Tile Shopping

Came across these gems while scouting tile the other day. How pretty are these?

It's Fall: Project Update

Oh man, I've really gone dark lately -- my last post was on the 4th?! Where did September go?!

I've been neglecting the blog lately because true to form, the fall seems to be my busy season. Kids are back in school, people are back from vacation and perhaps the biggest thing: they are nesting and prepping for the holidays.

We kicked off a project in Queen Anne with a very short timeline and in just one month my client moves in. Between now and then we are giving the kitchen a facelift (a dramatic one -- like Joan Rivers-style), staining the floors, re-doing both fireplaces, all main floor lighting, changing the entry and beginning the first stages of furnishings.

And here is the direction we are going -- These are some of my inspiration images that we've been referencing:

But first, this is what we're workin' with. These are the listing photos (not my client's furnishings) and it's a beautiful house that was unfortunately the victim of a Home Depot flip at some point. Out most of those windows are stunning views of Magnolia and the Puget Sound. To die for.

I'm so excited to be working on this project, as it will be a great example of realizing a home's true potential.

Stay tuned!

15 Years Later: Weddings & The San Ysidro Ranch

This week, my husband and I are celebrating 15 years of marriage. I was 27 and oddly, the last of my friends to get married, so with numerous bridesmaids dresses hanging in my closet it was my turn to walk down the aisle. Thanks to all the weddings I had been to, I had a good idea of what I wanted and stuck to my guns on a lot of things that helped make it special and (in my opinion) as timeless as one can. But I can't help to think about what my wedding would look like if I were 27 in 2012 and could take all the knowledge from my 15 years of fashion, design, interiors and well... just plain old perspective.* 

I was sent a link to a wedding today that makes me think (hope?) it would look a lot like the wedding at the end of the post, but really, it's an ode to the venue: The San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara. Oh man, is it pretty. The grounds overlook manicured gardens and the Pacific Ocean, the interiors make me want to stay awhile and the pool makes me want to get out my magazine and just sit. Plus it's dangerously close to wine tasting. And if it's good enough for John and Jackie's honeymoon, then it's surely good enough for me!!! I must visit it someday.

The grounds - breathtaking.

The Stonehouse Restaurant

Reception: Who says it has to be huge and intimidating? 

A cottage living room

Another cottage

Pretty swell, huh?

Now THIS is a hotel bath!! It's light and bright and that rug just kills me. It's everything a bath in this setting should be.

The hotel is a Ty Warner Property and this is the Warner Cottage -- needless to say, it's the nicest cottage. 

Main Pool

Now for the wedding I mentioned: This just illustrates how beautiful the property is and what you can do with a venue when you let it shine. This looks like a particularly small wedding, but larger groups can be accommodated. The full post is on 100 Layer Cake for more details. 

When my sister gets married, she swears she will not tolerate the idea of round tables. Such conviction makes me laugh, but she's another opinionated designer who has been to her fair share of weddings. These long tables are swoon-worthy and, to her point, would help break up the routine from those who have gone before her. 

Beautiful flowers, right?

If I was re-doing my wedding, I would want an outdoor element to  it. And a Vera Wang dress. 

Good pics of the bride and groom made even better by the alley of trees. 

*In addition to perspective, I would also have the ability to predict the future and not have "the best day of my life" on the same day as Princess Di's funeral... talk about a downer. Woof.