katiedid

The Marin Designers Showcase 2012 - It Begins

2012-01-31T10:09:00.000-08:00

Hello all. I have been absent lately, I know. But I am back with lots to share! As you know, I have been in the midst of installing the room I designed for the Marin Designer Showcase. It is all finished, and zhushed, and photographed. And now....it is time to enjoy!

The Showcase Gala event is tonight, and I am excited to have the chance to meet the other designers and to clink glasses with vendors who have been so generous in their support of me with my design of Guest Suite I.

One of the other things I have been busy with is taking lots of photos of the Showcase to share with you! But, of course, there is nothing like seeing it in person. After all, my camera cannot catch everything, and the details are often times what inspires someone the most.

The Showcase opens to the public tomorrow, and I will be there as often as I can! Every Thursday night, there are wine tasting events. You can get the full scoop on them HERE. I will be there for those for sure! (The Guest Suite I designed is a hop skip from the wine room....so be sure to stop in and see me!)

So, I will be posting about all of the amazing spaces at the Showcase in the coming weeks. Every Showcase seems to have a distinct flavor, and I have to say this one is a spectacular ode to art and the glorious views. Throughout the house, art is a particular focus. The house acts as a beautiful gallery, as well as a perfect backdrop for amazing design.

Here is but a hint of the art and views I was talking about........

There is so much more to come!

I hope to see you all here.

For information about the Marin Designers Showcase 2012,

click on over

HERE.

A Peek at the Marin Designer Showcase

2012-01-20T10:57:00.000-08:00

Things are coming together at the Marin Designers Showcase! I am still waiting for a few items of furniture, curtains and some odds and ends, but we are getting there! I thought you might like a little peek.

A few of the other bedrooms are nearing completion, looking fantastic....and the Family Room is coming together as well...beautifully!

I will have more for you soon!

Have a great weekend all.

Road Trip...Guess Where This Is?

2012-01-17T11:39:00.000-08:00

Can you guess where we are?

Here is a hint....we took a road trip down to San Luis Obispo. It is a good half way point from LA and Northern California and where we were to meet up with some college friends in the town where we went to school, one of whom I have known since high school in Pasadena and who has since moved to Australia. I get to see her perhaps once every couple of years, but it seems like we are able to pick up where we left off....one of those kinds of friends.

Tim and I booked a room at the Inn at Morro Bay (a fishing town close to San Luis Obispo) for the weekend with a beautiful view of Morro Rock.....

The View From Our Room at The Inn at Morro Bay

It is a very nice....(and affordable!) place to stay and in a gorgeous location.

The plan was to meet for dinner in SLO town with the group, reminisce about the "good ole days" and walk around town to see if any of the old hang-puts were still there......they were! The town was full of returning college students standing in line to get into the popular bars and clubs. Sigh....were we ever that young?

The next morning we all met for lunch, and most of us headed up to Paso Robles for a day of wine tasting. A more beautiful day we could not have asked for. Low 80's in January! But I think the wine growers are by now a bit panicky about getting some rain!

Paso Robles Wine Country

One of the many great tasting rooms in Paso Robles

The day was getting on and we were hungry! We went into the downtown of Paso Robles, which by the way is getting to be the Central Coast version of Healdsburg! Charming town square surrounded by great shops and restaurants. I was pleasantly surprised! I have not been to Paso Robles in years and it has undergone quite a Renaissance...

Downtown Paso Robles

We ate a delicious dinner at Thomas Hill Organics....

I am looking forward to another visit soon! French born chef Julie Simon is amazing with her use of fresh seasonal organic ingredients. For a sample menu click HERE to get your mouth watering!

It was time to part ways....some of the group was heading home to the bay area that night, while Tim and I headed back to Morro Bay. The next morning, we stopped in at the Shell Shop in Morro Bay. This place has been here since the 50's, and I am sure still looks just the same. I NEVER miss an opportunity to shop here. They have an amazing inventory and the prices are crazy good! I picked up a few things for the Marin Designer Showcase here....

It was time to head for home. We decided the day was too beautiful to waste, so we headed up scenic Highway 1. First stop....the charming town of Harmony....Population 18....

If you are ever in the neighborhood, it is well worth a visit to the Harmony Glassworks.....

Harmony Glassworks is a studio, and contemporary glass art gallery. You can even take classes there...

We were lucky to have someone on hand that was at work creating another masterpiece....

It was time to get moving, so we headed through town.....

And said our farewells....

And headed up the Highway. We have covered these same miles so many times, but the scenery never fails to inspire and surprise. We passed a huge crowd of people and cars pointing out at the beach, so we had to stop and investigate....

Apparently it is time for a bit of Sea Lion love......

And relaxation.......

There were many besides us enjoying the day.....

Hitting the road again, we made it through what I had forgotten was one of the most hair raising, palm sweating, bone chilling, heart palpitating drives in the state of California....the ever shifting cliff-side road to Big Sur. Had I remembered, sort of like childbirth, I might have given it a second thought. But it is worth every seat clutching moment when one gets to see the glories of Big Sur....

Often we will stop at famous and funky Nepenthe, founded in 1949, for a bite to eat and a look around the Phoenix gift shop (it is a MUST SEE when in the area!)....but this time we stopped at Ventana Inn for a late lunch....

Roasted Beet and Asparagus Salad at Ventana Inn. Beautiful view of the Pacific

Veggie Burger with Sweet Potato Fries at Ventana Inn

Honestly....we could have sat here for the rest of the day and into the night....but we had to push on. We were able to catch up with my high school friend, Allison and friend Kevin from Australia in Carmel where they had gone the previous day. We shared a glass of wine and caught the sunset before the final leg home.....

Sunset in Carmel

Road trips always seem to end a little too soon.....

Beautiful Beginnings

2012-01-15T10:57:00.000-08:00

Last Friday (the 13th!!!!) I and my partners in crime decided that Friday the 13th was a good day to begin the installation at the Marin Designers Showcase. And indeed the day was so beautiful, everything that came after seemed like paltry little challenges.

Just keep in mind that this is what the view is just outside the window of the Guest Suite I am entrusted to design. Things probably took a little longer than necessary because we all kept looking out the window!

I mean really....can you blame us? The winter sun skimmed the water of the bay, and the San Francisco skyline was breathtaking. I feel lucky to be working in a house where every view is this spectacular.

Things were starting off well! The wall paper in the small foyer to the Guest Suite looks perfect. I chose a natural grass cloth wallpaper for texture and it will always be one of my favorite colors. The ceiling is painted Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue. My flash is making it look a little brighter than it does in person. So far so good! I will be adding flat 1" molding to all of the corners, and the top and bottom of the walls to frame out each wall to add a little crispness.

On to the main room.....you can see the bridge though the windows here. If I was invited to stay in this room, you might have to pry me out with a crowbar. I will be decking out this space in my interpretation of a modern ship's stateroom. I am lucky that before I even start, the floors are gorgeous mahogany planks, as are the door and window frames.

Next thing to go in, a floor to ceiling mirror. We all had butterflies in our stomachs as Greg from 306 Glass carried the glass from the front of the house through all of the trades people on the site through the hallways and into the room. A little glitch since the room was measured for the mirror....there was an extra wall plate added for a telephone next to the electrical outlet. No worries, Greg cut a new hole on site, and up the mirror went. All of the superstitious fears that a mirror might be broken on Friday the 13th were over.

Unfortunately, the rest of the day didn't go quite as smoothly. The draperies were not quite perfect, so are back in the workroom, the glass panels for the Water Closet wall were somehow a bit off, and most disappointing of all, a light fixture I had selected (fantastic by the way!!!!) cannot be used. But all of the challenges are being remedied, the day was filled with lots of laughter and helpful solutions, and Friday the 13th is past us. Even the traffic delay of one hour getting home gave me time for singing to Florence and the Machine.......

Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah!!!

Monday, all of the furniture and most of everything else will be installed. A week later the art goes up. I can hardly wait to show you!

Wish me luck!

Getting Down to the Wire...Marin Designer Showcase and Serena and Lily

2012-01-10T10:17:00.000-08:00

I am using the Fisherman's Cable Throw on the bench at the end of the bed at the Marin Designer Showcase

It is down to the wire this week. I am getting ready for the Marin Designer Showcase installation! I am frantically collecting all of the last little bits...... you know.....all of the special details that add personality to a space. I am gathering sailing trophies and vintage sailing magazines, odd sorts of coral and painted Manzanita branches, industrial glass beakers and vintage fishing rods. I am covering books with fabric, and looking for light bulbs for all of the lamps. I am buying fabric steamers and collecting everything in my toolbox....picture hangers, Swiffer dusters, double stick foam tape, hammers and screw drivers. I just know I will forget something even though I have lists upon lists.

Thank goodness for the ladies of Serena and Lily! Many of you know about this perfect treasure trove put together by, you guessed it.... Serena and Lily. These entrepreneurial women started their business together in 2003 and have been going strong ever since. You can read all about their serendipitous meeting HERE. In the beginning, they focused on bedding and furnishings for the nursery, but luckily for the grown-ups, they expanded to include all of us! Their bedding, furniture, decor and fabrics are all available online.

The point? Well, I have been very lucky to have the support of Serena and Lily for the room I am putting together for the Showcase! They have been so very generous and so lovely to work with! I put together a wish list hoping they might be able to lend a few things. They have been kind enough to lend everything (even when I add a few more items to the list!) and are even delivering it all to the home!

So I have to give a round of snaps to the wonderful team at Serena and Lily! (Needless to say, I love selecting things from them for my clients....heavenly beds and charming bedding for children's rooms. AND they have a great Bazaar of one of a kind finds....so hop on over!)

These are but a few of the items you will see in the Guest Suite by Katie Denham Interiors at the Marin Designer Showcase.

This Brazilian Rug will be in the adjoining Bathroom to cozy up the stone tile floors

A couple of these Bamileke Side Tables will be the perfect place to toss a towel in the Bathroom.

This campaign style Beckett Chair made out of sheesham wood will be sitting at the desk I designed in the Guest Suite.

The Marin Designer Showcase will hold its Opening Night Gala on January 31st, and will be open to the public through the month of February. I hope you all have a chance to visit! For all of the information on dates, times, events and ticket sales, be sure to hop on over HERE!

Liking Liken

2012-01-04T12:12:00.000-08:00

Tim and I and our youngest did some day tripping over the holidays....Napa was on the itinerary. I have an Aunt who lives in Napa, so we visit whenever we can. Sacramento is only a little over an hour away....so there are really no excuse not to go all of the time!

However, it seems that we have been remiss in not visiting the town of Napa itself....we have concentrated our visits to the wineries up the valley (can you really blame us?) So.....I have been meaning for awhile now to visit Napa proper. There has been quite a lot going on there in the last couple of years....it is enjoying quite a Renaissance!

We had lunch at the Kitchen Door (located at the new Oxbow Public Market ), the latest restaurant in the line up by Chef Todd Humphries with partner Richard Miyashiro. I was very relieved when I heard of its opening, since one of my favorite restaurants in the Valley, Martini Grill (a Humphries restaurant) had closed. So the dreamy food lives on! I had a delicious lunch of Pork Roulade with Creamy Polenta and Root Vegetables in a light mustard seed sauce....oh my....soooo good!

The Oxbow Public Market is such a cool addition to Napa. Oxbow Founder, Steve Carlin, is responsible for the San Francisco Ferry Building Marketplace which I wrote about awhile back. These marketplaces are full to the brim with fantastic food purveyors, and if you are like me and love to taste a bit of this and a bit of that, you love these sorts of places! After lunch we had ice cream.... I had Cardamom ice cream at Three Twins Ice Cream and it was delicious!

