FarmHouseUrban

exciting news and the coolest new place for all things vintage!

I've been sooo excited to tell you all about this, and now the time has come!!!

A few months ago I was contacted by a person I had never met about a new business she and her husband (and a host of others) were creating.  She described it as a marketplace for all things vintage - cars, jewelry, clothing, homes (yes homes!) and of course, home furnishings.  They were selecting "Style Makers" who each had a certain look and style, to showcase their wares under individual storefronts on the website.  At first, I didn't think it sounded like the right fit - I pictured a giant virtual flea market - or worse - a garage sale!  After a few phone meetings, and emails I soon realized that was not the case.  Far from it.  Second Shout Out was created to for the hip consumer who has an appreciation for the finer things that have timeless beauty and permanence. 

The site just went live, but the official launch is not until mid-September.  

Please hop over to spend some time and peruse all the wonderful treasures on Second Shout Out and let me know what you think!

The week in review

It's been a whirlwind around here this past week!  Take a look...

Saturday - Margaret and I attended the motherlode of estate sales. Here are just a few of the treasures we scored...

It turns out the house belongs to George Lucas and the occupant was his personal Assistant for the past 30 years.  The most incredible part was that he wrote Star Wars on a legal pad in one of the upstairs rooms!  Goosebumps, I tell you. I look forward to sharing more soon.

Sunday - Father's Day

Monday - Met with reps to see new products for the store and clients. New smaller items - tabletop, accessories and hostess gifts coming!

Placed orders for a new client's 'FarmHouseUrban" living room.

 

Beachy Striped Wool Dhurrie

Simple Slipcovered sofa

Awesome Coffee Table 

Tuesday - Went to a former client's home to start working on a new project. Great to be working with her again and her gorgeous home.  

In the early evening, I headed up to St. Helena to visit girlfriend Cristine. Tuesday's is her Bocce Ball night, so I met her at the Bocce Ball park.  They take Bocce very seriously in wine country. 

Afterwards, we went to the new restaurant French Blue, designed and owned by Howard Backen (the architect whose work I have admired for.like.ever.)

Wednesday - Margaret and I worked on the online store.  Fine tuning the look + feel, getting all the product images uploaded, the descriptions written, making sure measurements and pricing is accurate takes a loooong time.

 

Still tweaking the logo...

In the afternoon, I made a stop to my woodworker's shop to check on the prototype for a new piece for the FarmHouseUrban Home Collection.  Here is a sneak peek at the FarmHouseUrban dining table!

Thursday - Stopped in to check on the status of a kitchen and family room renovation I've been working on. It's been a really fun project and I can't wait to show you more photos when the space is complete.

What to do with a monolith of a fireplace when the client doesn't like stone or wood? Raised panels in a geometric design!

Deciding which shade of warm gray...

Friday - Made a quick trip to the city to my favorite discount fabric store to look for a tweedy woven for an ottoman.  I didn't find anything, but did end up in the waaaay back intrigued by these retro (retro as in they've probably been here since the 60's, not new retro) Hawaiian prints.  Perhaps it has something to do with watching "The Decendants" recently?

I'd love to make big pillows out of these for outdoors.  They're not made of acrylic fabric, but at $8 per yard, even if they lasted one season it wouldn't be a huge loss.  My sewing skills are a bit rusty (plus, hello, I have no time!), so I guess I'll have to pass.  

Here's to a relaxing Sunday! Hope you have a chance to put your feet up today!

New York City Visit: no sleep till

BROOKLYN! In the past few years, I've noticed many shops, restaurants and businesses popping up in Brooklyn.  I had to see for myself what all the buzz is about, so my friend and I spent a day exploring. We got a recommendation from our cool waiter the night before, to visit 'his neighborhood' - Williamsburg, so that was our first stop.

We loved finding this little gold mine of a cheese shop - The Bedford Cheese Shop.

In addition to the abundant cheese and salami selection, they also sell hand crafted chocolate - the perfect sweet treat to round out your impromptu Brooklyn picnic. This display of chocolate wrapped in a colorful palette of beautiful papers caught my eye immediately. It turns out the small company - Mast Brothers - is located right around the corner and is open to the public for tours of the chocolate making process.  We hoped to fit it in, but didn't have time. Next visit.

