a n h - m i n h . c o m

There are times when I'm working on an article and it definitely feels like work. And then there are times when I'm working on an article and I can't believe I'm: 1) getting paid to hang out with such cool homeowners, and 2) getting paid to write up their story. Plus, I usually end up with some great design ideas.

Here's a peek at one of the homes I recently visited as part of a freelance assignment for the SF Chronicle:

I've actually got three deadlines this week, so posting may be lighter than usual.

Posted at 07:13 AM | Link

These outdoor chairs, available at one of my favorite local shops (Emily Joubert), totally say "spring" to me.

Happy Friday!

Posted at 05:39 PM | Link

We recently finished replacing all of the ceiling light fixtures in our house. It was a bit of a challenge because we have the standard ol' eight-foot ceilings, which meant we were limited to flushmounts in most places. I wish I had known that this Jonathan Adler fixture existed:

It's available in bronze or brushed nickel for $185.

Posted at 07:17 AM | Link

I totally need one of these ... okay, maybe three of them: Grobal is a cool plant container (designed by Karim Rashid) that has a self-watering system. It's available in lots of colors and in two sizes.

Posted at 07:11 AM | Link

After a trip to The Ribbonerie:

I was able to finish the living room curtains:

Hurray for completed tasks!

BTW, I wouldn't have thought to add two grosgrain ribbons of different colors and different widths. That is all Elizabeth's idea, and I think it turned out great!

Posted at 07:01 AM | Link

Pssst ... Gump's has marked down the small and medium ceiling lamps. Although their original price is higher than what Room and Board sells them for, now that they're on sale, they're a better deal at Gump's.

Posted at 01:19 PM | Link

I could go on and on about why I find today's House Tour on Apartment Therapy so inspiring. But I'll try to keep my editorial short and simple here: I love that Holly and Sean have taken affordable pieces from the likes of Target and World Market (so are we not calling it Cost Plus anymore?) and IKEA, and completely made you forget that they came from these big-box stores. Rather, the focus is shifted to their many travel finds — which are beautiful and steeped in personal significance. Their decor isn't about trends or showroom pieces. It's such a reflection of the two of them, and their history together.

P.S. Holly has a wonderful blog (Nothing But Bonfires) that has become one of my must-reads.

Posted at 11:22 AM | Link

While I like the slogan on these posters, my favorite thing about them is that they're hand-letterpressed on to antique maps. No two are alike!

Posted at 12:15 PM | Link

This rug is now at the top of my must-buy list for our house:

Posted at 07:02 AM | Link

• A good Friday indeed! The office was closed, so I spent the day running around SF with Elizabeth. Lots of design stuff accomplished for the house. And even a yummy lunch at Luna Park. (Mmmm ... mini-corndogs ...)
• Saturday entailed more driving — this time to Berkeley. I made a stop at Bette's Oceanview Diner's take-out for old time's sake (years ago, I worked on Fourth Street). The lemon-pistachio cookies are just as good as I remember.
• I was in the (510) working on an article and was lucky enough to squeeze in a lunch with Lisa and Nancy at 900 Grayson. I had never heard of the restaurant before, but I'd definitely go back for the spicy chicken and waffles.
• Today, I had to work off some of the calories from the cookies and fried chicken. Yes, it was my morning with the trainer. Afterwards, I watched my nephews scour the backyard for Easter treats.
• Jon was in Tahoe the past few days, so I made some progress on a couple of house projects, too. Well, my productivity had more to do with the lovely weather than his absence. Spraypainting the guest bedroom nightstands has been on the list for a long time, but the weather finally cooperated.

And that was my weekend!

Posted at 07:57 PM | Link

I have been a fan of Heather Frazier's mobiles for quite some time. So I am happy to report that one of her creations is now hanging in the corner of our bedroom:

Hmmm ... Now that I'm looking at this photo, I'm thinking I may need to lower the mobile a bit. Maybe so the top is along the same eye-line as the top of the framed posters by Robert Hanson and Hanna Werning.

P.S. You can check out Heather Frazier's lovely Portland home in a House Call I posted on Apartment Therapy a while back.

Posted at 07:43 AM | Link

Two posts in a row about one of my favorite designers! Lotta just added FABRICS to her online shop!!! And there are just too many that I want!

Posted at 08:55 AM | Link

Arriving soon at a bookstore near you: designer Lotta Jansdotter's latest guide. This one is called Lotta Prints: How to Print with Anything, from Potatoes to Linoleum.

I hope the instructions in Lotta's new book are as easy to follow as the ones in her sewing book.

Posted at 07:54 AM | Link

I am trying to resist buying this dress, by Madison Marcus:

But the scallops! The adorable racerback! I'm not sure I can deny my closet this much cuteness.

Posted at 07:32 AM | Link

There's a local Venezuelan cafe that has a spicy hot chocolate that I am addicted to. But most of the time, when I'm handed my beverage, it is WAY hot. So hot, the barista usually puts the cup inside a second cup to avoid burns. Now, I think I've found a better solution: one of these cool knitted sleeves, available at the Curiosity Shoppe.

Posted at 10:31 AM | Link

Look what arrived! UPS just dropped off Cutting Edge, which includes over 250 patterns (and a CD with 50 of them). There are a lot of designers whose names I recognize, as well as plenty who are new to me. In the latter category, I am loving Aimée Wilder's patterns:

Posted at 10:08 AM | Link

This cropped leather jacket is called the "Lindsay." It retails for $880. Can you guess the label?

MEMBERS freaking ONLY. No, seriously.

There's more where this came from: Revolve Clothing carries this jacket, as well as other leather ones, and MO mini-dresses.

