Kitchen Sink/Plant Hospital
You wouldn’t know it from this picture but I don’t have a green thumb. I have a bad habit of bringing plants to within an inch of their lives and then nursing them back to health every few months or so. These plants are all in my plant hospital and are doing better after some constant water and sunshine. For many it was touch and go there for a while.
You’ll notice that most of them are succulents (except the rose and the little orchid) which are supposed to be hard to kill, right? Not for me…
I have to admit, I like having a garden feel in the kitchen even if it isn’t all that conducive to cooking six nights a week.
Here’s how our sink area is holding up since the renovation. Since all of the kinks have been worked out, I have been really happy with it so far: The sink is nice and deep and hides all the dirty dishes I might not get to right away; The faucet is slowly getting some patina, functions well and no longer leaks; And the marble (which I was the most concerned about) has held up great. I’m sure I’ll have to be more concerned as the sealer wears off in a few months. You can also see from the above picture that we had the correct cabinet doors installed.
You may remember from my previous post about the kitchen reno that the neck of the unlacquered brass faucet (that I actually had the lacquer stripped off of) is really copper with brass plate–shhh, don’t tell anybody! We have been careful to make sure no one accidentally scours the neck or polishes it and I don’t think you can really see a difference. I may someday replace the neck with a solid brass one but for the foreseeable future, it’s staying put.
I also wanted to thank everyone for all the fantastic suggestions regarding my last post about needing inspiration for the old door we found. I knew I was asking the right group! Now the hard part is going to be deciding which idea to choose. Check out the comments section if you are looking for ideas for repurposing old doors. Also, thanks to Camille who sent me this incredible link with more door ideas than I could implement in a lifetime. It does make me want to head out to the salvage store though and come home with a bunch of old doors…
Pin ItNeeding Inspiration
Our side yard has a pretty large debris pile in it from the many projects we have done on the house as well as the ones the previous owners tackled. Not too long ago I found one of the original doors to the upstairs rotting away in it. I was going to try to use it to replace another cheaper hollow core door downstairs but it was too far gone and the center panel fell apart. Now I’m trying to decide what to do with it:
It’s great old wood and with some cleaning and waxing, the patina would really show. But what sort of cool and pretty yet useful thing could it be? I thought about chicken wire in the center but can’t figure out what purpose that would serve. Also thought about a mirror on the back or a chalkboard with maybe some herb pots around the sides? Is there something horizontal I could do? I don’t know…I’m stuck!
That’s why I need all of your creative minds to get me through this mental block. If you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them! Thank you in advance!
Thank You Mom!
You may remember my post from the other day about the store The Gardener. Well, my mom read that post too and look what I got from her:
The topiary frame I wanted! My mom is the best! I don’t know exactly where it will go yet, we still have so much to do to transform the yard, but for now I like being able to see it all the time right here. Thanks so much Mom!
What are your plans for Mother’s Day? I’m looking forward to hanging out with John and the kids and enjoying the nice weather.
Happy Mother’s Day everyone! Have a great weekend and be sure to tell your mom “thanks.”
Jerusalem Sage
The family who owned our home before us actually invested in some lovely landscaping prior to selling it that unfortunately got pretty trashed right before we moved in when we redid the roof and the foundation. One aspect of their landscaping that has flourished however are the sage bushes planted outside our fence and wall. They alternate Mexican Sage and Jerusalem Sage. Both are drought tolerant, good for our long dry summers, and provide beautiful color throughout most of the growing season. The Jerusalem Sage blooms and grows first and it has started to take off:
Phlomis fruticosa, or Jerusalem Sage, is the yellow and the purple is Mexican Sage. In about a month or two the Jerusalem Sage will start to get overrum by the Mexican Sage and then in the late fall I cut everything way back and we start again in the spring.
It’s probably not a plant I would ever have chosen myself but now that it’s here I can’t imagine our front yard without it.
Inside the fence my hydrangeas are about to take off too and I can’t wait!
How is your garden this spring? What’s blooming at your house?
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Color and Light
Now that spring is fully underway we are getting a lot more light in our house these days. Because our house not only faces north but sits in the shadow of the larger house behind it (on the southern side) we are dramatically affected by the change when the sun makes that seasonal shift northward in the sky. Everything goes from pretty dark to lovely subtle changes in the light throughout the day. We are also on a corner and so get a lot of eastern light in the morning and some powerful western light in the afternoons this time of year.
