Kishani Perera is a talented LA based designer that I recently had the pleasure of meeting thanks to an introduction by a mutual friend. I had been a long time fan of hers ever since seeing the homes she designed for model/actress Molly Sims which have been some of her most buzzed about projects.
You’ve probably seen this photo of Molly’s Soho apartment which was featured in a 10 page spread in InStyle Home’s Fall/Winter ’07 issue. It’s been published in a few other publications as well and has also made the rounds on the blogosphere.
This insanely beautiful apartment is filled with soothing grey tones and gorgeous antiques that Kishani & Molly picked up at the Paris flea markets. I think there’s really something special about this space. It’s one of my favorite examples of work by any interior designer ever and has a timeless, almost iconic quality that I think future generations of decorators will reference for inspiration.
Above are a couple of photos from the other home Kishani designed for Molly Sims in the Hollywood Hills which was also published in a number of magazines and was featured on MTV Cribs and Access Hollywood. Kishani’s design style is sophisticated and eclectic and her approach is centered on creating spaces that truly reflect the personality and lifestyle of her clients.
Whether she’s designing a modern or traditional space, the result is always fun and fresh…and there’s always something interesting and unexpected thrown in to mix things up. I admire her ability to fuse together a variety of styles and periods in her work. I’m also drawn to the variety of ethnic influences that often permeate her designs.
Kishani has always had a lifelong passion for design. She was one of those kids who constantly rearranging her bedroom and experimented with paint growing up but it wasn’t until her early 20s that she realized that a career in design was her calling. She studied at UCLA’s prestigious Interior Design & Architecture program and then went on to work for a few notable LA designers before launching her own firm, Fuse ID, in 2003.
Since launching her company, Kishani’s work has been featured in such publications as InStyle, California Home & Design, Cosmopolitan, Glamour and O at Home to name a few. She was also featured in a national print and television ad campaign for American Express and now has a high profile roster of clients which includes celebrities like Christine Taylor and Kate Bosworth as well as a number of top film industry execs. In the brief interview below, Kishani shares more about her work and her inspiration. I hope you enjoy!
What’s your favorite aspect of your job as a designer?
Working with clients who are excited to learn, explore and experiment.
What’s been the most memorable moment of your career thus far?
There have been several, but I’d have to say seeing myself on an American Express commercial along with the gold card, which had mine and my company’s name on it…pretty amazing!
Design your design aesthetic in three words…
Eclectic. Inviting and interesting.
What designers past or present do you admire most?
Hands down, Tony Duquette is my favorite interior designer, past or present.
Are you working on any exciting projects right now that you can share?
I’m working on several fun projects at the moment – a great house in Bel Air, another a massive remodel in the Hollywood Hills, a great game room for another client, and a few other cool things!
What are some of your favorite places to shop for your own home?
eBay, the best one stop shop!
To see more of Kishani’s work, click here to view her portfolio on her website. And be sure to check back tomorrow to read Kishani’s top tips for decorating on a budget!
If you’re looking to plan a little getaway, I’d highly recommend packing your bags and heading South of the border for a relaxing stay at Cabo Azul, a chic luxury resort just outside of San Jose del Cabo, Mexico. When I went to Cabo in Feburary I had the pleasure of staying at Cabo Azul and it was truly one of the most beautiful resorts I’ve ever visited. Situated at the tip of the Baja Penninsula along a 12 acre stretch of white sand beachfront, Cabo Azul is a luxe oasis with beautifully landscaped grounds, stylish interior spaces and incredible views of the Sea of Cortes.
The interiors were created by renowned hospitality designer Dodd Mitchell who has designed a number of world class hotels and restaraunts including the Hollywood Roosevelt, the Thompson Beverly Hills and the restaraunts Bond Street and Dolce in Los Angeles. I typically prefer smaller boutique hotels and Cabo Azul has 332 rooms. Despite the size of the resort, it’s surprisingly quiet and has a peaceful, serene ambiance. Each of the rooms are actually 1, 2 or 3 bedroom villas. The villas are sleek and sophisticated with a light, bright and airy feeling. I love all of the dark wood accents and Spanish and Moroccan influences.
