Charles de Lisle Workshop...the Wonders Never Cease

Villagio Inn + Spa. Yountville, California.
Photo Courtesy CDL Workshop Website

A little while ago, I wrote to you about our stay at the Dream Inn in Santa Cruz. The Dream Inn is a beachy fun boutique hotel owned and operated by the folks of Joie de Vivre Hotels.

What I didn't know at the time of the posting was that one of my favorite San Francisco design teams, the Charles de Lisle Workshop, was responsible for the hip and happy vibe.

The CDL Workshop has been quite busy creating destination get aways that are now on my list of "have to see this in person" places. One of the latest is the Villagio Inn + Spa located in Yountville, California in the heart of the Napa Valley.

Here is a taste of where you might want to plan your own little getaway:

All photos courtesy CDL Workshop

It never hurts to have a plan. Tim and I have an anniversary fast approaching.

In the meantime, hop on over to CDL Workshop to see the creativity. You will be inspired, I promise you.

Also....don't miss the give away for a copy of Walls, The best of Decorative Treatments!

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO ENTER!!!!!!!

Get all of the scoop HERE

Quick! Hop over to Swift Street.

 We had such fun during our long weekend in Santa Cruz, I wanted to show you everything! As we were driving to the beach to catch one more sunset, we passed by a newly gentrified warehouse area in Santa Cruz's West Side that has been turned into a gem of a shopping and food experience! Swift Street Courtyard made it's transformation in '07 with new shops being added just this last month. Tim and I are always interested in how industrial areas can be transformed, so we had to stop in and take a look around.

It seems I have Bakery Radar, because Kelly's French Bakery immediately caught my eye. Everything looked scrumptious! They serve breakfast and lunch, but when we happened upon it, it was almost dinner time. We are looking forward to spending more time here next time we are in Santa Cruz!

It seems that Kelly and Mark Sanchez, owners of Kelly's French Bakery were instrumental in the transformation at Swift Street setting the whole thing in motion when they purchased property in 2000. For more info about their start here, click HERE.

 The newest addition to the Swift Street Family is a Charcuterie which opened in February, el Salchichero. There is nothing quite like a local butcher for foodies like us. For all of the scoop be sure to check out their website! Fantastic find, this. 

Next up.....Illuminee, Lighting, Design and Decor  was the perfect little lighting resource for the designer in me. Fun and modern: 

Cameron Marks Boutique was a fun and quirky women's wear and gift boutique. We were there on a Sunday afternoon, so could not open the door. Believe me, I tried. It is on my list for the next trip! It looks like my kind of shopping spree. For more photos of the goodies within, click HERE.

There were plenty of things open for us to explore on a Sunday afternoon however!

 Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing Tap Room for one. More than friendly, and what a great way to spend the afternoon! And I love their mantra: Think Organic, Drink Organic.

 Right across the way was the Bonny Doon Wine Tasting Room:

The Harry Potter floating wine bottles throughout the space were just the start of the imaginative interiors. The Magnum bottles used as a window screen were brilliant!

 Wine keg staves were used everywhere, from the water feature to the privacy screening on the booths.

 It looked like a bit of wine was left at the bottom of the bottles that made up this chandelier...nice touch!

 The Cellar Cafe shares the space with the tasting room and is owned and operated by the Bonney Doon team led by "president for life" Randall Grahm and restaurateur David Kinch. For more on the story, hop on over HERE. Loved the space and the casual fun design. Seasonal menus are our favorite kind....so we will be back soon!

For more about the shops at Swift Street Courtyard check out THIS ARTICLE. Somehow we missed the Gin Distillery! Next time.....

 After our long day, it was time to follow the sunset and dream about our next visit to Santa Cruz.

Have a very happy Weekend!

Daytripping: Mission Ranch, Carmel

 Last Sunday, when we were visiting our daughter at UCSC, we decided to take the girls down to the Mission Ranch in Carmel for Sunday brunch. It could not have been a more beautiful day. We got lucky last weekend...it has been stormy all week this week! And we weren't the only lucky ones! Pebble Beach Golf Course was hosting their yearly Celebrity Golf Tournament last weekend as well. There is nothing sorrier than a passel of soggy celebrity golfers. But we had lovely sun all weekend.