After lunch, it was on the the shopping.....which is the point of this blog post. Food does have a way of getting me sidetracked.

Anywaaaaay... I came across a fantastic shop in the new Napa Riverfront that I thought you would all enjoy!

The Riverfront is a new development built on the Napa River as part of a redevelopment effort that included flood abatement design and include new bridges. The whole effect is very European in appearance as the walkways and shops take full advantage of the river front views.

This is where I found Liken Gallery...

Liken Gallery is owned by the amazing Michael Holmes. Michael is most well known for his design of spectacular weddings and events in the Napa and Bay Area. Click on over HERE for a little peek at Michael's genius.

If you look at Michael's events in the website, you can see that some of the amazing props used at his events have ended up in his gallery.

On the Street side of the Riverfront, Michael opened another boutique called Ivy, Twig and Twine which was all decked out for the Holidays. It is equally as beautiful but with a little more whimsy ....

Next time you are in the Napa Valley, do take some time to get reacquainted with the town of Napa. There is much to see!

Happy Happy New Year!!!

2012-01-03T17:15:00.000-08:00

2012.....it is going to be a good year.

I know because it is all in the attitude....in one's confidence that it will be so. AND....it has started off so WELL!

Tim and I drove up to see his family in Reno before heading up to spend New Year's Eve with very dear friends in Lake Tahoe. We had a delicious dinner .... amazing lasagna, salad with pear, Gorgonzola and candied pecans, and garlic bread....and wine all around. The table was glittery with gold threaded table cloth and lots of candles....

There was much laughter with new friends....there was champagne, of course!

....and a huge collection of vintage noise makers to ring in the New Year..... we made very good use of them! Thanks to Diane and Phil, our always gracious hosts.

Tim and I met on New Years Eve 25 years ago. We waxed nostalgic......as the moon waned over the mountains towards the newest morning of 2012....

Happy New Year to you all!

Let it Shine!

2011-12-21T16:46:00.000-08:00

Tim put up the lights a couple of weeks ago....he is much more on top of things than I am.....at least it seems that way! He seems so relaxed about this time of year, while i get lost in all of the details. Even his light installation. It makes me crazy thinking of him falling off the roof every year! But it has all ended well and the lights are beautiful!

The front door was decked as well. Many thanks to Denise for the perfect burlap black gingham ribbon!

Happy Holidays!

Decking the Halls

2011-12-19T10:37:00.000-08:00

Just finishing up with a little Hall Decking around here.

I still have a bit more to do. It never seems to be all of the way finished!

Are you done yet?

GIVE AWAY - PossibiliTree

2011-12-16T09:37:00.000-08:00

OK....THIS one is a no brainer!

I just got word that if you hop on over to the PossibiliTree Facebook page HERE and "Like" them TODAY, you will be in the running to win a six foot suspended Christmas tree. I blogged about it HERE.

Best of luck and Happy Holidays!

VIntage Christmas

2011-12-15T16:26:00.000-08:00

Every year at this time, I try to indulge myself with a visit to a place that is away from the hustle and bustle of the commercial mall. As much as I love my Lucky Brand, J. Crew and Nordstrom, I am drawn to a different type of mall. One with more unique treasures that appeal to the sentimental me.

The Antique Trove in Roseville, California is a large collective of antique dealers which is housed in a building of over 45,000 square feet. Can you imagine how much time I could spend wandering through these isles?

I had my younger daughter and her friend in tow with the promise of a visit to the "regular" mall after a "quick" jog through the Trove. They were serving Holiday Treats after all, and what teen doesn't acquiesce when there is fudge and cookies involved?

I was finding all sorts of things to put on my own list. I had to interrupt my daughter, pulling her away from the dessert table to show her "just one more thing". Finally, pressed for time, I had to dash through the isles to take a few photos for you all.

Perhaps you will see a couple of things you will be adding to your list as well...

Angels wings, Royal crowns, Silver and Gold.....

Alabaster Bowls, Crystal cloches, stately greyhounds from Martin Mattox (my own personal favorite dealer at the Trove!)....

Trophies and scented candles, gilded mirrors and faux fur stoles...

And something for the man in your life? Vintage silk ties, leather cases, or the perfect hat?

Chandeliers, toile covered ottomans, bronze foo dogs or an iron garden gate?

Budding Paper Whites, French linens, or beautiful soup tureen?

Scrabble piece ornaments, old style Christmas cards....

Packages of vintage ornaments or white trees in champagne buckets...

Or just some last minute ribbons and wrappings.....

or what about snoofs, or fuzzles or tringlers or trappings.....

Whatever it is that you don't have enough of,

You can find it right here where there's plenty of stuff of

every shape, every color, every size, every price....

Just make sure you haven't been naughty, just nice.

Happy Holidays all!

Modern Christmas

2011-12-12T15:38:00.000-08:00

Christmas is celebrated in so many ways....there are elaborate and elegantly formal Christmases....there are relaxed country style Christmases....Christmases in the snow, and Christmases in the sun. All can be beautiful and full of cheer.

This house from the Sacred Heart Holiday Home Tour had a modern twist to its holiday decor. It had a bit of a Scandinavian flavor to it....simple, yet cozy....and there were lots of yummy looking treats!

In the Living Room, there was a felted wool Christmas tree on a Saarinen side table, and the main Christmas tree was simply decorated with little wool ball garlands, pine cones and strands of lighted globes. I really liked this tree...unique and so cheery!

The front hall had a red bench designed by Mark Goetz of blank blank, a Sacramento company. I noticed another blank blank piece in the Living Room behind the cowhide chair. (For a better picture of the Burnt Credenza, click on over HERE).

The Dining Room was, again, simple, yet welcoming. The place cards were very clever.....each guest had their picture by their place....simple cedar garland and little lighted tree, and voila....

In the Kitchen Nook we found more trees with twinkle lights. Sometimes that is all that is needed. And lots of goodies....

There were Croquembouche, a chocolate tart, and lots of delicious looking cookies...

Christmas is about family and coming together with loved ones in celebration....

This home is ready for the celebration to begin!

Home Portrait by House Portraits USA

More Holiday Homes.....and a GIVE AWAY WINNER!

2011-12-08T10:07:00.001-08:00

The perfect French substitute to the traditional holiday wreath.....a French basket of evergreens!

More from the Sacred Heart Holiday Home Tour!

This next house, also in the Fabulous Forties, is a story of two buildings that joined together to become one.......a small home was joined to an adjacent building which was previously was a metal foundry dating back to 1915. The marriage has made for a home that is now over 3000 square feet and full of character. The current owners are avid Francophiles and music lovers, and the Holiday decor by Beyond the Garden Gate reflects those passions.......

In the Living Room, the more formal part of the house, the mantle was decked with cedar and mercury glass candle holders. And there is a perfect use for tassels!

The tree is decorated with music note ribbon, glittery music note ornaments, vintage music flash cards and musical instruments....

The Dining Room was all in green and white, and the backs of the chairs each held French Christmas cones....

Heading into the Family Room, which was orginally the old foundry, we were tempted to disrupt the dessert display in the kitchen. Touring homes is hungry work after all.....but we were polite. French tradition holds that 13 desserts be served representing Christ and his twelve apostles. Dried fruits, nuts and marzipan are common treats, and of course a Buche de Noel!....

Someone living nearby must have had a tree full of lemons....the leaves were still attached. Such a pretty display in the blue china bowl!

The Family Room mantle was full of Santa Clauses....or Pere Noel.....

And the basket of stuffed toys was so sweet.....

....but perhaps my favorite detail were the children's shoes lined up for Pere Noel to fill them with gifts....

This house is all ready for the big day....

I have always loved peeking into windows to see others' trees all lit up. There is something about the tree framed by the window that makes it even more special. When we left the home to see the backyard, a backward glance gave me a vision of the old foundry building re-imagined, with its corrugated siding and rough hewn trellis....

We exited out of the garden to head home along the side alley, we caught a glimpse of the foundry as it might have been during holidays past.....

And now.....

THE WINNER of the GIVE AWAY!

The Katie Ridder Rooms book

goes to.....

Amber

of the SIMPLE DWELLINGS blog

A Big Congratualtions to Amber,

and Happy Holidays to you all!

Tropical Holidays

2011-12-06T10:34:00.000-08:00

Anyone for a Mai Tai? This Pool House bar is all set for a Tropical Holiday party with an exotic substitute for the expected Christmas tree. Wes Green, owner of Twiggs Floral Design created a South Pacific fantasy with orchids, Antherium and bamboo. He added paper lantern ornaments and little caned lantern lights and a couple of silk tassels completing one of the most imaginative displays to be found at this year's Sacred Heart Holiday Home Tour. I love the packages wrapped in cherry blossom paper and topped with fortune cookies.

The most eye catching element in this space had to be the caned wallpaper printed on a silvered background. It sort of gave the impression that the the building was open air, but it also added a bit of bling.....

So much fun....this space reminded me of the 50's with a sort of Mad Men meets tropical cocktail party vibe. Can you see it?......

On a cold and blustery day, it was nice to get the feeling of the tropics in my bones.

Are any of you planning to be in the tropics this holiday season? After all, more than half the world will be balmy in December. What is it you love about exotic locations during this time of year?

Happy Holidays!

Holiday Home Tour

2011-12-05T13:39:00.000-08:00

'Tis the Season! And that means Holiday decorations are on many people's minds. Every year in the Fabulous Forties neighborhood of Sacramento, so-called because of the fabulous historic homes lining the streets numbered 40th through 49th and any extra streets in the area, there is the wonderful Sacred Heart Holiday Home Tour which benefits the Sacred Heart Parish School. Homeowners, Interior Designers and Floral Designers pool their talents and give us all a show that definitely puts one in the Holiday spirit!

The house portraits were done by Pat Illouli of House Portraits USA

I had a little bonding time with my Mom last Friday as we went through every inch of every home. I thought you might like a peak!

The first house is a 1924 Colonial home, and the beautiful decor was designed by Wes Green of Twiggs Floral Gallery. Wes is my "go to" guy for floral design here in Sacramento. He is so creative! I just like to stop into his shop every now and again for inspiration.

In the entry, Wes set the theme with white poinsettias, wreaths with gilt magnolia leaves and the home owners' own golden angel. What a way to start the tour!

In the Living Room, the tree was festooned with more gold ribbon, ostrich feathers and glittery twigs. The home owners' angel ornaments and framed photos of their family nestled in between. Gold and silver wrapped presents wait under the tree....

The mantle was also decked with greenery, gold ribbon and white roses. There were a few Faberge styled eggs and a gilded clock to add a bit of glamour......

I loved the sweet tiny chair next to the fireplace with the little present waiting for a special someone....

In the Dining Room, the table was set with cut crystal and lots of silver making everything glitter. Lots of greenery with lilies, red tipped roses, and white cyclamen made for a grand display....

On the sideboard, there was the prettiest chrysanthemum tree with magnolia leaves and glass beads at the base. Such great ideas I am taking away from this house!

Moving into the Kitchen, Wes put together an ivy topiary tree with pomegranates at the base, hydrangeas at the top of the tree and base with more evergreens. Red roses sit on top of the pomegranates. So pretty!.....

In the Breakfast Nook, everyone was ooohhhing and aaahhhing at the tiny circus music box that was at the table's center. The circus ring was turning and the little animals and clowns were moving. It was adorable! What tot wouldn't love to sit down Christmas morning to this?! Wes surrounded the Big Top with roses and greenery. There were individual little bouquets with glass candy canes in the center of each one at each place setting. He also added ornaments and strings of peppermint candies from the chandelier....visions of sugarplums!

