Live By Your Own Design

The Villa of San Juan Capistrano

As most of you are aware, I have been in the midst of planning my daughter, Cali’s wedding for several months now and we are coming into the home stretch.  We are quickly approaching her wedding date, May 25^th and it is sure to be a beautiful event.  Her venue is The Villa of San Juan Capistrano and the caterer I am working with is Lisa Wagoner.  The Villa is such a beautiful setting and Lisa and her staff have been such a joy to work with, I wanted to share a bit of their history with you. 

Lisa Wagoner has spent her entire career in the restaurant industry.  She worked at the Surf and Sand Hotel at Splashes restaurant in Laguna Beach for over six years.  When she was 24 years old, Lisa’s ambition came to a peak and fulfilled a life-long dream of opening her own restaurant the Ramos House Café with co-founder, John Humphreys in the historic district of San Juan Capistrano.  Lisa was involved in all aspects of the operation from 1991 to 1998.  The Ramos House Café received many accolades during her tenure, including Best Restaurant in Orange County.

Lisa sold her interest in the Ramos House Café to partner, John Humphreys in order to start a family.  After a 4 year break from the restaurant industry to raise a family, she decided to open a dinner house so she could spend time during the day with her son and daughter. 

Lisa opened Iva Lee’s with her husband, Eric Wagoner and named the restaurant in her grandmother’s honor.  Lisa came from a long line of Southern women who traditionally passed down their recipes for generations.  Unlike most Californians, Lisa was raised on southern dishes such a grits, gumbo, frog’s legs, okra, sweet potatoes, biscuits and pecan pie.  She infused her love for hospitality and her grandmother in a dynamic business venture that is Iva Lee’s Restaurant and Catering Services. 

In 2008, John Humphreys purchased the Villa of San Juan Capistrano.  The Villa, a 10,000 sf complex of three buildings has a colorful history.  The original structure, a 2,500 square foot board and batten residence, was built in 1918 to house itinerant farm workers.  John renovated the Villa into a first class wedding facility with treasures from Italy.

 In 2010, Lisa and John joined forces again and are working in collaboration at the Villa of San Juan Capistrano.  Imagine, entering through the rustic gates, walking past the welcoming faces of antique Peruvian statues and being served a refreshing cocktail by friendly staff.  As romantic music plays softly throughout the courtyard, your guests are seated for a wedding ceremony, the glowing sun sets in the distance, “Smart lighting” warms the courtyard, gas lanterns are burning and as vows are exchanged the church bells are ringing in the backyard.  This one stop destination for your special day includes exclusive use of the Villa Courtyard, chapel, brides rooms, grooms quarters and valet parking  Dance the night away as memories of a lifetime are created with your special day. 

If you’re looking for unique, you can find it at The Village San Juan Capistrano.

You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on expensive fine art to adorn your walls.  Sometimes artwork can be created from ordinary objects, found items or even architectural elements. 

A wall of mirrors of different sizes, different shapes with a variety of moldings can create a great impact art wall or I’m sure you’ve seen walls adorned with empty frames of different sizes, shapes and profiles, or plates of different sizes, colors and patterns just to name a few. 

Found items such as large mechanical gears, antique keys can be hung to create some interest.

Unusual items can be framed as well such as old album covers, wall paper cuttings, fabric samples, favorite art pieces from your children, and the list goes on. 

Enjoy some of the photos below to inspire the artistic side of you.  Have fun and be creative!

After a brief departure from Donghia, Leslie Mack has returned.  Everyone at Colours wishes her a huge welcome back greeting.  She was sorely missed!

Donghia has two new lines they are carrying so if you are in the neighborhood drop by to say hello to Leslie and visit their showroom located at 231 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 160. 

Last Fall, Donghia Inc. began distribution of Hinson and its related brands on a world-wide basis, starting in the United States.  Regarded for its extensive textile, wallcovering, and lighting collections, Mr. Harry Hinson, the legendary founder, continues to be a well-respected and beloved leader in the design industry as well a leading force behind the brand’s internal affairs. Beginning now in all national showrooms, Donghia will carry Hinson textiles and wallcoverings, lighting, as well as Mrs. MacDougal accessories.  New collections are slated to be introduced gradually to the Donghia Showroom network.  Currently the Las Vegas showroom has limited sampling, but all Hinson product sampling is available through our warehouse.

Hinson & Company was founded by Harry Hinson in 1972. Hinson & Company is a premier resource for fine hand-screened wallpapers and fabrics, woven fabrics, and Mrs. MacDougall for fine furniture and decorative accessories. It is a leading design resource for residential and contract lighting.  Its design influence is deeply rooted in distinctively American style and heritage that is timeless. The fabric collection is famous for its depth in chenilles and textures, in a primarily neutral palette.

Since the acquisition of Hansen Lamps 16 years ago, Hinson Lighting has expanded into a wide array of wall, ceiling and table lamps, as well as a remarkable collection of indoor/outdoor lighting. 

