so many colors, so little time ...

One of the by-products of growing older is that styles and trends come ‘round again. Such is the case with the current craze to revisit the 1970s - through either fashion or interior design. 

As I hear it, apparently it was all about color. And sometimes about no color at all.

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Gee I remember it being all about harvest gold, avocado green and lots and lots of earthtones. I certainly don’t recall pinks, purples and lime green. Okay orange was around (remember earth tones) only it’s now called mango. I can get onboard with that - I like mango.

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I sort of recall color blocking as well. But did it really ever go away? 

And aren’t the groovy combinations of pinks and reds together more of the 1960s era? Pair it with camel and viola - now it’s as modern as modern can be.

Personally I love the geometric patterns and just about anything Missoni. Thanks Target for bringing it all back to mainstream America. The mango too.

While the completely all-white look is still relegated to the inside of the high end decorator magazines, today’s take for the masses is more Restoration Hardware, the opposite end of the spectrum.

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This year’s hot Pantone color interior design and fashion has been a saturated, yet soft, coral known as honeysuckle (18-2120). Before that it was turquoise. And before that mimosa (hot yellow). Betcha didn’t know that. The hot color for next year may be anyone’s guess but tangerine seems to be a standout for now.

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As for me, I'm all about the green.

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Who wouldn't want a green front door?

Note the sassy vintage Murano glass lamp

Okay,  maybe a bit carried away.

Meanwhile back at the ranch ...

Well the house-selling process is taking only slightly longer than expected. While we’re waiting, I’m taking advantage of the gift of time by editing the household inventory. It’s amazing how much ‘stuff’ we acquire, store and cart around. Time to lighten the load!

With the advent of the Kindle it seems that books are no longer of much use for one thing. Therefore, I’ve been editing the shelves of books no longer of much use. During the process I’ve unearthed a few precious finds and found good homes for others.

Also on the hit parade is the editing of clothing and accessories. You may or may not realize how much time it saves you daily in looking for something to wear when only useful stuff is left. Goodwill has been the main beneficiary of my purge. A few select items have found their way to a local consignment shop, Honeysuckle Consignment. Might as well make a few dollars for my time. Mostly though I’ve managed to turn my account right around without leaving the shop. Apparently lots of other people are doing likewise. But seriously I’ve returned home with real treasures. Really!

My past couple of yard sales have also been very successful and I’ve managed to lighten the moving load quite a bit -- finding new homes for couches, daybeds, tables and the like. The echo the house has taken on sounds good and the refreshed feeling it gives is oddly liberating. Perhaps the most notable fact is how the purge has given me the freedom to update my style. 

Painted furniture is my newest obsession. Not for everything but for quality pieces that have lovely lines but are dated. I’ve been sending them off to Paint My Furniture who has been refinishing them to brand new condition - with color and pizazz. The results have been stunning as each piece is coated with a final silky lacquer finish. For instance I’ve traded in the traditional farmhouse dining table in for something a bit more quirky. And yes it is very traditional, but as a painted piece it also takes on a rather fresh image.

I’m planning on new everyday dining chairs as well. This time I’m thinking of unique upholstered pieces and am on the hunt. I’ve been checking out Cornerstone Antiques in Timonium, Md., regularly. Can new fabric selections be far behind?

As you may notice, my palette is becoming increasingly more neutral and modern. 

As a seamstress of sorts, I’m always squirreling away fabrics many of which, like the chairs above, have come from Interior Alternative in Delaware. I SHOULD be set once we finally land in a new home. Famous last words I know.

So you want to see San Francisco ...

There are a lot of things in San Francisco that tourists don't typically have an opportunity to see when they come to visit. 

Most people go to the typical tourist destinations like Chinatown and Fisherman's Wharf. But how many go to Chestnut Avenue or 24th Street to shop and eat? Or Golden Gate Park for a run. If they did, perhaps they would see more of how San Franciscans live and maybe even understand more of why they’ve chosen to live inside city limits.

One of the best ways I’ve found to discover the ‘whole’ of the city is through the 49-Mile Scenic Drive. Although I might note here that it does miss some  areas, in particularly one big area that we’ve chosen to live in. But what the self-guided tour does is to provide a fantastic overview of the city and all its interesting parts.

