Magnolia House California

Borrowing Restaurant Design

2012-02-20T09:08:00.000-08:00

I'm sure you've once or twice gone into a restaurant and, appreciating the decor, thought you'd like to bring that look home. AQ Restaurant in San Francisco has a cool vintage/modern vibe that would work well in any SF loft, California mountain house, cottage or ranch style home. The old brick wall is a great textural backdrop for the big wood beams and metal lighting. The Manzanita branches add an organic element that softens the posts and add a sculptural touch. These would look great attached to the wall horizontally too.

The various lighting used in the restaurant adds tons of interest and warmth. Vintage or vintage-looking industrial fixtures are all over the net so they're easy to get for your space. And many manufacturers offer custom finishes and sizes.

Martin Heid Design/Build is behind the interiors at AQ

All images via CA Home and Design

Here are some ideas and resources for ways you can take a little AQ home with you!

The food looks good too!

Magnolia House Interiors

SF Flower Mart Large Manzanita branches are available at the San Francisco Flower Mart. Tall Birch branches would work as well.
Nelson Platform Bench This bench is a classic. A good one for moving around the house. Think foot of the bed or coffee table.
Barcelona Chair The dining area at AQ is more rustic but these work well in the lounge.
Arc Floor Lamp A must with the Barcelona.
Dining Table Simple design with leg room to crowd chairs around.
Lyle Side Chair Sit in one of these. They're comfy, and with a muslin cushion would be perfect.
Ceiling Lights These are in brushed nickel but they come in lots of colors!
Gooseneck Lights
Kilim 1 For the house I would add some color with layered Kilims.
Kilim 2

The Reed light fixtures in this kitchen are functional and make a great statement!

And yeah! They are CFL friendly.

Via Rejuvenation catalog

Happy Decorating! -K

Get the 1st Dibs Look

2012-02-15T17:02:00.000-08:00

I stumbled upon a great page on 1st Dibs. It's called Photo Archive. On this page you'll find images of interiors as well as a "search the look" guide that shows you where on their site to find similar items. Now, if you're shopping on 1st Dibs - "The Most Beautiful Things On Earth" - money is no object so have fun....

but if you would like this look sans the price tag here are some resources for you. The above vignette from 1st Dibs features a lovely blue velvet settee with fringe, a small inlaid table, a suzani covered dining chair, ornate gold frames and a nice piece of abstract art. The vignette below does too, mostly, but it's easy to get and still looks beautiful!

Settee Get this Suffolk settee from Crate and Barrel in blue velvet. It sits wonderfully.

Side Table Wisteria is a fun resource for the "not your everyday" items.

Suzani Pillow I love Jayson Home. Their pillows can be expensive but they are lovely.

Leopard Pillow Also from Jayson.

Chair This one is from Jayson too but Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn make some that are similar without the nailheads :(

Art ZGallerie is a great go-to place for prints.

Frame Exposures has these nice Italian-made frames. I love a gilded frame, especially from Europe!

Frame Exposures

Votive Jayson again but anything with a little gold, black or blue would do.

Happy Decorating! -K

Nothing Says Romance Like a Little Sparkle

2012-02-14T09:06:00.000-08:00

Diamonds are nice on Valentine's Day but a crystal chandelier adds romance to any room year round. Contemporary, rustic, traditional - any decor is elevated with a little sparkle!

via decorpad.com

via maisondecor8.blogspot.com

via brightboldbeautiful.blogspot.com

via http://chichomecouture.blogspot.com

Here are some of my favorite chandeliers from Cicra Lighting. Simple, clean lines and certainly romantic.

Happy Decorating! -K

It's Alive!

2012-02-10T12:07:00.000-08:00

I bought a Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree in September and it still looks great! If you have trouble keeping your indoor trees alive I recommend this one. Here are a few pics for inspiration.

All images via Habitually Chic

Happy Decorating! -K

Bring Hawaiian Style Home

2012-02-09T08:17:00.000-08:00

Here's a room for California inspired by the movie The Descendants. As set director Jane Stewart describes home decor in Hawaii "....layer it with lots of history, a little bit of the orient, some Americana - especially from the 50s and 60s - and that's how it is."