As I was reluctantly leaving to see the next house, I passed this wreath of magnolia leaves with ivy, more pomegranates, red pepper tree berries and a nest of cyclamen......

This house was worth the price of admission all on its own, but we had four more homes to see....so off we went....

More tomorrow!

P.S......

Don't forget to enter the

GIVE AWAY!

Last day to enter is Tomorrow!

Pink and Grey Holiday Thoughts

2011-12-02T10:48:00.000-08:00

Osborne and Little just received an award for this beautiful fabric in the Homes and Gardens Fabric Awards 2011 in the Best Embroidered Fabric catagory. Bravo! Such a pretty color combination......which got me thinking. Pink and a greyish taupe and white does seem to "work" so well, doesn't it?

Here are a couple more inspirations I came across today......

I came across this image on the internets and had to dig for the source. It came from THIS blog, which also has lots of other pretty pictures. The combination here is so much fun. The lamps are just the right touch to keep things graphically powerful, and everything else is pretty without being overly girly. Love it!

It is the Holiday Season after all, and there are so many ways to take your holiday Hall Decking! Color inspiration can go in any direction. Here are a couple of ideas brought on by those fanciful sugarplum and silver tinsel colors......

This tree was found on the Coco and Kelly blog last year. I love the vintage look of silver tinsel trees and these pink glass ornaments create a magical Nutcracker Ballet feeling for me.

Sometimes simple can be so charming. I found this tree on the Lace and Blush blog. What a pretty and cozy setting!

I just popped over the Eddie Ross' blog and came across this, so just had to include it!.....

Hop on over HERE to see more pictures and learn all about Eddie's his latest!

I am curious.....what colors are you bringing to your Holiday Season this year and what inspired you?? I would love to see! If you send photos, I will post them here through the Season!

And make sure to enter the

GIVE AWAY!

Dwell Magazine Ad Design

2011-12-01T10:31:00.000-08:00

I had so much fun with this latest set design for Lumens Light and Living which was in the November issue of Dwell Magazine. It is a blast to be able to pull things together from design forward companies like Moooi, Artimede, Vitra and Ameico to create a sort of fantasy still life. In this space, we featured the new Tolomeo Mega Black Floor Lamp by Artimede in a Dining Room setting. This lamp is so versatile! I can see it in a traditional setting for a little unexpected, but classic, flair, or any sort of modern space. It can be set over a desk, in a Living Room, or a Dining Room, like this. I placed it above the Moooi Balls Table which was created by Dutch designer Bertjan Pot in 2006. Love the legs on this table.....even better, they fold up for easy transport or storage. Moooi just pushes the envelope and others follow.

I added the classic white Panton Chairs by Verner Panton by Vitra and finished things off with the Bianco Vase from Michele De Lucci and Elisa Gargan for Produzione Privata. The shape and scale of this vase is just beautiful. Grey velvet curtains, some pears from the Farmers Market to add a bit of life....they were such pretty colors.....and branches from the tree in our front yard.

You can see and read more about all of the items HERE

Here is a peek at the original concept sketch I did for the set:

Other than changing the floor to white ( love a white floor!) the set remained pretty true to the original concept. It helps so much to be able to "see" the space before it is all put together!

Thanks again to the wonderful team at Lumens

and excellent photography team at PhotographerLink who make every project to much fun!

P.S.........Don't forget to enter

THIS GIVE AWAY !.......

Holiday Give Away: Katie Ridder Rooms

2011-11-30T17:57:00.000-08:00

There is never a better time of year to win a GIVE AWAY than the Holiday Season, is there? You can always use that extra gift for that special someone....or why not give yourself a gift? You deserve it!

One of my very favorite books this season is the bright and beautiful book showcasing the wealth of talent that is Katie Ridder. Author Heather Smith MacIsaac takes us into Katie Ridder ROOMS showing off Katie's creativity and daring use of color with abandon. Looking through the pages of this book is like eating your favorite dessert....oh, say a triple layer coconut cake or Laduree macaroons..... without ever thinking about the calories....delicious and decadent without the guilt.

Not only are the photos spectacular and large, but the graphic design of the book is so pretty as well. Each chapter is organized by room, and every title page sports a color illustration of a pattern found in one of Katie's charming wallpapers. The book begins with Entrances and Stair Halls. Katie says," More than a wow factor, I look for a delight factor when I design front halls." And shouldn't one be delighted every time one steps into a home?

This is Katie's own Entry Hall with its teal painted front door.

I love design books. As a designer myself always on the search for inspiration, I will always go to a book organized in a way that is most useful. So I have great appreciation when a book is organized by room, or in any other logical reference friendly manner. Katie's book moves on to the Living Room next. Her philosophy about the Living sits as well with me as her style....." A living Room should be as enticing a place to read a book as it is to entertain. The room must have more than one use." So true....otherwise it may end up an unused space as families often migrate to the room where there is a television more often than not. The more uses a Living Room has, the more likely it will be enjoyed.

Katie shows photos of homes from East Coast to West including many photos of her own home, which I love! The one below is a Nantucket vacation home in lavender hues....a bit different than the expected blue.

Nantucket Living Room.

The next chapter is devoted to Studies and Family Rooms. Katie says, " Family rooms should invite gathering and stand up to the accumulations that come with an active life". Amen! Perhaps I could use a little more help in that "accumulation" department. Any thought on piles of paper, overflowing magazines and homework, Katie? I never seem able to keep up. Katie always has a place for books, closed storage for hiding more "stuff", comfortable seating and good reading lighting.

Katie's Library with its Suzani covered sofa.

Color and pattern are Katie's forte, and she uses these tools to create such cozy, fresh and inviting spaces. A great example is the sun room in this Arkansas home. Katie used Moroccan cement tiles to create a carpet effect

Arkansas Sun Room

Next up are the Dining Rooms. Katie divulges her secrets for the perfect Dining Room chair here....you will have to get the book to find out the secret either by winning the Give Away or buying the book for yourselves! Maybe you can figure out a few details by looking at these photos......

Arkansas Dining Room where color perks up what can sometimes be an overlooked room.

One thing her Dining Rooms are is luscious. The color overflows and you realize there is fun to be had here. Pass a little more wine please!

Whimsical Weeping Willow and Ikat covered chairs dance beside a 1930'smirrored console.

Kitchens are next, and there is always a little something extra over and above the no nonsense utility. In this kitchen, Katie stripes the wooden floor planks and added that pop of color on the light fixture....

And here, Katie used a green paint to highlight the window frames.....such a little thing, but it makes all the difference....

Now we head to the Bedrooms. So pretty..... so unique. I love them all. I will just have to have another house or two.....one can dream, no?

Beautiful wallpaper by Katie Ridder. She has been producing the papers since 2009.

Every headboard is a custom creation and makes each room special. No two are alike....no identifiable retail beds here. I particularly like the pelmet edge detail in this teenager's room here.....

I wish I had images of some of the bathrooms to show you....you will just have to trust me....they are beautiful and full of wonderful wallpapers and the tile!

The book goes on to discuss the Details....lighting, upholstery, custom embroidery, tile, wallpapers (Katie's own designs), with many photos and design ideas. I feel like I am learning all o her secrets here!

Katie also shares her many sources for furnishings, fabrics, and all of the other treasures in these rooms.

Impressed yet?

So ....on to the GIVE AWAY!

1) Hop on over to the The Vendome Press and take a moment to look around. See the facebook link? Go ahead and "friend" them.

2) Become a follower on the katiedid blog by clicking the google friend connect button on the right. For those of you who subscribe through email, you only need to hop over to the website to see the sidebar.

3) Click on the "comment" link at the bottom of this post and leave a comment. I would love to hear your thoughts about Katie Ridder and her colorful style!

4) Make sure I can contact you by including an email address, or make sure your username has a link to a contact email.
5) The Cut Off date to enter is December 6th, at 5:00PM PST. I will announce the winner the next day, December 7th!

GOOD LUCK

and, as always, thank you for reading!

All photos by Eric Piasecki, and in the spirit of full disclosure, many thanks to the generous folks at The Vendome Press for sending me this beautiful book!!!! I will treasure it.

Are You Getting Ready Yet?

2011-11-28T15:01:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is just now over and I am still full from the Turkey and pie. It is hard for me to get going right away on the next holiday......but I do like to prolong the spirit of Christmas....so I just had Tim bring all of the Christmas boxes in from the garage even though we don't yet have a tree. (I have a feeling the boxes will be an eyesore in the Living Room for longer than I had hoped!)

I am back to work today, and was checking my emails when I came across this charming Scandinavian inspired wooden tree from possibiliTree. Originally designed by architect Dick Babcock in 1982 for his family, years went by until the design was patented (in 2002). Then the company possibilTree was born in 2005 and is still family owned and run.

The original tree is six feet tall and hangs from the ceiling 18" from the floor like a plumb line. How perfect is this for the person who wants no muss, no fuss?! The smaller tree is 3 feet high and perfect for a tabletop center piece. I have been collecting straw and painted wooden ornaments for a number of years and I can just imagine having them displayed on this little tree. I seem to end up with more ornaments than will fit on one tree....so I have had two trees the last few years.....one for the Living Room for my blown glass ornaments and gilded paper stars....and one for the Family Room with the ornaments that are less formal. It would be kind of nice to have a different sort of tree for a different sort of feel.....

Click on over HERE to read more about these clever, charming trees and find out more about pricing and ordering HERE.

So tell me........have any of you gotten your tree up yet? Are you in the fresh or artificial camp? Modern or traditional? New decorations to match this year's theme or stick with tradition and the ornaments you have been collecting for years? Do you have more than one tree or is one more than enough? Just think of the possibiliTrees! (hehe!)

I look forward to hearing and hopefully seeing all of your holiday decorating this year!

WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

2011-11-23T09:10:00.001-08:00

I am thankful for this exceptionally beautiful Fall season which brought just enough rain, just enough snap in the air and just enough blue sky to make the trees glow with gold and fire red.....

I am thankful for the heart warming neighborhood I am so happy to live in with its wealth of trees, beautiful historic homes and wonderful neighbors.....

I am thankful for our home which will always be a place of comfort to my soul....

I am thankful for my family whom I love with all of my heart. They even get up early to come to the Farmer's Market with me to buy persimmons.....

And Bay Leaf Wreaths.....even when their beds are warm and cozy and it is hard to leave them......

And I am very thankful to all of you who visit here and share your thoughts with me....

I wish you all the Happiest of Thanksgiving Holidays!

Baseballs and Ballet Slippers

2011-11-16T11:16:00.001-08:00

A bowl of vintage baseballs and softballs makes for a fun display in front of a Lake painting from 1924 (only $25!)

I find inspiration in many places. One place that never fails me is the Sacramento Antique Faire. There are so many talented merchandisers who have a knack for reinterpreting something old into something fresh. These purveyors of the past can sometimes turn nostalgia into one-of-a-kind displays of wit that make me rethink my own collections as well as those of my clients.

This time, I found everything from baseballs to ballet slippers, French canning jars and European flour sacks, Wicker Bee Skeps and wicker basketed demi-johns etched Coca Cola bottles, etched Coca Cola bottles and persimmons in wire baskets........

French picking basket filled with ballet slippers

A collection of French canning jars

Flour sacks from German, France and Belgium....the stripes represent the signature of the owner . After the grain is milled, the miller returns the flour to the proper owner based on the identity striping.

