Wow! Has it been busy or what? Holy Cow! Last weekend my Rocky made it to the top 16 in State Cup Soccer, then we lost 1 - 0...grrr...Up-side? I have my weekends back! Boy you don't realize how much falls behind when you're gone every weekend...sure fun though. A couple weeks ago I mentioned a nursery I designed for a friend in my Cherry Fabric. Here's pics as promised. It's still missing a few appointments but I'm so pleased. Lots of credit to the new Mom to be, Miss Tina. Tina was involved every step of the way. I love the blue in a little girls nursery...so refreshing.
I couldn't resist taking a picture of her closet with all her tiny, sweet clothes! Can't wait to meet you Baby Ariana!
How To Design Around 11 Soccer Balls...
What an amazingly gorgeous, sunny day! After all the rain, the sun feels so good. The hills are green and the ocean so blue...ahhh...love the Central Coast. I'm looking forward to the long weekend to catch up on the garden and to do some delicious Valentine cooking....of course, that will be after the soccer tournaments...ha, life...
I took this photo of my Mod Moroccan Collection on my front porch, that is, after I picked up, and I counted, 11 soccer balls in my courtyard! What the hec?
I have this collection in my window now next to the new jammies from Pine Cone Hill. This is their Mandarin Collection. So pretty!
Just a reminder...Give Away ends tomorrow the 13th! Enjoy the sunshine everyone!
"Creative Thursday" Inspiration!
OK, today is Friday but I'm writing about Creative Thursday. :-) My amazing friend Christine told me about a fantastic artist name Marisa. Her work is beautiful and adorable at the same time. You instantly sense the warmth of her character in each of her paintings and now she has a new book too! She recently wrote a lovely entry, "Everything Is Going To Be Alright." that is worth reading. We can get through this crazy time if we just stay positive and thankful! Thank you Marisa for sharing your talent, inspiration and gifts with the world.
How adorable is this painting of hers??? Makes me smile.... Have a great weekend everyone!
Citron Comfort!
I've been doing a little shopping....OK, a lot of shopping! I have several new lines coming into boutique for Fall. On previous posts I've talked about the different bedding lines I have to offer (and there are quite a few..... from traditional and shabby chic, to contemporary!) This beautiful, modern bedding is what I have on the floor right now...all the way to the citron Buddah candle! The pillows are embroidered and quite exquisite. You also can not compete with the price. Fantastic! But for Fall I've picked up all kinds of new product, big and small, unique and custom! I'll be posting the new lines as they start to arrive. It's like Christmas in September! Happy Monday everyone!
Modern Fun!
Ahhhhh....Sunday....finally a day to relax....ummmmm....No... :-)
But before the madness of catching up on laundry and cooking and shopping I did grab a few minutes to read one of my favorite magazines, Oprah HOME. There was such an inspirational story about a young designer, Estela Lugo, that I was compelled to check out her website, moderndose.com. Much to my delight, she had some unique items that I found lovely. Below are two of her original creations. Fun, right? Happy Labor Day everyone!
Tile Tattoos!
A little while back I wrote about 2Jane and their decorative adhesive film that is a great fix for that window you would like some light from but need a little privacy. Now they've come out with another clever idea. Tile Tattoos... that's just fun to say! Tile Tattoos are a quick and inexpensive way to dress up that bland tile in your bathroom or kitchen. You can check out the styles they have here. 
Sweet Dreams!
Just when I think I have found them all, I come across another exquisite bedding line that I am so excited to carry at the boutique, Papillon Linens. I'm simply in love with the classic elegance of this line. The mixture of natural materials, cottons and linens, and beautiful embroidery just make my heart sing. No surprise that this line is represented by my same representative of Bella Notte Linens, my other favorite bedding line that makes my heart pound clear out of my chest. (600 thread count, hand died from Italy...purrrrrrrr) Once you have touched and felt this beautiful bedding you can see the value in owning it. I understand that may not be for everyone, but for me I have always strived to surround myself with quality and beauty. Sometimes that meant only having a few items, but I'd rather have a few exquisite items that bring me joy, than a closet full of items I thought I got a good deal on. Simple, elegant design and a houseful of happy people and I'm as content as can be. Sweet Dreams.....M~
Cottage Dreamy!
My good friend, Trish, is an amazing talent! She creates the most beautiful custom crib sets and she is an incredible person to work with...one of those people that "make you look really good". Not only that, she is a beautiful human being, mom, entrepreneur, and friend. I was so flattered when she asked me to send her a piece of my art for her latest photo shoot. Is this the cutest crib set ever? All of her sets have a hidden zipper on the bumper, extra long ties (so you can actually make a bow), 18" skirts and delicious, washable fabrics! This is her latest creation, prrrrr.... You can view her designs on her website, Cottage Dreams and feel all her beautiful fabrics in person at my boutique!
Modern Genius!
I feel very honored to work on a new design project that stands to be one of the most pivotal projects of my entire career. In respect to my client's privacy, I won't say a whole lot about the specifics, but the project itself is as cutting edge as they come. We are shooting to be as green as possible and fully sustained by natural power, solar and wind. There are so many fantastic green products emerging on the market that it has been really interesting researching them all. My approach to the interior design will be very sleek and modern. There is no better website than Trendir to research the latest and greatest in hot new, modern products for your home. (Actually if there is, I'd love to hear about it!) I just love this website and thought you might too!
Rosa's Remodel!
I'm pretty sure it's the Full Moon but all kinds of crazy things are happening! From my laptop crashing to my refrigerator breaking...this has been one wacky week! Posting has been scarce because I'm swamped with design projects and...oh yes...throwing a wedding at my house this weekend!!! (So just an FYI, the boutique will be closed this weekend for the wedding but also the Strawberry Festival in the Village. 150,000 people in our little town! It was just too much for my little boutique to handle last year.) I promised a few pictures of the restaurant remodel I designed in Pismo Beach. There's quite a long punch list to finish (missing granite sills, faux paint, wood trim etc) but you can get a feeling for it from these pics. It is called Rosa's Italian Restaurant, some of the best food on the Central Coast! We basically tore it all down to studs and built back up from there. The bathrooms and the back banquet room are fantastic. I'll post those pics and more when the project is complete! If you're on the Central Coast definitely check it out!!!
(I had to keep the furniture and the carpet but the rest is all new, including the fantastic fireplace, pretty fun bar huh? That's a TV in the back bar mirror baby!) prrrrrrrrr.....
An Inspired Victorian!
Finally, a little quite time to write...so many things going on right now!!! My goodness!! I am so fortunate to work on such diverse projects...! My friend Cindy, fantastic jewelry designer and down right incredible woman, came into the boutique this week to discuss her new jewelry line launching at our May 2nd Spring Celebration Party... Here's what she says to me... "When I feel like my plate is way too full and I'm doing too much, I think of you Mari, and I feel much better!" Compliment? ha ha, no, truth.... what can I say? She's right.... so just when I think running a boutique, designing a restaurant, a house in Edna, a remodel in Corbett Canyon, a Spa in...Paradise..., several little kids rooms, new product designs....um ya...and those three little girls of mine and that incredible husband who helps keep us all together and then some (for sure I found the best guy out there)...
I get a phone call...
"Mari, could you please help me pick the colors for my Victorian? Oh, and they're ready to paint Monday."
I should say "I'm sorry but I simply can't take that on right now.", right?
The thing is, I just adore this woman...she is a former professional dancer back in the day with the likes of choreographer, George Balanchine and dancer, Mikail Barishnakov...we're talking the New York City Ballet here.... how could I say no?
So here's my challenge. I have until Monday morning to create a color palette for this great home. She has given me this incredible hand woven sweater inspired by Monet's garden paintings...and I have to apply it to this house... I'll let you know what happens!
Side note here...I do have wonderful help from my beautiful and talented niece, Shaunah... and tomorrow I won't work, I'll play with my kids, play in my garden, and eat some delicious home made lasagna!!! Balance...right? Have a beautiful weekend!
Blik My Crib!
Spring is in the air! The hills are a magnificent shade of green (my new favorite design color) and it seems like everyone I know has begun their spring cleaning and spring planting! Bill and I are still building our garden fence (because I'd actually like to enjoy the flowers and fruit instead of letting the deer have such a feast)...but it seems like my little project will have to wait just a little longer. That's OK though, because we have finally finished my parents house!!! Yay! OK - not completely done but we are hoping to be signed off by this weekend....so that means a little more time to actually plant some flowers! I'm so excited about it. Speaking of spring flowers, I've been helping a lovely client with her daughter's nursery. She wanted me to paint a silhoutte tree on the wall like the one I did in my boutique but then I found this! I've written about Blik before but since then they have really expanded their design selection. It's a fantastic solution, that's inexpensive and has a big design Wow! (I just put the chandelier in here because I think it's rad!) Off to pick up the girls...happy day everyone!
The Quest For The Perfect Fabric!
So part of why I haven't posted so much lately is because I've been busy working on a little project that is very dear to my heart. During my days I get to work on so many very interesting design projects with many lovely people but at night I work on what I call my "Heart" project. This has been the development of my new fabric line. Throughout the past year I have had many people come into the boutique asking if I had a certain fabric...most of the time I can find what they need, but there have been enough times now where that perfect finish piece just didn't exist or it did and is now out of production. So through much time and research I have found a way to make custom fabric for my clients. The beauty of it all is the marriage of my graphic design background with my interior design that I do everyday. I'm very excited to say I will be testing out my new designs within the next two months! Until then...In my research to find beautiful fabric I came across Joel Dewberry. Produced by the same company that makes Amy Butler fabrics, I think his designs are fresh and hip. You can check out his website here. Joel Dewberry
Paper White Delight!
