton and the heaviest wood ever but the leather is SO damaged, I am afraid I need to let them go- they are so damaged you guys!  The walls need something. I told the painter he can have all the hanging space- but we’ll see what he says. I also am feeling like a rug may be in order? To ground the feeling in there- sometimes because of the vaulted ceiling I can feel untethered in there, A darker rug may settle that down.  And I’ll get that star in there- that is happening!  That’s it for my week 4 update, here’s the super before/before and this week’s progress! 

Ok, gotta figure out the rest and get GOING! Omg this is a very effective design event. And below here’s the Showroom in Showhouse space I designed for High Point Market. And I’m standing with Jackie Von Tobel the creator of that awesome custom mural created for the space. Look at that gorgeous bedding by www.Wildcatterritory.com! Gorgeous lighting by www.wildwoodlamps.com, fabulous book sets by www.juniperbooks.com, and ALL the china, crystal and silver by www.replacements.com and furniture by www.adenparkes.com! 

See you next week! Hopefully I’ll have a couple other blog posts from High Point this week, so stay tuned here! 

[ggemdesignco]

One Room Challenge Week 3

So I am traveling this week, and I’m at the biggest home furnishing show in America, in High Point, North Carolina. Last week’s fire was scary for my community, and changed the lives of those affected in theirs. I am heartbroken for them. Here, we did not get the fire but we did go deep on our preparedness. We moved wood piles (one I forgot was even there), I checked out the systems in place for the business I sit on the Board of Directors of, and some protocols were implemented. Some people took the opportunity to get their firehose and nozzle and adapter kit ready. All in all it was anxiety producing, but productive. I am thinking and hoping for those affected. Send them gift cards, other things don’t help as much. OK. Back to the topic. 

Major progress has been made on the concept for the One Room Challenge! 

Let’s remind you what the space is...  Here’s a “super before” A before from before the before I showed you last time. We had an additional artist in the space then, and he moved on and took his furnishings with him.  The art of the man screaming in a puffy frame is gone, the metal cabinet is gone, the plastic drawers are gone the drafting table is gone (it was so awesome) the glass table is gone. The gray chair is gone. They all belonged to the other artist. 

I have come to some major decisions!!!!  I want to keep the Phillippe Starck bench, it is bad ass, in very good condition and it fits. Anything else there would be a down grade and why would I downgrade from a pice from one of the worlds most famous product designers? 

I want a giant table as a desk, and my suite mate who occasionally does art there liked that idea when I brought it up to him, so that is a good thing. We use it mainly for mood boarding at Ggem Design, we both work on laptops and no “desk” is needed for that.  I love my old leather wing chair, it’s vintage Baker (an extremely high end furniture line), I found it in a trash can on the way to an audition when I was still an actress- maybe 2002? I was late to the audition, didn’t get the part and never regretted it because LOOK at the perfection that is that chair. It’s so well made and special and again, I never downgrade.  I want to put casters on it and have it roll around. I think we can polish the leather? Like shoes? I’m gonna find out. Once I tried to wash it, it was a disaster and I’m sure I damaged it. Pro tip: don’t put your vintage leather chair under a hose. 

and finally, I know I want to incorporate this star I saw on a garage door in Positano.

Here are my 2 dream items, if possible: 

Giant moldings (as seen in a historic American Home). I love giant moldings, in old homes they were needed to cover gaps in rougher hewn wood (before electric saws, I mean OLD homes) and moulding was handy dandy to close all that up. It became decorative and has been ever since. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t still functional, the yellow here shows a picture rail (not being used as one). Chain would hang from hooks down to hold art, that way people weren’t breaking into their plaster. 

Giant moulding in the Wattles Mansion space by @ggemdesign This has picture rail and created a soffit for drapery... 

And dream item #2 is a SWING! I am always uncomfortable in any chair or sofa or whatever. I think this would be better. If I could put the tree in there as well, I would. Actually that’s a good call- I should get a TREE! That actually builds on the building’s essence. The building has huge prehistoric looking fabulous plants and trees inside the atrium and it’s BEAUTIFUL. 

