Happy Mother's Day

We appreciate all of you special Moms!

photo from twelve22.org

ETIQUETTE... Giveaway!

Awhile ago I did a post called, "Let's Bring Back." Several of you commented about etiquette and good manners, ie; opening the door for people, giving up your seat for an elderly person, and being neighborly. I thought it would be fun to have a giveaway about etiquette.

Here is how the giveaway works:

Starting today, you simply enter by leaving a comment about what customs, manners or traditions you'd like to bring back or change.

Limited to one entry per person. Help me spread the news about the giveaway by mentioning it on your own blog and you'll get a second chance to enter. Simply enter a second comment alerting me of the mention.

See the prizes below...

FIRST PRIZE: But of course, two vintage books on etiquette. One is titled, Book of Etiquette, copyright 1921. This book covers everything from entertaining, house servants and tipping, to travel and hotel etiquette. The second book is titled, Good Manners, copyright 1934. This covers young people who wish to be correct, as well as polite!

SECOND PRIZE: What is etiquette without the lost art of letter writing? This winner receives a G. Lalo writing tablet with matching envelopes. G. Lalo, the Parisian social stationery manufacturer since 1919, provides the royal courts of Europe with handcrafted stationery. Two aspects of G. Lalo stationery contribute to its fame: the quality of its papers and the elegance of its presentation.

The entries can be made until Wednesday, May 13th at 9:00 pm PST. The winners will be picked via Random.org on Thursday, May 14th, and announced on this blog. I will contact the winners for your mailing addresses. Please provide a valid e-mail address or link to one.

{I'll start with my comment here...hope I don't offend any of you .... Let's have cell phones not allowed in restaurants or shops. I am so tired of having a meal out, only to have the person seated next to me speaking loudly on their phone about their date last night. Please people, step outside of the restaurant, shop or post office!}

Can't wait to hear your comments! Good luck!


The giveaway is now closed. Thanks for your comments. Results tomorrow!

Antiques Still in Demand

I found this article interesting in today's New York Times. Although much of the article emphasizes "high-end" antiques for wealthier buyers, the demand for vintage is still strong. High-end antiques tend to hold their value over time.

“Kids today are buying things made of pressed cardboard imported from Thailand instead of aged wood,” he said. “A lot of young people don’t want anything older than a pizza box. But you can’t sell that cheap chain-store junk at a yard sale in two or three years, while good furniture holds its value. Good is always good.”

More from the Little Bookroom...

There are so many great books from The Little Bookroom, that I had to do another post. They have so many fun titles covering major cities and aren't the covers so cute? This one above, Chic Shopping Paris, by Rebecca Magniant, shares the "creme de la creme" of her favorite Parisian shops...

In Jamie Cahill's, The Patisseries of Paris, you’ll discover what time of day Parisians in the know get items as they come out of the oven, where to find the best tea salons, chocolatiers, ice cream parlors and more!

In Paris: Made by Hand, stylist Pia Jane Bijkerk showcases more than 50 shops in Paris that embody the spirit of fait main (made by hand), where you’ll find the most original and creative clothing, jewelry, handbags, ceramics, home furnishings, and decorative objects in Paris.

The Flea Markets of France by Sandy Price is an invaluable guide for experienced and first-time flea marketers. She provides everything from tips on bargaining to where to find particular items.

If you're looking for a fabulous brasserie in Paris, Francois Thomazeau provides a wonderful guide in The Brasseries of Paris.

There are many, many great books available at The Little Bookroom! Not just on France, but Italy, the UK, New York and more.

AND during the month of May they are offering 30% off on all Paris guidebooks! I just had to share these with you. See all of the titles here.

The Best Vintage, Antique & Collectible Shops in Paris

Thanks to Courtney at Style Court for her recent post about this fabulous new book, "The Best Vintage, Antique & Collectible Shops in Paris." This small paperback book by Edith Pauly is a wonderful guide to finding the most unique vintage items in Paris. It showcases 58 eclectic shops, as well as the Porte de Vanves and Clignancourt flea markets.

Whatever you're looking for, this little book has beautiful colored photos of curiosities; garden ornaments, mid-century Scandinavian vases, Grand Tour luggage, monogrammed linen sheets, a train-station clock, textiles, silver, old postcards, child-sized Thonet furniture...

The author describes it best, "Antiques aficionados and rummagers of every stripe: call to mind dimly lit attics, trunks smelling of old leather, dusty cartons, and that indescribable tingle of suspense aroused by the idea of a hidden prize which has been lying there, biding its time, waiting for you to find it."

