FarmHouseUrban

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! 

A Contemporary Farmhouse

A few weeks ago I received an email from real estate developer and designer, Jason Urrutia, letting me know about a house he had completely rebuilt in an 'urban farmhouse style' in Mill Valley, CA. It had just been put on the market. When I saw the photos I was completely blown away by the home's new look and how beautifully it was furnished and styled - ALL by Jason.  I know you will enjoy soaking up every detail of this dramatic transformation as much as I did. And by the way, the house sold immediately!

Go get yourself a cup of tea (or wine) - this is a long one...

before exterior

after exterior

before kitchen

after kitchen

before - stair landing/sitting area

after - stair landing/sitting area

before - den

after - den

before - bathroom

after - bathroom

before - exterior back

In addition to designing the house and overseeing the construction, Jason also designed the interiors, selecting all the furniture and accessories to be sold with the house.  Many pieces were custom, such as pillows, benches and ottomans and some upholstered furniture. Others were vintage that he had restored.  The homeowners didn't purchase everything, so if you see something that you like or are curious about, contact Jason - it might still be available!

I looove these pillows...

The guest apartment...

Contact info for Urrutia Design click here.

 

This adorable wine country home could be yours!

If you've ever considered living in Northern California's wine country, but didn't want to make a long-term commitment, have I got an offer for you!  One of my best friends is about to put her house on the market - for sale at $799,000 or $3,500/month for rent. Three bedrooms and three baths, with a garage and hot tub, this house is cute as a button!!  If only my bff would throw in the contents of her closet (she's one of the best dressed people I know!) then I would take it!

This is a great opportunity to jump on a super house in the best town in all of wine country - St. Helena. The house is in the heart of town and just a few blocks from Main Street where all the shops, art galleries and fantastic restaurants are located.  Just think, you could have a weekend home just in time for the grape harvest and crushing season - the most incredible time to be in wine country! Or rent your home for a year and try out life in California!

Since this is a preview, please keep in mind the house was not staged when she took the photos:) Some of the furniture can stay in the house if you're interested.

House description and contact info:

This 1822 square foot single family home on 12196 square foot Lot has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, 1-car garage is located at 924 Pope St Saint Helena, California. Gourmet kitchen, beautiful living room with fire place opens to a deck with family size hot tub overlooking a private garden and fruit trees.  Walking distance to St. Helena Main street. RENT for $3500 OR buy at $799.000.  This home is in the Saint Helena Unified School District. The nearest schools are Saint Helena Elementary School, Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School.Call (707) 480-8839, email: cristine.salzner@gmail.com. 

 

 

 

Restoration Hardware's new addition

Over the past two years Restoration Hardware has completely transformed the look and feel of their products and stores. I'm in the I love it camp, and if you are too, I'm sure you will share my jaw dropping, wide-eyed, can't-believe-it's-a-store amazement at the newest addition to the Resoration Hardware family - baby & child. It's absolutely gorgeous! The architecture of this store rivals the merchandise, so imagine my delight to find out it was designed by Backen Gillam Architects!  

Since the corporate office is located here in Marin, all of the company's debuts take place at the store location closest to the headquarters. Lucky for me, it happens to be only a few miles away from home! When these unveiling's happen, it's usually with stealth speed and covert-middle-of-the-night execution.  One day it's the same sage green walls and cherry wood furniture, literally the next it's all greige.  Thus was the case when I had an errand to run at the mall last week and noticed what just opened a few days before. I hope you're sitting down...

As you walk in, there is large lightly decorated space.  The archway leads you down a corridor that runs straight through to the back where there is another large space. Along the corridor there are many small, beautifully decorated nurseries each with their own arched entry as well as a few large kid's rooms decorated to the hilt.

There are several items in the store that are not yet available for sale, but will be in the fall.  Mostly it's the art, lighting and a few decorative pieces.  These framed vintage sheets of music are part of the Fall Preview.  So if you or someone you love has a bun in the oven, take a good look and start planning that nursery!  

