new theme song? ...

source

I came across this recently and think it might just be my new theme song:

http://www.vimeo.com/couchmode/costrama/videos/sort:date/29874457

There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home ...

It’s been said that home is where the heart is. Well I say that your heart lies in what you like to collect.

Some groupings can represent several collections; brown transferware and antique pitchers

While your collections may bring you a sense of well-being, they say oddles more about you. And it really doesn’t matter what the size or cost is. The real value is in the joy it brings. 

Personally I’ve chosen my collections for the sense of history and warmth they bring to my home. Mostly they are also things that have a utilitarian function. I suppose that says quite a bit about me.

Pieces from a collection of vintage matte white pottery

Pieces from a collection of Fostoria American depression era pressed glass

Who wouldn't love an alabaster lamp?

Much has been said in recent times that homes sell better if the current homeowner pares things down and de-humanizes the home. Hmm. Maybe to a point. I’d like to hear what you think. For now I have packed up a great deal of our collections; ready for transport to a new home and to be re-discovered in the near future.

A kitchen collection of vintage trays

A mantel display of cross-section from other collections

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What do your collections say about you? Are they something that visitors consider eye candy? Or is your collection so large that it permeates the entire house and perhaps overwhelms? What is a collection anyway? 

The official definition is that a collection is a grouping of at least three of something. I see that as being a shape, color, texture, category, use, season; well the list goes on forever. Point is that YOU determine what your collection is, how to display it and when.

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.