Pages

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

The Kaleidoscope Ball Presents the First Designer Dollhouse Showcase at the Beverly Hills Hotel to Benefit the UCLA Mattel Children’s Discovery and Innovation Institute

Premiere Designer Dollhouse of Mini Masterpieces Created by 20 of Los Angeles’ Most Renowned Interior Designers

After months of anticipation, the first annual Kaleidoscope Ball presents the premiere designer dollhouse showcase featuring ten impeccably designed homes hand crafted by twenty of Los Angeles’ top interior designers. These one-of-a-kind true replica “mini-estates” were meticulously mastermind to scale with plans brought to life by Richard Manion and Robert Meiklejohn of Richard Manion Architecture. The homes including Italianate, Georgian, Modern, Contemporary, and Brownstone designs featuring either two or three levels over an expanse of 6 feet in length and standing over 3 feet high.

Each dollhouse incorporates unique features and details including incredibly crafted herringbone slatted wood floors, marbled wall coverings and customized lighting fixtures strung with materials including Swarovski crystals. Adapted artworks by collectible artists like Andy Warhol and furnishings inspired by Ralph Lauren, Le Corbusier, and Mies van der Rohe are showcased alongside cabinetry and accessories influenced by the designers’ own style.

Mini-maven maker, Paris Renfroe, from PRD Miniatures and Doron Silverman of Bespoke Furnishings as well as other artisans used for human scale projects were commissioned for key pieces for the houses adding credibility and quality to each room. These designers tapped into their rolodexes to access brands, designers and resources to find items like a mini-Mies Barcelona daybed and tiny Hermes and Prada bags to complete their projects. The designers also had mini adaptations of furnishings from their own eponymous furniture collections to ensure a signature style and no design detail left undone. Large in imagination, designers used innovative improvisations such as oversized sequins as tabletops and strung beads for chandeliers or to craft perfume bottles for a vanity table. Paul Smith finished a sample swatch to create an actual area rug complete with his signature tag beneath breathing giant style into every small element.

Works in progress for months, 10 teams of Los Angeles' most renowned interior designers including Natasha Baradaran, Chris Barrett, Joan Behnke, Cari Berg, Tim Campbell, Mark Cutler, Elizabeth Dinkel, Waldo Fernandez, Adam Hunter, James Magni, Jeffrey Alan Marks, Mary McDonald, Philip Nimmo, Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Alexandra and Michael Misczynski, Lonni Paul, Estee Stanley, and Ron Woodson and Jamie Rummerfield and fashion designer Monique Lhuillier worked tirelessly over hundreds of hours and poured endless creativity into designing these 10 one-of-a-kind dollhouses to support the April 17th Kaleidoscope Ball and fundraising efforts for the UCLA Children’s Discovery and Innovation Institute. The project also includes mini-garden landscaping by Stephen Block of Inner Gardens and Christine London Ltd. The resulting showcase, the most ambitions project of its kind for charity, all done in a 1:12 scale embodies every ounce of the flair, sophistication, and substance of life-sized projects. Many of the 10 one-of-a-kind dollhouses will be sold at the Kaleidoscope Ball held at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Bidding for these custom designed projects will start at $15,000 for each house. Houses not sold that evening will be part of a special One Kings Lane charity sale May 19th and 20th, with all profits from both sales benefiting the UCLA Children’s Discovery and Innovation Institute.

Modern House 1 by Natasha Baradaran and Waldo Fernandez


Natasha Baradaran designed the first floor, containing a terrace, kitchen/dining area, family room, and powder room in a coastal color story of coral, turquoise and white for a modern take on beach chic paired with an elevated sophistication and unexpected edge. Through the creation of a custom dining table, imagined from a piece of a gate, stone-inspired fabric from Beacon Hill envisioned as a custom carpet, and Trove wall covering for a punch of pattern, Baradaran was able to accomplish a sophisticated twist on the classic beach chic vibe. Credits go to Holly Hunt, Beacon Hill, and Larsen through Cowtan & Tout for their contributions to the design.

