FarmHouseUrban

Creating an Urban Farmhouse Part Two and a House Update

Just to get you up to speed -- after we redesigned the interior to a smaller floorplan, the next step was/is to work on the exterior design, landscaping and kitchen details.  I was expecting the exterior elevations would take awhile to take shape since it did for the first design, but when our architect presented them, we were thrilled, and how often does this happen - we aren't changing a thing! I'm not going to show the new plans quite yet- I guess I'm getting superstitious!  But there is one architectural element that I can share that we all felt is essential in defining an urban farmhouse - a cupola.

 

above two photos source

source

source

 

There are many seemingly small architectural details that can make a huge impact in a home's final appearance. Things like posts, railings, garage doors and exterior lighting often get left to the last minute when the contractor needs an answer that day. In the next few weeks, I'll share what we're considering and ultimately chose and the sources for all of them.

I leave for NYC on tues - my burfday:-) I've been having a mini panic about the SNOW that came this weekend! Kind of ironic that in my post last week about taking my Wellies, I mentioned it was not likely to snow?! Hmm... maybe I should do a post about it not being likely that I will win the lotto, or be asked to star as the love interest meet Johnny Depp or be photographed for the Sartorialist, or be invited to Ina Garten's Hampton's house for dinner?

A possible last minute 'what to pack???' post may come tomorrow! Have a fantastic week! 

Big Sur-prise

This was supposed to be a house update post, but my husband surprised me with a night away to Big Sur, so I put my laptop away and unplugged for 24 hours. It's my birthday next week and since he'll be far, far away, he sweetly planned a wonderful getaway to celebrate a little early.

I had never been to Big Sur before, but it's now one of my all time favorite places for a weekend away. It's so breathtakingly beautiful! Just the drive along Highway 1 is worth the trip!  

 

flickr photo

FarmHouseUrban photo

Isn't that cool how the sun has those triangles like we used to draw it?

We went for a hike after breakfast and along the way spotted a few wild turkeys making a run for it! Can you see him above between the trees?

Simple fall decorations. Pumpkins come in so many colors these days - doesn't it seem like they used to only be orange?  A small sampling of colors makes a welcoming fall display.

I have never seen this done before, but I thought it was such a great idea I had to share it with you. When pumpkins are on the vine and still small, lightly engraving them will allow a scar to form later when they're big.  Don't worry, it doesn't hurt them! Mark your calendar now to remember to check your nearest pumpkin farm next summer to order your custom design in time for Halloween. 

The beauty of Big Sur is that on one side you have the vast Pacific ocean and on the other - Redwoods and vistas.

Fall is the best time of year to visit the coastal towns of Northern California.  The indian summers can last long into late October and early November.

Remember the wild turkey's we saw in the woods? Their cover was blown and we spotted them trying to get the heck out of dodge in this Lexus!  Pecking on the door with their beaks attacking their reflections - the poor car owner is in for a big surprise! But, it is a tough time of year to be a turkey!

Have a fantastic weekend everyone!

vitamin i

For those of us whose job requires creativity as well as those who appreciate being surrounded by beauty, we all need regular doses of inspiration to keep the juices flowing.  A shot in the arm of something beautiful whether it be a swatch of fabric, a meaningful story, or a pretty photo just makes us feel better. 

I thought a good way to start off the week is to share what has given me inspiration in the last few days - my 'vitamin i' - so to speak! I hope they inspire you too...

I've had this photo for a really long time and don't have any recollection of where it came from.  If you do, please do tell!  It's so fairytale-like isn't it? A reminder to look for opportunities to be whimsical in design and in life.

I'm going to nyc in a week and just started to think about what to pack. Last January when I went, I did not pack my Wellies thinking they would be too un-chic for nyc and I so regretted it! It snowed and the puddles at the curbs were like a foot deep.  I found this photo after I got back and saved it to remind me of how cute (and yes, chic) they can be and how everyone wore them with thick leggings and parkas. I realize it won't be snowy by next week, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't giddy about the cold weather outfit options!  

This is - ok brace yourself - pear, almond and chocolate cake!  Sin on a plate I tell you. I discovered this recipe and this gorgeous blog Honey and Jam recently and am hooked on the recipes and the amazing photography.  My own food photos are usually pretty bad, hard as I try to improve, so my appreciation for good food photography is quite high. This blog doesn't disappoint and has great props too!!  Do me a favor and don't read her "About" page until after you've looked through her blog. You won't believe how old she is!

Does anyone else get the Flor catalog? I've been getting it for years, although I don't usually pay much attention to it until something on the cover recently caught my eye. When I opened it, I was quite literally "Flor-ed".  The styling is superb.  Made me actually want to buy those carpet squares for a second! To get inspired, click here to see their online catalog.

Have a wonderful Monday, and as I tell my kids every morning 'be your best self', and of course, don't forget to take your vitamins!

