Strawberry lemonade never tasted so sweet!

Ten years ago we remodeled our cute little home, because the duct tape we were using to hold it together was starting to peel. I never really gave too much thought about a front porch—but thank goodness my fabulous architect did! When we got the first round of plans, I loved the front porch. I could hardly wait to be sipping my first cup of coffee while perusing the morning paper on MY front porch. Now, funny thing is it never was MY front porch. It belonged to the skateboards, freebords, roller blades, razor scooters, bikes, the very stinky hockey gear and the random welder (don’t ask). Yes, I have 4 active boys and the front porch was the proof. I needed a space that I could call my own without tripping over all the hazards.

I decided to clear out all the “gear” and reclaim my space. My first thought was French Country. Maybe a Toile in a cheery yellow for the seat cushions. White and blue for accent pillows. I thought they would go so nicely with 2 wicker chairs that I recently painted black. I headed to Home Goods and wandered the rows of chair cushions and pillows—nothing in yellow, but these coral patterned cushions caught my eye and I never looked back. Next, I found a solid Ralph Lauren ($14.99) pillow and a cream based embroidered with a coral pattern pillow ($16.99).

The only thing I needed now was some sort of fabric to re-cover the ratty sea grass ottoman. I hit the jackpot when I found this Tommy Hilfiger duvet cover for a whopping $29.99. And, I only needed half of it.

Once the color scheme was in place, I headed to Summerwinds Nursery to pick out my perfect posies. I have to admit I love walking through the nursery. It’s never a quick trip for me—ahhhh, wandering the aisles. Getting back on track, I loaded up the convertible with a few jumbo packs, a couple of daisies and impatients and a gerber daisy.

I loved putting it all together. I got the tray from Soltice, the orange vase came from Summerwinds, the bird house was a true find at the Alameda Antique Fair and the watering can was left behind when we bought the house. One of my favorite things on the new front is that old watering can–that doesn’t hold water anymore. I’d like to take credit for putting that gerber daisy in it, but I got the idea from another blog Hoosier Homemade. My only big purchase was the aqua pot and the hydrangea—for just under $70. But, I’m a sucker for hydrangeas and that aqua color was to perfect to pass up.

Impatients and the very stinky hockey gear!

Now, it’s been a whole week and all that “gear” has stayed away. OK, one exception has been made—the very stinky hockey gear is staying—but at least it is much neater. And, that I can live with. Sipping my first glass of strawberry lemonade with my feet up on the ottoman was pure heaven. We have spent nearly every evening out there—pure bliss.

My front porch does seem a little on the girlie side, but in my defense I do live with a lot of testosterone and a balance was needed. Now MY universe is balanced!

I’m linking up with Show and Tell Fridays and The Shabby Chic Cottage.

Here’s the complete slideshow:

I’ve been anxiously watching my salsa garden grow – tomatoes, cilantro and jalapenos. While my garden is tiny, been thinking about how to spruce up the containers as my garden grows – Garden Markers! Take a looki at these unique stakes I found on Etsy.com.  Perfect gifts for the gardner in your life or an homage to your tomatoes, ’cause everyone (even your veggies!) can use a little bling. 

These stamped Vintage Silverware Garden Markers are made by Wooden Hive.  The set of 4 is $21.00

Takit from Michigan makes these Copper Plant Markers. (Set of 10 for $30.00)

For a little pop of color, these Artisan Hands’ Veggie Garden Stakes (3 for $20) would fit the bill.

Here are highlights from this year’s tour:

1.)  Deborah Arant and Richard Nieset’s Spanish Colonial Revival on Sequoia Avenue seemed like a dream.  I could imagine lounging by the pool, margaritas in hand as I cooked a grand BBQ in their outdoor kitchen.  The home shaped like the pii symbol had three separate gardens, giving everyone in the household an area to relax and call their own.  The home featured an extensive collection of Turkish rugs and art from the couple’s travels around the world, including pieces by Thomas McKnight. Desiree and I were on vacation!

The homeowners also remodeled the original kitchen, transforming it in a green certified masterpiece.  They reused 100% of the materials, meaning nothing went to the dump!  The result?  A modern kitchen with a nod to the 1920’s feel throughout the home, complete with built-in espresso maker!  In addition, when building their outdoor kitchen and gates, the couple used reclaimed wood from Napa.

2.)  The Washington’s Tudor Revival home on Sierra Avenue was picture perfect. Central to the quaint home, the fireplace features Malibu pottery tiles in the Mayan and Aztec motif, very typical of California homes. On the other hand, consistent with classic Tudor styling, the home had perfectly preserved Tudor arch door with glass stained windows and American walnut beamed ceilings. I loved their collection of antique silhouettes from the 1890’s through the 1930’s.

3.)  Collections and Obsessions make a house a home.  The gorgeous example of a modernized American Foursquare on Yosemite Avenue belongs to Michael Abler and Michael Smith.  While the home boasts many features that make this a stand out ( alabaster light fixtures to die for, a grand kitchen, box-beam ceilings and impeccable landscaping), what stuck with me were its owners collections – vintage martini shakers, globes, marbles, pez dispenser and sea shells.  All thoughtfully displayed in cases, shelves or oversized jars; they begged me to ask the owners to tell me more. Alas they were not there to chat with, but it made me think about what collections I would put out for display.  A wonderful and quick idea I could replicate immediately!