We have seen so many uses for flour sacks....I still like them covering chairs and pillows

A collection of bee skeps

Wicker Demijohns and flour sack pillows

The pictures of the Flour Sacks, Bee Skeps, Ballet Slippers and canning jars above all came from the space put together by Dustin and Chris of Uber Chic Home. Check them out if you have a sec!

Vintage Coca Cola bottles look so pretty with the glass worn down like beach glass.

This minimal chaise was artfully draped and adorned with persimmons in such a way that reminded me of something Jane Austin.

More persimmons in Ironstone mugs

And there are always more surprises that stop me in my tracks, even as I am leaving the Faire with arms laden with yet more antler branches and boxes of shells......

The holidays are close at hand, and new inspiration for decorating is always welcome!

This display with the wicker sleigh filled with paper lanterns, the vintage Christmas boxes, and Japanese bust and concrete garden pagoda has given me ideas!

What brings you inspiration?

Perfect Time for Kinfolk

2011-11-15T11:55:00.001-08:00

This is the time of year we think of family and friends, celebrating with food and music. We contemplate parties and get togethers....large and small.

A perfect time for KINFOLK......

A beautiful collaboration of creative thinkers who are interested in small gatherings .....

"simple, uncomplicated....less contrived...."

Check them out HERE.

Kinfolk from VsTheBrain on Vimeo.

Many thanks to

Hill Country House for the Introduction!

Marin Designers Showcase: New Date!!

2011-11-10T16:00:00.000-08:00

Art and Accents in the Guest Suite by Katie Denham Interiors

There was a little bump in the road....a little change in plans....

I have been getting ready to put together the design of the Guest Suite for the upcoming Marin Designers Showcase over the last couple of months, and everything has been coming together beautifully. Most of the furnishings, area rug, bedding, window coverings and art have been custom crafted for the space, and little by little everything has been finished. I was even able to add a pillow from Erin Keller at the last minute!

Even under the best of circumstances, design projects can encounter unforeseen challenges. In this case, the property site hit a few construction road blocks, sooooo......

The Marin Designers Showcase opening date has been changed....and all for the good! You know how there is a little let down after the holidays. The New Year stretches ahead and one often wishes there was something to break up those wintry first days........ Well, the Marin Designer Showcase has offered us all a wonderful event to look forward to!

The Opening Night Gala has been rescheduled to

January 31st

with daily tours

February 1st through February 26th

Culminating in....

A Designers Furnishings Sale on February 27th

I hope you all come out and see a fantastic Showcase!

This and That

2011-11-07T19:09:00.000-08:00

A sweet little girl's bedroom reminds me of a fairy tale.

Projects are many at the moment, and not ready to show quite yet.

But there are images I take along the way that seem to tell a little story....perhaps they are not ready for editorial space, but something about them makes me smile.

Collections and wonderful art create all of the character in a home. A Frank Stella piece with a collection of vintage Mercury Glass make an interesting combination.

Wishing smiles for you all this evening!

New Stuff: Perennials Outdoor Fabrics

2011-11-02T15:13:00.000-07:00

Things are hopping here at Katie Denham Interiors. I have lots to tell you all, but I need a little more time to compose myself and a new blog post!

So I will leave you with some NEW fabrics from Perennials! Just a little peek....there are many more to come. The new collection is called Road Trippin', and features exotic prints influenced by French, Spanish and Moorish patterns. Updated with vibrant colors, this collection is fantastic!

For information on availability and pricing, just send me a line!

Fall Table for a Halloween Weekend!

2011-10-31T10:23:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday, I hosted an annual Book Group party at my home. We have a group of 11 women and we each pick a book and bring the copies to the home of the get together prior to the evening at our own home the next month.

I picked a book titled, The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. Diffenbaugh used the symbolic language of flowers used in Victorian times as a instrument of communication for a young woman emancipated from the foster care system. Diffenbaugh's personal experience with the foster care system here in Sacramento lent her great insight into the lives of young people who's lives are changed, often times irrevocably damaged by this system. An eye opening great read.

The story, of course, inspired me to use flowers for my decor and menu for the evening......I started with Tiger Lilies from the Farmers Market, which I bought the Sunday before. It gave them plenty of time to open for the party. I picked them for the cheerful orange color (since Halloween is today) giving no thought really to the symbolic meaning of the flower. I looked up the meaning later and discovered it means "wealth and pride" according to many flower dictionaries! Ouch! I found another definition as well, which I like a bit better: mercy, compassion, kindness and unconditional love. That is the kind of wealth that needs spreading around!

Next....I thought my muslin table cloth that I had painted with black stripes ( you may remember this DIY project from THIS blog post) would make a great base for the Halloween weekend. With that in mind, I wanted to top it with something else. I have this great resource blocks from my house where they have hundreds of bolts of beautiful fabrics discounted to unbelievable prices. (For those of you in the area, stop in to World Class Textile on Franklin Blvd.! It is amazing!) I found a wool suiting fabric from England in a beautiful brown herringbone weave, and it happened to have an orange embroidered selvage edge. I decided to leave the selvage edge showing....I love it! I just got two yards at $3.00 per yard for the top of the table......I may go back for more!

I added a few orange glass votives and leaves from my Japanese Maple Tree that are starting to turn, and I was done.

My Menu included a simple spring greens salad with roasted pine nuts, avocado and Nasturtiums from my garden ....Nasturtiums meaning conquest; victory in battle; maternal love; charity; patriotism. I followed that with Beef Bourguinon from Ina Garten's recipe in her Barefoot in Paris Cookbook. I garnished with Cinnamon Sage flowers, again from the garden...Sage meaning wisdom; long life and domestic virtue. To finish, dessert was an almond cake topped with warm dried fruit compote. I just get a combination of dried fruits from my favorite seller at the Farmers Market and simmer them in orange and apple juices until a nice sauce forms....so easy and so delicious! Everything was meant to be comfort food for a crisp Fall evening with girlfriends who love books. A wonderful evening.

I wish you all a very Happy Haunting Halloween!

Presentation Sketches - Marin Designer Showcase

2011-10-28T15:09:00.000-07:00

Living Room by Suzanne Tucker of Tucker & Marks

I have been working for the last several months getting ready for the opening of the Marin Designer Showcase. There are so many details to take care of...... it is a little like herding cats! I have done a few Showcase homes in the past, but this is the first time I am participating since opening my own studio. It is a different ball of wax when your name is on the project!

I have been having so much fun working with all of the artisans who are lending their beautiful furnishings and art to make it all happen. I thought it would be fun to take you through some of the process from the beginning.

Family Room by David Kensington

Back May of this year, I was invited to a designer walk through at a construction site on the tip of Belvedere Island. The invitation was addressed to designers that had an interest in participating in the Marin Designer Showcase. I did not know what to expect....what the house was going to look like, what other designers were attending. I drove out on a beautiful day and was captivated by the views from the building site. Construction was well under way, and I met the event coordinators from the Center for Volunteer and Non profit Leadership, as well as the owner of the property. A group of designers toured the site and asked questions regarding designer parameters, different rooms, etc.

Guest Suite I by Katie Denham Interiors (me!)

After the tour, I headed home with much to digest. I needed to decide if I was going to throw my hat in the ring. And if so, which room would I bid for? I decided to go for it and try for one of the larger bedrooms. But first, I wanted to talk it over with some of the vendors and craftspeople I work with. Would they be interested in participating to make furnishings for the room and provide art, rugs, lighting and accessories? And what could I afford to do? The answers came back that YES, they were interested and YES I should move forward with a bid.

Guest Suite II by Alison Wilson and Catherine Coy of Sunrise Home

So....the first step was to create a design for the bedroom I wanted to do. I spent some time thinking about the location and the feeling of the house. There were about 100 designers that were interested in participating, but only about 35 rooms available. What could I provide that others couldn't in terms of creativity. What could set me apart? I feel that custom furniture, a unique custom area rug and bedding would be important. I would be providing design elements that no one else would have. And then there was the art. It had to be unique and make a statement.

Suite II by Linda Donnelly

Then, how to communicate my design? The most important thing in being able to sell a concept is being able to help the client visualize a space....and that means a sketch. Whether it is hand drawn or produced by computer graphics, it is the most efficient way to get the vision across.

The presentation which I had put together was clear enough to illustrate my design concept, and I was chosen to be one of the designers for the Showcase! I was thrilled and nervous, both! Next came the real work....the drafting of furniture designs, the selection of exact paint colors, the refinement of area rug yarn colors and textures, and the procurement of everything....the race had begun.

Suite III by Robin Barnato of Studio Home Designs

I thought you might like to see some of the incredible sketches from some of the designers for the Marin Designer Showcase. There were so many great ones, I had to narrow it down a bit. I am very excited to see the final results and how they compare to the sketches. I know that my own sketch reflects much of what will be happening, but there have been some changes along the way that I am excited about!

Suite IV by Kriste Miclelini Interiors

I am interested to know what you all think.....do you like the artistry of a hand drawn sketch, or do you prefer the precise computer generated representations? I am drawn to the artistry of the sketch, perhaps because I so appreciate the sketches I have seen from design masters like Mark Hampton, but I also think that the computer models get the job done in ways that sketches might not. Computers can show virtual tours through a space, not such a bad tool to have in the tool belt.

What are your thoughts?

I hope you all have the opportunity to visit the Showcase and see how the reality compares to the design sketches!

For all the info for this years Marin Designer Showcase, click on over HERE.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Long Weekend: Mendocino

2011-10-24T12:00:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, Tim and I had a little "us" time up the coast in Mendocino. It is one of those places where everywhere you turn, there is a photo that is screaming to be taken. It is one of those towns that is so full of character and charm, it is bursting. And so we go again and again.

One of the things that makes this place so unique in its charm may also be the thing that might frustrate any who wish to move here. It is isolated, and the Historical Preservation oversight is extremely strict. Building here is very difficult. But that is what makes this place what it is.

We stayed here at the Blair House, the place where Angela Lansbury gardened in Murder She Wrote. It was so quiet and peaceful, the bed was so comfortable, I almost was woken up by the lack of dogs barking, leaf blowers and garbage trucks. Our host was a man named Norm who made breakfast for us each morning, sat with us while we ate the best granola I have ever tasted and gave us information about the perfect hike up Russian Gulch to a beautiful waterfall.

The view from our room was so pretty with purple Hibiscus reaching up the the second floor. Sunrise came late enough to let us catch a glimpse.

We walked a bit though town before heading out for the Waterfall hike. The houses next door to Blair House were just as pretty.....

Blair House

The next street down had another Inn called MacCallum House Inn. We will try next time we visit. We try to stay somewhere new every time we go......

MacCallum House Inn

Another Inn we'd like to try a little bit South of the town of Mendocino is the Little River Inn. It has the only golf course around....

Little River Inn

One of the shops that has closed in town used to be a furniture shop that had specialized in Craftsman style furniture. I love the building which was once a residence with the prettiest sun porch on the front facade. It is now for lease, and I can just imagine a wonderful home furnishings and decor shop here. Maybe I will open one someday....one can dream! It is another example of the architecture to be found here......

Many of the homes in town are on the Historical Registry. There are Gingerbread Victorians a plenty, as well as simple salt box homes like this one.....

This house is a shop for Oriental arts. It just caught my eye while I was shopping while Tim was watching the 49er's game in a local pub.....

I never fail to visit the high steepled Mendocino Presbyterian Church. It stands facing the sea with such stoic presence, it never fails to inspire me. For a little history, click over HERE.

As always, we love to take walks and just enjoy the scenery.....There is so much of it.....it takes awhile to see it all.....