Happy Decorating! -K

Art Gauguin: Tahiti Women, 1891

Lamp Arteriors Quinn Glass Teardrop Lamp

Tree Fiddle Leaf Fig

Buffet Oly Studio Jackson Buffet

Chair Arteriors Danforth Chestnut Chair

Pillows Adam and Viktoria Turkish Delight, Adam and Viktoria Wishbone Chalk Grey

Sofa Wilshire Sofa

Nesting Tables Elise Nesting Table

Rug Island Bronze Chevron Rug

Real Hawaiian Style

2012-02-08T10:11:00.000-08:00

Breathtaking Hawaiian landscapes were the backdrop for the movie The Descendants but what really surprised me were the interiors of the homes in the film. Mismatched furniture, collections piled on tables, eclectic art on every wall. It was so refreshing to see the real Hawaiian style, at least what Jane Stewart, production designer and Matt Calahan, set decorator created for us to see. Here's an excerpt from a Below the Line article written on Stewart that describes her inspiration. The entire piece is worth the read though.

During her research of Hawaiian lifestyles, Stewart took note of interesting details important to creating the story world. “Every house I went into was loaded with stuff. Everyone is a hoarder. I say this with love. I don’t know if people think that they’re on an island so they need to keep all these things,” comments Stewart. “When you’re dressing a set, you just layer it with lots of history, a little bit of the orient, some Americana – especially from the ’50s and ’60s – and that’s how it is.”
Stewart credits her “other-half,” long-time set decorator Matt Calahan, as “a master at soaking up the different stores and shops and finding ways to do things with the amount of money they have.”

Director Alexander Payne is known for plain realism in his settings and his decision to show how these islanders really live only endears me more to the characters in the film and reveals the reality and humanity of how they live and how they (un)decorate their homes.

I wasn't able to find still shots of the film's interiors, only the wonderful landscape pics, but premier San Francisco and Oahu-based design firm Philpotts Interiors gives us the idea.

Via Coastal Living

Via Houzz

Via California Home and Design

Via Elle Decor

Prints, colors, collections and art that ordinarily wouldn't go together blend in a way that describes the homeowner and his/her sense of place - what each of our homes should do. For more on how to decorate your California home with some Hawaiian Style visit my idea book at Houzz. This is a really fun site. I'm just getting started but already enjoying the resource!

Here's a little movie fun from The Descendants.

Happy Decorating! -K

HBC's Point Blankets are Today's Heirlooms

2012-02-07T10:44:00.000-08:00

It's been quite chilly here for a while now and many of our blankets are strewn across sofas, chairs and beds. I love the blankets and quilts we've accrued over the years but these are beautiful and a cut above the rest. This quality costs a bit more but a Hudson's Bay Company Point Blanket would be a welcomed companion anywhere in the house and for years to come. Its bright colors and stripes grabbed me at first but the history behind the blanket made me a fan. For the full story see Hudson's Bay Company website. Here's the short story.

Via
http://www.llbean.com
http://www2.hbc.com
http://www.woolrich.com

The Hudson's Bay Company introduced their Point Blanket into the North American fur trade in 1779. A point blanket is a type of trade blanket and has one or more fine lines woven in on the edge. These lines are called points and represent the size of the blanket. The designs are usually very simple with headings (bars) at both ends. The point system is believed to have begun with French weavers during the 18th century. The word point comes from the French word empointer meaning "to make threaded stitches on cloth". They were traded for furs to the natives of North America and Hudson's Bay Company men and were very popular because of their warmth and durability.

Via http://www.pointblankets.com

Points ranged from 1 to 6, increasing by halves depending upon the size and weight of the blanket. The number of points represented the overall finished size of the blanket, not its value in terms of beaver pelts as is sometimes believed. The wool is a blend of varieties from Britain and New Zealand and are water resistant, soft and warm. They are woven 50% larger than their final size and then are shrunk and felted.

