Design Finds

BY Alexandria Abramian

March 28 - 2015 10:43 AM

One to Watch: Ashley Clarks Ban on Beige

Interior decorator Ashley Clark is one to watch on the Orange County design scene. The Salt Lake City native lives in Newport Beach with her husband and four kids, and is staking her design claim with an online shop as well as a growing roster of residential design clients. Clarks boutique, Skout, specializes in pillows and accessories made of vintage fabrics (think everything from African mud cloth to recycled denim), while her interior design work is all about creating homes that reflect her clients personalities and lifestyles. I like quirk. I dont want peoples homes to feel like a model home too perfect or no personality, says Clark, who often mixes high and low elements. Im able to incorporate some Home Depot or Ikea into a million-dollar home.

When it comes to making high functioning, high-impact spaces, Clark relies on her favorite color (white) and then plays off that canvas with strategic bursts of color, art and pattern. I love contrast, like white sofas, because pillows, art and accessories pop off them. I love dark sofas for the same reason. Her least favorite design element? Tan or beige sofas as in everything blends. Yuck!

When it comes to papering walls, Clark takes a less-is-more approach. Relying on both hip and traditional companies such as Farrow & Ball, Hygge & West, as well as Cole & Son, she prefers papering just one wall in a room or taking wallpaper to the ceiling. I love wallpaper in small spaces. It makes a bigger impact! :: shopskout.com

Spring Fling Head to Farrow & Balls new Costa Mesa showroom and access hundreds and hundreds of wall coverings from the British company. Previously only available to the trade, Farrow & Balls papers and eco-friendly paints are still made in Dorset, England, and this springs collection of modern takes on classic designs offers a subtle punch of style to any room. :: farrow-ball.com :: 714.438.2448

Hot Stuff Couture cooking? Well take a double serving. La Cornue ranges are serious artisan-manufactured stoves and ovens, now available to your specifications in size and color. Our pick for the French-made ovens? Tiffany Blue, the pinnacle of culinary chic. Available at Pirch :: thepirch.com :: 949.429.0800

Furniture Rehab Looking for a fresh take on the annual spring clean? Peinture Studios painting workshops give DIY decorators an ace resource for rehabbing furniture and bringing new life to rooms. Heres the concept: Bring in your own piece of furniture to the studio at SoCo and learn the tricks to refurnishing both heirloom and new pieces by using chalk paint which, unlike other paints, requires no sanding or priming. A great variety of colors is available, whether you want to redo grandmas dining chairs in Shabby Chic white or cant-miss salmon. Classes are $95 and are offered April 7, 12 and 18. :: peinturestudios.com :: 714.427.0668

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Design Finds