Waldo Fernandez designed the second and third floors, containing two patios, two balconies, a living room, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a master suite and bath. The design has a light airy feeling created by the dominantly neutral color palette and splashes of color throughout. Surprise touches of mid-century modern furniture and art custom made by PRD Miniatures and Mini Modernistas keep the design fresh.

Modern House 2 by Jim Magni and Joan Behnke


Jim Magni designed the first floor, containing a living room, dining room/kitchen, and outdoor Zen garden including a water feature in “Magni Modernism,” combining modern, art deco, Asian, and contemporary designs together for a look all its own. In keeping with the modern look of the home the rooms are done in a color scheme of whites, creams, taupes, and grays. The rooms’ furnishings and style are inspired from Mies van der Rohe, Le Corbusier and Magni Home Collection. Credits go to Fawn Dang and Sue Chitpanich of DAO Home, Kyle Bunting, Maggie Amir with Caeserstone, and PRD Miniatures for their contributions to the design.

Joan Behnke designed the second and third floors as an artist’s retreat with a top floor dedicated to a studio/gallery space and exterior decks to retreat and watch the waves and the second floor designed as a master bedroom, bath and meditation room. Behnke took a more “free” approach to furnishing the house because she wanted the house to be a space to showcase beautiful things, reflect, and create. Working with found objects and sculpted materials as inspiration for furniture designs, all of the furnishings are meant to be touched, held, and examined for some whimsical detail. The design’s color palette mimics that of the natural surroundings of the home, including warm neutrals and soothing sea tones. Credits to Satori Design, DeMott Drapery, Princes and Crows, Jaime Heintz, Leslie Evans, Margo Newman, Petersen Pottery, Eve Durando, Philip Stahlhuth, Sara Petersen, Erin McGuiness, Charlene Aspray, Valerie Jurado Botanical Design, Sandra Jordan, Pierre Quinton Design Inc, G & E Custom Furniture, Arte Bella, C.G. Custom Tile and Marble, Campbell Glass, Donghia, Reborn Antiques, Micucci, Soli, Stone Source and Blair Newman for their contributions to the design.




Contemporary Beach House 1 by Jeffrey Alan Marks and Elizabeth Dinkel


Jeffrey Alan Marks designed the first floor, including a dining room, kitchen, living room, and gym, in his now signature color scheme of breezy blues. The design features custom dollhouse furniture modeled after Marks’ actual furniture line with Palecek, with the living room including Marks’ “Spindrift Sofa”, “Spindrift Chair”, “Brockton Coffee Table” and “Bryant Lounge Chairs” and the gym utilizes Marks’ “Wind & Sea Folding Screen” to create a private massage area. In addition to the Miniature versions of Jeffrey’s Palecek Furniture, the living room includes a custom wool and silk area rug inspired by vintage Fortuny fabric and provided by Decorative Carpets, while the private massage room includes walls covered in custom de Gournay “Fish” wallpaper, replicating Jeffrey’s personal kitchen and two massage tables covered in Cowtan & Tout Linen. Credits go to PRD Miniatures, Monte Allen, Cowtan & Tout, Decorative Carpets, and Larsen for their contributions to the design.

Elizabeth Dinkel designed the second floor combining the spare and minimalist elements of a modern beach house with the natural beauty of the Pacific Ocean as her backdrop. Her design features clean, modern white lines paired with the some of the more organic tones found in the natural world. She designed the space with a professional art collecting couple who use their house to escape city life and catch their breath in mind. Her intent was to design a house that is sophisticated architecturally but not too fussy or overly serious.

