Scouting for Cool Stuff

Scout Living is a Vintage Collective run by husband and wife team Erin Boyle and Stefan Betz Bloom. This section of the shop features furniture and decor by Martin Mattox

Shopping for my home and for my clients has just gotten one step easier since new Scout Living opened in town. Located in the middle of "the grid" in midtown Sacramento, Scout Living is the brain child of husband and wife team, Erin Boyle and Stefan Betz Bloom. It is a collective of the best (IMO) antique, modern, and vintage furniture and decor dealers in the area, and I am so excited that they have joined forces and are scouting out the best for all of us.

Scout Living on 18th Street in Sacramento's "grid"

Erin and Stefan began their furniture obsession in San Francisco but moved to Sacramento not too long ago. Sacramento was screaming for some design attention, and Erin and Stefan were only too happy to oblige. This creative couple specialize in 2oth century modern, Danish Modern and Art Deco. Other dealers in Scout Living also contribute to this vibe. Other dealers, like Martin Mattox, offer a mix of modern, industrial and vintage French. There is definitely something for everyone.

Honestly, once I entered the loft-like interior of the charming brick building, my heart skipped a beat, and my eyes dilated...a true sign of design attraction. Here is a little peek at Scout:

This chair had a zebra hide back and white leather, soft as butter, on the seat and back.

Quality is exceptional here. Loved the yellow lamp!

Fantastic beaker collection atop very cool metal industrial secretary

Sofa had original upholstery, in great condition....so comfortable!

I was busily snapping away at all of the goodness when Erin and Stefan came back from errands. Immediately charmed by this hip young couple, I was happy to chat away a good part of the afternoon thanking them for bringing their design sensibilities to midtown. They are a tall drink of cool water for this hot summer town. 

Stefan and Erin....I was thoroughly charmed. BTW....they made the light fixtures throughout the space!

It was very hard to pull myself away, but I know they are only a hop, skip away....so I will be back very soon.

I hope you all have a chance to stop in and say "hi".

Scout Living is located at:

1215 18th Street

Sacramento, CA 95811

p: 916-594-7971

For a peek inside Erin and Stefan's house, check out Apartment Therapy HERE, and Mimomito HERE!

Happy Scouting!

Mill Valley: Summer House

Summer House.....Leather Arm Chairs, Knit "Pouf" Ottoman, Wood Carved Mirror

 Last Friday, I drove over to Marin to drop off materials for a potential project (keeping my fingers crossed!). For those of you not in California, Marin is the county just North of San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge. It is beautiful lush green hilly country bordered on the West by the Pacific Ocean and on the East by the San Francisco Bay. 

Since I was so close, I never pass up a chance to wander over to the charming town of Mill Valley. Mill Valley is home to some of my favorite shops, one of which is Summer House. Summer House has great home decor....all of the things I love....and they recently opened an annex which houses home furnishings (upholstery, case goods, lighting, and one of a kind finds....) 

Tin Framed Mirror, Mercury Glass Lamps, Mother of Pearl Inlaid Chest. Bobbin Dining Chair in foreground

Summer House seems to put together that perfect mix of rustic and relaxed, elegant comfort, exotic finds, antiques and custom pieces.

 I thought I would share the wealth....

Work Desk made from Antique Cararra Marble from Italy, Tin Base. 

Detail of Dove Tail Joinery on Marble Table Top....Brilliant! Perhaps my favorite detail in the shop that day. Custom Tables are available through Summer House

Summer House does not have a website, but you can find them here:

21 Throckmorton Ave

Mill Valley, CA 94941-1915 

(415) 383-6695

It is well worth a special trip to pay them a visit!

Also, Remodelista had a great article about them HERE with lots more photos.

(Unfortunately, their blog does not seem to be up and running.)

Getting Cubed in Laguna, California

Green Cube Store in Laguna Beach emphasizes re-use and sustainability, all done with creativity and an edgy beauty. 

 As you know, we just got back from a So Cal Spring Break. We stayed in Laguna Beach, one of my favorite places in California....gorgeous beaches, beautiful hills, great shopping and restaurants, home of the Pageant of the Masters (which we may be heading back to see this summer!)....it is a perfect place to get away.

