Happy Saturday, friends!
It’s time for the weekend post with Elizabeth and Kim, our weekly roundup of inspirations and goings on. Today I’m sharing Vol. 2 of the things I’m eyeing and buying for the new house. But first,
The spring-like weather I bragged about last weekend came to an abrupt halt and it’s been raining off and on all week. And, it’s cold.
Predictably, siding material for the house was delivered the day before it started to rain, so that project is delayed. But there’s still plenty going on. Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC are full steam ahead. And the pressure’s on for me to make final material selections. To that end, all the interior and exterior light fixtures were ordered this week. Yay.
Rendering by Ashley White for Eye for Pretty
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The death by 1000 decisions phase of the project continues, and Jim’s been calculating and recalculating placement for the pot filler over the range. We’ve gone round and round about it and he made me go over there to sign-off on the final decision … so if there’s a screw up it’s my fault. I see you, Jim.
Meanwhile, I’m second guessing just about every decision made to date including the white paint color for the downstairs living spaces. More on that later.
By the way, I’m wearing my new Tom’s platform espadrilles which, if I didn’t already mention it, are true to size. Should I be wearing them on a construction site on a rainy day. No. But, they’re super cute and I couldn’t help taking them for a test run.
A quick word about the Olympics, can you believe this is the final weekend? Too soon. I’m still smiling about Alysa Liu’s long program which was so inspiring and full of joy. Did you know she’s a Bay Area gal? Not to brag but the Bay Area can claim six Olympic skating medalists … in addition to Alysa, there’s Kristi Yamaguchi (’92), Debi Thomas (’88), Brian Boitano (’88), Charlie Tickner (’80) and Peggy Flemming (’68). Did I leave anyone out?
Back to Alysa … her music choice (why don’t all skaters choose Donna Summer?), glittering gold costume, and the ease and joy she brought to her performance … it was magic. And how about our woman’s ice hockey team? Impressive. I can’t wait for tomorrow’s men’s ice hockey final … I’ll be up at the crack of dawn to watch. And then it’s over until the Paralympic Games begin March 6. It’s been a wonderful distraction.
Enough chit chat, let’s get to it … things I’m Eyeing and Buying for the New House, Vol. 2 ~
Samplize Peel & Stick Paint Samples
What did we do before Samplize Peel & Stick Paint Samples? Well … we held up postage stamp size paint chips or bought quarts of paint colors and painted them onto walls, or poster board, with little sponge-like tools provided by the paint store. Thank goodness those days are over.
Anyway, in an effort to choose a white paint color for the Folly’s main living spaces, I ordered a bunch of swatches and took them over to the house to stare at them in various rooms, lights, and alongside our cabinet colors. It’s amazing how different a color can look in the same room from one wall to another and depending on the time of day … or season.
If you’re not familiar with Samplize, they offer peel and stick paint samples for Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, and Farrow & Ball paint colors. The swatches come in two sizes … 9 x 15 (what I ordered) and a larger format 15 x 18. They’re also fast, I ordered in two batches and both were delivered the next day (I didn’t pay for overnight shipping). Instead of peeling and sticking I use painters tape so I can move them around. Once the drywall is up I’ll go through the process again.
Loleta Hand-Knotted Rug
Last month I published Vol. 1 of my eyeing and buying series which included a couple of Serena & Lily rug options for our downstairs guest room/den. If I haven’t already mentioned it, I’m going to color drench the room in Snowberry’s front door and library color … Oval Room Blue.
I visited Serena & Lily’s Design Center to see the rugs in person and it turns out neither is right. Not to worry, I fell in love with the Loleta rug and it’s already arrived and waiting – impatiently – for the house to be finished.
Serena & Lily’ Spring Design Event is on, aka 20% of everything sale. I shared all my favorite Serena & Lily pieces from Snowberry here.
The South Seas bar cart I mentioned in Vol. 1 also arrived (I’m loving it’s dark finish) and instead of moving it to storage I put it into service as the Folly’s design center, corralling all my swatches and samples.
Mulholland Bed
I took advantage of the President’s Day sale to buy McGee & Co.’s Mulholland bed. I’d planned to purchase the same RH Jameson bed we had at Snowberry, but it’s discontinued. It’s a more traditional style and I loved its curved headboard. Curved headboards aren’t that easy to find right now with so many furniture manufactures, like RH, leaning hard into the sleek and modern. Maybe it’s no longer working for them because someone at the RH store told me a more traditional line will be arriving later this year.
Anyhoo, the Mulholland bed was the closest I could get to the bed I was looking for … you can see Snowberry’s primary bedroom here.