Ok so now we know. A swing. Giant moulding. Art hang. Keeping the bench. Probably a tree. That amazing wing chair if it polishes like shoes. 

Elements that make a concept!

  When I get back it’s going to be full steam ahead, because time will be VERY short. Be sure to check in with the other participants who are MUCH further along at the official blog- www.oneroomchallenge.com/orc-blog and sign up for my mailing list at www.shannonggem.com arch support the media sponsor of ORC

#orc #oneroomchallenge #bhg

[ggemdesignco]

General contractor interview- iPhone video.

Here is Don Davis, an incredible general contractor we work with at Ggem Design Co. Don is the other half of Refined Development (See the interview with Rod Mose) and he can pretty much make anything.

Having the right team is more than 1/2 the battle!

So before I introduce you in real life, get to know Don a little in this video (ummmmm, before he comes and smashes up for home and makes a bunch of noise and a huge mess and has you pay him for it... ya know?) See the end before you need to endure the beginning!

Being able to remodel homes or build brand new ones to our personal tastes and preferences is a huge honor and we are glad to help. Call me if you’re thinking about a remodel and I’ll get you on a path.

It’s what we do!

[ggemdesignco]

One Room Challenge Week 2

Lovelies! I finished my space early, it’s this…. See? I tiled the studio, did some quick beams, stenciled them a little, added cool lights, a couple marble ladders, some old statues I took out of the attic, pulled a garden hose in and…  now it’s done! Not buying it? Oh. Is it because it’s the pool at the actual Hearst Castle? Oh ok. It is, you’re right! My studio space isn’t done, but I have entered an extremely important phase.

A room that is absolutely NOT my Interior Design Studio but the gorgeous pool at Hearst castle  I am in a planning phase. I love this quote from Abraham Lincoln, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”   I probably won’t, but I will spend 2 thinking about and researching the best way to sharpen an axe (which may actually be finding the best axe sharpener around) and another 2 sharpening (or waiting for the sharpening) and THEN it’s time for trees. Or maybe just a little more planning. In planning phases spaces and ideas aren’t always evident or even linear. It’s Red Flag Weather here, starting tomorrow. The Santa Ana Winds are coming and I haven’t seen those since the #woolseyfire last year. If the power company decides to turn the power grid off it’ll take up to 5 days to get it back, that’s fairly major. See how it’s non-linear in this phase? Not to worry it becomes VERY focused. 

We were talking about my #oneroomchallenge participation with media partner @betterhomesandgardens #bhgorc, remember? 

BUT we are coming up on the 1 year anniversary of the fire here. Our home survived the fire with just the losses of the yard, the dock, the boat and the bedroom wall and some roof. But we had devastating community losses and I took 6 months off from design work to pitch in with community service. It’s time to be back to design full time now, but the fire changed my perspective about some things, and those things relate to design and there’s just no getting around it. It’s all woven together.  At first after the fire I thought, “Why do we need things? ALL extraneous things must go!” and I was on a full Marie Kondo minimalist kick, and then I suddenly thought “If we ever get evacuated again I’m bringing both cars and also making trips in and out with stuff, ALL our stuff” and I happen to know that BOTH of those approaches are correct.  

the Woolsey Fire raging behind us as we pull over for an evacuation doggie pee break Nov 9th, 2018. 

The zen of allowing things to be just things was with me for a while, I loved it- I felt a sorta proud of it. I threw away random samples and materials in the studio, I sold rare books, I donated two pick up trucks worth of Interior Design related goods and literature. But the other way came roaring back just days ago. Our things have meaning, things hold memories, things could perhaps provide comfort if the shell of the home was lost. A little familiarity. Things matter to me. I want our things, I want the business to have the right things around. I wish those who had lost things they loved had not lost those things. And we’re back to ranking things again. 