I had many more photos, but methinks that a long slide show of my vacation might be a bit too much!

Perhaps you will share some of yours with me if ever you get to Mendocino!

Shoes and Ships and Sealing Wax, of Cabbages and Kings.....

2011-10-20T14:58:00.000-07:00

The loft of John Cheim in New York City, 1989. I love the simplicity, white walls the surprise of blue on the ceiling.

Home Sweet Home by Oberto Gili.....it is a book that captures that sort of imagination....the one where cabbages can sit next to kings, ad shoes and ships may be sitting comfortably with each other on a table....the sort where one can imagine that time is in our perception alone and that spaces are created for and from memories.

Home of Alvaro Bravo, Medina House, Marrakech, 2005. I cannot tell is the art on the wall is a photograph or a painting. The beauty is that I want to find out....for me it makes the room.

Oberto Gili is a photographer who captures images and presents them to us as lush descriptions of the people who inhabit a space. We have seen them in the pages of House and Garden (oh how I miss you so!), Town and Country and Vogue. This book is a collection of Gili's extravagant brush strokes of those places where his memories were made.

Home of Alvaro Bravo, Marrakech 2005. Again, it seems to be the art that has captured me here. The whole room is so lovely, the placement of the art and the image of the eggs in blue bowls on the dark wood table is so beautiful.

In his preface to the book, Gili says," Every image in this book is the memory of a great experience. The pictures are about seeing. learning, admiring, guessing, enjoying,and digesting. Their significance is not about decor as interior decoration. Nor are they about trendy or untrendy, modern or passe, rich or poor, famous or unknown. Instead, decor serves as an expression of personality, fantasy, personal taste, culture and history. Whether the photographs were taken in the Seventies or today is irrelevant. In my vision they all belong to the present, and I expect them to be there forever."

Country Home of Gian Enzo Sperone, Filacciano, Rome 1990.

When someone expresses a thought like this that I connect to so thoroughly, the feeling is indescribable. My mind just screams "Yes! That's it!" The spaces that feel the best are the ones that are so personal they tell a story. Lives are lived fully are are captured in one's environment, and that space has meaning for the owner.

Home of Charlotte Horton, Castello Di Potentino, Seggiano, Tuscany 2005

This is why Gili's photographs are so poignant, and so timeless.

He has assembled photos from thirty five homes and artist's studios including those of Isabella Rosselini, Richard Meier, Muriel Brandolini, Jacques Garcia, Paul Fortune, as well as his own studio and home in Italy.

Home of Oberto Gili, Il Pico, Bra, Piedmont, 2010. Personal and beautifully imperfect.

When I received an advance copy of this book from the very generous folks at Rizzoli, I almost felt guilty. It is one of the most beautiful books I have ever received. It is a book that should be out in the most convenient of places so that one might flip though it whenever one needs a bit of inspiration....not for a design project (although it would be very helpful in that regard), but just in daily life. There are photos that are beautifully serene in their simplicity and those that are cozily complex. there are bookshelves that are spilling over, beds that are mussed and dogs that are sleeping. It is helping me to rethink my own design process for others and what is important in their spaces.

Studio of Ellsworth Kelly, Spencertown, New York 1996. Again the art is so very important here.

I have picked a few of my favorite images to whet your appetites.

The book is organized by each individual home of the owner. In some instances, the owner has written a briefly about their home, but many times, there is no description at all....the photos speak for themselves. It is largely a book of images. The images tell the stories and words are left to their own devices to skip along the pages of other books. The photographs are, of course, brilliant, and large. Large photos in a large book! It measures approximately 11" x 14"....big and beautiful. I also very much enjoyed the unique layout of the pages. The page numbers are boldly placed at the top center of the pages that are not covered top to bottom with photos. The graphic design is quite clearly as important here.

Home of Oberto Gili, Il Picot, Bra, Piedmont, 2010, He seems to love references to the flag of his citizenship even in his home in Italy.

If ever there was a book to place on your holiday gift giving list, for others or for yourself, this is certainly one to place in the top ten, right after that trip to Sienna or Capri.

Home of Oberto Gili......as you can see, his dog on the mussed red and white striped bed cover as art in a place of prominence tells us his story.

My Life Until Yesterday: my furniture, paintings, and photographs .....Although these create a portrait of my past, the house does not look like a museum; on the contrary, it is a very lively place that changes constantly to accommodate what in the imagination, for a split second, is the future.

May all of your futures be filled with beautiful inspiration.

Discovery in Mendocino: Erin Keller

2011-10-18T13:15:00.000-07:00

Last Weekend, Tim and I had a weekend away in Mendocino. It was such a great weekend, full of inspiration and relaxation....and lots of delicious food (more on that later!) One of the things I love to do is look at the shops that line the oh-so-charming streets of this small coastal town. Sadly, it seems that the economy has affected this town no less than any other. Some of my favorites were no longer to be found, and the store fronts were empty with no newcomers.

HOWEVER!! I did find one newcomer who has just opened a jewel box of a shop! It is actually so much like a jewel box, I was charmed from head to toe. Erin Keller, the proprietress in residence, took a small storage shed from an adjacent property and transformed it into the most delightful and welcoming little shop one could imagine. Erin has created magic here.....truly. She has been able to fit all sorts of delicious things into a very tiny space.

Erin is a wanderlust who has traveled the world collecting textiles and rugs which she has brought back to Mendocino, where she has made pillows of every shape and color, tablecloths and napkins, spreads from Ikats and Suzanis, bead work from Afghanistan, rugs from Syria, and Ikats from Uzbekistan.

She has such an amazing collection, I was sort of shocked into a Mendocino fog. I was so caught up in all of the goodies and finding out from Erin where she found everything, I forgot to ask the most critical questions! How much, and can I get them for clients after I get home?! Never fear, I will be calling her this week.

Erin was just as charming as her shop. Petite and so pretty, Erin took time to chat with me about her shop, her passion for travel and her experience with decorating her own home and those of her friends. She also had her rescue pup with her, and I have never seen a cuter, more cuddly Chihuahua....

Erin not only makes the beautiful pillows, but she also creates these artful arrangements of birds and bits of nature under glass.....

I just loved how Erin was able to fit so much into this tiny space. She had metal shelves, bench and table to fit perfectly into this tiny building which she also renovated herself. I loved all of the moldings and especially the barrel vaulted ceiling. And it was a perfect fit for her rug from Syria....

It is off season now in Mendocino, but I assure you, I will be making a plan to get up there as soon as possible to visit Erin again and bring home some jewels from her jewel box of a shop.

Although Erin does have a website, it is under construction, so in the meantime....you can reach her here:

707-357- 4086 or 707-937-1515

I am sure we will be seeing much more of Erin very soon!

A Little R and R

2011-10-14T13:21:00.000-07:00

Tim and I are heading up to Mendocino for a little much needed R and R this weekend.

We are staying at the Blair House Inn. We have never stayed here before, but have seen it many times on TV..... Murder She Wrote was filmed here.

It looks so charming, I cannot wait!

I wil tell you all about it when we get back. Til then, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

The Makings of a Custom Area Rug

2011-10-13T11:31:00.000-07:00

Decisions, decisions....

I am missing you all, my readers! I have been very occupied with putting together all of the pieces for the Guest Suite I am designing for the Marin Designers Showcase coming up this Fall (opening to the public November 30th running through December 30th!).

I am so thrilled and humbled to be in the company of such designers as oh-so-talented Suzanne Tucker who is designing the Living Room, Candice Barnes who has the Dining Room (Candice was just in the latest Veranda having designed the Master Bedroom Suite for the House of Windsor, Veranda's first Concept House in Los Angeles!), David Kensington who is in charge of the Family Room, Gioi Tran, designer for the Master Bedroom, and so many other great designers!

There are so many details to finalize, and it is starting to come together! The idea for the room I am designing is a modernized version of an Art Deco Stateroom. The Suite is right on the San Francisco Bay with amazing views of the San Francisco Bay. I wanted to use a deep indigo for one of the colors in the room, and found some Indigo Block Print fabric that will be made into a throw for the bed, and some Tie Dye fabrics that will be made into pillows.

I am so lucky to be joining forces with Savnik Carpet to collaborate on a custom rug for the Showcase. I have been spending lots of time getting the colors just right, and the design to be new and interesting!

All of the blues to go through to find the perfect one!

We have been working on fine tuning the blue color, and have gone through a number of options. These are a few of the yarn samples that have come from the dye house.

The Indigo Dyed Fabrics for the Guest Suite at the Showcase

The fabrics are a rich indigo. The trick has been to translate that color to a cut pile where the color becomes much darker when the yarns are tightly bound together. The indigo colors were appearing black....so we had to try and get a lighter color....

Too light.....

Originally, I had wanted a combination of ivory and blue, but as you can see, the blue was not quite rich enough, a little too denim-y. And I decided that the ivory was not quite right for the sophisticated feel I was going for. So........

Just Right!

I have decided on a darker indigo blue color that was light enough not to appear black, but rich enough to blend perfectly with the beautiful indigo dyed fabrics. I picked a Natural Sisal color for the contrasting color.

I just got off of the phone with Kathy at Savnik and we are both very excited for the rug to go into production! I will show you the results in November!

I can't wait.

Launching New Katie Denham Interiors Website and our Book Winner!

2011-10-10T14:33:00.000-07:00

I was sitting on pins and needles all weekend......I checked this morning, and it had not happened yet...... I checked this afternoon and it is up and running!

The new and improved Katie Denham Interiors website has officially launched!

I created my first website in a flurry when I started my own design studio 4 years ago now. I have been in the design business for such a long time working as the principal designer for other firms, but the recession forced some changes, and I decided to start my own studio. It was scary to start a business in the economic climate we are in right now, but also very exciting. I was very fortunate to have wonderful clients who were with me all of the way...referring new work and remaining good friends. It is hard to believe four years have gone by already. It is cliche to say it, but it really does "seem like yesterday" that I hung my shingle. When I first started, I really did not have much in the way of photography for a website. It was quick, and honestly a bit rough. So........

I am very excited about the fresh new look and am looking forward to adding new projects in the months to come. There are many details to wrap up before a project is ready to photograph, and I am in the midst of getting a few projects ready right now. There will also be a few more menu items as things progress as well.

I hope you will stay tuned as things come to fruition!

Many thanks to my very talented website designer!

......................................

Thank you all so very much for reading katiedid!

I look forward to reading your comments every day.

Now....on to the winner of the GIVE AWAY of THIS fabulous design book!

Congratulations to Callie Grayson of the blog,

Grayson: a Different Shade of Grey!!!!

Hop on over and say "hi" to Callie and visit her blog. You can see her home and the progress she is making, her DIY projects and favorite recipes.

Thank you all for entering, and there will be another GIVE AWAY very soon!

GIVE AWAY: Last chance to enter for The World of Muriel Brandolini

2011-10-08T18:45:00.000-07:00

A keeper, this one.

Last chance to enter the

GIVE AWAY

The World of Muriel Brandolini Interiors

courtesy of Rizzoli Publishing

It came to my attention that those who are subscribing to katiedid did not have access to my sidebar to follow on google. So to make things easier for subscribers, you may enter by emailing your contact information to me.

To see more about this fabulous book and to enter on the blog page, click on over HERE.

Good Luck and I will be announcing the winner on Monday!

