San Diego Designer Rebecca Robeson's Christmas Video House Tour

Jay Johnson - Irwin officially "passed" on doing this particular post. It's not that he's bah-humbug about holiday decorating, but he's very critical of being too kitsch and decorating everything. I'm just the opposite. Maybe it's my Midwestern upbringing, but I love turning a home into a magical wonderland that tells either a Christmas, Chanukkah, or Winter story. Rebecca Robeson, an interior designer in San Diego, CA, mentions in today's featured video that being in her perpetually warm and sunny part of the world requires special decorating to make it feel like a festive time of year.

But even if there's a foot of snow on the ground outside, one still can use some merry decking of the halls to make special family memories. Enjoy Rebecca's video (she shops at HomeGoods - don't we all!), and definitely check out her other holiday how-to videos for more decorating advice. (I love the way this interior designer has taken to the communication-friendly video medium; she's way ahead of the industry curve on that one!)

And speaking of a California Christmas, here's a video from sunny CA to put you into right spirit, with a rousing Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree from the artists performing in A Christmas Together.

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Active Lifestyles: Skateboard-Inspired Furniture and Architecture

The God Father Lounge Chair

Irwin Weiner ASID - Why shouldn't extreme sports like skateboarding influence the style of furniture and the way architecture informs how a home should be designed? Skate Study House is a unique collection of mid-century modern furniture, bowing to a love of California and everything to do with skateboarding.

The Comet Coffee Table

Designer Gil Le Bon Delapointe and architect Francois Perrin collaborated with others on a prototype home and community for skateboarders where everything from furniture to appliances stay out of the way of one's free access to skate up and down the walls and perform tricks on countertops and other surfaces.

Astro Clock, made from skateboard wheels and bearings

Today's featured video showcases the PAS House prototype in Malibu, CA, and Delapointe discusses the lifestyle features that are integrated into the furniture and architecture. As you know, Design2Share loves to showcase design that pushes the envelope; we think designing a home and furnishings around residents' personal needs, hobbies, and sports is a wonderful new direction.

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Design2Share Recommends - Summer Reading for Design Lovers

Irwin Weiner ASID - Whenever I'm in Los Angeles, I make it a point to visit the Hennessey + Ingalls Art & Architecture Bookstore. They have an excellent selection of books and sidelines that are outstanding, and here are some of the titles that really caught our eye while we were browsing through their tremendous stock. Click on each book cover for more information on what we think will be great summer reads; example: The Wallpaper Book by Genevieve Brunet (top photo) is a glorious full-color ode to the history, utility, craftsmanship, and artistry of wall covering, and the new artists who are expressing themselves in this decorative medium will amaze you.

Bonus

Click here to watch a video and read about Axel Vervoordt - Interiors That Respect the Old.

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"California Dreaming" Video - Residential Architect Harry Gesner

Irwin Weiner ASID - We're coming back to NYC today from a long weekend in California, and the following video perfectly captures the California Dreaming that I love so much. As a native South Africa, California coastlines are so much like my home in Cape Town, and when I discovered this video feature (beautifully produced, by the way) on architectect, environmentalist, and visionary Harry Gesner, it distilled the beautiful architecture and soaring modernism that I love in coastal home design. Beautiful windows framing outdoor seaside views. Natural wood. Fascinating house shapes that have personality and fit difficult lots like a glove. Enjoy this visit with an iconic designer. 

Bonus

Click here to read more about Cliff May, another famous California residential architect: Sunny California Ranch House Restoration Magic.

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