Benjamin Dhong & HB

While we were pouring cement (my glamorous life) I received a wonderful surprise in my inbox . 

Last April, I did a teeny little post that featured Benjamin Dhong's work (and my fascination with faux boix - I forgot about the post, but not Benjamin or that awesome faux boix wallpaper!).  

I was stunned when I received an email from Ben with the photos of his latest work featured in House Beautiful's September Color Issue.  Ben tells me that the young British man who owns this San Francisco home drives an Aston Marten, and wears Bespoke suits.

Listen, most of the time I'm pretty sure I'm fully dressed, drive an "M" - that'd be a GMC with a couple letters missing, and my accent hails from 'da nort'.

That being said, I love Ben's designs!  He gets to know his clients (The client thought he wanted "uber-uber modern").  He uses lots of neutrals (Have you ever tried to "mix" tan, beige, and taupe - It's impossible, unless you happen to have Ben's mad talent!).  He throws in a dash of fun (Did you notice the plate above?).

Ben also isn't afraid to make something:  the rug in the dining room (above) was  pieced together to form the large diagonal pattern.

Ben uses items that "the rest of us" can source:  "I love contrasts - nothing brings me more joy than mixing old, new, high and low pieces."

 

The rug in the family room above is from West Elm .  West Elm, people! 

The Saarinen table is classic (You can find Saarinen style tables on Ebay!) and the mix of seating is perfection (You could do that!).  The art above the sofa is a William Curtis Wolf photo has me itching to try this photo enlarging DIY.  (Anyone else want that little brass table and basket?!)

This Cole & Son wallpaper sings when paired with shiny accessories:  like the awesome mirror and the "helmut head" lamp...  This is a case when "Helmut Head" is a really good thing!   And be still my faux bois heart, get me a Bayer, that Oly table!

Hello?  Are you still there?  I've taken the Bayer and dashed off to my sumptuous banquette.  Is there really a woman out there who has not fantasized about a British accent, an Aston Marten (maybe a Jaguar) and a living room like this?

Well, Anita liked the living room mirrors and asked where to find them on the HB Start a Conversation page and guess what?  Ben responded that you can find the mirrors in downtown Los Angeles on La Cienega. 

Which brings me to my final point:  Ben is nice.  Maybe he has people to respond to internet queries...(I do so want people, where are my people?).

People or no, I think it's obvious that Ben cares about his art.  He cares about how it affects his clients and how it affects those of us who buy the magazine.   He takes his work seriously and yet it's clearly fun for him to create these amazing spaces.  (You must see the Chinoiserie bed in the guest room!)

Thank goodness there's someone out there being kind to those Aston-Marten-driving British men.  (And the rest of us, too!)  Thank you Ben! 

You can read the HB interview here.

Cheers to you!