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Home Sweet – Willa Home

July 7, 2009 · Comments { 7 }

Recently I visited Willa Home, a lovely home and garden boutique in the Burlingame – near my home and just 30 minutes south of San Francisco. I hadn’t dropped by in nearly a year and was pleasantly surprised to see how the store has evolved. Elena Duggan, the original owner of Willa Home, recently partnered up with longtime friend Lisa Wilson, formerly of The Pickled Hutch. The store has been reinvented with a wonderful blend of vintage treasures and contemporary home décor. I love the fact that Willa Home offers a little something for everyone.

The boutique has lots of wonderful natural light from skylights, but you can’t help but notice the gorgeous lighting available including several vintage chandeliers hanging from the aqua ceiling. My favorite was this brass chandelier with turquoise glass tear-drops. It would look incredible in a bathroom setting above the tub.

I particularly liked the vintage glass bottle collection topped with beautiful jeweled crosses and sealife. Love the seahorse. In the rear of the store you’ll find gorgeous quilts and pillows. And here another delightful vintage glass & crystal chandelier caught my eye. Wouldn’t it be so sweet in a little girl’s room?

Lisa and Elena also do a fantastic job displaying their merchandise. Here is an example of a beautiful collection of white porcelain, red roses and a splash of aqua.

During my visit at Willa Home, I had the pleasure of meeting Lisa. She was delightfully supportive when I asked about writing an article about her store on my blog, told me about her own blog and gave me some great blogging advice. She also pointed about some darling vintage “bee” gift tags. Of course, I had to get them. Thanks Lisa!

Fellow blogger, Josephine at Red Thread posted a great interview with Lisa and included some incredible photos. Also a thank you to Rachel at Dwellings and Décor for inspiring me too!

When visiting the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area, be sure to drop by Willa Home. You won’t be disappointed.

Willa Home
1414 Burlingame Avenue
Burlingame, CA 94010
1.650.375.1213
info@willahome.com
open Tuesday through Saturday from 10-6

*images from Simplified Bee, Willa Home and Red Thread

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Read full story By on July 7, 2009 in antiques, contemporary decor, furniture, lighting, original artwork, vintage

East Hampton Dream Kitchen by Phoebe Howard

July 7, 2009 · Comments { 6 }

OK, this might be it – my dream kitchen! This casual, yet elegant East Hampton kitchen was designed by Florida’s self-taught Phoebe Howard. With her husband and fellow decorator Jim, they own an interior design firm, James Michael Howard Interiors and southern retail chain stores, Mrs. Howard and Max & Co. What a dynamic duo!

The neutral color palette and high ceilings give this grand eat-in kitchen a welcoming and peaceful feeling. The kitchen’s glass-fronted cabinets, marble counter tops and white subway tile back splash contrast nicely with all the wood in the space. I also like that all the wooden elements – table & chair, flooring, ceiling and cabinetry – are different hues.

Tucked in between large windows, the kitchen nook’s custom upholstered “sofa” benches are inviting. The pair of square wooden tables can be easily moved around to suit the home owner’s needs. What a fun place to enjoy a cup of morning tea!

If you need more kitchen nook inspiration, take a look at one of my earlier posts.

This gourmet kitchen has all the modern amenities including two sinks – one double sink located on the island and one farm sink under a window. A large professional-grade range and hood take center stage.

The stainless-steel appliances, polished hardware and pendant lighting fixtures provide contemporary elements in an otherwise traditional space.

The large kitchen island offers plenty of counter space for food prep, loads of storage and additional seating.

What a delightful space for entertaining. Love, love, love it.

*all images from Phoebe Howard
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Read full story By on July 7, 2009 in breakfast nooks, furniture, interior design, kitchens, lighting

West Hollywood Condo by Designer Michelle Workman

July 2, 2009 · Comments { 3 }

Mark Castellino at fyndes recently published a wonderful interview with Michelle Workman, one of Southern California’s most talented interior designers. Several of her interior designs were featured in the article, but it was the beautiful West Hollywood Condominium that I fell in love with.

The grass green and pearl white color palette is cool and crisp. She keeps the same color scheme throughout the space. One of my interior design professors once told me small spaces – under 1700 square feet – should keep with one color scheme so that the style flows well throughout. Workman’s WeHo Condo design is a great example of this color theory. And this living room would have fit in nicely in a previous Simplified Bee post on “Green Living Rooms.”

The condo’s walls and furniture are white and Workman brilliantly delivers bright green prints throughout the upholstery. You will also notice that she keeps the warm hardwood floors bare – I could only find one small white rug in the bedroom.

The simple, yet elegant dining room showcases a whimsical chandelier. The one-of-a-kind individually handcrafted chandelier is made from an actual citrus tree and glass beads and is one of Workman’s creations. It’s stunning.

Workman gutted the client’s existing kitchen and created a clean, modern space. She selected gorgeous detailed hardware to the white painted cabinets. The slate floor adds an earthy feeling to the otherwise airy space. Very nice result!

The focal point in the bedroom is the beautiful giant leaf motif wallpapered wall that beautifully pulls the color palette together. My favorite element in this room however, is the butterfly hardware used on the closet doors. It adds a wonderful, unexpected bit of whimsy.

In November 2008, Workman opened The Red House Interiors to showcase her personal style. It presents a mixed collection of both high-end modern and vintage pieces, as well as original designs by Workman. It looks lovely and I hope to drop by next time I visit Los Angeles.

Interior design is an art, and if you can afford it,
you might want to consider getting a professional artist (designer) to create your home.
The idea is to live as aesthetically as possible.
~ Michelle Workman

MICHELLE WORKMAN DESIGN
1777 North Vine Street, Suite 417
Los Angeles, CA 90028
T: 323.397.5889

THE RED HOUSE INTERIORS
372 North La Cienega Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90048
T: 310.355.8200

*images from Michelle Workman Design and Zimbio
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Read full story By on July 2, 2009 in bedrooms, color, contemporary decor, dining rooms, furniture, interior design, kitchens, lighting, living rooms

Keeping it Lavishly Simple – White Bathrooms

July 1, 2009 · Comments { 5 }

White symbolizes purity, cleanliness and innocence. In most Western cultures white is the color for brides. In the Eastern, it’s the color for mourning and funerals.

In decor, white goes well with almost any color. The designers of these beautiful bathrooms keep the decor neutral in soft pearly white.

This master bath looks like it could be in an upscale spa. The gorgeous Empire tub with polished nickel Etoile fixtures by Waterworks is now on my wish list. Designer Dana Lyon nailed it when she positioned the tub under the window looking out onto a private enclosed garden. The chandelier is just right too – not too big or overdone.

Photographer and designer Victoria Pearson’s master bathroom in her Ojai, California home is simple and calming. I love how she added earth-friendly woven elements – baskets, raffia shades and slippers.

Is this heaven? This lavish marble bathroom was designed by James Michael Howard. He seamlessly blends modern and classical elements – the claw foot bench is divine.

This timeless bathroom by designer David Jimenez is simple, yet elegant. The beautiful counters and floors are in Calacatta Gold marble. Keeping the look fresh and serene, Jimenez selected classic white subway tiles on the walls and in the shower. The dark wooden tray with hand towels, tissues and flowers gives this room a spa like feel. Love it!

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Read full story By on July 1, 2009 in bathrooms, color, lighting, tile
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