The 49-Mile Scenic Drive first began back in the fall of 1938 as the brainchild of the Downtown Association. The route was designed to highlight the best of the best San Francisco has to offer. The timing coincided with the opening of the Golden Gate International Expo, beginning at City Hall and ending at Treasure Island, site of the upcoming 1939 world’s fair. 

Over the past 70 plus years, the blue and white seagull signs that mark the trail have been relocated only slightly to accommodate the changing neighborhoods and development. A true testament to the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” attitude and its staying power.

What’s great about the Scenic Drive is that it is a complete loop that can be driven by car in about a half day’s time (without stopping of course). Or it can be broken down into pieces, allowing for exploration time at select destinations depending on the amount of time you have.

Margaritas anyone?

Happy Cinco de Mayo! 

Can anyone out there tell me why Americans celebrate Mexico's independence? Just wondering. But then any excuse for a good margarita is good enough for me.

But back to Northern California. Haven't seen much evidence that Mexican culture is more part of day to day life in San Francisco than anywhere else we've ever lived for any time. But we, I should really say the other half, has discovered that's where perhaps the tastiest Mexican food ever is to be found. And I mean ever! It's absolutely a piece of artwork too. Guess the chefs like to play with their food.

Oddly enough you can find this restaurant located within a golf range clubhouse nearby to San Francisco International Airport. Apparently air crews have known about this place for years as its within walking range of most crew hotels. Many of the domestic airlines have a presence there through various decorations adorning the place, including a 3D caricature of a pilot and pilot wings - courtesy Southwest Airlines. Come on Virgin America. Step it up!

These two dishes were as good as they look. I hope to eat our way through the menu in the years to come.

were you wondering too?

So really, what is the color of the Golden Gate Bridge? It's that thing poking out of the fog. You were wondering. I know you were.

Well thanks in part to NPR we all now know it's called International Orange. That translates to PMS #173 or 0% cyan, 100% yellow, 69% magenta and 6% black at the paint store - just in case you want to paint an accent wall at home.

For a little background info check out:
http://www.npr.org/2011/04/26/135150942/the-golden-gate-bridges-accidental-color?ft=1&f=1001
http://goldengatebridge.org/research/factsGGBIntOrngPaint.php.

It's all about the details

If you could look inside my brain, you might see images of architectural details from my recent real estate excursions to San Francisco. It's been such a smorgasbord of details, I can hardly keep straight which details go to which house. If only I could build a montage from all the best I've seen...

You might say that the devil is in the details. What do you think? A sign?

A room with a view would be at the top of the list, of course. But I'm not all about living on top of the world. I'd be afraid to drop something for fear it would roll downhill for a couple of hills. And that thing might be me. Good thing the Pacific Heights district is a bit too pricey anyways. Where we've chosen is a bit more of a compromise.

Bet you didn't think there were houses like this in the City of San Francisco. Obviously there are.

It seems as though the bulk of the city dates back to the early 1920s which makes sense when you think that the city burnt to the ground following the The Great Earthquake of 1908. I guess it took a decade to rebuild. I wonder about New Orleans.

While most East Coasters associate San Francisco with Victorian painted ladies, you also find a lot of mid-century modern, houses like above and quite a bit of Spanish Colonial Revival with details like arches, wrought ironwork, ornate oak woodwork and plaster.

Pretty much everything I've looked at to date has had a yard of some type. Yes, a yard. Some angle upwards, others down the slope and some are flat. 

And with a moderate climate, flowers are abundant despite these particular photos. 

You might also notice a lack of fog in these snapshots. I've managed to see far more sun than fog during my trips. Judging from the amount of bougainvillea and roses, I think that generally this is the case.

Okay, not all the yards are big and bright. But this house had views to die for. You can't just have everything I guess.

Inspired ...

Last November I had a opportunity to see Elle Decor magazine's 2010 San Francisco showhouse in person. Here are the results.

Located in the upscale neighborhood of St. Francis Wood, west of Twin Peaks, the fund raiser benefited the Junior League of San Francisco and featured the works of 11 top area designers. Aside from all the eye candy, I was able to take notes on future sources for, well, just about everything.

Take note of all the fabulous mosaic tile, much of which links back to Ann Sacks and AKDO. All the lighting was courtesy of Hinkley Lighting and the paint colors came from Benjamin Moore - a favorite of mine. What appeals most to me are the colors, or lack of in some spaces. I think every countertop on the property was Silestone of some color and the cabinets were painted wood in most instances.

Lovely! What do you think?