A Whirlwind!

I haven't been able to blog lately as the plate...er, platter-super-sized platter....hath runneth over!

Helping a client move in to an Ojai Italian Villa has proved to be just as fun as I had imagined, but with all the months of treasure hunting and a full week of doing the initial install, there is still an entire notebook full of TO DO's...

This is all understandable.  Once one moves in to a new home, it takes a bit of time to feel the soul.  After the big pieces are arranged after you "feel" their positioning,  then tweaks & changes are usually necessary. We're editing out and adding in....and also now moving on to the missing bits and bobs.  One task for the next couple of weeks is to complete new outdoor cushions and pillows as the outdoor scheme is changing a bit now (about 65!) and still many, many (MANY!!) items to hunt for and then position.

More Gathering! More Shopping! Fun! Fun! Fun! I'm beyond loving all the treasure hunting!

I promise to back in touch in a day or so with actual pictures....

Some of the product being placed in and around this gorgeous setting nestled amongst orange groves, national forest, Santa Barbara mountains, and blue, blue sky:

I love using antique Batik pillows around a European decor scheme...nestled on Tuscan mustard hemp and white cotton twill, the colors add a pop without overpowering a room...

I found an old garden chair and made it into a princess chair on the deck outside a little girl's room. Sunbrella fabric in Canvas Natural will keep it outdoor friendly.

Ready for morning toast!

A little piece of Ojai Heaven

Sometimes we are given an opportunity in life to work alongside beautiful souls. Other times we are given an opportunity to be surrounded by friends with beautiful hearts who support us in these endeavors...And further still there are times we may be given an opportunity to enjoy friends with beautiful hearts who support our dreams, clients with beautiful souls to work with in beautiful homes in beautiful environments surrounded by beautiful things. 

Enjoy the life and create a life to enjoy.

In our digital age, life moves fast and I often find that I pass myself in the hall. (!!)  A culprit of what others view as loading too much on my plate, I have the innate desire to accomplish an entire month's TO DO list in a day. (I've never been a relax on the beach kinda girl. I spent a month in Greece doing just that 15 years ago and that has pretty much filled the quota and carried me through...!) 

I left the crazy wall-street driven corporate life to foster and feed my creative soul but still find the yearning to move at a wall-street pace!   Thus it is no surprise that I am so grateful for my current project: One that allows me to move at lightening speed, juggling a million items, yet also allows a significant amount of stop and smell the roses moments throughout the day. I always take time for me--ALWAYS--(it is so important for us women to do this for ourselves!!!) but on this project it is such special me time.

I often find myself smiling saying,

........  "Thank you, God. This. is. a. beautiful. life. "

I am filling a beautiful Italian Villa.....

from appliances to linens to chic olive oils to cooking utensils  to light fixtures to mattresses to sofas to textiles...... and all things in between.

Everything to make it 100% turnkey ready. Oh such fun! I love to shop. I love to create. I love to arrange. I love to plan. I love to create smiles. I love to engage. In other words...all the things I love to do at the tippy top of my dream job list are all bundled for me to enjoy in my fast-paced, crazy-busy project. My bonus?  Homeowners with such beautiful souls.

 Join in on a wee bit of the fun...

Oh the options of Italian dinnerware! Can't decide? Let's load up a table with eight completely separate options and do this the sophisticated way: Enee, Menee, Minee, Mo.

 Client requested bright, cheerful colors and no one does cheerful Italian better than VIETRI.  Of course I could never be one for sets, so the mixture of tuscan red, butter, saffron, cream and sage are married with another VIETRI bright pattern:

 Prefer the flushed edge;  raised edges can cause scraping sounds of a knife as you cut your food. Vietri is my favorite upscale casual Italian line. The look is tumbled and hand created.  "Oh, to Grandma's  Italian farmhouse we go.... "



Lest we forget sure-to-be-lots of kiddie sleepovers, there's even a fun mixture of animals images for the kids. Vietri has five color choices, each with a different animal such as bunnies and sheep. We're going to use some of each pattern....


Just how gorgeous is this stemware?


Fabulous  metal sconces in burnished brown with hints of gold leaf...a crown fit for royalty!


A few Niermann Weeks light fixtures will provide the perfect touch:


A small round entry table and Italian dresser leave me drooling...I am so loving this dresser!

Dishwasher, washer/dryer, convection steam oven, linens, towels and so much more have been ordered. It's exciting as with that behind me I only have 7,236 things left TO DO...

Did I make you tired?  Ok, let's together stop and smell the fresh euculyptus-scented air with lavender winds , driving past the long winding road of orange groves...

We're here!

Maybe stop and enjoy a cup of tea in the side herb garden...(Wait-you have the tea. With all that I have left to do, gimme' a triple shot of espresso....)



I almost don't want to climb back down the hilltop...

Transport my Soul!

One of my latest design projects is  a gorgeous Mediterranean/Italian villa in the magical city of  Ojai, California. Ojai is the next town inland from Ventura Beach (40 minutes from Santa Barbara), and loaded with orange groves, olive orchards, lavender bushes, and horses, horses, horses. I love it up here!

However, what Ojai is most famous for is the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa---a must for any spa maven or golfer! 

The 18-hole golf course is home to numerous PGA professionals, making it an impressive cinch to host group golfing events. It's one of the more picturesque California has to offer. In my previous line of work I coordinated and hosted an annual golf retreat for the top performers in my field. And their golf shop stocks the absolute best of the best golf attire! Not being a huge golfer myself, the picturesque setting and clean, magical scent that fills the air here is enough to make me break out the clubs!

.

But the spa.....
......oh this place so speaks my language!

I love nothing more than walking towards the spa as mounds of lavender bushes guide my way.

An invigorating swim followed up by relaxing in the jet-swirling jacuzzi and sauna.... finishing with an intense 1 1/2 hr massage enveloped in lavender and eucalyptus oils. Every muscle is so relaxed; my legs behave like a bowl of jello.


As the sun sets, I crawl back to my room. Not just any room, mind you. This is Ojai!  It's  an herb-scented Garden Suite.   I retire on the balcony.....it overlooks the olive and eucalyptus trees, while scented lemon trees in pots sprinkle the balcony..... roaming mountain peaks beckon in the background. Ohhhhh.....

......Amazing spa dinner of perfectly cooked fish, saffron rice, watercress lemon salad and chocolate/coconut/exotic nuts mousse is brought to my room where I relax with a wonderful regional wine from Santa Barbara.


All the while the sun disappears past the mountains and the scent of eucalyptus leaves begin to wafer through my room....

The next morning is filled with a glorious sunrise horseback ride while the California central mountains surround you. It's such a rare and treasured treat.


Honestly, you must do yourself a favor and book a weekend at this magical place! For the past 12 years, I've made it a point to enjoy bi-annual weekend getaways here. You deserve at least one excursion (and if your guy golfs, it's an easy sell---take it from this girl!!) There's so much more to enjoy: tennis courts! Pilates! Yoga! Craft Center... I am just scratching the surface!! The very first time I stayed here my suite was adjacent to Angelina and then-beau, Billy Bob Thorton.....who knows what fun neighbors you will enjoy!
Ojai Valley Inn and Spa

Oh, right....I did go up there to work! More on my actual design job at a beautiful home for a beautiful soul later after I come down from my herb-scented high....