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SF House Tour: Amy's Eclectic Mill Valley Digs

(Welcome again to Lily, one of the finalists in our San Francisco Blogger search.
Comment away!)

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Name: Amy
Location: Mill Valley
Size: 1700 sq. ft.
Years lived in: 1

Tucked into the ridge along Mill Valley there are hundreds of cottages with great character. Amy and her family's might take the cake, though. The house is loaded with beautiful and eclectic objects, but the color- coded vignettes make it never feel cluttered or overwhelming... a necessity as Amy also runs her PR company from home.

 
 
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My style: Eclectic, color collections, bold.

The inspiration for my home: Years of travel to Italy, India.

Favorite element: People say it's like eye candy -- all the collections are fun + the coffee tables are everywhere.

Biggest challenge in designing my home: Not enough space!

What friends say about my home: When can I move in?

Biggest embarrassment in my home: My garage is packed!

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Proudest DIY: The outside shower [sorry there's no picture- the weather was not so great]

Biggest indulgence with respect to my home: Lighting and stereo system reaches every room

Best advice given or received: Advice I give: buy things that you love, it will always work in your home

Dream source for stuff: 1stdibs.com

Thanks, Amy!

(Editor's reminder:
When leaving comments about the home,
play nice or you'll be asked to leave the sandbox.)

-lily

Other Posts by Lily:

  • Aqua Forest Aquarium
  • Fire-King Mugs

  • Tags

    House Tours, SF Blogger Tryouts 2008

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    Comments (27)

    I like the fact that it's loud and sassy but still feminine - you can instantly tell that the decorator is female, and yet it isn't even remotely girly.

    posted by Blandwagon on February 6th 2008 at 4:00pm
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    i was in love before i clicked to open the page. Feminine eclectic fabulous!

    posted by celinai on February 6th 2008 at 5:18pm
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    WOW!

    Absolutely beautiful. Tasteful. Reeks of class without screaming. I want the address. LOL

    posted by JacksonMarie on February 6th 2008 at 6:54pm
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    Can anybody source that SWEET leather lounger/chaise? I just became instantly obsessed.

    Also, would love to see a photo of that shower once the weather clears up, if it's possible to add to the slideshow...there can never be too many outdoor showers in the world, as far as I'm concerned.

    posted by mr.O on February 6th 2008 at 7:28pm
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    Love the view of the trees ...

    posted by ingyland on February 7th 2008 at 2:01am
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    I love!

    posted by Sleek on February 7th 2008 at 3:05am
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    I have no problem with Amy's maximalist expression. You go girl! But the statement, "the color- coded vignettes make it never feel cluttered or overwhelming" is a total fallacy. This space is cluttered AND overwhelming.

    posted by ChrisToronto on February 7th 2008 at 4:13am
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    ^ shouldn't that be "This space is cluttered AND overwhelming to me ." ?

    To each his own :) This is a very lovely house! Conrgats to Amy for having such an awesome place full of character.

    posted by suziegoombs on February 7th 2008 at 4:42am
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    Funny, I didn't find it overwhelming or particularly cluttered. Granted, some things could be tucked away, but what I love about this home is it's funky and gorgeous and looks like somebody actually lives there. These photos go right into the inspiration notebook!

    posted by zuzupetals on February 7th 2008 at 4:52am
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    it looks more like thrift/antique store, where objects find their spot by the chance of available surface. example of when too much of good things does not make it better. while it trying to look eclectic it looks disoriented. that is the grand difference between this home and http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/house-tours/la-house-tour-kevin-and-gregs-sugar-shack-041206
    similar style, different interpretation.

    posted by Astrid Vladi on February 7th 2008 at 5:13am
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    the color- coded vignettes make it never feel cluttered or overwhelming

    Then why am I all but trembling with desire to CLEAN OFF that table with the red tchotchkes? (On the other hand, the dining room looks quite bare, so it's clear the busy vignettes are a deliberate design choice.)

    Yay for showing homes with personality and an individual point of view, rather than the same-old, same-old MCM and boutique hotel looks. The eye candy from this crop of editor candidates has been particularly yummy.

    posted by wende in the twin cities on February 7th 2008 at 5:29am
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    The table with the red tchotchkes was the only part I had trouble with - the rest was absolutely fantastic.

    posted by pyewacket on February 7th 2008 at 5:39am
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    "Cluttered and overwhelming" are value judgments and are in the eye of the beholder.