Posted at 03:04 PM | Link

When we moved into our house, we didn't have a dining table, so we ate at the kitchen counter every night. This worked for a couple of months, until we decided to host a birthday dinner for Jon. That was just the motivation we needed to go out and find a table. I had a very specific idea in mind, which we totally lucked out and found at a vintage shop. It was affordable and imperfect — both of which are good things in my book.

So for three years, we've kept this table that I adore mostly uncovered. But when I recently came across this Dwell tablecloth at Target (they no longer carry it online), I decided to give it a try:

I think I still prefer seeing the bare wood tabletop, even with its scratches and discolorations. (Perhaps it has something to do with the contrast between the white chairs and the teak table?) So the tablecloth may be brought out only when we're expecting company.

P.S. I think Jon and I have finally agreed upon replacement dining room chairs! More on that when it's a done deal/purchase ...

Posted at 02:28 PM | Link

Original, hand-screenprinted pillows:

"Mari" in green by Kalla

Part of the "Borneo" collection by Tiger Fish Design

Love the song lyrics on this design by Golcar House

"Cutlery" in black by Tim Buckley

Posted at 08:58 AM | Link

I am loving Missoni's latest bedding collection, now available at Auto.

Posted at 07:36 AM | Link

I love love love this store. Because every few months, they stock new goods from a different part of the world. Today, Hong Kong products hit the Kiosk webshop. I think I need these pinwheels (eight are strung together):

And these Bank of Hell stock certificates are pretty funny.

Posted at 01:51 PM | Link

Last night, while I was sewing up a little pillow for a chair in the office/craft room, Jon was slicing away at some Flor tiles, putting together a runner (with a border!) in the main hallway of our house:

Posted at 06:54 AM | Link

I tried to convince Jon that we should get these chairs for the dining room:

But he refuses. He thinks they are outdoor chairs and, therefore, belong in the backyard. Nevermind that even Pottery Barn is now showing them as INDOOR dining chairs. Complete with cushions for them.

*sigh*

And so the search continues ...

Posted at 08:15 AM | Link

I am really bad at unpacking after a trip. But this week, things are different. They have to be: Jon's parents are coming to town this weekend. So in addition to emptying out the suitcases and doing loads of laundry, there is plenty of tidying up to do around the house. And lots of donating of random furniture.

In the guest bedroom — where his parents will be staying — at least we've got this off the bed and on the wall now:

Textile picked up during our Thanksgiving 2007 trip to Los Cabos

Posted at 07:14 AM | Link

Relaxing by the pool in Hawaii for hours and hours is nice and all. But maybe not the best idea when you have a schmancy event to attend a week later. And you now have tan lines that will look ridiculous with the spaghetti-strapped dress you were planning to wear.

(Why didn't I choose a shady spot under an umbrella!?! At least for half of the time.)

So, Internet, I am now racking my brain trying to think of a different dress to wear to this function ... which is in three days.

Posted at 12:01 PM | Link

Just to the right of our front door, we have a slim bench and a wall-mounted coat rack — an area that has become overrun with scarves. I think placing a small receptacle like the bucket below is a good solution for organizing them:

Posted at 11:06 AM | Link

I hear the weather was lovely here this weekend in the Bay Area. But you know where it was even sunnier and warmer? Maui. Which is where Jon and I spent the past few days. All of that lying out by the pool can be tiring, I tell you! Or maybe it's the wailing babies and shaking rattles on the five-hour plane ride home last night that have got me feeling fatigued?

I need a nap to recover from our rather quick trip. Unfortunately, I think our company handbook explicitly prohibits sleeping at your desk.

Posted at 08:27 AM | Link

I wish this book was available when I got married! I totally would have picked up a couple of copies for my nieces.

This picture book is the perfect gift for soon-to-be flower girls. Girls will enjoy reading the story of Fiona, a first-time flower girl who discovers how exciting it is to play a special part in a wedding. The book includes a flower-shaped keepsake necklace the child can wear, as well as a comprehensive guide for parents with tips on how to prepare girls for the big day.

Oh, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that the book is illustrated by Lorena Siminovich (of Petit Collage). Sweet.

Posted at 09:28 AM | Link

Yessss! Lara solicited reader suggestions for must-visit places in London, and the list is quite good. I am totally going to print it out and use this for my own trip later this year.

And this just in! IDEO has released travel books! Including one on London. Must get.

Posted at 08:36 AM | Link

Make that: the Girl Scout Cookies. The Tagalongs were once my absolute favorites, especially frozen. But they have now been replaced by the Lemon Chalet Cremes. They are best eaten as follows: Separate the sandwich-style cookie (like you would an Oreo) and eat only the biscuit that is topped with the yummy lemon creme.

The other biscuit, now lacking any creme? In our house, that goes to Jon. Because this is how a partnership works, people.

Posted at 08:15 AM | Link

I am a big fan of Small Stump. And Rose and Radish is one of my favorite local shops. So I was not the least bit surprised that Jill Pilotte — the founder of SS and the creative head at R&R — has an amazing home. You can check it out right now in my latest "House Call" post for Apartment Therapy.

A couple of details that I especially like: the design painted on the magazine holders, and the wall of plates with the scalloped painted background.

Posted at 11:30 AM | Link

We spent the weekend in Carmel, celebrating Jon's birthday. There were gifts (though sadly his big present requires a six-month wait). There was cake (tiramisu). There was a much-needed visit to the spa (him, not me). And, of course, a trip to the Big Sur Bakery (one of my favorite spots).

Posted at 10:18 AM | Link