Beautiful Beginnings

 Last Friday (the 13th!!!!) I and my partners in crime decided that Friday the 13th was a good day to begin the installation at the Marin Designers Showcase. And indeed the day was so beautiful, everything that came after seemed like paltry little challenges. 

Just keep in mind that this is what the view is just outside the window of the Guest Suite I am entrusted to design. Things probably took a little longer than necessary because we all kept looking out the window!

 I mean really....can you blame us? The winter sun skimmed the water of the bay, and the San Francisco skyline was breathtaking. I feel lucky to be working in a house where every view is this spectacular.

Things were starting off well! The wall paper in the small foyer to the Guest Suite looks perfect. I chose a natural grass cloth wallpaper for texture and it will always be one of my favorite colors. The ceiling is painted  Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue. My flash is making it look a little brighter than it does in person. So far so good! I will be adding flat 1" molding to all of the corners, and the top and bottom of the walls to frame out each wall to add a little crispness.

 On to the main room.....you can see the bridge though the windows here. If I was invited to stay in this room, you might have to pry me out with a crowbar. I will be decking out this space in my interpretation of a modern ship's stateroom. I am lucky that before I even start, the floors are gorgeous mahogany planks, as are the door and window frames.

 Next thing to go in, a floor to ceiling mirror. We all had butterflies in our stomachs as Greg from 306 Glass carried the glass from the front of the house through all of the trades people on the site through the hallways and into the room. A little glitch since the room was measured for the mirror....there was an extra wall plate added for a telephone next to the electrical outlet. No worries, Greg cut a new hole on site, and up the mirror went. All of the superstitious fears that a mirror might be broken on Friday the 13th were over. 

Unfortunately, the rest of the day didn't go quite as smoothly. The draperies were not quite perfect, so are back in the workroom, the glass panels for the Water Closet wall were somehow a bit off, and most disappointing of all, a light fixture I had selected (fantastic by the way!!!!) cannot be used. But all of the challenges are being remedied, the day was filled with lots of laughter and helpful solutions, and Friday the 13th is past us. Even the traffic delay of one hour getting home gave me time for singing to Florence and the Machine.......

Shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, shake it out, ooh woaaah!!!

Monday, all of the furniture and most of everything else will be installed. A week later the art goes up. I can hardly wait to show you!

Wish me luck!