Happy Saturday, friends!
It’s time for the weekend post with Kim and Elizabeth, our weekly roundup of inspirations and goings on. Today I’m sharing a Folly build update, a coastal summer inspired outfit, a local garden tour, my favorite pieces from Serena & Lily on sale, and a short visit to Lake Oswego, Oregon.
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It’s Memorial Day Weekend! Ready or not here we are at the unofficial start of summer. You probably have a fun weekend planned, so let’s get into it and get you on your way.
Folly Update
Over at the Folly, we have a garage door. Isn’t it cute?!
Tile too. In the primary shower …
And guest bath. I’m ecstatic over the tiled floor vent. When our tile guy showed me the vent frame (I think it’s this one) I didn’t see how it would work. But it does … so, yay. Yesterday I picked the grout color.
The stairwell molding pattern has been an ongoing discussion – it’s tricky – culminating this week in a two hour templating session with our designer Jaklyn and project manager Rick.
A couple days later … ta da!
In other news, we decided on grasscloth wallpaper for the living room and met with our landscape team (Gorney & Assoc. Architecture, Marty Hoffman Landscape Design & GreenGo Landscaping).
The Folly’s landscape must be complete in order to get sign-off on our building permit … so we can move in. As charming as it is 😑 we prefer not to prolong our stay at the pied-à-terre. That said, we’re months away from unpacking boxes at the new house.
Under extreme pressure I ate a donut. It’s been a while. A plain old fashioned. OMG it was good.
Another Coastal Grandmother Summer
It’s been warm here this week, a little too warm. 🥵 It looks like temperatures are going to drop as the weekend goes on which is typical for Memorial Day weekend. Nevertheless this weekend marks the unofficial beginning of summer so I’m breaking out the linen and nautical stripes in preparation for another coastal grandmother summer. Yes, I know, that trend has come and gone. But has it really? Not if Nancy Meyers has anything to say about it … and I’m with her.
I shopped my closet for an inaugural coastal grandma summer look. Cropped linen pants, nautical stripe popover tee, cute & comfortable wedge sandals, and my favorite, and very well worn, woven tote (current version). I wore this outfit to San Francisco, where it’s a tad cooler, so I tied a navy cardigan round my waist … and thank goodness I did.
The foundation of my coastal grandma summer closet … linen, stripes, sandals and sunnies. And, of course, a tote of some kind. I’m partial to the mini boat & tote and anything woven like this mini straw bucket I spotted a few weeks ago … with a scarf or bandana tied to the handle. Obviously. I kinda love this paisley scarf. As Ina, our reining coastal grandma, would say, how easy is that?!
Shop My Coastal Grandma Ensemble ~
Oh, and I did another thing I haven’t done in quite a while … I wore a strand of pearls paired with this paperclip necklace. Donuts and pearls, all in one week … who am I?
Quick Trip to Lake Oswego
Last weekend we took a quick trip to Oregon to visit Jim’s family in Lake Oswego. SIL Julie set another beautiful table. The flowers are from her garden. Look at those gorgeous rhododendrons.
Can you believe her fluted, taper candles are flameless? They’re so realistic I tried to blow them out at the end of the night. I shared her pretty outdoor table, with many of the same elements, last fall. I love her raffia wrapped hurricanes, and they’re on sale. These wicker and glass hurricanes have a similar vibe; also on sale.
It was a cold and rainy weekend, but I think the PNW is even more glorious under a misty cloud cover.
By the way, if your travels take you to or through Lake Oswego, I highly recommend Five Spice Seafood & Wine Bar. Amazing menu, and if you hit the weather right, a gorgeous dining deck overlooking the lake. Everything about it is superb.
We stayed at the AC Marriott (points) and had to laugh when I walked into our room and saw that the bathroom door is basically a shower door. I recently read this article (gift link) about the disappearance of proper bathroom doors in hotels. Needless to say I’m not onboard with this bizarre trend.
As usual, Pippa & Maggie checked into the Dogs Breath Motel … their home away from home. They love staying with Tami and her family … in their home. It’s fun following them on Instagram during their stay. Actually I follow the Dog’s Breath stories all the time to watch the cute guest pups enjoying the lap of luxury alongside Tami’s menagerie.
Tami gave the girls going-home baths before we picked them up. Apparently she uses Salkapet holistic products, which you can probably purchase at her darling pet provisions shop, Partner’s Place, in downtown Martinez. Pippa and Maggie love the shop’s selection of treats and toys … especially the freeze dried shrimp. Abby, our cat, loves them too!
