fog city sparkle

other people's places: sarah's bedroom.

2012-01-31T13:52:00.000-08:00

welcome to a new type of post that i hope you'll all enjoy!

today's post is one of which i'll call "other people's places". lots of my friends have started to ask for my help in decorating their own homes (crazy fools, i know).

my primary goal is always to capture the person's personal style. and a pretty close second is to make the decorating plan affordable.

sarah came to me with an approximately $1000 budget for her bedroom. she had been using the same unfinished pine furniture since she was 19 and moved into her first college apartment. after turning 30 over the summer she wanted to move to a new place and to make it her own.

she ended up in a big apartment in a great neighborhood - though, as it was built in the 60s it lacked character. each room is essentially a big white box.

one room she loved.

when we talked about what she wanted, she noted that she loved the feel of a modern hotel or spa, but wanted some glamour too. i also noticed that, when we looked at inspiration photos, aside from symmetry (hence the love of hotel rooms) she is drawn to some rustic/ warm elements.

and another that inspired us.

in a word, she wanted something glamorclectic. :)

we're still working on the room, and accessories in particular (she was initially one of those folks who was terrified to collect anything other than vintage 80s vhs tapes - see her favorite below. AMAZING.)

here's what we have collected over the past few months, along with a pillow idea and wall hangings that we're considering for over her desk. (stay tuned for a cool mount that i have in mind.)

click image to see close ups.

i think it looks gorgeous and like it could have been collected more slowly over time (rather than in just a couple of months). and it was great that she was willing to put in some elbow grease. the ikea rast hack ($35 for a nightstand - yes, please!) in particular turned out fab.

we'll post pictures when it's done-ish, but what do you think?

more dining room inspiration?

2012-01-10T10:44:00.001-08:00

i have been struggling to get this room right for almost 2 years now, and i still feel GAH when i walk into it. i won't trouble you with a photo (it's still covered in holiday decorations from various parties) but it's just not great!

first i thought this: http://fogcitysparkle.blogspot.com/2010/01/dining-room-inspiration.html

and then i thought this: http://fogcitysparkle.blogspot.com/2010/07/answer-to-never-ending-story.html

but, now, i'm thinking of going WAY girly. like pink and purple girly. because "why not?"

here are a few mood photos. what do you think?

and, damn, i love this song. is that embarrassing?

trees! friends! tree friends!

2011-12-14T17:43:00.000-08:00

a little late this year, but here's my tree. i used a new set of ornaments this year - indulged myself in my love of neon and sparkle.

if you want to get the look, you can click here for the staircase garland

here and here for these here ornaments

and walgreens carries an amazing silver tinsel with teeny hot pink and chartreuse ornaments.

as a christmas bonus, here are a few dorky photos of me and my best friends getting into the holiday spirit!

we found santa!

and a bit of christmas cheer in a glass (none for me, thanks)!

followed by spa day in hmb and some help picking a tree - thanks s.p. and v.b.!

"it's christmassssss... all oooover... again.

decorations are all hung by the fire.

everybody's singin'...

all the bells are ringin' out...

and it's christmassssss... all oooover... again.

yeah, again!"

make that: i GAVE up.

2011-08-30T12:57:00.000-07:00

so i did as i said (p.s. what is the origin of "do as you say and say as you mean..."? i don't think it's dr. seuss, but maybe i am wrong) and visited my favorite nursery, sloat on 3rd, yesterday after work.

i still have A LOT of work to do in the garden, but here are a few of the pots that i've started. (click any image for a close-up.)
half of the succulents in the photo above were already lying about. now that they are all together, with some new friends, they look great! i was at ocean beach the other day and collected a bunch of sand dollars, just like i did as a kid, and i think they make a cute addition to the planters, no?

okay, how GORGEOUS is this purple guy? he's as big as my head and starting to flower. now i need to plant him and find him some colorful friends.

and this one - OMG. it's also the size of my head but the flower stalks are HUGE. i can't wait to see them bloom!

and here's a closer look. doesn't it look like a magnolia flower from outer space?

so in love with these things - i think i am officially obsessed!

just as i am mega obsessed with this song lately...

i give up.

2011-08-29T14:20:00.000-07:00

this year has been a terrible one on the home gardening front. i used to have flowers and kittens and well manicured vines, but now it's just... well, it's just a g.d. mess out there!

i do think, with more "me" time, i could develop a green thumb. i mean, i did okay for the first year or so. but right now, if i am really honest with myself, it just ain't happenin'.

so what to do? i don't want it to be a total catastrophe out there. and you know how i love color. well, this is when our fog and no-frost climate comes in handy. i have decided, like everyone else these days, to convert my containers to a succulent garden.
luckily, san francisco weather is just about perfect for these hardy little plants. and, the more i learn, the more i love. it's insane how many sizes, colors and shapes you can find!

today, after work, i'm heading over to sloat's 3rd ave nursery - i hear they've got an amazing selection right now. in the meantime, i am LOVING these photos from a yard designed by isabelle greene in santa barbara. (all photos courtesy of brewbooks.)
i mean, these are just gorgeous, right? all of the color and texture!

high and dry has never sounded better!

local inspiration.

2011-08-16T11:48:00.000-07:00

it's really hard not to appreciate living in this amazing place. i am convinced that you would actually have to work hard to hate it.

san francisco is filled to the brim with things that inspire. i'm trying my best to get back to decorating the house (i've obviously lost some steam of late) and, while i have no current plans to paint the exterior, i still can't help but be excited and and influenced by all of the beauties i pass every day!

here are two of my all-time favorites - they make me smile. and they remind me to think of my home, and everything in it, as a way to create joy. huzzah for exuberance!

this is the "rainbow house" on clipper street (#521, for locals) in noe valley. (photo courtesy of pj taylor)

and an amazing one from my old neighborhood: the old vedanta temple in cow hollow (webster @ filbert, for those of you who'd like to walk by). it was built in 1905 as the first hindu temple in the u.s. and is still in use. pictures from then and now.

and the view on filbert street. (photo courtesy of patrick boury.)

more on it's fascinating history here and here...

what's currently inspiring you?

oh, geez...

2011-06-05T23:03:00.000-07:00

i have a soft-spot for hobos (he's actually a table lighter)...

it has been far too long since i have written! things have been crazy here in fog city (i know, it's no excuse) but i'm ready to fire-up this here blog once again...

as most of you know, we had a fire 6 months ago. things worked out just fine, the work is almost complete, but g has opted to keep things private - so i'll just say that it looks beautiful and leave it at that!

i've also taken a fab trip to vietnam (!) - i'll post pics soon - and started a new project for a friend. it's another gorgeous san francisco home - this time late edwardian (as opposed to my VERY victorian one) and BIG. like, it even has a garage. which is a true luxury here in fog city. stay tuned for some news on that front.

anywhoo, today i'm going to start with an easy post...

i took a trip up the california coast (with many stops for wine-tasting) for a weekend of antiquing with the girls. and picked up a few new cuties for the house. check out all of my new boyfriends!

and also for ringmasters (esp. when pose as adorable piggy banks).

and who could resist "clippy" the paper-clip holder? (though he may actually be promoted to toothbrush holder.)

i love old neon signs. this one is made more awesome by the fact that the acrylic has faded to yellow and hot pink - making it OH SO GIRLY. perfect with the pink and orange flowers in my office.

here are a few photos from the trip, in case you're interested...

everything's just perfectly rusted up here. and check out those beautiful california poppies!

lunch at sequoia burger! nomnomnom.

water lilies at j vineyards

the inn in timber cove. so so so great. nothing around for at least 20 miles.

after dinner - toes up by the fire at the inn! (and time for S'MORES!)

what trip is complete without thomas magnum? perfect late late late night viewing (with wine and cheese, of course).

early morning walk along the cove

and a view back towards the hotel from the walking trail

brunch in guerneville. sometimes, in wine country you have to branch out and drink something other than wine. like sparkling wine. with fresh lemonade and mint. mmmmmmmm...

wild lupine on highway one.

oh, you fancy, huh? (an easy how-to for custom pillows)

2010-12-15T16:11:00.000-08:00

my most recent "creations"

pillows are a great way to punch up a space with color, pattern, texture (and shine - OOH, SHINY!). they are also super easy, even if you don't know how to sew.

grab someone who has a machine and ask them (nicely - don't be so bossy, fancy!) to set it up and show you how to sew a straight line and you'll have a new pillow in no time!

here's what you need:

- a sewing machine
- fabric. 1 yard will do for most of you. throw pillows at 16x16 are pretty standard.
- thread to match your fabric
- pins
- pillow insert (i like west elm's feather/ down versions, but any poly version would work well too)

and here's your how-to...

1. measure your pillow. in this example, mine is 16"x16".

2. cut your fabric with a width equal to the shorter pillow dimension (in this case it does not matter since width and length are the same). cut the length to 2x the length of your pillow + 4 inches.

in my case, the fabric i need is 16"x36".
3. with the backside of the fabric facing up, fold over one inch on each edge of the fabric's length. pin and sew. your fabric will now be 2 inches shorter in length.
4. now, with the backside of the fabric still facing out, fold your fabric into a little envelope.

the length should be 1 inch smaller than the length of your pillow - in this case 15".

the width will remain the same as those sides remain "unfinished".

pin the unfinished sides and sew 1/2-inch in from each. this will give you a finished size 1 inch smaller than your pillow in each measured dimension.
5. turn your pillow cover finished side out and insert your pillow form. your pillow should be nice and full because the cover is just a tad tight.

now sit back and enjoy your handiwork!

maybe you even have time to make some festive pillows for the holidays. throw 'em on the sofa for a refresher before the family arrives, toss a couple on the guest bed for an update, or make one for your room to FANCY it up!

curtain call redux! (10 easy steps to silk curtains)

2010-12-13T11:10:00.000-08:00

new sparkly curtains for the dining room (please, as usual, excuse the mess!)

well, my dears, i am finally making some headway in the dining room - it's beginning to look like a place where i might ACTUALLY entertain.

in an effort to lively up the place, i made another set of silk curtains this weekend. they turned out fab so i thought i'd share the instructions again. they are very easy and very inexpensive compared to ready-made panels (and even more so if you'd have to have them custom made like i would for my monster windows).

so, without further ado, here you go...

******************************************

step one: roll out black-out liner nice and flat. smooth with your hand.

step two: line up cut fabric ends and roll silk onto liner. smooth as well. (*note: if you're using a fabric that looks different on each side, place the side you want to display away from you - i.e. when you roll it out, you should see the back of your fabric.)

step three: pin top and sides. pin further than the length of your curtain.

step four: measure both sides to desired length. my windows are 108" high, so i opted for 112". i wanted them to puddle gracefully on the floor (this also allows for more error than ones that skim the floor - you'll need to be much more precise).

step 5: using a fabric marker and a level, draw a straight line across your fabrics. cut along this line and pin next curtain top as you go.

step 6: (ask mom to) sew top and sides of curtain to liner.

step seven: trim excess fabric around your hems.

step eight: turn panel inside out and smooth.

step nine: (ask mom to) stitch bottom as desired. i like to do this by hand so you see no thread at all on the finished curtain. (but you could just as easily zip along the edge with a machine in 30 seconds.)

REPEAT steps 1-9 as necessary.

step 10: hang your lovely curtains! i bought simple satin nickel double rods by levolor at home depot for $24.99 a piece. to hang the panels, i bought 1" nickel drapery clips at target for $4.99 a pack (one per panel).

these make hanging curtains a snap. just clip them and go! and the look is much cleaner than pole pockets (*blech*).

i'm still working on the tiebacks (and the sheers that will hang behind the curtains), but you can buy or make whatever you like. you'll see them in my bedroom "afters" soon.

here's a breakdown of what i spent:

silk: 14 yards at $8.99 - $125.86
black-out fabric: 14 yards @ $5.99 - $83.86
thread: $3.99 for one roll
curtain rods: $24.99 x 4 - $99.96
drapery clips: $4.99 x 4 - $19.96

TOTAL: $333.63 (compared with well over $1000 at pottery barn or equivalent) and about 2 hours of sewing.

this is a quick project that saves you LOTS of cash and can be done by even the most "beginner" of sartors and seamstresses (though my mom is a PRO).

hope you've enjoyed this how-to! let me know if you have questions!

and a BIG KISS to mom for all of the help! xx

christmas, christmas time is here...

2010-12-10T15:18:00.000-08:00

christmas has arrived at fog city sparkle!

and while the tree is not quite as tall as last year's (this year's is a lil' 10-footer), i hope you'll enjoy this sneak peek of the decorations that are going up.

can i just say how much i LOVE this garland? i really really do. it's shiny, has glitter, and is all sorts of wild colors. SO AWESOME.

hope your holiday season, whatever you celebrate, is filled with laughter and light. xx

me an' mah baby.

2010-12-10T09:55:00.000-08:00

i heart my house! (and ace hardware!)

just sent to me by a friend. i love this photo!

and, ladies, remember, when headed to the hardware store it never hurts to put a little extra effort into your outfit. much better service...

jen xx

guest room PWN.

