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Archive for November, 2009

Whatnots & Dodads – Holiday Ornaments Galore

Monday, November 30th, 2009

The day after Thanksgiving marks the day the hunt for the “perfect” tree ornament starts at our house. Every year each child in our household gets to choose one for our family tree. This year, we are buying our ornaments at a new gift and antique shop in San Jose’s Willow Glen Whatnots &Dodads.

Located on Lincoln Avenue, the shop fits in nicely with the avenue’s mix of independent shops. The store has a mix of antiques, new finds and crafts created by local artisans. This month the store is overflowing with unique ornaments, nutcrackers and holiday decor. Whatnots & Dodads carry tree trinkets from some of the most beautiful and intricate ornament lines around including: Bethany Lowe Designs, Santa’s Workshop, Kurt S. Adler and Katherine’s Collection. Ranging in price from $4.95 to $11.95 each of the ornaments that grace their displays are worthy of being handed down from generation to generation.

Sheila Looking Left - Lookiloos 1330 Lincoln Avenue San Jose, CA 95125

(408)295-3500

Posted in Decorating, Featured, Home Decor, Looki What I Found, Sheila, Shopping, Willow Glen | 7 Comments »

Holiday By Jose: Non-traditional Thanksgiving Decor

Saturday, November 28th, 2009

Thanksgiving Table

The French-inspired San Jose home has an “antique chic” sensibility with a textured, neutral palette. And that’s all Jose Ibarra needed for inspiration when he decorated the home for Thanksgiving. You’ll find no bright orange here.

“They’re going to have turkey for dinner and that’s as traditional as they get,” said Jose, a San Jose floral designer.

He started with the things the homeowner loves: a burlap tablecloth topped with mirrored glass. The combination of rustic and glamorous provided the perfect foundation for Jose’s tabletop design. He strips of heavy, woven vintage ticking as napkin rings. The homeowner planned to top each coarse napkin ring with a rhinestone broche – adding star quality to peasant stock.

To complement the homeowner’s love of simplicity, Jose adorned the mirrored table with roses — not in the traditional fall colors, of course. Instead, he cascaded cream-colored roses — Sahara and Quicksand — down the center of the table, dripping pedals and “skeleton leaves” he picked up at the San Francisco Flower Market.

Since the living room was converted to the dining room for Thanksgiving — and the long narrow table positioned in front of the fireplace — Jose also was charged with rearranging the living room furniture throughout the house and adding simple, elegant touches throughout.

Wave of Roses

Take a look at the slideshow for glimpses of his holiday decor as well as other wonderful rooms — including a fabulous kitchen — in this lovely home. And then stayed tune. Jose will be redecorating this same home for Christmas — next week in fact. And Lookiloos will be hot on the trail.

Julia Looking Right - Lookiloos

Posted in Antiques, Architecture, Art, Decorating, Dining Room, Family Room, Featured, Food and Drink, Furniture, Home and Garden, Home Decor, Interior Design, Julia, Kitchen, Peek of the Week, San Jose, Willow Glen | 4 Comments »

CornerStone is a Must See in Sonoma

Thursday, November 26th, 2009

14 foot wind chime

Wandering through CornerStone in Sonoma, I was drawn to resounding rhythms. It was hypnotic. I made my way across the courtyard to the other side. Stepping across the threshold, I entered PotterGreen and Company and saw the most majestic wind chime. And, yes majestic is the only word to describe it. The 14 foot chime hung from the massive beam taking center stage. Priced at $2950. and not having the proper mode of transportation to get it home, I had to pass on this purchase. Music of the Spheres is the creator of this and other not so large wind chimes. The prices start around $90 and go up from there. These chimes are made from 100% domestic materials and they come in 10 different scales. My favorite is the Tenor.

Old Growth Planters

After the spell I was under subsided, I roamed the rest of PotterGreen. There are many treasures from local artists. A lot of eye candy and something for everyone. They also carry gorgeous redwood planters. These planters are made from old growth redwood trees. The craftsmanship on the planters is in itself a work of art. Forever Redwood the maker of these beautiful planters, believes in restoration forestry practices. Restoration forestry is a more conservative forestry practice than sustainable forestry. Which, I’m thinking is a good good idea. And, for all you Lookiloo readers who are interested in purchasing these planters, give Tom Wright a call. He will give you a password to enter online and you’ll get a 10% discount.