AAUW Garden Tour
The American Association of University Women’s (Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek) annual garden tour was two weeks ago but I ran out of time to share my snaps of the five beautiful gardens. Ticket proceeds from the tour support college and graduate school scholarships for local students, STEM camperships for middle school girls, and branch programs advancing equity for all.
The striped garden chair in the midst of a colorful pollinator garden called my name.
Who can resist a squirrel or a blue and white teapot?
The highlight of the tour was a 40+ year-old garden surrounding a shingled, craftsman style home built in 1919 on the Jones Ranch property dating from the mid-1800’s. One of the garden club ladies told me there are five or six other late 1800’s early 1900’s era homes still standing on the former ranch property in the midst of a more modern neighborhood of 1950-80’s homes.
The property sits in a beautifully wooded area, and includes a tranquil waterfall feature, a pool and sports court, dining pavilion overlooking the pool, raised beds and a rain collection system for irrigation.
Serena & Lily Sale
Memorial Day isn’t about sales, although you’d never know it. I’ll only mention the Serena & Lily sale because I try to hold off making wish-list purchases until they’re on sale. I love S&L but it isn’t cheap and sales savings make a difference.
I recently updated my Serena & Lily round-up of all the S&L pieces at Snowberry … and the pieces I’m eyeing and buying for the new house. Their Memorial Day sale runs through May 27th.
Odds & Socks ~
- You know I’m a fan of Laundry Patric aka the Laundry Evangelist and his brilliant books – Laundry Love: Finding Joy in a Common Chore & House Love: A Joyful Guide to Cleaning, Organizing, and Loving the Home Your In. I wrote an entire post about revamping my laundry routine after reading Patric’s first book. It was very popular and I should give it a quick update. Anyhoo, if you’re not on Patric’s mailing list, I highly recommend it. A recent newsletter announced his new Stain Removal Library, a collection of links to his videos covering the removal of every type of stain imaginable.
- Jack Ryan fans … the story continues in the form of a full-length movie. It premiered on Prime Video last week and does not disappoint. I wish it was a series so it could last longer. The way it ended, I think there will be more to come. Anyway, the four-season Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan series is so good if you haven’t seen it.
- Elizabeth shared Ina’s mouth watering Blueberry Crumb Cake; a great recipe to make this Memorial Day Weekend.
- Kim and Cindy dropped May’s Signature Style … all about Summer Style. Read Kim’s take here, and Cindy’s here.
- Local friends, the San Francisco Decorator Showcase continues through Monday, so it’s not too late to see it. You can purchase tickets in advance or at the door for an additional $10. BTW the showcase home went on the market last week and is already pending. Kim and I toured the house a couple of weeks ago and I shared it here.
Current Favorites ~
And that’s all I have for you today. Wishing you a lovely holiday weekend as we honor the brave men and women who sacrificed themselves in service to our country, and offer our support and gratitude to their families.
Last week I shared the latest edition of eyeing and buying for the new house; catch up here.
Let’s see what’s inspiring Elizabeth and Kim.
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Nothing else at the new house will get as many votes from me as the stairway shown today. Knock out beautiful, a d not finished yet. Love the windows and beautiful millwork.
I so look forward to your post!
Nan! Thank you so much, you have no idea how happy I am to hear your thoughts. The applied molding approach to our millworker is new for me and I’ve been unsure. I’ve come around to loving it and I’m delighted to hear that you’ve had the same response. Thank you! Did I already say that? xoxo
PS. Tell me about the blouse you are wearing eating your donut. Where can I buy it?
Nan! I shared it a few weeks ago … here’s the link.
https://go.shopmy.us/p-60143363
It’s drapey and flowy and ideal for donut consumption. xo
Happy Memorial Weekend my Friend!
Folly is stunning…. obsessed with everything already! You have an incredible eye for detail and design. LOVE your picture of the Oregon lake….all the muted greens is mesmerizing. Super loving your long hair, too!!!
Another fabulous dispatch!! I adore you…xo K
Kymmie! Happy holiday weekend … I know you and Jeff will have many fabulous things planned. Enjoy!!! xoxo
Hi Juliet! Folly has a lovely garage door, and she is getting close to the big move in day! I’ll take one of those donuts you had, please. Is that a Frank and Eileen top you have on? Very cute. Don’t you just hate those bathroom sliding doors? We had the same experience staying at Hyatt in Santa Rosa last week. And I’m also not a fan of no hooks in bathroom to hang anything. Enjoy the holiday weekend eyeing and buying for Folly of course! Xx
Karen! Oof … the sliding door are the worst. What’s wrong with a good old fashioned door? And hooks. The basics. I feel like a grumpy old lady, but come on. Glad you like the garage door … and wish we could sit down and share a donut. Or two! xo
Sorry, forgot to respond about my donut eating top … it’s from BR Factory (great price) and I shared it a couple of weeks ago. Here’s a link …
https://go.shopmy.us/p-60143363
xo
Great read this Saturday morning. Love the moulding. The gardens will be great. You are really getting to the good parts now. Can’t wait!