The Mission Ranch is a complex of buildings originally built in the 1800's. It had fallen into disrepair and was in danger of being sold and destroyed for a condo complex by developers when former Carmel mayor, Clint Eastwood, rescued the property. Mr. Eastwood restored the complex and it is now a charming seaside resort right next to the beautiful Carmel Mission with views of Point Lobos and the stunning Pacific coastline.

 The Dining Room at the Ranch is cozy with some of the best views of the California Coast one could ask for.  The sheep were grazing....

 And so were we! The brunch buffet was delicious....I tried a bit of...well...everything...almost. The Salmon was amazing and the Eggs Benedict....mmmmm! And then there was the dessert table....don't even start!

I made a new friend to the utter mortification of my teenage daughters. I have had to learn over the last couple of years that I cannot worry whether they think I am a total embarrassment, or I would never leave the house. Sigh....I miss those days when they thought I was the "cool mom". So anyway...the piano bar is a must if you get to the Ranch!

 So on with the tour....as I mentioned, the Mission Ranch is made up an assortment of charming Victorian Farm style buildings lovingly restored and set in the midst of a grove of windswept Cypress Trees....

There are cozy little cottages for relaxing privacy...

After walking around the extensive grounds for a bit, Tim drew my attention to this old green truck....any guesses as to why it is famous? Leave me a comment if you know! I will fill you in if no one can guess!

After brunch, we walked down to the main Carmel Beach. It is very rare to have a picture of Tim and I together...it is usually one or the other of us behind the camera. My younger daughter took this one and so here we are.....Valentine's Day weekend... 

 And this just happened to be there on the beach....

For all the scoop on a very romantic get away at the Mission Ranch, click on over HERE.

Have a beautiful weekend!!!

San Diego: Dancing and Dining

Dancing Topiaries at the San Diego Botanical Gardens

Get your dancing shoes on!

We visited the San Diego Botanical Gardens (located North of San Diego in Encinitas) while on vacation last month, and were quite taken with the topiary flamenco dancers. It didn't take much to get into the act. In fact, a subtle invitation, and I was dancing....

Dancing at the San Diego Botanical Gardens

The gardens were a wonderful surprise. I had not realized that San Diego had such a developed public botanical garden. A friend of mine told me about it before we left for our trip, and I am so happy I got a chance to see it.

Lady in Green

There are sculptures throughout the park which make for a experience of delightful discovery. In the Bamboo forest, it was almost fairy tale like. Giant seed pods looked almost ready to flower.

Each piece told a bit of the story. Lanterns to light the way.


Giant hat pins holding wisps of grassy locks in place.


And then there were those moments when a glance just made me hold my breath....water falling into lily ponds.


Layer upon layer of color and texture.


Spots for quiet contemplation filled with the scent of herbs and roses.


And then there were the plants that tall tales are made of, like the Giant Dutchman's Pipe which has fashioned itself to look and smell like raw meat to attract flies for pollination....curiouser and curiouser...




There were places for secret dalliances....




And trees that have stood the test of time....




And as we were leaving that day, a gift just for me.....



Katydid

Another chance discovery on our adventures was a place that made us feel right at home. We returned more than once to The Mission in Mission Beach. The best breakfast to be had for miles around.

I had the corn meal blueberry pancakes and a Chai Latte. Apparently word is out....get there a bit on the early side and the wait is only a couple of minutes. Even if you are late....the wait is worth it. Hop onto the website HERE for menus telling about the goodness.

Chai Latte complete with spoon to scoop up the foam. Best.

Best Blueberry Corn Meal Pancakes with Blueberry Pure, Eggs and Bacon. Mmmmmm.

Next time you are in the San Diego area, try a little Dining and Dancing!

Be Good.

When a day is beautiful, not only for the eyes, but also for the heart...it stays in the memory forever.

A picnic in Napa with Tim, the girls, my Mom and my Aunt. Laughter, feasting, breathing in deep all of the time together before my oldest takes wing and starts life on her own.

Wishing you all a good weekend!

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.