The crib above was my favorite piece in the store. Almost made me want to have...kidding!

This crown is part of the Fall Preview and will be for sale in a few months.  Just in time to find the perfect pink fabric to create a coronet for your baby girl's crib.

These framed letters on burnt edged parchment will be available in any letter.

all photos taken by serena armstrong/theurbanfarmhouse

For more info on the products, go to RH's baby & child website here.

Great Weekend Getaway - Cavallo Point Lodge

I'm always filing away articles or recommendations about great 'hidden gem' hotels. Even if I have no plans to visit a particular city, I just like knowing I have a place to stay if I ever did. Do you do that too?  For anyone planning a trip to San Francisco this summer - have I got a hotel for you!

Only a stone's throw from the Golden Gate Bridge on the Sausalito side, The Cavallo Point Lodge is easy to get to if you are staying in the city and want to explore Marin for an afternoon, or to stopover on your way to wine country or to spend a night or two.

The hotel opened only a couple of years ago on the grounds of the former U.S. Army base at Fort Baker. Most of the property is comprised of original military housing that has been fully renovated. The main building (above) is where the Michelin starred restaurant; Murray Circle is located. Another option is the 'Farley Bar' which I have been to a couple of times. Cozy atmosphere and an excellent menu.  

The long front porch of the main lodge is always set for guests to enjoy a meal or beverage outside while taking in the beautiful setting.

Being so close to the Bay it can get pretty breezy, so the hotel provides plenty of blankets to wrap up in.

The view across the circle from the above tables.

These former Officer residences have been converted to hotel rooms and/or suites.

Another option for overnight accomodations is the newly constructed, completely solar powered complex on the hill behind the main building.

At the suggestion of the very friendly bellman, I walked over to take a look at the spa... O.M.G. 

As if one needed a nudge, the sample tea plate sits atop the tea bar luring even the most steadfast from their healthier pursuits.

all photos taken by serena armstrong/the urban farmhouse 

In addition to the spa, the resort offers a cooking school that has a variety of one-time group lessons. To see the classes offered this month, click here.

If you do make it to Cavallo Point and want to venture out, here are some fun suggestions:

Heath Ceramics followed by lunch at Fish (read my post about them here).

The Farmer's Market at the Civic Center (Sun and Thurs mornings).

A walk through the Redwoods at Muir Woods.

Mill Valley shops and restaurants (read about one my favorite places here).

for the more adventurous- a few of my favorites...

The weekly street fair on 4th Street in San Rafael (every Thurs evening during the summer months).  Followed by dinner at Sol Food (out-of-this-world delicious Puerto Rican street food).  Expect to wait.

Catch some live music at 19 Broadway in Fairfax (ever wonder where the hippies of Northern Cal went? Fairfax!) Usually small local bands, but every once in awhile The English Beat or something equally random will play.

Rent a kayak for two and paddle around Sausalito taking in the best views of the Bay Area while getting a little exercise.

Happy Weekend to you! 

Cavallo Point Lodge – the Lodge at the Golden Gate

 601 Murray Circle

Fort Baker

Sausalito, CA 94965

Toll-free phone: 888-651-2003

Phone: 415-339-4700

 

 

A Wine Country Birthday Lunch

A couple of days ago it was my sweet friend's birthday.  She invited a small group of girlfriends to celebrate with a spectacular lunch and wine tasting at the award-winning Halleck Vineyard in Sebastapol, CA owned by her beau Ross Halleck.

We convoyed from Marin taking in all the lush verdant scenery along the way.  

In what felt like no time, we arrived at Halleck Vineyard!

Perched above the Russian River Valley and overlooking Sonoma, the location is ideal for growing the grapes used for their award winning Pinot Noir. 

Once inside, we were drawn to the kitchen (of course!) and the source of the most delicious aromas. Our chef was Bruce Riezenman owner of Park Avenue Catering as well as creator/owner of "Pair It" a food and wine pairing app for your iphone available on itunes! 

