#californiadesigners

Californians at Home- San Francisco Designer Mary Ann Pickett

January 20, 2022 By kimwheeler 23 Comments

It’s been a minute since I had a ‘Californians at Home’ post, but we are off to an exciting start in 2022, with my fun and stylish San Franciscan friend Mary Ann Pickett as our guest. Mary Ann is a blogger who writes the very popular, Classic Casual Home which many of you know. She also is a busy designer and mom of two grown kids. She’s had a culturally rich life, living all over the world, and I am excited for her to share her pretty San Francisco hilltop apartment with you and also her style secrets and insights into California living!

Tell us about yourself, Mary Ann.

Thank you so much, Kim, for having me visit today. It’s really an honor to be here with you and your readers!

A little about me…I was born in San Bernardino, California. Both my parents and one set of grandparents were also born in southern California. I went to school in Northern California at the University of Santa Clara and spent some time in San Francisco before meeting my husband Howard in Los Angeles.

Once Howard and I were married, the career moves started. We lived in New York (our daughter was born there), Chicago, Orlando (where our son was born), Paris, Fort Lauderdale, Newport Beach, and finally back to San Francisco.

I’ve always been involved in building and designing our homes but it was in Fort Lauderdale (about twenty years ago) where my decorating business took off after helping one of my husband’s business associates with her home. My sort of “California casual” style was popular there and my client list quickly grew by word of mouth.

What elements define your interior design style?

I love to use elements that have meaning to my clients… incorporated with pretty fabrics like linen blocked prints and updated accessories like lighting. I believe that if you make small tweaks every year or so, you won’t end up with overwhelmingly dated interiors.

How has your personal decorating style been influenced by living in San Francisco.

We live in a 1920’s highrise apartment with a Beaux-Arts feel. There are views of the Bay from practically every room, so I wanted to make the interiors almost an extension of the blues outside.

The French antiques that we purchased when we lived in Paris, fit with the architecture. And personally, I feel like every seat should be comfortable.

What do you love most about your apartment? What do you love the least?

I DO love the views! From the kitchen and dining rooms, you can see the Golden Gate Bridge and from the living room, you can see Alcatraz Island and the eastern portion of the Bay Bridge (especially at night when it’s lit up).

It’s fun to live in a place that tourists value so highly (I love walking my dog, Chief, and helping people with directions)and we have wonderful restaurants that are so convenient.

What I miss is having an outdoor space…even just a small garden. And a barbecue grill would be nice to have again.

What paint colors did you use in the interiors?

All the walls are Benjamin Moore White Dove and the trim is similar to Navajo White. The landlord let us paint the ugly pickled pine cabinets in our galley kitchen Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter.

What is your most recent purchase for your home?

A new narrow tray to update the coffee table …can’t have too many trays!

What is your favorite piece (or pieces) in your home that have meaning to you?

We have a French demi-lune table that was in our childhood home. I asked my mom if I could paint it and she said sure.

We also have artwork from Paris and as I mentioned, some antiques like a bookcase in the dining room that stores dishes and a commode in the foyer that holds all our table linens. Storage is key in a small place!

Can you recommend a few home shops in San Francisco that you love?

Hudson Grace and shopping on Sacramento Street is fun. So is Elsie Green in Concord and Emily Joubert in Laurel Heights/SF.

How would you describe your fashion sense?

I wear clothes like my interiors…classic and casual.

Since I’m only 5’1″ tall, I like retailers with petite sizes (Anthropologie, Banana Republic, J. Crew) but I am not opposed to getting things tailored (something that I learned in Paris as most French women like a good fit).

For my daughter’s wedding last year, I found nice dresses at Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus. I also like comfortable shoes since I do a lot of walking in San Francisco.

Thanks for having me over, Kim! Always a pleasure to spend time with you!

Thank you Mary Ann for opening your home to us and sharing your San Francisco life with us!

You can subscribe to Mary Ann’s blog HERE and Instagram HERE.

Get the Mary Ann look..

Blackbird Camo Birdies, Beaufort Tray, Striped Glass Vase, Jacqueline Pillow Cover, J.Crew Pintuck Shirt, & Mirabelle Rug.

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Visit Mary Ann’s blog, Classic Casual Home today, where she also is having me on as a guest!