Daytripping: Apple Hill

2011-10-07T17:13:00.000-07:00

Fall is here. In these parts, that means it is time for the yearly trip to Apple Hill. Apple Hill is one of those places that pulls at your heartstrings. We moved to Northern California about 20 years ago now, and started our family here. Ever since our teenage daughters were little, we have taken them to pick apples, drink apple cider, and eat apple pie in the beautiful hills North East of Sacramento. It was the place my youngest daughter decided she wanted to spend her sweet sixteenth birthday..... with her best girlfriends...so off we went last weekend.....a car full of six teens and me.....

The beautiful rolling hills of the Apple Hill region

Since we first started coming here, the Hill has grown. The apple growers that open their farms to the public has probably tripled. There are maps and guides telling one where to find locations where there are fresh apple pies, where you can pick your own apples, where there are pumpkin patches, and where you can find BBQ for lunch.....or where there are hayrides, animals to pet, or pony rides.

Freshly picked half peck of apples...they were delicious!

And the pumpkins patches? They are not just your average orange pumpkins.....

Pumpkins at Patrick's Mountain Berry Farm

Although there are plenty of those too....

High Hill Ranch is one of the main draws with its many craft booths, huge cider press with free cider samples, pony rides, hay rides, and large produce shed. And then there is the fishing pond which overlooks the valley....

It makes for a nice shower if you are so inclined.....

We stop here because they have carmel apple milkshakes.....could you resist?

We also like to stop at Bavarian Hills where we can get Bratwurst, Polish Sausages, Schnitzel and Brockwurst....and maybe a stein of beer....OK....and maybe some Apple Strudel. There is a very relaxed uncrowded feel here when you compare it to High Hill, which I really like. It feels like Oktoberfest every time I come and sit in the Beer Garden and listen to the German music while eating my Bratwurst and red cabbage....

Next stop, Denver Dan's where these cuties live....

Alapacas seem to be a growing industry in the hills between Sacramento and the Sierras.

Denver Dan's has a huge shop with another fruit treat everywhere look. There are fruit jams and syrups, and chutneys. There are frozen pies of every sort: apple, apple rhubarb, olallieberry, marion berry, cherry. There are Bavarian Cream Tortes, Pumpkin Rolls, Apple Crisps. There are Chicken Pasties, and Turnovers, home made chunky Applesauce.....

And then there is Big Al. He's the guy you want to see for his famous apple slinky. If you are daring, he will give you the full treatment....that would be every syrup Denver Dan's makes on top of that apple slinky....

Big Al with a famous special Apple Slinky on one daring person's thumb. You will need a paper towel for this one.

We ended up taking home a frozen Pumpkin Roll (we ate it a couple of days ago....Soooo good!), a package of Chicken Pasties and an Apple Rhubarb Pie. All can be transported home in a cold storage pack also sold at Denver Dan's. But if you remember to bring a cooler, you will be set!

Next up, Apple Ridge Farms is perhaps my favorite place for treats. I cannot leave without a fresh warm apple doughnut......

Apple Ridge, I am told, is also the only place that makes their own carmel for the apple slices in a bowl. And you can taste the brown sugar and butter in every bite! It is decadently delicious. I do not have a pretty picture...it is not that pretty....but I am pretty sure they eat these apples and carmel in heaven.

I have also been told that they have a new chef...so the BBQ is touted as being the best on the Hill as well. If I had only known.....we would have eaten lunch here! Luckily we are coming back up in a couple of weeks....so I will let you know!

The Flower Garden at Patrick's Mountain Grown Berry Farm

One of the last places I like to stop at the end of the Apple Hill loop is Patrick's Mountain Grown Berry Farm. The berry season has past (but during the summer you can come up and pick your own!), but they have such a beautiful flower garden, I cannot resist stopping to see it every year. It makes you feel like Alice in Wonderland.....

Happy birthday my own Alice on your sixteenth birthday....

I hope you all have a weekend full of wonders....

So Much to Do...So Little Time

2011-10-06T13:14:00.000-07:00

I have so many things to tell you all, I just need to gather my thoughts!!!

I want to tell you all about the Marin Designer's Showcase Progress (Tomorrow!). I just went to see the house again yesterday and it is going to be beautiful! I met with Stephanie Breitbard Gallery yesterday to select more art for the space ( I can't wait to show you....she represents some amazing artists.) I went over to Smith Anderson to frame another peice going in the space by James Bleecker. And I met with my mirror and glass installer.....(well. really he is a glass artiste!).... Steve at 306 Glass and Design, to go over some things he is doing for me at the Showcase. Anything glass related, he can do it. Things are coming together!

I also have many client projects going on which are in various stages. One of the projects is a house designed by Joseph Eichler where I have had the good fortune to be working on much of the house, starting with a kitchen and family room remodel. It will be photographed this November I hope and I will get to show it to you all.

And I have been working hard to get a new website designed and launched....it should be up and running very soon!

In the meantime, I thought you might like to see the latest from Brunschwig and Fils. Such pretty Patterns and Colors. It lifts my mood on the rainy Fall day. Although I do love a rainy Fall day...it just makes it all the better. Head on over to see the whole Les Alizes Fall 2011 Collection!

GIVE AWAY: The World of Muriel Brandolini

2011-10-03T13:39:00.000-07:00

Photo by Eric Boman

Muriel Brandolini is an adventurer. Her life reads like an epic novel, and her aesthetic illustrates her story with bold bright gestures capturing the romance and joie de vivre that any story worth reading would encompass.

I have been glued to my advance copy, gratis of the very kind folks at Rizzoli, ever since turning the first page. I am an admitted design addict....with the added addiction of bibliophilism vying for my attention daily. I am in no way seeking rehabilitation for my addictions, and it is books like this one that feed my cravings.

Photo by Eric Boman

The World of Muriel Brandolini is my perfect read. It is filled with Brandolini's brilliantly exotic interiors which are so magical, telling a story all on their own. There are many design books which are filled with beautiful photos of beautiful interiors.....all unique and beguiling in their own way. The thing that sets this book apart is Muriel's personal story. She talks about her life from the beginning, starting off with her birth in Montpellier, France to a French-Venezuelan mother and a Vietnamese father. She takes us to Vietnam where her family moved when she was just a baby and then to Martinique when she was twelve, and then off to Paris where her education begins in earnest.

Photo by Oberto Gili

Muriel travels the world thereafter meeting fascinating people, adding to her global aesthetic along the way. She takes us with her when she falls, accidentally, into a decorating career in New York, when the home she creates for her young family becomes famous after being published eleven times in one year.

We get to see her house in its many incarnations over the years, as well as her beach house on Long Island's Peconic Bay. All of her magical thinking is laid bare for us in Part I, the first third of the book.

Photo by Michael Mundy

In Part II, we are taken on a tour of client residences that take your breath away. Every piece in each room looks like a collected work, and worthy of attention. Many would say that this is not the formula for success in design.....that perhaps it is too much...and this is where Muriel proves them wrong. Muriel Brandolini and her style have been described as everything from unconventional, exotic, bold, and magical, to "that newly minted American arbiter of haute bohemian chic"( New York Times). I would say she is all of those things, and more so if you consider America a melting pot of influences from around the world.

A single block of rock crystal....the side table by Martin Szekely. Photo by Pieter Estersohn

Brandolini's sophistication comes from her experiences, yes, but perhaps more so from her fearlessness. I think it is this quality that drives the creativity in the truly talented. She is unafraid of what the neighbors think. She teaches us that there are no rules in design.

In the introduction by Wendy Goodman, design director of New York Magazine, says in the early days, she used to think Muriel's clients were "very brave and very lucky"....and now she thinks they are "just very lucky".

Photo by Pieter Estersohn

And oh how much I would agree.

Photo by Pieter Estersohn

Rizzoli has again been very kind in offering you, my fearless readers, a chance to win this stunning book for your very own!

To enter this GIVE AWAY,

Follow these easy steps:

1) Hop on over to the Rizzoli and take a moment to look around. See the facebook link? Go ahead and "friend" them.

2) Become a follower on the katiedid blog by clicking the google friend connect button on the right.

3) Click on the "comment" link at the bottom of this post and leave a comment. I would love to hear your thoughts about Muriel Brandolini and her exotic style!

4) Make sure I can contact you by including an email address, or make sure your username has a link to a contact email.
5) The Cut Off date to enter is October 9nd, this Sunday at 5:00PM PST. I will announce the winner the next day, October 10th!

AND.....as promised,

the winner of the Michael S. Smith Kitchen and Bath book is...........

Barbara at Haus Design!

Congratulations Barbara!

Have a Fearless Day!

New Online Magazine - Heart Home, and a WINNER!

2011-09-28T16:58:00.000-07:00

Open publication - Free publishing

Online Magazine seem to be gaining in popularity, and there certainly are some great ones out there! One of the newest on the scene is

Heart Home Magazine

.....direct from the heart of Britain. Founded by Arianna Trapani of Arianna Interiors, Carole King of Dear Designer's Blog and Daniel Nelson of Atelier Tally, Heart Home is full of Anglophilia and some more exotic stuff as well.

A quarterly publication, Heart Home is full of interior decor, travel, fashion and all things British. It is bright, happy and creative.

A couple of articles in this debut issue are about two of my favorite bloggers, so I was excited to read all about them! Holly Becker of decor8 and Maryam of My Marrakesh are featured with beautiful photos about their homes and lifestyles.

So, just another way to get your decor fix. No need to thank me.

In other news....

The winner of the Charles Faudree Details book from Gibbs Smith is (drumrollllllll....)

Ann from Hill Country House blog. If you haven't met Ann, hop on over and say hello! She has a wonderful blog about her adventures in the Texas Hill Country. There is always something fun, creative going on. Lots of American and Folk antiques and great vintage finds.

Congratulations Ann! I know you will love the book. It is beautiful!

GIVE AWAY: Michael S. Smith Kitchens and Baths

2011-09-27T10:22:00.000-07:00

Couldn't you just spend hours here?
Photo by Francois Halard

Michael S. Smith.....the name alone conjures thoughts of design mastery....top designer lists....high style and designer brands. Michael S. Smith has "It"! Mr. Smith is the subject of previous interior design books bearing his name: Michael S. Smith Elements of Style with Diane Dorrans Saeks and Michael S. Smith Houses with Christine Pittel, both for Rizzoli. Both are in my library.

Photo by Michael Mundy

I was thrilled to receive an advance copy of his latest book: Michael S. Smith Kitchens and Baths! One of the largest segments of my own design business is the remodeling of Kitchen and Baths. I am always on the lookout for inspiration. Michael provides it in spades with this new book! Page after page of beautiful photography, stylish and functional spaces, and lots of resource information.

Beautifully done kitchen...Pendant lights by Alison Berger, hood, La Cornue Range, and I love the large marble "cutting board" on the island!
Photo by Thomas Loof

The book is organized by house project into chapters based on location rather than style. Because, as Michael says, "....it turns out that most rooms are rather hard to define in a word or two...just like most people." And so it is.

There is a section for the Beach, Town, and Country, as well as a section for Resources. It is a great way to see how different styles can take on a sense of place. How a modern kitchen or a traditional one feels "right" at the beach or in the city.

Michael gives really in depth descriptions of the spaces and information about all of the finishes, and why they were chosen. He describes how the layouts were changed and why. The Kitchen and Bath are functional spaces first and foremost, but Michael also believes that they should provide comfort.

Fun, casual kitchen in Hawaii for a young family. Love the turquoise concrete floors, and the glass embedded terrazzo counters. The cabinet hardware is green and right out of the 30's.
Photo by Grey Crawford

Not only are there scads of fabulously designed kitchens and baths in this book, but also breakfast and dining spaces that often times are part of what has become one of the most used entertaining spaces in the home. Kitchens have become a place where people congregate and share in the preparation of meals or share a glass of wine while the hosts set out nibbles for guests and get things ready.