We fit a lot into this little break, and shopping was high on my list! Tim was very indulgent because he had a day of golf with the guys while my daughter and I went to Disneyland the first day we got to town. The next day we hit Laguna to do a little shopping, since the weather was not as warm for the beach as we had hoped. 

 There are lots of great shops for fashion in Laguna, (and my daughter was happy as a clam to find one boutique where everything was $15 or less.)

 And then I found "my" shop......actually Tim found it while my teen and I were in "her" shop. Tim was wandering a bit while the teen was trying on outfit after outfit. He came in to find us, and said..." I think you are going to like the next one". So of course, I hustle the teen along so I can get on down the street.

Then we stepped into the Green Cube.....Tim knows me so well...

What can I say about the Green Cube? I can't say enough! It is innovative and edgy, creative and beautiful. It has a bit of everything I love....furniture, lighting, decor....but it also has fashion.....and shoes! Even better, the focus of Green Cube is what you might imagine, given the name....there is an emphasis on sustainability. Everything for the shop is selected by the very beautiful and stylish owner, Sanja Simidzija. I was captivated.

 I ended up in a long conversation with Sanja's husband, who was manning the fort while Sanja was next door in their second gallery, Art Cube.....hold on....there is a SECOND gallery?

 I was already so intrigued with Green Cube and its collection of creative rustic modern decor and distinctive fashion, it was hard to tear myself away to go next door.

But I was told that Sanja could be found in her art gallery, so I had to go meet the creative soul behind both Green Cube and Art Cube....

Art Cube Gallery

 I stepped into the Art Cube Gallery and it was like stepping into a cloud with it's white walls and floors. It was a perfect backdrop for the collection inside. Described as a place to find "breathing room for the spirit", one can certainly breath in the talent in this space.

 Sanja has curated a fantastic group of cutting edge contemporary artists, whom I have already bookmarked into my files for future projects! Be sure to check out the Art Cube website HERE for information on all of the artists

 Finding Green Cube and Art Cube was a lovely way to spend a cool and foggy morning, and having the opportunity to meet the charming and handsome owners was the icing on the cake.

 On you next trip to So Cal, do stop in and say hello to Sanja. Green Cube and Art Cube are located in the heart of town on Forest Ave. 

The lovely Sanja Simidzija, proprietress of Green Cube and Art Cube

You will find them, the galleries and the owners, a breath of fresh air.

Quick! Hop over to Swift Street.

 We had such fun during our long weekend in Santa Cruz, I wanted to show you everything! As we were driving to the beach to catch one more sunset, we passed by a newly gentrified warehouse area in Santa Cruz's West Side that has been turned into a gem of a shopping and food experience! Swift Street Courtyard made it's transformation in '07 with new shops being added just this last month. Tim and I are always interested in how industrial areas can be transformed, so we had to stop in and take a look around.

It seems I have Bakery Radar, because Kelly's French Bakery immediately caught my eye. Everything looked scrumptious! They serve breakfast and lunch, but when we happened upon it, it was almost dinner time. We are looking forward to spending more time here next time we are in Santa Cruz!

It seems that Kelly and Mark Sanchez, owners of Kelly's French Bakery were instrumental in the transformation at Swift Street setting the whole thing in motion when they purchased property in 2000. For more info about their start here, click HERE.

 The newest addition to the Swift Street Family is a Charcuterie which opened in February, el Salchichero. There is nothing quite like a local butcher for foodies like us. For all of the scoop be sure to check out their website! Fantastic find, this. 

Next up.....Illuminee, Lighting, Design and Decor  was the perfect little lighting resource for the designer in me. Fun and modern: 

Cameron Marks Boutique was a fun and quirky women's wear and gift boutique. We were there on a Sunday afternoon, so could not open the door. Believe me, I tried. It is on my list for the next trip! It looks like my kind of shopping spree. For more photos of the goodies within, click HERE.

There were plenty of things open for us to explore on a Sunday afternoon however!

 Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing Tap Room for one. More than friendly, and what a great way to spend the afternoon! And I love their mantra: Think Organic, Drink Organic.

 Right across the way was the Bonny Doon Wine Tasting Room:

The Harry Potter floating wine bottles throughout the space were just the start of the imaginative interiors. The Magnum bottles used as a window screen were brilliant!

