My three favourites from Elle Decor's 2011's blogger's choice

I love all of the shelter magazines.... online and in print.... and especially Elle Decor. Loved their top picks for 2011. Here are my three favourites.

First up, Lynn Nesbit's library (September issue). The sconces and orange velvet chairs are a subtle mix of old and new... and those books are just waiting to be looked at!!

Second is this beautiful office of Claiborne Swanson Frank (November issue)... working from home would be a pleasure in this beautiful space... I like the Moroccan inspired rug and the art work - it's just fresh and airy:

Finally, my third pick is this amazing Parisian apartment by Jean-Louis Deniot (May issue). I love the panelling which makes the room so elegant and chic and I adore the light fixture:

Merry Christmas to one and all

Some of my favourite Christmas images and beautiful trees. Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Converted millhouse, Hampshire

Reading this morning's Sunday Telegraph, and checking out the "property" section I was immediately drawn to this beautiful converted millhouse in Hampshire owned by Deborah and Ric Medhurst, the owners of the childrenswear label No Added Sugar.

The couple have filled their home with contemporary art, amassed over the past decade, with pieces from Banksy, Gary Hume and Tracey Emin.

It's not all contemporary though - I love the antique armchairs but most of all the place is covered with books!

www.telegraph.co.uk

Looking for holiday gift ideas in San Francisco?

If you are ever walking down 26th Street, near to the fire station, you will find my two friends Dr. Joe and Chef Bam Bam. Together they are Grandpa's Workshop, making wonderful one of a kind wooden objects such as toys, bowls and sculptures.

You don't have to head over to Noe Valley to see them either - instead go to the California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park. They are having a Holiday Crafts Fair on December 7th from 9am until 4pm. Bring the kids, enjoy Earth, Ocean and Space all under one living room.

Ho, ho, ho!

Yellow, yellow

Funny thing happened today - I had a lady visit my house to see some of my work. She had already chosen an interior designer - so I really was exposing myself .... I think she did like what she saw though!

As I was sitting at my computer, I suddenly thought (as probably only designers do) that I don't have any yellow in my house!!! I took a little look on my new obsession - www.pinterest.com to find out just what I'm missing.... take a look:

Maybe a need to add a little sunshine.... we'll see.

Oast houses, England

I wanted to share my love of unusual buildings turned into residential properties. The oast house!!! Primarily based in the South of England, they are stunning structures.

An oast, oast house or hop kiln was a building designed for drying hops as part of the brewing process. Normally two or three storeys high, the hops were spread out to dry by hot air from the kiln. To me, they are similar to barn conversions and I have spent many a happy night or two at Rowena and Matt's place in Hitchin (thanks for the amazing dinners too Row!!).

What do you think? Like them too?

Beautiful accessories

I'm always looking out for beautiful and unusual accessories for my clients. Accessories make a room.... like icing on a cake. It's fun when I am starting a new project, getting to know a client and searching through their personal objects and one part of my job that I adore is styling those items and maybe adding more.

This Moroccan tray would be perfect placed on a buffet for glasses or vintage crystal decanters:

Fun tray for a hallway table to drop your keys onto:

Love this design:
Feathered trinket box:
Peacock tray:
Cute bowl:
Pretty bowl - would look good filled with lemons and limes next to the Moroccan tray above:
Fornasetti inspired plate:
Wouldn't these look great on a cocktail table - also fill them with olives, nuts, etc:
Antlers = fun:
Great bud vases:
These are so nice for displaying delicate items:

All of these items are available at www.jaysonhome.com

One of my favorite go to stores.

ArtHaus presents GIRL GROUP

Serena Bocchino, About Face, 24”x24”, Poured enamel on acrylic on manipulated photograph

ArtHaus Gallerists, James Bacchi and Annette Schutz, are pleased to present GIRL GROUP, a rotating exhibition of works in various media by ArtHaus Gallery and Guest Women Artists in the ArtHaus Project Gallery. This group show opens on October 6th with a reception for the artists from 6-8pm.

Featured during the run of GIRL GROUP are works by California and New York artists including; Jhina Alvarado, Serena Bocchino, and “extreme Supreme”, Susaye Greene.

From a series, titled Forgotten Memories, Bay Area artist Jhina Alvarado uses oils and encaustic to obscure untold stories based on long forgotten photographs. The eyes are blocked out so that the viewer can take part of each memory as if it were their own.

Jhina Alvarado, Ready For The Beach, 24”x24”, Oil and encaustic on panel

Acclaimed singer/song writer, Susaye Greene A.K.A. THE LAST SUPREME from the most popular Girl Group in Motown music history, is an interdisciplinary artist. Greene began painting while at the New York City High School of the Performing Arts. She credits her inspiration and fascination for portraiture to works ranging from the Dutch Masters, to modern comic book art and digital fantasy art. “Technology has gifted me with a digital pen, tablet and camera – and with the help of noted photographers and painters I’ve met and worked with throughout my extensive travels, I have found my zone in the digital art world. I see art, music, film, and photography as one. From this collective vision is how I create.”

Susaye Greene “Supreme/Extreme”, Supreme Joy, 23”x19”, Limited edition print

Carolyn Meyer, Midnight Mania, 36”x48”, Oil on canvas

Maxine Solomon, Structure of the Moment, 20”x20”, Oil on canvas

Deborah Brown, Zephyr and Zoe, 18”x24”, Oil on canvas

Chris Schiavo, Baptismal Dress, 7.5”x5.5”, Silver gelatin print

Carol Massa, Conversation II, 20”x16”, Oil on canvas

Astrid, Concert Sans Notes, 20”x20”, Solarized print

Camille Eskell, Good For The Goose, 46”x34”, Oil stick pastel on paper/mixed media

Suzanne Benton, Mutang II, 16.5”x12”x5”, Copper Coated steel

Joining these artists during the run of GIRL GROUP are; Joanne Landis, Carol Massa, Andrea Arroyo, Camille Eskell, Maxine Solomon, Carolyn Meyer, Astrid, Chris Schiavo, Suzanne Benton, Tracey Kessler and Jan Blythe

GIRL GROUP continues in the Project Gallery at ArtHaus through December 23, 2011. Also on exhibit in the Main Gallery, Woven Reflectioins – New Paintings by Gioi Tran.

Voted BEST ART GALLERY IN THE BAY AREA two years running.
ArtHaus
411 Brannan Street

San Francisco

Gallery Hours are: Tuesday-Friday, 11am – 6pm

Saturdays from Noon-5pm

www.ArtHaus-sf.com

For further information phone: (415) 977-0223