I hope you’ll join me on my never-ending search for beautiful pieces, with history, for your home. Find my curated treasures, in Booth #154, at the Antique Trove, in Roseville, CA. ~ Barbara
Last night, we enjoyed a nice dinner at a lovely restaurant, Townhall, built of brick, after the 1906 earthquake, in San Francisco. It was originally a marine repair facility, and the bricks used to build it were charred from a fire during the quake…probably previously used in a demolished building. A local artist was exhibited on the walls and the amazing light fixtures hang from the ceiling. The round disks that are behind each bulb are actually like circular cut-outs of heavy metal screening. The bulbs cast a soft warm tone on the whole room, making it feel like the…
Read the rest >>You know, I’ve always wanted to be queen of something,so I am the self-proclaimed Queen of Accessories! Truthfully, I can’t live without them. Plush throw pillows, pottery, artwork, greenery, personal treasures, beautiful books and family photographs are just some of my favorites things. No home is complete, in my world, without beautiful vignettes throughout a home, that are pleasing to the eye and tell a small story about the people who live there. Perfectly arranged accessories take all the design elements into consideration, including texture, color and proportion. Best of all, it’s easy to update your accent pieces throughout the year, taking…
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Have you discovered the versatility of metallic spray paint? No? Well, if you’re looking to jazz up your holiday home, for next to nothing, gold and silver spray paint is your friend! How about taking your harvest collection of pumpkins and gourds and spraying them a mix of silver and gold? If you have an inexpensive wreath that needs some love, spray it gold and hang it in a window from a pretty ribbon, to say “welcome”! The list goes on, to include baskets, candlesticks, picture frames…although, I’d suggest you stop short of the kids. Happy spraying!
Read the rest >>Joyous Noel! It’s Veteran’s Day and already, I’m anticipating my first Holiday season without either of my children in sight. My adult children, 19 and 21. Instead of “crying in my soup”, which would be easy to do…I’m going to rack my brain for some festive things to plan for, sans children. How about having a few, brave friends over for hot toddies and Christmas carols by the fire or through the neighborhood? Maybe a neighborhood brunch, keeping it as simple as possible with wonderful pastries, fruit, coffee and mimosas? Now we’re talkin’! What are the holidays without family? With…
Read the rest >>For me, the senses become more ‘alive’ here in New York city. Between beautiful sights, amazing clothing and accessory displays to scrumptious food and the latest home design showrooms, it’s so delightfully easy to become distracted! Today, I was in awe, strolling through Henri Bendel’s 2nd and 3rd floor of costume jewels, scarves, purses and gloves! I almost didn’t make it there, with the “sales sharks” on the first floor, pushing beauty potions and fragrances. I’ve never seen anything like it! While there, my favorite purchase was a pair of lime green gloves, that are extra long, so I can…
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When I walk through the doors of ABC Carpet and Home, I’m transported to another energy level. You’d think that with a name like ABC, you’d find a boring, nondescript store with more of what you see everywhere else. Just the opposite, as a matter of fact! ABC is in two massive buildings in Manhattan and four stories, filled with carpet in one building and amazing bedding, antiques, accessories, lighting, you name it, across the street. Simply wonderful!
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If you’re looking for wild and not so wild fabrics on custom built furniture, this is your source!
Read the rest >>Saturday’s staging inventory sale was a huge success, thanks to my dear friend, Moka and his amazing organization and sales skills! My husband, Bob, was there to help as well and together, we were able to sell 80+% of everything in stock. Lots of folks got some great deals, which was also rewarding for us! It felt wonderful to see the things I had carefully selected, find new, happy homes, making way for new design adventures for me in the years to come! Wednesday, I head for NYC, the “Big Apple”! We’ll re-visit my favorite design haunts and hopefully discover…
Read the rest >>If you or someone you know is looking to do some decorating “on the cheap”, a great opportunity is just around the corner! This coming Saturday, October 9th, the entire home staging inventory is up for grabs at some very attractive prices. If you’re a home stager or looking for some new home accessories, accent tables, art, silk trees, lamps, rugs, dining tables…you name it…put this event on your calendar! The sale starts at 8 a.m. and goes until 2 p.m., at 9900 Fair Oaks Oaks Blvd., in Fair Oaks, next door to Bob’s Cycle Center, near the corner of Fair…
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When I was growing up, enjoying the “luxury” of military housing, Formica or poorly maintained tile countertops seemed the norm. Now, decades later, the choices abound. From honed or polished granite, to cement, limestone, quartz, stainless steel or marble, all the way to beautifully grained woods, the options are endless. Wooden countertops seem so daringly extravagant in a kitchen, when I think about potential issues with heat and moisture. Yet, even these obstacles are being met with wood sealants and as you see in the photo, stainless ball bearings set into the wood counter to create a built in trivet.…
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