Jason Martin is a familiar name around here. Jo blogged about his interior design work some time ago here and here, and then he guest blogged for us in our DIY+ series of reader’s room dilemmas. Jason emailed yesterday with some photos (by photographer Edward Duarte) that had me wiping drool off my laptop and picking my jaw up off the floor. They are of his latest project where he designed almost all the furniture you see in the spaces (sofas, tables, bed) with the owner of the house who was the visionary behind the materials/architectural remodel. The view spans downtown LA to the ocean. If I had that view I would absolutely never leave the house. Nor would I be able to get my arse off that incredible loungey sectional.

And might I add that Jason is included in House Beautiful magazine’s “Next Wave” list of the 20 designers to watch in 2010, which you can check out in their Dec/Jan issue. Way to go Jason!!!

Rylie wrote us the other day with a dilemma and I thought I’d post it here to see if anyone has some brilliant ideas to help her with her space. “I would like to ask you if there’s any chance that you might chance upon some wonderful ideas for rooms that are narrow. Its because my bedroom is kind of narrow and long, and I have no idea what to do about it. I mean I can hardly move stuff around without blocking the way. I’ve attached some photos of my room, pardon the mess! I’ve tried moving some things before but it always looks so… cluttered to me, so space-less!”

I TOTALLY know what she’s going though, as my house is 12′ wide and the second bedroom is 7′ wide. I have to run off to do some errands so I’ll give my quick opinion and leave it to the rest of you to hopefully help her out.

I like the bed at the far end. I’d leave it there, and hang draperies all around that end of the room from floor to ceiling (even huge painters canvas tarps from Home Depot, and you can try dying them). That will give it a cocoon type feeling. I’d put the white Expedit shelving unit where the desk is to separate the sleeping area from the rest of the space. Then leave the dressers where they are and put the desk opposite them or vice versa. I think you need alot of storage bins and baskets (particularly to store all the items in the black shelving) so you can keep less of your stuff visible. And if you’re allowed, paint the front part of the room something bold. 🙂

It takes a special kind of person to come up with the idea of a moat (2 actually) and a bridge in a loft. That special kind of person in this case is David Ling, an architect. He converted a former dental factory in NYC into his own work/live space, with a moat and bridge separating his office and living space, and another moat separating the living space from the bedroom mezzanine. Now that’s ingenius, and breathtaking.

I was perusing the internet yesterday looking for blog material when I happened upon the portfolio of Sally Conran, a London based stylist and art director specialising in interiors, still-life, food and lifestyle. Sally’s training in interior architecture gives her an understanding of space and composition. Her work completely blew me away – each space so beautifully styled I found myself inspecting every inch of detail so I didn’t miss a thing.

Last year Dan Davis introduced us to his new interior design firm, after having left given up his career in advertising. Two and a half years later they are now a staff of 5 and are currently working on 14 projects,  ranging from large commercial projects to intimate tablescapes. Such creativity and quirky touches. Thanks Dan for sharing with us again!