Field Trip « Lookiloos

Field Trip

Get Lost in Brick Monkey

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

* Ball Pillow Getting lost drives me nuts. I hate it. I always stress about keeping my clients waiting and I don’t really care to be spending any extra time wandering around trying to figure out if I’m headed in the right direction. But on this particular day, I found myself lost. I was supposed to be in a very nice residential area of Redwood City and instead, cow painting I found myself in the middle of downtown Redwood City. So I’m trying to find my way back to the street I need and something catches my eye. A gorgeous red brick building and on that building there was a sign — Brick Monkey.

What the heck is that? Wait, what’s that in the window? I loop around the block to check it out. It’s an interior design shop. Yippee! And it looks so wonderful. Now, of course my client is waiting, so I can’t stop now. I find my way and finish my photo shoot. I ask my client, “Have you been to the Brick Monkey?” She had not, but heard they had some wonderful things. So, I pack up my gear and I head back down to the Brick Monkey. I crossed that threshold and instantly felt like a kid in a candy shop.

I have so many favorite things I wish I could have brought home with me. The cow painting at $395 is to die for and the turquoise sofa so inviting, so calming, it chases my winter blues away. Another one of my Modern Leather Chairs favorites is this set of metal nesting tables for $1350.00 and let’s not forget these fabulous chairs. I love the geometric shapes of the leather. Now here is the best part—Brick Monkey is having their very first factory floor sale! All of their custom metal furniture will be up to 70% off. So mark your calendars for January 23rd and 24th. Be sure to come prepared with a large vehicle and moving pads to bring your one-of-a kind treasure home. Trust me on this. Bring a big car. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been caught in the wrong vehicle. Once a year, designer Stephanie Kolkka, a Brick Monkey partner and the metal-smith( who created those wonderful nesting tables) clears out her Napa Valley studio to make way for new designs. Expect great savings and wonderful finds. OK, I’m putting this out there— I’m up for the floor sale! Who else wants to make the trip? I’ll drive and I’ve got a big suburban. Let me know. We could meet for coffee (Peet’s preferably) and then some serious shopping! C’mon it’s twenty ten and we all could use a dose of fresh! Comment here or drop me an email—desiree@lookiloos.com

Brick Monkey

2400 Broadway
Redwood City, CA 94063
650.260.1155

Desiree Looking Left - Lookiloos

Here’s the complete slideshow:

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

Posted in Decorating, Desiree, Featured, Field Trip, Furniture, Interior Design, Looki What I Found, Redwood City, Shopping, Uncategorized | 3 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 »

Campbell Farmer’s Market – Lookiloos Out on the Town

Wednesday, March 25th, 2009

Sunday mornings in my opinion are meant for coffee and relaxing with the paper or catching up on my favorite blogs! A great alternative is heading out and hitting Campbell’s Farmer’s Market. You can buy coffee at the yummy Orchard Valley Coffee Roastery, a local legend for good coffee and free wi-fi.

This past Sunday the Lookiloos team and friends gathered to check out the sidewalk sales of some of our favorite decor shops and galleries. I also want to start a backyard garden this spring, so I went to find some inspiration for my backyard.

The market did not disappoint. Julia bought a gorgeous orchid for her back porch. Desiree bought some framed art for her and home office to compliment the one she already bought at Vintage and Vogue. I walked away winning some art from an auction at Mary Medrano’s gallery and finding a few varieties of mint to plant in the garden including – chocolate and apple – yum!

Check out the market – Sundays from 8-1 p.m.
Now through October.

Watch the video of our adventure:

Posted in Campbell, Field Trip, Looki What I Found, Sheila | No Comments »

Sonoma’s Opia: An Asian Inspired Home and Garden Shop

Sunday, March 15th, 2009

Don’t you love finding something for someone when you weren’t even looking? That’s what happened on my recent trip to Sonoma. Once again I called my trusty sidekick. “Mom, I’m going to Sonoma to a building salvage yard — Do you want to tag along?”

She replied, “Sure, it’s supposed to be a beautiful day.”

So we headed North. I didn’t want to have to pass on an opportunity because my purchase wouldn’t fit in the more economical car, so I drove the big car. My destination was a building salvage spot. I was looking for old handrails used in stairways. That’s all I wanted and I didn’t find a single one.

So slightly dejected, I left the shop and wandered into another. Opia, a beautiful Asian inspired home and garden shop. Unique items lined the walls.

“Look at that fountain,” I said as I turned to my Mom. We both said in unison “That would be perfect in Susan’s home.” The fountain stands about 3 and a half feet tall and has wonderful variegated green color. The water just bubbles out and the sound is so relaxing. I took some photos to share with my Mom’s sister, Susan. My Mom got the store info. And even though I didn’t find what I was looking for, I loved the thought of that wonderful fountain in my Aunt’s home.

Opia Home and Garden Gallery
23590 Arnold Dr. (Hwy 121)
Sonoma, CA 95476
707.939.3888

Posted in Desiree, Field Trip, Home and Garden, Looki What I Found, Shopping | 1 Comment »

Alameda Pointe Antiques Faire

Sunday, October 26th, 2008

One of the perks of knowing decorators is getting to know where they find some of their to-die-for treasures. The Lookiloos team took to the tarmac at the Alameda Antiques Faire – a decorator/antique dealer’s secret at the former Alameda Point Naval Air Station
in Alameda, California.

Armed with $50.00 and double espressos we hit the road at 7:30 a.m. to “beat the rush”. Little did we know that the real bargain hunters paid triple the admission price we did to start shopping at 6:00 a.m. to find the best deals. Wow, now that is dedication! We paid the reduced rate of $10.00 and those who entered after 9:00 a.m., paid the rock bottom price of $5.00.

Being the largest antique market in Northern California, vendors come
from all over to show their wares. I picked up a ceiling tile
repurposed into a magnet/chalk board for my home office
and the gentleman who made them packs his truck and drives from
Ashland, OR each month for the opportunity to sell his creations.
According to their website, “Everything sold at the show must be at
least twenty years old and there are no reproductions allowed.”

Team Lookiloos were astounded by how large and diverse the selection was from antique phones and cameras to kitchy dolls and vintage clothing. Experienced shoppers brought carts, cash and had lists of what they were looking for. They walked quickly and surveyed booths with an eagle eye and could ferret out the best deals within moments. Bargain antiques, retro furniture and handmade linens were also in large supply, as well as unique chotchkes that you could only find in a place like this. For example, various bathroom accoutrements, antlers, stuffed crocodile heads and Frida Kalho portraits hidden in planters.

There was such a variety, that any lookiloo is sure to find something that peeks their interest. To get some nourishment, there were a multitude of food booths – the
lemonade was especially divine after maneuvering through the over 800
booths. Of course, if you are in need of cash, there were ATM machines
readily available. And if your car is too small to haul your finds, there are delivery trucks ready and waiting to take your treasure back to its new home. Mark your calendar for next field trip to the San Francisco East Bay!

The Alameda Point Antiques and Collectibles Faire is open on the first Sunday of every month at the former Alameda Point Naval Air Station
in Alameda, California (East Bay).

Here’s the complete slideshow:

Posted in Antiques, Art, Decorating, Field Trip, Furniture, Home Decor, Home and Garden, Looki What I Found, Sheila | No Comments »