Hudson's Bay Blanket Sizes c. 1935

Via http://www.pointblankets.com/index.html

Point blankets have been produced in a variety of colors and patterns.

Via http://www2.hbc.com

HBC blanket colour range: Multi-stripe, Camel, Green, Scarlet

detail from advertisement in The Beaver, June 1950

Via http://www2.hbc.com

HBC blanket colour range: Reseda, Rose, Sky blue, Gold

detail from advertisement in The Beaver, June 1950

This quote from HBC's website is a testament to its durability and cracked me up!
"I have in my possession, one of a pair of blankets which I purchased in your store 30 years ago this month. Used as a saddle blanket during several seasons of riding the range. Was packed through to Revelstoke - thence south through the Kootenays on prospecting and hunting trips. Packed north all through the mountains and received some of the roughest usage that any fabric could possibly survive. I could not truthfully estimate how many tons of river gravel was dumped onto it and washed in our attempts to find gold. Was packed back to Alberta and used on freighting trips to Athabasca Landing and Peace River. Used as a saddle blanket for almost two years of riding around on hard and tough trips for the C.N.R. engineers. Then used for camping during construction of C.N.R. from Battleford to Edmonton, thence to the mountains."

For a quality textile to last a lifetime shop Hudson's Bay Company Point Blankets at LLBean and Woolrich. The red blanket would make a great Valentine's Day gift! Check out the throws too.

Happy Decorating! -K

Vignette of the Week - Around the Secretary

2012-01-25T09:14:00.000-08:00

I've been looking for a functional and rustic chest for our son's room. He's off at college most of the year but when he comes home we need a place for the tv, computer, clothes, paperwork... well, you know the amount of stuff kids have, even big kids. It also needs to look nice for me. I found this secretary at Crate and Barrel. Its finish is lovely, it's sturdy, it can hold everything we need it to and it seems like a piece that I can use for a long time and in other areas of the house.

Building a vignette around this piece is a cinch. I'm adding a parsons chair slipcovered in some grain sacks I picked up at the Alameda Flea Market, a great ikat pillow that will probably only be on the chair when he's not home, a cool navy deck clock, and a fun pencil holder. The art is perfect for a boy's room or guest room; not too bold with color but just enough to add interest. There we go. Something our son can use when he's home and something I can enjoy when he's back to school.

Besom Holder Anthropology

Sailing Boats with Golden Gate Bridge Art.com

Navy Deck Clock Restoration Hardware

Bedford Storage Secretary Crate and Barrel

Leighton Side Chair Crate and Barrel

Kingston Pillow Crate and Barrel

Grain Sacks Alameda Flea Market

Here's a great resource for parsons chair slipcovers if you're not into making your own. :) These are made for straight-backed chairs and they're only $15!

Chair Slipcovers JC Penny

Happy Decorating! -K

Transporting Photography

2012-01-17T06:33:00.000-08:00

A good architectural and lifestyle photographer will beautifully capture a room or scene. An exceptional photographer will transport us there and leave us to invent what happens next. Enjoy Michael Graydon's images of home and outdoor life and be transported.

Sarah Richardson's home and family.

The Little Chiavari Chair

2012-01-13T08:32:00.000-08:00

Spotted in this picture from my last post was a little Chiavari chair. Maybe it was the one thing from Paris that Peter Dunham didn't remove from Kevin West's home. Why would he? It's charming. Even put in the same room as those chunky leather chairs.

You've probably seen them used at weddings and other large gatherings. Rental companies love that they are lightweight and stackable. Designers love them because they are beautiful and flexible. This chair would be as much at home around your dining room table as in a woman's dressing room.

Via Le Blog

A lttile history. The Chiavari chair is named for the town in which it was created, Chiavari, Italy. It dates back to 1807 when craftsman Giusseppe Gaetano Descalzi was asked to make a quality replica of a Parisian chair. Descalzi set out to create a chair that would be both functional and elegant. This Neoclassical beauty has stood the test of time and the test of modifications. Get them in gold, silver, bamboo....even the Philippe Starck-inspired acrylic versions are fun.