We ate lunch at a great place around the corner called 'Egg'. It was a recommendation from the guy at the cheese shop. Despite the name, I don't think there were any breakfast items on the menu. I took photos of the amazing sandwiches we had, but the photos looked like doo doo, so you'll just have to trust me!

The latter part of the day we walked around Park Slope.  We loved the neighborhood/family feel and great variety of restaurants and shops, stopping for a refreshment at, of all places, a gourmet beer shop.  If you look closely at the photo above, you might see why.

The photo below as well as this article listing this ice cream sandwich as one of the 10 best in ny area, is posted on the door. 

 

If you're into beer, this place will make you very, very happy!

Instead of taking the subway back to the city, we decided to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.

On our way we passed a mall of sorts.  The stores are all converted shipping containers.

We were so enamored with Brooklyn, we came back on our last day to visit the Brooklyn Flea.  

If I wasn't going straight to the airport, here's what I would have picked up.

All this chaise needs is a little fabric love! It is practically the same as the one I have in the shop. Mine was also a flea market find.

I'm still thinking about that flag...

 Happy Happy New Year!

 

 

 

French Soiree

Last Thursday we celebrated the opening of the store as well as the arrival of the most exquisite collection of antique french pieces. They include mirrors, trumeaux, engravings, botanicals and art.  The pieces were made by a French couple I met last spring - he an antiques dealer and she - a restorer of plaster moldings as well as an artist.  Combine the two talents and the results are the most gorgeous pieces made with fragments from the 16th-18th Century restored with combinations of new and old wood, mirrors and plasterwork from 100+ year old molds.  

Next week I will highlight each piece.  They each deserve their own moment in the spotlight. After all, they're quite old and have travelled very far!  In the meantime, Here's a peek. This one - my favorite - might not stay in the store very long.  I'm dreaming about it for our future powder room with all it's crusty aged glory. Against a black wall perhaps...

Setting up the crepe kitchen...

A hard decision narrowing down the crepe selection.  My daughter Lily helped. We went with 2 savory; ham and mornay (cheese sauce), and caramelized onion and mushroom with bechemel, and 2 sweet; Nutella and strawberry and sauteed apple with caramel.

Surprising how well the crepes paired with the champagne!

And let the party begin!  Photos from the party will be on our Facebook page later today.  Click on the link at the top of the blog.

For info on the crepe caterer click here.

Estate Sale Finds

I missed the Alameda Antique Fair last weekend, but that's okay since I've been hitting some great estate sales lately. I've been on the hunt for vintage treasures for the store.  The problem is that I've grown so attached to each one...

French watercolor. Je t'aime.

Cast plaster box with cherubs on the top and pretty turquoise color inside. I found out that it was made by an American company with an Italian name - Borghese (no relation to the cosmetics company). It has the label on the bottom.  They made many boxes in different styles throughout the 1940's - 60s.

I've had a slight obsession with pewter since I was a teenager and saw a collection of pitchers at a friend's house.  This little pitcher, I was told, is actually English hotel silver, but it looks so much like the expensive pewter pieces made by the company 'Match' that I had to have it. The crooked top only adds to the charm.

Sets of vintage knives.  I love giving old one-of-a-kind things like these as gifts.  The bigger knives are stamped with "Shreve and Co" from the old grande dame jewelry store still in business in Union Square in downtown San Francisco since 1852. Underneath is vintage French fabric with an embroidered "M" monogram about to be transformed into the most heavenly pillows.

More store updates to come soon!


 

Still Life

Monday monday....la la, la la la la.

It rained today and was really cold. About as far from a spring-almost-summer day as it could get around here.  I needed to get the creativity going, but the weather was putting a damper on it. Taking a cue from the blue/gray light and the moody vibe outside, I snapped a few real life still life's.  

My newest antique acquisitions -  painting of roses with black background circa 1910 and an alabaster and brass lamp with scalloped shade.  

Hope you had a good day and an even better week!