2010-12-07T14:30:00.000-08:00

that's right, my guest room got PWNed! jen FTW! (do i sound dorky enough today?)

it's been far too long since i have updated y'all on this sweet little treat of a room.

funnily enough, when we moved in, this room was my absolute last priority. many of you also know that i chose the color on a whim (read: panic) one night before some of my friends (read: free labor!) came over to help paint.

shortly thereafter, by the grace of the god of decorating, it turned out to be one of my first finished and most-loved rooms. and the reaction to it has been universally enthusiastic - even from men who surely, i thought, would HATE the color scheme and ruffles.

to remind you, we started here. bad paint. bad carpet. bad bad bad!
a lil' paint. floor recovered from years of abuse...and then we were here. but no nightstands! quelle horreur!
and now, thanks to my LOVELY friend aviva for these pretty pictures, i can show you where we've landed...

welcome, dear guest!
ahhh... so RELAXING!
a book for your pleasure?
or a freshly plumped pillow?
maybe a lollipop the size of your head?
and then off to dream about your next escape...

yup, this is how we do in fog city. ;)

best holiday pie recipe EVER!

2010-11-23T09:20:00.001-08:00

worthy of a re-post now that the holiday season is upon us!

look, can we all agree that everyone loves pumpkin pie? it's a national treasure.

problem is, come holiday time, there are three national treasures to choose from for your big holiday meals. pumpkin. apple. pecan. HOW on earth is a person supposed to decide?!

well, i think i have the cure for your ills (and the savior of your gastrointestinal tract). file this away for next thanksgiving and christmas. it's a crowd-pleaser and a win-win-win in my book. i give you...

~ PUMPKIN APPLE PECAN PIE with CINNAMON BOURBON WHIPPED CREAM ~

i start with martha stewart's pâte brisée recipe. (though you can also start with a great pre-made from your local grocer. i know that lots of you are intimidated by pie crust.)

*note that you can do all of this by hand and, if you prefer, you can cut the recipe in half as that's all you need. i like to make the whole thing and stick the other one in the freezer for quick pot-pies and such.

Makes 1 double-crust or 2 single-crust 9- to 10-inch pies

Ingredients
* 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon sugar
* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
* 1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water

Directions
1. In the bowl of a food processor, combine flour, salt, and sugar. Add butter, and process until the mixture resembles coarse meal, 8 to 10 seconds.
2. With machine running, add ice water in a slow, steady stream through feed tube. Pulse until dough holds together without being wet or sticky; be careful not to process more than 30 seconds. To test, squeeze a small amount together: If it is crumbly, add more ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time.
3. Divide dough into two equal balls. Flatten each ball into a disc and wrap in plastic. Transfer to the refrigerator and chill at least 1 hour. Dough may be stored, frozen, up to 1 month.

then there's whole foods' fabulous pumpkin apple pie:

Makes 1 single-crust 9- to 10-inch pie

Ingredients
* 1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
* 1 tablespoon cornstarch
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
* 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
* 1/3 cup water
* 2 tablespoons butter
* 2 Granny Smith or Fuji apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced (about 3 cups)
* 1 egg
* 1/3 cup granulated sugar
* 3/4 cup fresh or canned pumpkin purée
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
* 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
* 3/4 cup evaporated milk
* 1 (9-inch) unbaked pie shell (in pie pan) - OR the crust you made above

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Put brown sugar, cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon of the cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon of the salt, water and butter into a medium pot and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Add apples and cook, tossing to coat in sugar mixture, 3 to 4 minutes more. Remove from heat and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together egg, granulated sugar, pumpkin, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, cloves, ginger and milk until well combined.
3. Pour apple mixture into pie shell then spoon pumpkin mixture evenly over the top. Bake for 10 minutes then reduce temperature to 375°F and bake until filling is just set in the middle, about 40 minutes more. Set aside on a wire rack to let cool completely then cut into slices.

and my special pecan topping:

Ingredients
* 3 tablespoons butter
* 1/2 cup light-brown sugar
* 1 cup pecans, toasted and broken into pieces
* 1 tablespoon heavy cream

Directions
1. melt butter over medium heat in a medium saucepan.
2. add 1/2 cup light-brown sugar and pecans. cook, stirring, until sugar is incorporated and the mixture is smooth, about 3 minutes.
3. stir in cream; let cool 1 to 2 minutes.
4. pour mixture over cooled pie. using a butter knife or spatula, gently spread mixture over pie.
5. cool until topping has hardened, about 30 minutes. (do not refrigerate before serving; keep pie in a cool place up to 6 hours. okay to refrigerate after serving, though the topping will go "cloudy".)

and the *NOM NOM NOM* whipped cream (just before serving)!

Ingredients
* heavy whipping cream
* brown sugar
* your favorite bourbon
* cinnamon

Directions
1. add whipped cream to a bowl. sprinkle in sugar and cinnamon to taste.
2. add a tablespoon of bourbon (can't add too much as it will make it impossible to whip to the proper consistency).
3. beat it like a maniac until stiff peaks form.

happy eatin'!

dog days of summer.

2010-10-14T11:19:00.000-07:00

dear readers,

i can't believe it's been so long since i've updated my little blog!

i know you are all AVID readers of fog city sparkle (ha! that was funny!) so i do hereby swear to begin updating this more regularly again - espcially with summer waning here in san francisco.

indian summer in san francisco: this morning's sunrise from my stoop

[tip for non-sf readers: always plan to visit our fair city in september and early october to get the very best weather. we don't have perpetual summer like they did on 90210 (the real one - not this silly remake filled with walking, talking twigs).]

so, what have i been up to on the home front? not too much that is of interest to you probably. we are working on converting our building from tics to condos and, with sf's myriad ridiculous laws, it is enough to make you bonkers. so our house fixes of late have all been of the "bring this up to code" variety - and not the "ooh, look at this amazing fabric i have to do something with it" kind.

however, i have some ideas percolating (and some new silk curtains to make), so it's time to get to work - and get to posting!

in the short term, here's something fun: my first (and only) tomato of the season!

it's finally been hot enough to ripen the two tomatoes that have been on the vine for months. one get eaten overnight but i managed to pick this one (a black cherry heirloom) this morning. huzzah!

okay - be back soon with some good stuff for you!

jen x

the answer to a never ending story?

2010-07-27T14:49:00.001-07:00

i've been thinking a lot about the dining room of late and decided to put together a (remedial) storyboard to represent how i'd like for it to come together -- though some existing pieces weren't included.

some of these items are on my wish list, most notably the aqua leather wingbacks. we'll just have to wait and see if i can snag some of this stuff on sale...

so, here we go with the list, from left-to-right by row:

"stormy monday" paint by benjamin moore.
poster-sized prints of two photos i took in iceland a few months ago
those crazy mirrors i just finished!
a black glass chandelier... or white... or clear... what do you think?
a mix of thonet chairs, which i am in the process of collecting, refinished in black
my duncan phyfe table that i FINALLY refinished. maybe adding a high-gloss black leaf so allow for more seats and to modernize the look
OMG a pair of these amazing wingbacks that i found at zgallerie. the photos don't come even close to doing them justice. i DIE when i look at them. perfect for unbuttoning your pants and relaxing.
a great graphic rug, like this one from anthro. diamond jungle dhurrie just sounds fun!
high gloss black doors with white casings

and not in the storyboard but definitely included:

my grandmother's favorite side table - antique, round, leather topped. my dad's only request to keep when she passed. he thought it would be perfect for my little victorian home. i'd pair it with the wingbacks and place them in the bay window.
an antique armoire from my dad. when they went mid-century with their house, i scored this hand-me-down. perfect for storing bar essentials.
black and white patterned curtains with some fun detail. i'm on the hunt for fabric. got any suggestions?
voile sheers to diffuse the light (and for privacy since the dining room is at the front of the house and on street level)
fun tchotchkes in bright colors - because i am a magpie collecting shiny things, as you all know

are you scared? excited? what would you add or change?

if.. you... asked me to...

2010-07-26T15:01:00.000-07:00

well, YOU DID if your name is sandra, elaine or kelly.

no real post today, just a quick update on the mirrors for the dining room. some of you may recall that i was playing with a few ideas for the finish (and blogged about it here).

so many friends liked the multi-colored graffiti look that i decided, "what the heck? we're only young once!" so here you go...

ignore the styrofoam up top - just testing different angles for the mirrors to hang at...

if you're curious:
- mirrors were a sale item at pier one
- used the following paints: rust-oleum in "white gloss" and "black gloss" and krylon x-metals in "anodized purple"

to thonet or not to thonet - that is the question.

2010-07-22T13:40:00.000-07:00

er... well... really it's more of a degree-of-thonet question.

i'm finally getting my bum into gear on the dining room but i'm stuck again on chairs. i LOVELOVELOVE thonet chairs (yessireebob, i even picked up a couple this weekend) and was thinking i could surround the table with a variety of the cafe-style chairs...

à la these examples:

cafe des amis, san francisco

via apartment therapy

or if i should mix things up and scavenge for a variety of "significant" chair styles, like these rooms do.

via country living

sjp's hamptons house via elle decor

honestly, i am LOVING both options. what do YOU think?

i'll tell ya what i want. what i really, really want...

2010-07-19T16:15:00.000-07:00

my favorite find of the day: a 1950s china girl bobblehead. she looks like me!

somedays all a girl wants is a nice day in the sun, all to herself. a day filled with shopping, hand-cut french fries, driving too fast on sun-dappled winding roads through ancient redwoods, and a good book on the beach.

well, that's how i spent my saturday and it was GLORIOUS.

i hopped in the car and headed over the golden gate bridge (for those of you not from here, no, i never do get tired of seeing it!) and up towards sonoma.

first stop was vintage bank antiques in petaluma, an old gold mine boom town. this place is AMAZING. a decomissioned bank filled with antiques top-to-toe. you can even walk through the old vaults.

i could have spent hours here, but i was itching to head a bit further north on the gravenstein highway (yup, we gots the apples!) to sebastopol, another ag and gold mine boom town just a few miles up the road.

first stop is always llano house. it's beautiful little cottage and barn filled with depression glass treasures and great vintage chairs.
no luck for me though so i headed to my favorite, ray's trading and salvage.
ray's is filled to the brim with vintage cast iron goodies and salvaged doors (which i plan to acquire a dozen of when i am ready to restore all of the doorways in my house). in his yard i found these lovelies, which came home with me.
click the photo to look closer - don't you love the *mustachioed lions' heads* in the centers?!

they will soon become a loveseat-sized park bench in my backyard - for lovers (in the victorian sense - get your mind out of the gutter!) to canoodle on when we have backyard parties.

with that success under my belt, i happily headed to fft and found a pair of these! *swoon*

if you've seen photos of the house exterior, you know it is DROP DEAD GORGEOUS. however, someone did a runner with our original doors. i'm thinking this pair might be the perfect replacement. what do you think?

then i headed to the big-daddy of sebastopol antiques, the antique society. i got lucky again and found a pair of embossed thonet-style chairs...
a great bottle opener to mount to the wall in the backyard...

well, this just about sums my style up in one picture, doesn't it?!

and a pretty little gilded bud vase for the guest room.
after all of that, i was famished and hit sequoia burger, a little mom-and-pop burger stand, for one of my all-time favorite burgers (and a SMALL side of their hand-cut cajuns).
fortified, i hit the bohemian highway (yes, that name is FOR REAL)...
and ended up here...
on the beach in monte rio. and i (finally) read water for elephants, cover-to-cover.
it was a GREAT day. just what i wanted.

i'm on a boat!

2010-07-15T14:18:00.000-07:00

okay, i'm not (but who doesn't love an excuse to watch this video), but I AM on brooklyn limestone!
the lovely stefanie, keeper of one of my most favorite-ist blogs, allowed me to guest post today while she's on vacation. it's still a thrill to see my rooms on her massively popular blog (the times even named her one of their top 50 design blogs)!

jump on over and leave a comment so she'll have me back soon!

thanks to emily!

2010-07-14T09:47:00.000-07:00

the fabulous miss emily of emily a. clark hosted her monthly reader participation post a week ago today and i was lucky enough to be included.

this month's subject? entry halls and foyers.

some of you may have already seen my before and after shots in the "paint it black" post - click here if you haven't!

i ain't sayin' she a gold digger...

2010-07-13T21:53:00.000-07:00

well, due to laziness and because it seems it's impossible to book a contractor, i have made very little headway in the dining room. for months it has been a glorified storage locker-slash-project room and it is all so very sad.

well, while i can't empty it out until i find a contractor WHO RETURNS CALLS to fix up the basement, i can still plan for the day when i can decorate and entertain in there... (please, god, let that be SOON!)

the room is large, with our very high ceilings, so i've been looking for some high-impact items to fill the space. one thing that was absolutely necessary was to add at least one mirror - i love the way they reflect the candlelight during a long dinner party with friends - but it would have to be BIG.

i searched and searched antiques fairs, consignment and antique shops, craigslist, ebay, but i just could not find what i wanted. then, one day, at pier one i spotted this one. the finish is truly HIDEOUS but it is over 4 feet tall and has great bones.

close up of the original finish... yuck.

so i tried high-gloss black...

and high-gloss white...

and a fuschia metallic paint.

it's kind of a mess, but sort of fun too!

but i think i'm back to my original inspiration, so i have ordered some gold lustrgild paint in the hopes of creating something more like this:

so hopefully, sometime next week, these two lovelies will be finished and hung and i can finally say i have made some kind of progress in here!

the first time....