4.) Architect Steve Hinderberger and Michael Segovia own the modern prairie style bungalow on Yosemite.  The home is furnished in Bauhaus style with a mix of modern furniture, sculpture created by the homeowner and nods to the homes 1920s roots.  I was in immediately in love with lines of the Eames Lounge chair and the glass Noguchi table.  Hinderberger also created an easel to hold a beautiful Calder by repurposing a vintage handcart.  The bathroom featured chocolate walls with chocolate towels – how is that for a quick way to keep dirty finger print hidden with a touch of panache!   The kitchen itself was another example of smart design, where custom built oak cabinets created ample room for a access to a basement office. The  result is modern and functional.

Here’s the complete slideshow:

You can find these gems at the following shops:

Emily Joubert Home & Garden
3036 Woodside Road, Woodside, CA
Ph: 650.851.3520

Bunches
14 1/2 Santa Cruz Ave. Los gatos, CA 95030
Ph: 408.395.5451

The Playful Garden
1001 Caymus Street Napa, 94559 CA
Ph: 707-258-8880

The Gardener
1836 Fourth Street, Berkeley, CA
516 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, CA
One Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA
Ph: 510 548 4545

Lately, I’ve become enamored with houses that are unassuming from the front,  but have a major ‘wow’ factor on the inside.

From the front of this white-washed Willow Glen cottage, you might expect a chopped-up floorplan.  The only feature on the facade that gives you a sense of what’s to come is the bright yellow front door. Walk inside and you’re flooded with openness and light. And you can see right through to the charming backyard.

Homeowner Stephanie Angeli, an  ”empty nester” who moved from San Francisco,  first saw the house with her sister. “We did an ‘Oh my God,’ when we went through it,” she said. “Every room was perfect.”

The house had been remodeled by the previous owner who added space and lots of windows on the back of the house, looking out to the courtyard. The sisters got in their car, did a U-turn, she said, and went to the realtor’s office to put down a deposit. The house was featured on the Willow Glen Home Tour earlier this month.

The kitchen is also a gem, with white Carrarra marble counter tops and a sink in the corner looking into the family room.

And the interior decor is lovely, from the the little vignette of green stemware in front of al painting on the kitchen counter, to a nicely-appointed front guest room and office. Carmen Grande of Willow Glen Home & Garden on Lincoln Avenue helped Stephanie with the furnishings and Steve Gilbert added charm to the courtyard.

Take a look at the slideshow and tell us what space you like the best.

Here’s the complete slideshow:

Depression-Era Charm, with Sparkle

depression era charm-breakfast nook

Tin Ceiling Kitchen in Eclectic Shingle Style House

Tin Ceiling in Kitchen of Eclectic Shingle Style

(keep scrolling for more kitchens..)

Neoclassic bungalow kitchen

Eclectic neoclassic kitchen remodel

Which kitchen do you like best? Anyone dreaming of a kitchen remodel?

When four girlfriends and I escaped our kids for the afternoon, piled into my mini-van, and headed out for the Willow Glen Lifestyles Home Tour, we made a pact that we wouldn’t get green with envy by getting a glimpse into others’ beautiful living spaces. We’d be inspired.

Here’s the complete slideshow:

Amazing Fretwork Iron Chair

Are you ready for a Lookiloos smackdown? We’d love you to weigh in on this good-natured competition between two Lookiloos founders, Julia Prodis Sulek and Desiree Northend, who had a Lucy-and-Ethel tug-of-war over a set of very hip, very vintage chairs. The coolest part? They each paid under $40 per chair, but spotted a nearly identical reproduction at a chic Carmel shop for $625. Using their own sense of style and bargain shopping, Julia and Desiree made their chairs their own. Which do you like best? (You won’t hurt their feelings, really.)

By Julia Prodis Sulek

When Desiree told me she had just purchased four Asian fretwork chairs, I was happy for her. Really. It didn’t matter to me — that much — that I considered myself the fretwork girl. I so adored the geometric, intersecting lines of the Asian style, whether on the back of a chair or along a balcony railing, that I made a file of fretwork photos just to gaze at longingly. Trendy interior designer Kelly Whearstler was making wallpaper with the motif. Surely, Desiree must have known my inner obsession! And now, with one grand purchase, she would luxuriate in … well … what should have been mine, mine, all mine?