You can purchase the book for under $14 here on the The Little Bookroom site, who incidentally, has the cutest books. I'm off to buy a copy right now. Can't wait!

Photos from The Little Bookroom

A Coastside Makeover

I’m thrilled to share the home of my longtime friend, (and customer) Marianne. Marianne resides in the lovely city of Woodside, in Northern California. She and her husband Mike recently purchased a complete “fixer-upper” in the beautiful coastal city of Laguna Beach in Southern California. This is a second home for them.

This is a wonderful example of how you can decorate your home by letting your personal taste and style guide the way. Marianne did the makeover all by herself (with some help of contractors, of course), but without hiring a decorator.

Marianne’s house was built in 1960 and has a "jaw-dropping" view of the ocean from her deck and courtyard. Okay, I'm a bit jealous...

'BEFORE' photo of the livingroom with knock-off laminate flooring...

Another 'BEFORE' livingroom shot...

'AFTER' photo of the livingroom

Marianne wanted to create a color palette based on bringing the 'ocean view' into the house. The brown/espresso colors for the sand, and pops of blue for the sea. 'Sisal Stitch' berber carpeting replaced knock-off laminate flooring. Most accessories in the home are brass, gold gilt, aqua blues, tortoise & Capiz shell.

The interior/exterior "Coffee Kiss" wall paint was from the "Manor Hall Collection" by Pittsburgh Paints. The trim; Benjamin Moore Paints "White Dove."

This vintage ship painting and palm tree torchiere lamp are from Paris Hotel Boutique...

A vintage seascape oil painting from FrenchBlue & Co...

Marianne loves the 'Hollywood Regency' look and found this fabulous c. 1960's cabinet on eBay. Perfect for her So Cal 1960's house!

Marianne added some of her favorite accessories, including a pair of brass swans and a vintage blue glass vase. She plans on putting a large flat screen TV above it.

I adore this Mid Century sofa. Marianne loves the Moroccan look and this Regency piece makes a great statement! Simple, yet sleek!

A leopard rug adds a nice touch to the sisal; a fun 1960's brass rotating glass top coffee table; a pair of brass barrels function as stools or decorative accents...

The dining room has a glass top table with a fabulous vintage Asian gold leaf screen. A centerpiece of fun vintage brass accessories...

Marianne recently purchased these faux bamboo mirrors from Paris Hotel Boutique. Marianne loves them in this spot because they reflect the ocean view through the dining room windows. So exciting to see things I've sold in someone's home. Thanks Mare!

Another great find...a vintage glazed ceramic faux bamboo lantern...

This fireplace needs some TLC...

'BEFORE' photo of the kitchen. Since the project had to be designed, purchased and shipped long distance, everything was based on measurements and memory...

'AFTER' photo of the kitchen. All new cabinetry, counters, appliances and flooring...

I believe this was the refrigerator...

Aha! Now look how lovely!

'BEFORE' photo of the bedroom. Looks a bit dull, doesn't it?

'AFTER' photo of the bedroom. Sticking with Marianne's espresso theme... instead of playing it safe as many do, she adds a pair of vintage aqua lamps on top of a pair of black vintage style nightstands to give the room a pop of unexpected color.

A wonderful Mid Century Dorothy Draper chest and a Regency style chair...

LOVE these chairs!

'BEFORE' photo of the guest bedroom...my, it's a bit tired looking...

and 'AFTER'...some swanky palm leaf bedding with Art Deco furniture...

Marianne and Mike's home is still a work in progress. I think they have done a fabulous job in creating a comfortable beach home that reflects their taste and favorite objects. That's really what decorating is all about, isn't it?

Thanks Marianne and Mike for sharing your lovely home with all of us!

A sunset view from Marianne and Mike's coastside home...

Have a Sweet Weekend!

Today I discovered these yummy macaroons from Paulette in San Francisco (located in Beverly Hills too.) They carry a dozen flavors from lemon, caramel pecan, Colombian to Madagascar vanilla, Sicilian pistachio, and sweet wedding almond. And the packaging is so cute!

Paulette is an inspired collaboration between Paulette Koumetz, who has a passion for the celebrated Parisian macaron, and French pastry chef extraordinaire Christophe Michalak, winner of the 2005 Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie, with his passion for reinventing the classics.

Located at 437 Hayes St, San Francisco or order online here...