Trina Turk's LA Store design by Kelly Wearstler

Via Le Blog

At the White House, naturally.

Happy Decorating! -K

Peter Dunham's One-Day Room Makeover

2012-01-10T17:01:00.000-08:00

Peter Dunham has long been one of my favorite designers. He is truly one of California's great mix masters. In February's issue of House Beautiful Peter re-designed a living room for writer Kevin West. The room needed to serve as both living and working space and was "missing a slouchy comfort, which is what it's all about in California." -PD Do you love that? Slouchy comfort! Kevin's previous furnishings traveled with him to LA from Paris and were, in his words, "flea-market junque" .

The scale and vibe of his furniture wasn't working for his 1931 Spanish style home so Peter moved it out and moved in a brand new room! Using furnishings from local retail stores and items from his own studio Hollywood at Home Peter transformed the space making it functional

and very cozy.

Some nice tricks to remember are; layer rugs for contrast and interest, hang draperies higher than the casing to add height to a room, group small art pieces together to create big impact.

Crate and Barrel Sofa

Pottery Barn Leather Chairs (Similar)

Hollywood at Home Coffee Table

Ikea Jute Rug

Design Within Reach Cow Hide Rug

Crate and Barrel Desk

Crate and Barrel Desk Chair

Peter Dunham Textiles Leaf Fabric

Another recent project from Peter Dunham is this Newport Beach bungalow. I first saw the photos in Coastal Living magazine but now they are up on his site. His casual, colorful style immediately drew me in. Growing up in Southern California I spent many a summer vacation in a Newport Beach surf shack the same size as this one. Our rental, needless to say, was not as well decorated but still, how wonderful it was to come in from the ocean and flop on the sandy sofa. I fell in love with what he did for this little retreat. These places are tiny but he makes great use of the spaces with built-in furniture and storage while piling on the color and charm.

Easy care fabrics are key at the beach. Lots of lamps too!

This chair is one of Peter's.

Happy Decorating! -K

Turnin' It Up

2012-01-07T11:16:00.000-08:00

Here's another e.design room from Magnolia House. Let's switch it up a little with some mod design for the mid-century lover or anyone, really, who likes lots of energy in a room! The sofa, of course, is our focal point here. It called out to the Marimekko pillows to "come and chat awhile darlings". The Jonathan Adler cocktail (no coffee in this room) table is a stunner. If you love this look do check out Jonathan's every growing line of furnishings and accessories. And while you're on his site read his "manifesto" for a little giggle. Keeping it all grounded is a shag rug in the darkest grey. No self respecting '50s room should be without one. Shop this room with the links below! Yeah baby!

Sofa: Crate and Barrel Klyne Sofa

Chair: Crate and Barrel Chloe Chair

Cocktail Table: Jonathan Adler Nixon Cocktail Table

End Table: Oomph Edgartown Side Table

Rug: Crate and Barrel Memphis Steel Rug

Floor Lamp: Jonathan Adler Meurice Floor Lamp

Pillows: CB2 Poodle Pillow , CandB Pieni Unikko , John Robshaw Uzbek , CandB Pirput Parput

Art: Art.com Flag , Orange Rectangle

Goldfish: ZGallerie Big Mouth Fish Bowl

Elephant: ZGallerie Ceramic Elephant

Happy Decorating! -K

Traditional, Never Stuffy

2012-01-03T16:44:00.000-08:00

Do you love a traditional-style decor? Lots of folks here in the Bay Area do. We love our Napa style, Parisian style and Tuscan style. I love them even more when we add a little California freshness to the mix to get a light, friendly, fun space that still satisfies the traditionalist in us. I used timeless pieces in this room and punched it up with some sparkling, new-style accessories. This is one of our sample e.design rooms from Magnolia House. Find the links to shop this room below. Happy Decorating! -K

