(Welcome again to Lily, one of the finalists in our San Francisco Blogger search.
Comment away!)
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.
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!
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
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.
view Blandwagon's profile
i was in love before i clicked to open the page. Feminine eclectic fabulous!
view celinai's profile
WOW!
Absolutely beautiful. Tasteful. Reeks of class without screaming. I want the address. LOL
view JacksonMarie's profile
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.
view mr.O's profile
Love the view of the trees ...
view ingyland's profile
I love!
view Sleek's profile
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.
view ChrisToronto's profile
^ 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.
view suziegoombs's profile
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!
view zuzupetals's profile
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.
view Astrid Vladi's profile
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.
view wende in the twin cities's profile
The table with the red tchotchkes was the only part I had trouble with - the rest was absolutely fantastic.
view pyewacket's profile
"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.
view Valerie's profile
...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.
view Valerie's profile
amy, 1st, are u hiring? 2nd,ur red room made me squeal valentine's day!
great home and advice.
view SD913's profile
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.
view karyn's profile
That white recliner... *drooooolllll*
view mrsemerald's profile
Brilliant!
view hrhprincessfiona's profile
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
view BigMouth's profile
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.
view superblahok's profile
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.
view miss dbl a's profile
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.
view Mr. Dangerous's profile
I found a (probable) knock off of the chaise:
http://www.chaiselounges.com/indoor-chaise-lounges/contemporary/valenciadoublechaise.cfm
view hja's profile
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
view rglater's profile
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!)
view lynnelise1's profile
I love that dining room table! Does anyone know where it came from?
view katiemarie3's profile
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
view amelie de lune 's profile