Wicker Love

I'm always on the lookout for old wicker. When I go to Alameda, a flea market or an estate sale, I am drawn to chippy and weathered old wicker baskets, suitcases and furniture. A couple of months ago, I went to an estate sale and bought this funky cool setee.

Knowing nothing about it's history I did some digging, but since I didn't know what to call it or what it's made of, I had no luck. Then one day, while I was knee deep in an unrelated search for bathtub styles, I stumbled onto this photo from high-end antique store on the east coast. A clue! Was my settee the sister separated at birth from her siblings who now live a swanky life in the Hamptons? I left a message, but never got a return call. At least seeing the exact matching pieces confirmed my hope that the piece was probably worth the investment to repair and repaint it. 

Eventually, I contacted a 'wicker expert' who told me that not only did mine probably come from a "Chinese Walmart", but so did the pieces from the high end antique store... hmmm. Not sure what to believe, but regardless I still love it. I'd like to pile it with some John Robshaw pillows for a little boho garden spot I'm creating in the corner of our yard. Will let you know how that develops... The moral of the story - buy what you love.

 

John Robshaw pillows and quilts

Martha Stewart painted her antique wicker gray and with the pink walls of her bedroom (in one of her homes - don't know which??) created a very feminine and vintage look.

 

This room by Phoebe Howard is in several inspiration files of mine - the beams, the floor and the light fixture and of course, the wicker chair. I always like to add one unique chair to a room.  I love symmetry too (and realized how much after the recent post on Cote de Texas), but I find that adding one unique piece to an otherwise balanced room takes it to another level.

Phoebe Howard

 

Versaggi Construction

Kirby Mears via Cote de Texas

 

 

Remodelista 

I adore the hanging wicker lamps in the above photos.  Last fall, I bought the Ikea version to hang in the store. Recently I took it out of storage to try hanging outside with the settee, but felt it needed a little stripe or two first.  

I was planning on adding a wide navy stripe at the bottom, but I kinda like it just white and cream...  Plus the hardware store didn't have navy spray paint. I measured 10" all around then taped a garbage bag over the top and sprayed it with a flat white.  

See the navy and white stripe on the beach chairs above?  That's the look I was going for with the light fixture. I think I'll get navy spray paint tomorrow for a little weekend project.

For new wicker-like outdoor furniture - nobody does it like Janus et Cie.

At a more comfortable price point, Cost Plus has some great options that can be purchased online.  My favorite is the Laguna chair (on sale right now for $116!).

I have a few other projects to tackle this weekend - our first with no sports since last August! Happy Friday!




 

 

Alameda Antique Fair

The Sunday before last, I spent the morning shopping the Alameda Antique Fair. It's been a few months since my last visit, so I was ready for some serious treasure hunting.  My usual picking partner couldn't make it, so just as I was about to head out at the o dark hour of 5:30am, my husband decided to join me!

Just a few of the hundreds of vendors...

 

I just love these vintage canning jars. When I find them, I like to pick up a few to fill with flowers or candy (I've even filled them with granola) for teachers, hostess or birthday gifts.  The blue glass are my favorites.

 Remember these?  It's hard to believe this is what we used in high school!

I really wanted this bird cage, but have no place for it, so I passed.  Still thinking about it though... 

Grain sacks galore.

I've always been drawn to these primitive bowls.  These were some of the largest I've ever seen.  I was interested to learn they are dough bowls. The vendor told me they were used for kneading dough, but I can't imagine how since they're curved underneath?  Maybe they were used for rising?  Anyway, they would look beautiful on a long table or mounted on a wall!

My photography skills were a bit off - sorry I chopped off the top!  But, such an interesting piece. 

Bored husbands take silly pictures.

Shipwrecked treasures. I am so intrigued by these. 

Our loot - a few wire baskets, blue and white checked fabric and a french garden table and 6 chairs for a sunny, pea gravel spot... someday :)





 

 

Restaurant Design

Last week during Design San Francisco I attended a private event held at the most amazing showroom at the Design Center - Coup D'Etat.  The event was called "Public Eateries: A Conversation on Designing Restaurants in the Era of Food".  Two of my favorite topics + Coup D'Etat - it couldn't get much better than that!  It's been a dream of mine to design a restaurant...perhaps, oh I don't know, maybe an urban farmhouse open kitchen type-of-thing... 