Michael S. Smith understands this and Kitchens have become one of his most favorite rooms in the house to design.

The combination of Carrara marble, Venetian Glass mirror, mirrored furniture, white flowers and fresh blue pale paint is restful and very glamorous. Lovely! I do wonder who might peek over the stair railing while one is dozing in the tub though!
Photo by Michele Arnaud

And what about Bathrooms? They are a place to relax and rejuvenate. A private space that should be a pleasure. This means it must function properly and also be easy on the eyes. There are loads of beautiful examples here, from stunning Master Bathrooms to jewelry box Powder Rooms.

A more masculine Guest Bath with "pinstripe" Turkish Marble, "Asher" from Ann Sacks. As Michael Smith describes it..." you feel as if you're in a Napoleonic campaign tent made of marble instead of cloth." I love that description!
Photo by Michael Mundy

There is huge variety in Michael S. Smith designs which is what I like to see in any design book. Many designers are masters in a particular style, but Michael S. Smith shows us here, he has mastered them all. What runs through his work is design excellence through his unique use of materials and details, and an adherence to timeless beauty rather than trends. I think his work will be just as appealing and fresh 20 years from now as they are today.

This will be a book that I will be referencing for years to come.

GIVE AWAY ALERT!

AND....one of YOU will get to have

Michael S. Smith Kitchens and Baths

for your very own!

The publisher, Rizzoli has generously offered a copy to one lucky winner.

Here is the scoop:

1) Hop on over to the Rizzoli and take a moment to look around. See the facebook link? Go ahead and "friend" them.

2) Become a follower on the katiedid blog by clicking the google friend connect button on the right.

3) Click on the "comment" link at the bottom of this post and leave a comment. I would love to hear your thoughts about Kitchens and Baths, this book and what you would do if you could have any kitchen or bath you wanted!

4) Make sure I can contact you by including an email address, or make sure your username has a link to a contact email.
5) The Cut Off date to enter is October 2nd, this Sunday at 5:00PM PST. I will announce the winner the next day, October 3rd!

Good Luck and Happy Reading!

Marin Designers' Showcase on You Tube!

2011-09-22T14:46:00.000-07:00

I am so excited....the Marin Designer Showcase is on YouTube. You can catch a glimpse of what is to come. I feel honored to be a part of it!

Hop on over to the Marin Designer Showcase website for the latest!

Set Staging for Lumens Elle Decor Ad

2011-09-20T10:30:00.000-07:00

As a designer, there is nothing more fun, and thrilling, than to put all of the finishing touches together in a room for its grand debut for a client. You work for months, sometimes years for a large project to be completed. Oftentimes, a project may never get to that final stage where art and accessories are all in place.

So....I feel very lucky to be able to be able to work with Lumens Light and Living where I get to design and stage the sets for their print ads which have been appearing in Elle Decor and Dwell magazines for about a year now. Talk a bout instant gratification! I get to choose from all of the products that Lumens offers through their online shop, including designer brands like Missoni, Tom Dixon, Dwell Studios, Jonathan Adler, Ralph Lauren, Artek, Kartell, Blu Dot and Moooi. That just names a few of the furnishings vendors (who also provide amazing lighting design as well!). Don't get me started on the Lighting vendors! Better that you hop on over to their website for the full list.

After the design is finalized on paper, the items for the shoot are pulled together and we shoot a few weeks later. Then it appears in print about a month after that! While a timeline like this can have it challenges, it is so much fun to see results this quickly! It is just one more reason I anxiously wait for the thud of Elle Decor or Dwell as they drop through my mail slot each month.

In this latest ad placed in Elle Decor, the focus was on a new light fixture by Kichler. I pulled together elements to create a vignette that is somewhat industrial casual, and a little bit Shaker in feeling. I pulled the Tom Dixon Screw Table with a white marble top and caste metal base. I love that the top can be raised or lowered by screwing the table to up or down. Next, I chose the Mademoiselle Lounge Chair by Artek. Designed by Ilmari Tapivaara in 1956, this chair still looks modern and fresh.... a sign of a true classic. To accessorize, I picked the Eames House Bird by Vitra. No one knows the exact origin, but this black bird is in many Eames house photos. Alessi's La Stanza Dello Scirocco Cachepot by Italian designer Mario Trimarchi is perfect for holding orchids. Raw pine paneling and simple linen curtains create the perfect backdrop.

To get the scoop on each item, you can scan the lamp at the bottom right corner of the Lumens Light and Living ad with your smart phone, or hop on over HERE.

Happy Shopping!

Monday Already?

2011-09-19T10:00:00.000-07:00

Couldn't I just stay here a little longer?

Nope....it's time to get cracking! Lots to do this week.

To start off, don't forget to enter

THIS GIVE AWAY!

Charles Faudree's new book is so beautiful, you will want it for your own library!

You will find that Charles Faudree is a designer that is totally OK with mixing man's best friend and pillows.

Personal Archaeology: John Dickinson

2011-09-16T12:47:00.000-07:00

ar·che·ol·o·gy (är'kē-ŏl'ə-jē)n.The systematic study of past human life and culture by the recovery and examination of remaining material evidence, such as graves, buildings, tools, and pottery.

.......and "vintage" magazine articles....

....

We have been sorting through old papers with my Mom. .....just doing our part as a family to stave off becoming another victim of the Hoarders TV show. It is tough to stay ahead of the curve sometimes when one loves to collect.

Mom came across a keeper in the piles of paper that seem to reproduce like bunnies, especially when the mail arrives everyday with another pile of catalogs and pre-approved credit card offers. An article she had torn out of the June 1967 issue of House and Garden (oh how i miss thee!) features "a young San Franciscan designer of furniture and interiors and an accomplished draftsman" who " lives with his three cats in an old firehouse".....that would be the iconic John Dickinson.

Many of you are quite familiar with John Dickinson and his famous furniture designs, some of which you can see on Diane Dorrans Saeks' The Style Saloniste blog about Dickinson HERE. It is a wonderful article about Diane Dorrans Saeks friendship with Mr. Dickinson, well worth a visit! (BTW, if you have not visited The Style Saloniste, there is no other blog I have read that has more beautifully informative articles on the iconic persons in the world of design! A "must read!")

Some of you might have become familiar after seeing the three legged table designed by John Dickinson being purchased at the San Francisco Fall Antique Show by Million Dollar Decorator, Jeffrey Alan Marks.

Looking back at this article, it is plain to see that John Dickinson was ahead of his time, truly an original thinker. His ideas have become classics....white slipcovers, a collection ironstone platters as wall decor, antique mixed with modern, important pieces mixed with the everyday....and always his own designs adding character. It is hard to think that these ideas are original to us now because they have been used so much since then, but if you think the average person would never have thought to break up a matching set of furniture in the 60's (aside from the emerging designers of the era) his ideas were progressive.

I am still waiting for a book about John Dickinson to come out. Diane Dorrans Saeks would be the perfect author.

In the mean time, I will be collecting more articles I see about him and putting them in a safe place. Hoarding them you might say.

You never know what future archaeologists might dig up when we are all long gone. John Dickinson would be a a person well worth discovering all over again.

Have a great weekend!

Flowers for a Friend, and Music....

2011-09-15T11:35:00.000-07:00

One of my very good friends turned 50 a couple of weeks ago, and for her gift, I put together flowers for her party. My friend, Dorsey, always has wonderful parties. Her beautiful garden is the perfect setting. There is always delicious food, usually contributed by her numerous friends, as well as many a beverage. And there is music. Her family is one of those where music has always been important. She has a daughter who sings old jazz, a son who channels Roy Orbinson, and many friends who chip in....(more on that in a bit).

And there are friends that have accumulated over a lifetime.....many of them.

These friends got together to plan her party and as I said, I did flowers. I plucked from my garden....lavender, rosemary, hydrangea foliage, and coleus. I went to the Farmers Market for Sunflowers, and the Wholesale Floral Market for berries, Peruvian Lilies, Safflowers and Kale. There is something about arranging flowers that is so satisfying. It is like decorating on a fast track....planned in one's head....elements purchased in a day...and finished in a couple of hours.

The car was full of beautiful color by the time I was done. I was ready to take it all to the party....

I added little pots of crayons and put butcher paper on the tables for guests to leave birthday wishes....

Home again to get ready. By the time I returned....the music had begun....

Young men playing French Gypsy Jazz....think Chocolat and you have it....

They call themselves The World's Finest Apples....hop on over HERE to hear what they do...

The evening fell into night. Dorsey's daughter Molly sang with the young gents in accompaniment.....We filled ourselves with custom concocted salads....spinach, arugula, romaine, beets, mushrooms, gorgonzola, sunflower seeds, fresh corn, kalamata olives, pine nuts, grilled vegetables and so many other choices it was hard to decide.....then topped with grilled chicken, tri-tip or shrimp...and all served to our specifications....mmmmmmmm....

And there were cupcakes to celebrate..... and ice cream cones.....

Later....there was dancing.....

Such a wonderful celebration for a wonderful friend.

Give Away: Charles Faudree Details

2011-09-12T15:20:00.000-07:00

Tablescape - "The sophistication of crystal lamps, silver frames and orchids is a pleasing contrast to the antique French farm table...."

Do I ever turn down an opportunity to review a new design book? Absolutely NOT! Especially when the book is the newest by one of America's top 100 designers, Charles Faudree. Mr. Faudree's work has been published in Veranda, House Beautiful, Southern Accents (how we miss you!), Traditional Home to name but a few.

This is not Mr. Faudree's first time around the book publishing block. His other books include the most recent Charles Faudree Interiors, Charles Faudree's Country French Florals and Interiors, Charles Faudree's Country French Living, and Charles Faudree's French Country Signature. For any of you that are French Country design lovers and even those of you who just like great design, click on over. He is a master.

Charles Faudree has been creating beautiful interiors for 4 decades throughout the United States and Europe. He is even now in the process of designing a residence in Abu Dhabi. He also has created a line of fabrics for Vervain (which you can find on the Vervain website HERE) and maintains a retail location for antiques and interior design in Tulsa Oklahoma.

So on with the new book's "Details"........

This newest book by Mr. Faudree is all about those details:

Charles Faudree Details , by Charles Faudree with Francesanne Tucker

As he says, " Details may seem like a small subject, but these finishing accessories are by far the most important part of decorating. People's lives are expressed by the little details. They give a room its soul." Amen! The rooms I see in magazines that are the most successful in my opinion, are the rooms that above all else, show the character, interests and loves of the inhabitant.

".....the details of a room create its identity. The accessories we display, their color and texture, abundance or restraint, similarity or variety, combine to establish a unique personality for each room. The way we put them together is art. It's what it's all about." Hitting the nail on the head, I say.

Wall Decorations - "A wonderful collection of green majolica complements the antique Black Forest mirror..."

Charles Faudree Details is not only a beautifully turned out book with gorgeous full bleed photos by Jenifer Jordan, it is organized in a way that makes it a wonderful reference. Each chapter takes on another area where details can be arranged to make a room sing: Tablescapes, Wall Decorations, Mantels, Fabrics and Lighting.

Wall Decorations - I think this wall shelving display of white everyday dishes is just beautiful...charming and useful. And I did notice the very small depth of the base cabinet...perfect for a small space!

In each section, Mr. Faudreee takes us by the hand and shows us why each item is chosen and placed the way it is. For Tablescapes scale, contrast, color and balance all play a part. But even then there is no particular formula. Experimentation is the key. Mr Faidree does place an emphasis on adding flowers to any tablescape. Even one bud will add a bit of life to a room. Wall Decorations include not only art and mirrors, but shelving and accessory display on the shelves. The one thing Mr. Faudree emphasizes is that pedigree is not important, but "the emotional response it creates".