    I find most minimalist rooms lacking in personality and boring, but many people love them.

    Great decor, Amy. I want to move in, too.

    posted by Valerie on February 7th 2008 at 5:42am
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    ...though I'd agree that most people would find a houseful of stacked newspapers, dusty items without aesthetic appeal or scattered kids' toys to be "clutter", but those are not design statements.

    posted by Valerie on February 7th 2008 at 5:43am
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    amy, 1st, are u hiring? 2nd,ur red room made me squeal valentine's day!

    great home and advice.

    posted by SD913 on February 7th 2008 at 5:50am
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    Really wonderful home; it would be so much fun to visit because you'd constantly be intrigued and delighted at what you might happen upon next.

    posted by karyn on February 7th 2008 at 6:08am
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    That white recliner... *drooooolllll*

    posted by mrsemerald on February 7th 2008 at 6:15am
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    Brilliant!

    posted by hrhprincessfiona on February 7th 2008 at 6:53am
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    Thanks for all your comments ;-)

    Below is info on the white chaise and the outdoor shower...

    Cheers!
    Amy

    White Italian Chaise
    R.S. Basso Home Furnishings & Accessories 1219 Main St., St. Helena. 707.963.0391.

    Similar Shower: Home Wood Outdoor Shower: Target.com
    http://www.target.com/gp/search/602-1295010-0907057?field-keywords=home wood outdoor shower&url=index%3Dtarget&ref=sr_bx_1_1&x=0&y=0

    posted by BigMouth on February 7th 2008 at 7:03am
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    Lily is a fantastic blogger. She has opened my eyes to the wonderful world of interior design and tasteful decor. Oh yeah, cool house, too.

    posted by superblahok on February 7th 2008 at 8:33am
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    Love it, but not all at once. With some editing, you would really enhance all the little lovelies. Plus, you would be able to rotate items on display.

    posted by miss dbl a on February 7th 2008 at 10:47am
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    It is so girlie. That black and white swirley ottoman shouts out "I enjoy being a girl!" Nothing wrong with that. I just couldn't move in unless there was a lot of heavy, dark, turn of the century MAN furniture -- like that grandfather clock. I like that. Oh, I like that tufted, vinyl loveseat too but that might be too girlie 2. Oh, what the heck, if I'm sitting on it --it'll be manly. Wrap it up and I'll come by and pick it up.

    posted by Mr. Dangerous on February 7th 2008 at 11:06am
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    I found a (probable) knock off of the chaise:
    http://www.chaiselounges.com/indoor-chaise-lounges/contemporary/valenciadoublechaise.cfm

    posted by hja on February 7th 2008 at 11:46am
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    I lived in Mill Valley from 1989 to 2000. I loved it even with all the not always positive changes that happened.

    I love to set a stage when I am working on my space. I like to create a back story in objects. My Russell Wright for Conant-Ball bedroom set's dresser has a bachelor feel with an forties watch, coins and a ring in the Chase dish. An old fan for the summer time, vintage glasses. I have a uniform in the closet in case he wants to go to his reunion.

    Magazines scattered on the coffee table set the date range for my bar, a plaque made for the Apollo XI Mission sets a different mood at my desk.

    I would change things more often if I had the energy. I have quite a cast of characters waiting for their time upon the stage.

    Richard

    posted by rglater on February 8th 2008 at 1:14pm
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    Your house is at once FUN and EXOTIC! I love your style that says "Hey, this is what I Like - This Is ME!" No pretentions or apologies offered!

    I have a similar style, and some of my more "organized" or "minimalist-type" loved ones have questioned why I like to have lots of collections and books and have even suggested that I get rid of 2/3 of what I have (not my BOOKS!), but there comes a time when ya just hafta say, "hey, I like it - it makes me happy"

    I am truly inspired

    (and I Love your 4-poster bed!)

    posted by lynnelise1 on February 8th 2008 at 5:48pm
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    I love that dining room table! Does anyone know where it came from?

    posted by katiemarie3 on February 13th 2008 at 12:12pm
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    Your house is so wonderfully chic! Every piece seems to be handpicked, and everything has a place. I'm in love with the little office area

    posted by amelie de lune on November 1st 2008 at 9:33pm
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