removing clutter

well, many...many...many months ago (actually after we removed the high gloss, burnt orange lacquered plywood from the ceiling) we decided to leave the original exposed beams and boards and not replace the ceiling. hoping to gain a few more inches as well as give the place more of a primitive vibe.

phase two took place this weekend..removing all the excess cross beams, which were used not as a support system, but rather to nail up the previous plywood ceiling. boy oh boy, the difference this makes is beyond the photo's (taken by ldrc). wish you could have been there.

i feel like i can breath again..the clutter these extra beams created was crazy and i do not know why we waited so long to remove them.

next phase...paint...:)

simplify, simplify, simplify

so much has been going on lately: in the world, in our country, in the office, in my circle of friends....causing me moments of reflection and at times silence. lets just say the word gratitude is thrown around WAY more than it has in a long time. i know many of you feel the same way.

i think this image is perfect for the day. the reason being, there is not much going on except there seems to be good foundation. not a ton of clutter (like my home), not much color, a gentle and filtered light.....where are the pearly gates. :)

this image has been sitting on my desktop for too long..i cannot find the source, but i still wanted to share.

WFH

...work from home. what a week it has been, mama mia is all i will say...do not want to disclose too much emotion.

although we do most of our eating in the kitchen (just off the dining room...you can see the fantastic kitchen cabinets in the background...rent style) i end up spending most mornings in this room due to the great light and warmth of the sun and a heater. talk about being totally blessed with a great home in the city...we have window's everywhere and we are perched on the top floor...so the views and the light remind me how lucky we are.

anyway, i am also lucky as my job allows me some flexibility in where i work from. i would love to utilize this benefit more often than i do, but when i do flex on location..i tend to be spending my days sitting right here. mostly staring at the dirty windows and reminded of all the cleaning projects awaiting my attention AND of course working feverishly on work work.

happy friday friends. i will be sitting right here.....stop by for an espresso/tea if you have time.

PS. the ikea chairs are still working out, they really fit in with all the mixing and matching going on here...

all things bright and beautiful

i am still on my swedish country kick...i can not get off of this train. i think it is because it is so simple, minimal, fresh....understated and about practical.

get me a ticket to this cabin...i will ride the train for days to get here :)

images found here

lay your weary head

man, i have been so stinking busy and work seems to have zapped the you know what out of my energy level.

i also haven't been too enthused with any images of late either...or just not finding them OR some of my favorite bloggers have beat me to the punch on my new favorites. so, another brock street shot of the finished front room. now we just have a few little details...like dresser, chair and something to hang your fancy dresses and suits on..or your overall's :).

i really like the light on this one. i took it with my cell phone, so not super clear...but clear enough.

tick, tick, ticking

i am one of those folks who has lots of design "loose ends". for example, lamp shades...a very hard task to fulfill as resources are limited and size really makes a difference. i cannot tell you how many shades i have purchased and brought home, with a quick trip back for a return. after a good 5+ years, i am 75% set for life on shades and the balance 25% keep me honest and living in the real world. good ones are an investment.

well, my good friend pam at red ticking always, can i say always has the best shades in stock this side of the mississippi. on my last visit to seattle i had a ticking moment when i saw this shade and as soon as i returned to sf the tick, tick on the clock was loud and clear and i knew if i didn't take the plunge, this shade would vanish into somebody else's hands.

the ship, or should i say shade, came in yesterday and i couldn't get out of the office fast enough to ensure it was in fact, the write fit for the lamp and the room.

could the little cross stitch initials be any more primitive and simple?

cool warm

now this is really how i would like to roll. there is so much i like about this room, even though i can only see a small portion of it.

let me name a few: bright and light, the warmth of what appears to be a large and well used farm table, quick access to all your cooking needs, the stove isn't so bad and mostly the inspiration and imagination the image brings.

oh and the pastry and espresso seal the deal.

image

78 degree's

....and i am hunkered down with brush in hand..INSIDE :(

finally, we were able to start some finishing work in the hallway/original porch. i think i was born with a paint brush in my hand... as i have always enjoyed painting and find it to be one of the most calming tasks. FYI: this is just the primer....the paint to follow next weekend.

i have to be honest with you all, we did have a little picnic in the back yard and i did take in a good 30 minutes of rays. it was just right.

hope this finds you all after an enjoyable and productive (whether rest or project) weekend.

$15.00 budget

what a week it has been and i woke up knowing it was only thursday, but hoping for friday. this of course being the excuse for lack of posting.

i wanted to wrap up the easter weekend by tuesday, but it is still lingering...candy everywhere and i can't stop eating it.

so, onto the post. with the last minute travel change and invitations sent for east lunch, i had to rally and find some flowers. as usual, no time to run to flower mart or my favorite haunts so off to safeway (right across the street). lets just say the success lies in the greens. lots of greens, little flowers and all for $15.00.

and a few leftover stems for the bathroom.

b-mo's best

in all fairness, b-mo deserves to dress up a couple times a year. he hates being left out and no being in the moment, and in order to fit into this home..he needed something to lift the holiday spirit.

so, donned with a brock street design collaboration (bow tie), he welcomed the easter holiday with open eyes (focused on a treat) and his typical regal posture (we wonder where his real bloodline comes from, something posh i am sure).

hope your holiday shed a little sunshine, lots-o-smiles, and a wee bit of chocolate.....oh, and topped with hope.

easter eats

i should be on a plane over the pacific ocean somewhere right now, heading to shanghai for work, but the last minute cancellation leaves me here at home over the easter holiday. not so bad....now the prep begins for a fast and furious easter dinner planning.

i just might walk down to tartine bakery and get a few sweet treats for post entree pallet cleansers. that is if there is anything left?

if you have not been to tartine in SF, then please call me on your next trip to SF and we will meet there. it will be my treat to you. my favorite bakery in the city, and vying for the spot of favorite bakery in the world.

for me, easter is always that time of year to embrace new hope, new beginnings and take in that gift of fresh air and spring fragrance. i hope this seasons is also a reminder of hope and a fresh start for you...oh and that there is some good food approaching.

images from the selby

simple is, simple does

ok...i'm ready to grab my hammer and get going. this is a project right up my alley, at least that is the perception of this simplicity of the design.

this kind of design aesthetic and thought through layout beckons my youth and what i wish my summer camp accommodations would have been like. but hey, character building is what it is all about: sleeping bags, window's with no glass and bats is what being a kid is about. wouldn't trade it for the world.

back to the photo's. i am particularly drawn to the cabinet with the bench attached. i can imagine a heavy hemp linen, down cushion plopped down on the bench and a fluffy dog napping.

image from the hotel school in maastricht in the netherlands.

gus...i hope you see this post, its your next hillside project :)