That’s Dallas Rains, the most famous weatherman. It’s an unflattering still of the news tonight- he looks like a movie star and seems nice- but look at all that Red Flag warning.  Anyway, here it comes. The weather that allows the kind of fire that no one can stop. In an outrageous size. The weather that brought the Tubbs fire roaring into Santa Rosa, taking the house of an author who caused me to understand what was happening to us 12 hours before fire reached my community. Bill Fies graphic novel about his fire, and the subsequent loss of his home instructed a lot of us in the Woolsey fire. His experience hits it’s 2nd anniversary this week, ours hit’s our 1st anniversary next month.  What I’m thinking about now is if I do the gallery wall of my dreams at the studio, some of the art will be so high I won’t actually be able to get it down readily, to evacuate. And some of the lights will be so coiled I don’t know what I’d do if they got bought (I wouldn’t consider them for evacuation, sorry lights).  Hmmm..... It’s a brand new set of criteria, evacuation convenience, and it exhausts me to plan for. Some of the art isn’t fine, but I just love it- there’s a pair of portraits of a couple below, some mid century pieces by a very prolific man from Stockton who hasn’t reached value yet. But I think it has something about it, and it’s framed wrong. 

I did frame some art this week in very plain frames. I wrapped my head around my inventory of mid century art, currently. I made a couple sales and have a loan going so that changed some of my initial plans.  And I did look at Pinterest and pinned bathrooms thoughts. Too bad I’m not doing a bathroom!  I did venture out into the world and looked at stuff and things and new places (like fancy malls, and store windows) and I did stare at the space from several different angles. Believe it or not, in my process, those are big acts of planning that will add up to something, but I am not sure what. Next week will be inspiration central as I attend @highpointmarket #HPMKT the largest home furnishings show in the US, so stay tuned for finds from that show.  I don’t know what it all means, yet. That’s planning. I do know it’ll have these, 

And this mid century art... 

And this odd bronze piece that a favorite consult client gave to me (a favorite BEFORE the gift of attic treasure). 

the assets list is growing.  I am going to put this non-linear post up despite doubts. I worry that those not affected by a disaster won’t understand why I’m not “over it yet” or why everything ends up in some ways being about the fire for me this year, even this.   I don’t know why exactly, but I’m going to go easy on myself about it.  It’s only been a year, it changed a lot and burned some deep wisdom, some that’s sad to carry, and some that’s life affirming and beautiful. But it’s just been a year and the Santa Ana winds are coming. And I’m planning. Check out how far along my colleagues are here: www.oneroomchallenge.com/orc-blog Oh, and if you're curious about our fire experience you can see lots of footage in a highlighted story on my instagram @Ggemdesign, it’s called WoolseyFire. I started talking about the fire and preparing in stories 18 hours before it came to my community, and the highlight takes you through the whole timeline from then to a month after. Be sure and follow me there is you don’t already. 

[ggemdesignco]

One Room Challenge Fall 2019!

Ggem Design Studio Befores Super exciting news! I’m participating in OneRoomChallenge as a Guest Participant Fall 2019. Follow along at #OneRoomChallenge, or @betterhomesgarden, the official media partner of ORC. #bhgorc

Over the next 6 weeks, we’ll be transforming my studio, our fabulous workspace! I love it so much but it is extremely drab and bordering on non-functional.

We’re starting with some cool elements. Our studio-mate is an incredibly talented artist and his art is in the space; and look at this crazy-good Phillippe Starck bench piece. Not bad! 

The awesome art piece is a definite keeper. We’re down a desk, you guys! I loved this one client, and it was needed but not in stock and I sold 1/2 of the desk so they wouldn’t have to wait for stock to come in (mine was brand new). Now we have half a desk. Terrible. Inappropriate. 

That chair is a disaster and needs so much help, I tried to wash it with a sponge and a hose. Never do that. I also kept it outside for 2 years and kept saying, well, animals live outside and their skin is leather, so it’ll be fine. And it is, basically, but it looks gross. Overall is just a little stark and forgotten (in favor of our fabulous client projects!) Plus we made an enormous midcentury art acquisition and it needs to hang because that’s the safest way to store it.

Check out more of the studio’s current state right now. 

1/2 a desk! Ugh.

