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Weekend – The Cropped Trench, Mom Things and Patio Inspiration..

May 12, 2023 By kimwheeler 18 Comments

On this post, the cropped trench, some ideas for refreshing the patio, and Mother’s Day thoughts..

How’s your week been? We are finally getting nice California days and it’s lovely..After all this bad weather the one thing I am thinking of right now is getting my yard pretty so I can finally enjoy it. I think next week I’m putting in my tomato garden. For this Mother’s Day weekend I really want to be able to sit outside and enjoy my yard with a book! I need fresh outdoor pillows and a few pretty plants in the back and front to get it looking spiffy.

On My Radar

Mark D Sikes.. I talk a lot about his garden, but it’s so pretty and I am always using it for my inspiration since I have an old crumbling brick patio that can’t be replaced.. His use of creeping fig, boxwood, and topiary is so good..

I often tell myself I’m just a few garden stools and terracotta pots away from Mark perfection .. LOL. Well, a girl can dream.. Here’s a few affordable ideas to get the look..

I just found these outdoor pillows in the stripe. They aren’t garish like so many outdoor pillows can be. I think the white with brown stripe and the navy are very Ralph Lauren, and a decent price for a pair that will withstand the sun and water. Stripes are always a classic.

I also like this IKAT pillow in pretty blues. Could be a good foil for the stripes..

I love the shape and design of these garden stools . The price is good and wouldn’t these be cute flanking a front door or on the patio between chairs-or just placed in the garden along a path? There is also this one, this cool green, this creamy modern one and a pretty deeper blue.

These scalloped terracotta pots from Pottery Barn would be adorable in a few sizes on a table with herbs, or a larger one with hydrangeas or geraniums. If you want to go even more affordable, get the basic ones from a garden center and paint them with a little yogurt… leave them outside for a few days and they form that green white aged look.

I have told you guys I do not recommend furniture at Homegoods, but this outdoor tray table is an exception from Caribbean Joe ( clearly a Tommy Bahama wanna-be), and was one of my favorite little purchases last year. I folded it up and took the tray off during the winter to store it in the garage. After last summer in the sun, it looks just as good now as it did when I bought it. Very nice for cute plants or to hold drinks and food.. Would be chic indoors too.

The cropped trench

By now you know I am a jacket fan, and a lot of you are too… I just shared how flattering a short jacket can be on the summer wish list post. Another darling is the cropped trench. I saw a friend wearing one the other day and on the same day another stylish girl was in one- and suddenly I was thinking how do I not have this item?

I ordered this Anthro one in the tan in a small petite and got it in two days, surprisingly.. It runs slightly big.

The Anthro cute option comes in a mint and a tan ( also standard, petite and plus)and I am in love with the ties on the cuffs.

Here are a few other options I sourced if you like this trend, which I think is just right for summer and especially good for travel.

Many are on markdown like this BCBG one a great price at The Rack.. and this by Bagatelle...in black or tan

Banana has a new one in black linen and this Club Monaco classic is still available in a few sizes on Amazon..

Mother’s Day

My women friends have been like family and I am so grateful for their presence in my life. When I think of Mother’s Day, so many of my friends are like moms. Women tend to be the carers in life and deserve appreciation and thanks- biological moms or not. My husband’s sister has been wonderful to my sons.. and so has his step-mother. So has my close friend Ani. So many wonderful people.

I believe in the U.K. they have Mothering Sunday and I love the sound of that. It seems more like an appreciation of nurturers, which this holiday should be! So if you have friends that are like a mother, let them know how much they are appreciated too..

And if you are a mom, for goodness sakes, give yourself the day you really want. For me it’s chilling at home- in the yard. I will be reading a book and I told Max I would love him to make home made pizzas in his oven. It took me way too many years to say what I really want in life. When my kids were small I rarely had a day to do just what I wanted and if I could go back, I would have done that a lot more. We need to be more attuned to what we want and ask for it! It makes you a happier mom and wife too.

My Mom

How are you all celebrating Mother’s Day? To me, it’s a bittersweet time because I think about my own mom and how much I wish she was here still! It’s been 8 years since my mom Suzanne passed away, and I feel like she missed so much. She was the best mom and took every opportunity to let us know how much she loved us… That unconditional mom love stays with you, even when they are gone, but sometimes I just wish she was still here to call on the phone..

My mom was born in Milwaukee and came to California in her 20’s. She loved it here and never left except for a few visits back when we were kids.. She hated travel, but loved her beautiful house and all the small things that make up your day. She loved her cats, cookbooks, and music. We grew up listening to the best albums – all the great 1960’s and 70’s soul, and also Barbara Streisand, and Carly Simon. My mom loved the color yellow, daffodils, and Charlie perfume…

I love this pic I recently found at my dad’s. My brother Peter and I were in college- late 1980’s. My mom looks so cute and stylish.