2010-07-05T10:34:00.000-07:00

"can you tell from the look on my face that i... love you more TODAAAAAY..."

one year ago today i walked into this house for the first time. i didn't know it at the time, but i had finally come home.

this year has been a whirlwind - and rather like falling in love. joy, doubt, fear, butterflies, and hard work. and i wouldn't trade a single second.

here's a quick look back at that first day. these are the photos i took at the open house (click the photo to see a larger version). and click here for an intro to this crazy project.

we've certainly come a long way!
(top row, l-r) entrance, downstairs hallway, formal dining room, living room

(2nd row, l-r) downstairs (illegal) bathroom, kitchen, view of city hall from kitchen, upstairs hallway

(3rd row, l-r) master bedroom, master - 2 closets. w00t!, view from master (you can see the bay!), guest bedroom

(4th row, l-r) upstairs bathroom, office, view from office, backyard

(last row, l-r) backyard, backyard entrance to basement, basement

"although sometime has passed
i still remember just like it was yesterday.
the time is moving fast.
the love i have for you
time won't ever change -
i'll always feel the same
now until the end..."

happy red, white and BLUE!

2010-07-04T10:19:00.000-07:00

happy fourth of july, dear friends and readers!

my dad and my grandpa were both military men, and my great-gran was a farmer in south dakota, so i am proud to celebrate our freedom today and the sacrifices that so many great men and women, from all walks of life, have made so we may enjoy it.

and, on a much DORKIER note, holidays always get me revved up - the parties, the decorations and the colors!

today i'm thinking about blue (but not feeling it - it's a beautiful day here in san francisco and we have lots of friends on the way for a big backyard blowout!)...

some of you have already seen this, but i think it's about time to fetch my dad's homework desk from the family garage and bring it back to the f.c.s. house for some t.l.c. it'll look exactly like the one above and end up on the right side of the bed in the guest bedroom.
guests will be able to look out the window at the city lights by night and write jealousy-inducing postcards to their loved ones back home...
i've also been on the hunt for the perfect, petite nightstand for the left side. no luck for months at the antiques markets or on the craigslists but LOOK AT WHAT WE HAVE HERE. the appropriately named "petite bedside table" at pb teen looks like just the thing! and super-reasonable at 99 bucks!
and i still need to hang this bad-boy in the room as well. the aqua teardrops are a bit too bright for me so i'm thinking of putting a thin coat of white glass paint over them to soften them for the room.

anyone have any experience with glass paint? i'd love a tip or two!

have a happy day, friends!

you gotta fight!

2010-06-28T11:04:00.000-07:00

for your right! to parrrrrrr-tay!
whenever i have a party, i find that people end up congregating in the family room. it is one of the smallest rooms in the house, but i think it turned out to be a pretty cozy and hip little space.

i've teased you with some previews along the way, but here it finally is!

this is what i started with:
those of you who have been following our progress here in fog city know that the house interior was covered from head to toe in the most hideous yellow paint. in these photos, from the open house, it almost looks... nice! i assure you, though, it was terrifying. especially all of the inexplicable wall stains created by 4 college-aged boys with no supervision. *la dee da* putting those pictures right out of my head...

we had the floors stripped down to the originals (YAY) and then we painted, painted, painted and painted some more. the door to the downstairs bath got a coat or two of chalkboard paint as a part of my project doorway.
it has become one of my favorite things in the house because it is covered in love letters from family and friends.

i also painted the cast iron hearth and corbel on the fireplace in high-gloss black for more contrast.
and then it was time for the fun stuff!

i anchored the room with my sofa - it's HUGE and comfy and far too expensive to throw away. the lines are curvy and victorian, but the fabric is modern and neutral so it works. i also kept my antique mahogany coffee table, heat stains and all. it's been with me forever and i love the color - especially in this room because it picks up the darker hues in our floors.

then i trotted off to ikea to buy out the store - picking up the trollsta sideboard to use as a tv stand and a great b/w rug, the stockholm rand.
and then to pier one for a couple of great oversize faux bamboo chairs. the room, with the addition of the chairs is very full but, because it's such a small space, i decided to embrace it and to try to make it feel as homey and intimate as possible.
the topper is this fantastic chandelier i robbed from lamps plus (originally $1350 and i got it for $186!). most folks think it's original to the house (which was built in the late 1800s) - it just seems to fit. and it is GORGEOUS at night.
and assorted tchotchkes i have collected at all of the fun antiques markets up north. (i'm sure you've guessed by now that i am of the "more is more" school of thought when it comes to decorating.)

red carnations and a hand thrown clay taxi cab from cuba.

a vintage "go" lamp from a streetlight and a big, lighted "C" for evening

vintage kit cat clock with rhinestones

add some colorful (and SHINY) pillows and voilà! CLICK ON THE PHOTO FOR A CLOSE-UP.

please excuse the puzzle effect here - it's my bargain substitute for a wide-angle lens.

now i've just got to get some art up behind the sofa and we'll be all done (for now)!

hope you've enjoyed this little peek into my favorite party room!

hearts and hearts and hearts and hearts...

2010-06-22T22:11:00.000-07:00

the fabulous ally at From The Right Bank has issued her annual “What’s Your Style in One Picture Challenge”. i remember reading about it last year - in the throws of trying to find my very own home - and thinking "what, exactly, IS my style? well, i'd better figure it out fast!"

thankfully it wasn't hard. my house style is pretty much the same as my closet style - whimsical, colorful, eclectic, and fun. oh, and sexy. of course. ;)

there are so many great designers at work these days that fit that description - so many that my virtual style files are bursting at the seams! but, somehow, i can't help but come back to this photo again and again. anne coyle, you are a glamour genius!

hope you enjoy it! so what's your style in one picture?

"beauty's where you find it."

i want cake!

2010-06-21T12:18:00.001-07:00

while most of you follow this blog to see what i'm up to on the home front, some of you know that one of my other creative outlets is cake making. i'm not a professional, so this is just a hobby that happens a few times a year, but i really do enjoy it.

all of these cakes are made with one of my very best friends, sarah, who will be leaving with her husband and 3-year-old twins to travel the world for a year. in honor of her husband's birthday, and their trip, we made a cake to celebrate.

the cake is topped with edible likenesses of the girls (though they insisted "don't cut me!" and "please, mommy, don't let anyone EAT me!") and a *very* inaccurate map of the world showing some of their planned stops. (one friend remarked "i'm not great with geography, but WHAT PLANET is that?" haha.)

for those of you who are interested, here are a few (crappy cell phone) photos i took while we made and served the cake.

covering the ugly (and delicious) thing with blue and white marbled fondant.

add partial continents and flags (that's the old vietnamese flag, nguyễn dfynasty/ pre-communism, on the top right for those of you who aren't familiar.)

serving to many appreciative little people.

happy kids.
and a happy gracie.

OMG!

2010-06-15T15:00:00.000-07:00

some of you may have seen this san francisco toothpick carnival (i'd never even HEARD of toothpick carnivals before this) on apartment therapy today, but here it is in action.

this is one of THE COOLEST things i have ever seen. scott weaver, thank you for your genius.

shine on!

2010-06-13T20:53:00.000-07:00

in honor of the chandelier i acquired on craigslist this week, and the INSANELY lovely weather we are enjoying here in san francisco, a little ditty by one of my favorite brit pop acts. enjoy!

"shine, shine, shine on
yes, won't you shine, shine on
(sha la la la)..."

it's like the "wild kingdom" up in here!

2010-06-04T21:01:00.000-07:00

wasn't that an amazing show? ah, the memories... i love me some tivo but sometimes i long for the days when the whole family would gather together to watch an amazing program together. it was pretty special.

anyway... i'm at home tonight working on some errands to prepare for the weekend and, a few minutes ago, i was about to go outside when i noticed a HUH-YOUGE cat sitting on the fence. i thought maybe it was this little guy's momma - but it turned around to look at me and...

SWEET BABY CHEESUS, THAT AIN'T NO KITTY CAT!

it is a ginormous, well-fed raccoon. seriously, WHAT is it with this house?! our wildlife (like bob the rat) grows to unbelievable proportions!

he's pretty cute though. if i didn't know he would bite and scratch me (seriously, doesn't it look like he's saying "b*tch, i will CUT you!"?), i would want to hug him!

and, while i was up in my library (i'm SO hoity-toity) watching him, i noticed how lovely the view is tonight. thought you might enjoy sharing it with me. *wink wink*

trumpeting a change?

2010-06-03T10:57:00.000-07:00

this morning i woke to the first trumpet flower of the year. isn't she beautiful?

my back fences are covered in trumpet vine - and its lovely flowers are one of the many reasons i fell so in love with this home. the vine was in full bloom at the open house last july and the huge orange flowers looked so cheerful in the summer sun.

i'm hoping that this is a sign that we're finally done with the rain and that summer has arrived.

"summer breeze... makes me feel fine... blowing through the jasmine in my mind..."

you are the apple of my eye...

2010-06-01T11:04:00.000-07:00

"forever you'll stay in my heart..."

isn't stevie wonder just the awesome-ist? if you say no, i just don't think we can be friends anymore. (unless you bring me booze. it's true, i am easily bribed.)

anywhoooo... huzzah for holiday weekends! right? are you with me? it was absolutely GORGEOUS here in san francisco and the weather inspired me to work on a quick art project.

i was tired of looking at the big, blank wall in the kitchen and was inspired by this photo of sarah jessica parker's hamptons kitchen (which is very similar to the plan i have for mine, you'll note!):

i love the big pop art apple, so i decided to make one of my own.

first i bought a sheet of oak plywood and had them cut it to 36"x36" (and other various sizes for future projects). i took it home and whitewashed it with CHEAP white acrylic paint.

then i free-handed (is that even a word? and who else out there is thinking "FREEBIRD!!!"?) the apple shape in red paint.

filled it in and fixed the shape a bit.

the stem was the hard part. i couldn't decide on the shape i wanted, so i played around with a pair of scissors and some paper towels (i'm high-tech, i tell ya). when i got what i wanted, i painted the edges of the back side and stamped it on to the plywood.

then filled it in, et *voilà* - a giant pop art apple of my very own!

total cost was $24 for the sheet of plywood and $7 for the craft paint. and maybe 1 hour total of painting time. not bad, eh?

when the kitchen is complete next month, i'll show you what it looks like on the wall.

hope this inspires you to pick up a paintbrush!

hey, good lookin'!

2010-05-26T11:59:00.000-07:00

what 'cha got cookin'?

i have been extremely derelict in my blogging duties over the last two weeks - especially when i consider how many LOVELY (really, you are. *wink wink*) i have picked up since the fabulous mrs. limestone featured me on hers.

well, the sun is shining and i'm thinking of lots of fun, summery feasts that i should be cooking up - which means that it's time to re-do the kitchen!

i've been talking with the contractor and it looks like we're going to get to work in a couple of weeks - which means i have just enough time to solicit your opinions on my plans.

here's what we are starting with (not bad at all, but it just doesn't flow with the rest of the house). and sorry, the photo quality isn't the best - i took these with my phone at the open house last year.

the cabinets are new and in good shape - i plan just to remove the crown moulding and paint them all white. we'll also remove the hardware and replace with these from house of antique hardware:

what do you think? milk blue or milk green?

and how about these, in polished nickel, (also from house of antique hardware) for the drawers?
i'll also replace the current pendant lights, which are faux alabaster like the rest of the house was when we started (someone clearly had a weird fetish for the stuff! t.m.i.?).

i'm vacillating between these two, both from schoolhouse electric:

which one do you like? i'm leaning toward the first because i LOVE color - but the shape of the second is pretty awesome.

the granite that we have will stay put - it's black and SPARKLY and i love it.

and the walls have been repainted a pale, pale blue-grey, with the door to the backyard a nice bright red (you can see it in my last "project doorway" post).

the floors, however, don't match the rest of the house, so i am thinking of covering them with black and white checkered industrial tile from armstrong, like in this photo:

doesn't this kitchen just look so clean and dreamy? and i love that it is both modern and retro at once.

so what do you think? am i on to somethin'?

check ME out! i'm on brooklyn limestone!

2010-05-10T10:20:00.000-07:00

how very exciting! i've been an avid follower (along with thousands of other folks) of "a brooklyn limestone in progress" since stumbling upon it a year ago - just when i was starting to daydream about how this old house would take shape.

aside from being insanely talented (seriously, check out her before-and-afters on apartment therapy), stefanie, the author of brooklyn limestone, is so lovely and gracious with her feedback and time.

today i am thrilled to be included on her blog, filling in as a guest poster while she is away on yet another glamorous trip.

please stop by and check out my post -- and leave a comment so she'll consider having me back!

jen x

what?!

2010-05-10T07:23:00.000-07:00

omg! i just realized yesterday that i haven't written a thing on the completed family room!

you all saw this preview (well, maybe not all of my lovely new readers!)...

but i'll try to get some photos of it this week (if we aren't drowned in rain and grey clouds again) and show you how it turned out.

stay tuned!

well, what do we have here?!

2010-05-05T19:33:00.000-07:00

came home on sunday from a FUN girls' weekend with my mom (facials, massages, shopping, dinner on the town) loaded up with new flowers for the yard (YAY). as i was heading out back to put them in a nice sunny spot, something gray and fuzzy caught my eye.

this is, generally, cause for alarm in my house, as our vines are the secret hiding place of bob - the biggest rat i have ever seen in my life. (seriously, he's the size of a chihuahua and totally unafraid of us).

luckily for me this time it was a kitten!

he ran for one quick second but, upon hearing my friendly (and sultry - i assure you) voice, he came running. he's quite the little loverboy! i'm really hoping he comes back soon but, in the meantime, here are some photos.

are you in love yet?

iceland again.

