my favorite five new things from dwell on design 2014

My third Dwell on Design Friday!  My first DOD, 2012, wow'd me. I was overwhelmed with all the cool things. The 2013 DOD seemed a little more lower key than 2012 for whatever reason although, I accidentally had my very own one second of fame.

 But... the 2014 DOD knocked my socks off. The exhibits and displays were impressive. And the Dwell Outdoors area was the best ever.

Having been to three now, you kinda know what to expect. I went in like a veteran, looking for something fresh and new. Here are my top five picks for new things that got my attention at the show.

dwell on design 2014 home tours west side los angeles

YAY! It is that time of year again. Dwell on Design Week in Los Angeles. Before the main Design Event next weekend at the Los Angeles Convention Center, I dropped into the Dwell on Design Home Tours, West Side Los Angeles.

I am going to go at it a little differently this time. Rather than bore you with room by perfect room of the latest and most expensive design on the West Coast, I thought I would pick out the highlights (according to me). Let's do a top five ... Shall we?

armed forces day, a truly mid-century holiday, celebrated with 1,776 flags

Armed Forces Day is traditionally the second Saturday in May. And Newport Beach has a very special way of paying tribute to our members of the military.

1,776 flags are placed on a cliff above Newport Bay to honor all branches. It is simply spectacular.

perfect (perfect) cliff may in long beach; 1954 never looked so good

Cliff May is considered the father of the post-war California Ranch home, and Long Beach, quite near where I live, has a substantial Cliff May housing tract. Just a day before its first open house, I got a little sneak peek of a really impressive Cliff May.

They had me at the front door. Awesome coordinated light turquoise retro door with a Firesticks succulent in a matching pot.

irvine terrace home sweet mid-century home

We live in a certifiable mid-century modern housing tract. However, most of the homes have been flattened, remodeled and changed so much, you wouldn't recognize the perfect mid-century roots.

Recently, due to a very clever Realtor friend of mine, I stumbled upon the original sales brochure for our development. Wanna take a peek?

mid-century modern home tour ... psst it's an eichler

Okay, okay. Just one more.

I go a little bonkers for Eichlers.

palm springs modernism week 2014: dragnet house -- the story you are about to see is true . . .

Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent.

Dragnet opening line!  This house, which was part of the Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014 Signature Home Tour in February, was built by Jack Webb, most famous for his role as Sargent Joe Friday in the 1950s radio show and the 1960s television series.

modernica and la downtown modernism: super efficient shopping

I really do enjoy trolling online, retail and flea market venues for mid-century modern collectibles. So, if I may self-proclaim — I am becoming somewhat of an aficionado. with opinions. 

Like this chair? Absolutely beautiful laser cut plywood and pretty typical of what you uncover at Modernica's Downtown Modernism spring event. 

home tour alert! eichler's in san mateo california

I may just hop up to San Mateo, California on May 3-4, 2014 for the Inside Outside Highlands Eichler Home Tour.

All my favorite things: art, decorating, landscaping and Eichlers.

palm springs modernism week 2014: royal palm court home tour is best of new home construction and mid-century modern

Back to our regularly schedule programming, although I did really enjoy the Eichler distraction. Let's jump from 1962 all the way to 2006. On the Palm Springs Modernism Week 2014 Signature Homes tour back in February, I was disappointed perusing the brochure that one of the homes included was nearly brand new. What a travesty!

Alright, alright. So I was wrong. Not the first time.