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Impressions from the West Coast Part II

I am still not quite here yet. Looking at all the photos, sorting through them again, to select a few to show you, it leads me back to our time in between the years. 
Carmel, CA where we stayed for two nights at the Carmel Valley Ranch, impressed me with a neat little town, Carmel-by-the-Sea with charming streets and the most exquisite shops.


One place in particular filled me with joy and desire.
Jan de Luz' The line with tradition.
It is a French linen shop in the center of town, where customers can wait a little while getting custom embroidered items. From bath robes to napkins almost any desirable embroidery is available. It is actually much more then this as I later discovered. Jan has been bringing French style and design to America for over 30 years. He has written a book and apart from the linens he also sells to architects and designers. He carries garden sculptures, columns, fireplace mantles and more. 


One can also find table linens, bedding, finest linen from France, Italy and Ireland. There are scented candles, silverware and china. 


Sheer eye candy and a paradise for the elegant home pursuer. Interestingly my youngest insisted in getting four linen napkins with our initials embroidered. I did not push for it at all. Perhaps the technical aspect of watching it getting done played a minor role?

You can see the embroidery machine in the background


He was ready to have a bathrobe with his initials done, but thinking of his impending growth spurt I could refer this expenditure for a little later....
Shipping is available as well, for those who have no time to go all the way to Carmel-by-the-Sea!
This is what we came home with:











Now Sunday dinners can be a little more stylish....
All thanks to this cool dude!




Thank you! ; )))


And while I was browsing the neighborhood, I got my 
X-mas gift from hubby:


At Burns Cowboy Shop


Burns Cowboy Shop. It's a classic place with an endless array of hand made Western boots to dream of...
Buttery soft, comfortable and just what I always wanted.
Thank you, honey!


Yehaa!


Carmel has plenty of art galleries, clothing shops, amazing restaurants and more. Geared towards travelers, they are friendly, helpful and the surroundings do the rest to make you more then comfortable.


I wanted to show you more of the nature around it, but I guess that needs to wait another day....
OK, one more....


On the road towards Big Sur








All images by V.Zlotkowski
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our breakfast room lighting ( a before, after and now )

We've had our home for three years.  And we've had three different light fixtures in our breakfast room. 

Before: with the builder light just after move in day:
There's something about having the same light as everyone else on the street that had me on the hunt for new lighting right away.  It wasn't long before I purchased the Gothic lantern from Pottery Barn HERE:

After:
Oh, how I wish I wasn't so sensitive to my home environment.  I think we had the Gothic fixture up just a few months when I noticed dirty film on the glass.  Lesson one: glass encased light fixtures are not for an OCD clean person.  Lesson two:  not a huge fan of the pointy Gothic arch.  Lesson three: scale is everything.  I knew I could do better.

See the film?  After cleaning it, I could never get the streaks to disappear. 
The next day we removed the glass inserts and I liked the open sides better... but not for long...

Here it is now with a new lantern I really love.  The scale is better, the lines are prettier and it just feels nice.
Now:
You can see the tree house from this window. And let me tell you when we are outside at night, this lantern looks beautiful glowing through the window.  The dimmer switch makes the lighting romantic and welcoming.
 I also learned that lanterns create intersting shadows on the walls and ceiling.
Where is the Gothic lantern now?  In my office sitting room.  It's okay (anything was better than the builder boob light), but I'm always keeping an eye out for something better.
No glass = No film
It's fun to play musical lights : )
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Impressions from the West Coast Part 1

Union Square in festive lights

We spend the time between the holidays and the New Year traveling the West Coast, showing our younger set of kids the beauty of coastal California. It was a huge success and apart from the cities we saw, the landscape impressed us the most!
Of course I could not get enough on camera.... 
Click to enlarge the images.

Looking at Alcatraz

There was the crossing of the Golden Gate Bridge towards Sausalito, San Francisco and the Redwoods.....

Golden Gate Bridge behind Fort Mason
My family in the misty light!

I love that view!

Palm trees at Fort Mason Park

We spend the Christmas Day in San Francisco, walking an exploring. The weather was glorious!We squeezed in a visit to the zoo and traveled by tram and cable car up and down the streets of the city!


