Rooms and Gardens in Santa Barbara

Hello there!
It's been a long time since I've written a post. Thank you to all my blog friends who helped keep TG alive during my time off.
I appreciate all of you so much!
As far as an update goes.. my dad is on Hospice and is very ill.
Its been very difficult..

In spite of this difficult time, there has been much to rejoice about.
 My daughter is due with her first child in 2 weeks, and my son is expecting their second daughter!

I recently went up to Santa Barbara to celebrate a girlfriends birthday, and of course, we had to stop by my favorite store, Rooms and Gardens. It has a beach-ie California feel that I love

We walked in and my girlfriend said, "Julie! It's like we walked into your home!"
 Of course I took this as a major compliment!
 I could buy everything in this store.

I want to put these chairs in my family room. Aren't the nail heads a great detail?

I would love to know who manufactured this table!

Loved all the blue and white pottery!

In the midst of all the blues and whites, this floral linen chair stood out...it was adorable!

I would like to thank you all again for your patience in my absence.
Under the circumstances I will be having some more guests posts.

Hope you all have a wonderful upcoming weekend and thank you again!

Blue and White Decor

Hi there! 

I am so happy to have been asked to guest post at one my regular go to's, TG Interiors, such a wonderful and always beautiful blog! 

 I tossed and turned about what to write about and wanted to do something relevant for what is big now. 

And my aha moment hit me when I stared at one of my many blue and white vases...blue and white of course!!

 Blue and white has never and I do mean never been bigger. 

You cannot open up a magazine without seeing it. 
It is taking over, woo hoo!

As anyone who knows me or follows my blog knows, I am a true aficionado of blue and white. 

I love it anywhere, everywhere and as my own house will attest, you can never have too many blue and white pieces!

I also love its versatility. 
It literally as I will illustrate goes with every color in the rainbow and still manages to look incredible. 
It also works beautifully in traditional and modern rooms alike.

So......today a look at the impact of blue and white and how much it can add to literally any space it is used. 
Ready to feast your eyes on the blue and white beauty?

 Let's go.........

 

Beautiful outdoor space by Kim Courtney Interiors

 

Blue and white flowers sure do make a beautiful table, The French Bouquet

 

Wilson Fuqua architects clearly has mastered the use of blue and white!

 

 

Love the way pink blue and white go together, Blue Bell Gray

Love the crisp appeal of blue, white and green! So very pretty

This is so charming! Kirsten Kelly

Hey on a yacht, navy and white is practically a given, Kirsten Kelly

Love the chic coastal vibe in this elegant room, Kristen Kelly

Love a dash of orange against blue and white...stunning! 
(Nells Hills)

Andrew Skurman created this breathtaking space

Stunning table by Aerin Lauder

Such a beautiful elegant space, Wilson Fuqua

 

Love the power of a dark blue wall with the drama of blue and white, Ballard

Another example of how beautiful blue, white and green works together House Beautiful

 

Blue and white is always so fresh and inviting in a bedroom, Union Street Inn

 

Adore these beautiful blue and white prints! Ballard

 

Think this is so pretty, with a touch of orange, this room exudes personality and chic elegance.

And a blue and white party? 
I am so there! 
(Evantide Designs)

Wow I never get tired to being wowed by blue and white in all it's many forms. Just stunning, isn't it? It is specifically fresh and crisp during the summer and I love it as much outside as I do indoors. Are you too a fan of blue and white? How do you like to use it? Thank you so much for stopping in and to Taylor, for inviting me over, it was my pleasure! Enjoy your day.

Lucite...Simple Details...

Hi everyone, 
I'm Pam from Simple Details. 
I share DIY and design projects and
have a love for combining my thrifting and Craigslist finds in my decor.

I'm am happy to be here for Julie while she's with her parents. She's such a
sweetheart and my heart aches for her and all the challenges she's been facing with
her aging parents, they're so fortunate to have her.

I found myself analyzing all of these rooms, and finally noticed the subtle common
denominator that I love!

