Black and white with a rustic twist

I've posted before about loving black and white interiors. Looking through Canadian House & Home's website, I was struck by the classic use of black and white but if you notice, most of these spaces have a rustic element too - by using natural woods.

Bouquets to Art at the de Young, San Francisco

My friend Laura kindly invited me to join her at the de Young's "Bouquets to Art" event which opened yesterday. Members only got in earlier too which was a blessing as the queues were very long! Thanks Laura!

The florists pick a painting or photograph and then make their interpretation of it with flowers. Stunning!

SF Gate's Bay List - Cast Your Votes

There's a lot of buzz going around San Francisco at the moment..... it's SF Gate's Bay list. My gorgeous friend James Bacchi and his gallery ArtHaus are in the top 3 and SO deserve to be No. 1. James is so passionate about the artists he represents and his gallery is always full to the brim of amazing art.

Carolyn Meyer's Tuscan scenes


Inside ArtHaus

ArtHaus' mascot - Fred

Please vote for ArtHaus:

http://baylist.sfgate.com/arthaus/biz/548113

Please vote for Valerie Wills Interiors too:
http://baylist.sfgate.com/valerie-wills-interiors/biz/546903

Looking for a bargain

Remember a few blogs ago.... I did the flowers for Ilonka and Scott's wedding in Tahoe? Well, I'm also working with them on their home. The bedroom is done (photos to follow), I'm currently looking for a mirror for the living room and inexpensive art for the office/guest room.

As you know, Jade (my 8 year old daughter) is a great photographer, and I will be using three of her San Francisco sepia prints in the office/guest room, which has been painted a dark espresso brown and is delicious! So the sepia will work beatuifully but I also wanted to add a splash of colour on the dark walls..... take a look at these - I like the red in these vintage Coke ads:

Quite a nice oil painting:

Beautiful Indonnesian carved piece:

Cute European scenes and only $6 each!!!!

I think I'm going to go back and get this Chinese painter - isn't he great for $12??

Then of course I got carried away and found lots of other treasures - like these old library index card holders:

Beautiful detail on the handles:

Another vintage cabinet - would look great in a little nook:

This chair has such a great feel about it:

Really wanted to purchase these doors with stained glass detail and great lock:

Gorgeous library table to hold beautiful design or art books (do not like the rug!):

Cute rustic bench:

Kitsch really isn't my style:

Another beautiful side table:

Finally - wouldn't this make a great conversation piece? I would totally love to own this: