A Coastside Makeover

I’m thrilled to share the home of my longtime friend, (and customer) Marianne. Marianne resides in the lovely city of Woodside, in Northern California. She and her husband Mike recently purchased a complete “fixer-upper” in the beautiful coastal city of Laguna Beach in Southern California. This is a second home for them.

This is a wonderful example of how you can decorate your home by letting your personal taste and style guide the way. Marianne did the makeover all by herself (with some help of contractors, of course), but without hiring a decorator.

Marianne’s house was built in 1960 and has a "jaw-dropping" view of the ocean from her deck and courtyard. Okay, I'm a bit jealous...

'BEFORE' photo of the livingroom with knock-off laminate flooring...

Another 'BEFORE' livingroom shot...

'AFTER' photo of the livingroom

Marianne wanted to create a color palette based on bringing the 'ocean view' into the house. The brown/espresso colors for the sand, and pops of blue for the sea. 'Sisal Stitch' berber carpeting replaced knock-off laminate flooring. Most accessories in the home are brass, gold gilt, aqua blues, tortoise & Capiz shell.

The interior/exterior "Coffee Kiss" wall paint was from the "Manor Hall Collection" by Pittsburgh Paints. The trim; Benjamin Moore Paints "White Dove."

This vintage ship painting and palm tree torchiere lamp are from Paris Hotel Boutique...

A vintage seascape oil painting from FrenchBlue & Co...

Marianne loves the 'Hollywood Regency' look and found this fabulous c. 1960's cabinet on eBay. Perfect for her So Cal 1960's house!

Marianne added some of her favorite accessories, including a pair of brass swans and a vintage blue glass vase. She plans on putting a large flat screen TV above it.

I adore this Mid Century sofa. Marianne loves the Moroccan look and this Regency piece makes a great statement! Simple, yet sleek!

A leopard rug adds a nice touch to the sisal; a fun 1960's brass rotating glass top coffee table; a pair of brass barrels function as stools or decorative accents...

The dining room has a glass top table with a fabulous vintage Asian gold leaf screen. A centerpiece of fun vintage brass accessories...

Marianne recently purchased these faux bamboo mirrors from Paris Hotel Boutique. Marianne loves them in this spot because they reflect the ocean view through the dining room windows. So exciting to see things I've sold in someone's home. Thanks Mare!

Another great find...a vintage glazed ceramic faux bamboo lantern...

This fireplace needs some TLC...

'BEFORE' photo of the kitchen. Since the project had to be designed, purchased and shipped long distance, everything was based on measurements and memory...

'AFTER' photo of the kitchen. All new cabinetry, counters, appliances and flooring...

I believe this was the refrigerator...

Aha! Now look how lovely!

'BEFORE' photo of the bedroom. Looks a bit dull, doesn't it?

'AFTER' photo of the bedroom. Sticking with Marianne's espresso theme... instead of playing it safe as many do, she adds a pair of vintage aqua lamps on top of a pair of black vintage style nightstands to give the room a pop of unexpected color.

A wonderful Mid Century Dorothy Draper chest and a Regency style chair...

LOVE these chairs!

'BEFORE' photo of the guest bedroom...my, it's a bit tired looking...

and 'AFTER'...some swanky palm leaf bedding with Art Deco furniture...

Marianne and Mike's home is still a work in progress. I think they have done a fabulous job in creating a comfortable beach home that reflects their taste and favorite objects. That's really what decorating is all about, isn't it?

Thanks Marianne and Mike for sharing your lovely home with all of us!

A sunset view from Marianne and Mike's coastside home...6581987838180236744

Karen's House of Curiosities

Above: Antique French zinc flames with custom bases flank the fireplace mantel
Above: Antique French shop clock
Today I had the pleasure of having lunch with my dear friend and customer, Karen. I had asked Karen some time ago if I could share photos of her fabulous apartment in San Francisco. And yes, she agreed! Karen's home is a labor of love and treasured objects. Hope you enjoy the tour!

{Lynn} Karen, tell me about your love of vintage and antique items.

{Karen} There is not a single object that doesn't have a story behind it or that wasn't purchased from friends or antique shops/flea markets. I've never gone to Macy's to buy a single piece of furniture.

Above: Collection of antique cashier's boxes. The most special is a military box that Karen purchased in London on September 11th right before she heard about the World Trade Center. The crown was part of signage from Bang & Olefsen in Union Square, San Francisco
Above: Natural curiosities under bell jars
Victorian brass butterfly from De Vera in San Francisco
Fabulous one-of-a-kind shell ring by designer, Mesi Jilly
What started your interest in antiques?

My Grandmother and Mother were big time antique collectors in Colorado where I'm from. Mom was on a shoestring budget so she refinished her own furniture to save money.

Karen wanted these (above) vintage French Louis style chairs upholstered in an "Hermes" orange and her decorator custom dyed them three times to get the correct color. Aren't they amazing?
Karen custom made this coffee table from and old casket stand. Her Grandfather was a mortician and so she thought it would be suitable for her abode!
Above: Collection of vintage black & white family photos
Collection of vintage San Francisco bus rollsigns. Karen was kind enough to loan me the 4th one!
When did you start buying your own antiques?

I started with my friend in the 1980's going to local flea markets.

Above: This vintage Italian beaded chandelier was one of Karen's early finds
Karen's bedroom with her prized crown collection
Karen had museum armatures custom made for her antique French crowns
Another antique crown
Above: 19th Century French dress form store display, painted porcelain Virgin Mary from Karen's Grandma, antique sailor's chest from Timeless Treasures in San Francisco
Above: Antique French laurel leaf award wreaths add a touch of whimsy to Karen's bedroom door

What was your first purchase?

A 19th Century map of Paris.


Eiffel Tower Collection and 19th Century Map of Paris

Stacks of books, books and more books! Karen has a huge collection of them.
Above: Marie Antoinette collectible cup from the recent exhibition
Above: World War II English nurse's hat bucket
What are currently some of your favorite finds?

I started collecting anything French, then I got into religious items including crowns and Santos, and now I'm loving Africana and going a little more modern and bold.

Karen's kitchen is her French Provence room filled with assorted antique French enamelware
Above: 1940's French farm magazine (part of a collection)
Karen's dining area which includes fabulous 1940's French Louis-style chairs upholstered in their original white leather, an antique Italian hand painted screen and a vintage beaded ship chandelier
When Karen first spotted one of these early beaded ship chandeliers, she became obsessed with it. Luckily for her, she found one years later in an antique shop. She bought it right away!

3453367790121504371