After what felt like an interminable wait, the September Issue of Rue Magazine finally debuted today. As exciting as this news is on its own, there is something even more insanely, can't-even-hold-it-in, exciting about this issue in particular. My sister (aka: my best friend in the entire world) was featured in it! She [Caitlin McCarthy] has a kick ass + take names interior design firm, called... CAITLIN MCCARTHY DESIGN.
I mean, Have. You. Ever. Seen someone so adorable and fabulous as this lady:
Answer: No.
So, Rue, an e-zine publication that has garnered incredible respect within the design community (ya, brush your shoulders off), decided to feature my seester's downtown Los Angeles loft. Girl is killin' it and bought herself a swanky little bachelorette pad in da heart of the city.
But in all honesty, when she first bought it, the place was.. [insert synonym for "gross" here]. It, quite strongly, offended all of my interior design sensibilities. See for yourselves:
The BEFORE photos:
"Oh hey, Mom and Dad!" (Do you see me through the reflection in that four door mirror thing? Unflattering. And also, I am not a Siamese twin...Obvi it had to go.)
This is across from the bed in the bedroom. You will soon see what I mean..
This bath was weirdly super tiny. And weirdly, super ugly?
The developer covered up a lot of amazing historical elements (the building was built in 1911) including the original penny tile floor and the brick walls, with completely shit features (ie: poop brown floors and pitiful drywall work) in order to save costs. He even installed this fake air conditioning duct for...God knows why. (The reason is unknown to me except for the fact that it wasn't aesthetics). But no matter, because my whiz kid sis had the nasty brown floors ripped up and tore the drywall off the walls where there was exposed brick in order to give it that "loft feel" and maintain the historic nature of the place.
Now, when I show you the after pictures, you're not going to even believe it's the same place. Let's just say that SURIOUS magic went into this transformation, to the point that you have really no idea.
The AFTER photos:
Here is a close up of the table that she had custom made using legs she found at Goodwill and a piece of a wooden garden trellis she found in an alley.
My mama painted the picture above the bar cart. And to her I say: Mad Kudos. The painting was inspired by the doors we saw when her and I traveled throughout Zanzibar.
SHOCK AND AWE! Am I right? Rue named her among their top 7 designers to watch in 2014. Maybe I'm biased, but I think they are THE top. #proudoldersister
There are more amazing photos and the "interview" in the article which you can find HERE.
Also, some of my favorite elements of the loft that didn't make the spread...
Another shot of the Murphy Bed in the living room...
Behind the exquisite doors shown below (the doors have earned themselves some fancy gold knockers since this photo was taken):
Is THIS:
Total "Tada" Moment! (My lovely mother also painted that picture above the headboard).
Also, Rue apparently didn't want to include the "hyper-artistic" breast painting that my sister and her friend painted themselves (I get it, it's controversial)... But I will:
IT'S ART, PEOPLE!
And, I would just about DIE for this closet/boutique store/closet. Absolute perfection.
Pretty much every girl's dream, in my opinion..
Have a look at this INSANE bathroom, now will you? The shower is tiled with beveled subway tile. I kid you not!
How rad is that photo from the movie Office Space of when they're beating up a fax machine with wooden bats in a random field?? Stick it to the man, man!
Did she "Rue the day" or what?! (In this case, that phrase will be expressed with the intention of meaning "Rule The Day" said with attitude and not it's actual definition of feeling sorry about an event.. because nothing could be further from the truth).
SOO proud of and impressed by you, sis!! Love you to the moon and BEYOND!