If you enjoyed this post you may also like Californians at Home, Cindy Hattersley

Thanks so much for your patience. More Californians to come this year!

Kim

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Suzanne Rheinstein’s Montecito Retreat in AD

March 4, 2021 By kimwheeler No Comments

Suzanne Rheinstein has always been one of my most favorite California tastemakers and designers to follow. Everything she does is uniquely beautiful so I was super excited to see her new Montecito getaway she built for herself , after her husband’s death, in my new Architectural Digest. It was everything I love in a house- part modern, part traditional, and incorporating beautiful landscaping and nature. She started with a 1971 home with some Spanish influences and crafted this beauty and the grounds to her specifications. The full article and more photos, here in AD. Below some of the gorgeousness to inspire you.. Photography by Laura Resen.

The views of the mountains are so pretty. I love that she has a flower arranging room…Love the bags and hats on a peg!

Have you all been to Montecito? It’s one of my favorite small California towns. So much charm and beauty.

UPDATE: Joni, who writes Cote de Texas, one of my favorite blogs , has done a more in depth post on this house- the before/afters and Suzanne’s other homes, and her daughter’s homes. If you are as obsessed as I am you will enjoy it.

Have a good day!

Kim

Californians At Home- Designer Cindy Hattersley

October 1, 2020 By kimwheeler 22 Comments

Today is just the second of my new series about how Californians live at home. Cindy Hattersley, a dear friend and super successful designer and blogger, has been at the top of my list to get for this series. She’s had a lot going on lately, but she kindly took the time to share some of her style secrets.

Not long ago I attended a lunch for our friend Elizabeth at her home and while there I asked Cindy if I could snap some photos. Cindy lives in a very special spot of California, Chualar in the Salinas Valley, ten miles south of the town of Salinas. Chualar was part of an old Mexican Land Grant and her stunning home is nestled in the hills in a private neighborhood. Cindy and her husband bought the property, along with the 10 acres of adjoining open space 30 years ago and did every bit including the amazing gardens while raising their two kids. They have created a sort of oasis out there in the Monterey Spanish Colonial style and have lovingly decorated it with their collections and beautiful antiques.

A little more about Cindy, a Midwestern gal who came to be a Californian. Let’s take a peek inside her California home shall we?

Cindy you grew up in Indiana, but have been in California a long time. How does California influence the way you live and decorate? Do you feel more like a Californian after all these years?

I am a hoosier at heart, but yes I do feel more like a Californian. The weather here allows us so much freedom with bringing the outdoors in. I love having my garden as an integral part of the overall design. Entertaining outside whenever possible, and incorporating natural elements in my interiors as well as when I entertain.

What do you think makes Californians different in the way they live and entertain?

Our ability to entertain outdoors most of the year. There is always something green and or flowering to bring inside our homes and our casual approach to both how we entertain and live. I think we Californians entertain in a style that is approachable and inviting.
SO agree! We are much more casual I think.

I love your home and the personal things along with antiques and beautiful objects make it so unlike any other home I’ve been in. Did you achieve this look organically over time or was it all planned?

Both actually. My husband and I started collecting antiques before we graduated from college. We created a couple of our corner cupboards when we built our home. We have continued to buy and sell pieces over time in order to add to our collection. As you know I am an avid believer in a collected look. I love combining the old and the new to create a harmonious mix. I don’t want my house to look like a museum with collections everywhere. My husband is more of a purist. He would prefer everything to be antique. I prefer more of a mix but always favor something old over something new.

You are a beautiful entertainer are there any tips you can share?

I try to keep the menu simple but tasty.

Is there a favorite dish that is your specialty or cookbook you return to again and again?

I don’t think I have a specialty. I love to cook but cannot and will not bake! I don’t usually prepare a lot of heavy food. I use a lot of fresh ingredients whenever I can. I prepare more Ina Garten recipes than any others. I know any recipe she puts in a cookbook has been well- researched. I am a big fan of hers.

I adore her too!

I know you and your husband are wine people. Tell me what California wine you are loving right now.

My husband loves Napa cabs and we both love the Rhone varietals from the Paso Robles area where we own another home. Personally I like wines that are more food friendly. Pinot Noir is my favorite hands down.

Is there a favorite fragrance or candle you use in your home?