Meanwhile outside on the deck, Ross was pouring us our first wine.

Looking out at the beautiful view on the sunny but brisk day, surrounded by laughter and chatter, smelling the most amazing meal being prepared, tasting truly outstanding wine - all five senses were alive. I know I wasn't alone in feeling very blessed.

Soon to follow was a selection of amazing flavor-packed-little-bites-of-goodness to go with our first wine.  Ross and Bruce created the most delicious Springtime menu:

2009 Halleck Vineyard, Russian River Valley, Piner Creek Ranch, Dry Gewurztraminer

Hors D'oeuvres

Curried Scallops on a Crisp Wonton

 

"Vietnamese" Shrimp and Vegetable Rolls

A bevy of shredded vegetables and shrimp, stir fried, and seasoned with sesame,

ginger and hoisin. Served chilled.

 

2007 Halleck Vineyard, Russian River Valley, Little Sister, Sauvignon Blanc

Hors D'oeuvres

Fava Bean Bruschetta with Vella Jack

Drizzled with a touch of extra virgiin olive oil.

AMUSE BOUCHE

Artichoke Soup with Olive Oil & Fried Artichoke Garnish

 

FIRST COURSE

Salad of Farmers Market Spring Greens, Golden Beets, & Chevre

meyer lemon vinaigrette

 

2007 Halleck Vineyard, Russian River Valley, Three Sons Cuvee, Pinot Noir

FIRST COURSE

Salad of Farmers Market Spring Greens, Golden Beets, & Chevre

meyer lemon vinaigrette

SECOND COURSE

Gemelli Pasta with Asparagus, Leeks & Fresh Dungeness Crab

French Epi Bread

 

DESSERT COURSE

Chocolate Coupe: with mocha molasses ganache, sea salt and coco nibs

Coconut cake

 

Before lunch, we decided to take a walk through the vineyard and around the property. Most of us were not wearing appropriate shoes, so we borrowed... I meant to take another photo with us in our real shoes, but needless to say, it never happened :)

The vineyard is small, therefore so is production, making the wines from this boutique winery highly sought after.

Baby grape leaves just coming into the world.

Girlies and forget-me-nots.

We stopped into the small cabin on the property - just big enough for a hammock, sauna and sleeping loft.

A grapevine picked up on our walk was twisted into a peace wreath.

Back inside, the rustic farm table held no clues as to the exquisite lunch we were about to enjoy.

Artichoke Soup

Spring Green Salad with Goat Cheese

Gemelli Pasta with Leeks and Dungeness Crab

Chocolate Ganache with Salt and Cocoa Nibs

Coconut Cake

 

It was a spectacular day!  Thank you for letting me share it with you!

If you would like more info about Halleck wines, please go here.

For more info on Bruce's catering (he covers the whole Bay Area), please go here.

 

 

House Beautiful Kitchen of the Year - Tyler Florence

House Beautiful just announced their celebrity designer for the 2011 Kitchen of the Year and it's Tyler Florence! This is really exciting since I adore everything about him his cookbooks and store so much! The 2,500 square foot mock kitchen and outdoor space will be on public display in New York's Rockefeller Center from July 18-22 as well as on the House Beautiful website and the magazine. I'm really looking forward to seeing what he comes up with not only because he's a chef and a local, but also because he has a fantastic design sense.

Awhile ago I did a post about his stunning store in Mill Valley, but thought I'd repost a few photos I took of the kitchen within the store for clues as to what we can perhaps expect to see.

Something tells me we'll see some dark subway tiles with light grout. Or perhaps poured concrete counter tops tinted charcoal gray with ground oyster shells like below?

As I mentioned in my post about the store, no detail has been overlooked. Everything is worth staring at and taking mental notes. It was here that I first fell in love with this chandelier by Moooi. I wonder if he'll use them in his HB kitchen?

Below is the cookbook library at the back of the store.  Foodie nirvana.

Leather French club chairs by the fireplace - irresistible.

