In the BOH series What I Love, we’re asking designers to build us a mood board of what’s inspiring them right now.
Tamara Kaye-Honey is filled with hope. After the devastation of the wildfires in her adopted hometown of Los Angeles this January—followed by months dedicated to local relief efforts—she and her diverse team at House of Honey, the two-decade-old, all-female creative collective with studios in South Pasadena, Montecito and Brooklyn, are looking ahead. On the horizon: new designs that are rooted in the city’s rich, painted-desert palette and rise from the ashes like all the native flowers now perfuming the air.
“The arrival of abundant blooms has us dreaming of warm and playful spaces that wrap around us like a cozy hug,” says Kaye-Honey. “I’m obsessed with the hummingbird sage in our garden for its beautiful bold pink hue and yummy aroma—the birds and the bees love it too.”
The flora that crops up in her flat lay is just as enchanting: Ribboned lemons bob across a latticed wallpaper; a mural of majestic trees provides camouflage for forest nymphs; and spiky cactus blossoms printed on linen bring the spirit of Bauhaus all the way to Venice Beach. Prowling this lush landscape, an ambush of velvet Tibetan tigers meets deep red field marble, earthy hand-knotted wool rugs, tinted amber and teal glass, striped cement tile, aged brass, and even a vintage candlestick. Eclectic yet compatible, it’s an assortment alive with possibility.
“My mood post-fires is one of passionate optimism,” says Kaye-Honey. “This mood board represents a future of simple pleasures and effortless joy, which makes me smile.” Below, she offers details about the materials inspiring and delighting her today.
1. PLAIN-RIBBED HAND-KNOTTED WOOL RUG IN PICKLE BY MARC PHILLIPS
“The rich, earthy tone and soft hand of this ribbed carpet ground a room in beauty and texture.”
2. CUSTOM CABINET FURROW PULL IN HONED PEACH ONYX BY JASON KOHARIK STUDIO
“These stunning, hand-cut, scalloped pulls are the perfect union of function and playful elegance.”
3. POLISHED AMARENA FIELD MARBLE BY SOLID NATURE
“Because … color is queen.”
4. BLEACHED WALNUT FLOORING BY BABA ANTIQUE WOODEN FLOORS
“Walnut flooring is an investment that will stand the test of time. These floors will be around to tell stories.”
5. LE CITRON WALLPAPER IN NATURAL BY JOHNSON HARTIG X SCHUMACHER
“Sooo fun! Like in a sunroom.”
6. EATING ROOM RED PAINT BY FARROW & BALL
“High-gloss lacquered cabinetry in the powder room for the win!”
7. TUMBLED TRAVERTINE BY TRISTONE & TILE
“Travertine is an indispensable neutral, and its versatility is a game changer. Ideal for fireplaces, accent tables, countertops—the list goes on.”
8. HANDMADE CERAMIC TILE BY FANNY SCHULTZ
“Gorgeous and unique. Each tile is like a mini work of art.”
9. JOKHANG TIGER VELVET FABRIC IN BROWN & BLACK BY JOHNSON HARTIG X SCHUMACHER
“We are dying over this collab. Fun, playful—seriously, all the notes.”
10. VINTAGE ROSENTHAL CANDLESTICK FROM 1STDIBS
“Midcentury German porcelain manufacturer Rosenthal was one of my first procurements as a young collector. I love the special layer only vintage can offer. It’s an evocative accent to balance a space.”
11. KOLDA FABRIC IN RYE BY ROSE TARLOW
“Indoor-outdoor textiles have really turned a corner, and we are in! Hand-spun, hand-dyed and handwoven, this cotton-raffia blend is so soft that we want to try it inside.”
12. INTERIOR MINERAL PAINT IN NIGHT TRAIN BY ALKEMIS
“We are in love with this paint line. The saturation is fantastic—deep hues and rich textures without any of the chemicals that can make painting such a headache.”
13. ZELLIGE TILE IN RCEEF 4 BY MOSAIC HOUSE
“We love the sheen and sparkle of zellige. The smaller size of these ceramic tiles adds a bit of sophistication.”
14. PLANTASIA WALLPAPER IN SAGE BY HOUSE OF HACKNEY
“This sagey play on a classic floral is decadent without the noise. So good.”
15. VINTAGE STUDIO ART STONEWARE FROM 1STDIBS
“Vintage sculpture is another favorite. We love pieces that had a life before we knew them.”
16. BASHO GRASSCLOTH WALLCOVERING IN CORAL BY COWTAN & TOUT
“This warm tone looks good on most.”
17. HALYARD FABRIC IN LICHEN BY MCLAURIN & PIERCY
“Another indoor-outdoor surprise: so plush, and plays well with others.”
18. PASHMINA/WOOL CARPET IN SIENNA BY ERIK LINDSTRÖM
“This hand-knotted carpeting is so soft.”
19. NAPOLI LEATHER IN WHISKEY BY EDELMAN
“This is a classic that never fails, and the patina it gets over time is amazing.”
20. DARK BRASS METAL FINISH BY WATERWORKS
“We are loving the drama of dark brass fixtures.”
21. AMBER AND BLUE GLASS BY SANTA BARBARA GLASS COMPANY
“A touch of tinted glass can be an illuminating accent. Use it to diffuse, amplify or imply natural light.”
22. TOGGLE LIGHT SWITCH IN AGED BRASS BY FORBES & LOMAX
“This switch makes it fun to turn the lights on.”
23. WEBSTER FABRIC IN RUSSET BY LEE JOFA
“Loving the rust-and-brown combo. Subtle and sexy.”
24. FÊTE IN BIRCHBARK BY ROGERS & GOFFIGON
“Wait till you feel this—so soft and absolutely beautiful, an alpaca mohair boucle fill on a wool warp. Dreaming of pillows and poufs …”
25. HAND-PAINTED TERRA COTTA TILE IN PM 04 BY EXQUISITE SURFACES
“We love supporting the artistry trades and the beauty they make. These Moorish-influenced, hand-stenciled tiles are stunning. No two are exactly the same.”
26. GREEN STRIPES CEMENT TILE BY OTTO TILES & DESIGN
“More handmade artistry—this time with a punch of green!”
27. CACTUS FLOWER PRINTED FABRIC IN WINE BY COMMUNE FOR CHRISTOPHER FARR CLOTH
“Another amazing contender in the indoor-outdoor category. This Bauhaus-influenced print is stunning, and all its cousins (other colorways) are equally amazing.”
28. DISC MOSAIC TILE IN JET MATTE BY WATERWORKS
“The matte finish on these penny tiles merges tradition with modernity.”
