Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Maya Brenner: Right Here, Right Now

Maya is one of the first people I met when I moved to my neighborhood in Los Angeles eight years ago. One day she knocked on the front door, flashed her radiant smile and suddenly I was missing Manhattan a little bit less. At the time, she had a small jewelry business that she was running out of her home. 

Things have changed slightly since then. :)
(Maya Brenner, jewelry designer.)

Today, Maya's sexy, delicate jewelry is a cult favorite among the chic set and can be found in stores nationwide. (You've seen her state necklaces on every celebrity and in every magazine.) As she says, "The jewelry in my collection is personalized, feminine and fun. I like to take a trend and make it into something that will never go out of style."

Clockwise from top left: New York state necklace, Santorini necklace,
Shark Tooth necklace and Twilight necklace.  Available HERE.

Now before I continue, I want to quickly cut to the chase -- because there's a very special reason for the headline of this blog post.  

Right here, right now, and only for A Bloomsbury Life readers, Maya is offering an exclusive 25% discount off her entire website. Just enter the code "Lisa 25" at checkout. Thank you so much, Maya!


(Maya's website HERE.)

Not too long ago, Maya's home was featured in a lovely profile on the Glitter Guide and when I asked her how the shoot went, she sent me some photos. (Well-known LA designer Thomas Michna helped her reimagine the space.) Do you recognize the cross-stitch sampler behind her?
(Maya at home with my piece "On Aging", 2010. Burlap, thread.)

How about in this room?


Maya collects art from friends and family and the fact that she owns two of my pieces just thrills me to bits, I have to say. There is no better feeling than seeing something you've created bring happiness to others. 
("On the New Economy", 2010. Burlap, thread.)

Click HERE to see the full tour of Maya's home, but I can't resist showing you a few more photos. Look at this side chair upholstered in Oscar de la Renta embroidery. Isn't it so 1970's Marrakech? 

Below, Thomas recovered an antique gilt bench in a delicate brown pinstripe. Above it hangs a framed Louis Vuitton silk scarf. And the rug (also seen three photos above) was a mild-mannered beige until he cleverly overdyed it a stunning lilac.

Whenever I'm over at Maya's house, I find myself primping in her downstairs powder room more than I probably should -- but can you blame me? (Trust me, no matter what kind of a day you've had, you are camera-ready in this room.) The wallpaper was designed by Mary Kysar and is available at Walnut Wallpaper. A vibrant pattern like this is so perfect for a small space -- not being able to discern where the corners are actually makes the room feel bigger. 


I'm beginning to think coral just might be the happiest color.

(All photography of Maya's house by Sarah Yates.)

15 comments:

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

You are most fortunate in your neighbours!!
And she has marvelous taste in art!

Unknown said...

Oh, Lisa, what have you done! I'm an attentive reader of your blog, vicariously sharing your jaunts around the globe. I live in a cozy townhouse surrounded by books and paintings and pottery both vintage and contemporary (Luna Garcia, look it up if you're not familiar with local artists Curtis and Cindy Ripley's gorgeous pieces)-- thanks to you I'm now acquiring vintage suzanis and threadbare rugs at an alarming rate. And now this -- fiscal ruin looms large in my future!

Anonymous said...

Coral is Very Happy, tis true.

Listening to bbc radio 4 (Friday night comedy) while catching up with blog reading in a hotel in Madrid.

Waving from Spain.

_tg xx

noreen said...

hi lisa, your works are so lovely, funny and perfect for her house. wonderful! thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

I got a Maya Brenner necklace for my daughter, California, with a diamond in the beach city of Venice.
She loves it.
Your art pieces are so beautiful, and she's very lucky to have two of them.

Veronica Roth said...

She has some lovley needlepoint samplers in her home!Thank you for sharing:)

Heather Taylor said...

I love Maya!

Lisa Borgnes Giramonti said...

Pamela Terry: xx

Hoolia: You are too funny.


teamgloria: Your evening sounds divine!

noreen: Thank you so much!

kathy peck: I didn't know the diamond can go in different places -- how cool!

veronica roth: Thank you!

Heather Taylor: So do I! xx

Anonymous said...

I'm a friend of Mayas, too, so I think we must live in the same neighborhood.

She has a gorgeous home, and your art makes it even more so.

Acanthus and Acorn said...

Very fun house and cool jewelry! The artwork of course was fabulous! Both of these have me longing for a little therapy!

ASL said...

2 is 2...
3 is a collection :-) yes, i'm talking to you maya!
love maya's house! that wallpaper is awesome! and those necklaces are cool too - may have to represent; IOWA! thank you lisa as always for sharing and before i forget... dude! she's got some killer gams! lisa from japan

Anonymous said...

Yes, you can specify the city in any state - very cool.

shiree segerstrom said...

Great post Lisa. Loved the poetry on burlap. Hysterical. Shiree'

Olga Roth said...

Die-ing over that wallpaper!

Kate said...

I would like to know what the art that you made for Maya says. Not able to make it out; due to being partly covered. If you could let me know; it would be awesome. Thanks!

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