I hauled out all my linen pants and now it’s gray and a bit nippy again. Typical May in the PNW.
Have a great weekend my friend.
Karen! Woke up today and the marine layer has blown in. After walking the dogs my hair is a mess, but I’m putting on my linen pants anyway. And a heavier sweater! Hope you and Bill have something fun planned this holiday weekend. xoxo
I am anxious to see the finished folly – thanks for taking us along in the journey.
Regarding travel to Oregon (lake Oswego) – if you fly through the Portland airport check out the new women owned Freeland Spirits shop. They have been doing great things in Portland and are now in the airport with their beautiful bottles and special mixtures of gin and bourbon.
Cindy! I’m glad you mentioned it, I almost included a photo of the Portland airport because it’s so beautiful. And so many wonderful shops and restaurants. We were rushing on both ends and didn’t get to explore. But I want to next time. Have a wonderful weekend. xo
Hi Juliet,
Thanks for a lovely post. I have a friend who is an interior designer and she has grasscloth wallpaper in her bedrooms which is so beautiful. Great choice. I love the donut shot! Hysterical! Happy weekend xo
Francesca! Happy to hear the enthusiasm for grasscloth. I’ve always loved the look but have never tried it. Hope you’re enjoying a wonderful weekend! xo
Thanks for the shoutout! And that garden tour looks like so much fun!
Cindy! You’d love it. xo
Good evening Juliet,
I love to save your post and Kims for Sunday night when I have time to relax, scroll back and reread and see all of the fine print as they say.
The folly looks amazing! I love the garage door and all of the beautiful molding. Gorgeous. I say this every Folly update but I cannot wait to see it finished.
It looks like your had a beautiful trip to the PNW, I am a huge fan or gray overcast days and it looks stunning. I hope that family was well!
Love your coastal grandmother style! What did you hope for at the sales? So far I have purchased nothing. Sigh.
Have a wonderful week.
xo.
P.S. Thank you for sharing my/Ina coffee cake.
And I am not on board with the weird bathroom or lack of bathroom doors. Its weird. What’s next, no wall separating the bathroom?
Elizabeth … this bathroom door trend has got to end! xo
Juliet, Sorry I am so late to this post. Thanks you so much for sharing our Signature Style posts too.
First of all, I am in love with the stairwell! It’s gorgeous and the little garage doors are darling too. So funny I just chose a grasscloth for my living room wall and my pal’s sister who is a designer ordered it for me. I think they look so luxe! My mom had grasscloth in our living room and I always loved it.
Lake Oswego seems adorable. What a pretty lake! So charming. I love the table too. No way would I believe those were faux candles. How nice the girls get a spa treatment at the doggy hotel. Thank you for sharing the garden tour too. I love that shingles house and the pool! I told Max we need to do that..
Love the top too. It looks just like a Frank & Eileen one I have – probably for a lot less.
Hope you are having a good weekend Juliet.
xo
I’ve been thinking so much about those we lost this Memorial weekend too.
Kim! Grass cloth is back, baby! I guess it never really went away. My aunt had grass cloth throughout her very chic home built in the early 1970’s and I loved it. Can’t believe I’m finally going that direction … and you too. We’ll be grass cloth twins. Hope you had a lovely weekend. xo
Juliet! Your house is looking so beautiful! The garage door, the stairwell….it is divine!
Love that stripe Henley from Frank and Eileen!
Jack Ryan! I know what we’re doing tonight! Loved that series…even though I would have to get up and walk around because it made me so stressed….I know, I know, it’s a movie (or a series…haha)
xo
Annie! I know what you mean about the stress. I feel it too. The good news about it being a movie and not a series is the stress is limited to one night. Enjoy! xo
My grandmother used to live on Lake Oswego….I’ve peddle boated around that lake many times. It’s gorgeous.
Cindi! It’s so beautiful … what a wonderful place to live. And peddle. xo
So crazy to think you two were about 15 minutes, or so, apart from me last weekend. I was at my eldest daughter’s home in West Linn which is right next to Lake Oswego. Salem (where we live) is about 50 minutes south. I’m so glad you had a great time. Many exciting things going on for you!
Deb! So close, but yet so far. Next time we’re in Lake Oswego I’m going to check in to see where you are and if we might meet up. Would love to meet my design guru IRL! xoxo