PotterGreen and Co.

23586 Hwy 121

Sonoma, CA

Tom Wright

707.996.8888

Posted in Backyard, Decorating, Desiree, Featured, Field Trip, Garden, Home and Garden, Looki What I Found, Shopping, Sonoma, Store, Yard | 1 Comment »

Heather Bullard Modern Vintage Finds

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

chandelier

I have been a fan of Heather Bullard’s store for quite some time. I love looking at the French vintage pharmacy bottles, zinc place cards and fun votive candle holders. beehook

A writer,stylist and photographer, Heather’s online shop of vintage finds and line of reproduction furniture speak to “weathered elegance and comfortable beauty.” Check out her blog, it features tips and tricks for a modern vintage lifestyle, where it is the little touches that matter.

I am particularly enamored by this Bronze Nest chandelier. It features delicate crystal leaf accents and candle lightbulb holders for a reasonable $199.95. I also am eyeing a few of these Zinc Bee Hooks, perfect for hanging kitchen towels or garden tools at $8.95 each.

Posted in Decorating, Featured, Home Decor, Looki What I Found, Other Cool Sites, Sheila, Uncategorized | 4 Comments »

Dreaming…Again!

Saturday, November 21st, 2009

My new little investment.

Two weeks ago I received an invitation for an art show through Facebook. Excited to attend, I clicked the appropriate button and put it on my calendar. Jaya King had sent me the invite. She’s a local artist, who I had met at an art gallery a few years earlier. I purchased a piece and I still absolutely love it.

Heading into the Triton Museum in Santa Clara, I immediately saw Jaya and made my way towards her. Her display was so wonderful. I didn’t know what to focus on first. And then, I saw it. I knew I had to have it. It’s entitled “Dream a Little Dream”. It’s very fitting for me. I tend to live in my own little world. It’s true. Ask my mother and she will tell you that every parent-teacher conference the same line was uttered, “She’s a day-dreamer”. Seriously, how is that a bad thing? Sorry I digress.

I haven’t hung it yet. I just can’t seem to find the right space, so for now it sits on my desk and it makes me so happy as I dream my little dream.

Tags: Jaya King, Triton Museum
Posted in Art, Desiree, Desiree's Mud Room, The Mud Room | 1 Comment »

Soul Salvation: Sonoma’s Artefact Design

Friday, November 20th, 2009

Bicycle Taxi

Recently, I was in Northern California’s wine country. Sonoma is a beautiful and tranquil town. Now, as much I enjoy drinking wine, especially the Petite Syrah varietal, I wasn’t there for the wine. I had heard from a friend of a friend about an amazing interior design shop. So, of course I traded cars with son number 2. He got the convertible with zero trunk space and I had the “old” but very trusty suburban. You can’t be too careful when it comes to purchasing things for the home or garden. Who knows how large and bulky they might be? Now, when I purchase something for my home, it MUST come immediately home with me. I have no patience for waiting. Seriously. Ask any family or friend and they will rat me out! So, I filled up my “green” economic car to the tune of $100 and headed north.

Bowling Set

Artefact Design Salvage is on the edge on Sonoma. Salvage yard doesn’t quite do it justice. I expected something a little more “junkyardish”. Actually, Sanford and Son came to mind, but Artefact couldn’t be farther from the sitcom. In fact it was more like Soul Salvation. They carry relics from a different time and place and it’s absolutely wonderful.

Greyhound Protectors

Some of my personal favorites were the statuesque Greyhounds. If I had the proper estate and bank account, these two would be my choice in protectors. They’re priced at $1150. each. The teak scrap spheres are so mesmerizing and at $ 195. I almost brought one home.

These light fixtures came from a milk factory in Belgium. They have both a rustic andindustrial feel to them. I can imagine a Belgium milk maid sitting on a little stool. The cows are munching on hay and she is working away milking the cows. Fantasyland…yes, but that is the picture in my mind when I see these fixtures. I think they could work well in any kitchen or even a workshop.