Most of all, she was a huge cheerleader to all of us. When I would call her to stress about school or child problems, she would always say, honey they are going to be fine. ‘They are good boys, these things will be nothing some day. All will work out. You’re doing a great job’… It was always so calming. She didn’t sweat the small stuff. In her obit, we said mom believed the little things were the big things- like sunshine, morning coffee and phone chats. I miss her hugely.

Mom’s Demand Rallies this weekend

This weekend so much is happening, but as you know, I’ve been following and trying to participate in the Moms Demand Action grassroots group. Right now, they are trying to support an assault weapons ban. This weekend they are joining Students Demand and Everytown for protests and days of action in Mountain View, Palo Alto, also in Golden Gate Park, in Walnut Creek, and in the San Jose Rose Gardens. All around 10-1 this Saturday. More details here for events all over the nation. Please share and join if you want change to the way people are living with so much gun violence in America. These events are for everyone- men, kids and families too.

Meet me at my Rails event..

If you missed it- this Saturday I am also going to be at the new Rails at Stanford Shopping Center! They are having a special Mother’s Day Event with 20% off and a gift with purchase all day.. I adore this store and the beautiful California clothes. If you aren’t familiar, it’s a great time to pop by and check out the offerings for men and women. I will be there 11-12:30 today, Saturday the 13th. Please come by and say hi! It is a good time to get something for summer or a Mother’s Day gift for you! Hope to see some of you there.. You can check out the collection here online too.

If you missed this week’s white denim post, I joined a chic group with ideas and good ideas for styling white jeans and some good options out there for this season.

On the last weekend post, I shared inspiration from Bunny Mellon, and a special On My Radar with Mother’s Day Gift Ideas.

Have a lovely weekend and Happy Mother’s Day to all the mom’s, grandma’s, aunties, and friends…and all those who mother and nurture in this world! You are awesome.

Kim

Please visit my pals Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs..

MAKE MINE A SPRITZER

PINECONES AND ACORNS

If you’d like to get an email when I publish, please subscribe to the blog here for a post in your inbox a few times a month and every Saturday for Weekend Meanderings.

Some links will generate a small commission here, which helps make this blog possible. Thanks so much for your support!

Valentine Pillows, Jennifer Aniston’s Salad, and Winter-Spring Outfit Ideas

February 3, 2023 By kimwheeler 27 Comments

On this weekend’s post a little Valentine decor, inspiration from Princess Diana for transitional dressing, Jennifer Aniston’s favorite salad, books, a show and more..

Can you believe we are in February already? Wow and February usually flies by. This week was busy!

Thanks for everyone who sent good thoughts to my dad he is mostly all healed from his surgery and looking great. His vision is much better he says already! So worth doing and minimal pain and just a little bruising. Thanks everyone for the kind notes. I am so relieved this is over and it went well!

This week I also collaborated with some talented bloggers and we shared Valentine ideas on Thursday. You can read that post here if you missed it with links to all the others great ideas!

I did a tiny zhush up of the entry for February and moved my wool garland I used for the Valentine dinner here from the chandelier. I also added this little heart pillow… Rug from World Market. Similar pillows here and here. Sort of minimal, but still fun.

Spare

I said I would report back after finishing Harry’s memoir on our Live and this is my book report on Spare. I finished the full 15+ hours of listening. I really just wanted him to reunite with his family and be happy and I was concerned this book would make that impossible.

After hearing from others about how good the audio book was I dove in. I know he had help with it and it was beautifully written. I think the tabloids shared only the sensational bits.

I have been a royal fan all my life, but now I find myself hugely conflicted. I encourage everyone to read this and decide for themselves. I especially liked hearing it read by Harry. Some parts literally broke my heart and others are so happy and beautiful.

Harry comes off as a typical youngest boy and as mom of sons, my heart really went out to him. My feeling is he’s been alone in this world since going to Eton at 12 and his father may love him, but is very self absorbed and unable to show it. His loss of his mother left him without anyone ever filling that loving role.

My take away, is we don’t really know the truth about the royals except what we are told in the news. Like many things in this world, the monarchy needs change.. Their collaboration with the tabloids is something they must stop. People need to stop their dedication to these toxic papers as well. It also makes me reexamine my own part in consuming those kinds of articles and websites like The Daily Mail and others.

I found myself sitting listening to the last paragraphs in my car and crying. It shouldn’t be this way. I hope this book helps Harry and William create a better way to live and to someday and be close. I know their mother would want that.

Elizabeth Holmes, who I follow on her So Many Thoughts Instagram and writer of HRH, a former WSJ journalist has a Substack all about the royals and I found it to be an excellent companion to listening and navigating Harry’s book. She’s brilliant and fair and I appreciate her forum.

Harry’s Mama- Princess Diana Style

I shared this photo this week of Diana. I love finding inspiration and often something will cross my radar a bit before I see it’s a thing, a look, a possibility. This rare photo of Diana, before she was Princess- in her Laura Ashley skirt, pie crust ruffle blouse and puffer vest is my latest obsession and I think the perfect transitional outfit.