It's a statement, but in an unexpected quiet way.
I love the modern edge in traditional rooms, contrast with antique pieces,
simplicity, visually weightless and stylish function!

Lucite ghost chair against an antique column...

chicagohomemag.com

Simple lucite table amid busy surroundings...

 stylemepretty.com 

Lucite coffee table between lovely layers of 
texture...

(laurenliess.com)

 Lucite chair enhances the serene design... 

(apartmenttherapy.com)

Functional lucite nightstand in front of built in...

(stacystyle.wordpress.com)

Pair of lucite tables in a room of symmetry...

(traditionalhome.com)

Lucite chairs add edge to a traditional room...

(gardenandgun.com)

What do you think, need one or not so much?


I'd love you to stop by and visit me at Simple Details when you have a chance.

Thank you for having me Julie, you and your family are in my prayers.

Festive Fourth of July Barbeque

Hi I am Cindy from Rough Luxe Lifestyle.
  My friend Julie is having some trying times with her elderly parents so she asked if I would do a guest post for her. 

 For those of you who don’t know me I am an interior designer on the Central Coast of California and I write the blog http://roughluxeperspective.blogspot.com/.  

When I am not working I love to garden and entertain.  
For the fourth of July my family usually gathers at our lake house in the Paso Robles Wine Country.  
We all love to cook.... 
but we like to keep our menus simple at the lake.....
  so we have lots of time for boating, kayaking and of course wine tasting!

 

Many retailers have some great sales on their outdoor entertaining items so if you need to add a little spark to your outdoor table. 
 What better time to do it!! 

Pottery Barn has these pretty glasses on sale.



 

herehttp://www.potterybarn.com/products/rope-polycarb-outdoor-drinkware-colored/?cm_src=AutoRel






  

I am not big on investing in holiday specific dinnerware, and napkins. 
 For the 4th why not order red and blue bandanas for napkins. 
You can order them by the dozen from Oriental Trading  here  http://www.orientaltrading.com/red-bandanas-a2-15_2000.fltr?prodCatId=551193 for $10.99 a dozen.

Sunflowers, red dahlias and delphinium gathered in canning jars look beautiful for the 4th....
 All can probably be sourced at your local Trader Joes right now for something like this!

Via..Soul of the Rose





On our menu for the 4th of July… 
 We start off with one of our favorite Paso Rose’s from Villa Creek....

http://www.villacreekstore.com/the-wines/the-current-releases


 




 And a simple appetizer like this Avocado White Bean Hummus from Lauren Kelly.

http://laurenkellynutrition.com/avocado-chickpea-hummus/






We all love great burgers and Ina Garten’s Niman Ranch Burgers with caramelized onions fit the bill. 
 When we are in Paso we buy our hamburger at J&R meats
 http://jrmeats.com/

 http://www.barefootcontessa.com/recipes.aspx?RecipeID=267&S=0







Whenever we have burgers I always make Sarah Foster’s “Mom’s Fridge Pickles” from her cookbook…. 
They are super easy and great to have around for the entire weekend.

Find the recipe here  http://www.fostersmarket.com/recipe/moms-fridge-pickles/








There are a lot of great potato salads but our all time favorite is Food and Wine’s Potato Salad with Bacon and Barbecue Sauce.
 Not only is it wonderful, it is really simple!

http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/potato-salad-with-bacon-and-barbecue-sauce







This sunset recipe for heirloom tomato salad is a winner in my book.  I love the combination of the mint and basil.

http://www.sunset.com/food-wine/kitchen-assistant/easy-fresh-tomato-recipes/marintated-tomato-salad-recipe






For dessert I am not a baker so it needs to be something simple like this wonderful Parfait from Ina Garten.  Ina uses purchased meringues so what could be simpler!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/eton-mess-recipe.html



Thank you Julie for allowing me to guest post today.
 I hope this will give your readers some simple ideas for easy entertaining. 
Wishing your parents well and a Happy 4th of July to all!