A Wine Country Vacation Rental, Part Two

 Continuing with my latest project, the smaller of the two units on the wine country property is a cozy, charming space, perfect for a couple or a small family.

The kitchen is packed with charm with green cabinets, stone floors and countertops.

The antique pine farm table, found at a consignment store in San Francisco fits perfectly in the eat-in kitchen. 

The chairs are sourced from Joss & Main, and TJ Maxx--all matching perfectly!

A peak through the half wall from the kitchen, reveals a rather large living room.

I love the brown wool menswear Williams-Sonoma sofa, a fabulous consignment store find!  

The coffee table is from World Market, the end tables are from Joss & Main.

But the marquis light above the sofa is the focal point in the room, found at the Alameda Antiques Faire and handmade by Scott Coppersmith Designs.

It was a splurge and worth every penny!

I was so lucky to find these two brown plaid Crate and Barrel chairs from yet another consignment store!

The antique kilim rug is on loan from yours truly!

I found the rust iron queen bed at a local mattress store.

All the beds and mattresses in the house are new.

The rug is a remnant I had surged, and the bedding is a combination of Ralph Lauren and Target--all "red tagged" for deep discount.

The bathroom across the hall is quite handsome.

I have to say, the previous owners did a nice job remodeling the homes.

I think they were DIYers, so luckily there isn't a lot to do. 

Except paint.

 

The second bedroom has a weird layout, making it impossible for another queen bed, so I furnished it with two twins.  

I envisioned this room for children, but adults would also be quite comfortable.

Linen "Cute As A Button" beds are from World Market, bedding is from Ikea.

I hope to find a dresser for the master bedroom, another nightstand, lamps, more artwork and accessories still.

Once both units are completely furnished and outfitted for guests, there will be an official photoshoot.

Plans are in place for a website and brochure to be distributed to local wineries.

So, what do you think so far?

I'm joining Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday!

A Wine Country Vacation Rental

How do you make a 70's manufactured home an appealing vacation rental without spending a ton of money?

That has been my challenge since last August when I agreed to take on this project.

After ten months of bargain shopping for my client, I feel like we are getting close to completion--just in time for summer!

Let's begin with the front porch.

I sourced this handmade redwood chair from Craig's List, and bought five more for an outdoor fire pit, yet to be made. 

All exterior lights were replaced with red barn lights from Bellacor.

For the breezeway, I created a sheltered dining area which overlooks the vineyard and the Russian  River beyond.

The view is absolutely gorgeous!

 The table is from Ikea, the six Tolix style chairs are from OKL.

The outdoor kilim rug is from Pottery Barn, and a cast-off from yours truly!

I found the olive bucket from Tuesday Morning for $39.

There is still so much to do.  

I am looking for outdoor cafe lights to string across the courtyard, as well as a pendant for over the table.

The breezeway connects the main house to the "granny unit," so my goal is to create a common area for renters who might be two families sharing their vacation, or two couples.

 There is also a deck off the main house that overlooks the vineyard and is surrounded by the most beautiful oak trees.
French doors open from the living/dining room making for easy outdoor wine country living.

 To keep the cost of maintenance down, the owner graveled the exterior.  No grass to mow!

I suggested a split-rail fence, since the area drops off dramatically.  I could just imagine after an evening of star gazing and sipping wine around the fire pit, a potential renter losing their way in the dark!

The owner hopes to put it this home on Airbnb by late summer or early fall.  

Next, I'll reveal the interior of this wine country home, furnished and decorated with flea market and consignment store finds, as well as other sources that add a lot of bang for your buck!

I'm joining Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday.

All Spruced Up!

 The Ritz-Carlton isn't the only reason to go "over the hill" to Half Moon Bay.

Two or three times a year I pay a visit to Schickenberg Nursery who specializes in ivy topiaries and the Nurseryman's Exchange next door, a wholesale nursery.

I was long overdue for some living plants in the house when I drove to the coast with the Suburban last week, ready to fill it up.

The Nurseryman's Exchange caters to florists and designers, so one is always guaranteed to find lovely arrangements like this orchid potted in a lovely brown basket weave pot.

 Schickenberg Nursery specializes in ivy topiaries like ivy birdcages, candleabras, baskets and animals.

 Although lately they're limited to balls and circles as you can see here.

 The circles last longer and are less expensive, so I ended up with quite a few!

One for the family room console.

 One on the kitchen table...

...along with two little olive trees.

Two on the kitchen windowsill...

...along with a potted sunflower to go with the rose filled demijohn on the kitchen island.

 Two on the living room mantel, right...

 ...left!

The red metal urns are a latest find on One King's Lane.

In fact, they're available again, here.

Yet another ivy circle for the coffee table!

The antique urn from my mother-in-law gets three mini orchid plants while Oscar supervises.

And last, but not least, the dining room gets a pretty salmon colored hydrangea.

The house is all spruced up for a few months.

Now if I can just keep them alive!

Putting On The Ritz

 Just over the hill, only twenty miles away, sits the most amazing resort, The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay.

Perched atop a cliff, overlooking the ocean, it is a little slice of heaven!

 Mr. A and I decided to finally see what everyone's been talking about.

If you love the ocean, then this is definitely worth a stay.

Or you could just enjoy the fire pit at the end of the day, while watching the sunset over the Pacific.

Just as the sun sets, a bagpiper plays Amazing Grace.

And yes, he's dressed in a kilt!

We had to pinch ourselves as we listened to the sweet sounds of the bagpipes and watch the sun hit the water.

 Mr. A enjoying the view...

A happy, albeit cold camper!

Even though the hotel gives out blankets and there is a roaring fire, it can be cold and windy.

 The hotel even has S'mores kits for roasting marshmallows. 

 We had a martini instead!

 I love how the rooms were decorated, especially the bathroom.

French doors open to lovely Carrara marble floors.

 

 

One whole wall in the room is all beautiful built-ins.

Of course, the bed is luxurious with down duvet and soft as silk sheets.

I noticed all the details....

...like the dog bed, scarf and bowl provided for Oscar.

How cool that the The Ritz-Carlton is pet friendly!

The hotel was built in 2000 and renovated in 2010.

It's hard to believe that this is the first time we've ever seen it.

I think we might make this a yearly occasion!

The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay

1 Miramontes Point Road

Half Moon Bay, California