Interesting that you should ask. I don’t care for anything that smells like something baking. I prefer a citrus, or earthy based candle.

Is there a great California shop you love for clothes or home goods or both?

Locally, for home goods I love Tancredi & Morgen, Wisteria, Patine, and Warmth Company. Both Warmth Company and Tancredi carry some interesting clothing items as well. In Paso , AnBe, the Shoe Tree and Bijou for clothing.

What’s the California town or spot you most love in our amazing state?

I love Paso Robles and we are fortunate to live close to the Monterey Peninsula and Big Sur. I love Yosemite and all of the wine regions, Sonoma, Napa, Santa Ynez Etc.

Anyplace your still want to go to here, but it’s on your list?

We have been most places within the State, I guess I would just like to revisit many of them.

Thank you Cindy!

Below a few more photos of Cindy’s home. I think it’s the accessories, mix of color and all the cozy spots make it so special and inviting. Even this etagere in her powder room is just a stunning collection. The food she prepares is also gorgeous as you can see from the photos. Some more glimpses of her pretty spaces. A lot of photos, but I wanted to show you how lovely it is…

Her sweet pup Beau!

Cindy not only has decorating talent, but fantastic personal style too. Every time I see her I am mentally taking notes on what she put together, her cool jewelry, shoes and clothes. She just wrote this post about how she found her own style! I loved it.

If you follow her blog, Rough Luxe Lifestyle, you get a fun mix of design, style and entertaining. I have gotten so many great recipes from her too.

Cindy on Instagram here

Get the Cindy look..

Embroidered Dezi Pillow, Wooden Dough Bowl, Ridge Striped Pillow Cover , Black Wooden Bowl, African Mud Cloth pillow, Oyster Shell Orb, Water Hyacinth Placemats, Glenna White Dinner Plates.

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The next Californians at Home will be sooner and monthly.

Kim

P.S. Even Cindy’s barn is cute!

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A Sneak Peek at Trina Turk Fall

October 15, 2018 By kimwheeler 10 Comments

I have always loved Back to School shopping and fall. Something about the change in the air, the crisp colorful leaves, and the holidays coming make me excited for plaids, soft sweaters and autumn colors. It’s also that time of year when I try to add a few cool new pieces to my wardrobe, so I am excited to be part of Trina Turk’s fall shopping party next Wednesday, October 24, 10-1 in Burlingame. I especially love the fall event which comes at the perfect time for holidays and other special celebrations- and cooler weather. Yay!

I am looking forward to seeing some of you there. Suzanne Bell, my partner in this, is also a Bay Area native and a super stylist- check out her blog- Ask Suzanne Bell. Together we will help you shop and pull together looks for you and find what looks great, plus you’ll get 20% off on your purchase and the boutique will have light nibbles and some drinks while you shop. It’s always a lot of fun for everyone.

Last week Suzanne and I pre-shopped the new collection and played dress up. We spent almost 3 hours there and had a blast finding so many chic things. Below are our most loved of this collection. I am always proud to collaborate with Trina Turk as she’s a California designer, a Northern Cal native gal like Suzanne and I, and many of her clothes are made in California. Her clothes are beautifully constructed, with elegant details and they are the kind of pieces you can collect over the years and go back to year after year and still adore. I have collected a few treasures each year and still wear all of them. Come and see the clothes in person if you can and bring a friend and have lunch on Burlingame Avenue, one of my favorite places. Now on with the show…

Wraps and ponchos are perfect for California fall weather and we loved the two on the top blog pic, which we wore wrapped, but you can wear them down as ponchos. So versatile and cozy.

Suzanne’s was a beautiful soft deep blue and I choose the plaid with my khaki. I’m ready for my cameo on Outlander now. (Is anyone else obsessed with that show?)

Speaking of plaid let’s go with that theme for a minute…

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The Home Reno Has Begun!