The discussion was panel style, moderated by Jeffrey Alan Marks whose work I have long admired.  I strongly encourage clicking over to see his inspiring portfolio (as long as you promise to click back here after!)

Notice the arched windows and doorways.  There's so much detail (a trademark of Marks') in this big kitchen, yet it has a relaxing and comfortable feeling.

above photos via thelaurelstreetblog

I wouldn't have thought to pair the ottoman and chair fabrics with a busy carpet, but it works beautifully and gives a slightly boho vibe to an otherwise formal room.

I was so excited to find out that Marks' will be starring in the new Bravo reality tv show - Million Dollar Designer- that follows five LA based interior designers as they go about their daily activities.  Is this not the best news you've heard all week?! I can't wait!!!  

On to the panelists.  The talent on that stage in the area of restaurant design is hard to beat.  First to speak was Cass Calder Smith.  I'd list all the restaurants he's designed but I would run out of room, so here's just a few - La Mar, Restaurant Lulu, Perbacco, Barbacco, Rose Pistola and the newest addition; 25 Lusk.  

restaurant Lulu

Perbacco

above two photos - 25 Lusk

How flippin cool is this place?  I can't wait to check it out.

Next to speak was Stephen Brady; Visual Director of Gap, Inc whose restaurant design credits include Spruce:

Spruce

Notice the panes of glass (not mirrors) separating the bar from the restaurant. This is such an elegant restaurant. I especially like it for lunch.

And Cafe Des Amis.

cafe des amis

The third and final panelist was Charles De Lisle of CDL Workshop.  I first discovered his work last spring at the SF Decorators Showplace which I posted about here.

The entire room was covered in rusched navy blue gingham and accented with chartreuse chairs. The affect was so dramatic and creative.  The restaurants that CDL has designed include the remodeling of one of the oldest restaurants in San Francisco; House of Shields and the kitchy Canteen.

canteen

I have been planning to do a proper post on Coup D'Etat since they opened their new bigger space (next door from the old one) last fall, but haven't had a chance.  I took a few photos with my phone and they are not very good, but will give you an idea.  Also, they have a 1st Dibs shop that never disappoints.

Lots of industrial elements that have been reworked into furniture and lighting.  In addition to European and American antiques, they also make a variety of custom upholstered pieces.

Lucite table base with gorgeous wood slab top.  How about those canister lights???

One of my favorite parts of the showroom are Erin Martin's pieces.  The custom designed leather engraved cocktail table (in background) is outrageous and has a price to match!

I adore these French nesting tables (unfortunately sold) and the casters are brilliant.

Restaurant design is so much more complex than I realized.  Sound, lighting, menu, flow all need to be carefully considered.  I definitely have a new perspective and will look at restaurant detail more thoughtfully now.  I would love to see shelter magazines do bigger spreads on them.  What's your design favorite restaurant?  

 

Beautiful chairs for sale and the urban farmhouse store

This past October I tested the retail waters and opened a one-month-only store (aka pop-up).  It was a great experience in every way, most of all I realized that in some way, shape or form, having a retail component is something that I really want to do and a great fit as a designer.  As I work out the details, I am gradually building my inventory of refurbished antiques and home decor pieces.

One of the first things to go at the store was a pair of vintage chairs.  They are so pretty! Here they are at the store before they were sold.

The two I bought were from a set of four. At the time I could only splurge on two, but hoped the other two would be available when/if the opportunity came. I am so happy that I just got my hands on them!!!

I thought that before I upholster them, I would offer the option of customizing to my readers.  With the first pair I went with a Belgian linen in flax with a charcoal gray Belgian linen wide stripe. Double welting and the chair back are also charcoal. The price for the pair (in above fabric) is $3,400 or individually at $1,800. The options for customizing are endless, although I think the stripe really compliments the chair. Was toying with oyster linen with an orange stripe for a splash of color!  

If you are interested in the chairs either as a set or separately, please let me know!  Happy to send fabric swatches and discuss options!

Have a great weekend!