Sad entry, I am so sorry you have to see the blinds. That’s a huge bowl full of plaster samples, tho... so that’s cool.

On the very big plus side, I have even MORE amazing art, and one side of the studio ALWAYS looks so super cool because it’s a true painter’s studio, with brushes, and paints and all that good looking stuff.  We have some assets, we have no plan but we have a reason, and it’s #oneroomchallenge! Hooray! @betterhomesgarden www.oneroomchallenge.com/orc-blog

[ggemdesignco]

The Home.Com checked in with me at #LVMKT to hear some seasonal decor ideas! 

[ggemdesignco]

Don Davis of Refined Development talks about the fireplace component of our extremely successful Malibu Beach house remodel project. It’s an iPhone video! Beach. 

[ggemdesignco]

iPhone shot from yesterdays fresh and classic #malibu remodel. Classic Plaster finish, oak cabinets, handmade Malibu Tile and 100000000000 best wishes for this wonderful #worldsbestclients family. Can’t wait for the pro photos! 

[ggemdesignco]

Malibu Remodel iPhone interview Ggem Design Co and GC Rod Mose, Refined Development

[ggemdesignco]

It was so fun to talk with @carlosramezcua on #Carlos and Lisa in Los Angeles this morning! 

I love to talk about stewardship principles in home remodeling, thanks for having me on. Click above for the full segment! 

[ggemdesignco]

Our own cottage was featured in Cottages and Bungalows!

Our own cottage was featured in a 14 page spread of Cottages and Bungalows June/ July issue! The article was hopeful and beautiful. In a wonderful surprise twist, the editor and writer excerpted the last newsletter I sent to YOU, all those months ago! We also had a beautiful project photographed, which led to one of the gorgeous bathrooms going viral- check out the newly updated website to see the whole glorious, super custom bath and all the great spaces!

Look at that custom fabricated limestone sink, and that handmade tile and the custom mirror! I waited too long to write to you again and so a million fun things are being abbreviated to just this lil' list! Follow me and check out Instagram highlights for more! In addition to an incredible stewardship project of a very worthy beach home in Malibu that we're working on, opportunities cropped up everywhere. #DesignHounds hosted an incredible week of education and learning with Signature Kitchen Suites in Napa Valley. This is in Highlights. OMG. It was so inspiring. Twin Star Home invited me to do a #styletakeover at their Las Vegas Market showroom, alongside some talented colleagues. The work of mid-century Los Angeles fine artist #BeaHusman was featured in the installation. We had the best time in Vegas, next time you're there eat at Tacos and Beer! We soaked in some architecture in Austin, TX, New Orleans and in Gold Rush country. Fresh new palettes derived from all the good old buildings are bubbling up! In Austin, Torchy's Tacos earned repeat visits. That's in highlights on instagram, too! There were parties and progress and disaster recovery frustration and triumph (our community is grateful to the Malibu Foundation) and we got a antique phonograph and a bunch of shellac records and we're obsessed. We play it twice a day over here. Hope you are having the best summer. Next up for us, New England and High Point North Carolina for the furniture show, and install in Malibu! Your very infrequent and sporadic author- Shannon Ggem Ggem Design Co shannonggem@gmail.com 213-999-9907 PS I designed some fabulous Malibou Lake gear from a 1922 marketing illustration; T-shirts, totes, pillows, phone cases, mugs, notebooks, tons of stuff! Buy it here.

PPS

I am launching an upholstery line next month!  Local B sofas. These sofas are made by your neighbors with sustainable hardwood frames & cruelty free fill materials, and the greenest performance fabric on the market- it's virtually impossible to stain.

These sofas are outfitted and tailored to my specifications, and available only within a 50 mile radius of where they are made. Camarillo to Laguna Beach.

I'm able to work directly with the factory, and these come to you directly from other Los Angelenos making them. If you need a sofa or sectional before the holidays, text or email me!  I can probably sort it out. Then I get to call it something fancy like a "soft launch". If you want to see how I like sofas, check out the site for a

million sofa photos!

Local B!

check out the rest of the new website!