The Donghia Las Vegas Showroom also began representing David Goldberg Design, hand crafted wallcoverings of the utmost design.  The varied collection has grown to encompass richly tinted frescos, perforated, etched and hand rubbed finishes, innovative  textures with plaster, glass, sand, fiber, metal and sculpted surfaces utilizing modern resources such as acrylic mediums and vinyl.  This collection of genuinely hand-made products have been included in some of the finest residential, commercial, and hospitality interiors.   The website, http://www.davidgoldbergdesign.com is full of installation photos and inspiration for any interior design project.

My mother, Wanda, celebrates her 90^th birthday this week and I want to share with everyone what a wonderful mother she is, a loving grammy to my kids, and a caring friend to SO many.  I can’t even begin to count the number of hugs and kisses we’ve shared, and the joy and laughter she has brought into our lives.  How many jars of Pomegranite jelly she has made and how many birthday cakes she has baked. 

She was married 17 years before having me and only me.  During World War II, she WAS Rosie the riveter until Dad found out!  She was an Executive Assistant for the VP at Capitol and RCA in Hollywood back when women were merely thought of as “secretaries”.  Education was and is everything to her and she made certain it came first in all things.  She never misses anyone’s birthday and never has because she is singly the most thoughtful woman I know. 

I love her so deeply that I find it difficult to find the words to express how much she means to me and how grateful I am for her emotional support, her caring words, her generosity and her loving ways.  Mom, I wish you the happiest 90^th birthday ever with many more to come! 

I Love You Mom

Leslie

Jim Thompson silks have been around for my entire career and a fabric line that is evolving with today’s trends.  I found Jim Thompson’s biography quite fascinating and thought you might enjoy the read as well. 

Leslie

Jim Thompson Thai Silk Company is the largest producer of hand-woven fabrics in the world today. With its own mulberry plantation, silkworm farm and over 600 weavers, it is truly unique in the industry. Using both traditional hand looms and state-of-the-art machinery Jim Thompson is able to produce a wide range of silks, cottons, blends and contract fabrics of unrivaled quality and complexity.

JIM THOMPSON  BIOGRAPHY

Nothing in James H. W. Thompson’s early life suggested that he would find fame and contentment in such an exotic setting. Born in Greenville, Delaware, in 1906, he was educated at St. Paul’s, Princeton, and later at the University of Pennsylvania. He worked as an architect in New York until the beginning of the Second World War, when he enlisted in the army.

During the war, Thompson worked with the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), and it was in this capacity that he came to Asia as part of a group scheduled to parachute into Thailand. When Japan surrendered in August 1945, he arrived in Thailand by more conventional means, just two days after the end of hostilities. The beauty and friendliness of the country and its people immediately appealed to him, and, upon receiving his discharge from the service, he decided to settle down and make it his home.

After working for a year or so on a project to restore the old Oriental Hotel, his interest turned to the commercial possibilities of Thai silk, an ancient handicraft that was fast disappearing due to competition from cheaper, machine-made fabrics.

Convinced that the beauty and quality of the material would have an appeal outside Thailand, Thompson assembled a small collection and took it to show friends in New York. There, the response was sufficiently enthusiastic for him to return to Bangkok and with a group of shareholders, start the Thai Silk Company, Ltd.

The business was by no means an overnight success. There were technical problems to overcome -the introduction of color-fast dyes, for instance -but Thompson’s confidence and commitment attracted more weavers and steadily more customers. A major turning point was the decision to use Thai silk for costumes in “The King and I”, both on the stage and in the film version. Fashion designers and interior decorators were also attracted to the shimmering fabrics. As a result, exports as well as local sales began to expand. By the 1960’s, there were over a hundred other silk companies in Thailand, giving employment to thousands of Thais and silk had become perhaps the country’s most famous single product.

At the same time, Thompson was also becoming increasingly interested in Southeast Asian art and domestic Thai architecture. These two interests were memorably combined when he built the famous residence.

In March 1967, Jim Thompson went for a holiday with friends to the Cameron Highlands, Malaysia. There, he presumably went for a walk in the surrounding jungle and never returned, leaving behind an enduring mystery.

William Warren “The Jim Thompson House”

I recently was introduced to a new furniture manufacturer by long time native Nevadan and friend Harvey (Nick) Dondero…..CEO of Theodore Alexander. 

Theodore Alexander is one of the leading manufacturers of fine furniture.  Their comprehensive collections consist of several thousand designs, providing eclectic, traditional and modern classical furniture and accessories to their clients.

Theodore Alexander has become eminent in its field – renowned as a unique brand embodying quality in design.  They believe quality is paramount and aim for excellence in every single piece.  They strive for innovative designs and create furniture to last lifetimes.

Founded in 1996 by the enigmatic Paul Maitland Smith, an industry legend who has pioneered high end furniture production throughout Asia for the past 25 years, Theodore Alexander is now one of the largest furniture manufacturers in South East Asia.

Their craftsmanship is beautiful and many of their pieces are unique and different and that is what I like about them.  Many items are readily available and in stock.  You can’t do custom, but they truly are excellent quality and exceptional craftsmanship.  

If you are interested in viewing their line of furniture, lighting and accessories, take a look at their web site www.theodorealexander.com and locate your nearest dealer.