Los Angeles via San Francisco

San Francisco is an eclectic city and a magical place.  When our friends asked if we could join them for a vacation in California, I was beyond excited. I have been to San Francisco previously, but it was always a quick visit and never stayed in down-town San Fran.  I always accompanied my husband on business trips and we stayed around Palo Alto which is another beautiful town.

I always had a "must see" and "to do" list if and when I visit San Francisco.  The list had relaxing tours of Napa and Sonoma valley, stay in down-town San Fran and spend a day in Sausalito. 

Inside an old building in Union Square we stayed at the Clift Hotel.  Clift is an edgy boutique hotel and you can't beat the location.  Convenient to walk to shopping, market street and a short cable car ride to the Fisherman's Wharf.

Day tripping in Sausalito is a magical escape.  It is a chic seaside village with amazing restaurants and quaint shops.  You could just spend days walking around and taking in the beauty of Sausalito.

 

Beautiful homes overlooking the sea in Sausalito.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Imagine overlooking this scene from your home every day...Sausalito.

 

The food at the Sausalito Bakery and Café is uhhhhmazing.  It is a farm to table concept café with all fresh ingredients.

Next on the agenda was a trip to Napa and Sonoma Valley.  We were so lucky, that when we arrived in Frisco, my friend's cousin had arranged for car service to pick us up.  The service was excellent, and we took a road trip with the car service through the spectacular rolling hills of Napa and Sonoma valley.  Great wine tasting and fabulous food. 

Indulged in a lovely lunch at a boutique winery restaurant. 

The interior design style at Brix was as good as the food.

While at the topic of culinary pleasures, a special mention for an Indian restaurant "Amber".  The atmosphere and the food were outstanding.

What would a trip be without visiting a design store!  We browsed around Caitlin Wilson's SF store.  Absolutely beautiful similar to her designs.  Caitlin Wilson (@caitlinwilsondesign) • Instagram photos and videos

Windows to the world

When we added on our family room, my one and only inspiration was a picture of a church window with paisley design from a magazine.  The first couple of photos below, were what I really wanted and the family room addition was planned around this window.  The focal point was to be the window.
Researching the exact window, it obviously was an original window in a church and now made into condos. I tried with so many different window companies to have it custom made to no avail!!!  So we settled for the window/door that we currently have...deflated?!

This is our window in our family room.  Nothing like the paisley design but it is still a focal point in our family room.  I also wanted Transom windows above the sliding doors.  Due to structural issues with the porch the idea was scratched.  Thus, I installed a mirror above the sliding doors and added strips to elongate the look of the doors in lieu of the transom windows.

 

Morning coffee view...

 

 

Dusk view... 

Some inspirations that I had saved when we were planning our addition.  Windows that is to die for!  Who would leave the house if you had windows like this to the world.  You don't need art work when you have windows like these...

 

Stage, Style & Sell

A client living in an exceptional Victorian home reached out to ask if I could help to get their house styled and ready for the market to sell.  I explained that it is important to stage, style and then sell.  Generally the staging process is to eliminate the clutter and personal belongings.  That is the normal realtor criteria.  I think in addition to staging, styling is important.

This is a beautiful home and this house features custom made stained glass windows with quality architectural and design features. 

 Here are some before and after...

 

Before - entry way

 



After - painted the walls and added lamp, table, mirror and a plant.

 

 Before - Living room

 



After



Before - breakfast nook

After - changed the lampshade and added some accessories.

 

Before - Kitchen...Mr. Pig had to go!

 

 

After

 

Before - Media room

 



After - moved around some furniture

 

 

Before - Bedroom suite

 

After

 

Before - Bedroom

After

 Other rooms that I styled, but don't have the before pictures!