 Wine keg staves were used everywhere, from the water feature to the privacy screening on the booths.

 It looked like a bit of wine was left at the bottom of the bottles that made up this chandelier...nice touch!

 The Cellar Cafe shares the space with the tasting room and is owned and operated by the Bonney Doon team led by "president for life" Randall Grahm and restaurateur David Kinch. For more on the story, hop on over HERE. Loved the space and the casual fun design. Seasonal menus are our favorite kind....so we will be back soon!

For more about the shops at Swift Street Courtyard check out THIS ARTICLE. Somehow we missed the Gin Distillery! Next time.....

 After our long day, it was time to follow the sunset and dream about our next visit to Santa Cruz.

Have a very happy Weekend!

Well...THIS is fun!.....Blue Carrot Shop

I just got an email from Alexandra, Graphic Artist, and hunter of nifty stuff. She has just opened a fun little online shop called Blue Carrot Shop where she sells her whimsical wares.

I picked out a few of my favorites here, but there is so much more!

Handmade Blue Carrot Bag....perfect for makeup, receipts, coupons...

Letterpress numbers and letters

Kitchy Bear Tray...so cute.

Who doesn't need a Pretzel and Chip container?

I think my Barbie had one of these Skotch Koolers!

Hop on over and say "hello" to Alexandra and check out all of the goodies HERE.

And leave her a little comment or two HERE on her blog.

San Diego: Lost in the Wonderland of The Urban Seed

The Front "Foyer" held a grand concrete table with a truly monumental bouquet of daisies which melded into the iron chandelier which was probably 5 feet in diameter.

I have a habit of losing my family when we are exploring. We were visiting San Diego's Old Town in a fun shop selling pretty trinkets and I was buying one of those hooded striped blanket type sweatshirts from Mexico, I turn around, and the family unit had disappeared.

The Urban Seed has beautiful sunburst mirrors. The sconces were beautiful! Note the great lamps and tin lanterns.

Well...they had to be somewhere, so I wander out looking for them and stumble upon The Urban Seed. I immediately forgot all about the family....I had found my "spot" in Old Town.

International flair, with the French style bench, Moroccan table, tropical bamboo chair, Spanish style candlestick holders, Mexican Tin Mirror.

The Urban Seed is a cacophony of garden delights and imported treasures carefully cultivated by, Maurice Taitano and Michael Bliss, husband and wife team. Maurice (wife) was in the shop when I walked in and we hit it off right away. Kindred spirits, we. She graciously led me through her little plot of Heaven while I kept stopping to take picture after picture. She had the patience of a saint.

French Armoire, Red Lacquer Bamboo Chair

There is a charming collection of rooms here, each with its own flavor. The overall feel is of the historic influence of European colonization of Mexico. Full of sunburst mirrors, lanterns and twig adorned chandeliers, antiques, garden elements, unique and perfect accessories and gifts. The Urban Seed could have held my attention all day.

Rustic Wood Settee, Gilt Sunburst Mirror, Planted Urns, Moroccan Lantern create an inviting vignette.

I was a little bit under a spell I think. Are you?

Blue Wire,Chandelier, Limed Gate leg Table, with all of the surrounding garden elements, charming!!

I glanced at my watch and realized I had abandoned my family, who by now was surely worried. I said my goodbyes to Maurice and rushed back to reality.

Pedestal Table with modern vase....great contrast! Loved the small paintings on the shelves.

But I was sad to go. I will have my pictures to remind me to return very soon.


Beautiful hand made beads hanging from bare tree branches. Glass Bowls of botanical matchbooks. Gorgeous mosaic table.


Huge mirrored sconces, metal star lantern and wire sphere.


Lots of succulents, cactus and beautiful garden elements. Great twig table!


More!

This is the Seed Room. Maurice and Michael are continuing to sell vegetable and flower seeds in the footsteps of Charles Ledgerwood who started the company known as "Reliable Seed" in this same location. These are the original seed bins. Click here for the full story!

And here is the lovely Maurice. She and her husband Michael design gardens as well. Be sure to check out their website HERE.

Thank you Maurice for the wonderful tour! I will be back soon.

My family was indeed beginning to worry, so I am glad I finally found them in the Mexican Tile shop across the courtyard. It was time for a Pina Colada and Guacamole....and our next adventure.