Archive for November, 2009

Renovation-It’s All About the Plan

This particular project in Carlsbad, CA began in November of 2006 as my clients and I sat in a restaurant for our preliminary meeting. They had owned their tracked home for about 5 years and wanted to do a “small” renovation to make the space more family friendly. We sat there discussing their needs and how they envisioned themselves living in their space over the next 20 years.  We discussed how they wanted to take advantage of their western view of the ocean (and the accompanying sunsets) with indoor/outdoor living, and how they planned to entertain. They wanted their home to be the place for family and friends to hang out.

With their Nana door allowing indoor-outdoor living at it's best!

Sitting there I began to draw the floor plan on a napkin.  The prize napkin went to the architect/engineer and from there the project started to roll.  The finished plan ended up being bigger and more expensive then originally anticipated, but it was what my clients wanted and they were realistic, adopting the mantra…”we don’t need to get everything done at once.”    Continue reading “Renovation-It’s All About the Plan” »

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The Beauty of Gratitude…

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I’ve always loved the Thanksgiving holiday…over every other holiday.  I like that it isn’t about gifts, more, bigger, better etc… I like that the whole idea around Thanksgiving is…to give Thanks!

Gratitude is a divine state.  To be grateful makes us feel good and gives us a sense of well being.  We know that people who are more grateful are happier, less depressed, less stressed, and more satisfied with their lives and social relationships. Grateful people also have a greater sense of purpose in life and more self acceptance. Grateful people find it easier to cope with life transitions,  they grow more from difficult experiences, and in general they sleep better.    Continue reading “The Beauty of Gratitude…” »

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Coco, Before Chanel…A True Style Setter

coco_before_chanel_poster2This movie has been out in the US for a couple of months now.  I saw it about a month ago, and I’m still thinking about it. Why?  Audrey Tautou is terrific as the ground breaking designer we know today simply as…Chanel. But most of all I think it’s for the following two reasons…    Continue reading “Coco, Before Chanel…A True Style Setter” »

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Slow

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A new book is coming out, “SLOW:Life in a Tuscan Town” by Douglas Gayeton.  Personally, I can’t wait!  What is it about Italy that attracts us so?  Italy is the sixth (depending on what is happening in California) largest economy in the world.  But when you go there, you see shops closed for hours in the middle of the day, everyone seems to be drinking wine and espresso, smoking Marlboro Reds, and it looks like no one’s working!  What is going on in Italy?  Mmmmmmm…they are living life!    Continue reading “Slow” »

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Renovation Project: Cabo San Lucas

On one of our recent projects we were given the task of renovating a small condominium in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. This two bedroom condo is one of 4 residences our clients travel between. While quite small, it is right on the water with a spectacular view of  the ocean, the private beach and stunning sunsets. The intention was to capture the outdoor feel of sun, sand and surf, inside, with a slight flavor of Mexico through the use of color and texture…while still maintaining a bit of “starch” or structure to the space so as not to be to casual.

My clients very rarely expect to have overnight guests in their personal space, so they wanted it to be comfortable for the two of them on a daily bases.   Continue reading “Renovation Project: Cabo San Lucas” »

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