I have to say Sunday is my favorite day of the week. I don't rest often, but on Sunday I definitely move a little slower. I just walked through Mom and Dad's house and feel very happy at how quickly things are moving along, although they may not think so. I always warn my clients when they are about to embark on a building or remodel project, that there will be frustration. For them it never seems to go fast enough. I know my parents are feeling that which I completely understand. I have to crack up at the latest chalk board post. (I think she meant to write "framers" "Ray" was our framer...get it...ha ha) because the carpenters are just getting ready to start. :-)
On a completely different note; it's time to plant your Paper White Bulbs! I LOVE these for sweet little holiday hostess and teacher gifts. If you plant them now, by the holidays they will be blooming and sweet smelling. You can put one or many in any kind of container, even a plain old jar with a pretty ribbon. Here's the tip. If you put them in small rocks they will only bloom once. If you plant them in dirt, you can use them again. Happy, Restful Sunday everyone!
Design Complete!
Happy Tuesday! I'm here a little late at the boutique this evening because the most lovely new mom, grandmother, and aunt just came in. We put together a beautiful crib set for her new little girl. The really exciting part of the design is something new that I have ventured into. I am now able to produce custom fabrics and I am very excited about all the possibilities that surround that! Here is a rough design we tested. I'm very happy with the quality of reproduction and the fabric...so back to my lovely clients that just came in. We were missing one fabric that would pull the entire concept together. That's when a light bulb went off and I said, "How about I design you that missing fabric?" In this case it turned out to be some pink and brown dots. "Viola" Design Complete! Yay!
Also, here's a delayed, but pretty funny Halloween picture of me and my yummy husband...I mean Frankenstein. OH! All you moms out there have got to watch this video clip....It's awesome and totally hilarious!
cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com
Telegram Tribune - Home!
A few years back I had the pleasure of working with the Fernandez's on their new Tuscan style house in Edna Ranch. Edna Ranch is one of the most beautiful areas in San Luis Obispo County surrounded by rolling hillsides of wine grapes....De-licious! Today it was featured in the Living section of the San Luis Obispo Tribune! They were so kind as to give me credit as the designer and my good friend Ernie Kim was the architect. A lovely couple to work with and a lovely home in paradise! You can read the full article here.
Blue & Green & Yummy All Over!
I am so blessed to live and work in a beautiful place with amazing people. I recently worked with the very talented, Miss Kimberly on her third son's nursery. I have to give her most of the credit because she really worked closely with me on every detail. We started with a beautiful hand painted dresser she had and used it to pull our color palette and inspiration. I painted her a banner above it and her light fixture. The pails are from The Gifted Pail using our same fabric from the bedding and the crib set and diaper stacker we designed was made by my friend Trish, at Cottage Dreams. The valance we designed was made by my very talented seamstress, Lovely LaPrece. We also did a beautiful cradle set made of all MINKY and satin trim....prrrrrrrrr.....yummy! The cradle she bought at my boutique is by Bratt Decor. Thank you Kimberly for letting me come over and take pictures of the rooms and for sharing your beautiful baby with me. It was such a pleasure to be part of such a Magical time!
Store Makeover!
Shaunah, Bill and I worked almost all Sunday to completely redo the boutique. We need to make room for another drafting table so we took everything down...I mean EVERYTHING! and then rebuilt the room from scratch. The pictures don't capture it but the space feels great! We also did a fantastic Safari window with palm trees and lots of big plush jungle animals. The star was a camo crib set I designed out of camo minky fabric and soft chocolate corduroy....makes me wish I had a baby boy! :-) Speaking of little boys, how beautiful is this iron crib from Corsican all dressed in Cowboy bedding? If you're in town, stop on by, meet Shaunah, and check out all our new product!
Mirror, Mirror On The Wall!
We headed down to Santa Barbara this weekend. (see fountain - so Santa Barbara!) I absolutely adore it there. The weather was beautiful and I was excited to pay my respects to my favorite stores on State St. I was really excited to see a new addition to State. There was a new Betsy Johnson store there all dressed in pink. Pink walls, pink chintz, pink roses...it was fantastic. Down the block I had to run in to Anthropologie and check out all the new displays. I've said it before, their visual merchandisers are insanely amazing! Of course I had to go into Z Gallerie which is where I fell in love with a particular mirror that I want to purchase for a restaurant remodel that I'm doing. If not, it's going in my own home...I went to the website and it wasn't there....but how fabulous is this!!! I took a picture in the store. There's never really a day off when you do what I do...I'm always hunting for ideas and for my clients...but how fun is that?
Headboard Re-Invent!
I'm not sure, but this cut-out headboard looks like the one that was on last season's Apprentice (or one of those crazy reality shows where they all have to live together). I love the way they design the suites in those shows...it's usually the latest trends in design. I'm probably the only person who is watching them for the decor! :-) They had these headboards in one of the girls room but they were black...hot, hot, hot. It makes me think of something Deb might be able to create with her fantastic wood cutting abilities. I love seeing a fresh look on something normally so ordinary! You can get this one at Brocade Home.