Milk Factory

One of the most interesting things I came across was a Medusa panel. It came from the last cast iron building in San Francisco. It was originally built in 1873. The detail in the panel is stunning. Thinking of the time that this was made and the tools available, I am amazed by the craftsmanship. And, for me makes it that much more fabulous.

The tables are original designs by Dave Allen, the owner of Artefact. He uses reclaimed wood from truck and train beds. So, being “green” can look wonderfully chic.

Now, was it the perfect California weather or this interior design mecca? I can’t say for sure, but my head was spinning with ideas. If you are within a hundred miles a road trip in within order. Artefact will inspire you, it will rejuvenate you. And before you head home, stop and have a glass of wine to reflect on the day. You’ll be glad you did!

Artefact Design and Salvage

23562 Highway 121

Sonoma, CA 95476

Here’s the complete slideshow:

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Posted in Antiques, Architecture, Desiree, Eco Friendly, Featured, Garden, Home and Garden, Interior Design, Looki What I Found, Salvage, Shopping | 4 Comments »

Vicki’s Vintage-inspired Holiday Party Favors

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

Thanksgiving Decor

When it comes to celebrating the seasons with holiday home decor, perhaps no one is more enthusiastic than Rose Garden resident Vicki Petulla. And autumn is one of her favorites as she decorates with the bounty of the season: orange and white pumpkins and wreaths of drying leaves in cast iron urns at her front door and swags of magnolia leaves and trays of persimmons in her living room.

Fall Table Decor When Lookiloos asked Vicki what she had in mind for Thanksgiving, she not only set anbeautiful vignette for a holiday buffet using all natural foliage from friendly neighbors, she also shared her tips for creating vintage-inspired party favors. They’re snack cones, actually, she said, that can be filled with popcorn, candy or sweet potato chips that guests can enjoy during the party, then take home as a keepsake.

At upscale boutiques, these kinds of cones can cost upwards of $25 or more a piece. But with a little creativity, a trip to a craft store and a glue gun, Vicki made hers for about $3 a piece. She has made these party favors again and again, for her son’s birthday parties or to enclose a gift card for a wedding present. All she does is change the paper and the trims for each occasion. At Christmas time, she hangs them on doorknobs of her friends.

For Thanksgiving, she made up a dozen of the cones and hung them from madrone branches she lightly spray painted gold. Vicki shops at Michael’s craft store where she heads to the Martha Stewart scrapbooking section for her supplies. To personalize the cones, she buys printed initials of her guests to affix to each cone.

Here’s her shopping list: A variety of colorful, patterned 12-inch by 12-inch sheets of paper; assorted trims, pom-poms and fringes to decorate the top edge of the cones; colorful ribbon from which to hang the cones; hole puncher, glue gun, scissors.

Step by Step

Step 1

1. Roll a sheet of paper on the diagonal into a cone, coming to a point at the bottom and open on top.

2. Fold the outside edge inward for a clean, straight line to glue the paper onto itself.

3. With scissors, cut the top, uneven edge into a straight line for a flat opening.

4. With hole puncher, punch hole about one-inch from top on each side for hanging ribbon.

5. Dot the top edge with beads of glue, then affix trims or fringes, careful not to cover the punched holes.

6. With length of ribbon, pull through holes on each side and knot.

7. Fill with candy, toys, or nuts. (Vicki loves Cost Plus World Market for vintage candy.)

Posted in Decorating, Featured, Food and Drink, Home Decor, Interior Design, Julia, Living Room, Q & A, Q and A, Rose Garden, San Jose, Wall Decor | 5 Comments »

Review: Casa di Francesca Italian Home Diffusers

Saturday, November 14th, 2009

greenmillefori_mg-big

Whether it is the scent of fresh flowers, vanilla bean or the smell of the ocean, comforting aromas immediately transport us to familiar places and set the mood. Like many, I have experimented with wall plug ins, spray air fresheners to burning oils. The smell was often nice, but the containers never seemed to match my italian-linen_d-big decor or sense of style.

