Summer Kick Off: Big Sur

For the past 4 years, we've taken off for Big Sur the day after the children's school year ends to mark the start of their summer vacation!   For 3 nights we camp along the Big Sur River, where the kids catch crawfish while mom and dad chill with a book.  The water, although a bit cold, is quite refreshing whether one is tubing it or not.  Camping really brings out the "kid factor" in our children.  They become even more free spirited, open to meeting new people and simply content to hang around the fire.  This year we invited family and a dear friend making this annual trip more special than usual.  I'm so grateful to be living near such a beautiful place where mountains, rivers and ocean converge.  

I hope everyone has a wonderful summer filled with lots of family, friends and new experiences. Take a look at some of my favorite images from the weekend:

Mood Board: Big Sur Green

The Cass Clutch in Big Sur Green conjures up images of the Northern California coast.  Its cypress and bay laurel trees weathering crisp ocean breezes were the inspiration for the beautiful shade of green.  Whether you're working poolside, toes deep in sand or out and about in a quaint little town, the Cass Clutch is destined to be your "go to" handbag.  

1.  Roberto Del Carlo Sangay Sandel

2. A Pretty Place To Be

3. Hui Hui Scark

4. Verde Suit

5.  The Cass Clutch, Big Sur Green.

Decorating Details: San Fransicso's Decorator Showcase House

For the past 38 years,  the San Francisco Decorators Showcase has provided a canvas for designers throughout California to strut their individual styles.  Each room in the house takes on a different look and feel, and all become equally impressive settings regardless of one's personal aesthetic.

 This year, painted ceilings, layered textiles, bold patterns and brass accents seemed to take center stage throughout the Villa de Martini.    Here are a few of my favorite decorating details:

Evars + Anderson Interior Design

Ann Lowengart Interiors

Ian Stallings

Artistic Designs For Living

Stephan Jones Interiors

Martin Kobus

The Penelope House Project

I was recently introduced to Marcy Simmons the founder of The Penelope House Project, via Instagram.  The Penelope House Project is a fundraising campaign created to help put a stop to domestic violence.  Marcy designed a line of clothing with meaningful printed messages to convey the importance of hope and peace not just to domestic violence victims but to everyone.  100% of the profits are donated to the Penelope House, a battered women's shelter in Mobile, Alabama.  The Penelope House helps victims of domestic violence and their children by providing them with a safe place to stay.  I bought this T-shirt with the message Only Hope and had my assistant, Kendall, model it for us.  I'm truly touched by what Marcy has created and hope you are, too.  Please support her campaign here! 

These are just a few of the designs.  For more choices and styles go to The Penelope House Project site. 

A San Francisco Office Space: Inspired By The Gold Rush

For the past few months, Cocoon Home has been decorating a San Francisco office space for a venture capital firm with a Barbary Coast/Gold Rush theme.  The building is located the part of the city that gave birth to the Barbary Coast, which in its heyday was known as a red light district.  This was also the time the California Gold Rush of 1849 began bringing thousands of miners looking for gold and opportunity, hence the combination of the two themes.

Wanting to pay homage to the area's history and California's entrepreneurial spirit, the partners wanted the space to reflect a bit of its colorful past.  Careful not to go overboard with the themes, Cocoon Home used reclaimed wood, a mix of metals, steam trunks and art that reflected the era as well as modern accents and vibrant botanicals to lend the offices a contemporary feel. Take a look: