European Colonial Meets California Ease

 



photo:housebeautiful.com

Described as a mix of English, Far East and French, Interior Designer Dan Marty's style has significantly influenced my personal style.  He may very well be my favorite designer, which is quite something, considering I love so many people's work.  This first group of photos are from his apartment in Villa D'este in Los Angeles, an Italian Renaissance building built in the 1920's.  The amazing architecture doesn't hurt, but I love the casual collected look of it all.  It seems so approachable, and it feels possible to actually live a wonderful, full life in a home like this.  A few of his signatures seem to be: ginger jars, woven texture, natural linen, grain sack, wicker, red white and blue in a worn, casual, french way, union jack, black furniture, collections, antlers, the lived in look, a comfortable, easy lifestyle story.   He describes it as what "started out with a British     
Colonial feel, but I also mix in a French Indochine look."


photo:carriesdesignmusings.blogspot.com

photo:finderskeepersinc.blogspot.com

photo:finderskeepersinc.blogspot.com

photo:aliciabdesigns.blogspot.com



 

Dan Marty's Design Shop is Maison au Naturel on La Cienega Blvd. in Los Angeles. 

photo:stylebeat.blogspot.com

  A problem came up when I started looking at photos for this blog post.  I loved everything I saw.  I couldn't choose!  Dan Marty's rooms are so amazing, I truly want them for my own.  The pictures of his store are something else.  

photo:finderskeepersinc.blogspot.com

  I love the "steampunkian" collected feel, like you could make a mess, and it would still look amazing.  I also love that some of the pieces are distressed, it feels accessible that way.



photo:finderskeepersinc.blogspot.com

photo:finderskeepersinc.blogspot.com

His look is definitely on the masculine side, perhaps the men's version of "Shabby Chic"?  For all of you wives out there that I talk to, that love Restoration Hardware and Shabby Chic, and can't figure out how to get your Husbands on board, show them some pictures of Dan Marty's rooms.  You two will be in agreement in no time!

I have learned over the years that I can't successfully live in a home that can't take a little clutter.  I can appreciate the minimalist look, but find it really hard to maintain in real life.  You can imagine a jumbled pile of bills in a wicker basket on one of Dan Marty's tables, and it only adds more life to a gorgeous room!

This is a carefully curated look, however.  Everything seems to blend so well and nothing looks out of place.  His color palette is very consistent, and there is a sincerity to all of the materials he chooses.  Natural materials, and natural colors.  Even his reds, blues, and hints of yellow, are washed out and casual.  There also seems to be very little use of secondary colors: green, purple and orange.  This is where Dan Marty's minimalism lies- in his selection of color and material, everyting is incredibly timeless.  These rooms will never look outdated!

So, for anyone reading this, if you ever find yourself in my home one day, you can say, "This looks so much like one of Dan Marty's rooms.  Have you heard of him?"  That will absolutely make my day.

Do you love Dan Marty's rooms, but can't figure out how to recreate this look in your own home?  Are you ready to take the next step in creating the home of your dreams?
Visit http://www.designtheroomyoulove.com, enter your email address on the site, and I will send you free video trainings on how you can design your spaces just like professional designers do!  My How-To book coming soon!