5. Mae Brunken
DESIGN / ARCH
Lucky Seven
words by Jason Dean, photos by Robert Todd Williamson
R ows of bronze-mirrored tabletops shim-
mer with radiant chic. A gargantuan,
hand-blown glass chandelier hovers over the tawny
h: To what extent is fashion an in uence on your
work?
MB: I try to keep the color palette fresh. When I see
brown ottoman near the front entrance. Amethyst
wallpaper highlighted with gilded patterns envel- a color trend on the runway, I know it will hit [in in-
ops the room. And the glow of lavender-tinted lights terior design] about a year later. So I’m very inspired
divides the world outside from the stylish environs by fashion.
of the newest jewel in the tiara of L.A.’s revitalized
h: Your style has been described as ‘classic with an
downtown area.
edge’. How do you keep that edge fresh?
Mae Brunken was describing in vivid detail her vi-
MB: I believe in mixing it up, not doing what’s ex-
sion on a recent Saturday afternoon at the site of
pected. I like to take classic elements and jar the
Seven Restaurant and Bar. There was still work to be
senses or maybe introduce a subliminal aspect. If I
done. And before the rst drink had been poured
keep evolving, the edge is always there. I don’t like
or the rst meal was served, here she was – smartly
to repeat myself.
coordinated out t and all – giving me a mental tour
of the place, which occupies the ground oor of the h: Were there any jobs you’ve had that were particu-
historic Quinby Building at the corner of Seventh larly challenging?
26 h Magazine April 2008 h-monthly.com
and Grand.
MB (laughing): Well, there’s a lot of psychology in-
Working with Owner Joseph Tahanian and creator volved in design when you’re working with any cli-
and developer Garry G, Brunken sought to take el- ent. Probably the most challenging was a Moroccan
ements of classic art deco and infuse them with a fantasy project. I had never been to Morocco, and it
Studio 54 sensibility. There’s a DJ station next to the was di cult to nd artisans who could understand
bar. Sheer curtains create separation between the how to create that environment. But now it’s ten
lounge and the dining area. The lighting design is years old, and people are still amazed by it, so it’s
ultramodern yet welcoming. become one of my most satisfying projects.
Brunken’s team includes artist Jordan Carlyle, who h: What’s your least-favorite trend in interior design
contributed an eye-catching piece of art in a light- today?
box behind the bar. Designer Laser Rosenberg was
also an integral part of the creative process. MB (laughing): It has to be HGTV. It’s just bad reality.
It’s not realistically possible to do what they say you
The restaurant, opening in April, is the rst of several can with the amount of money and time involved.
planned collaborations between Tahanian, G, and
Mae Brunken Design. The interior designer, whose h: And all this time I thought I was just an
extensive background includes set decoration for TV inept slacker! h
and lm, discussed her approach to creating a social
environment that is both alluring and enduring. To learn more about Mae Brunken Design and see
more samples of her work visit her site
h: What types of projects do you nd yourself at- www.maebrunken.com
tracted to?
For more information on Seven Restaurant and Bar
MB: Restaurants and clubs – hospitality in general visit their website at www.sevenrestaurantbar.com
– is what I’m most interested in right now. I like to
create environments; it’s like creating a set for some- styled by Rita Burns
one's night out. It’s di erent than residential proj- hair and make-up by Patricia Le
ects, where you’re creating a lifestyle.
h-monthly.com April 2008 h Magazine 27

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November
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11/20
/07 9:54:
41 PM
Photos: Robert Todd Williamson
Hair: Richard Collins
Makeup: Kayleen McAdams
Stylist: Emilie Pereira
Dress - Corey Lynn Calter
Styling Assistant: Gabe De Dios
Art Direction: Laura Ann
28 h Magazine November 2007 h-monthly.com Vintage Bracelet - Stylist’s own
DRESS - COREY LYNN CALTER
SHOES - STUART WEITZMAN
Dress - Corey Lynn Calter
TIGHTS - GIVENCHY
Necklace - Madley
NECKLACE - CHAN LUU

11. Contact: Heidi Johnson
Hijinx PR
heidi@thinkhijinx.com
323.204.7246
WEST COAST DESIGNER MAE BRUNKEN BRINGS A SLICE OF HEAVEN
TO NEW YORK DWELLING
Mae Brunken Designs Brings a Truly Inspired Vision to Life in One Manhattan Loft
New York, NY, May 14, 2008 – Los Angeles based designer Mae Brunken has been
busy on both coasts by the work done for her latest client, JS2 Communications C.E.O.
Jeff Smith. Tasked to design a loft in the Chelsea Arts District of Manhattan, Mae had
the opportunity to bring her Californian sensibilities to the seasonally moody and
spatially limited environment of New York City. But that was not the only chance Mae
jumped at.
Jeff Smith’s home in the Hollywood Hills has a very traditional East Coast aesthetic to it,
and in New York he was attracted to a more modern, minimal canvas in which to
entertain and showcase his art. The loft, it was decided, needed to be entirely white.
Mae Brunken’s previous work has been steeped in rich saturated colors, most schemes
consisting of an opposite palette to what Jeff was proposing. Mae was thrilled by the
idea of creating with such a minimal range of color. Built in 1903, the industrial loft was
formerly used to manufacture printing presses, making this the perfect place on which to
stamp her imagination. Recently revitalized by the building’s developer, the ash floors,
12’ ceilings, Shiffini glass kitchen and luxury of a balcony gave Mae a lot to work with.
The fruits of Mae’s vision are as beautifully stunning as they are warm and welcoming.
The living room, bathed in a heavenly glow by light from the floor-to-ceiling windows,
invites us into the home. This space features a Vioski sofa and tables contrasted by
1970’s Milo Baughman chairs in chrome and rich chocolate velvet. The room’s
aesthetics compliment and beautifully showcase the photography Jeff has collected on
his many travels, giving him a sense of consistency to the bi-coastal living arrangements
his company requires.
It was the bedroom that provided Mae with the most challenge on this assignment.
Unheard of in Los Angeles but not entirely uncommon in New York, the master bedroom
was small and windowless. Not only did Mae have to stick to the white theme of the
apartment, she had to manage the miracle of brightening the room. The solution was
found in the strengths of her previous experience. When a bronze metallic wallpaper
caught the designer’s eye, she decided to use it as the bedroom’s backdrop. The
resulting dark and moody background, when paired with white lacquered furniture and
the patent leather upholstered platform bed, creates a sense that all of the pieces in the
room float. A bronze-taupe curtain drapes the back wall, creating the illusion that
sunlight lies just behind.

