Living in Santa Barbara, our autumn changes are subtle. Different plants are blooming and occasionally we get a cool fall like day. But nothing compares to the drama of leaf season in New England…Vermont to be specific. I’m fortunate enough to have my parent’s sublime farmhouse to visit. This is quintessential New England complete with warm cider donuts, the scent of fireplaces burning, and of course the color of those glorious leaves! My first day was spent antiquing and looking…
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…
Hi! I realize it’s been a long time since you’ve heard from me here. Sometimes life gets unexpectedly busy…in a good way. I’ve been involved in new projects, helping my daughter set up her new place, and oh, we bought a house in Big Sur! I’m looking forward to blogging again and sharing my projects with you, along with the work we’ve been doing on our new Big Sur home. And for all of you who have asked, we have…
I’ve had a love affair with Home Bunch since I first moved to California. Moving from the East coast was quite a transition and meant a change of lifestyle. Life here is geared to the outdoors and I wanted my home to lend itself to that…easy, bright, comfortable and welcoming. Luciane’s blog Home Bunch was such an inspiration with gorgeous homes from all over! But best of all, she lists sources for everything, including furniture, light fixtures, cabinet hardware and yes, paint…
Big Sur is rugged, majestic, breathtaking, and awe inspiring, but it is never more beautiful than in the Spring. The grass is green from the winter rains, and poppies and wild flowers bloom with abandon up and down the coast. Here is a pictorial trip from two magical weeks spent in this slice of heaven. Photos are my own or taken by my talented daughter, Kelsey Burns. …
I have shared this recipe before, but I believe with warmer weather on the way, it should be shared again. It’s that good! I served these to friends this past weekend and the next day one friend wrote: “I know what those cocktails should be called; KILLER! The color is totally appropriate! Just remember, I warned you! I found this recipe in Food & Wine magazine. Chef Dean Fearing created this drink which is a best seller at his wife Lynae’s…
I get asked on a daily basis, “how is Montecito doing?” The short answer is, they are working hard and moving forward but there is still so much to do. The cost of digging out the mud for one home can be upwards of $200,000! Unfortunately, insurance does not often cover it. Then, there is the difficult job of finding contractors who will remove the mud. Enter the Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade. It was conceived over the kitchen table by Abe…
It has been a rough winter in Santa Barbara. From the Thomas Fire to the mudslides, everything has been turned upside down. We have not had rain since the slide and with warmer than normal temperatures, it certainly doesn’t feel like winter. Although it is only the beginning of February, I was feeling the need for a bit of color and to lighten things up both aesthetically and emotionally.…
Too much rain, too fast, and too soon. I can not believe I am sharing another disaster in our community on the heels of the Thomas Fire. On Tuesday January 9th, at around 3:45am, unprecedented heavy rain fell at almost an inch per hour and caused the recently burned mountainside to give way. It sent a torrent of mud, boulders, and debris careening through many parts of Montecito, a suburb of Santa Barbara. Experts estimate the damage lies over a…