Contemporary Beach House 2 by Chris Barrett and Ron Woodson & Jaime Rummerfield, Landscaping by Inner Gardens


Chris Barrett designed the first floor to include a combination of textures in light colors with white high gloss ceilings, grey walnut driftwood floors, and white grass cloth on the walls. The neutral colors of the living room are broken up with an unexpected pop of pink in the large custom area rug, while the window treatments and pillows showcase the new patterns and colors of Chris Barrett Textiles. The kitchen includes high gloss white cabinets with “Carrera marble” countertops manufactured by Bespoke Furniture. The family room includes a modern built in, a sectional, and Noguchi coffee table. The three story entryway is emphasized by the driftwood gray walnut planks extending from top to bottom, which contrast nicely with the high gloss lacquered walls. Credits go to Bespoke furniture, Marc Phillips, Elf Miniatures, Gigi Walker, Paris Renfroe, Phillip Jeffries, and Phenoyd Inc. for their contributions to the design.

Ron Woodson and Jaime Rummerfield designed the 2nd and 3rd floors to include a garage, master bedroom suite, guest bedroom, office, and two balconies. They created a look that is clean and contemporary by using a color scheme of tonal whites and cool grays. Pops of blues and yellows, the use of chrome accents, white lacquer, and muted bleached wood throughout help to give the floors a sophisticated California coastal look. Woodson and Rummerfield wanted a design focused on simple colors but rich textures and luxurious materials as seen in the master bedroom’s focal wall of faux-onyx and the floors’ sculptural accents and art (some of it painted by the designers themselves!). Credits go to Superior Glass, Miniatures from Avalon, PRD Miniatures, Astek, Rolling Greens Nursery, and Eric Soroe for their contributions to the design.

Italianate House 1 by Lonni Paul and Adam Hunter


Lonni Paul designed the entry, dining room, and great room. While living in Italy, she was drawn to the more modern interiors of centuries old homes and designed the house with a mix of timeless elegance and a modern Italian sensibility. The color scheme includes blues and silvers in the great room and an all red palette in the dining room. Adding to the elegance of the design, the great room includes wall coverings from Trove and David Sutherland, Rubelli fabric for windows and Donghia for the sofas and ottoman. The rooms’ furnishings consist of custom designed pieces including a Ralph Lauren for the bench fabric and Swarovski crystals on miniature lighting fixtures, illuminated by LEDs. The dining room showcases Sahco curtains and wall coverings from Innovations for the ceiling and Maya Romanoff for the remainder of the room. Credits go to California Acrylic Design, Holly Hunt, and GGNStudio for their contributions to the design.

Adam Hunter designed the second floor to include a master bedroom with master sitting room and a child's bedroom. Hunter uses lush fabric and rich textures to create bedrooms with an old European feel but with a modern influence. The master bedroom has a color palette of silver, grey, crème, and pale lavender, while the child's room is a combination of mint pistachio and hints of soft pink. Credits go to Gigin Studio, A Life in Miniature, Mod Pod Miniatures, Cufflinks Cowboy Boots for their contributions to the design.

Italianate House 2 by Mark Cutler and Cari Berg, Landscaping by Christine London


Mark Cutler designed the first floor as the ultimate girl’s dream house. Inspired by the great fantasy houses in Palm Beach and the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel, Cutler design features a sophisticated neutral color palette for the two story entry that showcases a custom miniature “Ramona” chandelier by Fuse Lighting, and the striking “Martinique” banana leaf wallpaper before transitioning into the glamorous living room and library. Both spaces are brightened with vivid pops of pinks, reds, purples, and feature handmade Japanese wallpaper, custom made upholstery, and a creative blend of classic and contemporary dollhouse pieces and repurposed items that make for a luxurious fantasyland any girl would love.