This time of year when we are still cold, but tired of sweaters and layers, this look is fresh. We can mix winter and spring together. What makes this cool is that they are opposite types of garments- sporty puffers with feminine pieces. Look in the closet and pull out those feminine blouses, anything with flowers or ruffles and pair them with a puffer jacket- or vest. Experiment with the proportions and see what works..Sneakers would be perfect with this look too.

If you need a few pieces, here’s a few I found to consider. Click in photos for links…

A Northern Cal Style Spotify Playlist

I am almost hesitant to share this, but I finally made a Spotify play list with the songs I have used on Reels and on Stories on Instagram. I have had requests for a list of songs-so I finally took some time and did it.

I made this list the more upbeat songs and will later make another with the more moody tunes I have used. If you are on Spotify you can find it here! Let me know what you think..I know everyone’s musical tastes are different. I follow so many playlists. That is what I love about Spotify.

Jennifer Aniston’s Lunch Salad

Since I made the pasta salad for my Valentine’s post earlier in the week, I’ve been loving having a salad in the fridge to for a fast lunch and to add to dinners. Another salad came to my attention yesterday, this dish Jennifer Aniston made for her co-workers most lunches during the Friend’s era.

She recreated it a while back and there is a version of it on the cute site, Food by Maria, which changes it slightly with orzo. Love all the healthy ingredients. Easy to see why they had it for lunch for ten years! I also like the idea of making this on a Sunday and having it on hand to enjoy all week! Would also be a great ladies lunch idea, or a side dish for a dinner.

Codebreaker

This fantastic story first aired two years ago, but I missed it, and you may have also. . Elizabeth Smith Friedman is the American hero you likely never heard of. She was a codebreaker and broke the German Enigma machine on her own and developed methods that we still use today.

Sadly credit for her work was taken by J Edgar Hoover and she kept silent as she vowed to and only recently, when top secret files were unclassified, was her work and all she did revealed. Watch the whole complete show here and more of her truly fascinating life.

There is also a book that the show is based on…’The Woman Who Smashed Codes: A True Story of Love, Spies, and The Unlikely Heroine Who Outwitted America’s Enemies’. I read the free sample and I was hooked. Just added it to my bedside pile.

Houses of the week

Finally a few more homes are coming on the market and I kind of fell in love with this charming Carmel cottage with pretty gardens and just a walk to the beach. It would be the perfect weekend getaway if I only had 4 million..

If you want to see a truly ‘California redwood’ house check out this place also in Carmel. It takes living among the giants to a new level. I do like the attached guesthouse. It very much reminds me of Humboldt County where Max grew up. They’ve made some pretty design decisions on the kitchen and master bath that work with this woodsy house.. not my style, but I still appreciate it and it’s setting among the Redwoods.

If you missed last week’s post I shared spring colors that are trending in home and fashion, white jeans to add a lift to your winter staples, skin cleansers you might need and more.

I’ll be back on Tuesday with Cindy for our monthly Signature Style.. Can you guess what we are chatting about? I am working on it now..Make sure to subscribe below if you don’t want to miss those posts.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Kim

Please visit my pals Elizabeth and Juliet’s lovely blogs..

MAKE MINE A SPRITZER

PINECONES AND ACORNS

If you’d like to get an email when I publish, please subscribe to the blog here for a post in your inbox a few times a month and every Saturday for Weekend Meanderings.

Some links will generate a small commission here, which helps make this blog possible. Thanks so much for your support!

Cozy Bedrooms & Upholstered Beds

February 1, 2022 By kimwheeler 18 Comments

Is your bedroom an afterthought? The last place you buy things for or decorate? Do you feel like it’s a place to stash stuff your not using – or worse yet fold the laundry? Have you put the bedroom, as last on the list? Then this is a great time of year to start thinking about how to create a little sanctuary for yourself in the bedroom.

I have been guilty of all of the above, even with a recent remodel. The bedroom was last of all the things to get chosen and I never really finished it, or bought the bed I want. The pillows and things in there are ones from other parts of the house that I’ve changed out. My bed is 25 years old and so tall I have a hard time getting into it as does my geriatric kitty!

One of my close friends feels the same about her bedroom and we have been putting our heads together while I try and help her make her space more inviting too. I’ve got bedroom ideas swirling around my head this week so I thought I’d share them.

Some inspiration to give boring bedrooms a more inviting feel..

My main gripe with my bedroom is that it’s bland, and a bit dark and not cozy to me. I want to want to go curl up in there and watch shows, read books and make it feel like a sanctuary. I’ve treated it like an afterthought and it looks like it. My friend also has the same feeling about her space. Hers needs a boost of coziness when she comes home from work and snuggles with her family and dog in there to watch shows and read.