2010-05-05T16:02:00.000-07:00

if you read this the first time around, go ahead and give it a skip.

i was reading more about the motherland, and eyjafjallajokull volcano today (fascinating, right), when i thought to myself that it might be a good idea to remind my readers (all two of you) that iceland isn't so bad!

so, here again is the post i put together after christmas in iceland, meeting the fam!

me at the blue lagoon. the colors were indescribable!

i know that this blog is supposed to be about the process of renovating and decorating the house, but i still thought it relevant to include a post about my trip to iceland last month. after all, each place that we go leaves an indelible impression upon us and changes us - which ultimately influences how we live. for me iceland was about the colors, the simple and modern interiors, and all of the fabulous art.

street art in reykjavik. i heart graffiti.

some of you will undoubtedly ask "WHY ICELAND? and why iceland in the MIDDLE OF WINTER?!" well, it's simple really. my grandmother was from a small town in the north of iceland, akureyri (note: this is the 2nd largest city in the country at 17 thousand people. a HUGE portion of the population, 200k+ out of 300, lives in reykjavik).

my grandfather met her when he was stationed in iceland during WWII - and she broke off her engagement with some poor local boy to run off to the u.s. and marry this tall, handsome american boy.

the fjörds of akureyri, where my grandmother was from.

akureyri architecture - surprisingly like home!

i'd never visited but my dad and i had talked about it for years as he had not been either. and so, when he saw a great deal in one of his travel newsletters, we leapt at the chance. and i then got in touch with my family there (not hard since we are actually in almost daily contact despite the fact that we'd never visited) and made plans to meet them all.

we flew in for a very short trip - just 6 days because i have taken so much time off this year to deal with the house, and had a fantastic time.

perpetual dusk in the wintertime - great since it's my favorite time of day!

iceland LOVES christmas.

meeting my family was a memory i will treasure forever. i was the only non blue-eyed person there (my mother is from taiwan, my father met her when he was stationed there during the vietnam war), but i felt like i fit right in. i saw my freckles, i heard my laugh, and felt my grandmother's spirit in them all.

my family (and me looking, and feeling, like a drowned rat!)

what struck me, too, wass how big a part of the culture art, in all its forms, is with icelanders. from food to sculpture to street art to fashion - iceland is at the cutting edge of it all. you can't walk through reykjavik, in particular, without noticing.

SWOON! local fashion is gorgeous (and expensive- these were over $600 u.s.)!

bronze statues in reykjavik's town center.

tasted as good as it looked!

there's so much to see in iceland and the people are so warm and lovely - there's no doubt that i will return.

enjoying our favorite pastime.

one too many for dad?

i hope you've enjoyed "getting away from it all" with me, even for a few minutes! i've kept this VERY brief, but will write more if you all seem interested - it's a fascinating place.

jen x

me and dad at gullfoss.

and one of my favorite songs from "cousin" björk for your entertainment:

romper stomper bomper boo!

2010-04-23T14:57:00.000-07:00

remember the end of 'romper room' - when we'd all (take hits from our respective bongs and) visit the magic mirror? that b*tch NEVER called my name and said i was "having a super day" - but i watched EVERY SINGLE DAY in the hopes that one day she would.

last night, after a lovely evening of whiskey tasting and new music with two of my favorite boys (hi eric! hi luke!) and miss gina, i looked over at my chalkboard door and noticed that they'd made some new additions. (and i didn't say "cool it now" - ha ha - get it? get it?)

i stood and stared at it for a while, noting all of the good friends who'd added something fun and i started to feel all warm and fuzzy inside (admittedly, the whiskey could have had a wee bit to do with that as well...).

i see heba. i see mike. i see eric. i see luke. i see riin. i see sarah. and the other sarah. i see karen. i see sian. i see nicole. i see larisa. i see chris. i see johannes. i see jess. i see amanda. i see molly. i see valerie. i see debbie. i see gina. i even see charlotte and emily.

i love you all. you make these sunny days even brighter.

jen x

rain, rain, go away! come again another day!

2010-04-15T14:20:00.000-07:00

new mat for the back door. "is it ME you're looking for.......?"

you know, i'm usually a great lover of fog and rain - but EVEN I am growing tired of it this year. it's felt like monsoon season around here lately (only without all of the lovely tropical temperatures and foods) and, frankly, i'm sick of it. sick, i tell you!

the one benefit, i hope, is that "Sweet April showers - Do spring May flowers." (courtesy Thomas Tusser, "A Hundred Good Points of Husbandry", circa 1557).

to that end, light gardening continues in the yard. i thought some of you would enjoy a few updated photos of the progress.

this is a view from the second floor office. as you can see, the yard is quite small. even so, i am trying to create a few spaces for seating guests.

the first is obvious, but i have added a small outdoor area rug under the table for extra color and definition. i'd also like to run tall flowers along the right side fence for extra color near the table.

the second will go where the "yet to be potted" plants currently sit - in the back left corner. i plan to pick up some antique park bench ends and build one to put at an angle there. a nice, cozy spot for romance.

the third will be on the landing, just outside of the kitchen, at the top of these stairs. i'm thinking another antique park bench - but this one scaled down to seat just two.

my new sago palm, potted with violas and alyssium

and i'm on the lookout for tomatoes that do well during our famously gray summer months. i just hate the ones that are available at the store - no taste! didn't they used to taste like something when we were kids? not just some amorphous, reddish, mealy blob that we somehow feel OBLIGATED to put on salads and summer burgers? *sigh* (i think it's time for my afternoon cocktail.)

what else do you think would suit my little urban garden?

iiiiiiii left my hearrrrrrrt...

2010-04-09T14:41:00.000-07:00

just had to share this!

i want to go to there.

2010-04-05T18:50:00.000-07:00

"it's spring fever. that is what the name of it is. and when you've got it, you want... oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!" ~mark twain

well, it seems spring has sprung (although it's been in fits and starts - as is usually the case here in san francisco). it's hard not to be excited - the skies are clear, the air is fresh and everything is starting to bloom.

when we bought this house, the backyard trumpet vine was in bloom (you can see some of the original photos here). i can't wait for them to come back and to enjoy a summer in our new home!

as you well know, we have been spending A LOT of time working on the interior of the house, but this weather has rgot me thinking about how to make the most of my backyard (which is really just a small patio - but it's BIG deal to have private outdoor space in this town!).

here are some small outdoor spaces that inspire me. i want to go to there!

i LOVE the color in this one - and how lush it is! don't you just want to grab a bag of marshmallows and stick and cozy up to that fire?!

more fantastic landscaping in a small space - i think it gives the illusion that the yard is much bigger than it actually is!

more fab colors - and shine!

so, this weekend, my friend nicole and i hit home depot for a few starters for my "garden" - which will consist of lots of colorful pots and plants.

i fell in love with these pansies - their little "faces" are so cheerful. and of course i need some lavender for my drawers (yes, that kind!).

and some neon orange geraniums and pink jasmine waiting to be potted. (please ignore the mess - i had just potted the pansies.)

need to grab some more pots to add to this wall! and maybe a fun vintage plant stand?

the vines are just about ready to bloom!

have any small garden ideas or tips to share? i'd love to hear 'em!

CITY boys and girls gettin' down on the farm!

2010-04-02T12:22:00.001-07:00

wheeeeeeeeeeeee! now HERE is something to be excited about: welcome to the neighborhood, hayes valley farm!

as you may recall from earlier posts (like this one), my current neighborhood was once home to the central freeway, built in the 1950s, which many say destroyed the fabric of this diverse place. in 1989, the loma prieta earthquake took down a sizable chuck of the thing and it was eventually demolished in favor of street-level on ramps. and so began a renewal of the area. (or, some would say, an unwanted gentrification by folks like me. we're right on the border of that most famous of neighborhoods which, too, is having an identity crisis.)

the city has moved excruciatingly slowly in development of the MANY lots that now stand empty as a result of the demolition (see left).

but, the upside is that the community is getting creative with proposed uses for these lots. (this looks pretty amazing, in fact!)

hayes valley farm is probably the best i have seen. situated on parcel p, the largest of them all, this farm will take over a sorely neglected - but uniquely situated - plot right in the middle of our neighborhood.

in their own words, hayes valley farm is "an education and research project with a focus on urban agriculture. Situated on city-owned lots bordered by Oak, Fell, Laguna, and Octavia streets, the project is organized by an alliance of urban farmers, educators, and designers that comprise the Hayes Valley Farm Project Team. Hayes Valley Farm is a Parks Partner, a fiscally sponsored project of the San Francisco Parks Trust.

The project is founded on an interim use agreement between Hayes Valley Farm and the City's Office of Economic and Workforce Development- a two to five year time frame - until which time the City moves forward with other development plans for the site.

to create a successful, sustainable urban farm where community members can access healthy local food
to serve as a model and a resource center for urban agriculture education and green job training
to build community resiliency around local food production"

i have been so busy with the house that i haven't yet had a chance to get dirty with my neighbors, but i plan to very soon. it looks like they are having alot of fun over there!

if you live in the neighborhood, get yourself to a work party soon. if not, maybe you can spearhead a similar project where you live -- this stuff ain't just for san francisco hippies!

and, here's hoping that it will stay long past its planned 2-5 years...

will it never, EVER, end?

2010-03-24T15:14:00.000-07:00

"what a looooooong strange trip it's been" for me and this here dining room. it was probably the room i was most excited about when i moved in - not because it is the most beautiful (in fact, it was the most neglected - i can't even conceive of what those college kids were DOING in there.*), but because i love to entertain.

*okay, i really can because, you know, it wasn't SOOOOO long ago that i was a college student myself. i just don't want to imagine those things happening in MY dining room!

from the start, i wanted it to be a cozy room that people could relax in for hours. it started as this mess below - well this is actually after the carpets full of funk were removed. i can't find a better photo, i think, because i had avoided the room for so long.

again with the baby-poopy yellow. EVERYWHERE with the baby-poopy yellow. to make it a bit more serene i decided to go for a mid-tone gray. i tested about 10 and chose the one you see below. (again, apologies for the mess - until the basement is cleared for use, the dining room is doubling as a storage unit.)

i tend to like cool colors, but this just looked horrible. i had exchanged the poopy baby diaper color for an actual baby's nursery (which is just sad and scary if you don't have a baby friend of your own)!

when it went on, it was a pale blue and i hated it. but i was so frustrated that i just finished off the room because i had no idea when i would get to painting it AGAIN....

in the meantime i found this amazing photo. noe this - THIS - is what i was looking for. so, against my usual color instincts, i went about testing some dove grays - colors that had a bit of brown in them to warm things up and create that cozy vibe i want. i finally settled on "stormy monday" by benjamin moore.

and, last night, i got my lazy bones off of the sofa and painted one wall to see if it worked...

i also dedided to do something a bit radical - i'm painting everything from the crown molding down in this color, including trim and baseboards. I'll be using alot of white, black and gold decor - and texture - for POP.

i like that it's neutral enough to show off any color that i might incorporate into holiday or party decorations. because you know me, with the color. and the sparkle.

what do you think? great or BIG mistake?

OH - quick side note... i decided to try a new paint formulation last night as well: benjamin moore's aura. it's alot more expensive than the color-matched paints i generally buy at home depot (which are great), but i did love this stuff. goes on very smooth, great coverage, and very low on fumes. thumbs up!

color me beautiful.

2010-03-15T19:38:00.000-07:00

okay, friends, i'm not even the teeniest bit ashamed to admit it: i heart bridget jones.

bridget reading one of my favorites, house & garden magazine

the first time i read the first book i laughed so hard i cried. there are so many reasons to love her, not the least of which is her relationship with her mother.

when i started on my latest mini project, picking pillows for the sofa, i couldn't help but think of this gem:

"I'm taking you to have your colors done! And don't keep saying, 'what,' please, darling. Color Me Beautiful. I'm sick to death of you wandering round in all these dingy slurries and fogs. You look like something out of Chairman Mao." (click here to determine your "season".)

sometimes (a lot of the time, actually) mother really does know best. rather than a house full of dull colors and boring pieces, i want a house full of COLOR and HAPPY.

so, when i was packing up ye ole christmas decorations (in february - that's right, people, i said february), i realized that i had stumbled upon the perfect palate for my living room accessories. i mean JUST LOOK at this picture. don't the colors make you smile from the inside out? (if you said no, you might be dead inside. get help!)

here's a closer look at the decorations (please ignore the rest of the mess - the dining room is currently my project room).

so cute and cheerful!

i've started to collect and make pillows that approximate this color scheme. there are a couple left to make or acquire, but i like where this is headed!

from left to right:

* fuschia velvet pillow from pier one
* chartreuse beaded pillow from pier one
* homemade (yes - i MADE it) bolster pillow. it's a pretty cream wool herringbone with sparkly gold threads. gussied up with black velvet ribbon and antique lace.
* tube top, yup - TUBE TOP, from forever 21 in an amazing iridescent purple-y blue sequin. popped it over a down insert from west elm et VOILA!
* chinese silk pillowcase procured in chinatown many, many moons ago (2004, i think)

MY adorable mom bought me this amazing purple silk embroidered with butterflies - that'll be the next one.
and i'm still on the lookout for a great peacock blue fabric to balance it all out. any suggestions?

project doorway update: ready for its close-up!