(Our kitchen yesterday just after sunset. Thanks to Camille at The Vintique Object for the pretty scripted menu).
(This morning at breakfast, some light hitting a built-in in our dining room)
When this happens I always notice a big difference in the way I see the paint colors in my house. I know decorators and decor enthusiasts are familiar with this change in the way light affects color (metameric failure or metamerism) but many people don’t know how to choose paint color with this in mind. Here’s what I have learned from years of trial and error:
Northern light makes colors look cooler; Southern light makes colors look warmer: I learned this the hard way. My friend has a room painted Sherwin Williams-Happy Camper with a south-western exposure. In her room it looked like a golden warm yellow. Years ago I painted it full strength in my north-eastern facing living room and it looked like a dark yellow-y green. After lessening the intensity to about 25% so that the light could actually play off of it, it looks more like a soft yellow in daylight.
The next image is the same color, just the wall opposite the window which receives the most light:
The above images were taken at the brightest part of the day for that room–late morning–and I didn’t fool with the saturation or anything in Photoshop. Also remember that the pigment of the paint has been lessened by at least 75%. It looks like yellow with maybe a hint of a green undertone. Now, here is an image I found of Happy Camper at full strength under artificial light:
Doesn’t it look so much greener? That is how our room looked too when we first painted it–and green was not what I was going for! If you look at the picture above, you see that as the light washes down the wall, it looks less green and more yellow. That’s because the impact of the artificial light is less. At night, our room looks much greener too. I have to be really strict about my no overhead lights policy.
Bright daylight washes out light colors. This is not necessarily a bad thing: This is what I love about our bedroom actually. At night it looks like a subtle blue gray is on the walls but in the day time it seems like a bright white room.
The following pictures are of the same paint color in a different room–one that gets very little natural light:
Can you see more of the gray-blue coming through?
And now that same room with artificial incandescent light:
Aaaah! Close the door–it’s awful! Still, I’m sure it’s better than it would be with CFLs, which brings me to my next point…
Fluorescent lights make colors look cooler. Incandescent (halogen) lights make colors look warmer: I think this is why decorators are panicking that for environmental reasons, halogen lights will be banned before too long. I think I read that one decorator was buying out hardware stores of incandescents so she would be well-stocked. As an environmentally conscious resident of Berkeley, CA, I am coming out and saying–I really don’t like the way fluorescent or compact fluorescents (CFLs) make my walls and fabrics look! But perhaps I just need to get smarter about my color choices.
Unless you don’t mind repainting a room several times to get it right, you really, really, really, have to paint LARGE swatches of your paint samples on several walls in the room and study them for days, throughout the day, before you make your decision: This I have also learned the hard way–but have become a very good painter from all the practice I’ve had repainting! All colors change throughout the day and night depending on the light they get. From natural morning light to evening lamp light, be prepared to see a different color at different times of the day and make sure you are OK with it. Luckily, after so many mistakes attempts I have accumulated some dependable colors. And I’m in the process of putting together my large samples on poster board of my “go to” colors for clients. This makes the process so much easier. Also, I love House Beautiful‘s regular feature on designer color choices and always mark ones I like there to try.
Finally, colors will look different depending on the colors they are next to. Colors opposite on the color wheel will intensify each other and colors next to each other will tone each other down.
What are some techniques you have for choosing colors? Are you methodical or do you just go for it?
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The Gardener
There’s a lovely store here in Berkeley called The Gardener and while my in-laws were visiting over the weekend, we made a brief stop there and looked around. As usual, I found so many inspiring things! I snapped a few with my phone:
This was probably my favorite display in the whole store. This giant willow branch dotted with air plants (There’s probably a more technical name but this is what I’ve always heard them called) is so sculptural and beautiful. It makes a beautiful and large scale piece of living art. And air plants require almost no maintenance. I can’t say no maintenance because that’s what mine got and it did eventually die but it took about 4 years…
The patina on this over-sized wooden bowl stopped me in my tracks. I’m also a sucker for mixing textures and these homespun napkins with the metal ladle sitting in the bowl on top of a stone table were pitch perfect.
