San Diego: Lost in the Wonderland of The Urban Seed

The Front "Foyer" held a grand concrete table with a truly monumental bouquet of daisies which melded into the iron chandelier which was probably 5 feet in diameter.

I have a habit of losing my family when we are exploring. We were visiting San Diego's Old Town in a fun shop selling pretty trinkets and I was buying one of those hooded striped blanket type sweatshirts from Mexico, I turn around, and the family unit had disappeared.

The Urban Seed has beautiful sunburst mirrors. The sconces were beautiful! Note the great lamps and tin lanterns.

Well...they had to be somewhere, so I wander out looking for them and stumble upon The Urban Seed. I immediately forgot all about the family....I had found my "spot" in Old Town.

International flair, with the French style bench, Moroccan table, tropical bamboo chair, Spanish style candlestick holders, Mexican Tin Mirror.

The Urban Seed is a cacophony of garden delights and imported treasures carefully cultivated by, Maurice Taitano and Michael Bliss, husband and wife team. Maurice (wife) was in the shop when I walked in and we hit it off right away. Kindred spirits, we. She graciously led me through her little plot of Heaven while I kept stopping to take picture after picture. She had the patience of a saint.

French Armoire, Red Lacquer Bamboo Chair

There is a charming collection of rooms here, each with its own flavor. The overall feel is of the historic influence of European colonization of Mexico. Full of sunburst mirrors, lanterns and twig adorned chandeliers, antiques, garden elements, unique and perfect accessories and gifts. The Urban Seed could have held my attention all day.

Rustic Wood Settee, Gilt Sunburst Mirror, Planted Urns, Moroccan Lantern create an inviting vignette.

I was a little bit under a spell I think. Are you?

Blue Wire,Chandelier, Limed Gate leg Table, with all of the surrounding garden elements, charming!!

I glanced at my watch and realized I had abandoned my family, who by now was surely worried. I said my goodbyes to Maurice and rushed back to reality.

Pedestal Table with modern vase....great contrast! Loved the small paintings on the shelves.

But I was sad to go. I will have my pictures to remind me to return very soon.


Beautiful hand made beads hanging from bare tree branches. Glass Bowls of botanical matchbooks. Gorgeous mosaic table.


Huge mirrored sconces, metal star lantern and wire sphere.


Lots of succulents, cactus and beautiful garden elements. Great twig table!


More!

This is the Seed Room. Maurice and Michael are continuing to sell vegetable and flower seeds in the footsteps of Charles Ledgerwood who started the company known as "Reliable Seed" in this same location. These are the original seed bins. Click here for the full story!

And here is the lovely Maurice. She and her husband Michael design gardens as well. Be sure to check out their website HERE.

Thank you Maurice for the wonderful tour! I will be back soon.

My family was indeed beginning to worry, so I am glad I finally found them in the Mexican Tile shop across the courtyard. It was time for a Pina Colada and Guacamole....and our next adventure.

Santa Cruz: Stripe

Stripe Sign made with Antique Keys above the Cash Desk

Santa Cruz has a lot to offer in the way of shopping, and I think it will take a few more trips before I have exhausted the possibilities. I think I may have lucked into finding one of the best last weekend. Stripe drew my attention right off the bat with their witty window display of vintage globes and player piano reels which had been unrolled and draped over an old ladder.

Stripe is a place with a little of everything I love: fashion, vintage finds, creative decor, art and gifts. Here is just a little peek into Stripe:

Cute clothes, vintage furniture and dishes, fun porcelain egg crate cache dishes

Black and White Photos, Vintage cups and Saucers and a peek into the "Bath Shop"

Hummingbird Pillows and 6 dollar scarves!

Train Track Wall "Art" and birds on swings

Now I know what to do with the boxes of Lionel Train Tracks I have been storing from my Dad's vast collection.

Romantic vintage style lingerie

Loved the display stand! Vintage Dining Set and Stripe has Men's clothes too!

Decor, Cards and Lamps throughout the shop

Tea Cup Pendant Light

Vintage Children's Toys. Very cute Children's Clothes. Loved the Slide used for display.

The Bath Shop with Soaps, Bath Rugs and Pretty Night Gowns

Stripe supports local artisans and designers, and in July, Stripe launched their own label for clothing and other products all made in Santa Cruz. All the more reason to hit the Santa Cruz coast!

For the latest Stripe News, click on over HERE.

Happy Shopping!

Local Color: Fleuri

Linen covered chair, garden statue and flowers make for a very pretty arrangement.

Valentine's Day is fast approaching, and visions of cherubs, hearts and flowers are dancing in the heads of romantics everywhere.

There is a shop in Sacramento (technically, Carmichael) called Fleuri that embodies the idea of romantic living. Antiques, and new things, furniture and gifts, vintage linen and burlap ribbons, beautiful accessories and whimsical table settings...they all are put together with a European flair.

I was shopping there last week, and thought you might like a glimpse.

Wicker may be making a big comeback! Lovely wicker and glass vase.

Trophies and Tartan Plaid, and a very nice armoire!

Such a handsome collection. Old silver, leather bound books...

White on White, always pretty and fresh!

Lots of flour sack pillows. Lovely tea table with mirrored top.

Such a romantic bed!

