Some Exciting News...

The other day I was having one of those kind of down days...thinking of my mom...missing her deeply. Moments later someone contacted me to let me know that I'm going to be included in an upcoming book, and that my living room made the cover photo. I don't mean to be braggy, but this couldn't have been more exciting news at that moment, temporarily bringing me out of my "funk."

The book is titled, "Hers: Design with a Feminine Touch," and written by the talented and fabulous Romantic Homes magazine editor, Jacqueline DeMontravel.

Hers offers hundreds of stylish ways for creating your own private retreat and is filled with hundreds of enchanting photos of stylish homes. I'm thrilled to be included among friends Janet of FrenchBlue, Lidy of French Garden House and many more. 224 pages full!

The book will be released on December 13th, but you can pre-order copies here.

Just in time for Christmas!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

Toilet Hunting...

Yep, that's right...I'm searching for a new, but original vintage toilet for my bathroom. I am a purist and want to keep as much of the original fixtures as possible. Even though tiles are cracking and there's rust in the sink, I refuse to remodel or gut. It's those minor flaws that gives the house so much charm.



Our house was built in 1939 and I absolutely love the green basin and tub. Problem is that the toilet had been replaced at one time and now it's on the verge of history. I refuse to get white, so I'm scouring around for replacement toilets.





This basin (above) was found on deabath.com. They have some wonderful vintage fixtures, but I can't seem to find a complete toilet and I refuse to go with white. It has to be green!





It's so hard to find the right design and color, but Church Toilet Seats has a great toilet matcher chart. You use it by manufacturer and find your color number. Found out that mine is Surf Green.



Found this toilet lid (an exact match) on eBay, but need the rest of the toilet!



Another great source called Period Bath offers an array of vintage toilets...found this (above), but not complete!



So now I'm off to toilet salvage yards to see if I can't find myself a green toilet!



If you're looking to remodel your bath and retain original fixtures, here are some great sources:



Deabath

Period Bath

Church Toilet Seats

Toilet Salvage



Also, Retro Renovation is a great source for vintage remodeling. Happy hunting!

Nana had a Pouf.

There's a little bit more that we didn't know about Nana Goldfinger. She had a pouf. That's right. A pouf! I found these photos along with her "indoor shade" photos. I thought poufs were a recent thing. A, no. Guess they have been around for years. Duh. Wonder what color that one really is?

Hmmm...what do you think about Nana's living room? I do remember that couch being about 40 feet long! The print above it is a wee bit small in scale for that sofa. Just my opinion.

I remember thinking the round table was kind of cool...

I love the barkcloth drapes...very tropical and hip. 'No' on the plastic flowers on the sideboard...

{Now don't you think Nana would be happy that her photos didn't end up in an old box, but shared with you all?}

Hmm...

Not really digging the bedroom. I do adore the pillows though. No offense to my Nana who was obviously proud enough to take pictures of the rooms. I'm just thinking about how ahead we are today with pulling things together in a different way. Just sayin.'

I do want a pouf now more than ever. Going to have to kick myself for not taking my Dads offer on some of this furniture. I was young. I want Nana's pouf!

A Little Getaway

exterior of The Parker, Palm Springs

Since there are no signs of Spring any time soon here in Northern California, I thought it would be a perfect time to share some photos of my recent little getaway to Palm Springs, CA. I regret not taking more photos of the sprawling palm trees and mountains, but come with me and take a little look around, okay?

enter the orange doors of The Parker...

Enter the lobby which is filled with geometric shapes of '60s décor and Peruvian wall hangings. The 131-room and 12-villa resort is playful and entertaining. There are 3 swimming pools (one indoor), tennis courts, croquet, even a cute lemonade stand...

The Parker, designed by Jonathan Adler, doesn't disappoint. The whimsical lobby is eclectic and colorful.

I LOVE that vintage drug sign!

Love that shelf of 60's colorful decanters...

Some of Adler's pottery...

The bar in the middle of the lobby...

Would you like a shot of rum before your massage? Yes, that's what they ask you at The Palm Springs Yacht Club, PSYC for short. 'Tongue and cheek' going on here.

This spa is one of the most beautiful I've ever seen. I could have lived there. After a massage one day and a sugar scrub the next, I was in heaven. Didn't have that shot of rum though...

What's a trip to Palm Springs without a little antiquing? Yes, we shopped and we found. A lot of wonderful modern decor...some great vintage finds!

Little secret...I love to gamble. And what fun...two Indian casinos just a few miles from the hotel...unfortunately no winnings to report...

The rooms weren't over-the-top, but the amenities...oh my. Here we go; L’Occitane and Hermes boxed soap (yes, that's right, Herme's beautiful soaps), Bulgari body lotion, Molton Brown shower gel, Penhaligon’s shampoo and conditioner, Blistex lip balm, and Peter Thomas Roth sunscreen. Needless to say, our suitcases conveniently used our products daily and were replenished by housekeeping.

It was a much-needed, short 4 day getaway, that seems like ages ago. I definitely recommend anyone going to Palm Springs to visit The Parker. At the least, check out the PSYC spa. It's divine!

Now go on and enjoy your Spring!

I'm Loving...

The new issue of Lonny, online today! I am especially drawn to interior decorator, Jennifer Dyer's 1940's Hollywood Regency home, pages 172-193. Wonderful advice on incorporating vintage into your decor. Check the whole mag out here!

images: Patrick Cline for Lonny

Have You Been to Claridge's Hotel?

This may be the week I should be paying attention to my horoscope or something. Between my friend Janet blogging about the lovely Fortnum & Mason, a friend inviting me to take a short trip with her to the U.K., and then reading about the remodel at Claridge's in London, someone is telling me it's time to go to London!

The legendary Claridge's Hotel was recently re-branded and I'm mesmerized! Forgive me, but I've had to take some of this content from the Full House blog where I discovered it.

London design studio Construct has given the branding of London's famous Claridge's Hotel a thorough overhaul, starting with the hotel's crest which has been redrawn.

isn't this mint green the prettiest color?

They introduced this gorgeous palette of mint green, gold, white and black. Chevron patterns appear on the inside of bags, envelopes and on various objects, publications and goodies only available at the hotel. Sadly not online. Here are a selection of images of some of the items available. I am in love with this color combo and the amenities of this 5 star hotel.

How yummy is this color combo?

And another part of the remodel are some of their recently renovated rooms designed by Diane Von Furstenburg...

London is calling my name...

And the crème de la crème, afternoon tea served on this gorgeous china. Simply scrumptious!

Have you been to Claridge's Hotel before? How about my U.K. blogger friends, eh? It looks absolutely divine!

photo credits: Claridge's Hotel, Full House, Construct

Country Home is Back!

Today as I was waiting in the checkout line in the grocery store I noticed Country Home on the front row of the magazine stand. Could this be true?

The once defunct magazine has made a comeback with a quarterly magazine loaded with photos and no ads. How can that be? Well, I suppose it's the $12 price tag that I didn't notice until I got home. I just got so excited and plopped it on the register next to the chicken. Oh well, it was worth it. 160 pages chock-filled with photos and a thick paper cover.

Hurray for Country Home. Let's keep supporting those magazines. Even at $12. I'd hate for them to go away!

Addendum: I was just informed that it's a compilation of old issues. A little bummed out about that, but still happy to see it.

Next issue out in September...

photo credits: Country Home Magazine ~ late summer 2010 issue}