Inspiration Right Under My Nose...

I used to surf almost every morning - that little ritual along with many others, as you know, have gone the way of the dodo bird while we've been working on Museville - but for the last week, once again, I've been heading back down the road, lured by the soft morning song of the sea. You can only ignore it for so long, unless, of course, you are a landlubber

-- which I clearly am not.

I am so lucky to be able to see this on a daily basis, and the early mornings with the lingering sheer bank of clouds and fine mists of sea spray are my favorite. That perfect touch of grey that is washed over everything, giving it that time-worn and slightly ethereal feel that I love more than anything.

This is my favorite beach sort of morning. You can keep the bright and intense - I'll take the soft, serene and muted over that, anytime.

So, I've been really having a difficult time making up my mind in regards to the bathroom and kitchen in the Main House. You should see my file. It's exploding, and has no direction, because I just can't make up my mind. Indecision. My nemesis. So I wait until it comes to me - and come to find out, it's been with me all along.

I love elements of this bathroom - the soft natural light - the rawness of the hardwood floors - and the soft, beautiful colors of my beloved sea.

And then, there is is gorgeous kitchen Joni shared on her blog a while back - it's perfect. Organic, old mixed with new - soft muted earthy colors, and those counter tops... to die for.

Sometimes when you can't make up your mind, you just need to slow down and stop trying so hard. It will come to you, because the answer has really been there
all
along.

And what a gorgeous answer it is.

With the kitchen and bathroom visions now at least there in broad brush strokes -- everything in Museville now has direction. It's just a matter of making it happen. PTH and I have to dig deep and go in for another big push.

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Updates soon.

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photos 1, 2 and in collages by yours truly. Photos 3 & 4 unknown source found in my files. Photo 5 from Joni Webb's Cote de Texas.

Golden Days of Summer

The special beauty of the fading summer is being painted by mother nature around here -- the long, hot days are starting to be bookended by a faint crispness in the air at dawn and dusk - Fall is on the horizon, and to those that pay close attention can hear her calling.

The beach grasses have thrown seed to the wind and dance in their best gilded gown in the morning sun of summer's end. The tourists will be going home soon.

While tourist season has been in full bloom, we have taken to the earliest and latest hours of the day to visit the beach - avoiding the crowds - and we are able to enjoy the most spectacular gilded shows of living art without distraction or crowds.

With coffee in hand, I appreciate the solitude-- the only hustle and bustle around here are the hungry sandpipers chasing the fleeting waves for their breakfast and the occasional jogger. It's so nice and peaceful. I am ready for tourist season to come to an end.



I easily lose myself within the sounds of the gentle crashing of the morning waves -- the heartbeat of the world -- I clear my mind and enjoy the cool sand between my toes - the sultry, slightly briny air - the occasional cry of the gulls - and the rhythmatic lapping of the waves at the shore .. the beginning of the end of summer ...


here in the land of endless summer...

Do you hear Fall whispering to you, yet?

I am Utterly Smitten

... with this raw and romantic faerie tale loft that I saw over at Apartment Therapy. I love everything about it - The fact that this home is a converted 1936 factory warehouse makes it even more delicious -- and that they left the spaces raw -- concrete floors, original columns, exposed duct work, "ready for creative expression".

And express she did. It's just gorgeous.

"The space is soaring, with clerestory windows up to 28 feet, and a wall of original factory windows running 24 feet across the back elevation. Entering my place, to me, is like entering a fairytale, with 16-foot taffeta silk curtains puddled on the concrete floor, salvage finds from old European churches, military bases and schools, along with the latest Italian design."

"The best way I can think to describe my place is like an ongoing sculptural installation, with ever-changing expression, depending on my mood and inspiration."


Speaks right to my little Artistic heart and everything that i love -- well, all but two things. 1. It's in Georgia, and not California, and 2. It's not mine. hee.

Happy Weekend lovely ones!
xo Isa

photos and quotes - Apartment Therapy and owner Caryn Grossman

My Personal Pied Piper...

plays the most intoxicating tune ... it lures me like no other. While California is dreamy, and I do love living here - France pulls on my heart like an old lost love - and yet I've never been there. The same visions tug at me and

always include

cedar-lined

drives.

I can just smell the sun - hear the gravel crunch underfoot, and the wind as it gently blows through the silvery green leaves of the Olive trees as I make my way up the driveway -

Destination -

this house

of

my

dreams.