Tea....or sherry?

Custom made table with reclaimed lumber and Galvanized top. I may have to do this for my patio table!

More pillows and accessories, pretty linen lamp shade "slip".

Beautiful settee.

(A side note....the floors look like real wood, but were in fact some sort of sheet goods! I didn't even notice until I walked on it and it was sort of spongy! Interesting idea for a retail space floor!)

Wonderful vintage linens.

More nice Linen covered chairs and small treasures.

Garden Party Table. I loved the marble table! And the old ironstone mixed with new pieces.

Hotel Silver....who can resist?

A garden vignette with wicker and antlers.

Old work table topped with tole lamps with linen shades.

Burlap ribbon ....wonderful!

Showstopping Victorian styled birdcage.

Velvet tufted settee.

Anyone looking for a little romance just might want to stop into Fleuri.

Ask to be put on their mailing list for upcoming Flea Market sales in the parking lot with many other vendors as well!

Fleuri

7301 Fair Oaks Blvd.

Carmichael, CA

916-973-9848

Deck the Halls with.....FRINGE!

Front Window Display at Fringe

One of the most festive and inspiring things about the Holidays for me is to see the magic that small shop owners create in their windows and throughout their stores. I get my decor "fix" window shopping and gathering ideas for my own home. I also fill in the blanks on my list for Santa (aka my husband!).

One of my favorite haunts is so close to my house that I pass it almost every day. Fringe is a sort of curiosity shop with a little something for everyone. Owner and local imagineer, Audry Wells delights in vintage (and new!) clothing and shoes, antiques and one-of-a-kind furniture, interesting gifts and accessories, unique jewelry and vintage art. Oh...and let's not forget the Cowboy boots!

I was charmed by the front window display last weekend and stopped in to say hello. I found not only the Holiday Spirit I was hoping for , but quite a few things that will making their way to my house. These topiaries were sweet, and the decanters, pretty and well priced. The whole vignette with it's pine cone mantle, vintage pillows, and cut crystal on the twig tray fired up my imagination.

There was a pair of mercury glass lamps that I am mad for that would make an impact in any interior. Um...they may not be there for too much longer. I'm just sayin'. The combination of elements in this display, the crowns and tangerines, the black and white photo of the tree, and the lamps was perfection.

Cowboy boots galore my friends. They buy, sell and trade for all you boot stomping aficionados. (And don't they make a great image all together like that?)

Just so you don't think that Fringe is all about the ghosts of Christmas past, Audrey throws a little 150 into our Christmas punch with this hot fuchsia vanity by Sacramento artist Catherine Greenup. Audrey says this piece draws in as many men as women....they are fascinated by the quality of the Hot Rod paint job!

Another piece by Catherine Greenup is the Faux Deer head Trophy made from natural plant materials like pine cone, elk horn fern and seeds. A stylish alternative to be sure.

All of the festive plants and topiaries in the shop are provided by Tom Kurth of "Rooting Around". He hunts down specialty plants and brings them to all of us. (For more info on Tom, inquire at Fringe).

Audrey has access to industrial and mid century furniture like this stainless dresser. All of the crowns and crosses with the aubergine silk on the chair....scrumptious!

Fringe has a wonderful collection of candles all over the store. I just picked up a Mandarin Orange and Meyer Lemon scented candle...Mmmm! The rectangle shaped boxwood wreath is also from Tom Kurth. (A little bird told me plants will go on sale a little closer to Christmas....ssshhh!)

I loved this vignette in the front window with the contrast of the ornate gilt table and the mid century white leather chair (one of a pair). The Moroccan tea glasses almost came home with me right then and there, but "Santa" says I should wait.

Fringe has a little something for everyone. Vintage French all the way to 60's Psychedelic, Art glass, industrial metal furniture, Art Deco Decor, and glittering Green Deer Heads (another Catherine Greenup piece). Owner, Audrey describes her shop as "Indie Anthropologie" in style and approach.

More of Tom's beautiful Holiday foliage next to an elephant garden stool. You can see here the shop is full of little surprises.

I have always loved the idea of a large farm table filled with cloches covering Holiday treats. This one seems all ready for a party to start.

Vintage and new glassware next to these pretty mercury glass candle holders.....just a few more things to add to my list. (Santa are you reading this?)

New and vintage hats and jewelry can be found throughout the shop. I loved the pink beaded folk art cross.

Such pretty things! Shoes, fine vintage clothing...I could spend a lot more time here...and will before this season is through I'm sure. I mean, I have two teenage daughters.

These shoes were so beautiful, I had to take another look. And the velvet pumpkins bridge the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays don't they?

I had to show you these necklaces by designer Tamara Berg. She collects vintage fobs from all over the globe to make into these one-of-a-kind necklaces. I particularly liked the Eiffel Tower necklace which opens up to reveal miniature postcard replicas showing architectural monuments. Santa....pay attention now.

So here is the scoop on

FRINGE

Location at: 2409 21st St., Sacramento,CA 95818-2409
Phone: (916) 832-4466

The website is a work in progress, but you can find out much more about Fringe and the services they offer HERE.

And you can reach owner Audrey Wells here: audrey@fringe21.com. She invites any and all inquiries.

Happy Shopping!!