While we are thrilled that The Big Sur House has two full bathrooms (helpful when family and friends visit), one of them I have fondly dubbed “the cave”. There are no windows and the back wall is actually cement built into the slope of the back yard. Yep, it’s dark, cool, and just a little bit scary. When we first bought the house, we knew redoing the bathroom wasn’t in the budget and not a priority. It consisted of a…
In March of 2020, our lives changed virtually overnight. The shock of it has sunk in and the new “normal” for the moment involves long lines at grocery stores, working from home, wearing masks, and apparently a toilet paper shortage. I’ve been extremely fortunate on the TP front, as I always stock between 20-30 rolls…it’s something I never want to run out of…especially in Big Sur where the closest market is 45 minutes away and there are constant road closures.…
Today is a first for me. I’m joining seven talented bloggers who will be sharing ways to bring Spring into your living room. Never mind that it’s only February, a touch of Spring does wonders for the soul. After a neutral winter palette, I’m itching to bring in color and touches of the outdoors. In fall and winter I use warm throws, rugs, and lots of texture for a warm cozy feel. Yes, even here in Santa Barbara, we get…
The Christmas decorations have all been stored away which always leaves me feeling like I’m starting with a clean slate. I enjoy moving accessories and furniture around to create a fresh and updated look. In the living room, an antique table from Diani Living replaced the round reclaimed wood one. I’ve heard from plenty of Instagram friends that they preferred the previous one. However, I’m loving the smaller size, the character, and the lighter feel that this one brings. In…
Christmas time in Santa Barbara is unpredictable. Some years it is damp and chilly, while others it is as warm as a summer day. No matter the weather, I love to decorate for Christmas. An abundance of white, natural materials, an ever growing collection of tiny Christmas trees (45 and counting), and a little sparkle can be found this year at The Little Glass House. Narcissus, pine cones, and a moose antler are just a few of the natural materials…
While we won’t be spending Christmas in Big Sur this year, I still wanted it to have some holiday spirit and cheer without setting up a Christmas tree. I made some simple decor changes and it was just enough to make me want to hum Christmas carols and swig eggnog! I tend to keep things simple and natural. Here in Big Sur, I have potted paperwhites, driftwood trees, and pinecones that I bleached last year. Candles, tiny lights, the stove…
One of the questions I get asked most often, is how I got started on Instagram and if I could offer any advice. It started as a lark when my daughter Kelsey, who is social media savvy (she works at Snapchat afer all) helped me set up an account. I didn’t even know what hashtags were! This was one of my very first photos…blurry and all. It’s taken lots of time and practice to learn how to take good photos…
At our Big Sur home, we have a big deck…a really big deck. On one end is our lounging area with a large sofa, chairs, and a coffee table. The other end is a whole lot of empty deck real estate. I knew eventually we would have some sort of table. But a year later…still nothing. I always thought it would be fun to design and build a table, which I mentioned it to our contractor, Brendan Wahl of B…
Fall in California is quite a bit different than in other parts of the country. Our days tend to be warm and sunny, with cool crisp evenings. It’s my favorite kind of weather, but definitely not what one thinks of for fall. In our homes, I like to bring in the neutrals…winter whites and lots of cozy textures. Organic natural items such as white pumpkins, plants, and even driftwood lend a bit of autumn flavor to the decor. In The…
When one of my favorite stores is having a sale, I want to share. I’ve been shopping at Serena & Lily for myself and my clients for several years and when I’m back in Connecticut, its a must stop for me. Have you ever been in a store that you love so much, you want to move in? S & L is one of those! Serena & Lily believes living well begins at home. I wholeheartedly agree. Their fresh coastal…