Musical (Rattan) Chairs

Every time I see a casual table with rattan chairs, I die.

This table at the Ralph Lauren Home Store in Palo Alto is an example.

I love the organic feel that these chairs lend to the dining table.

They remind me of the rattan chairs in Whitney Fairchild's Hampton's home as seen in the 2004 Home and Garden magazine.

Two years ago, I traded my French style chairs for Kubu Wicker from World Market for our casual dining area.  I loved how they gave the whole area a totally different, casual feel.

What I don't like is how far they stick out in the room because of the arms.

You can't tuck them under the table at all.

So when I discovered the Jayden Rattan chairs, also from World Market, I thought how nice that they tuck in. 

 Plus, they recently went on sale.   $159.98 for a pair!

Which beats the price of the Delaney Rattan chairs at Pottery Barn, also on sale for $179.00, but for just one.

With a place for my Kubu Wicker in mind, I went ahead and ordered the Jayden Chairs, and I couldn't be happier!

What's nice is the cushions I made for the Kubu wicker chairs also fit these chairs. 

I actually like the green ticking fabric with the darker rattan better.

It looks richer, don't you think?

You really can't beat the price for these chairs.

They are well made and super comfortable.

I have a feeling they aren't going to last long though.

Knowing World Market, they are probably phasing them out.

I'm so glad I bought them in time!

The only thing I hadn't considered though is the wicker shades on the buffet lamps, although they are easily changed out.

Is there such a thing as too much wicker/rattan?

Framing Art On A Budget

 One of my favorite dealers at the Alameda Antiques Fair sells vintage prints of every subject you can imagine.  He guarantees their authenticity and age, plus most prints are reasonably priced.

I found some great botanicals and this large, colorful bird print at the last show.

The idea was to frame them reasonably with pre-sized frames from our local frame shop.

If only they were standard frame sizes...

Unfortunately, I had to trim the edge to fit.

The important wording is still visible though.

I ended up framing the birds in this simple silver wood frame, which doesn't compete with the colors.

Both the frame and the print cost around $80.  That's a lot of bang for the buck!

And it's guaranteed to be 75 years old!

It will look fantastic in Ashley's apartment.

The same frame, only smaller is perfect for this vintage Coit Tower print.

This will also go in Ashley's apartment.

 I'm always looking for grape botanicals for Asti and was lucky to find three.

Because they were odd sizes, I matted them to fit into three rustic frames, uniting them.

These 50 year old botanicals cost only $10 each!

The mats were $2 each and the frames $20.

They will be perfect in a vacation rental project that I've been slowly furnishing.

Oooops, that's supposed to be a secret...!

 This German deer print is over 150 years old!

A black mat and a burl frame give it some serious presence for under $100.

It is also part of my project and hopefully will compliment the playful "antler light sculpture thingy" that I bought at the show.

Stay tuned for more information and project reveal.

Retail Therapy On Sacramento Street

Last week, I spent an afternoon on Sacramento Street for some girlfriend time and retail therapy.

It has been years since I shopped this San Francisco district.  In fact, my friend and I were remembering that Shabby Chic was the favorite store back then.  

Now it's Hudson Grace and Anthem, two lovely home decor stores, packed full of eye candy!

Hudson Grace is the new kid on the block, having just opened late 2012.

While not a huge store, its merchandise is carefully selected and beautifully displayed.

Partners Monelle Totah and Gary McNatton share a vision of simple, clean and neutral decor.
They believe there is longevity in simplicity and sell items that make a house a home.

I love how they displayed Cire Trudon candles under a cloche.  When the cloche is lifted, you can smell the candle's scent.

Hudson Grace has a nice selection of vintage hotel silver.

There is a huge table in the middle of the store with stacks of design books.

We each bought Rooms to Inspire by the Sea, by Annie Kelly.
I highly recommend it!

Down the street is Anthem, a home decor and furnishings store.
I could have stayed here all day, there is so much to take in!

There is so much to see here.  In the back corner of the store there is a beautiful kitchen.