2010-03-15T19:06:00.001-07:00

is it sort of pathetic that i'm waxing nostalgic about a project that's not even done yet? (it's okay to say yes. i said yes.)

i have only one room left to paint and that means project doorway is rapidly coming to a close.

so let's raise a glass - scotch if you've got it - to the progress we've made on the paint front over the last six months. here's a retrospective of our work...

the front door, interior:

inside of the downstairs bathroom door:

the inside of the built in nook on the side of the fireplace:

inside of the upstairs bathroom door:

inside of both master bedroom closets:

inside of the guest room bedroom closet:

the back door, interior:

i'm loving this door in nicky hilton's INSANE closet (and i'm SWOONING over those shoes she's wearing). pretty sure that this is what will end up the inspiration for the doors in the dining room...

hope you've enjoyed the close-ups!

"dooooo youuuuuuuuu know what to-day is?‏"

2010-03-15T10:56:00.000-07:00

6 months ago, today, we bought this crazy old house. still as fun today as it was then!

i have alot of catching up to do on this blog - i'll promise to write a couple of entries this week. maybe i can even catch you up on project g. a ton of progress has been made!

youuuuuuuuu... light up my life...

2010-02-23T13:18:00.000-08:00

oh, boy! well if that song reference doesn't date me, i don't know what would!

i've had several happy comments of late on the lighting that is happening in my house, so i thought it'd be fun to put all of the new fixtures into one post - along with some ideas for future acquisitions.

a bit of background: the house has a "suite", if you will, of matched lighting in all of the rooms. the set is not original to the house, so i feel no guilt about removing and replacing all of the pieces - esp. since they are HEAVY, both in weight and visually, with antiqued silver borders on huge alabaster-like glass inverted domes.

here's what's going in instead...

in the family room (which i just realized i haven't blogged yet - oy!), this lovely that i scored at lamps plus for over $1100 off of the original price. (yup - you read that right!)

this on the floor of the family room, for times when we prefer to burrow into the couch and relax without too much light. it's almost as soft as candle light - but a lot more fun!

this gorgeous thing that was found in a local barn and sold to me at the fair for a mere 60 buck-a-roos. it now lives in my office - which is far too messy for me to reveal yet!

the ship, the ship! (nope, doesn't have the same ring as tattoo's famous catch-phrase). this is the newest addition to the master bedroom. i know that MANY of you are skeptical but the response, in person, has been overwhelmingly positive. to the tune of "oh my gawd! that is, like, the coolest thing i have ever seen!" even the dudes like it - and, ladies, any way we can ram crystal chandeliers down their throats is A GOOD THING.

just acquired for my guest bedroom - i'm anxiously awaiting its arrival! if the color in the photo rings true, this should be a stunning finishing touch to the room. i foresee many naps under this fixture in my future.

and now for the wish list...

if they would LOWER THE PRICE ALREADY, i would really like to add this pendant from restoration hardware (*swoon*) to my dramatic black and white entry hall. i think it has just the right feel for space and would cast a lovely glow upon my visitors! guess i'll have to scour the resto outlet soon...

or maybe settle upon this one from murray feiss, with a slight asian feel, for one tenth of the cost:

and for my dining room, which i currently cannot stand (hence the lack of photos so far), a fab white milk glass number. remember these inspiration photos? wouldn't this be perfect, along with some thonet no 14 chairs in black? problem is that i am late to the game and this lovely martha stewart confection is LONG GONE. any suggestions on suitable replacements?
and, finally, some vintage-y pendants for the kitchen. i love these - made to look like early electric lamps from the turn of the century. i have plans to dial down the current modern vibe in the kitchen to make it fit better with the rest of this old house, and i think these would be just perfect.

do you have any favorites of your own?

what do we think?

2010-02-12T10:14:00.001-08:00

i'm thinking that this chandelier might be fun for the guest bedroom. it looks like the raindrops are the same color that i plan to paint the desk (i.e. a shade darker than the last ruffle on the curtain).

you dig?

how do i love thee? (a poster to swoon over.)

2010-02-04T11:42:00.000-08:00

valentine's day is fast approaching and it really does seem that love is in the air. i just attended the (spectacular) wedding of two wonderful friends, john and sandra, and *so many* other friends seem to be in love and getting married this year.

it's all so lovely and heart-warming! (sweet lord, is my little black heart swelling à la the grinch - my favorite cartoon hero/ villian?)

speaking of love, i have fallen head-over-heels for this lovely poster.

i found it at a small gallery here in san francisco, artzone 461, during their "six centuries of printmaking" exhibition. i walked in to the gallery and my eye was immediately drawn to this piece - it is so vibrant and quirky and fun!

while little is known about the piece (likely late 50s, early 60s, show produced in amsterdam) steven, the gallery's director, explained that the piece comes from his late uncle's collection - an eccentric with and exceptional eye and a love of purple.

i'm excited to get it framed and use it to anchor the art wall in my living room. any suggestions on framing? i think i know what i'd like to do but i'd love to hear some of your creative suggestions.

come sail away, come sail away...

2010-01-27T14:59:00.000-08:00

come SAIL AWAY WITH ME! (to slumbertown, that is!)

so, finally, the big reveal! after months of teasers, my master bedroom is finally "done enough" to share. (*w00t!*)

to remind you, here's what we started with:

so, i searched and searched for a photo with a better angle, but this was the best i could find (see more "befores" here). like the rest of the house, the master bedroom was dingy and painted in a color best described as "resembling the contents of a baby's diaper". it was also carpeted and covered in stains. this hid 8-10 layers of paint and (miraculously) the original floors.

first we got down to painting (and painting, painting, painting). for this room, i chose "solana beach" from ace hardware - a gorgeous grey-blue. my tastes tend more toward the wild, but i wanted my bedrooms to feel relaxed and serene.

after the painting was done, minus all of the touch ups (will. they. ever. end?!), we could remove the carpets (or "built in drop-cloths" as i liked to refer to them) and restore the floors. here's what we got - yay! wide-plank, old-growth pine i think. *SWOON* (sorry for the bad photo quality - i took it with my phone and was VERY, VERY tired at this point.)

more on that process here and here if you're curious. (including fun photos of the "lee press-on" nails and sunflower seeds we found, *gag*.)

and, now, TA-DA! here it is!

the bed (ikea), like in my guest bedroom, is outfitted almost exclusively in white. i like to feel like i'm jumping into a cloud, whether it's bed time or daytime nap time (which happens much more frequently than i should really admit).

i added the silver throw from west elm for a bit of shine (i'm a TOTAL MAGPIE and collect as many sparkly things as i can) and used various white patterned sheets for texture.

and for height and a bit of glamour, i made silk curtains to match the walls. i think it makes the room look almost like it's floating - in a good way! (and here's the 10-step tutorial if you'd like to make some for yourself.)

the nightstands were my grandmother's. i toyed with the idea of painting them but, in the end, i like how they ground the room and bring the floor color up to eye-level. just need to find the right lamp(s) to add. maybe this one?

my dressers are both from ikea. i loved the soft grey finish and the curvy legs. hated the pulls they supplied, so i trotted down to anthro and picked up some "diamond gal" knobs to finish them. love that they manage to look both luxe and organic at the same time. and i placed my grandmother's sewing machine (cleverly disguised as a side table) next to the low one for extra table-top real estate. it makes me smile.

and, because i love color, i painted the insides of my closet doors in "hot lips" (or something like that). you can check out more on project doorway here.

finally, i added all of my favorite jewelry, one great piece of artwork that i picked up at auction...

and that notorious (and polarizing) ship chandelier from zgallerie.

like you've undoubtedly guessed, i love quirky things and wanted one piece that really SAYS SOMETHING in this bedroom. i think this one says it well. come on and sing along...

t-minus 2 days!

2010-01-26T14:17:00.000-08:00

my baby!

well, i've been promising to unveil my master bedroom for months now. you've listened, patiently, to my litany of excuses - but the hour is ALMOST upon us!

so, yes, i am one of those insane fools that purchased the much-blogged-about ship chandelier. it has been languishing in a corner in my bedroom for ages, giving me the sad-eyes the entire time.

*skies open up* well, i have finally found a new contractor (that i hope will not disappoint me like the last) and he's scheduled to hang this lovely ship in my master bedroom on thursday afternoon (while i slave over 200 cupcakes for my dear friends', sandra and john, wedding on friday).

and, yes, i know that it's simple to hang a light fixture but i am REALLY VERY klutzy. so, if it involves potential electrocution, i say "pass, thanks!"

while he's at it, he'll also hang this beauty (the gold one, not the kit-cat) in my office, though i still have a LOT to do in there, so that reveal will take some time...

are you excited? i'm excited! like, head about to explode excited - seriously! OR "omg! martha's being released from jail and i can finally worship my domesticity goddess again" excited!

tips from me (ha!)

2010-01-25T14:43:00.000-08:00

get inspired!

my first piece of advice is to ignore my advice.

however, several folks have asked me recently for help with decorating and design and, in the process, have also requested some tips.

so, i grabbed a glass of scotch (ladies, trust me, whisky is a good thing!) and thought about it for a few minutes. and, *voilà*, here's what i have to say on the subject for those of you who care.

keep a folder for inspiration - seriously, blog it, create a tumblr account, cut stuff out of magazines, keep an inspiration board. the #1 problem i see when people start to decorate is that they have NO IDEA what they actually like. when they start to save images that they love though, they start to understand what (visually) makes a happy home for them. without this, you're sort of dead in the water (and likely to end up with a lot of matchy-matchy pottery barn mess. *blech*)
MORE is more! - this is a personal tip if you happen to like my style. i don't like clutter, but i do love being surrounded by color, texture, collections that make me happy. so don't be afraid to do anything over the top - it's easy to fix and, more likely than that, you'll love the result!
be fearless - mix & mis-match! - every big box store has some awesome pieces that would work well in your home and with your style. just don't buy the whole ensemble, okay? remember that "friends" episode? phoebe may have come around in the end, but she was right at the start. do you really want your friends to walk into you house and say, "ooh - pottery barn."? didn't think so.
trendy AND timeless works - a lot of folks will say that you should concentrate on quality/ timeless pieces when you decorate your home. and that's it. i only agree half-way. i think it's GREAT to invest in some quality items that you love - from furniture to artwork to jewelry to wardrobe - but not at the expense of indulging in trends if you like them. think of your home like you do your wardrobe - it evolves, you hold onto classics, you introduce cheap baubles from forever 21, and pick up hip new pieces that you'll trash next season. have fun!
use color - i don't believe in feng shui, per se, but i do believe that having a full spectrum of color in your home makes it a happier place. look for ways to incorporate pops of color - even if you lean towards the more serene (see my "project doorway", for example). and if you're into color, just go for it!
do it yourself! - can't afford it? then learn to do it yourself! really, you can do or make just about anything you set your mind to!
keep your treasures and share them - all of those beautiful pieces that have been handed down to you over the years, artwork that you've collected, jewelry that you love. all can be displayed and make you home look like "you".
impulse the small stuff - see something you love that doesn't bust your budget? buy it and bring it home! some of the things i love most in my home were impulse buys. witness my kit cat clock and the most beautiful lamp in the world

even gwen stefani keeps track of her inspirations.
wait on the big stuff - don't buy something just because you need to fill a space, it can wait. big pieces, like sideboards, dining tables and the like, make a huge style impact in your home. it's okay to make due with what you have until you find something you love-love-can't-live-without.
collect when you travel - not, like, "my boyfriend went to machu picchu and all i got was this stupid t-shirt" kind of collecting. pick up hand made pieces, artwork, textiles that will remind you of where you've been. they are conversation pieces and will take you away on mental holidays when you look at them.
hit the big box stores - i might not be a fan of "whole house from the summer'08" catalogue symptom, but i do think that the big chains all have big-ticket items that you can mix into your decor. i, personally, am a big fan of ikea for just this reason. their designers are doing some great things!
but also resist the big box stores - get personal with your "accessories". indulge in the big pieces, but get the small stuff elsewhere - like small, local shops, salvage yards, antiques fairs. your home will have much more personality that way. it should be a reflection of you
become an artiste! - frame your own work. took some amazing photos on your last holiday? blow 'em up to poster size and frame them! find a piece of art that you love that's too spendy? buy a canvas and make a copy-cat version! you can do it!
outside in - flowers & plants really add color, texture and life (literally!) to a home. shop your local farmers' markets and plant supply stores, (or even your own backyard). your eyes and lungs will love you for it.
BUY WHAT YOU LIKE. - this is an important one. if you love it, buy it. if you're indifferent, set it down and back away slowly. and, if you're thinking about it for days, try to make it happen. there's a 99% chance that it'll work with whatever you have because we each have a very distinct style. so go ahead and buy that glittery purple tissue holder for your bathroom! ;)

okay - so what tips would YOU add to this list?

christmas in iceland!

2010-01-21T12:49:00.000-08:00

me at the blue lagoon. the colors were indescribable!

street art in reykjavik. i heart graffiti.

the fjörds of akureyri, where my grandmother was from.

akureyri architecture - surprisingly like home!

perpetual dusk in the wintertime - great since it's my favorite time of day!

iceland LOVES christmas.

my family (and me looking, and feeling, like a drowned rat!)

SWOON! local fashion is gorgeous (and expensive- these were over $600 u.s.)!

bronze statues in reykjavik's town center.

tasted as good as it looked!

there's so much to see in iceland and the people are so warm and lovely - there's no doubt that i will return.

enjoying our favorite pastime.

one too many for dad?

i hope you've enjoyed "getting away from it all" with me, even for a few minutes! i've kept this VERY brief, but will write more if you all seem interested - it's a fascinating place.

jen x

p.s. more photos here for those of you who are interested and more on the way...

me and dad at gullfoss.

i can see clearly now...

