Project Love Blog

Interiors

These Are My Bars!

April 4, 2013

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I have always admired how musical vocalists operate. Everyday they wake up with a God-given gift that allows them to express their feelings, excitement, heartache and gamut of emotions with their voices – a tool that most people do not possess. However, I was contemplating this idea today and started to ponder my gifts and how I employ them to communicate to the world what I need to get off my chest. When designing an interior space, wedding or party, I bring my heart and soul into the atmosphere. My inability to disconnect emotionally from a project makes me a bad businessman but a decent designer. I’m no Tom Ford but I am carving out my own space in the creative realm. I am extremely passionate about everything I invest my mind space, energy and intellect in and my mental state is always reflected in my art – one way or another. Sometimes it’s good and sometimes it’s bad. Sometimes it’s ground breaking and other times it’s life changing but it’s always a reflection of me…my voice that resonates out to my clients and then to the world.

Happy Holidays!

December 12, 2012

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Happy Holidays from Diann Valentine Living Well!

Brilliance or Imagination?

September 9, 2012

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With each new meeting with a woman who is inclined to trust me with her most precious love story or a home owner that is willing to rely on my vision for their living space – I find myself compelled to explore, probe and expand my imagination to discover a revitalized approach to the project at hand. I currently find myself in the middle of one of these quandaries. Lighting fixtures in event design are begging for resurgence – a re-discovery and a fresh perspective. Walter Hubert helped me to look at crystals in new imaginative ways when he suggested hanging strands of crystals in Toni Braxton’s reception tent, which transformed her wedding reception into a sea of diamonds. Raymond Thompson helped me to look at the transformative qualities of lighting when applied to architectural elements as he did for Gary and DeLeon Sheffield’s wedding.

Best Use of Interior Space!

December 12, 2010

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Most of my clients live in homes and estates with expansive square footage and more bedrooms than they have purposes to fulfill. Subsequently, these unoccupied rooms rapidly become a catch-all for the diverse objects in their lives. In this gorgeous Mediterranean home just outside of Los Angeles, two empty bedrooms and a jack and jill bathroom stood out like sore thumbs amongst a multitude of wares and accomplishments. My client trusted me explicitly to decode the foregone conclusions of these spaces with the only direction being to apply a color pallet of lavender. Needless to say, these opportunities do not come often but when they do I expediently rise to the occasion. Herein lies, my best use of interior space and the birth of a relaxation room…Valentine Style!

Condo Remix – Valentine Style!

October 10, 2010

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One of my favorite interior projects was the re-design of a small condo that was screaming for a transformation. My client and I shared a love of vivacious color and she allowed my imagination to scurry about as I re-interpreted the next phase of her residential life. She communicated that her Living Room/Dining Room was where she spent most of her time so the first task at hand was to …

Tip of the Week: Pain Fuels the Passion!

October 10, 2010

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So often I am asked where I find inspiration. My interpretation of love and environments stems from a vast number of life occurrences but it is always through a deep piercing within my heart. I recently discovered the masterfully accomplished artist Tim Cantor as my BFF and I strolled through boutiques and art galleries in Sausalito on a brisk Sunday afternoon. The work of Tim Cantor is overwhelmingly distinctive, compelling, and powerful. His luxuriant utilization of color is captivating to say the least. It is magical with an enchanting beauty that allows one to deeply connect with the imagery. Underneath this imagery lies a deep story that seems to capture feelings of peace, sorrow, loss, failure, triumph, tragedy and pure honesty.

Tip of the Week: First Impressions!

September 9, 2010

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The initial greeting when someone walks into your space will likely some up their thoughts of you in 30 seconds. Some spaces exude passion, others conservatism and some even leave you questioning – so exactly what do they do here? The communal areas are one of my favorite spaces to design in commercial projects for they are so much more than a waiting room with seating – therein lays my unique opportunity to drive home the interpretation of their story. This Casino Royale chandelier from Kravitz Design and Swarovski demonstrates this organizations keen eye for style and unmatched commitment to excellence.

Tip of the Week: Step to Me!

August 8, 2010

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My daughter Riann lives in a gorgeous loft apartment Downtown LA near her college campus, FIDM. Her building is owned by Kor Group and all of the communal areas are under renovation by none other than Kelly Wearstler. On a recent visit I was astounded by the newly laid marble in the main lobby. I’m sure you will agree that Carrera marble is dazzling although commonly used but it was …

Tip of the week: The Gateway to the Heart & Soul!

June 6, 2010

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I’m sure most have heard the expression – ‘the eyes are the gateway to the soul’. Well in this same vein, I believe that the eyes are the gateway to the heart and soul of a woman in love, a residence screaming for rejuvenation and ultimately the secrets that a designer uses to interpret the nucleus of any design project. The eye of this abalone lion was used to elucidate the core for a private bar in a gentleman’s home and so much more. It told the story of his resilience as a young man and now a successful business man; it reflected the image of his own father and remains a symbolism of his authority over his own destiny!

Missoni Food & Friends!

April 4, 2010

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Beautiful tables beg for beautiful flowers but rather than create the perfect tablescape or contrived centerpiece, I prefer to create design motifs that complement the overall room as well as the table. For this dinner, I chose to add oversized floral and architectural elements in front of each place setting. The Phalenopsis Orchids were beautifully bloomed and caught my eye as I perused the flower mart on Saturday morning so they became my choice for the night. The eclectic mix of elements was unpredictable yet fascinatingly pleasing to the eye.

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