I love the marble, stainless sink and the cabinet hardware.  

This one of a kind table had my heart skipping a beat.

I could just imagine it in Asti!

The price tag however was way over my budget!

We ended up walking out with our pocketbooks still intact, but also with lots of ideas.

There's nothing like shopping to work up an appetite!

Having a late lunch at the quintessential San Francisco restaurant, Garibaldi's was the perfect way to end our day.

For more information on San Francisco's Sacramento Street, visit their website here for a list of shops, antique stores, boutiques and restaurants.

Stargazing In Style

Ever since time began, man has looked up in wonder at the night sky with awe and curiosity, even questioning the what and why of our existence!

Sunset in Asti, California

During the summers in Asti, we love the thrill of stargazing late into the night, seeing who is the first to see a shooting star (always Mr. A!) and talk philosophy.

First, we build a fire, but eventually let it burn out if we are to do some serious stargazing.

To stargaze in style, one needs to be bundled up and either laying on a blanket on the grass or prone on a chaise lounge chair.

North Star, Asti, California

We watch for shooting stars and try to name the constellations.  

 Everyone knows the Big Dipper, but what is that yellowish twinkling star on the horizon that appears every night?  And where is the Little Dipper?  The Milky Way?

There's an app for that!
There are lots of apps for stargazing actually for both iPhones and Droids, and many of them are free.

There are so many to choose from.

I have "Star Map" on my phone, and this is what it looks like, pointed toward the sky.

It's very user friendly and it works even in daylight and also when you look down, through the earth to the stars on the other side of the planet!

Starting this weekend, through March 24th, the comet Panstarrs can be seen at its best.

On the evening of March 12th, Panstarrs can be seen just 4 degrees to the right of the thin crescent moon.
Get out your binoculars for this one and look west after sunset.

Photo by David Kingham, August 12, 2012, Snowy Range, Wyoming

I'm looking forward to the annual Perseid Meteor shower on August 12th.
Last year, during the Perseids, the moon was in the sky, making it hard to see.
This year, it should be easier with the moon being a couple days before the first quarter and setting earlier in the evening, leaving complete darkness for our viewing pleasure.
These meteors are so thrilling when they leave a large vapor trail across the sky, surely to evoke gasps from everyone gazing to the heavens!


Mark these events on your calendar.
2013 is going to be a great year for stargazing!


Just look up!

"Though my soul may set in darkness,
it will rise in perfect light.
I have loved the stars to fondly
to be fearful of the night."
~Sarah Williams
The Old Astronomer

A Fisherman's Dinner Tablescape

After several months of being a fishing widow, I'm happy to say that fishing season is coming to an end.

To celebrate, I created a table setting for a fisherman's dinner for Mr. A and his fishing buddies.

A lovely woodland river stream with ferns and wildlife was the inspiration for the centerpiece.

Leaving the Norfolk Pine tree on the table since Christmas made it easy to build around it!

Ferns, a bird's nest under glass and pine cones on a burlap runner complete the centerpiece.

I used tartan plaid placemats and matching napkins for a masculine feel.

At each place setting, I added a fly from Mr. A's collection to the wicker napkins rings.

I layered the Spode brown transferware salad plates over brown and green majolica with faux bois enamelware chargers as the foundation.

Vintage silverplate, deer horn knives and green crystal wine goblets complete the setting.

 Ironically, fish is not the main course at this dinner.

That's because Mr. A and his fishing buddies "catch and release."

I don't have a problem with that at all, but it would be nice once in a while to eat fresh steelhead!

Sources:

Placemats and napkins, American Living by JCPenney

Faux bois enamelware chargers, Golden Rabbit 

Dinner plates, Bordallo Pinheiro

Salad plates, Spode

Silverware and knives, vintage

Green crystal wine hocks, vintage

Pine tree, Pottery Barn

Faux Bois pots, JoAnn Fabrics

I'm joining Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday,

and Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps On The Porch.

I'm also joining the Open House Party at No Minimalist Here.

Thanks ladies for hosting!