There is no one way your bedroom should look. It helps if you can translate your personal style to your bedroom. It’s the one place you can really make personal. I saved these images through my Pinterest Boudoir board. These are full of layers, pretty color, rugs and pillows – all the elements of a magnetic bedroom.

The elements of an inviting and cozy bedroom.

Upholstered pieces – upholstery on headboards, beds, chairs or benches can go a long way in bringing a soft feel and look to a room. An upholstered headboard is one of the most affordable updates and widely available. (If you’re concerned about stains get your headboard in a Sunbrella or performance fabric.)

Rugs and more rugs. Look for rugs made of wool and that have some some fluff and soft feel under foot. You can also layer rugs or have another fluffy one by the side of the bed where you step out.

Layer your bed. Sheets and a duvet are a start, but I like a coverlet type of blanket like this from Crate & Barrel. I also have this soft blanket at the foot of the bed to wrap around me when reading on colder nights.

PIllows. You need good ones to sleep and then two to three more to fill the bed.

Throws are a great idea. I have my nicest ones in a basket by the bed.

Lighting is everything in this space. The last thing you want to do is use your overhead cap lights in the bedroom. Think spa, not hospital. It’s a bonus if you can have a pretty chandelier or flush mount light, but you still need lights on each nightstand to read by, preferably dimmable.

A chair or a chaise in a corner makes for a inviting spot to relax or read and just the vision of it creates a sense of retreat for your bedroom. Places to sit and read or a bench to put your shoes on are nice to have, fill the spaces and give a inviting look instead of empty corners. Just seeing a place to rest gives the feeling of a retreat in our minds.

Nightstands need not be matching and if you have room, can double as a bureau that can hold extra clothes. I always had my night clothes in my previous night stand. Consider it can be extra storage you may need.

Keep your night table pretty, not cluttered with things. If you’re a big ‘stuff’ person, consider drawers in yours and keep the top of your night stand calming and pretty with personal photos, books, a pretty tray for a water glass and dish as a catchall, and even a small vase with flowers.

Paint or wallpaper can create a mood. The bedroom is a great place to go with a romantic color or wallpaper that conveys a mood or feeling. I love being enveloped by a print and that can make the whole room feel like a small jewel box.

Don’t forget art. Choose art thoughtfully and something that has a lovely feeling, even romantic quality. Soft colors tend to look great in bedroom spaces.

Pretty drapes or window coverings make a huge difference. I went with white linen/cotton drapes for my bedroom sliders, but had a trim piece put on the edges to give it a bit more luxe look. Consider ribbon or trim for drapes and lightshades, to add a little more special to the space.

My current mix of bed pillows and throw.

Consider a headboard when space is at a premium and you want change without a huge investment

To give a neutral bedroom a little boost, you can go with something like this Sunbrella Katherine headboard with a pretty shape by Ballard Design. It’s in a Sunbrella, which makes it nearly impervious to sun and stain. This Idol Frost tone is soft and can go with off whites and sea glass shades and other softer colors.

If you’re adventurous you can go with something more fun like this Sunbrella Ikat pattern Ally headboard. I love this.

Other options in the Ally Headboard are this Cornflower Print( sunbrella) left, and pretty Kavi Blue print.

All of Ballards headboards are made in North Carolina. There are many styles. If you want tufted there this Camden headboard in the Kylie fabric..

And this Sophie Headboard in Cleo, or this Ally Headboard in Sunbrella Salt Pique.

Upholstered complete beds are also on the affordable side and there are so many choices once you start looking. West Elm has the coolest option for a kids room in two sizes and many colors.

West Elm also has this Emmett Bed ready to ship around $1,000 and for a few more weeks, other fabrics too.

The same headboards I showed above are available in beds like the Giselle from Ballard which is a classic destined to look good for a long time. Here in Dotty Navy by Sunbrella. The styling possibilities are endless with a color like this.

There are some very affordable options at Pier 1, but I really like the height and shape of their Shabby Chic Jubilee bed. It comes in three colors and in a nice linen looking fabric. You could make this look less ‘shabby’ with some simple linen sheets and pillows. I think the look and shape are beautiful.

At Pottery Barn, I like this Elliot headboard – or bed which has an enveloping look with folded in sides. Here it’s shown in a basketweave performance fabric in Ash and comes in different heights. Don’t forget to consider your height if you plan to lean against the bed when reading at night. All the Pottery Barn upholstered beds and headboards here.

This is a classic good looking upholstered style from Wayfair..

Once you have a bed, you need to add cozy with color and texture, especially if you opt for a neutral color bed like above. Check out the texture added to this room with the pillows, throw, nubby rug and feature wall.

Helping my friend we started pulling together some room looks based on her wall color, Sherwin Williams Silver Spoon. We found the Giselle upholstered bed, in the Faygo print, and she loves the Grace nightstand in the blue grey. I want her to also have nice reading lamps like this pretty Greer Lamp from Ballard and I like the Adelaide rug to ground the bed, even though the room is carpeted, and to give it another layer of cozy and pull the colors together…

I thought the Connelly Bench and the Pottery Barn pillow look good in this mix.