Each villa includes a fully equipped kitchen and the resort has personal chef’s on hand to prepare fresh, in-room meals if you desire.
Cabo Azul is full of amenities, one of my favorites being their gourmet market which reminded me of Citarella here in New York. The market offers gourmet selections of your typical groceries including meats, dairy, produce and packaged goods. They also have a great selection of gourmet cheeses, wine and liquor as well as your standard toiletries. If that isn’t enough, the resort also has a bakery, a deli a gelateria, an internet cafe and a great fitness center on site.
Flor de Noche and Javier’s are the two restaurants at the resort. Flor de Noche is located right on the pool deck and offers casual, open air dining under a palapa covered roof. There’s also a swim up bar. This is where I ate most nights during my trip. I loved the fresh fish tacos and other seafood concoctions.
The inside of the palapa roof at Flor de Noche is lined with this incredible pattern of
nautical ropes that cascades down a column in the center of the restaurant. Above is a photo taken at night. Javier’s offers a more formal dining experience. I didn’t eat there at all (stuck to Flor de Noche & room service) but my traveling companions did and they thought the food at Javier’s was amazing.
The pool area is probably the resort’s crowning feature. It includes several connected, multi-level infinity pools which are surrounded by cabanas, stylish chaises and chic bamboo pod lounge beds. The pools are all kept at a warm temperature so you feel as though you’re swimming in a pool of warm bathwater. It’s divine! The landscaping also features several large flaming fire scluptures which illuminate the grounds at night.
For more information on Cabo Azul, visit their website here. And in case you were interested in seeing some of my personal photos from the trip, below are a few.
The main living area. How fabulous is that Moroccan lantern?!
The view of the pool and beach from my room
I wish I was back there drinking this!
I'm happy to introduce a new weekly feature here on So Haute: Weekend Bloglovin'. Each weekend I'll be highlighting some of my favorite home-related blogs around the web. This week I bring you
Good Bones, Great Pieces, a stylish blog by mother-daughter duo Suzanne and Lauren McGrath. Suzanne is an interior designer and Emmy-award winning former style editor and television producer for Martha Stewart Living Television. Lauren is an editorial assistant at Teen Vogue. A relatively new blog on the scene, Good Bones, Great Pieces takes a fresh approach to style, offering readers everything from Suzanne's DIY decorating tips to Lauren's roundups of her favorite fashion finds. I especially love reading about their weekend excursions to antiques fairs, flea markets and consignment stores all around the New York tri-state area. Suzanne and Lauren are super cute and reading their blog makes me wish my mom lived closer! (She's in Michigan, I'm in New York.) You can check out Good Bones, Great Pieces by clicking
here. Happy reading!
Suzanne & Lauren during a recent antiquing spree along Warren Street in Hudson, NY
Mom & daughter at the New York Gift Fair
Suzanne & Lauren at the Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn
I’m still in shock over the passing of Michael Jackson who was such a worldwide pop icon. I grew up on his music and was a true fan. When his music video world premiere prime time specials would air on television, the viewing became a family occasion. I can recall spending hours on end when I was little playing his Smooth Criminal video game on Sega Genesis. We had The Making of Thriller on VHS and my sister and would watch it over and over. Off the Wall is still one of my all time favorite albums. One of my fondest MJ memories was circa 1988 when I went to his Bad World Tour concert at Joe Lewis Arena in Detroit. I was only 7 or so but can still remember the concert vividly. I can see the set and almost still hear the music. My mom who was a pretty connected lady arranged for us to go backstage and meet the King of Pop himself. The picture above was taken that that night. I can still hear him telling me & my sister that he liked our outfits. It was quite a memorable evening. Despite the controversy that surrounded Michael Jackson toward the end of his career, there’s no disputing that he was one of the most brilliant, talented, influential and iconic entertainers of our generation. His lasting legacy will be as the King of Pop and his memory will live on through his music. In tribute, I’ll be listening to this all weekend:
