Happy New Year (yes, we checked and you can still say that until January 31st!) We’re back with a new Blik in our Homes. This time around we headed to the home of Blik’s PR and Marketing Director, Heather Koopman. We asked Heather to give us a tour of her sunny beachside home and convinced her charming kids to pose for a few pics.
“I live with my husband Michael and our two kids Sam (3 yrs) and Kate (17 mos.) We moved into the house three years ago after living in a condo in Marina del Rey. Moving from a one bedroom into a house meant we had a lot more wall space to cover. We’ve been fans of Blik since its inception (years before I started working here) and had tested out Organic, Eames Crosspatch and Fly in our old place.”
“The first Blik graphics were in Sam’s nursery (now Kate’s room.) Seeing that we live in LA, Blik was my go to option for what could safely hang over the crib. We picked Mel Lim’s Bambinis in custom colors. My thought was that they could easily work in a boy or girls room and I liked that the designs were kid-friendly, but not babyish. When Kate was born, we traded in the blue decals for pink ones. Now that she’s getting older, I’m thinking about what her next wall decals should be…”
“The painted striped walls are my favorite part of Sam’s room, but if you ask him he’d tell you the best part is the robot sheets. A friend recommended the robot and martian canvases from Oopsy Daisy and they turned out to be perfect match for his robot-themed big boy room.”
A stroll down the hall leads us to Sam and Kate’s playroom which is filled with brightly colored toys and what’s that we spy? A retired Threadless wall graphic, “The Day The Fire Brigade Went on Strike.” One of our favorites.
Downstairs leads us to the living room. Behind the couch are a series of photographs by Mickey Smith: Word Study and More Books. “We searched for months to try to find the right art for the living room. When we saw the Volume collection by Mickey Smith on 20×200 we were sold. Not only did the colors match the pillows to a T, but we loved the story behind it – an ongoing project documenting bound periodicals and professional journals in public libraries.”
Above the fireplace sits “Hannah” by LA-based photographer Alex Prager. “Michael and I went to Alex Prager’s first solo show in 2007 and it was love at first sight. We know that it’s the kind of piece that evokes a love it or hate it reaction.”
Last, but not least we take a peek into the family room and kitchen where it’s clear that kids live here. Our eyes stop on the Slim Aarons photograph “Poolside Gossip” taken at Neutra’s famous Kaufman House in Palm Springs. We immediately have leisure-envy and wish we were sitting by the pool with a cocktail in-hand.
The kids break our trance and happily show off their easel where the budding artists are learning to color and paint. Hanging above the easel on an industrial metal clip is “We Are So Good Together” by Dylan Fareed, also from 20×200.
And what we assume is an homage to living close to the beach, the family has collected sand from various beaches both far and near. Ok, now that has us wanting to slip off to the beach.
Thanks for the tour, Heather. We’ll see everyone back in March for the next Blik in our Homes.
As you probably know, Blik is based in the normally sunny and always eclectic Venice, CA. Last night was the Venice Canals Holiday Boat Parade and we thought we’d give you a little taste of the flavor of Venice during the Christmas season. We love watching and cheering the creative and crazy boats parading up and down the the canals for the holidays. It is truly Venice at its best – a mix of Venice funk, bohemia, Hollywood and the holidays all in one.
It’s the last day of Blikmas and we want to bring up an age-old issue. There’s always that one person who either has everything or doesn’t want anything. Problem solved. Blik gift certificates for everyone! (Well, technically 12 people, but that’s still impressive.)
We all know that person who seems like their head’s in the clouds or they’re a space cadet in a galaxy far, far away. Today’s gift guide will give you all the tools you’ll need to bring them down to earth or help keep them soaring!
