Brown Design + Development

Tub Trends

There is a new trend in bathrooms that we have fallen prey to – modern soaking tubs.  Soaking tubs are a resurgence of traditional elements used in bathrooms throughout history.  There are so many amazing tub options that it is often hard to narrow it down to the ‘one’.

Although freestanding tubs can take up less space than a drop-in jacuzzi tub, the overall look will be compromised if you do not leave enough space around the tub.  We try to have at least 6-8” of clearance on either side.  If you have the luxury of space, float the tub in the middle of the room as a centerpiece.

For a traditional tub, the Waterworks Empire tub stands in a class by itself. 

Another favorite for a contemporary setting is the Victoria & Albert Napoli tub, which we recently used in our Valley Oak Project. 

 

The sleek lines of this Wet Style Ove tub cross the lines of contemporary and would also look great in a traditional home.

There is a nook in Ryan's bathroom that seemed limited in it's functionality, however, during the remodel, it turned out to be the perfect place for a floating tub.  The tub sits in front of a set of windows with views of the Hollywood Hills. 

 

Kitchen Surfaces

Recently, someone asked us what we recommend using in the kitchen for countertops. Although every project is unique, we do have our favorites.

Carrara Marble is at the top of our list for kitchen surfaces. In a honed finish it can look modern or traditional. 

    

    

        

Another classic, which is similar to Carrara is Calacatta Gold Marble. This elegant marble has warm green and yellow veining that mix beautifully with tile backsplashes. Both of these marbles come in slab or tile format. Ann Sacks is one of our preferred vendors for stone and they stock a variety of cut mosaic tiles in Carrara and Calacatta. 

  

     

Some people are wary of using marble in a kitchen as it has a tendency to stain. From our perspective, if staining does occur, we prefer to think of it as a patina that adds depth to the stone over time. Take a look back at the great Italian and French designs and you will notice marbles are the centerpiece of their kitchens and restaurants.

If you are still concerned about staining, there are other practical and attractive options on the market. Most recently, we have been turned on to some interesting granites, which we usually shy away from. Specifically, Black Absolute granite in a Honed or Riverwash Finish. It has a masculinity and depth of soapstone, yet is amazingly durable.  We recently used the Black Absolute Granite in the Riverwash finish at a home in the Los Feliz Oaks. 

   

For our modern projects, we also use quartz materials, usually the Caesarstone brand, in which our favorite colors are Lagos Blue, Blizzard and Cinder.

                        
         Lagos Blue                                      Blizzard                                     Cinder        

 

They look similar to natural slabs, are available in honed finishes, and are also very durable.  We used Ceasarstone in Blizzard at a home in the Hollywood Hills. 

     

Outdoor Furniture - Part II

If you already have outdoor furniture, but are looking for some designer details to pull it all together, the options are endless. 

Try adding new outdoor pillows and cushions. Retailers like West Elm and William Sonoma Home sell outdoor furniture with fun mix and match colored cushions and patterned pillows. These details will add the final touch that makes your outdoor space feel comfortable and inviting.

   

Look for interesting tables and don't be confined to 'typical' choices. A Japanese garden stool or a copper rain drum are creative, colorful and easy to move around. This one is from Williams Sonoma Home.  

Instead of your typical outdoor coffee table, try an interesting driftwood table top with a lucite base that can be used indoors or outdoors like the one we used for a Beverly HIlls home.  You can also look for an iron base with a stone top.  Mecox Gardens has beautiful options.  

  

Outdoor rugs are a great new trend.  A new selection of designs and materials are now available at most large retailers.  These are from Pottery Barn and are really affordable.  

   

  

If you are in need of outdoor lighting, be on the look-out for options other than the typical tiki torch.  There are stone and glass torch options that add more class to any space.  

  

You can also opt for simple outdoor lanterns when the party continues after sunset.  These can be purchased at any large retailer such as Williams Sonoma Home or Restoration Hardware.  

  

Outdoor Furniture - Part I

Summer is fast approaching and it's time to get your home ready for outdoor dining and entertaining. Try these simple tips and tricks to revitalize your space.

Don’t feel restricted to the typical 6 person dining table for your area to be functional.  Steer clear from ‘sets’ of outdoor furniture.  Any space looks much more interesting when you mix and match. There are now several options in outdoor furniture including sofas, sectionals, and lounge chairs.  Guests will be more than happy to sit down to eat in a casual environment and even more relaxed after dinner is over. 

In a Hollywood Hills home, we added vintage iron chairs with fun outdoor fabric to liven up the space.

At a Beverly Hills residence, we had a larger outdoor space and were able to create multiple conversation areas.  This included a dining table as well as a few seating areas. 

   

         

Beautiful options are available in the designer outdoor furniture lines.  One of our favorite stores, Janus Et Cie is known for their unusual selections. 

 

Think of your outdoor space as an extension of your home and decorate it as such.  The nicer it is, the more likely you are to utilize it.  Great options are available at different price points.  If you are designing on a budget, try Restoration Hardware or Williams Sonoma Home for functional, yet stylish pieces.

 

    

              

        

Brown Design & Development Blog Launches

Brown Design & Development is pleased and excited to announce the launch of our blog!  We will bring you everything from updates on our projects, decorating tips and tricks, design trends, our must-haves of the moment, and any great product finds.

     

Brown Design is a full scale interior design firm located in Los Angeles, California. Ryan and Joshua Brown, the principals of Brown Design, are brothers, interior designers and residential developers who share a passion for creating stylish, organic and contemporary spaces that are truly stunning. Utilizing a mixture of modern and primitive interior design components against simple clean lines, Ryan and Joshua capture twenty-first century California living in a way that rejuvenates, inspires and encompasses the essence of living well.

 

The expertise of the Brown brothers is not limited to interiors.  They also engage in full-scale residential development as well as the restoration and refurbishing of homes in the Los Angeles area and beyond.  Ryan also stars on Bravo’s hit television show “Flipping Out” alongside Jeff Lewis.  The show features the duo's successes in buying multi-million dollar homes, restoring them, and then flipping them for a profit. 

                    

Ryan and Joshua have dedicated themselves to creating spaces that reflect the people who inhabit them - sanctuaries where they can feel at peace. They use architecture and design elements to create an energy that rejuvenates and inspires.