Casa di Francesca‘s reed diffusers are a different case. I was sent a sample by the company two months ago and put it to the test. I have tried diffusers before and were typically let down because the scent was minimal and lasted but a few weeks. In a house with soccer playing kids and stinky shoes, I need something that can mask the smell of our busy life. I also wanted something that brought a clean, sophisticated scent, not something that said “cinnamon potpourri”.

Despite being more expensive than typical grocery store room fresheners one can buy for $5.95, the Casa di Francesca line met all my requirements. Self described as capturing the “essence and aromas of the Old World”, reed sticks infuse the scented oil throughout your home over time.

Upon setting it up, Rosemary Mint filled my home. While it was strong at first (almost overpowering), the scent mellowed within days and it has been going strong for almost two months. At $39.00 a bottle these are pricey, but I believe you get what you pay for. I really like these Italian beauties and plan to give them as hostess gifts this holiday season. There is a wide selection of fragrances in clear glass bottles that should please anyone’s sensibilities.

I was also impressed with the Italian Handblown Murano glass diffuser bottle. Each piece of art is numbered and signed. They are simply gorgeous and would be a grand holiday gift if you were looking to splurge. ($125.00- 179.00 each)

Fresh citrus in a kitchen to sandalwood near your fireplace, or a lilac bouquet in your boudoir, scents make a difference. Casa di Francesco do a nice job matching fine glass design with high quality long lasting scents perfect for any home.

Sheila - Lookiloos.com

Posted in Decorating, Featured, Looki What I Found, Sheila | 4 Comments »

Remodeled Kitchen and Bar, Plus Special Dining Room

Friday, November 13th, 2009

mezzetti dining room

Sue Mezzetti has a ritual every time one of her grown children pulls out of the driveway. She walks into the beautiful formal dining room and up to the front window and watches them leave.

mezzetti monterey colonial She does it because that’s what the previous owner of the house, Eloise Martin, did with her children — and Sue is so grateful that she and her husband, Rob, were able to purchase this house from her 10 years ago, that this is her way of paying homage to those that went before her.

A Waterford chandelier once hung over the dining room table, but she moved it into her bedroom to be inspired each day when she wakes up. Sue, an interior decorator, considers her style eclectic and comfortable.

mezzetti outdoor seating The couple completely relandscaped the back yard around the pool, adding a hot tub, fireplace and tiki bar. They also remodeled the kitchen opening into a bar area. “I love everything about my home,” Sue said. “I love the fact that the best people in the world trusted in us enough to have it.” Julia Looking Left - Lookiloos

Her home was featured in the Rose Garden Homes Tour in October. Floral arrangements on the dining room table by Green Designs on The Alameda in San Jose.

Here’s the complete slideshow:

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Posted in Architecture, Backyard, Bathroom, Bedroom, Decorating, Dining Room, Featured, Home and Garden, House Tours, Julia, Living Room, Peek of the Week, Rose Garden, San Jose | No Comments »

Jose’s Tabletop Decor Inspired by Chinese Take-out

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

Jose Ibarra -Chinese Tabletop

When floral designer Jose Ibarra stepped into Tina and David Sheffler’s Asian-inspired home, he knew just what he needed to set a smashing dining room table for her. The house was featured on the Rose Garden Homes Tour in October and needed a designer’s touch. As always, you can count on Jose to turn up the creativity a notch.

Jose Ibarra-Chinese Tabletop For the Shefflers’ table, while he celebrated the Asian inspiration by using wooden Geisha statuettes and delicate orchids, he honed in on a simple yet whimsical concept: Chinese take-out.

“Just because you have a party doesn’t mean it has to be catered,” Jose said. “It can be fun with what you have and at the same time look good.”

Next time you order Chinese takeout with friends and want to make some simple, but special touches, here are some of Jose’s ideas:

1. Use the white take-out containers as vessels for creativity: insert a small cup with water and add red roses; or fill with moss to give a “bok choy” effect. Jose stuck a pair of chopsticks in the moss and crinkled the paper chopsticks wrapper at the top to play with the color and texture. Wrap colored string around the boxes for extra color.

Jose Ibarra-Chinese Tabletop 2. Add tall, wispy orchids in clear glass or simple vases to add height.