Sofa Crate and Barrel Tailor Sofa

Chair Jayson Home Sofia Chair

Ottoman Hickory Chair Etienne Ottoman

Area Rug Crate and Barrel Aldo Natural Rug

End Table Crate and Barrel Jules Accent Table

Mirror Uttermost Amberlyn Mirror

Sconces Currey and Company Nicolette Wall Sconce

Art Panteek Lamarck Prints

Pillows DL Rhein Embroidered Pillow

John Robshaw Han Blue Euro

Jayson Home Gold Suzani Pillow

Bowl, Vase Tiffany Vines

Tray Mothology Hand Carved Tray

Our New Site is Up!

2012-01-02T08:43:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year and Happy New Websites!
Please visit and let us know what you think!
www.magnoliahouseinteriors.com

-Kathleen

Metal End Tables Go Anywhere

2011-12-30T09:20:00.001-08:00

These little tables are perfect for any casual space. Use one next to the sofa, bed, or even in a small eating area. The great thing about metal is that you don't need to worry about matching wood finishes with what you already own. Also unlike most wood furniture, scratches and water marks only add to the patina. They won't work too well in a contemporary setting but they'll add plenty of charm to any other decor. On sale now at Crate and Barrel are the Dauphine at $149 and the Brimfield at $139. I've seen the Dauphine on the floor and it looks much nicer in person! Weighty too.

Crate and Barrel Dauphine Table $149

Other great metal end tables can be found at Restoration Hardware. I love the looks of these Brasserie beauties.

Restoration Hardware 20th C. Chrysanthemum Brasserie Table $395

Restoration Hardware 19th C. French Lion's Foot Brasserie Table on sale for $425.

A Little French and A Lot of Fun

2011-11-17T14:24:00.000-08:00

I spotted this rug while browsing the internet aisles and immediately thought it would look great with a Frenchy sofa. This room has it's elegant side but the idea was to make it kid-friendly too. Durable but beautiful fabrics and finishes are what it's all about when living with kids! Not to mention the dog. This is the second of four sample rooms featuring what you can expect from an e.design interior! See links below and have fun!

Rug by Amy Butler

Sofa and Chair by Jayson Home

End Table by Oly Studio

Coffee Table from Crate and Barrel

Bookshelf by Tritter Feefer

Cube by Aidan Gray

Art from Art.com

Lamp by Arteriors

Birds by Aidan Gray

Candlesticks by Aidan Gray

Pillows by Bliss Studio and Dwell Studio

Bringing it Together

2011-11-10T10:14:00.000-08:00

I'm working on designing sample boards for the new site coming soon. These are going to give you an idea of Magnolia House style and what you can expect to get from your e.design package. I came across this Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams sofa and with the weather turning colder I decided to build a room around this cozy creature. The following image is what I would imagine to be a man's work place and retreat. It is so warm and welcoming though, it would be hard to keep the rest of the family at bay :).

All items (except for the rug) are available through local or on-line retailers. The gorgeous rug is from Woven Accents in LA. It may be a little harder to go see but I couldn't resist using it for this room.

Art: Zgallerie, Art.com

Sofa and Chair: Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams

Coffee Tables: Crate and Barrel

Throw: Pendleton

Area Rug: Woven Accents

Floor Cushion: Pottery Barn

Desk Chair, Desk, Library, Clock: Restoration Hardware

Arteriors Floor Lamp: Lamps Plus

Happy Decorating!

Kathleen

The e.Design Master List

2011-10-21T08:06:00.000-07:00

The e.Design service, as mentioned in the previous post, also includes a master list. This guide will show you where to buy your items and how much you can expect to pay. If you're working within a budget, it makes it easier to decide which pieces to start with and which you can add later. You will also know what to snatch up when something goes on sale. But let's say you've found a vintage settee that you can't live without. Ask yourself first, is it the right size? Use your floor plan and the dimensions listed with the e.design settee to make sure it will fit. Is it the right color? Maybe some new upholstery that is similar to the settee shown. The e.design guide allows for some flexibility. Just carry your tape measure with you!

e.Design in Action

2011-10-20T14:16:00.000-07:00

eDesign, put simply, is great interior design provided to you electronically. After some "getting-to-know-your-style" questions and some measuring done by you, Magnolia House creates a complete plan from flooring to lighting. The package also includes all of the retail sources and installation instructions for creating your own space. If you are on a budget and are willing to do some shopping then this is for you! Following are sample pages of what you can expect for a living room design. All of the pieces going into the room are listed along with their locations, dimensions, where to buy them, and how much they cost. All you need to do is click and create!
We start with a floor plan...