In a second version for her, we addressed possible wear on things from her darling doodle who loves hanging with the fam in the bedroom. For that reason we thought she could also go with the darker Pique Denim in the same bed and the washed wood version of the same side table. With those two I like this rug, this ceramic lamp and a Ballard X Bench in Indigo Sunbrella..and for fun I tossed in the Terra Pom Pom Pillow.

There are a lot of options! She is still deciding.

Meanwhile, I’m still trying to noodle my own bedroom space. I’m considering an upholstered bed from Ballard like my friend, but with this shape and in a neutral color like below, if I wallpaper. For wallpaper, I love this by Farrow & Ball shown below. I know I want some cozy textures from throws, rugs (maybe one extra fluffy one when you step off the bed.) I also adore this Dayna Upholstered bench, this Larkin rug is beautiful, and this lamp from OKA which is a British home site I am obsessed with.

What do you think of what I have so far?

Do you have an upholstered bed or headboard? What do you love or hate about it? Do you like color and personality in a bedroom or more serenity? Love to hear your thoughts.

Also beginning this weekend, I start a new regular weekend collaboration with some wonderful bloggers, so please pop by the blog this Saturday for the first of my weekly favorites! I’m super excited and I hope you’ll enjoy it.

Thanks for being here!

Kim

If you’d like to get an email when I post, please subscribe to the blog here for a post in your inbox a few times a month! Thank you so much, as Bloglovin seems to have stopped working and I no longer post as much on Facebook and plan to do less there.

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Good Things This Weekend

March 13, 2021 By kimwheeler 13 Comments

Can you guys believe we have been in this pandemic for a whole year now? I remember the exact moment it sunk in that it might be a lot more than a few weeks at home. We were having one of our pantry dinners we so diligently turned out for weeks on end, and Max said, ‘You know it’s more likely we will still be in this until August or more.’ That seemed so scary to me and here we are a year later.. A year that has changed everyone in some way or another. I do feel hopeful though, especially this weekend I noticed so many seniors eating outdoors and doing things. It made me a bit emotional seeing so many of them having fun after this past year.

Anyway, without going on, I have a few things to share this week. I’ve come to realize now I am living in sweatshirts.. The ruffled ones specifically. Guess that’s my flair right now. It’s been chilly and wet and there are a few good ones from Target that are cuter than a lot more expensive ones out there. This is my most favorite..

There’s very few sizes left in my color, but there is other colors in most sizes and a few other colors..

(UPDATE: This sweatshirt already sold out online in most colors since I wrote this a day ago! Darn I hate when that happens…You may have luck finding it in the store as it is now a sale item. I did find other ruffled sweatshirts from Rebecca Minkoff, also this one at Nordys, this at The Loft, and this in black. )

I also own this one below, which one of my sons said looks like Moira from Schitt’s Creek, which I consider a compliment!

I usually wear it with jeans, and black tennis shoes, but the jogger pants with the ruffle pockets do make a cute look.

They also have this ruffled version..

I’m also crazy about J.Crew’s new sweats. I already own two of the Vintage Cotton Terry Sweatshirts and they are super soft. The matching pants are flattering and slim fitting, but run large so you need to size down one size to get that look.

They have a lot of tennis themed things, which I am nuts about and this new addition with little racquets.

I just saw a woman at the grocery in head to toe cream/beige sweats and these sneakers..

It just looked really cute all one tone and luxe for sweats.

Other odd stuff that’s been occupying my headspace is this chicken pot pie recipe we made last week that was seriously amazing. It was maybe the addition of cognac to it? We did one change omitting pearl onions, which we could not find. The recipe is from the website, Once Upon a Chef and Jenn Segel’s recipes are so far 10/10 for everything we have tried. (This recipe can also be made with mushrooms instead of chicken and oat milk. In the recipe comments many have done that. )

I also have her potato leek soup on my regular rotation. The pot pie recipe is just the thing for the cool and wet days we’ve been having.

We just baked ours in these cute stackable porcelain bowls from Crate & Barrel, because our ramekins were too small. These bowls are fantastic for storage as they stack and they can go in the oven up to 350 We did them at a bit above that though the recipe calls for 425 and it was perfect.

Lastly, I wanted to share with you that Serena & Lily is having their Spring Design Event with 20% off sitewide, using code NEWLEAF. If there is something you had your eye on, this is the time to get it as sales are just a few times a year. You know I love their things and already have one of their new Alamere Rug in runner size in my cart. I think it will be great in our hallway… I love the shades of this rug.

Other favorite rugs are the Porter Denim & Suede Rug, the South Shore Rug, I have in my bath, the Stella Rug in our dining room, the new Ashbury Moroccan Style Rug is also beautiful- and the new Valmere Rug – both so cool.

