So Haute!: Gary Spain

April 17, 2009

Gary Spain

I'm absolutely crazy over the work of San Francisco based design and stylist Gary Spain who was recently featured in a cover story for the March/April issue of California Home + Design magazine. In the feature, Gary used his own living room as a palette to created three different looks.

The first look is has a very clean, modern feel. It features a calming, neutral color palette that gives the room a timeless feel. The Arne Jacobsen egg chair is classic and I love that giant clock propped up against the wall.

This look is my favorite. It includes an eclectic mix of bold colors and patterns with lots of layering and varying textures to create strong visual interest. There are so many striking elements here...the black floor lamp in the corner, the contrast of the zebra rug layered on top of the black and white striped rug, the chandelier, the dilapidated neoclassical bust, the black and white damask armchair, and the gallery wall of hip art and antlers. All of these disperate elements work together to create a fun and lively room.

The final incarnation of Spain's living room has is full of global influence. The Moroccan rug, the bold striped bergere chairs and the large hanging pendant from CB2 are some of my favorite pieces in this space. I love designers who can confidently mix high and low in their interiors. California Home+ Design has a fun little behind-the-scenes look at the photoshoot on their website which you can view here and below are more of images from Spain's portfolio. I'm so happy to have discovered his work! His designs are beautiful...so full of color and I absolutely love his eye for antique and vintage pieces. He's definitely on my list of designers to watch!