When we bought The Little Glass House ten years ago, we were excited that it had a home office. It turns out we never used it. The previous owners had two large built in desks that wrapped around the room with small halogen lights over them and a wall of shelves. For years it just became the place where junk accumulated…papers, magazines, extra home accessories, and furniture. I dubbed it the “junk room” and avoided it whenever possible. The funny…
Today is a first for me. I’m joining seven talented bloggers who will be sharing ways to bring Spring into your living room. Never mind that it’s only February, a touch of Spring does wonders for the soul. After a neutral winter palette, I’m itching to bring in color and touches of the outdoors. In fall and winter I use warm throws, rugs, and lots of texture for a warm cozy feel. Yes, even here in Santa Barbara, we get…
The Christmas decorations have all been stored away which always leaves me feeling like I’m starting with a clean slate. I enjoy moving accessories and furniture around to create a fresh and updated look. In the living room, an antique table from Diani Living replaced the round reclaimed wood one. I’ve heard from plenty of Instagram friends that they preferred the previous one. However, I’m loving the smaller size, the character, and the lighter feel that this one brings. In…
Christmas time in Santa Barbara is unpredictable. Some years it is damp and chilly, while others it is as warm as a summer day. No matter the weather, I love to decorate for Christmas. An abundance of white, natural materials, an ever growing collection of tiny Christmas trees (45 and counting), and a little sparkle can be found this year at The Little Glass House. Narcissus, pine cones, and a moose antler are just a few of the natural materials…
Fall in California is quite a bit different than in other parts of the country. Our days tend to be warm and sunny, with cool crisp evenings. It’s my favorite kind of weather, but definitely not what one thinks of for fall. In our homes, I like to bring in the neutrals…winter whites and lots of cozy textures. Organic natural items such as white pumpkins, plants, and even driftwood lend a bit of autumn flavor to the decor. In The…
With Memorial Day just around the corner, I thought it would be the perfect time to switch things up at The Little Glass House…a summer refresh, if you will! Summer is all about the outdoors and bringing it inside. I wanted to declutter and open things up a bit. A trip to the Barnhouse Market pop up shops in Santa Barbara was the jumping off point. A few new pieces started the summer refresh ball rolling! I found a gorgeous…
After spending Thanksgiving in Big Sur, I was a little slow getting my Christmas decor on in Santa Barbara. Our plan is to spend Christmas in Big Sur as well, but winter storms are unpredictable and rock slides and closures on Highway 1 are common this time of year. So I’m hedging my bets and decorating a bit in both homes. I’m just not sure which one will get the tree! I favor an organic approach to Christmas decorating…pinecones, driftwood,…
Those of you who have followed me for some time, know I like to set a simple table…and usually with items I have on hand. I tend toward a neutral fall and winter decor, but I shocked my husband when I added just a tiny bit of autumnal color to a table for a recent dinner party. My inspiration were a pair of two tone mini rose plants that I bought at our local farmers market for $6. I miscalculated…
One of the questions I get asked most often, is “what do I put on my empty walls?” First of all, there’s nothing wrong with some empty wall space. In fact, it’s often a good thing! But a home devoid of art can feel a bit soulless. You don’t have to have a lot of money or a large collection of art, but it should be meaningful. I would rather see a blank wall than something randomly picked up at…
It occurred to me, now that I am in the process of helping a new client choose finishes for her kitchen, that some people are afraid of white. They think the kitchen will be too stark or feel cold and clinical. My client wants a white kitchen in her vintage 1925 Spanish style home, but just isn’t sure how it will feel. My own kitchen in Santa Barbara was not white when we purchased the house, and there was no…