The Montana Mirror in my pool bath/powder room is gem and a few people have asked about it after seeing the bath on Cindy Hattersley’s blog last week, where she was so kind to feature my home.

It’s a beautifully made piece. I have the medium in natural, but it also comes in white or in natural with navy stripes, and more sizes.

You may need towels like I did and the Fouta Striped towels ( I have the hand towel above), are seriously the nicest quality and come in other tones as well.

The Healdsburg Towels are in my main bathroom and still feeling soft and looking great a year on..

Anyway, so much to love from them! The lamps are gorgeous too and there are beautiful pillows as always…and bedding! The Sale ends on 3/16.

My Mattituck Armchair and Avery Throw– also on the Serena sale.

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’ve done a few updates to the old website. The blog turns 10 this year and I am working on changing up things a bit. You’ll notice I added a few pages at top, My California Closet which has things I wear and have in my beauty drawers and in my closet. The house link has a few drop-downs which I am still working on. The Shop My Home, will have things I have used in my home like rugs, lamps, dishes, etc – and also California inspired picks. Another, Our California Remodel, will be information about the remodel, as so many inquire about materials, flooring, paint and floors. The Lake Tahoe Cabin Style will be cabin inspired items I am using in my Tahoe place or that could work in a more rustic setting, and Books I Adore will be many my favorite books or new ones that are on my radar…So stay tuned and hopefully they will all be finished soon.

Thanks for being here and I hope you enjoy the weekend- even though we lost an hour!

Kim

Links may sometimes generate a small commission. Thank you for supporting the blog.

What’s Your Home’s Palette?

March 5, 2021 By kimwheeler 17 Comments

Does your home have a color palette? Remember when people used to have their colors done? Well your home has a vibe and certain colors may suit it more than others. Some colors also may be more pleasing to you personally. These are all things to consider when choosing the palette for your home.

If your home stays in four to five colors or tones, you can make easier choices when shopping and decorating. I have a binder for my house with all the items from the renovation, and inspiration photos. The picture on the cover was my color inspiration/style for the house!

My house is variations of white, grey, light wood tones and some black accents, grey blues. With spring coming I’ve been wanting a change and a bit more color with my current favorite -soft blues. I added this striped blue and another blue pillow on top photo and a few other accessories to give it a coastal and springy vibe.

It all started when I bought this jacket from Anthropologie in the prettiest blue. I had it hanging on my coat tree and noticed it nicely picked up the blues about the house. The house is neutral, but there are pops of blue and a tiny bit of orange in a picture and my rug too..

Then I was at Pottery Barn and I noticed the same soft blue of these Modern Glass Candle Holders. I bought a blue one and gathered a few other blues like my Glassy Baby. So now with the blue pillows and a couple of things I already own, made the house feel fresh to me.

If you know your home’s and your own color story, you can keep it in mind when shopping and making design decisions for the house. You can create a binder as I have, with colors and pictures that reflect your taste and style. Referring back to that will confirm what you love and help you make smart choices. I know what colors I like and don’t so I can usually blow through a store or online shop pretty fast knowing what I am looking for and what will work in my house.

It doesn’t mean you can’t change things up and are stuck with the same colors. In fact, you might add in or subtract or focus on some colors more depending on the seasons. In fall and winter, I love adding more black accents -frames, and woods. In spring and summer I bring out more whites, my coral collection, and striped pillows and linen throws. The color scheme stays the same overall, just the tone feels darker and cozier or lighter and brighter, depending on the time of year!

If you’re unsure of your home palette, or don’t think you have one, start looking around and see what colors you use most predominantly. Also consider your personal wardrobe. What is in your closet? Do you gravitate towards white jeans and navy? How about denim shirts? If there are repeating themes in your closet than they are sure to be things you’ll love in your home and may already have.

Sometimes your kitchen or your fireplace material may move you toward a cool or warm look. You may have many colors in your house, but most people gravitate towards favorite tones. Walk through the house and see if there are threads of the same colors that connect your spaces, especially the main rooms. You may want to choose to use some during some parts of the year, and change out the the others. The most traditional way is adding warm tones at fall and cooler at summer. These colors actually have a psychological effect of making us feel warm or cooler, hence the seasonal use!

Sometimes you just need to find a look. This photo was an inspiration last fall. I used the warm cinnamon colors in this photo to add dried flowers, wood bowls and some candles in these tones and still kept my same neutral feel overall.

You don’t have to be limited to a small color family, but know what your look and tones are. Some people have a lot of color and live with it all. My friend Heidi, whose home and style I profiled for my Californian’s at Home is an artist and her home palette is many, many colors and it works beautifully for her eclectic and creative home and her art. Same with my friend Elizabeth, the Vintage Contessa, who lives with a lot of daring tones like chartreuse and bright yellow and luxe items. Cindy Hattersley is someone with many gorgeous neutrals and some beautiful blues in her amazing California home.