July 12, 2018 By kimwheeler 13 Comments

How is your summer going? We were away on vacation and last week, two days after we got home, we moved into a rental house while we renovate for the next 6 months. It had been ten years since we have moved and I had forgotten how much work there is. GAH! I’m still recovering. My son Jackson and I were saying that moving should be required for everyone every decade as it really makes you evaluate what the heck you own and are living with, you know? Moving requires you to acknowledge and touch just about every darn item you possess and even those squirreled away in a closet or garage. It’s a big wake-up call. I thought I had been good about purging in the past few years, but clearly not at all. My family especially got on me about the amount of pillows and books I own. I love my books, but yes we will be cleaning out more before moving back. The days before the move we took 3 huge loads to donation. It made me really feel guilty about how much ‘stuff’ we acquired. We all vowed to have less.

The house in its true state in the process of packing.. Mr. Cat none too happy.

Empty and sad looking! I loved these built-ins, but they prevented me from using that space in any other way. This- our largest room, was also seldom used as it was blocked by the fireplace wall and not easy to walk into.

The narrow front room below was also the entry point to the house and our tv/family room. We squeezed into here once a couch and chair were in and never really all fit for a movie or game night.

I have shared before about the reno plan, but its actually been an almost 2 year process, where we intended to just do the kitchen, then realized how much we could actually improve the flow of the house. We figured while we were at it, why not do it and also make the whole living space work better? That also grew to include the master bedroom, which will be enlarged by taking over a fourth bedroom that is seldom used.

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Trina Turk Spring 2018

March 17, 2018 By kimwheeler 8 Comments

All of you who read this blog regularly know I am so fortunate to occasionally be asked to do an event in collaboration with California designer Trina Turk. Trina has the most lovely clothing and her beautiful modernist boutique in Burlingame is probably my most favorite spot to shop. I love the people there and I always find something unique to add to the cherished pieces of my closet. I am a bit of a collector when it comes to her things.

This coming Thursday I am honored to host a special spring shopping and styling event at the boutique in Burlingame. The time is 10:30-1, and anyone who pops in will get 20% off of all regular merchandise. I am also excited because I am doing this in conjunction with Suzanne Bell, a very stylish local blogger.

Suzanne writes AskSuzanneBell where she shares all the cool places she shops as well as great finds and terrific style ideas. I have been following her a long time on Instagram and found so many cute things thanks to her great eye. She’s also a local realtor with her husband and a mom and is a lot of fun. Come join us! We will have refreshments and Suzanne and myself will be on hand to help you find a special piece that is just right for you or for an upcoming event or holiday you may have on the calendar.

A few weeks ago Suzanne and I went up to the Trina store in Burlingame and see the latest collection. We had a ball trying things on and taking photos. One thing about the Trina store is the longer you are there, the more you find. Some things that you have to try on before you see how good they look and feel. I love that they get many many collections throughout a season, so there is always something new in store. Trina creates her own fabrics, which makes her clothes so different from many others and they are designed and mostly made in California. When you go to a Trina Turk Boutique you’ll find bags, shoes, jewelry, sunglasses, resort wear and so many other cool pieces she chooses to compliment the clothes. That is why it is an old school boutique experience to me and rare to find now a days. You have to visit even if you cannot get to our event!

Here is a just a small preview of what is now in store at Trina Turk…

Some beautiful floral silks right now with hand painted design. I am in love with these!

The Cattleya dress is even more beautiful in person. This is a stretch silk! The wrap belt was added.

A great pairing here!

Some great sandals, hats and totes for your next getaway!

The lunchbag clutches are fun.

Another great floral in the Amando dress and cool bag. A nice wedding guest look or dinner out dress.

These chambray wrap Odette pants are so comfy and the tank is darling too.

Suzanne loved this Boho dress with gold accents with gold slides.

More vacation essentials.

The Arboretum dress was perfect for Easter and upcoming holidays.

The Springey dress felt great on in silk georgette and is another great getaway dress.

Suzanne, helped by Dana the store manager looked adorable in the Tamika top and palazzo pant!

In the same fabric I loved the Bonita dress which also comes in a dark navy with this floral. This dress looks great on everyone with it’s neckline and sleeves.

I also thought Suzanne looked great in this Anissa stripe and floral dress which could go from pool to cocktails.

This Cayson dress is super casual, but stylish and would be a summer go-to for me.

Another look at the Odette pant which looked great with the Bree top which is the same as the dress above.

I also like the ease of this Kaiko dress in the snapdragon color. So easy to throw on with cute sandals or put the sleeves down and add a boot in cooler weather. It reminds me so much of a early 70s dress my mom had.