Natural Wallcoverings

Wall covering is the great unifier in any space. Grass cloth wall coverings add a green element to a design.  Grass cloth wall coverings are sustainable and can be used in any room. What I like about the new ones are updated colors.  From gray to toffee using grass cloth will bring your space fashion forward. I'll show you a few selections to consider... in lieu of paint.

 Natural grass cloth - Barclay Butera

Thibaut - Hakka

 Brown grass cloth

Gray grass cloth - Lonny magazine

Add gray grass cloth to continue the contemporary vibe.

Finally, a use for the yogurt maker

What key does an eggbeater play in?

Inventor, composer and "sound sculptor" Trimpin, who is in residence at Stanford Lively Arts this spring, is hosting his own particular kind of parties later this month at the San Jose Museum of Art.

On Feb. 26, Trimpin will hold two workshops in which folks can craft musical sculpture and play a symphony -- all on found objects. In fact, attendees are urged to bring their own kitchen thingamajigs from home.

The 1:30 p.m. workshop is already sold out, but you just may make it into the 11 a.m. one. Ticket info is on the museum site here

Meanwhile, Trimpin is also planning to premiere a new work at Stanford Lively Arts on May 14, directed by Rinde Eckert.

Pictured: Trimpin, the composer and sound artist. Photo by Matthew Campbell of Stanford Lively Arts.

Fab Fabric Prices

Looking for fabric for your next project?  We offer the latest vendors at a discount... Email us for a  quote.  Update a bedroom with cool greens in linen and velvet from Robert Allen.  The green pillow is personalized with a unique embroidered design.        

Robert Allen: Damask Davay

Cotton/Linen blend

Color: Fountain

Retail: $68.00  Sale: $35.89

20 yds available.

Robert Allen: Feodor
Cotton/Poly velvet blend
Color: Scallion
Retail: $54.50  Sale: $27.00
10 yds. available

Email us if there is a fabric you want a quote on...

 

SHADES !

Not your granny's shades... these colorful window treatments have arrived rather fashion forward. Window treatments haven't remained stuck in time.  Although roller and balloon shades are yesteryears inventions... color, and new materials have brought them into the 21st century with style. Every window looks dressed when these beauties are installed.... Try updating your window fashions.... email me if you have questions

Light diffuser shades are perfect when you want to extinguish glare.
image: The Shade Store


Water fall woven woods add a natural aesthetic.
image: Skandia Window Fashion



The flat Roman shade and coordinating valance soften the kitchen.


I love the 17th century technology of  balloon shades.


This pastel balloon shade adds a feminine touch to this space.
image: Country Living


Austrian shades always add window drama!

Shakespeare seeks stage

It looks like the Festival Theatre Ensemble's free outdoor theater at Menlo Park is in jeopardy. As Renee Batti from our sister paper the Almanac reports, the back lot where Shakespeare gets staged every summer is in the way of the Hetch Hetchy water pipe restoration project. So the search is on for a new venue, and I wish the group good fortune. Read the full story here.

Feels like I was just writing about the Menlo Players Guild losing its theater. While schools in neighboring towns have beautiful new performing-arts centers, community stages are few and far between in the fair city where I grew up.

Pictured: A publicity photo from the Festival Theatre Ensemble's website.

New art takes shape on Newell Road

Curious people are already peering into artist Patrick Dougherty's new environmental sculpture on the Palo Alto Art Center grounds, and it's not scheduled to be finished for a week and a half. But it's hard to resist.

I mean, check this thing out. It's got whirls and windows of willow saplings in a surprising, subtle palette of colors. The artist and his crew are climbing ladders, scaling scaffolding and weaving their materials together. I dropped by today and took a few pics with the trusty smartphone.

Once it's finished, the "site-specific installation" is expected to look like a long fairytale-esque dwelling, up for kids and everyone else to explore for at least a year, if the creek don't rise.

Patrick Dougherty is also scheduled to give a free talk at the art center at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 27.




Pictured: Above right: A visitor peers into the sculpture. Above: Two members of the installation crew at work. Photos by Rebecca Wallace.

What I Love about Candice

What I love about Candice Olson is... her interiors never disappoint. Case in point... this city loft.  It's sophisticated, polished and the finishes are up to date. Her choices of stainless and silver make an elegant impact.  From the floors to the sheer mesh draperies this space has many resting places for the eye.  Chocolate brown instead of black adds softness to the decor that works well with the taupe and cream palette.  What draws the eye up are the chocolate cabinets and the chocolate shades on the chandeliers.  Margo chandeliers are from the Candice Olson Lighting Collection. This collection works well with both a contemporary or traditional aesthetic. The Margo comes in three sizes with a choice of a cream poly silk shade also.  Another of my favorites from the collection is the Cosmo pendant. Check out the link for the entire collection and decide which is your favorite. Considering a new fixture?... email me.   We sell the entire collection !!

 

A little bling goes a long way to accent this sleek, trim chandelier. The Margo

is available in a 4,6, or 9 bulb configuration.

Cosmo - Oil rubbed  bronze with silver accents/dark linen hard back shade. The Cosmo

 fixture is hand crafted so no two are exactly alike. 

Satin brass with silver accents/beige poly silk hard back shade