Sunday, March 31, 2013

UP THE COAST

I wanted to share some of the great
places north of Los Angeles that I get
to visit. Great stores with nice people,
can't beat that, especially if it is a
 beautiful sunny day.

First stop is Los Olivos, one of the most charming
little towns I travel to.  It is a little inland
and north of Solvang.  Very quaint and
not commercial.
is a general store but very updated
from the general stores of the past.
It resides in a old gas station on
a corner in the middle of town.
Christina has three quarters of the store
and her husband does wine tasting
in the other quarter.  He has the
renown Larner Vineyard and Winery.
It makes for a great mix.

Wine tasting is the big draw of Los Olivos
with over 40 tasting rooms.  The
General store stands out because
you need to something else between
the wine tasting. 



Los Olivos General Store
2900 Grand Ave. Ste. B
805 688 8148
 
 
Across the street is another good
reason to visit Los Olivos.

Michelle has put together a beautiful
European inspired store with a mix
of French, English and Italian
antiques from 1800's to the 1900's.
She also has become known for
her collection of bedding and
carries a wide selection of


 
Avec Moi Decor
2933 Grand St. Ste C
805 688 5700
 
Traveling south next stop

On this corner was the original location
of the lavish historic College Hotel.
Built in 1888 it became the social stop
of the area until it sadly burned down
in 1935. 
Now it is a flurishing corner where the
Santa Ynez Feed & Milling Company,
Sage of Santa Ynez, Tumbleweed
Clothing Store, and Dos Carlitos
Restaurant and Tequilia Bar. 
 Something for everone.
Sage carries imported furnishings,
elegant table linens, Italian dishware,
books and candles.




Sage of Santa Ynez
1095 Edison Street
805 688 0955
 
It was a nice day and I had this
beautiful scenery on my drive home.
 

Saturday, March 23, 2013

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX

I get excited when I see something new
and unexpected.  The new Mid-Century
collection from AIDAN GRAY HOME
is exactly that.  I think it is nice to
have a little variety in our life.  In our
wardrobe, what we eat and in our
home.  With that in mind
that is what AIDAN GRAY did.
 
I am particularly partial to the
Angie Salon Chair.  It has great
style and can mix with many different
tastes.  Simple but makes a big
impression.


Another one of my favorites the Reese
Salon Chair.  Love the curved back.
Sven Occassional chair w/ottoman.

Another occassional chair that could
fit in anywhere is the Helen.
There is a nice selection of dining chairs.
The Calvin has a great look.

The Calvin Dining Chair with arms.
I would like to see these two chairs
sitting around a simple glass table.

Rudo Dining arm chair.
Ice Dining Chair

I like the addition of the small side wings
on this Kai Dining Chair.
 
And the very understated Kurt
Dining Chair.
 

Unlike these two cats who cannot decide
what to do outside of the box
does not have that problem.