...add furniture, accessories and art

...and you've got yourself a beautiful, pulled-together, unique space. For Less!

Introducing!

2011-10-10T13:54:00.000-07:00

Coming soon to Magnolia House

a new way to decorate!

Gallery Walls

2011-04-02T09:09:00.000-07:00

Easiest - Start small with three or four pieces over a table or console.

Coastal Living, Designer Tim Clarke

A little harder - Use the same frames for your art but change up the sizes and orientations to add interest.

Coastal Living

Big impact - An arrangement of your personal collection can be stunning. If you don't have a collection of art work yet start with a couple of new pieces and build around them. Check out my etsy favorites board on Pinterest for some inexpensive original works.

Elle Decor

Coastal Living, Designer Tim Clarke

Here's a site with a wide range of reproduction art. Choose from a variety of frames or choose canvas-wrapped. I created this small group based on oil images in blues and oranges. All available through Magnolia House Interiors. Have fun!
-Kathleen

Beautiful Bedskirts

2011-03-25T09:51:00.000-07:00

If your bed requires a bedskirt give it some punch. Even the simplest design can finish off your new bedding with flair. Here are some eye-popping ideas.

lulu dk for Matouk

Coastal Living, Designer Meg Braff

lulu dk for Matouk

-Kathleen

Spring Forward! Shed the Duvet!

2011-03-12T08:49:00.000-08:00

Down comforters and pretty duvets are two winter weather favorites but spring is calling and it's time to lighten up! John Robshaw makes amazing hand-blocked quilts and coverlets that are the perfect solution for a warmer attitude. Here's a great article on just how to use your new spring-time bedding.

Boyle + Gardner for The Wall Street Journal, Styling by Anne Cardenas

The designers at the Elle Decor San Francisco Showhouse this past winter were all over this idea!

Designer Jay Jeffers


Designer Elizabeth Martin

If you aren't ready to invest in the lovely Robshaw, coverlets and lightweight quilts abound at stores like Bed Bath & Beyond. Here's a nice one from Amy Butler.

Still not ready to give up the duvet? Here's an idea. Tuck it in at the bottom for a clean crisp look.


Designer Steven Gambrel in Elle Decor

Which begs the question of bedskirts. Stay tuned!

-Kathleen

The Dance at Bacchus Glass

2010-12-10T08:23:00.000-08:00

I was fortunate this week to be introduced to the Bacchus Glass company in Sonoma. I had an idea about glass blowing (watching Chihuly video) but seeing up close the process and cooperation of the men involved in making these beautiful pieces was truly amazing. Witnessing the perfect timing and choreography between at times 4 guys was just like watching a well practiced dance. To learn more about Frank Cavaz and his company visit his site and be sure to watch his video. And please remember to support your local artists!

Inspiring that from at small lump of hot glass can come a beautiful fixture.

Some of my other favorites.

Vintage Clothes and Blankets

2010-08-09T19:49:00.000-07:00

Also in Santa Barbara, we had to do some shopping! There is every imaginable shop on State Street but we spent most of our time in Yellowstone. This vintage clothing store is so much fun. I've signed on to do the Sketchbook Project with Art House Co-Op in Brooklyn, NY and my category is "Jackets, Blankets and Sheets. Here amongst the textiles I found huge inspiration for some sketches.

Can you see Samantha Stephens (Bewitched) popping into one of these outfits?

Vintage blankets look great stacked together.