I love that we are seeing more color in painted furniture these days! This turquoise armoire is so beautiful and I love the chippy milk paint treatment. It’s definitely going in my inspiration file.
I found the simplicity of the white dishes, cups and vases against the stark gray so pretty! Also loved the little green bottles. See below for a closer look:
They look like baby birds in a nest to me! Of course I love the green…
The linen and metal are speaking to me again here! I love the clean crisp linen and the simple iron work of the day bed. The colorful pillows add a lovely punch too but I would like it even more with just a few simple white cotton pillows or even completely stark.
These topiary frames are sculpture on their own! I may have to go back and get one of these–they were only about $25 and what a statement they would make. The tall spheres are my favorite.
If you’re ever in Berkeley (or SF as they have more locations) be sure to stop at The Gardner. It’s a great shop even if you have a black thumb!
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London Visit Part 2–Markets
Since most of my trip to London was spent shopping I thought I would share my visits to two wonderful markets. First, The Borough Market (above is a florist at the Borough Market):
This is London’s most famous food market. It’s officially been around since 1755 but unofficially people came to sell food here as early as 1014 (!). The produce is amazing.
Olives anyone?
This spread of mushrooms about sent me over the edge. Meredith and I bought bunches of several kinds and sauteed them with our steaks we bought. They were SO GOOD! I have a thing for mushrooms…
The market is in the shadow of St. Margaret’s Cathedral.
And below is the Ginger Pig where we bought our steaks.
The other market that was so much fun was The Portobello Market, an antique market held every Saturday in Notting Hill. It was pouring that day so I didn’t take take any pictures but I did find a few little goodies I’ll post about after I get them put around the house. If you are interested in collecting antique tea servers or antique silver or china of any kind this is a great market. Also, I found this amazing shop: Chloe Alberry which carries a beautiful range of cabinet and door hardware.
Hope you enjoyed this last installment of a shopper’s guide to London!
London Recap–Shopping
I got back from London on Sunday afternoon and I feel like I’ve been playing catch up ever since. It was a fantastic trip, even with the constant rain and wind. Since I’ve been to London a few times before I felt free to make this trip less about sight-seeing and more about shopping, eating, and hanging out with my cousin Meredith and her family.
Meredith lives in Clapham Junction, an up-and-coming family neighborhood with a great shopping district called North Cote. All Londoners please forgive the fact that I’m going to go on and on here about stores that may be in every neighborhood over there. They are new to us here in the states, although I wish they would make the move across the pond!
Susie Watson Designs: This beautiful home store carries pottery, linens, candles, and pillows. But what struck me the most was their paint and fabric lines. Just gorgeous! It was like Cabbages and Roses met Farrow and Ball. Here are some images:
The weight of their heavy and medium weight fabrics is not to be believed. If you are looking for a high-quality ticking stripe (especially for heavy drapes) or other soft country fabric, this is a great resource. Their sale pieces are actually pretty reasonable.
Cath Kidston: They have a USA website so I’m probably just late to the party on this one. This was a fun accessories store with bags, clothes, ipad cases, etc all done in beautifully English fabrics. Most bags were waterproof as well which is great if you are looking for a pretty diaper bag. And the kids clothes are gorgeous! I found myself wishing I could get more clothes for the kids in the UK. They really are so much cuter. Here are some images from Cath Kidston:
The White Stuff: This is a men and women’s clothing store and I did spend some money in here. They have really pretty, well-made and well-sized clothes. Their spring collection was in and it was so pretty and well-done yet reasonable. Here are some images of their women’s line:
I bought the green and white polka dot skirt at the top–it’s reversible and the pattern under is adorable–and I also bought the brown dress at the bottom. I felt like since we are finally finished adding to our family, I wanted to start getting some cute quality pieces in my wardrobe instead of bouncing back and forth from maternity to extra-large comfy clothes every other year!
I hope you enjoyed this little North Cote shopping excursion. Besides this, we also went to Portobello market and Borough Market and both of those were wonderful too. I’ll share that in my next post.
Thanks to Lee and Mer for putting me up for a few days! It was great to visit with you all!
The Neighborhood, Part 2–Claremont Court and Beaux Arts Architecture
One more post before I head to the airport!
Last week on a particularly beautiful day I decided to continue exploring the neighborhood architecture by walking up the hill a bit, closer to the Claremont Hotel. This neighborhood is called Claremont Court and was built in the early 1900s after the big earthquake to attract wealthy professionals who were starting to find success in the Bay Area. Commissioned by a local developer and led by architect John Galen Howard who also designed nearby UC Berkeley, this neighborhood typifies Beaux Arts architecture. The gates which mark all the major entrances into the development and were built in 1906, set the tone:
Some quick research on Wikipedia showed me that Beaux Arts was an architectural school from Europe, mostly French and Italian, that utilized the formal and grand gestures from the Rococo and Baroque periods but in a modern way. Some elements of Beaux Arts architecture include:
- Rusticated and raised first story
- Hierarchy of spaces, from “noble spaces”—grand entrances and staircases— to utilitarian ones
- Arched windows
- Arched and pedimented doors
- Classical details
- Symmetry
- Statuary, sculpture, murals, mosaics, and other artwork, all coordinated in theme
Basically, the houses of this style were grand! My walk began by heading up this street where the houses change from the brown shingle craftsmen of my last post on the neighborhood to much grander homes with Spanish, French and Italian influences. Always peeking around the corner is the Claremont Hotel:
Also throughout this neighborhood are secret stairways and steep foot paths that lead farther and farther up the hill in between the houses…
This house on a corner farther down the hill is a preview of what’s to come…
About a half a block more and I reach the abandoned Magnes Museum. This former mansion used to house a collection of Jewish Art (in the middle of a residential neighborhood) but the museum found a new location a few years ago and the building went on the market as a single family residence again. It’s huge. I don’t remember the square footage of the main house but I know the guest house in back is 2500 sq/ft. It went up for sale at a bad time but was also priced in the several millions. Plus it would have needed so much work to function as a residence again, I don’t think anyone was willing to take it on. It is a very unique and cool property though and there has been a real estate and remodelling boom in our area recently so maybe it’s going back on the market. In any case some guys were there working on it for the first time in a couple of years.
Another shot of it:
This grand dame is at the main entrance gates to the development. So beautiful.
Steep gables and look at the scale of that chimney! I wonder what the fireplace looks like…
The Claremont Hotel (and some guy in a van) sneaking into the frame…
Another picture of this brick lovely. This almost looks Dutch to me…
The little neighborhood Episcopal church is just inside the gates across the street.
Spanish influences are prominent the farther up the hill you go. The decorative tile around the entryway seems very Beaux Arts to me.
Perhaps even more interesting to me than the beautiful well-maintained homes are the grand old ladies that have fallen into disrepair like the one above. My mind reels with the potential!
As I said earlier, there is a real estate and remodelling boom in the neighborhood and this home which had been neglected for some time is getting a major overhaul. It sold last year and they have completely gutted it. I can’t wait to see what they do to it. notice the tiled roof and arched windows and entryway.
This is the view down the hill most of these homes have. The bay, San Francisco and even the new Bay Bridge being built–gorgeous!
If you turn around and look up the hill, there’s the Claremont Hotel again!
Now starting to come back down the hill I find my favorite street of all. The homes are much more modest but I love the canopy of mature elms and my sons’ school is just at the end of the block…
Love the dripping Wisteria…
And love these double low boxwood hedges!
And as I keep walking eventually I can see the side of our house at the end of the street. Back down the hill is our brown shingle:
And our little old wall that was built when the house was to mark the property line, still covered in moss (and weeds!) from the rainy season:
Thanks for joining me!
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Dining Table or Desk
Last week I found a desk that was in bad shape but was the perfect size for my client. It has to do double duty as a desk and a dining table in his small apartment. Although the finish was a wreck, it was sturdy and I liked the fluted legs and inlaid top. Here’s the before:
After stripping the top (ugh) and staining and waxing it, then painting the legs in ASCP Olive, here’s the finished product:
Notice the brass feet…
Love the original brass knob.
I got that typewriter last year at an estate sale and have been dying to use it in a photo! I think the overall effect of the desk will be very different in my client’s apartment with the dark gray walls and eclectic mix of furnishings.
I’m off to London tomorrow so I may not get a post up for a bit. Have a good week and thanks for stopping by!
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