12. The centerpiece of the home is undoubtedly the dining alcove. The wall above the cozy
banquette dazzles with white and metallic wallpaper. Simultaneously the most
energizing and friendly place in the apartment, it also features a creation that has
become a staple to Mae Brunken’s work: an innovative and stunning chandelier.
Combining the elegant purity of the rest of the apartment with the glossy buzz of the
dining alcove, the chandelier consists of crystal spheres encased by a mirror film
cylinder. Jeff, one of the first residents of the updated building, is thrilled with Mae’s work
and excited to be closer to his company’s Greenwich Village offices.
ABOUT MAE BRUNKEN
Mae Brunken is constantly evolving as an artist, as a pragmatist and as a visionary even
a decade after the inception of Mae Brunken Design, her LA based interior design firm.
Crossing hip style with dramatic flair, the interior environments created by Mae Brunken
are seductive, stylish worlds that envelope you with their bold visualization, striking
originality and harmonious cohesion.
ABOUT JEFF SMITH
Founder and C.E.O. of JS2 Communications, a bi-coastal PR and Marketing consulting
firm with offices in New York and Los Angeles, Jeff Smith’s extensive experience in
corporate branding, crisis communications and entertainment communications strategies
makes him a leading figure in the industry for helping companies achieve their corporate
goals and then solidifying their niche. He has worked with the country’s best known
consumer brands and has been a key principal in developing, launching and publicizing
exceptionally well-known and successful products.
####

13. Contact: Heidi Johnson
Hijinx PR
heidi@thinkhijinx.com
323.204.7246
MAE BRUNKEN CHOSEN TO DESIGN HIGHLY ANTICIPATED
SEVEN RESTAURANT & BAR IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES
OPENING IN FEBRUARY 2008
Mae Brunken Design Captures The Style And Energy Of Downtown Los Angeles In Joseph Tahanian
and Restaurateur Garry G’s Sexy New Restaurant, Seven, At 7th And Grand
Los Angeles, CA, January 4, 2008 — Los Angeles based Mae Brunken Design has been selected to
design the highly anticipated Seven Restaurant & Bar on the ground- oor of the historical Quinby
Building at 7th and Grand in downtown Los Angeles. Set to open in late February of 2008, Seven
Restaurant & Bar will offer a rich and moody new spot for the downtown scene to have lunch, dinner
and keep the party going in the sexy and sleek lounge with tapas and DJ’s late into the night. Mae
Brunken Design brings years of expertise in interior design to this exciting new project that takes
this emerging area of Downtown L.A. into the spotlight.
“The moment I met Mae Brunken I knew she was the designer for me,” said Joseph Tahanian,
owner of Seven. “She completely understood my concept and vision and made that vision her
own. I also love her passion for Seven, which shows in every detail of her innovative and distinctive
work. I think people will be thrilled to have a new hotspot in this exciting area of Los Angeles which
will also bring a taste of the Westside to the Downtown L.A. scene.”
Mae Brunken’s overall design concept for Seven brings together art deco with a 1970’s feel. With
14-foot ceilings, thick bronze leather ottomans, mirrored tabletops, Knoll chairs, sheer drapery, and
an extravagant hand blown glass Chandelier, Seven will embody the drama and fun of the area.
Tapping into her fashion roots and passion, Brunken chose a chocolate and amethyst color scheme
that adds to the sensual and moody atmosphere. Brunken chose emerging local L.A. artist Jordan
Caryle’s artwork for the consistent expression of joy he captures in his work that illuminates the
unexpected beauty in the plain and simple multiple images he so magni cently renders. Seven
Restaurant & Bar will offer California cuisine, outdoor seating, and a capacity of 86.
Mae Brunken started Mae Brunken Design, her interior design rm based in Los Angeles, in 1998. Cross-
ing hip style with dramatic air, the interior environments created by Mae Brunken are seductive, stylish
worlds that envelope you with their bold visualization, striking originality and harmonious cohesion.
Garry G joined forces with Joseph Tahanian to open Seven Restaurant & Bar. Tahanian owner of
the successful jewelry line Jose Gilbert brings his keen business sense and an undying attachment
to Downtown Los Angeles to Seven. Garry G’s club and restaurant experience go back to NYC and
the Hamptons with Danceteria, Bedrocks, and Spodee Ode with Tommy Pooch. In Los Angeles,
his involvement with restaurants such as Dolce led to his collaboration with Richard Heyman to
conceptualize and build such trendy restaurants as Memphis, ICandy, Chapter 8, and Eleven.
Joseph Tahanian, Garry G and Mae Brunken are working together on a myriad of new projects
that re ect their vision on new ways to approach and experience L.A. nightlife.