Tyler's home kitchen has several elements that are used in the store too. If I were to guess, I wouldn't be surprised to see open shelving, chunky butcher block slabs and lots of copper pots.

above 4 photos - House Beautiful

Tyler's restaurant Wayfare Tavern is also beautifully styled.  It's a fun place to go for dinner if you're in San Fran.

above 2 photos - sfgate

remodelista

Tyler's newest restaurant that he opened with pal Sammy Hagar - El Paseo just opened 2 weeks ago and we're heading there for a bite tonight!  

addendum:  We went to El Paseo without reservations, so we had low expectations of actually being seated. The wait for the patio was an hour+ and for the restaurant was 2+ hours so we just had a glass of wine in the bar and looked around at the fantastic space. It's just so cool! The seating areas are divided up into small spaces spread throughout with an outdoor walkway/courtyard/patio that goes between. I can't wait to go back and tuck into his yummy food and hopefully take some photos! And in case you were wondering, yes,Tyler was there.

 

i love my job!

Yesterday I had an unusually fun excursion to a part of San Francisco that I rarely visit - the Outer Sunset - to meet with wood artisan Luke Bartels about a custom piece of furniture for a client. This funky neighborhood reflects by a diverse mix of ethnicity, cultures and socio-economic backgrounds and is bordered by Ocean Beach.The studio space/woodworking shop; called the Woodshop, is shared by four artists and a whole lotta wood!

Luke Bartels - Specializes in using reclaimed wood and already fallen trees to create one-of-a-kind furniture, shelving, art and you name it.

Work by all four artists (above). This shelving unit is made from poplar and cyprus trees and can be adapted to any specifications. 

Tree branch antlers.

Danny Hess - Builder/designer/owner of Hess Surfboards.

Josh Duthie - Transforms vintage and antique chairs.  His business is called chairtastic.

These industrial stools have a walnut seat and can be made with a back.

Jeff Canham - Painter and graphic designer.

The Woodshop is about 3 blocks from the beach.  So close that you can see the surf from their front door.  I just couldn't resist taking a minute to stop (literally and figuratively), take off my shoes and be here...

Wishing you a wonderful rest of the week!

photos: the urban farmhouse

Shopping Heaven - Napa Valley Vintage Home, St. Helena

Last week, I spent a whole decadent day playing hookie with 'girlfriend' - a longtime bff who moved to St. Helena about a year ago after a 15 year stint in Austria (so actually, now I call her gurlfreund - two dots over the first u). This is really double happiness since now I get to see/talk to her all the time and I have an excuse to go up to wine country even more!

We had a delicious lunch at Cook and then took a stroll along the main street in town. Sure, there are plenty of beautiful stores in every city - window displays that grab your attention, expertly merchandised tables, every square inch jam packed with items that you never knew you couldn't live without...but they are few and far between. One of these stores is Napa Valley Vintage Home in St. Helena, CA.  Pure eye candy.

As you first walk in...

The metal baskets on the wall on the left are vintage grape picking baskets.  Vintage Home works with an artist to custom paint them to your specifications.  

They are displayed throughout the store with huge bouquets of silk flowers. They would be spectacular in a mud room or entry to house umbrellas and sports equipment. The cost for a custom painted vintage grape picking basket starts at $1,000.

I never knew how much - or even that I wanted an artichoke candle at all - until...

sparkle for the table

Hello beautiful - maybe next time, but today that compote behind you is coming home with me...

We loved these candles under cloches. It keeps the dust from collecting on the wax, and also allows customers to lift the glass domes and smell each scent that has been captured from within.

I had to get up close to see if these colorful ranunculas were real or not.

um, does this come in a bathtub?

and upstairs there's more...

As a lover of neutral tones, this gorgeous store was pure inspiration to infuse just a touch of something unexpected.

Napa Valley Vintage Home

1201 Main Street

St. Helena, CA 94574-1902

(707) 963-7423

Follow me on twitter now @ urbnfarmhouse!