My mouth went dry as she described the 1960s-era high-backed chairs. They were made of sturdy iron for the outdoors and rolled on casters. I felt faint when she told me she got them for the bargain price of $39 each at Not Too Shabby, a home and garden shop on South Bascom Avenue. It’s one of those places you just never know what treasure you might find. Desiree bought four chairs. Three were left. I desperately wanted them. But would I be breaking some friendship code by adorning my backyard with the same spectacular chairs? I flashed back to an episode of I Love Lucy, where Lucy and Ethel fell in love with the same dress to wear to their “show,” and each promised the other that neither would buy it. Well, they both did, and while singing “Friendship” in the identical dresses on stage, they began plucking each other’s dresses apart! Well, call me Ethel to Desiree’s Lucy.
In our case, with Desiree’s gracious permission, I bought the remaining three. Since one of them had lost a caster and the odd-number of three remained, I bargained with Not Too Shabby owner Vikki Graham and purchased each for $29 a piece — a $30 savings compared to Desiree’s bargain.
Not only did a Carmel shop called Partington Ridge sell a reproduction for $625 a piece, but Val Perez-Ibardolasa, who owns Retro At Home in Emeryville, a chic mid-century modern shop, figured that a vintage set like the one we bought could fetch upwards of $5,000!
The only problem with our chairs? They needed cushions, the somewhat unusual size of 19 inches square. I priced custom cushions at an upholstery shop at $100 — and that didn’t even count the fabric. Determined to find a cheaper solution, I was amazed to find fabulous, retro-style cushions in orange and brown floral at JC Penny for a sale price of $19.99 a piece! I bought a second set to keep in reserve. I kept the chairs in their bronze-green patina, set them under my orange tree and admired the scene. Perfect for a spring afternoon with a glass or lemonade or an evening glass with a glass of wine.
Well, Desiree, you’ve seen mine. Now show me yours! And let our readers decide whose they like best. Don’t worry. We can handle it. Like Lucy and Ethel, they remained great friends, no matter what.

**********

By Desiree Northend

The gauntlet has been thrown–a challenge.  Well, this girl never backs down from a challenge.  Slightly competitive–you betcha! (Please no Sarah Palin references). It’s a family trait I’ve passed down for better or worse. Just ask any kid of mine.
Now, Julia — my wonderful partner in crime at Looikiloos — seems to think she is the only one who can appreciate fretwork.  I didn’t realize I had broken the cardinal rule “Thou shalt not admire fretwork, if your Lookiloos partner has already claimed it.”  That was my faux pas. Besides, as you can see, there was plenty of fretwork to go around and I was only too happy to share in the bounty. Take a deep cleansing breath, Julia.
As soon as I saw the chairs, I knew I had to have them.  I have wanted outdoor iron furniture since my boys were in their fort-building phase and demolished those old, nylon folding lawn chairs. I wanted something substantial, something that could really take a beating and still look fabulous when not in use as the corners of a castle. What really drew me to these particular chairs was the high wing back shape as well as that fretwork. But I wasn’t wild about the color — a muddy bronze. And they needed cushions. I consider myself a crafty type, so to complement the wrought iron fence in my backyard, I pulled out a can of gloss black spray paint and went for it. I first considered sewing my own cushions, top and bottom, with fabric I purchased years ago from reprodepot.com. But when Julia told me she found the perfect size bottom cushions in a variety of colors at JC Penny, that was too good to pass up. I bought the last four poppy-colored ones. (I hated to tell her that when I went,  the cushions were on close-out and I got them for 40 percent less than what she paid. But, she did get the chairs at a cheaper price, so we’re even right?) I made my own top cushions with my own favorite fabric, fluffed them up a bit, and now admire the whole set from my kitchen window.  At the end of the day, I think we both did pretty darn well. Don’t you? Please leave a comment and let us know your opinion.

Here’s the complete slideshow:

Charming cottage on Willow Glen Home Tour

The annual Willow Glen Home Tour on May 1st and 2nd promises six  beautiful homes this year — and UPDATE — we just gave away two pairs of tickets — one to Jackee and one to Beth. Still, it is a not-to-be-missed tour and proceeds go to a good cause.  Grab a few girlfriends and enjoy a day meandering through a remodeled craftsman with a fabulous outside living area, a storybook cottage of stone and wood, a chic bungalow and a traditional Willow Glen home filled with antiques and collectibles. 

Thanks fof leaving comments explaining why you should win a pair (are you a lookiloo extraordinaire?).

The tour supports the San Jose Day Nursery that provides subsidized early care and education to low-income families.

Tickets, at the pre-tour price of $30, are available at the following San Jose businesses: 

• Domus, 1395 Lincoln Avenue, on the corner with Minnesota Avenue;
• Eclectic Touch, 1171 Lincoln Avenue;
• Willow Glen Home and Garden, 1123 Lincoln Avenue; and
• Able Printing, 1595 Meridian Avenue at Hamilton Avenue. 

 Tickets, the dates of the tour, may be purchased for $35 on the corner of Lincoln and Minnesota Avenues, in front of Chase Bank.

All proceeds from the tour are dedicated towards renovating the original electrical elements of the clubhouse and expanding its capacity to meet the needs of the 21st century. The group’s goal is to make the San Jose Woman’s Club a performing arts venue for the city by upgrading the stage lighting and heating system, and adding air conditioning and wiring for modern technology. You can buy tickets here or  Lookiloos is happy to offer two pairs of tickets to see these spectacular homes.  So, if you’d love to see these wonderful homes all you need to do is leave a comment.  Tell us why you are a “Lookiloo”.  The tour is Saturday, April 24th from 10 am to 4:30 pm. We will announce the winner Friday April 23rd at 5:00pm.