designer's notebook - from founder Anki Spets

"Can I see it in white?" Absolutely. White remains the most requested neutral by interior designers. It’s also a staple in so many of our customer households. The popularity of white in design isn't new, but what changes from decade to decade is where, how, and how much white is used in a space. Here are a few ways you...

  Gifts, however meaningful, often miss the mark. The best gifts are the ones that are useful and disappear, things we consume. We eat cookies, burn candles, wash with soap, or smear creams.   How about something that's really useful and most people are skimping on?  A new set of sheets may not be the first thing most people think of when it comes...

  We have long been fans of linen. It wears beautifully, has a natural luster, regulates temperature well, and is highly durable. But did you know linen is also the best choice for the environment? Flax plants do not require irrigation like cotton. They are sustained from rainfall in the regions in which they grow (our linen is from Lithuania). Flax...

  In a recent article for Remodelista, AREA founder and designer Anki Spets gave her insights on the European practice of sleeping partners using separate duvet covers. Much like skipping the flat sheet, this practice is starting to spread. The benefit is better sleep, as well as the opportunity to style your own side of the bed. As we went over in a previous post on the...

One of the most enjoyable and rewarding aspects of working at AREA is seeing what combinations we can come up with. I've spent many a pleasurable hour in the LA store with a customer or designer, exploring blends of colors and textures to match myriad needs. Every season we update our Inspiration Look Book with combinations Anki curates herself. See her current Inspiration picks right...