Good natured Giraffe

View from the Cable Car

Small SF town houses like from a fairy tale

We finally reached the shore of the Pacific


We left the city behind after three days and were on our way south on Highway Nr.1 towards Monterey Bay, Carmel, Point Lobos and Big Sur!


Driving south

The coast was wild and mysterious

A golden light flooded everything

Every turn brought new vistas

And the sunsets were spectacular

If the journey had only consisted of the tour along the coast, I would have been very happy. It is one of the most beautiful stretches of beach anywhere I have been so far!

Exploring Point Lobos near Carmel-by-the-Sea

Watching a sea otter play

Seals were basking in the sun.


Our daughter is a talented photographer

There was nothing more wonderful the the warmth of the sun and the amazing light
Our son in awe of nature
May he remember forever
 From here we visited the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park,
filled with redwoods and waterfalls, gorgeous vistas and deep canyons.

This will be a part of tomorrow's post.
No need to overwhelm you all with pictures.

As a look at them again, I feel how, when I travel, the impressions rush by and only from a distance I am able to 
recognize all I have received. The impressions seem to imprint themselves a little later in my mind and now again I can feel the sun and wind in my face, hear the cries of the birds and the barks of the seals on the shores. I see again my children's delight and remember the moments of quiet contemplation with my husband by my side.


Wonderful days together

My daughter has become on this journey a photographer with a passion. She explored nature with her camera and walked with me for hours in the forest. 
The youngest was his father's companion, joining him on a special father - son trip to Carmel.

California is beautiful!



PS: I can report, we managed to travel light, only with each a carry - on and a handbag/backpack. The most restrained travel and yet we had enough for 9 days.
It was a squeeze at the air plane, but we managed. Air travel has become difficult to say the least, and charging passengers $ 25 per single luggage stops one from becoming overindulgent.  
: )


All images by V. Zlotkowski




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Home Interior Design for 2012

Interior Design: Home Trends for 2012
Interior Design: Home Trends for 2012
Interior Design: Home Trends for 2012
Interior Design: Home Trends for 2012
Sleek, shiny, stainless steel appliances are still on trend for 2012. However, aesthetics have little to do with it. Stainless is practical in the kitchen. Because it is nonporous, germs & bacteria can be wiped away basically. 

Opening up the kitchen space & integrating it with the lounge is becoming increasingly popular. Homeowners require a space that is functional & inviting. Making a contemporary great room by opening the space between the allows simple & relaxed entertaining.

Interior Design: Home Trends for 2012
Interior Design: Home Trends for 2012
Eco-friendly & nature inspired materials are going to be popular choices for homeowners in 2012. Natural wood finishes on tables, dressers & furniture will be reminiscent of the outside. Colors that reflect nature, sky blues, forest green & neutrals are on trend. Take it a step further & use low VOC paints & stains.

Hardwood, bamboo, reclaimed wood floors are on trend in 2012. These surfaces are basically cleaned & maintained. Bamboo flooring is highly sustainable, & has the looks of new hardwood. Homeowners looking for something more unique ought to opt for reclaimed wood floors. These floors are recycled from dismantled buildings & like bamboo floors, are a more sensible choice for the environment. For 2012 any hard flooring option is a solid choice.

Interior Design: Home Trends for 2012
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another fab find from Wisteria (a table for our cabana)

This past fall our pool project was completed.  Before and After pictures of the entire outdoor project are coming soon, but first, I want to share this fab find...  this new bistro table from Wisteria that arrived today, delivered for less than $100 (thanks to their winter sale and a coupon code from retailmenot).

Isn't it cute for the great price?
 The cabana is feeling more and more complete.  Almost.  Still wishing for lanterns, a rug, new pillows, cushions, plants and outdoor drapery.
 The garden stools are from One Kings Lane.  I purchased 5 of them to scatter around the pool area.  The lounge furniture is from Ballard and the shutter cabinets are from Restoration Hardware.

I had been thinking about this little table for so long,

but it was the sale price and this picture from The Girl is Craftee HERE that finally made me complete my Wisteria order.  Don't the tables look nice flanking the sofa here?  Just as interior designers Bixy and Ball HERE (the designers for this space) used the Wisteria tables indoors, I want to too.  The quality, finish and design are great.  Now, go order one for yourself before they sell out!

Another new L O V E from Wisteria.
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