My favorite landscaping - elegant in its simplicity - creeping fig wandering up the ancient stone walls of the faded yellow house... a heavy and enormous arched wooden door.

Urns, Olive pots, simple and tidy hedges - gorgeous against the faded beauty of the house... my house!


A yard with a simple pool and my favourite green and white, dappled with stone pieces here and there...



With just enough order and balance - not too much --
and views that go on for days.



And then there are the heart-stopping rangy gardens, with just enough color for me -- kept just tidy enough -- that flank a windy gravel path which leads, of course, to the perfect book reading destination - some beautiful bench to sit and take in all of the loveliness -
oh
to
dream.



Yes, it's a love song quietly and continually played by my personal pied piper. It's haunting melody carries on the breeze, across the miles...

... and my soul quietly answers.

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Happy Weekend.

xo Isa

Treasure Seekers Rejoice!

Peek in over at Greyfreth sometime on Sunday (maybe earlier!) -- The shelves, nooks and crannies are going to be filling up as we load in all the new finds all weekend long --

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Here's a little sneak peek for the curious --

You can click on the photo to enlarge it.

It's coming along! Yes, indeedy.

Garden in a Tea Cup

I love this photo. Pure happiness, isn't it? I have no idea where I got it, but as I clean off my desktop, I wanted to save it somewhere.

Now you can enjoy it, too.

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Back to the salt mines .... SO much to do, so little time. How does this always happen? Once Museville is put (mostly) together and Greyfreth is further along, I really need to reassess how little time I have allotted for myself. I think it's a plight many of us face!

Must carve out more ME time.

Enjoy this glorious summer day!

xo Isa

Purple Mountain's Majesty...

More dreamy California for you

-- wine country style.

75 miles North of San Francisco, located at the gateway of wine country - sits this magnificent 640 acre "ranch".

There is the gorgeous main house --

glorious and perfect for entertaining.

The quintessential Sonoma home.

One of several residential buildings on the property - did I mention that before? Besides the main house, there is the summer house (or guest house), the cabin, the art studio, and a barn ... and of course, this picture perfect pool.


Faerie tale grounds that are situated in redwood forests, oaks


with glorious mountain views

Words truly fall short in trying to describe this sort of natural beauty.

Very short.

The barn -- known as the "hobby barn" is 2 levels with a bath, "and is surrounded by a terraced amphitheater garden that supplies an abundance of fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables to the ranch."

Nestled down in the redwood grove of the ranch, you'll find "the cabin". Rustic and romantic, the redwood and Douglas Fir cabin was originally built in the 40s and was later renovated in the late 90s.

Perfect for a weekend guest, there is a wood burning stove, a small kitchen, and what ever guest needs -- an indoor/outdoor stereo system... all the creature comforts of home, right?

600 square feet of comfort and joy.

For a larger number of guests - there is the summer house --

The Victorian style guest house offers stunning mountain and vineyard valley views - and like the rest of the ranch -- total comfort.

A full kitchen...

and 4 sweet bedrooms. ... Are you ready to come visit, yet?

For close friends that visit often - or for a little getaway yourself, close to the Main house is the little Art Studio.

My teenager would claim this immediately as his own.

Since there are so many other guest houses on the property, I'd probably give in to his wishes.


Lovely beyond words - this little paradise in California wine country - the "American Tuscany" happens to be for sale...

I could definitely get used to this ride home...
yes, indeed.

property and photos through Sotherbys.

Extraordinary within the Ordinary...

Sunday treasure hunting - and I struck gold - or so it seemed

to me,

anyway.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder - I was mesmerized.

And all of this old stuff just makes my heart race ...


I dream about having these chairs ...

And one can never have too much Ironstone...

Chippy is delicious, and the light - magical - oh so perfect.

Grates that look like artwork...

Stars that are earthbound but still twinkling...

Temple Bells that are aching to ring once again... They will be happy in my Olive tree.

Gates that should swing - and so they shall.

Jars that tell a story ...

A sea of glass -

Older is better in many, many cases...

The afternoon light gracefully danced across the textured surfaces of these old door plates -- creating a masterpiece of molten metal hues --

and brought out the best of their delicious textures --

stunning.

Treasures all around -- waiting for those with the eye to see them --

singing out

to

be

taken

home.

I happily obliged.