2010-01-20T17:49:00.000-08:00

the view from my home office tonight. click to enlarge.
(that's city hall on the right.)

i've just returned home from a very quick trip (30 or so hours) to chicago and somehow managed to miss the first couple of storms of this predicted el niño season.

sounds like they were whoppers, but now the air is cool and crisp and the skies are streaked with the color of dusk and a few remaining gray clouds - such a lovely sight!

sometimes dealing with this beautiful old house feels like more trouble than i bargained for - but coming home to it, even after a short trip, and taking in this view reminds me of how very lucky i am and how much i really, really love it.

so, enjoy the view and a song with me tonight - won't you?

dining room inspiration.

2010-01-13T13:38:00.000-08:00

well, i painted the dining room and it was a big ol' bust. the color sample was lovely and gray and the real life color made the room look like a giant baby's nursery. maybe someday but, for now, *do not RUSH me*.

sorry, i'm used to saying that to my parents these days.

anywhoo... it's time to start again and i think that i'm going to go for a warmer, brownish gray (i was playing with peacock blue, but that might be too dark against the black entryway). ceiling to floor. including moldings. *gasp*

i want the room to feel cozy and a bit european, hence the paint on all of the trim and below the chair rail. i'd like for people to linger and feel at home.

here are a couple of images that are inspiring me:

i've seen this on a few blogs, but not sure of the original publication. i love how the antique wood and gilt mirrors bring out the warm tones in the paint and curtains. it's all so chic and serene.

i think this will work well with my antique pieces - a phyfe-style table that i rescued long ago, a pretty, leather-topped side table from my grandmother's house, and a beautiful mahogany armoire that my dad gave me when he moved from a lovely old craftsman to more mid-century inspired digs.

i'm thinking cream silk curtains with paillettes or tiny mirrors scattered about for a bit of sparkle when the candles are burning low.

and this GORGEOUS thanksgiving tablescape, which i copied yesterday and am so scatter-brained that i cannot for the life of me remember what blogger is responsible! (if it's you, please comment so i can give you due credit!).

again, the colors are soft but warm -- and the feathers add that bit of whimsy that i like (actually need) to incorporate into all of my rooms. and, i think i can also use the feathers to bring some of the colors of the rug i've been holding on to for years (it's actually a bit warmer in tone than the photo suggests).

what do you think? any suggestions for chairs with this scheme. i want to stray from "traditional" because all of the major pieces already are.

oh, and when i'm done, we can all have dinner together and make like the little guys below.

(sorry, couldn't resist. it's one of my favorites of all time.)

welcome! welcome!

2010-01-12T09:39:00.000-08:00

it looks, from my reports, that i have picked up quite a few new readers (thank you!) in the past few weeks, so i thought it might be a good time to reintroduce myself and this project...

i'm a girl lucky enough to live in this lovely place we sometimes call "fog city". i spent many weekends here as a little girl and moved here immediately after college. a decade has now passed and i'd decided it was time to find a place to call my very own.

coincidentally, one of my good friends, gina, had started looking as well. we decided to visit some open houses together - and soon were both feeling a bit discouraged about what we'd each be able to buy for our money (studio or one bedroom, under 1000 square feet).

so... one fine day i said, "hey, what do you think about looking at some 2-unit buildings together? we might get a bit more for our money." and, because she's game for just about anything (and is just crazy enough to trust me!), she immediately said "let's do it!"

we started looking at historic fixer-uppers right away and eventually one of our offers was accepted (competition is still fierce here out west).

our new home is a 1880s italianate victorian in the heart of san francisco. while most multi-family homes here were built as flats for multi-generational families, ours was built like the townhouses and row homes you typically see on the east coast. this means that we each have our very own 2-story home, complete with private basement and yard. it could not be more perfect!

what isn't so great is that both houses were, at some point, completely gutted by someone who likely was interested in modernizing. all of the original detail - crown moldings, chair rails, picture rails, baseboards, hardwood floors, and doors - are gone. most have been replaced recently with cheap, and historically inaccurate, stock versions from home depot.

miraculously, the facade is beautiful and well-preserved and they didn't seem to have the energy to remove the original marble fireplaces (HUZZAH!).

so, over time, we will slowly restore her to her former glory - or what we imagine it to have been. prior to the move, i had lived for about 10 years in a stunning late 1800s victorian mansion, converted to apartments, so i will be using the architectural details there as my guide.

here is what i started with (gina's is a mirror image and i've posted some of her progress under the label "project g"):

(top row, l-r) entrance, downstairs hallway, formal dining room, living room

(2nd row, l-r) downstairs (illegal) bathroom, kitchen, view of city hall from kitchen, upstairs hallway

(3rd row, l-r) master bedroom, master - 2 closets. w00t!, view from master (you can see the bay!), guest bedroom

(4th row, l-r) upstairs bathroom, office, view from office, backyard

(last row, l-r) backyard, backyard entrance to basement, basement

you'll note that the entire interior, including all closet interiors and some of the ceiling (!), were bathed in a lovely, baby-poopy yellow. the carpets, which these photos do not do justice to, were covered - COVERED - in disgusting stains. these, i assume, courtesy of the three college kids who were renting the place before it was sold. so let's just pretend they are all pabst blue ribbon, or natural ice from the keg, and not something far more sinister.

so we got to painting, stripping & sanding, shopping, shopping, and more shopping. and now i have a fab backyard for parties, a finished guest bedroom, a dramatic entry hall, a lovely place for a christmas tree, and some rooms that need some finishing touches.

i'll be sharing all of my progress here. i hope you'll stay with me to offer ideas, comments and encouragement.

thank you for stopping by! y'all come back now, ya hear?!

jen x

just for fun: top 10 search terms for fog city spakle.

2010-01-08T16:48:00.000-08:00

just for giggles, here are my favorite search terms that sent you guys & gals to my blog this year.

sparkle damn you sparkle - i love this one for obvious reasons. probably some poor twilighter that ended up in the wrong place, but now i want to say this to everything in my home and wardrobe! (and maybe to my friends.) "good morning, new dress. sparkle, damn you, sparkle!"
"lovely home" blogspot - why, thank you! *blush* i'm flattered that you think so too!
do you know what you gotta do 2009 - i know what i gotta do, but do you?
my colors my honor - well, i'm pretty sure that ice-t would be bummed if he knew that, for a short time, i was the top result on google with this one! but i'm down!
prettiest lamp in the world - it really might be!
severe sleep deprivation - well, if this doesn't appropriately describe home renovation, i don't know what else does...
what comes before part b - guess you ALL know where the party's at now. whoop, whoop!
damn you ikea - haha. pretty self explanatory!
hank williams jr family tradition blogspot - another surprise, but i do love this song!
which areas in the u.s. have little fog - um, hmmm, you'd be barking up the WRONG TREE with this one. sorry!

and, apparently, i am now the interwebs' resource for all things sparkly. here are a few more that, as a group, made me laugh out loud:

sparkly lazy susan
how to paint a sparkled ceiling
sparkly couches
sparkly curtains
sparkly refrigerator magnets- fair enough, i did make these.

keep searchin'!
jen x

you asked for 'em!

2010-01-07T12:30:00.000-08:00

last night i hosted my annual girls' holiday party and gift exchange (yes, it's always in january - easier not to deal with all of the december conflicts and it's so nice to have one last party to wrap up the season).

i look forward to this party every year because i get to spend time catching up with so many wonderful ladies and, well, because i love a party. we spend hours gossiping about boys, jobs, engagements, babies (this is a relatively new development for us!), and have an increasingly wild gift exchange - all presents must come from good vibrations or some place similar.

i hear that there are LOTS of happy ladies, hubbies and boyfriends every year when the girls get home!

another tradition is that, every single year, i serve up my favorite mac 'n' cheese. this year i had SO MANY requests for the recipe that i thought i'd share.

cupcake and frosting recipes below as well!
Jen's Bacon Mac 'n' Cheese (loosely based on Martha Stewart's Favorite Macaroni and Cheese recipe, but modified and simplified over the years)
Serves 12. (but i made 3 full recipes for you girls!)

Ingredients
* roughly 5-6 cups grated cheese. (This can really be any kind you want - including blue, brie or goat - though I'd recommend that at least half is a sharp white Cheddar or Gruyère. For the party, I used white Cheddar, Swiss, Jarlsberg, Gruyère, Jack, and Parmesan - basically anything that was already in the house!)
* 1/2 pound (minimum) good smoked bacon, cooked and chopped into small pieces
**NOTE: save your bacon-fat as you fry and set aside!
* 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
* 5 cups milk
* 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
* 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, or to taste
* 1 pound elbow macaroni (small)
* 1/2 to 1 cup Japanese panko flakes (you can buy 6 oz. bags by Wel-Pac at Safeway in the Asian Foods section)

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, heat milk. Melt 3 tablespoons of butter with 3 tablespoons of reserved bacon fat in medium to large pot. When butter bubbles, add flour. Cook, whisking, 1 minute or until brown and pasty.
3. While whisking, slowly pour in hot milk. Continue cooking, whisking constantly, until the mixture bubbles and becomes thick.
4. Remove pan from heat. Stir in salt, black pepper, chili powder and 3-4 cups cheese. Set cheese sauce aside.
5. Fill a large saucepan with water; bring to a boil. Add macaroni; cook 2 to 3 minutes less than manufacturer's directions, until the outside of pasta is cooked and the inside is underdone. (Different brands of macaroni cook at different rates; be sure to read the instructions.) Transfer macaroni to a colander, rinse under cold running water, and drain well. Stir macaroni into the reserved cheese sauce.
6. In a small bowl, melt 2 tablespoons reserved bacon fat (or butter if you're running low) in the microwave. Add panko and toss. Set aside.
7. Pour half of macaroni and cheese mixture into a large baking dish. Cover with bacon. Pour remaining half over bacon.
8. Sprinkle remaining cheese, and panko, over top. Bake until browned on top, about 30-45 minutes. Cool 5 minutes; serve hot.

by far, the most popular gift of the night. who knew?!

Devil's Food Cupcakes (based on Michael Recchiuti's Devil’s Food Hearts recipe.)
Serves 24.

Ingredients
* 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
* 2/3 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1 teaspoon kosher salt
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 cup strong coffee (I like Peet's French Roast), brewed and cooled
* 1/2 cup flavorless vegetable oil
* 1 cup whole milk
* 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, preferably Madagascar Bourbon
* 2 cup granulated cane sugar
* 2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line two 12-cup muffin tins with paper cupcake liners.
2. Sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt together into a bowl. Stir the baking soda into the coffee in another bowl and then stir in the oil, milk and pure vanilla extract.
3. Combine the sugar and egg in a medium bowl and whisk together by hand. Whisk in the flour mixture in 2 additions, alternately with the coffee mixture in 1 addition.
4. Pour the batter, 1/4 cup per cupcake, into tins.
5. Place on the middle shelf of the oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes. Cakes hsould be moist to the touch and slightly springy. Let cool completely on a wire rack.

Golden Cake Recipe, courtesy of Valerie
Serves 24.

Ingredients
* 1 3/4 cups spooned and leveled cake flour (no substitute - must be cake flour)
* 1 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
* 1 1/2 cups sugar
* 1/3 c water
* 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into 1-tablespoon pieces
* 2 teaspoons vanilla
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/3 cup canola oil
* 3 large egg yolks
* 2 large eggs
* 1/2 cup heavy cream

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two 12-cup muffin tins with paper cupcake liners.
2. Beat flour and baking powder for a full 30 seconds at medium speed on the mixer, then pour the flour mixture into a large bowl and set aside. Don't wash the mixer bowl.
3. Add the sugar to the bowl and place back on mixer.
4. Heat water in microwave or on stove, and add to mixer bowl. Beat a few seconds to dissolve the sugar, then beat in butter, vanilla and salt. Add oil and mix on medium to blend.
5. Sprinkle 1/3 of flour mixture over sugar mixture. Blend on low with a minimum amount of beating. Continue adding flour until incorporated.
6. By hand, stir in yolks one at a time. Then stir in whole eggs one at a time.
7. Place a bowl, beaters, and heavy cream in freezer for 5 minutes. Whisk the cream until soft peaks form. Whip just a little beyond this. Stir 1/4 of whipped cream into the batter to lighten, then gently fold the rest of the whipped cream into batter.
8. Pour batter, 1/4 cup per cupcake, into tins. (Drop from 4" or so to knock out bubbles.) Bake until center springs back when touched or toothpick is clean. My cupcakes took about 15 minutes. Let cake cool for about 10 minutes before removing from pan.

Browned-Butter Frosting, courtesy of Land O' Lakes
Serves 24.

Ingredients
* 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
* 3 cups powdered sugar
* 12 teaspoons vanilla
* 3 to 4 tablespoons whole milk or cream - or as needed
* salt to taste (maybe a pinch or two)

Directions
1. Melt 6 tablespoons butter in small saucepan over medium heat. Continue cooking, stirring constantly and watching closely, until butter starts to turn golden (4 to 6 minutes). (Butter will get foamy and bubble.) Remove from heat. Cool completely (and don't worry about the browned bits, they're tasty).
2. Combine browned butter, powdered sugar and vanilla in a medium bowl. Beat at medium speed, gradually adding enough milk for desired spreading (or eating!) consistency.

HAPPY BAKING! and, oh yeah...

courtesy of one of last night's guests

best holiday pie recipe EVER EVER EVER.

