our cottage by the bay.

I've had quite a few requests for views of our little place here in the bay of San Francisco, and so it is high time for a visual update. The last time you saw this place, it was naked & full of our smallest hodge podge of furnishings. Sadly, the better half of our items were sold before we arrived, knowing very well that they wouldn't fit into our new teeny space. But in the last 6+ months, we've moved on ..and haven't looked back.

Well, Ikea sure knows what they're talkin about when it comes to furnishing a space the size of a descent closet. Combine that with the friendly pricing and cute selections of target, and my old friend Emilie Jayne- the charming second hand store of SLC- and we've got ourselves a home. A gracious mention goes to some donated authentic Mexican end tables to the cause of cuteness from my parents house in Baja. I must say, 400 square feet is more than bearable when it looks like this. (;

Also, the sizey yard (which is by far larger than our entire interior mind you) is definitely the lifesaver here. Hippo would otherwise go insane. And my freshly sprouting green thumb would wither away. The cilantro has never had it so good.

And my final thanks of the post go to... our first tax return that was not pitifully small due to studentdom. What a glorious day your arrival was. I couldn't have done it without you.

Sincerely,
A budding designer & homemaker.

Be ye warned, I am NO photographer... alas, I gave it my best.

Welcome to our home.

PS If you know anything of designers or the design process, then you know very well that this is 'To be continued...' indefinitely. (;

That said, we love it, and our little life here. Feel free to impose any time... that sofa's a sleeper, so if you need a getaway to San Francisco (and you don't mind bulldog farts), you know who to call!

surf shack.

You know what? There's a little place in Montauk, NY called the Chandelier Surf Shack. It's a refuge for Chandelier Creative employees, and it is TO. DIE. FOR.

Whenever I want a little taste of inspiration/eye candy, I scroll through the images of this so called "shack."

It's a bar none favorite of mine, and if my home can resemble it in any way, shape, form, or VIBE... I'll be one happy camper. Make that a happy beach camper.

BEHOLD...

I am so in love.

via the CSS tumblr

potential.

So we just went to Mexico, and it was awesome. I needed a break before getting on the interweb to show you what we've been up to. Anyway, here's our place. Be prepared to feel claustrophobic. It's seriously a cupboard under the stairs, but it'll work for us. It's got privacy (it's a cottage attached to the garage of the main house), a huge yard, laundry, the garage, (half of it is ours for storage.. you know to fit half our things that for sure wouldn't fit inside), and lots of potential. Oh, and a pear tree.

The details are charming. Parquet floors downstairs, and cork wood floors in a beautiful tone upstairs. The stairs themselves add quite a bit of interest to the place, and there's a skylight in the bathroom which also contributes to the list of good things. The superficial things that can be changed out, will be done soon. I plan to sew new drapes ("whaaa, you don't want to keep the high water's that came with the place, Arica?!"), paint our dresser, and bring in some shelving & an island for the kitchen. I've got some awesome small tables I brought back from my parent's house in Mexico that will work flawlessly for a coffee table and end table in the living space. So that's exciting. Also, never mind the hippie couch... It has a destiny that involves new fabric and reupholstering. There are quite a few items to buy when I get back, so I'll be sure to keep you posted on the progress as far as appearances go. Let's face it... it's got a ways to go.

Welcome to our pink trimmed front door.

Welcome to our kitchen/living room.


Welcome to our kitchen during mid-unpack chaos.


Welcome to the bathroom.


Welcome to the cabinet above the toitie.


Welcome to our stairs.


Welcome to the right half of our bedroom.


Say hello to our globe.


Welcome to our deck.


Welcome to our candle lit yard (to be grassed and gardened).


And say hello to Hippo.
Who loves the rug & the cute floor (he does, he told me).

Aside from that, the dogs are funny, doing well, love traveling, and like to bark & pee lots.

Cheers.
-Arica

flowies.

You know.. I think Carnations get a bad wrap.. because they're cheap and common place. But if you ask me, I think they're prettier than roses (gasp!.. not surprising, I don't like roses), and they smell SO GOOD!

So 20 of them for $9 post-mothers day? Count me in.

Now my front room smells like niceness.

living fur accessories.

On the note of pups...
I honestly believe that they can be one of the all time best accessories for your home. One of the things I love about Apartment Therapy is that most (if not all) contributors and readers are big time pet enthusiasts. HIGH FIVE! SO AM I! To the nth degree. So anyway, here are some canine's that have been represented on AT, and are truly rad accessories in their homes. The proof is in the pudding.

*all from the archives of Apartment Therapy

I think the pug on the poof is my favorite. Hahaha. So regal.
And of course tied for first is the baby dachshund. Doing Bird proud in a charming Eames rocker!

PS. Today is the last day to enter the giftaway!

Cheers!
-Air