Out And About: Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles

On our way to LA last week (for a cruise to Mexico), Alex and the kids surprised me with an overnight stay at the Ace Hotel.  Knowing just how much I admire the work of the design firm Commune, the experience was a perfect early birthday gift for me.  Take a look at a few favorite images of our morning on the hotel's roof deck:

Many, many thanks to Alex, Max, Ben and Zoe for [quite possibly] the most style minded gift ever!

Kitchen Renovation: Part 5

Since my last Kitchen Renovation post, the new ceiling insulation has been installed and the wallboards have been hung, prepped and painted.   Now, the redwood planks that were originally carefully removed are being rehung along the valances and on specific wall areas.  The space is now taking on a familiar feel, although in a more polished and restrained manner.  Take a look:

Up next,  is the sanding and staining of both new and old redwood panels.  I'm grateful for our contractor's eye for detail and patience for working with existing materials.  I can't wait to see how our new kitchen comes together.

Botanical Inspiration: Old Stomping Grounds

Last week, I felt the urge to visit San Francisco's Strybing Arboretum, where I used to volunteer.  Years ago, I worked in its greenhouses, repotting, propagating and pruning its diverse plant collection.  Due to the many micro climates this arboretum is able to host, it is a virtual wonderland showcasing plants from all over the world.  My favorite ones originate from New Zealand and/or are native to California.  Returning to the arboretum reminded me of a very special time in my life and validated my continued passion for plants, which I hope to apply to our garden in the years to come.

'Til Monday: 5 Weekend Favorites

images:  1./2./3./4./5.

Kitchen Renovation: Part 4

After another day of sanding, mending and color mixing we finally came up with the right hue for our concrete kitchen floors!  Now the area we had to refinish is perfectly color toned with the pre-existing concrete flooring.  Originally, our plan was to expose the aggregate in the floor and then apply color to better match the 60+ year old areas, but after much deliberation and stain hiccups we realized that the process of smoothing the floor would be more effective in matching the original color.  So, [for now] the floor in the kitchen area is smooth while the rest of the house is textured.   Someday, if I decide to tackle this again, we'll refinish the rest of the floors.  Or, better yet, the new floor's gradual wear and tear will eventually blend it with the old floor.  Either way,  I'm very pleased with the current results.  Take a look:

Soon after the paint dried, the kitchen project resumed and the floor was covered to protect it.  Once it's uncovered again,  I'll show it to you in its entirety.

MANY thanks to the folks at California Custom Coatings and Prep Concrete for their diligence and determination to ensure our floor turned out just right.