2010-01-05T10:56:00.000-08:00

look, can we all agree that everyone loves pumpkin pie? it's a national treasure.

problem is, come holiday time, there are three national treasures to choose from for your big holiday meals. pumpkin. apple. pecan. HOW on earth is a person supposed to decide?!

well, i think i have the cure for your ills (and the savior of your gastrointestinal tract). file this away for next thanksgiving and christmas. it's a crowd-pleaser and a win-win-win in my book. i give you...

~ PUMPKIN APPLE PECAN PIE with CINNAMON BOURBON WHIPPED CREAM ~

i start with martha stewart's pâte brisée recipe. (though you can also start with a great pre-made from your local grocer. i know that lots of you are intimidated by pie crust.)

*note that you can do all of this by hand and, if you prefer, you can cut the recipe in half as that's all you need. i like to make the whole thing and stick the other one in the freezer for quick pot-pies and such.

Makes 1 double-crust or 2 single-crust 9- to 10-inch pies

Ingredients
* 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon sugar
* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
* 1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water

Directions
1. In the bowl of a food processor, combine flour, salt, and sugar. Add butter, and process until the mixture resembles coarse meal, 8 to 10 seconds.
2. With machine running, add ice water in a slow, steady stream through feed tube. Pulse until dough holds together without being wet or sticky; be careful not to process more than 30 seconds. To test, squeeze a small amount together: If it is crumbly, add more ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time.
3. Divide dough into two equal balls. Flatten each ball into a disc and wrap in plastic. Transfer to the refrigerator and chill at least 1 hour. Dough may be stored, frozen, up to 1 month.

then there's whole foods' fabulous pumpkin apple pie:

Makes 1 single-crust 9- to 10-inch pie

Ingredients
* 1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
* 1 tablespoon cornstarch
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
* 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
* 1/3 cup water
* 2 tablespoons butter
* 2 Granny Smith or Fuji apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced (about 3 cups)
* 1 egg
* 1/3 cup granulated sugar
* 3/4 cup fresh or canned pumpkin purée
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
* 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
* 3/4 cup evaporated milk
* 1 (9-inch) unbaked pie shell (in pie pan) - OR the crust you made above

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Put brown sugar, cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon of the cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon of the salt, water and butter into a medium pot and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Add apples and cook, tossing to coat in sugar mixture, 3 to 4 minutes more. Remove from heat and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together egg, granulated sugar, pumpkin, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, cloves, ginger and milk until well combined.
3. Pour apple mixture into pie shell then spoon pumpkin mixture evenly over the top. Bake for 10 minutes then reduce temperature to 375°F and bake until filling is just set in the middle, about 40 minutes more. Set aside on a wire rack to let cool completely then cut into slices.

and my special pecan topping:

Ingredients
* 3 tablespoons butter
* 1/2 cup light-brown sugar
* 1 cup pecans, toasted and broken into pieces
* 1 tablespoon heavy cream

Directions
1. melt butter over medium heat in a medium saucepan.
2. add 1/2 cup light-brown sugar and pecans. cook, stirring, until sugar is incorporated and the mixture is smooth, about 3 minutes.
3. stir in cream; let cool 1 to 2 minutes.
4. pour mixture over cooled pie. using a butter knife or spatula, gently spread mixture over pie.
5. cool until topping has hardened, about 30 minutes. (do not refrigerate before serving; keep pie in a cool place up to 6 hours. okay to refrigerate after serving, though the topping will go "cloudy".)

and the *NOM NOM NOM* whipped cream (just before serving)!

Ingredients
* heavy whipping cream
* brown sugar
* your favorite bourbon
* cinnamon

Directions
1. add whipped cream to a bowl. sprinkle in sugar and cinnamon to taste.
2. add a tablespoon of bourbon (can't add too much as it will make it impossible to whip to the proper consistency).
3. beat it like a maniac until stiff peaks form.

happy eatin'!

curious and curiouser.

2010-01-03T20:51:00.000-08:00

i love a good oddity. and i heart a great curiousity. to that end, i have enlisted some of my best friends to make the occasional trip to antiques fairs, auctions and the fantastic shops here in san francisco to scavenge with me.

i haven't posted on these trips lately, so here are a few of my recent treasures. fun, huh?

early 1900s chandelier for the entryway, found hanging in a local barn. needs a good scrub first.

vintage kit cat clock with rhinestones. sadly his tail is missing, but he looks great on the mantle.

ezra brooks kentucky bourbon bottle from the late 1960s. a great little ode to my hometown.

this is so awesome. the color makes me feel all *squeeeee* inside.

a lovely clock for the guest room. the rosy copper color is so fab.

i just thought that this was beautiful.

a vintage french ash tray for friends who like to light up.

white glass bud vases (for 75 cents each!). great as candlesticks.

a chunk of amethyst - my birthshone and, apparently, a cure for drunkenness.

a gorgeous vintage shift in sparkly champagne - only 7 bucks!

and a stunning calathea from my new favorite store, paxton gate. words cannot do justice to how weird and wonderful this place is - just take a look at these photos!

hope you're feeling as inspired as i am by these fun little items. now get out there and find some of your own!

here are some of my favorite places, in case you'd like to check them out for yourself...

valencia corridor:

Tradesmen
Neighborhood: Mission
311 Valencia Street (at 14th St)
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tradesmen-san-francisco

Accident & Artifact
Neighborhood: Mission
381 Valencia St (at 15th St)
http://www.accidentandartifact.com/

Farnsworth
Neighborhood: Mission
393 Valencia St (at 15th St)
http://www.farnsworth.1stdibs.com/store/furniture_search.php?FRID=aGrFY5lok5qW

Monument
Neighborhood: Mission
572 Valencia St (between 16th St & 17th St)
http://www.monument.1stdibs.com/store/furniture_search.php?FRID=Z2qTYWZkkZaY

Harrington Galleries
Neighborhood: Mission
599 Valencia St (between 16th St & 17th St)
http://www.harringtongalleries.com/

The Apartment
Neighborhood: Mission
3469 18th St (between Lexington St & Valencia St)
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-apartment-san-francisco

Paxton Gate
Neighborhood: Mission
824 Valencia St (between 19th St & Cunningham Pl)
http://www.paxtongate.com/default.aspx

The Curiosity Shoppe
Neighborhood: Mission
855 Valencia St (between 20th St & Cunningham Pl)
http://www.curiosityshoppeonline.com/

X21 Modern - now gone, but you may be able to purchase some of their amazing things on 1stdibs.com
Neighborhood: Mission
890 Valencia St (between 20th St & Cunningham Pl)
http://www.x21modern.com/

Room 4
Neighborhood: Mission
904 Valencia St (between 20th St & Liberty St)
http://room4.com/

Gypsy Honeymoon
Neighborhood: Mission
3599 24th St (between Guerrero St & San Jose Ave)
http://www.yelp.com/biz/gypsy-honeymoon-san-francisco

Painted Bird
Neighborhood: Mission
1201A Guerrero St (between 24th St & 25th St)
AS OF 1/29: 1360 Valencia Street (btwn 24th and 25th)
http://paintedbird.org/

other spots around the city:

The Perish Trust
Neighborhood: Western Addition/NOPA
728 Divisadero St (between Fulton St & Grove St)
http://www.theperishtrust.com/

Mickey's Monkey
Neighborhood: Lower Haight
218 Pierce St (between Haight St & Page St)
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mickeys-monkey-san-francisco

Found
Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow
1842 Union St, 2nd Fl (between Laguna St & Octavia St)
http://www.foundsanfrancisco.com/

Past Perfect
Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow
2230 Union St (between Fillmore St & Steiner St)
http://www.yelp.com/biz/past-perfect-san-francisco

San Francisco Antique & Design Mall
701 Bayshore Blvd
http://www.sfantique.com/

up and away! alameda, oakland and sebastopol:

Alameda Point Antiques and Collectibles Faire
Once a month and full of treasures!
Runway 7/25 Alameda Point
Alameda, CA
http://www.antiquesbythebay.net/

Clars Estate Auction
Another once-monthly event. Easy to get lucky here. ;)
5644 Telegraph Avenue
Oakland, CA
http://www.clars.com/

and there are plenty of others on gravenstein highway but these are my favorites...

Antique Society
Specialty: A HUGE multidealer co-op, everything under the sun!
2661 Gravenstein Highway South
Sebastopol, CA
http://www.antiquesociety.com

FFT Antiques
Specialty: Antiques and salvage - and all proceeds go to a wonderful cause.
2701 Gravenstein Highway South
Sebastopol, CA
http://fftfoodbank.org/support-us/fft-antiques/

Ray's Trading Company
Specialty: Antiques, salvage, old tubs, doors, and windows. Fantastic prices.
3570 Gravenstein Highway South
Sebastopol, CA
http://www.winecountrychic.com/2009/04/shopping-for-antiques-along-antique-row.html

Llano House
4353 Gravenstein Highway South
Sebastopol, CA
http://www.winecountrychic.com/2009/04/shopping-for-antiques-along-antique-row.html

paint it black.

2010-01-02T19:23:00.000-08:00

oh, man, i LOVE this song so much. really, it may be the best song ever written.

i wanted to do something VERY dramatic for the entrance to the house, so here's my ode to this most awesome of songs - i have painted my entryway, and the newel post and banister (though the balustrade remains white), high gloss black (yes, you read that right!). and i painted the door red, which i know mick explicitly warns against but, well, screw it. i like the pop of color.

so sorry, mick!

what we started with... (more puke yellow in this house than you could ever have imagined, right?)
and now!

as you can see, aside from needing a few touch-ups, i'm playing around with possible patterns that i will add in white. i'm leaning towards bare tree branches.

have any brilliant ideas? send 'em my way!

be our guest! (guest room reveal. sort of.)

2009-12-30T11:06:00.000-08:00

"be our guest! be our guest!
our command is your request
it's been years since we've had anybody here
and we're obsessed
with your meal, with your ease
yes, indeed, we aim to please..."

with gina moved out and the holidays upon us, it was time to do a bit of "sprucing" in the guest bedroom. and, while it's not completely finished (there are more furniture pieces to find and acquire), it's done enough for guests and, thus, for this unveiling.

if you recall, this is what i started with. yes, the entire house was this color, including the ceilings in many places (and this room was one of them). *ugh*

and, you may also recall, by a stroke of luck (or, as i prefer to refer to it, GENIUS), i made a game time decision and chose to paint the room in a lovely shade of greeny-blue - "beach water" by ralph lauren. it looks like a pistachio ice cream milkshake and it's SO lovely.

from there it took some time to develop the look and feel of the room. i had lots of conflicting thoughts on everything except for the bed.

the bed was to be white-on-white-on-white-on-white. something that guests could sink into like a cloud and really feel at home in. luckily, ikea has a lovely vintage-feeling wrought iron scrollwork bed, the "leirvik", and at $80 (on sale) for a full it's a steal.

bedding is a mix of whites as well. jacquard dot sheets from both martha stewart and target (theirs are sold out online, but you can still find them in-store) for a mix of textures and sheens, paired with a big fluffy down comforter from pacific coast down (a DEAL at costco), and a coverlet from target for warmer nights (or nights that require extra warmth) - all of these make for a nice hotel-like bed to burrow into.

the room was still missing some ZING though and i was lacking in inspiration. so, a couple of days ago, while mourning the loss of my favorite candy store in the city (the AMAZING miette on hayes), i decided to go for a vintage candy shop feel.

as luck would have it, i was returning some gifts at anthropologie that day and a shower curtain that i'd been flirting with for months caught my eye. our windows are 70" tall (HUGE) so a shower curtain is actually the perfect height for them. (and i don't think there should be any rules in a house about what goes where, so why not a shower curtain in a bedroom?).

as you can see, this curtain adds so much punch to the room, both color-wise and in terms of texture. in the daytime, with the sun streaming in behind it, it literally lights up the room with all of those lovely colors. and it provides a much-needed palate for the remaining furniture and accessories purchases. (note also the switch plates and outlet covers that i agonized over.)

i also had to choose a color for the closet interior, to continue my "project doorway". it was a tough choice - i wanted something cheerful but not distracting. i ended up choosing a blueish-emerald to bring out the tones in the wall. it's behr's "precious emerald" in high gloss. i love it.

and, finally, to make the room habitable, i added just a couple of temporary touches. a small rattan bench seat that i have had since i was a little girl. a potted plant for freshening the air. and some GORGEOUS lollipops in blue and green as a nod to my initial inspiration (they will eventually end up upright on a desk - i have one just like this, it was my dad's homework desk when he was a boy - or table).

hope you all like it! please let me know if you have any fab ideas for accessories or furniture - i'm hoping to poke around the local antiques fair next month!

oh - and start booking now! san francisco is super this time of year!

jen x

p.s. i know i am SUPER behind on posts, so i'll plan on two next week: "best holiday pie ever" (bookmark it for next year) and my master bedroom reveal because *YAY* i've finally received my chandelier!

lights out - nap time!

sandra and john get engaged.