Industrial Barstool - the search is over

I think I've looked at every Industrial style or Draftsman style barstool on the planet and finally found it! 

Introducing the latest addition to the FarmHouseUrban Home store...

Black iron base, and swivel wood seat with just enough back to feel comfortable but not too high to hit the counter top.

It comes in two sizes - 28" counter height/$380 or 34" barstool height/$440.

We can ship anywhere in the US.  

Oh, and we finally have a Facebook page!  Click the link at the top of the post to follow along.  I will post about what goes on behind the scenes, more photos and I can be much sillier there!  

Have a spectacular weekend!

I'll take mine black with a shot of cream

I thought I'd follow-up my black + neutral post with an assortment of gorgeous kitchens with the same color combination.  Going with black cabinetry is definitely a bold statement and takes some guts, but when it's done right is... well, just plain sexy.

Kristen Buckingham

Mary Alyce Evans

Apartment Therapy

Meg Ryan's kitchen via Elle Decor

John Gruen

 

 

Neutral and Black

Lately I've been noticing how adding a touch of black to a neutral room can make a dramatic statement. From walls to floors to kitchen cabinets, it appears that black is the new black!

Lonny

Lonny

Erin Martin

Jennifer Backstein

Anthony|Wolf

Atlanta Homes Magazine

Here are a few pieces that would be perfect for achieving this look.

 Bowfront Chest - Wisteria $1,399

Caio Fonseca painting - 1st Dibs

Clievedon Chair - Ralph Lauren Home $2,985

Still Life by Andrew Ren - Allposters.com $29.99

Windsor Bench- GreatWindsorChair.com  $795

Nate Berkus Fringed Dhurrie Rug - HSN $230

Twiggy Lettura Floor Lamp - Ylighting $1,895

Black Pom-Pom pillow - CB2 $24.99

My Italy inspired garden

Late last spring when everything was blooming in the gardens and yards around our home, I longed for a small, pretty space to occasionally 'escape' to with my cup of tea. Since we are gutting everything for the house remodel, it didn't make a whole lot of sense to do anything big. My husband and I like to stick to a 'master plan', but the romantic in me envisioned something like this...

This little spot was off to the side of the Villa we stayed in in Tuscany a couple of years ago.

So, our gardener Eswin and I hatched a plan.  If he worked on the space g-r-a-d-u-a-l-l-y...

It would just kind of evolve...

The table and chairs were an Alameda find, we had the bench, the pots are from Home Depot and the boxwood were in a garden bed that is going to be torn out, so Eswin moved them for me.

A perfect Saturday afternoon presented itself - sunshine after a week of storms, no kid's sports, everyone at home puttering around. I'll just take my tea down to the garden for a minute of quiet...

Until Violet the cat followed me...

And then little miss sporty spice followed...

And of course, where there's a ball, Penny's never far behind...

 

And then my husband saw us all down there and thought we'd like to have the leaves blown away...

I hope that you're having a relaxing weekend too!

Black Turtleneck and Art

Dear Steve Jobs,

As I write my blog today on my MacBook, go for a run fueled with music from my ipod, text and call friends and clients on my iphone I will think of you and how you were not just an inventor but a revolutionary. You changed the way the world listens to music. I'm wearing a black turtleneck in your honor and will really try to stop calling my ipod a walkman from now on. iSad.

Serena

Art

Every Labor Day weekend Sausalito is home to the biggest (in $ spent on art) art festivals in the country.  The artists that attend have been juried against hundreds of artists who enter each year.  Serious art collectors as well as gallery owners who are looking for up and coming artists do not miss this show.  

Buying art can be intimidating.  My rule of thumb is that there is only one thing to consider - what is my very first reaction when I see a piece?  Art is all about feeling and what makes you happy, so just go with your gut!

Last year when we went to the Art Festival we didn't buy anything (not because we didn't like anything, but other stuff in the budget), but there were some artists whose work we really liked. To read that post and see the artists we really liked, click here. One of those artists, painter Clare Malloy, was at the festival again this year and we just were just as captivated. We bought this...

Painted on hand pressed paper, the edges of the paint lines are blurry and soft.  It's a tranquil, calming piece.

We discovered some new favorites this year...

Sondra Wampler Photographer

Black and white still life photo - wasn't at the show, I saw it on her website. Outrageous.

Diane Komater Wireist

Wire sculpture or as her website says "Drawing in the air".  We're thinking a nook for sculpture would be cool to work into the design of the house...

Justin Dobbs Robinson - mixed media painter

The website doesn't seem to be up yet, so contact info for Justin is justindrarts@yahoo.com.  Took this photo at the festival.  Love the chickens and the collage - very happy piece.

Last but by all means not least, my favorite discovery from the first time we attended the festival is the work of Brian McGuffey.  Brian, a Seattle based artist, and I have stayed in touch over the years and he has graciously allowed my store/studio to be the Bay Area gallery for his work!  I am thrilled to look at his paintings everyday! 

The store opened today...