Can I tell you a secret? The blue velvet upholstery on Snowberry’s bed was a disaster. I mean, we have two white dogs … what was I thinking? I chose a light, alabaster fabric for the new bed and will bring color into the room in other ways.
Maison Nightables
Also for the bedroom, I’m eyeing RH’s Maison nightstands in the antiqued coffee finish.
We had the same nightstands at Snowberry in antique white, a finish that’s no longer offered. It’s probably for the best because with the new bed is lighter, darker nightstands are probably warranted. Still, I’m not completely sold on the finish and I’m keeping my options open. You know what they say, if you don’t love it it’s a no.
And, no, I’m not repeating everything from Snowberry in the new house. But I am bringing some elements that I loved and worked well for us.
Credit: Jessica Brydson Photography
Ridley Train Rack
The Folly’s guest bathroom is compact and we need to maximize storage space. The layout is exactly the same as Snowberry’s guest bath, but the window is quite a bit bigger and sits too low to place a towel bar underneath.
This train rack with double towel bars is the perfect solution to place over the toilet to hold folded bath towels and additional hand towels.
Ok, some people are concerned about towel bars or racks next to, near, or over a flushing toilet. I’m not, because I’m militant about closed toilet lids (just ask my nieces). Open toilet lids are vulgar and offensive IMHO and everyone at my house is well trained to close it before flushing … and to keep it closed at all times. Hell hath no fury like me walking by a bathroom – in my house – with the toilet lid left up. Aren’t you glad we had this chat?
Rattan Baskets
The Folly’s laundry situation will be a little different. It’s not a room, and it’s not a closet … exactly. It’s located just inside the entry to the primary bathroom and directly across from Jim’s closet. The stacked (one unit) washer dryer will have retractible doors, but the shelf space and folding counter to the right will be open and I’m eyeing these large rattan baskets, for the bottom shelf, to function as hampers.
Rattan Basket | Eye for Pretty Rendering
I posted a tour of the Folly to my Instagram … grab a coffee or cocoa, it’s a few minutes long.
Odds & Socks ~
Why big fashion doesn’t dress Olympic figure skaters … fascinating, and worth the effort to get to the free tier to read.
It’s been very cold and my hands are very dry, I’m on my second tube of this really good hand cream.
All roads lead to private equity (some of them may surprise you) or why everything costs more but works less. Currently living this reality at the pied-à-terre.
Kim and Cindy are back with their Signature Style series and this month they’re talking about sneakers. Read Kim’s Sneakers with Style and Cindy’s Sneakers Every Woman Over 50 Needs.
You’ll thank me for this recipe.
Local friends … great news. You know the local author I’ve been championing? The one who was a 20+ year – wildly popular – pop-culture columnist for the Bay Area Newsgroup (the column that we all read), the one who wrote a very poignant – and very funny – book about his downward slide into alcohol addiction, the one who couldn’t get local book stores to support his book, the one who pens a very humorous Substack? Yes, that one. He’ll be signing books at Barnes & Noble in Walnut Creek next Saturday, February 28th 2-4pm. I hope to see some of you there!
Current Favorites ~
And that’s what I have for you today. If you missed Vol. 1 of things I’m eyeing and buying for the new house you can catch up here.
Let’s see what’s inspiring Elizabeth and Kim.
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I could not get the tour of the folly to play. Maybe the link is broken? Look forward to more updates. Have a great weekend
Nanci! There is something wrong with that ink, I appreciate you letting me know. I had to replace it with a link to my main IG page, but the tour is right there. Wishing you a wonderful weekend! xo
I found it and loved the tour. So exciting to see a dream come true.
Love your Tom’s Espadrilles.
Thank you, Linda! I do too and I’m going to get another pair in a lighter canvas … a great spring and summer go-everywhere with everything shoe. Happy weekend! xo
Oh my! Loving your choices for the folly. I actually like the finish on those nightstands. Just sayin’. You must be closing in on tour design choices. How’s the lighting coming? That is the hardest for me. Those baskets for laundry are a great choice….go for it.
Karen! Thanks for your perspective on the nightstands. I have to say the stain is growing gone me. We placed our lighting orders this week … it’s too late to turn back now. Ha! Happy weekend! xo
Love watching your progress on the folly. Keep thinking I’ll run in to you. Hope you’ll make Bouquets to Art next week- I have several friends who will be in the exhibit.
Read the linked article re/Private Equity. That was a good article I have some personal experience with and completely agree that it’s not good for any of us.
I’m on to pick an off-white for my living room/dining room. It’s all Simply White right now. Wish me luck!