Cari Berg designed the second floor landing, bedroom and studio for the fashionable girl. The landing is anchored by the classic Martinique patterned wallpaper and the runners, custom made by Merida, the upholstered borne settee and the drapery help layer the space and add to the cosmopolitan mix of materials. The abstract original artwork from artist, Loryn Kolbrenner, adds a graphic quality to the space. The bedroom is draped in a billowy white sheer and provides a dreamy backdrop for the modern lines of the custom upholstered pieces with a simple color palette of white and hot pink allows for the different textures to take center stage. The coolness of the marble and lucite coffee table, the warmth of the mohair rug and fabric walls come together to create the ultimate in relaxation and comfort. All of this is set off by custom miniature lighting, inspired by pieces found in today’s most stylish showrooms. The Studio is complete with all things a girl needs to be creative and fashionable. Custom lacquered wardrobes anchor one wall and provide a space to showcase her most stylish handbags. She has an antiqued mirror and Lucite table, allowing plenty of space to display jewelry or work on a sketch. White tufted upholstered walls envelop the room, highlighting the custom hot pink silk upholstered screen and tufted ottoman. The white fur rug covers the walnut floor with the most luxurious of textures. Valerie Jurado Botanical Design, Sandra Jordan, Pierre Quinton Design Inc, G & E Custom Furniture, Arte Bella, C.G. Custom Tile and Marble, Campbell Glass, Donghia, Reborn Antiques,Micucci, Soli, Stone Source and Blair Newman for their contributions to the design.

Georgian House 1 by Mary McDonald and Martyn Lawrence Bullard


Mary McDonald designed the 1st floor and exterior to include a dining room of pale pinks, grays, and chalky whites from the F. Schumacher fabris collection shown on wall curtains. The living room combines Jade Greens from F.Schumacher Chinois Palais and Don't Fret fabrics from Mary McDonald’s new collection all paired with hints of Black or white in a more formal yet modern way. Finally the entry combines black, green, and white in a a more graphically bold way showcasing the Jade green Chinois Palais Schumacher fabric as paper. Signature formal millwork was used in the living and dining rooms for authenticity, while the floor is all real oak planks scaled accordingly as a life size house with natural patina and movement found in original English Georgian houses. Graphic Bold painted wood floors, chinoiserie references paired with carefully edited mini empire, and Georgian and 18th C. Style furniture help to complete the look. Credits go to Schumacher, Bespoke Furniture, Carson Mazaros and Jed Voltz- for their contributions to the design.

Martyn Lawrence Bullard designed the top floor to include a master bedroom, a guest room, and an upstairs landing. The top floor is done in black and white with a strategic pop of color in each room and features Martyn’s new Schumacher collection of wall coverings on the walls in each room.

Georgian House 2 by Tim Campbell and Philip Nimmo


Tim Campbell designed the first floor and exterior to have a transitional and modern look. The design uses a color scheme of creams and blues for a fresh look. Credits go to Soane Britain, Merida Meridian, and Canyon Interior for their contributions to the design.

Philip Nimmo designed the second floor to include a two room “gentleman’s lair”. In one room, a daybed floats in the center of the room behind a big agate-and-polished-brass coffee table flanked by 2 chairs. The second room is the lair itself, where a man would preoccupy himself with intellectual pursuits, his collections of art and objects found during his travels, and all of the curiosities that a 21st century Renaissance man desires. These eclectic furnishing and a high-contrast palette create a warm and inviting environment. The Gentlemen's Lair features ebonized floors with dark shades of gray furnishings paired with cream upholstery. Credits go to Cowtan & Tout, Larsen, Sandra Jordan, Phillip Jeffries, Larriane's Small Wonders, Kneedler Fauchere, Jean de Merry, Philip Nimmo (Furniture), Bespoke Furniture, and Roman Raygoza Fine Furnishings for their contributions to the design.

Brownstone House by Michael & Alexandra Misczynski and Estee Stanley


Michael and Alexandra Misczynski designed the first floor and exterior to include an entry way, gallery, library, and main stairway. The design is a rather formal Beaux Arts background with contemporary engagement. The library has a reclaimed interior from Jean Michel-Frank for Jean-Pierre Guerlain, circa 1935 and is furnished with pieces by Jean-Michel Frank. Credits go to Hideki Okuda & Raul Diaz for their contributions to the design.

Estee Stanley designed the 2nd and 3rd floors to include a living room and master suite in neutral colors with accents of turquoise and pink. The inspiration for the dollhouse was to create a neutral background filled with things we love. We wanted something eclectic and effortless. The resulting style is a relaxing blend of cultures and traditions creating a warm yet sophisticated space - a great balance to the brownstone architecture.

Monique Lhuillier NY Flagship Boutique by Monique Lhuillier


Monique Lhuillier designed a replica of her New York flagship boutique intact with the former private residence’s grandeur of an old world townhouse. Spanning three floors, the townhouse offers the bridal collection on the entire ground floor, the ready-to-wear collection on the second and the VIP custom area on the third floor. Iridescent paintings by Nancy Lorenz and custom mirrors and tables add just a hint of sparkle, while the two commissioned pieces by New York sculptor Silas Seandel are truly one-of-a-kind. Taking cues from the original structure, Lhuillier creates a sophisticated environment in the world of grey, using luxurious fabrics, furnishings and art to showcase the true stars in the boutique, her signature gowns and collections. The dollhouse includes grey suede walls, recreations of the Monique Lhuillier Waterford chandeliers, inspired by the delicate beadwork of Monique’s signature gowns, and organic hammered stainless steel cabinets, made especially for the bridal salon. All furniture for the townhouse has been recreated by the renowned craftsmen at Kensington Dollhouse Festival.


ABOUT THE GARDENS:
Brownstone Walled Garden

Christine London designed an Urban walled garden with a diversity of areas for dining, gardening, reading and play. Warm neutrals were used in the stonework while the plants were a mix of crisp greens, creams, and whites. The plants were all handmade and detailed in England. Credits go to Pauline London, Holly London Whitefoord, and Candace Conard.

Georgian Garden

Christine London designed the Georgian garden to suit a country house. It tells the story of a venerable old tree presiding over a space and the atmosphere and sense of place that this creates. Using one main planting element has the impact of creating a serene but multipurpose garden room full of different shades and textures of green. Credits go to Pauline London, Holly London Whitefoord, and Candace Conard.

Contemporary Beach House Garden
Stephen Block and landscape designer Sherry Till designed a garden for a modern beach house that is simple yet organic. Using natural materials of gravel as sand and stones and rubble as rocks and gravel at the shore Block was able to accentuate and support the modern architecture of the house without distracting from the house’s beauty. The use of “tillanandsia” plants, grey airy plants, was used to represent the Sea Lavender that grows at the beach.

Italianate House Garden
Stephen Block contributed basic plants and landscape elements to the Italianate garden to help create a landscape that compliments the rustic charm of the European inspired home.

Monique Llhuhier NY Flagship Boutique Garden
Stephen Block and landscape designer Sherry Till complimented the townhouse design of the boutique with classic landscaping. The pair framed the boutique with box hedges for a simple but put together look which aligns perfectly with the old world charm of the home turned boutique.

All photography by Jon Hugstad. Press release content provided by bluPRint.

11 comments:

  1. Now I'm sorry we didn't go! Love to be there watching. Thanks for keeping us so informed CM

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, I'm bummed I had to cancel my trip. :(

      Delete
  2. Thank you for all the photos. It's been great watching the project reach it's conclusion. I hope they make a stack of cash for the charity =0)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They did! I heard from PR company almost $1.8 million!! Wowzers!!!

      Delete
  3. Comprehensive as usual! Thanks for finding and sharing both copy (and what wonderful copy it is) and photographs with us all. I imagine them not raking in loads and loads of money for the children's charity.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The copy is the press release from bluPRint not me, I fixed some typos in credits, but their press releases on the event have been great. I'll post them as I get them. I'm assuming there will be post event info coming.

      Delete
  4. Thanks for diving us the such extensive details. I hope they are able to raise a lot for the Children's Hospital. These are simply amazing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey that was your chair right, in the Modern House 1 by Natasha Baradaran and Waldo Fernandez?

      Delete
  5. Modern MC said they raised 1.7 million. Wow! CM

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yup almost $1.8 million, that is a lot of moolah!

      Delete

Leave a message after the... BEEEEEEEEEP.