Simrin

Browsing through the collection of home accessories at Saarloos this past weekend, I noticed they carried the Simrin brand. I was given some napkins and place mats from this company last year, resembling those at right. Using AZO free dyes and 100% cotton and jute textiles, Simrin makes several fun tabletop items with an "earthy mod" aesthetic.

I am enamored with their farmyard linen collection, featuring different farm animals painted in four different colors on jute place mats. I really wanted to get a set of these, shown below top, as they had them in stock at Saarloos, but they are spot clean only and we are WAY too messy to have something under our dinner plates that isn't machine washable or wipeable. However, I'm still eying the laminated fabric trays, shown below bottom. Cute, no?

You can browse and buy the entire Simrin Collection online at Velocity Art & Design. In addition to the more mod Surya and the Farmyard collection, they also have more traditional looking items, so take a look!

Happy Garp

This is neither glamorous nor green, but it makes me smile!

I present to you....my labrador retriever, Garp!

Saarloos & Sons Winery

Has someone at Saarloos been spying on me? Looking at the bookmarks on my computer? Following my blog?

Why do I have these suspicions, you ask? Because their wine tasting space and company sure does appeal to me! Let's review what they have that I like:

Fun, crisp modern elements, including flocked cameo wallpaper? - check

Groovy vintage touches? - check

Awesome tasting wine? - check

Cupcakes? - check

Fun home accessories incorporating farm animals into their design - check! Check!

Located in Los Olivos, where I would love to live on a ranchette if I hit the lotto? - CHECK!

I can't believe I missed this place the last time I was up here. It's located at the far end of the Los Olivos, near highway 154, so I guess I just didn't walk down far enough to see it. The design is Kelly Wearstler with a little dirt under her fingers. Heather Saarloos is identified as the designer, and she deserves major kudos for the picture perfect interiors! She does a fab job of mixing natural wood finishes with glossy paint and hip wallpaper. I especially love the tasting bar in the entry space, which is painted a glossy grey and adorned with polished nickel drawer pulls.

In addition to their physical space, Saarloos is well repped in cyber space. Check out the following for more info:

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Fun Stuff In High Point

Returning from the furniture market in High Point, North Carolina (where I was working PR for Grace Home Furnishings) I am synthesizing a LOT of visual data and dealing with a head cold. I loved seeing all the showrooms and meeting so many new people!

Two trends I noticed which seem to be able to coexist together quite nicely - bold, bright color and lots of natural, washed finishes. Councill showcased a new finish that was a bold fuschia, but they weren't the only ones favoring this bold shade in their work. Julian Chichester had pops of this color in his showroom, and even Barbara Barry used it as an accent on her person.

I have to admit that I wasn't a fan of the washed / vintage look when I first saw Restoration Hardware use it. (Example here.) Who wants a whole room of drab? However, using one or two of these pieces in a room complemented by strong color I find very pleasing.

Food Inc.

Food Inc., which I reviewed here, is airing on PBS tonight!

House Beautiful - Green Living!

This is a fun article on green living from House Beautiful magazine!

Check it out: Green Living: Talk Me Down!

Forage LA Restaurant Review

Forage LA is deceptively simple in concept, favoring local produce, fresh ingredients and simple preparations. The resulting food, however, is perfection. How I wish I could consistently produce the quality of their dishes in my own home!

It is a super casual space, where you order at the counter and take a number. They have a similar set up to Koo Koo Roo or Boston Market (not a fan - don't worry!) where you can order a "main" and then select from an assortment of sides. You can also order three sides, one of their special dishes or any combination in between.

My husband and I wanted everything, but settled for starting with a plate of three sides - macaroni and cheese, farro salad with peas and mint dressing and a sweet potato, chick pea and chorizo dish. (Pictured above left. Photo courtesy of foragela.com) We then moved on to the pork sandwich and a special of gnocchi with lamb ragu. Everything was perfection! Seriously!

I was rather full after the side dish medley, so you could definitely make an entire meal out of it or any one of the main dishes. We were just a) starving, b)excited about all the beautiful food spread before us and c)worried we wouldn't be able to come back anytime soon so wanted to sample as much as possible. They had some gorgeous looking desserts, including a brown butter cake, but we couldn't possibly stuff anything else into our faces so had to pass.

I found the price point quite reasonable for the quality and freshness of the food. The plate of three side dishes was $9.75 and the mains were slightly higher. If this place was closer to where I lived, I would be all about ordering takeout on a regular basis. Here's more info on Forage:

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