my house is cozy....

Blanc et Gris

I should say "our house" I have a bad habit of calling it mine.  My husband is a fisherman and has his boat to do to it what he likes so he lets me pretty much make the decisions for the interiors of the house, as well as the garden.  All, still a work in progress.  But I do love to add a bit here and there as our budget allows.  You might have seen the trunk and grain sack pillow in the article that I wrote about the Remnants of the Past.  In our house its all about what my neighbor and friend, Connie calls "cozy".  I'll take that complement!

Lisa's House

Lisa and I have been working on her house and we just had the table delivered and the light fixture in the breakfast nook installed.  This is also where we intended the weathered urn that we found at Remnants of the Past to be placed.  Several white hydrangeas will should top it off.



The settee and pillows she purchased from my studio.

a great find on the coast of California

On my travels up and down our coast I come across some wonderful places.  One that I found several trips past but took some time to peruse through, this last time there, is Village Consignments in Solana Beach.  The merchandise moves fast through this shop so if you see something that's perfect for your home grab it!

There were a pair of these!  They need a different shade but they're fantastic pieces!

 

my favorite things

My girls were in town this week assisting me with updating the shop!  We had a productive and delightful time displaying my favorite things............................
My Shop Girls, Lauren and Ella.  Life is grand!
Indoor Outdoor Pillows
We got our shipment of draperies from Cote Bastide!

at market

A client of mine, Lisa, and I took a day to look for some "things old" for her home and mine.  This piece is one I suggested she purchase for her new dining table, which is yet to arrive, but this gorgeous urn will look setting atop it.

 
These shutters could be fantastic set on a barn door track for my bath entrance!
 



A new coffee table for my tiny house?
 

Lots and lots of goodies....

 
some of our purchases
 
 

The beach tract home before and after design and construction

 
 
The beach tract construction was completed weeks ago but I have finally had the time to post the photos I took then.  More photos of the complete project with the furniture will be posted shortly.
 
When I was hired to design the interiors of this home we were only looking to update the flooring, doors and windows, as well as, remodel the main bath room to meet the needs of the client's requirement of the house to allow them to age in place.  As you'll see I redesigned the shower to allow them ease of access if they require a wheel chair, as the husband had once after a recent stay in the hospital.  But as demolition progressed the client made the decision to update the entire house.
 
The home is a ranch, which is one story, no need to ever climb steps again as they did in their last home.  The home was built with mid century modern details, which is very on trend at the moment but the client's furniture is a wonderful collection of family heirlooms that all have a very traditional quality.  So, what I did is develop a design concept which brought the interiors into an updated and fresh traditional inspired design.
 
BEFORE 


 
We all loved the cabinets but they were not well made and the style didn't fit that of the new home owner.  The vinyl flooring was in good shape, but yikes,  I would only keep it if forced to by the budget. 
The view from the kitchen to the laundry mudroom to the back bath.
We had to widen the doorways including this one to allow for wheel chair accessibility.
The light fixture is wonderfully mid century but I prefer sconces at eye level on each side of a mirror because it is more flattering to ones reflection.

AFTER
Open shelving for the client's collectibles.
 
Knee space under the sink for wheel chair accessibility.
The mudroom to the back bathroom.
Our clients are thrilled with their new home!

Artist studio

I'm travelling on the train heading down the coast and finally have time to share a few recent photos.  This series is from a clients and although I'm helping her with other spaces in the house this one she's done herself I simple helped her with the paint. 

We used a bright coral pink in segments behind her storage creating a feminine and fresh place where she can be still.

She has great style to her painting.  I'm trying to talk her into selling them out of my studio.

More on the beach tract project.....

The fossil stone has been added for the counter tops.  It's a gorgeous lime stone.  Yes, the client is comfortable with a soft stone on the counter top.  We'll seal it to protect the pores surface.  The Europeans use this type of stone or a marble in their kitchens all the time, the patina is gorgeous with use.  Don't be afraid of it! I've used it in two of my kitchens and plan on using it again in our current kitchen, when we are able to renovate it.
Doors have been installed on the cabinets.  The splash of slate, limestone and glass mosaic tiles bring in a touch of color of aquas, teals, turquoise and a variation of grey tones.  The Jenn Air counter top range has a self filtering down draft system.

Our work in progress in the beach tract....

The island is cherry finished by Miguel his work is perfection!   
I've integrated bead board at the knee space of the island and behind the cantilevered shelves flanking the window and stainless farm house sink.


Our attention to detail is noted here.

Working with Fredrick and Kevin has been the best thing I have done in my professional career.  Our collaboration has proven to be a great blend of creativity, and professionalism.  The three of us have a clear direction of what is important on a project, making a home which reflects the clients sense of style and comfort.