» Marcia Prentice: Blogger + Photographer + Designer

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Marcia Prentice: Blogger + Photographer + Designer

A Snapshot of Favorites Brings This Photographer's LIfestyle Into Focus

ELAINE SAYS: As it is for many, Apartment Therapy is a longtime love and regular stop for online inspiration. Beautiful interiors and great product suggestions yes, often. But more importantly to me, the real homes of so many talented creative types. I love seeing the unique ways people layer their lives with interesting objects, surround themselves with beauty...nostalgia...art. It is fascinating to me, as was my breakfast with the woman behind the lens of so many of the photos that have harnessed my curiosity. MARCIA PRENTICE is fun, adventurous, free-spirited and as I got to know her over an "I Am Cozy" at a shared favorite, Cafe Gratitude, I realize that she's as charmed as she is charming. Case in point, she was cast in an HGTV reality series called, "Design School," and then tapped to design the stage for Dwell on Design [a prestigious and fun annual design event], before landing a position as contributor to Apartment Therapy. Designer, Blogger and Writer turned Photographer, she now delivers her stories, "soup to nuts". I must say that to a girl like me, that job sounds nothing short of dreamy! I've had so much fun getting to know my new friend and when you read her notes, you'll see why. She's full of amazing ideas and happy to share them...my kinda girl. Let me know if your walk in her lifestyle footprint leads you to anything new for your own list! xx -e

A Note From Marcia...

How do I know so much about Los Angeles and the design scene here? I have been a contributor to Apartment Therapy for the last 2 1/2 years and have had the opportunity to get an inside look into the best design stores and better yet an intimate introduction to the most creative people driving local and national trends. I have personally toured favorite designer Rachel Pally's home in Los Feliz, sat down with Ray Azoulay of Obsolete to talk about his travels to Europe, and have photographed over 40 stylish homes from Echo Park to Venice. I love to unlock Los Angeles' secrets and the city continues to reveal itself to me over time. Marcia Prentice

Marcia's Online Finds:

The Design Hotels Book SHOPI recently got back from a 10 day vacation in Rome. I stayed at a 18th century aristocratic palace converted into a boutique designer hotel with a velvet swing hanging from a black chandelier in the lobby. At the front desk of my hotel, The Design Hotels book was displayed and I couldn't stop looking at it. It is an almost 500-page book of the best designer hotels in the entire world. Because of course now I have the itch to explore more countries, I HAD to have this book at any cost. I am kinda embarrassed to say that some nights I stayed in a little longer to look at the book instead of exploring all Rome has to offer. Don't judge me until you buy this book for yourself! It is a must-have for anyone who loves to travel in style and is looking for the boutique hotel experience. www.designhotels.com
Beatrice Valenzuela Shoes SHOPI first met Beatrice through a friend and got to spend some time with her in her home. What a talented lady - fashionable mother, hair stylist, and shoe designer. I immediately took notice of the shoe collection by the front door; relaxed, but stylish shoes that could be worn at home, out shopping, or out to lunch with a friend. Beatrice takes inspiration from growing up in Mexico City and puts everything into the design of her shoes. I am definitely a heels girl hands down, but if I have fallen in love with these shoes it speaks volumes just how special they are. www.beatricevalenzuela.com
Scout Regalia Table Set SHOPI love Los Angeles because you can dine outside year round. That being said, I am waiting to live in a home with an outdoor space so I can purchase the Scout Regalia outdoor table set. This looks a lot different than the picnic table we had in our backyard growing up!! A white oak hardwood with a cool blue accent - I have major envy. You can also switch out the blue color for a wide assortment of other colors to really coordinate your outdoor design. www.scoutregalia.com
Paolo Ventura Art From Obsolete SHOPIf you haven't heart of Obsolete you are in for a real treat. It is a dark, moody antique store run by Ray Azoulay. He often takes trips to Europe to discover the unknown artist, the fantastic lighting of yesterday, or interesting figurative sculptures. Now let's talk about Paolo Ventura. He was born in Milan and now lives in New York City. What I am about to tell you about his photographic work is quite unbelievable, but true... He builds elaborate mini sets (think doll house size) to create a scene that he would like to photograph. Yes, the pictures you are seeing are not of real life environments, but are actually of a scene in one of his sets that he has built. Even more unbelievable is that until Ray Azoulay discovered him, he was throwing away the sets after he got all the pictures he wanted from that particular set. www.obsoleteinc.com
Whyrhymer Lighting SHOPOk I am just going to say it, Brandon Morrison, co-founder of Whyrhymer, looks like a Ryan Gosling double. I will admit that when my friend told me how cute Brandon was I walked right over to his store, but then discovered something even more magical. Here is a guy putting all his heart and soul into every piece of furniture and light fixture and it is the craftsmanship that sells the line. On the WhyrHymer website you can find many videos showing Brandon making the furniture. The detailing, the quality of materials, and the unique designs has made WhyrHymer an almost instant hit in the Los Angeles design community. www.whyrhymer.com

Marcia's Local Faves:

Lucifer's Pizza Because I am gluten intolerant, it is really hard to enjoy pizza. For my birthday, a friend turned me on to Lucifers Pizza because they offer gluten-free options. Yum! I definitely suggest both the veggie supremo and zucha pizzas. They have locations in Los Feliz and Miracle Mile. www.luciferspizza.com
Rachel Pally Warehouse Sale I was a huge Rachel Pally fan even before I moved to Los Angeles. She is known as the jersey girl because all of her clothes are made from this fantastic jersey material, which makes them extremely comfortable, form fitting, and very sexy. I have her shirts, pants, and loads of dresses in my closet. She has her warehouse sales downtown every few months. They get me every time as I leave with at least a few new dresses. Be prepared to stay for a few hours because there is a huge selection and you have to dig through to find your size. Be sure to check out Rachel Pally's Facebook page to find out the date of the next warehouse sale. It is not to be missed! www.rachelpally.com
Simone LeBlanc SHOPJust a quick disclosure before I tell you about this amazing gift and event stylist, Simone is very high end and works with an elite clientele. That being said, she is very good at what she does and everything is extremely personalized. Simone designs the perfect setting for company events, helps busy professionals pick out the ideal gift for their significant other, and helps put together gifting packages. If you are looking for a custom and very high end service, Simone is your girl! www.simoneleblanc.com
Poke Acupuncture Not what you would expect from a typical acupuncture office, but in a good way! Meet Russell Brown, formally from the film industry and very good looking with an armful of tattoos and a beard, but also very calming and gentle. What a combination! Russell designed his acupuncture office almost completely with flea market finds including a bathroom with random family photos. It is definitely the coolest acupuncture office you will ever visit! Russell is a real professional and great at what he does, but I think clients secretly see him more often than needed because he is easy on the eyes and very sweet. www.pokeacupuncture.com
Eccola SHOPNow that I have just returned from Italy, I have fallen in love with the Italian import home store, Eccola, even more. The owners are a husband and wife team who have a house in Rome and bring back Italian classic furniture from the historic country. You can find pieces by Gio Ponti, Franco Albini, and Osvaldo Borsani. Kathleen is a former Hollywood set designer, so if you are looking for a few interior design tips she can definitely guide you in the right direction. www.eccolaimports.com