Laurie! I’m leaning Simply White as well. You can’t go wrong, it’s a classic. I don’t know about the Bouquets to Art … I’ll investigate. xo
I take that back, I do know about the exhibit at the Legion of Honor and intended to go. Let me see if I can work it in … if tix are available. xo
Hi Juliet,
I watched your reel on Instagram about the house it is going to be so beautiful!! Also love my new Toms (bought the black canvas ones)thank you for the recommendation, might have to go back for the ones you are wearing!Happy weekend!
Good morning, Francesca! I love the Tom’s and may go back for the black canvas too. And white!!! Happy weekend to you. xo
The PIG on the bar cart! Love him.
Update on the lovely book stack you sent: oh, The Correspondent was fab! My hairdresser was *very* excited to get it handed off to her. I have tasked her with finding the right person to pass it to next. I’m starting Lying Drunk this weekend.
Christine! The pig came from Chateau Sonoma … I adore it. And, The Correspondent … so good. Thanks for the update … happy weekend. xo
Juliet, Love your new Toms. I may need to get a pair. They re cute on you. I think you will love having slipcovers for your dining table. I have nearly the same ones in grey linen now for 8 years and they are unbreakable. Love the kitchen with the shelves and table. Is that instead of an island? Great idea.
I loved when you did a color drenching of your library at Snowberry. I am sure the blues will be pretty in your new one. So glad you found a similar bed. I loved that one you had. I bet you miss it. I think RH has to transition as people are over their never changing inventory of mostly BIG pieces we have seen over and over again. I love the nightstands you found.
The rug is lovely too.
Alyssa is the coolest person and such a role model. We have great legacy of skating here don’t we? My mom knew Peggy Fleming who used to live in town. I have her photo and autograph. She raised two boys in Los Gatos.
I loved the article about PE. So disappointing and more reason to shop small and upcycled, and vintage. I need to try that handcreme too.
Have a great weekend. xo
Oh forgot to say thank you so much for sharing the sneaker post xo
Juliet… Love watching your new home come together. Love all of your choices, esp the rug. Also, I might have buy some Toms – they look so cute on you! Have a great weekend.
Love seeing your selections!! And I’m going to pull the trigger on your espadrilles!!
They’ll be so cute on you! xo
Hey Girl! The PE piece was great. They own the assisted living place where my mom is and the memory care unit next door, where my dad died an unnecessarily nasty death. I hate them.
Oh and the new place is looking fab. Extremely jealous.
PE taking over assisted living, emergency rooms and healthcare practices is distressing and we’re all feeling the downgrade in care. I’m so sorry about your dad. xo
Hi Juliet,
Everything you have selected looks so good. At times you must feel on decision over load. Does Jim have a good feel for color? On certain things it’s so helpful to get second opinions on to confirm what your girly gut tells you.
Your pig is fabulous, cute, with lots of personality too. I like cute pigs. Your bar cart is eye catching, great purchase.
Love the ice skating. Our Oakland girl is adorable, down to earth and has such a relaxed way about her. Beautiful smile. Soooo happy for her. CA rocks with skaters from the past too. Looking forward to the closing.
Take care. You are so good at not letting decision fatigue kill your brain and attitude.
You rock.
Thanks, Katherine … happy weekend! xo
Juliet! I am loving all your choices for The Folly! The idea to color-drench a room the color of Snowberry’s front door is going to be gorgeous!
xx
Thanks, Annie! xo
Juliet, I am sorry to comment so late. Too many things on my plate and distracted by the olympics.
Yeah! Team USA mens and women’s hockey! I was up early as well and had to go to church before the winning goal but I did watch the rerun. I cannot believe Hughes? lost his two front teeth!
The Olympics are a distraction and so fun to watch. I loved it all.
On to the Folly, it looks amazing. You may need to change careers, you are a very talented designer. I love all of your choices, and cannot wait to see them in situ.
Picking paint is like torture to me. I hate it. I have been trying to pick paint for my front door since we bought the house!
Dog hair is a pain, we have the same problem.
Love your new shoes!
I had no idea that you had so many skaters from your area! That’s cool.
Have a wonderful week, stay warm.
xo
Hi Juliet — I am loving following along as you choose things for The Folly! I am generally good at knowing what I want for a home, but I am so glad I got help with the lighting. I still love every light fixture I have. (Not so with the guest cottage, where I made the selections on my own, ha.) In the photo of the white paints, the ones grouped on the left are reading very gray/blue to me. Sometimes taking a photo really helps, I have found. Love the S&L rug — it is singing my colors! And lastly, totally agree with the open toilet lid. Keep it closed! Your new home is going to be lovely — don’t second guess yourself!