Exotic from Bonesteel Trout Hall

Bonesteel Trout Hall corner vignette. The colorful rug is balanced with solid fabric on the chair and ottoman. Nail head accents add character. Great curtain details and beautiful plaster walls

I am still flipping through the latest House Beautiful March issue. Are you? I realized that this bathroom is from one of the design firms I like to "watch". There was such a creative use of tile in this spa-like bath. Very beachy and cool. It prompted me to click over to the Bonesteel Trout Hall website to see what they have been up to lately.

House Beautiful, March 2010. Bonesteel Trout Hall Laguna Beach Bathroom. Photo by Victoria Pearson

Some "take me away" images struck me. Known for their fresh and stylish liveable interiors, BTH seems to step outside of their California cool and onto another continent. I like it. Yes, I do.

Bonesteel Trout Hall Moroccan flavor Living Room

Click on over HERE for more.

Beautiful light play in this exotic bathroom. Ceiling tile detailing is brilliant.

Liking These... Spool No. 72

The Sage Burrow Rucksack

Spool No. 72 Clothing Company sent me an email with some new things. Always having design on my mind, I tend to link fashion and rooms in my mind, well, almost always. I imagine the sort of person that has an interesting piece of clothing and what their house might look like. So, here is a glimpse of how the wheels spin in my head.

Thanks Spool No. 72 for the inspiration!

Tyee Mountain Tote

Law Blouse

Hoquiam Dress

This is a minor sampling of the brilliant collection that is Spool No. 72. They carry coats and sweaters, jewelry, bags and totes, blouses and dresses.

They also have a fun blog HERE.

So I am just passing along the goodness.

(All photos of interiors via House Beautiful Online Photo Gallery)

As I was Passing through Healdsburg on the way to Mendocino......

Myra Hoefer Design Storefront

.....Tim and I had to stop at the Myra Hoefer Design Showroom for a little look-see. Myra Hoefer is a doyen of the Sonoma County design community and, in my humble opinion, a master at combining the casual "California" style with chic French and hip modern. She brings her style to the international community as well, having designed a series of apartments in Paris. She even has an Atelier which is available for any of you traveling to Paris needing a place to stay. Can you imagine staying in a Myra Hoefer designed apartment in Paris?!? Heaven! More on that HERE.)

Front Window Display

Her showroom embodies her aesthetic, with objects and furniture from locals such as Paris, to Bay Area based Oly Studio, to modern classics by John Dickinson (wonderful article about Mr. Dickinson over at the Style Saloniste blog HERE).

You may remember Myra's beautiful contribution to the San Francisco Decorator Showcase I posted HERE.

Beautiful French Chairs and a Wade Hoefer Painting

Hop on over the the House Beautiful interview with Myra on their website HERE. There are more pictures of her showroom too.

THIS article in the San Francisco Chronicle is also worth a look.

The Showroom Main Floor

For those of you traveling to Northern California and the Wine Country, Healdsburg , a beautiful town in the heart of the Wine Country, is full of wonderful shops and restaurants. Stay for the day, or overnight at one of the many B&B's or Hotels. And don't forget to stop in and say "hi" to Myra!

Inspiration Everywhere

Floral Bouquets

Last weekend….well pretty much every weekend….we go to the Sacramento Farmers Market to replenish our stock of fruits and vegetables. This time of year is absolutely the best. As soon as I find a place to park and enter the market…an almost overwhelming feeling of giddy wellbeing enters my body. The booths are overflowing and the the early morning crowds with their rolling wire shopping baskets and reusable shopping bags throng the asphalt parking lots shaded by the freeway overpass. Where during the week, a sea of grey concrete is the expected scene, I see color and texture and movement.

This is one of my “happy places”. There is something about looking over all of the bounty and picking out my own treasures, taking out my coins and handing them to the vendors as they hand me a bag from the scale that pleases me to no end.

I find inspiration here……and I imagine rooms in the colors I find:

Floral Bouquet by Veronica Swanson Beard from Elle Decor , June 2009, Photo by Simon Upton

Purple Onion

Purple Onion by Jeffrey Bilhuber from House Beautiful, March 2009, Photo by Julian Wass

Strawberries

Strawberries by Jeffrey Bilhuber from Defining Luxury

White and Red Cherries

White and Red Cherries by Alessandra Branca from Elle Decor, May 2009, Photo by Joshua McHugh

Asparagus

Asparagus by Jeffrey Bilhuber from Defining Luxury

I hope you have an inspiring weekend!

House Beautiful and the Tonic Home Deal

House Beautiful

Some of you may remember this image from House Beautiful and were thinking how cool the chandelier was. How it sort of made the room complete. I got another reminder when looking at emails this morning.