Fabrics - The serene blues of the color palette and the cheerful animals on the pillows.... and on the sofa, ahem..... are the perfect reflection of this lakeside cabin

Fabrics are as important as furniture for Mr. Faudree. "You can buy fabulous antiques, but without the magic of the right fabrics to compliment them, you've compromised their impact." Whether it is a mix of patterns or a cleaner look like the one above, Mr. Faudree creates magic.

Mr. Faudree also gives us hints about how to light any room. From candle and firelight to the proper use of can lighting....he expresses his thoughts. Sconces, Chandeliers, table lamps and task lighting can all be functional as well as an enhancement to the decoration of a room. It is always a pleasure to learn why a designer makes the choices they do.

Mantels are also a place where character can show itself. The fireplace is always a focal point, and what's above can make or break a room. Mr. Faudree leads us through an array of beautiful rooms and explains why each mantel has been successfully composed.

Lighting - A wonderful Lantern paired with crystal candelabras are perfect for this entry table

I think you will enjoy this newest in the Charles Faudree collection of books as much as I do. To make sure you have a chance to own it for yourselves, the publisher, Gibbs Smith has kindly offered a copy for one lucky winner!

To enter this

GIVE AWAY

Charles Faudree Details

Simply follow directions:

1) Hop on over to the Gibbs Smith website and take a moment to look around. See the facebook link? Go ahead and "friend" them.

2) Click on the "comment" link at the bottom of this post and leave a comment. I would love to hear your thoughts about the the snippet you have seen so far!

3) Make sure I can contact you by including an email address, or make sure your username has a link to a contact email.
4) The Cut Off date to enter is September 25th at 5:00PM PST. I will announce the winner the next day, September 26th!

Good Luck and Happy reading!

This Weekend: Art, Art and more Art!!

2011-09-09T13:01:00.000-07:00

Breakthrough, 48" x 66", by Micah Crandall-Bear

If there is one thing that Sacramento has in abundance, it is a thriving art community. Artists from all over California and beyond, have found Sacramento a place that is quite supportive of their passion. There are ample opportunities and venues to show what they do to a population that has great appreciation. There are affordable places to find studio space. And there is a large community of like-minded souls who encourage and promote each other.

I think that an interior is never complete without great art. I encourage my clients to look at art, find out about the artists and see what speaks or appeals to them.....

New York II, 52" x 56" by Micah Crandall-Bear

This weekend, there is the perfect opportunity to see a huge amount of art in one fell swoop. This Saturday, September 10, 10am-4pm, and Sunday, September 11, 12-4pm more than 150 artists are opening their studios to the public on the annual

Capitol Artists Studio Tour

organized by the

Center for Contemporary Art, Sacramento.

Writing in the Sand 5, 22" x 30" by Sandra Beard

The Center for Contemporary Art, Sacramento (CCASAC) is also host to the 2011 Capitol Artists Studio Tour Exhibition, which started August 30 and runs through September 11. So....three things.....

1) CCASAC will have maps you can pick up for the weekend long Capitol Artists Studio Tour

2) CCASAC will be exhibiting over 100 artists works at the 2011 Capitol Artists Exhibition

AND

3) CCASAC will be hosting an Artists' Studio Tour Exhibition Reception September 10, 6-9pm

White Lies 2, 66" x 50", by Sandra Beard

Got all that? If not, just click on over HERE to get all the scoop, see links to many of the artists' websites, and find out all about CCASAC.

Art acquisition adds beauty to our environments. And we need that.

So grab your bikes, head on over to CCASAC, pick up your maps and have a wonderful day viewing art, meeting the artists....and all for.......free!

Below the Surface, 40" x 28" by Cherie Hacker

Hope to see you out and about this weekend! I'll be the one sporting that beautiful head of helmet hair.

Have a gorgeous weekend!

Wine and Design...and all for a great cause!

2011-09-07T15:21:00.000-07:00

Helwig Pavilion and Winery Building

Some of you know by now that one of my favorite things....after great design....is good food and great wine! Throw in some great music and I am in heaven. I have recently had the great pleasure of visiting the growing Amador Wine Country a few times over the last couple of months, and it has been bustling with activity. There are new wineries popping up and wonderful events luring me back again and again. You may remember this blog post.

The latest "must attend" event is coming up soon....September 17th.... so mark your calendars for Triumph Uncorked Fundraiser! The new Helwig Winery, designed by dynamic husband and wife team, Paul Almond and Pam Whitehead of Sage Architecture is the fabulous location for a very special evening of delicious wine, gourmet picnics and smooth jazz. The event benefits the Triumph Fitness Program for Cancer Survivors and the Livestrong Foundation. My friend Pam Whitehead is not only one of the most talented architects in the region, but she is herself an 11 year cancer survivor...AND...the director of the Triumph Uncorked fundraising event in partnership with Spokes of Hope, an organization that supports cancer-related programs.

Helwig Winery Amphitheater with Picnic Pavilion and Winery Building Above

I thought you might enjoy a little peek at the Helwig Winery with its breathtaking amphitheater views of the Amador Wine Country...... isn't she a beauty?

Just a hop, skip from my front door.....aren't I just the lucky one? See the lady in the crocheted sweater? that could be you...sipping wine....snacking on goodies and listening to .....

Views from the Amphitheater

.......Utopian Dreams.....

Utopian Dreams

Will I see you there?. I'll be the one staring off into the distance at the Helwig Three sisters, wine glass in hand......

The Three Sisters at Helwig Winery

For all of the information about the event, and tickets (must be purchased by September 14th BTW! Ticket sales close by noon)....... hop on over HERE.

Freshening Up

2011-09-06T16:29:00.000-07:00

It is so nice to come in to my office now that I have a new slipcover for this old wingback chair. I have had this chair ever since my kids were little. I found it at a yard sale for $25 probably 15 years ago. Back then, we were just starting our family. We had just bought our first house and the kids were so young. I made a slipcover myself....not knowing what I was doing at all. I used regular thread.... the kind you would use for clothing. I did not know that I needed upholstery thread! The slipcover did not hold up all that well as you can imagine. But we had always made do with the chair....but recently, I just could not look at it another minute! It was threadbare and stained after so many washings I cannot count. It was time.

So here she is....with a plumped up seat cushion and a very simple white denim slip. I am trying to decide whether to paint the legs white or leave them black....and whether to leave on the arm covers, or leave them off. Photo ready and real life are very different after all.

Daytripping: Winters in the Summer

2011-09-01T21:15:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, the whole family hopped over to the town of Winters for a visit with family. (We just so happen to be related by marriage to the Mayor....our BIL Mike Martin of the Walnut Ranch Martins!) Tim's sister is lucky enough to have married Mike....or should I say he is lucky enough to have married her? Either way, they are both lucky, and we are lucky to have them as family. All of Tim's sisters (three) and Mom were in town, and Mike played the perfect host. We have been to Winters many, many times, but Saturday we decided to walk the downtown area so I could show all of you what a charming place this is.

Winters incorporated as a city back in 1898, and is lucky to have many of its historical building intact. It is charming, and is getting more so every time I see it.

The main street has some great restaurants including the Buckhorn, famous for their steaks, and yes....I can say first hand they are delicious. Lots of outdoor seating on the main street, and some great events take place here as well. ....like their annual Earthquake Festival....oh, those crazy Californians!

I realized on our stroll that Winters has a bit of a European flavor to it. Perhaps it comes from the families that first started the Walnut farms in the area, or the influx of wine growers in more recent years. Whatever it is, it works for the romantic in me.

It did strike me fully when we went to Ficelle for dinner, a Spanish Tapas restaurant. The owners had traveled to Spain to study the cuisine and it was very good! We ordered one of everything...sometimes two. (There were 12 of us...don't judge).

Everything was being devoured so quickly, it was hard to get photos, but here are a few of the delectables:

After dinner, one of Tim's sisters took the kids out to the Walnut Ranch to drive the "gator" around the the orchards while some of us strolled over to taste a little wine and play some bocce ball at Main Street Cellars Wine Tasting Room, the newest of the tasting rooms in Winters......ahem....did we not have enough with dinner? Apparently not.

Great atmosphere, very nice wine selection, and they serve beer too!

We worked it off with a very strenuous bocce match...

Next up, a peek at Preserve Public House, a restaurant and bar that specializes in .......preserves....and cheese made right here in Winters. This place has been on my radar ever since I had heard of it a few months ago. Next time for sure!

Loved the industrial chic decor...lots of reclaimed woods, metal table tops and very cool one of a kind metal and leather chairs.

A look at the Preserves Room.....

Wine staves create an arch down a corridor...

Woven wine staves front the bar. I have seen these stools before, but not with the leather cushions....

There was a case full of vintage cameras...I was mesmerized...I was almost left behind just gazing....

We continued our tour passing the outdoor pizza oven in front of the Putah Creek Cafe.....always a winner...

....and on to the Turkovich Wine Tasting Room. They are doing well and expanding their tasting room. Good things have a way of flourishing.

We had to look in the window at Arc Guitar. Tim plays a bit and they make their own guitars here. If they had been open, I suspect Tim would have been plucking away still.

But we were full and sleepy from our dinner, our wine and our stroll....happily so.

It was time to collect kids and drive home.....

I had to make one last stop to see the community garden right across the street ....

It is one of those places where one thinks, "I could live here..." ....in a day dreamy sort of way. I will be back this Fall with the change of season when the leaves on the walnut trees turn and the roadside farm stands sell pumpkins and gourds.

If my little story hasn't tempted you quite yet, hop on over to the Fare to Remember blog for stunning photos of Winters that put mine to shame.

Weekend Before and After DIY

2011-08-31T13:41:00.000-07:00

Actually, this story would more appropriately be named "During and After". I thought I had photos of this table "Before" but I cannot seem to find them! I have had this table for over 5 years now.....one of the many pieces I have inherited from my mother's collection of furniture. She bought this table from Gallery of Functional Art in Santa Monica probably 25 years ago and had it in her home near Santa Fe. In its original form, it was multicolored like the top (I have not painted the top in this photo). Each stick was a different paint color and it looked like auto paint....metallics and very bright.

It was fun table, but it never seemed to go with anything in the house. I did like the form of the table and did not want to sell it. I had wanted to paint it for years. But Mom was not on board. We recently tried to find out more about the artist and see if he was still working. Mom hunted around in her papers and actually found the receipt! After contacting the gallery, we found that they had not heard anything about him for over 15 years, so it was a "go" for paint!

I was a bit worried about how to go about painting this. There were so many sticks, and getting to them all to sand them, prime them, etc. was near impossible. Thank goodness for my friends at University Art! I went to ask their advice and they recommended a spray paint called Montana Gold Spray Color: Shock White. No primer needed and it sticks to pretty much any surface: wood, concrete, metal, plastic, etc. It dries really fast and there are 204 colors!!!! Sounded perfect. Off I went with three cans.

The paint worked really well! It had a nice matt finish, which I wanted, and went on really nicely. The only hitch is that I needed three more cans for the size of the tables.....so many little crevices!. I think it still might need another coat, but I could not wait to try it in place.

I had a galvanized metal top made for the table a few years ago (which is why I did not paint the top!), so we put that back on. It now sits in the dining room bringing the outside in with a very large rustic birdcage on top.

My mom has seen it and now likes it much better too!

What did you do last weekend? I'd love to see any of your "Before and Afters"!