Cindy’s dreamy bedroom!

Some beautiful blues : Zinnia Pillow cover, Thibaut Serengheti Pillow, Coastal Blue Solid Velvet Cover, Serena & Lily Cuesta Pillow Cover , Perennials Rosemount Pillow Cover, Swansea Cotton Throw,

If you know what your colors are that’s a huge help in creating a beautiful home. You may have spring and fall, summer and winter looks, but know the main colors and what works with them. Have some fun thinking about setting your home’s style and colorways… maybe even make a binder as I have, or an inspiration board!

Kim

P.S. By the way, I am honored to be featured on Cindy’s beautiful blog, Cindy Hattersley Design today. She is showing more of our renovation. So pop on over if you have time. Her blog is a great inspiration to me personally. She’s amazingly talented.

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My 2019 Favorites

January 1, 2020 By kimwheeler 12 Comments

Wow the holidays flew by! I hope you are enjoying a break before the new year. Hard to believe it’s a new decade. I love this time of year and the downtime to clean up, put away and reassess before the new year starts. Of course there are always many after holiday sales, but I thought it would be good to start with a post on my favorite things of 2019. This is things I have used, loved and would buy again!! It’s also a good reminder to myself to think how many things I purchased the past year I can say I still love, still work and were worth every cent. In the new decade I’m going to try and think hard when shopping and ask myself if the item will fall into this category, and if not, reconsider. Micro-resolutions! That’s the mantra apparently… Things you can actually do.

Here’s my list of things I would buy again and I will be enjoying into the new decade and were worth every penny!

My white Grayson Cozy Cotton Shirt is probably the most worn item in my closet and spans the seasons as a perfect layering piece for now as well as my go to shirt for spring and even summer paired with shorts. I love this brand Grayson which I discovered this year and I now own the white as well as a cool striped number. What makes these shirts so nice is the fit and the open collar that is flattering. Beautifully made they always feel good and look great on. In the new year I need more items like this in my closet that work for so much and make everything look good!

My Serena & Lily Carson Backless Bench has been a bright spot in our entry and a welcoming spot for everyone coming or going to stop and gather their things or put on shoes. It get used so much, I don’t know how I lived without a bench before. It also sets a pretty tone for our small entry and gets a lot of compliments with its lovely weave and design. I like to change the pillows often and this is my January look! The grey pillow is one of my favorite S&L pillows and there are many new ones like this Auckland Cover, I love the fringe on this Avalis Pillow , and this cute pompom and look of the new Perennials Texture Loop Pillow.

My Serena & Lily Balboa Barstools are probably the most used and also my most favorite item I have added to our remodel. They still look terrific after lots of wear from the boys and the pets. The white Perennials basketweave cushions are still repelling stains and are brush away spots easy and still look like new! The Marin-based Serena & Lily whose mantra is, living well begins at home, were all over a friend Angela’s beautiful new remodel I got a peek of at a recent holiday gathering. What really caught my eye were her pretty Riviera Backless Stools I snapped a photo of in her gorgeous kitchen. So fresh and California chic. Her runner looked like this Seaview rug I have in Earth color.

Other favorites from Serena & Lily are my Malibu Chandelier in my dining room and my Capiz Scalloped Chandelier pendant in the entry that so many have asked about and set the California look I like so much in the house! Right now they are having their Winter Tent Sale, so it’s a nice time to pick up something for the home with your holiday money. Always a better long term investment over clothes.. but speaking of clothing..

Another wonderful item I added to my closet this year and have worn too many times to admit is my Everlane Cashmere Square Turtleneck. I have the black and I would love the light oatmeal. It’s the perfect modern shape and so well made it still looks fresh after a zillion wearings. Everything at Everlane, a San Francisco based company, is produced ethically. Read more about how they track and monitor every step of a garment’s evolution from the thread to the shipping, to stores, something they call radical transparency.

You can feel good when you shop there and I would rather have one of their beautiful sweaters than multiple lesser made items. Once you have one of their coveted items, you’ll understand why they are so loved. Lucky for us in Northern Cal, they recently opened a store in Stanford Shopping Center.

This Bissell ICONpet Cordless Stick Vacuum was an idea of my husband’s and my first reaction was I already have a Miele Canister I love and I don’t need it. I can now say this vacuum is a brilliant idea. It’s a combo handheld and stick vacuum. I use it many times a day to pick up cat sand, kitchen crumbs and dust bunnies you cannot otherwise see without its powerful light. The light is a real innovation and vacuuming in the evening with this thing is even better than day. You have never seen the true state of your floors until you have a light like this attached to your vacuum. I am using the wood floor attachment so I love it for my new hardwood, which will preserve it even longer. Still, the best part about this vacuum is thew ability to scoot around the house with no cord and do a fast house cleaning on one charge. Ours is mounted on the garage wall and the boys like using the handheld part to clean their cars. It’s life and house changing!

