Ch-Ch-Changes

We've been talking about making a huge lifestyle change ever since we took our youngest child to college--six years ago!

Well, we finally took the plunge and bought a house in San Francisco.

It's nothing like our suburban home.

In fact, I'm not even in love with it!

But the location is fabulous.

We can walk to the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker!

We are trading our suburban lifestyle for a city lifestyle.

The home was built in 1935 and is Mediterranean style.

What do I like about it--besides the location?

The parquet floors in the living room and dining room.

I like the amount of light this home has and the cathedral ceiling in the living room.

I love the interior atrium that leads to a roof deck with views of the bay and Golden Gate Bridge!

It's unexpected and quirky...

There is a family room with a wet bar that opens to a small courtyard.

I plan to remodel the wet bar by taking out the uppers and wallpapering the whole room with grass cloth.

It's just the tip of the iceberg.  

Let's just say that I'm going to be very busy for six months!

Demo begins tomorrow!

Ch-Ch-Changes!

Our Garage Gets A New Look

Our garage has been a dumping ground for so many years--a holding area for our grown children's things, our aging parent's things as well as our things.

We periodically clean it out, only to have it fill up again and look like this.

But wait till you see what it looks like now!

Ta-da!

As you can see, we've been very busy!

After many trips to the dump, consignment centers and Goodwill, the garage finally got a clean coat of paint on the walls and floor.  

I mean, you could perform brain surgery in here now, it's so sanitary!

There is still more to do, but I'm so pleased with the results, I just had to share!

It's all part of the process of making a huge life change, which I promise to share soon.

Restoration Hardware At The Design Center

I've been spending a lot of time at the San Francisco Design Center lately and my favorite place to visit there is Restoration Hardware for the quiet, calm effect this space has on me.

From the minute you walk into this courtyard, you are in another world!

Of course, I'm inspired to recreate this in my own courtyard.

Having a bubbling fountain on one end is a must.

 Growing "freeway ficus" on the walls is also a must!

 Inside the showroom, I am inspired by this bathroom, especially the tub.

While here today, I told my girls, Ashley and Kat that this is the new tub I'm hoping for.

 And while I love this double vanity, I feel that having storage is more important.

But still, I'm tempted...

 Just outside the bathroom is an enclosed mini courtyard with this fountain.

I wish...

 Walking through the showroom, there is another larger courtyard at the other end.

The outside mirror, surrounded by ficus is another great idea that I will try to do.

And although this fountain is too grand for my space, I'm loving it anyway.

When we walked out to this courtyard, Ashley asked if we could just sit here and listen to the water for a while.

  "I wonder if they rent this space out?  Wouldn't it be nice if we could bring our own bottle of wine out here?" she asked.

Somehow I don't think RH would think that's a good idea, Ash!

Before And After: A Family Room Update

 This family room gets a lot of wear and tear.  It is comfy and lived in, but in need of an update.

Since I was the design consultant for this room ten years ago, I was happy to recently take on this project to freshen it up for my clients.

The first thing we decided to do:  paint the brick fireplace and add a mantel.

 The walls are beautifully paneled in tongue and groove.  A lighter, neutral coat of paint was in order, replacing the heavy gold color.

We decided to replace the slipcovered sofa and chairs too.

They wanted comfort, but also to be able to seat more guests.

I suggested a sofa and a loveseat combination with a club chair as an accent.

The wall to wall carpeting needed updating.  I wanted them to replace it with seagrass.

See the sample on the floor?

 It's a beautiful, high quality sea grass in a taupe color.  Very soft!

Here's the new white fireplace with its new mantel.

Notice the paneling with the new off-white coat of paint?  It made the fireplace really pop!

Here's an after photo of the finished room with its new linen sofa and loveseat and a leather chair.

I suggested an animal hide rug, but was secretly envisioning a zebra rug.

To my surprise, my clients loved the idea, as long as it wasn't an actual zebra with a head and tail!

This rug is a stenciled cowhide that they found on eBay!

The floral oil painting over the sofa was replaced with a series of vintage photos depicting San Francisco.

The lamps were also updated.

I re-styled the bookcase for a more cohesive, updated look.

I have to say, I love the new look!

It's their go-to, put your feet up and be comfortable room.

Now that this room is finished, the plan is to update their living room next.

"Give a mouse a cookie....."

Tuesday Inspiration: Living Room Lighting

There's a living room in my future with a cathedral ceiling.

It is screaming for a huge chandelier, don't you think?

 I'm looking for inspiration and this is my first choice.

It's the Pauline Chandelier from Aiden Gray and is a grand 51" in diameter.

I also like the Italian Wedding Chandelier, also from Aidan Gray.

It's slightly larger at 53" but lighter and airy.

There are four sconces to consider too.

I like the Nimes Sconce.

The Ferronnerie Sconce is also fun.

It's traditional with a twist.

Both sconces are Aidan Gray and available through Layla Grayce.

Decorpad

The chandelier in this living room looks very much like the Italian Wedding Chandelier I am considering.

I like the neutrality of this room with the white linen upholstery and brick maker's coffee table.

While I have the biggest design challenge ever, I am enjoying the process, although I feel like my head is going to explode!

I hope you hang in there with me as we embark on a whole new lifestyle and I hopefully live to blog about it!

Succulents And A New Sofa Table

Temperatures can reach well over 100 degrees in Asti during the summer which is why succulents make so much sense.

They do better under cover like this arrangement that I planted last weekend in a rustic clay pot.

The faux rock planter also got a few new plants to freshen up.

It looks fabulous sitting on my newest find....

...this faux bois cement demi-lune table!

I found it at a thrift store for $100!

No sooner did I buy it when a nice woman approached me to say if I ever decide to sell it, she would buy it from me!  

I don't think so!

It's a perfect table behind the wicker sofa, don't you think?

Picnic Hampers From Yesteryear

I was told when I bought these wicker flasks that they were originally part of a Victorian picnic basket.

"Think Downton Abbey," she said.

So I did a little research....

I had no idea that this is what she was talking about!

Apparently, the Victorians took their picnics seriously!

I found out that the British Company of G.W. Scott and Sons invented the picnic basket and showed it at the great exhibition of 1851.

In 1922, A.G. Scott exhibited their Coracle brand of fitted luncheon and tea baskets.

The picnic hamper above is probably a poor man's version with its zinc or tin lids and plain dishes.

This leather lined hamper is quite lovely and includes a copper tea kettle!

How proper and elegant alfresco dining would be after a trip to the country in the motor car.

I imagine little cucumber sandwiches and flasks of sherry or tea.

Honestly, if I ever found one of these picnic baskets, I would buy it immediately!

I even think I would use it.

I saved the best one for last.

It was made for a Rolls Royce and fit in the boot of the car.

It is amazing and incredibly rare.

I feel a little sad that my wicker flasks came out of a wonderful hamper like this.

I can only imagine what their original sets were like.  

Are you ready for a picnic yet?

I sure am.  With Fourth of July in just a few days, I'm thinking of hauling out my not-so-Victorian wicker picnic basket and filling it with sandwiches and rosè.

It will be perfect for watching fireworks!