2009-12-07T14:56:00.000-08:00

60 cupcakes, 12 bottles of champagne and more-cheese-than-you-can-shake-a-stick-at consumed - pretty good for a sunday night!

as many of you well know, i love a good (or any, really) reason to throw a party. last night i had the pleasure of co-hosting, with my good friend elaine, an engagement party for two of my favorite people at my home.

i met john when i was involved in "team in training's" san francisco triathlon team. he's incredibly handsome... so i'd assumed he was just another playboy. instead he turned out to be one of the most genuine people i have met in my adult life. he's caring and kind and he's like the little brother i've always hoped for.

sandra i met a couple of years later. while we went to college together, i'd never had the pleasure of meeting her. i finally got the chance when several friends decided to travel to peru to hike the inka trail to machu picchu and she decided to join us. she was instantly lovable - a strong, independent (and half-asian, so gorgeous) girl who has a soft spot for people in need. i was friend-crushing on her immediately.

so, our mutual friend amanda (a sneaky little minx) hatched a plan to fix them up. they were perfect for each other and we would hound and cajole them until they realized it too!

and now, 3 years later, there's a ring on her finger and a brand new puppy to love.

here are a few shots of the decorations for the party we hosted - though i failed to take any of the guests as i was far too busy enjoying myself.

it was a simple affair - cupcakes (carrot for he and yellow with chocolate for she, and chocolate with brown butter or cream cheese for everyone else), champagne cocktails (with elderflower liqueur and fresh peach, blackberry and raspberry puree for mixers), and my favorite french candies for all. oh, and enough cheese to put everyone into a coma.

it was so nice to wake up to 6 dozen roses on my doorstep! thanks, "babe"!

party prep in progress (and yes, all cupcakes and frostings were from scratch!).

fresh flowers, in red and pink, everywhere.

elaine and her doug start pouring for the guests!

sandra and john, may you be incredibly happy and may life bring you all of the blessings you deserve. i love you both!

xoxo jen

P.S. since i was cleaning and making 75 cupcakes already, i decided to make it an even hundred and hosted "rad friend event" #1 at my house on saturday night.

here are a few photos of said rad friends sitting by the tree, watching classic christmas cartoons, with homemade persimmon old-fashioneds (thanks, nicole!).

operation "trim der tree" complete.

2009-12-02T11:53:00.000-08:00

okay, i must admit, there's no REAL point to this post other than to show off my AWESOME tree. it took hours to decorate (and i still have to trim, for real, the bottom a bit) but i LURVE him.

he's 11 feet of holiday glory and he makes me feel all tingly and happy inside when he's turned on.

do you have yours up yet? share your photos with me - i can't get enough of this stuff!

christmas, christmas time is here!

2009-12-01T15:17:00.000-08:00

remember this one?! oh, the memories!

TREE! wheeeeeeeeeeeee!

i am a total holiday dorkus. and i'm OKAY with that. every year i get a 10+ foot tree and park it in my living room. and while this year my living room is a bit more "petit", it seemed wrong to go smaller on the tree when i have so much to celebrate and be thankful for.

so, on saturday morning, g and i went to get trees (one for each of us) to ring in the holiday season.

gina and "doug" the douglas fir

mah boo (the tree, not the dude - though he was very nice). i like "noble" trees (and men, if you know any!).

this was no easy feat! strapping two hulking trees to my bike racks and getting them safely home on 280 was a team effort. and i had to drive like a 90-year-old (i mean slow, and not plowing into markets and houses).

okay, technically this photo is from my sunday trip to ikea (more on that later), but i NEVER get tired of crossing the bridge into this beautiful city!

hope you are enjoying the holiday season and all of the friends, family and traditions you hold dear.

merry, merry!

jen xx

me, atop my 10-foot ladder, trimming my tree

curtain call. (10 easy steps to silk curtains.)

2009-11-23T12:43:00.000-08:00

i don't want to show you TOO much of my bedroom and ruin the surprise (i'm still waiting on my bedding and my AMAZING chandelier), but i thought some of you might find this quick tutorial helpful.

one of the best ways to create a bit of drama in a room, and to give it some added height and "dimension", is to add some great window treatments. i, personally, have a fondness for silk dupioni curtains - but i find the price for ready-made prohibitive. i mean, like, FAINT-WORTHY prohibitive.

because i am blessed with a bedroom that has 12-foot ceilings and 4 very tall windows, the ones i browsed at pottery barn (the tallest they've got) were $179 PER PANEL. multiply by 4 and throw in the rods and clips and liners and i just about had a HEART ATTACK. (plus, i'll be honest, i just don't like shopping there.)

instead, i found two FANTASTIC sources of silk online, silkuneed.com and silkbaron.com. they both carry loads of lovely colors and all for $9.99 a yard or less. i spoke with the owner of silkuneed, pam, and she shipped me some samples that were not available on her website. i was able to match my paint exactly!

so, i ordered up 14 yards at $8.99. add on the thread i needed at $3.99, and i had the equivalent of what would have cost well over $700 at pottery barn for under $130.

next was a pit stop to hancock fabrics for thread and black-out lining. at $5.99 a yard, this is a very good investment. it helps with city noise reduction, heat retention, and lets me sleep past 6:30am - when my room turns into a vampire's worst nightmare (that link is for you, melissa. i still refuse to give in!)... you know, minus the crosses, holy, water, garlic and silver stakes (unless you count the hand-dandy maglite 4-cell i keep next to my bed as a silver stake).

OKAY - time to head back to mom's house and get to stitchin'!

step one: roll out black-out liner nice and flat. smooth with your hand.

step two: line up cut fabric ends and roll silk onto liner. smooth as well. (*note: if you're using a fabric that looks different on each side, place the side you want to display away from you - i.e. when you roll it out, you should see the back of your fabric.)

step three: pin top and sides. pin further than the length of your curtain.

step four: measure both sides to desired length. my windows are 108" high, so i opted for 112". i wanted them to puddle gracefully on the floor (this also allows for more error than ones that skim the floor - you'll need to be much more precise).

step 5: using a fabric marker and a level, draw a straight line across your fabrics. cut along this line and pin next curtain top as you go.

step 6: (ask mom to) sew top and sides of curtain to liner.

step seven: trim excess fabric around your hems.

step eight: turn panel inside out and smooth.

step nine: (ask mom to) stitch bottom as desired. i like to do this by hand so you see no thread at all on the finished curtain. (but you could just as easily zip along the edge with a machine in 30 seconds.)

REPEAT steps 1-9 as necessary.

step 10: hang your lovely curtains! i bought simple satin nickel double rods by levolor at home depot for $24.99 a piece. to hang the panels, i bought 1" nickel drapery clips at target for $4.99 a pack (one per panel).

these make hanging curtains a snap. just clip them and go! and the look is much cleaner than pole pockets (*blech*).

i'm still working on the tiebacks (and the sheers that will hang behind the curtains), but you can buy or make whatever you like. you'll see them in my bedroom "afters" soon.

here's a breakdown of what i spent:

silk: 14 yards at $8.99 - $125.86
black-out fabric: 14 yards @ $5.99 - $83.86
thread: $3.99 for one roll
curtain rods: $24.99 x 4 - $99.96
drapery clips: $4.99 x 4 - $19.96

TOTAL: $333.63 (compared with well over $1000 at pottery barn or equivalent) and about 2 hours of sewing.

this is a project that saves you LOTS of cash and can be done by even the most "beginner" of sartors and seamstresses (though my mom is a PRO).

hope you've enjoyed this how-to! let me know if you have questions!

and a BIG KISS to mom for all of the help! xx

return to form.

2009-11-19T16:53:00.000-08:00

there's a lotsa stuff a-brewin' over at the house these days, what with the tenants leaving and the arrival of so many yards of silk that i just want to stay home from work and roll around in it.

hoping to have some good, home renovatin' posts for you tomorrow and monday.

can you stand the wait?!

that takes the cake! (a "how to".)

2009-11-19T11:21:00.000-08:00

this past weekend marked the 3rd birthday of my favorite little girls - my nieces charlotte and emily (yes, they were named after the brontë sisters).

at age three, they are finally aware of the significance of a birthday and were looking forward to their party, presents and, especially, their cake (they are being raised by a pair of international foodies).

so, this year it was up to them to decide on the theme of their cake, and they wanted a merry-go-'round. they specifically said "no horses" and requested a cassowary (did i mention that they are also exceptionally bright?), alligator and owl, among others.

the cake, needless to say, was a huge success. the kids, and the adults, loved it. sarah and i were very proud (and not a little exhausted).

here follows a tutorial on building a merry-go-'round cake of your own (please excuse the crappy quality of the photos - all were taken with my camera phone. again.).

using two 12-inch cake pans, bake your favorite cake recipe. i prefer a good devil's food cake.

make your favorite filling (that'll be ganache for me) and frosting (salted, browned butter) as well.

frost evenly and place in your freezer until firm. (emily and charlotte anxiously looking on.)

choose your color for the base. we went with cornflower blue, which required some mixing.

note that we normally mix all colors by hand using gel and powders, so it was a TREAT to work with these pre-colored fondants!

mix your colors.

knead, knead, knead.

roll, roll, roll. roll it out to about 15-inch circle.

lay gently over cake and smooth.

trim the excess and reserve for top.

cover 6-inch cylinder with fondant. (you can make or buy one.) we used white.

for extra sparkle, we painted it with gold dust (mixed with rum to adhere).

cover seam with decorative band. we used rainbow metallic dragées. (placed one-by-one with tweezers. UGH.)

cover a 12-inch cake base in fondant. (here, again, we used cornflower blue). center on cylinder.

oh boy! that's a BIG cleaver!

select eight 1/4-inch dowels. dust with gold powder for shimmer.

cut to desired height. should be just an inch taller than the top of the "top". (we learned this the hard way so you don't have to!)

place dowels in two sets of four. one square should run close to the edge of your top. the other should be set back an inch and be rotated 180-degrees. add a taller one dead-center.

take a break and eat a banana. and some cheese. hey - i like them both.

add a decorative edge to the "top". we used a scalloped press and glued pieces on with water. we also added gold dragées at each seam for decorative effect.

place decorative edge on cake's bottom seam. here we used "happy birthday" ribbon.

time for the fun part. sarah made the fondant animals (yes, they're completely edible) in advance to save us some time. and there's your cassowary on the bottom left!

using super glue, add animals to your dowels.

roll out two colors of fondant, we chose red and white, and cut 4 long triangles of each for the tent top. (you'll need to do some calculations of your own here based on how tall you want it. let dry overnight.)

also, make snall flag for tippy-top and roll over dowels to dry. we added a "3" to mark the occasion.

before serving, add all triangles and flag. reinforce with super glue if needed.

stand back and admire your work!

deliver to adoring public.

let them play. (note, we placed the cake on a lazy-susan for extra fun.)

then let them eat cake! i think you can tell from the looks on their faces that there were no complaints!

and here, in case you're curious, are some of the other cakes we've collaborated on over the last couple of years: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=16718&id=721881537&l=7e4ea01e83

"jennifer, you are a Glamorous Classic."

2009-11-12T15:25:00.000-08:00

why, THANK YOU. i just KNEW IT.

for a bit of end-of-the-week/ "hum-dee-dum i'm so bored" fun, check out the HomeGoods style scope test here. (thanks, nicole!)

and, for giggles, this is what deborah pegged me as:

"Jennifer, you are a Glamorous Classic.

You have a refined sensibility with an appreciation for history and tradition in your furniture and your rooms. You value beauty and craftsmanship. You are visually sensitive and understand how symmetry and a balanced layout give order to a room. But you definitely like to shake things up with some unabashed luxury and glamour to keep things from getting boring. You go for rich materials like velvets, one-of-a-kind objects, lady-like touches, glimmering accessories, and a sense of old-Hollywood romance that makes your home dramatic and elegant.

You value creativity. You are stylish and fun loving, and can be an inspiration to others. You have a natural sense of drama, and you know you have to be willing to take risks—whether with colors, finishes, furniture choices, or ideas—for your home to stand out. Your home can be happy and lively and the place all of your friends want to be.

Putting Your Style to Work!

With your style and needs in mind, here are a few tips that will help you make your home a little happier.

1. Your Design Challenge: ORGANIZE The front hall sets the mood for your entire home.

Consider how to accommodate all the room's functions as beautifully as possible. At the very least you need a console, and if you're short on storage, consider a dresser. Outfit the surface with nice trays and bowls for mail, keys and sunglasses. Keep a trash can for immediately tossing the junk mail. Closet-door or wall hooks encourage coat and bag hanging rather than dumping. If you have children, try to give each a basket in the closet for hats and gloves. It's nice to have a chair or bench for changing shoes, a mirror for last-minute lipstick checks, and a lamp or sconces for warm light.

2. Your Happy Place Choose a color or two that harmonizes with the tableware you already own, and collect things like linens, glasses, dessert plates, or platters in those hues. This is a fantastic way to liven up a plain, white table setting. And if you can, set the table the night before a dinner party, so you can really take pleasure in tending to the details.

3. Be Party-Ready All the Time! Mood: Nice, flattering light makes us feel good. So nix the harsh, direct light from overhead fixtures in favor of the softer glow from floor and table lamps. Also, keep some votive candles and a couple of hurricane lanterns for setting around the room.

Scent: The first thing you notice about a home is how it smells. Use naturally fragrant cleaning products. If you find a scented candle or fresh potpourri you love, stock up on it. Any scent you like, whether perfume or linen spray, can be used on upholstery, bedding or just spritzed into the air.

Food: Devote space in your pantry or on a shelf for go-to party essentials: crackers, dip, chips, nuts—whatever you like to serve. Keep on hand a collection of attractive bowls and cocktail napkins, and you'll be able to set a spread—instantly!

Drink: The simplest and chicest thing is to have a drinks tray or table always set up. Include a mix of pretty glasses, an ice bucket, a lovely pitcher, and bottles of soda and water. When the bell rings, just add ice and limes."