Chantecaille Ultra Sun Protection 45 and Primer is the loveliest skincare discovery I have made this year. I was talked into it when I bought the Future Skin Gel Foundation (also excellent), but I think this actually made the biggest difference in my skin appearance – i.e. my pores, vibrance and dark spots- and it’s good SPF is not heavy, but is a daily essential in California! I’m not going to lie, this stuff isn’t cheap. I wish it came in industrial size, but fair warning you will love it and see a difference in your skin.

I am also obsessed with this Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Longwear Concealer. It has a light texture, is easily blended and works not just under the eyes, but all over the face to conceal and brighten without feeling heavy. I love how it seems invisible, but it’s definitely working.

One more in the beauty column, but can’t go unmentioned, is Glossier’s Lash Slick Mascara, which is amazing at making my small, stick straight lashes look lifted and pretty all day without flaking, dark shadows or weighing them down. So many of the new ‘false’ lash formulas are heavy and goopy and make brittle older lashes like mine just flat and clumped. Glossier has perfected this product and nothing else comes as close in my book for wearability and ease of removal too. You can also layer it for more dramatic lashes. I also am crazy for their eye creme called Bubblewrap, which you can buy as a duo with the mascara right now for $34! I love so many of Glossier’s simple and brilliant products.

Something I reach for every day is jeans and the ones I’ve worn more than anything this year and have replaced most of my others, are these Madewell Cali Demi-Boot Jeans in different washes. They aren’t too high waisted, flattering and look cute with heels to sneakers. I love the quality of the denim they use, and my black pair feels like satin on!

I’d love to hear what items made your 2019 favorites list! Please share things that were great finds and that you can’t live without in the comments!

Before we start the new year, I wanted to say It’s been almost a decade since I began blogging and many of you have been here all along and many new friends have popped on by too. I so value your comments, your friendship and your feedback as this blog has evolved! Thank you for all of it and here’s to a new and exciting year and decade! May it be the best ever and I hope to share more new discoveries, travels, cool people and journeys with you all. I have changed and evolved and so have you. You guys inspire me and you are the reason I am still plodding on in my small corner of the world. Keep sharing your thoughts and feedback – many of it coming on my Instagram and some on my Facebook page. Thank you friends!

Happy New Year and decade to you,

Kim

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Weekend Finds & House Talk

August 25, 2018 By kimwheeler 10 Comments

How was your week? I am just completely overwhelmed with house stuff like looking at tile, faucets and trying to get my house plan STILL approved by the city I live in. It’s been extremely worrying and stressful, and stomachache inducing as we are paying rent at the rental and building hasn’t even begun. I’ve finally nailed down my bath tiles and floors. A peek of some of it here.. and my dying feet at the tile store- don’t you love that herringbone set tile?

A few pics from the Ann Sacks showroom in San Francisco. I love the tile on the floor with the marble- maybe for my master. For the boys I am thinking a combo of grey, off white tiles and some dark denim blue colored accents like these cute tiles for their shower floor and in the shampoo niche or in a stripe going around the shower. It’s hard to see the true blue colors in a photo.

On the bright side, our rental is larger than my own house and my landlords are the kindest, sweetest people who I adore. They were so cute and came to get some mail and I invited them in. They were very kind and their daughter and granddaughter said they love my way of decorating. I was surprised as I have such a crazy mix here, but I guess together it all works. They made my day and were so sweet. I am what is described as a nester. I am happiest at home and wherever I am, I have to make it my own. A lot of people say they would do nothing to a temporary rental, but I would find it hard to live here without making it mine in some way.

What they liked was my colors in my bedroom, quirky colored handbags as placed about, and some pops of color with white. They have a wonderful trough planter under the desk window and I replanted it with little flowers, so the white and pops of color kind of worked well!

Sorry for the messy bed. I love these lampshades I found at Homegoods again.

Throw was from a mill in Leeds, England and wonderfully soft also from Homegoods. ( I almost typed Homegods, but they kind of are for affordable stuff.)

Love, love, love this desk and the view. I use my baskets (This from the French Basketeer,) as filing areas of a sort.

There is a good mix of blue, natural woods and rugs and throws here. I’m a bit of a throw ho.. Sorry I couldn’t resist- but they do easily add color and fun to the home and spice up things. I’ve also found some nice accents at a local chain called Harvest I adore. I like plain furnishings, so I can change things up with the seasons and frankly when I get sick of looking at things. I think visual people are that way and if you are someone like that, it’s best to stick with a lot of white, solids and blacks. You have a lot of choices when you do.

It’s been summer, so I’ve had all my blue out and in this rental I was lucky to have a wonderful spot to display some of my blue books, glasses, plates and vases with a mix of coral we have from vacations over the years. How awesome is this built in? It fit my record player and I created a nice wrap station too in one of the drawers for the upcoming holidays.