Tonic Home has been sending out their "Deal of the Week" newsletter lately with some pretty great stuff. And you know I am all about good stuff. This chandelier is from Curry and Company and normally retails for $1750. Tonic's deal price is $875. Not bad. So for those of you who just happen to be needing that Oyster Chandelier, high-tail it on over.

I am sure there will be more great new deals in coming weeks...so you might want to sign up for that Tonic Home Newsletter.

In the Pink: Breast Cancer Awareness Day

In an effort to raise awareness, I have posted some of my favorite magazines who decided that PINK was the perfect color for the cover. I hope you all enjoy, and don't forget to schedule that mammogram appointment or give a gentle reminder to those you love!

A big thanks to Mrs. Blandings for organizing a PINK PARTY for this October 1st, Breast Cancer Awareness Day. Check with the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the National Cancer Foundation for more information about breast cancer. And spread the word!

Design Crush: Ken Fulk

Photo by David Duncan Livingston

For those of you that have not yet caught on to the greatness that is Ken Fulk, I'd like to introduce you. My crush started back awhile when I noticed Mr. Fulk's work and couldn't help but post about it here (Almost a year ago to the DAY!). Well, he has been very busy since then. You may have seen his work in the latest House Beautiful and he also has a project that has recently graced the cover of California Homes magazine.

California Homes Magazine, April 2008, Photo by David Duncan Livingston

With his blend of custom furniture and antiques, Ken never fails to add originality and sophistication without a bit of stuffiness to his projects. For this project, after all of the initial planning and legwork, Ken was able to install everything: paint, finishes, furniture, art....the works, in a three week time frame while the clients were away on vacation in Africa. Wouldn't that be an amazing thing to come home to?! "Yes, darling, the elephants were fabulous, but I am glad to be home....oh, my! Look at this! So much better than those zebras !"

Photo by David Duncan Livingston

The combination of elements here at first glance seems somewhat formal until you realize the coffee table top is made from reclaimed wood planks, and that the firewood is stored in a rustic antique wheel barrow. I think they make the space so livable. You wouldn't be afraid to really relax here. The unique placement of the photography, artistic in itself, creates a great composition with all of the other elements. Wing back chair from Coup d'Etat Antiques. And that paint color! Wonderful.

Photos by David Duncan Livingston

1950's Capiz Shell light fixture in the stairwell is from Past Perfect in San Francisco. Zebra print carpet by Stark on the stair. Ken created this Dining table from and antique trestle base from House of Mann. Antique hooded chair is from Sarlo Wick. Dining chairs are by Milo Baughman and covered in Great Plains linen.

California Homes Magazine, April 2008, Photo by David Duncan Livingston

I appreciate the mix of high and low in the Family Room: Pottery Barn Sofa with a slipcover of linen velvet mixed with the Belgian coffee table also form Sarlo Wick. This stylish room says "comfort" and would be attainable for most of us. I like that.

Mr. Fulk has also been profiled in the latest House Beautiful magazine for his own getaway retreat in the Napa Valley:

House Beautiful, July 2008, Photo by Victoria Pearson

The entry gives a hint at the color scheme that runs throughout the compound.

House Beautiful July 2008, Photo by Victoria Pearson

He revamped a 1940's ranch house and out buildings into a grownup's dream of "camp". He used bluestone inside and out to unite the space and make it user friendly for his dogs, and anyone else who pays a visit. BTW, those are his dogs in the painting in the photo above. Ken has used the dining table as a "library" space and has piled it with books. I love a multiple use space.

House Beautiful July 2008, Photo by Victoria Pearson

Can you see the pipe ladder next to the fireplace? It leads to a sleeping loft. Fun! Dog andirons from LL Bean and another dog portrait. Dog heaven.

Photo by Victoria Pearson

This bedroom is in a tented cabin for guests who visit the property. It really is like camp...only so much better!

Photo by Victoria Pearson

I love the bed here modeled after an old Woody Station wagon. The stacking of the vintage Louis Vuitton suitcases on two wood blocks is just another example of Ken Fulk's ability to think in ways that make him wonderfully unique. Of course, this is the main reason he is one of my design crushes.

Photo by Victoria Pearson

Afternoon picnic in the barn. If this is camp, sign me up!

Photo by Victoria Pearson

I had to add this picture because the red chairs are from Chelsea Antiques in Petaluma where my Mom used to be a dealer. She has very kind memories of Mr. Ken Fulk, who, she said, came in quite often. Just one more reason to throw a little love Ken's way.