SOLANA BEACH AND MORE DECORATING QUESTIONS.

I took a much needed 'girls day out' a few weeks ago with some friends.
I've had such a busy season that I jumped at the chance when Linda suggested we take the train south to Solana Beach for some fun.  That's Southern California coast to those of you who dwell in other parts!

It had been ages since I'd been on the train.  Not since my son was a pre-schooler and we decided it would be fun to take Amtrak down to San Diego and go to the zoo.  Which, by the way, was fun.

Back then it was the old silver and red single level train.  It is no longer red and has graduated to a double decker.   Now you can sit on the upper story and have ocean views all the way.

The train was very pleasant!  The hour long ride 'flew' by.

I didn't realize the town of Solana Beach was so small.  In fact I'm pretty sure I had it confused with Carlsbad... but we did find a little shopping area on Cedros Street and found an adorable store there called Ta Dah!.

They were kind enough to let me take some photos to share with you - be sure to visit them whenever you are in the area.  They have lots of lovely treasures - like the corbel wall lamps below - so cool, right?

So many cute things! And fun, creative displays.  Kristy has found something, too!

I loved the eclectic mix of old and new

 I brought home a starfish topped bottle for my collection and the most amazing smelling candle....

After shopping, we had lunch at Claire's on Cedros.  Honestly, the food was so good - another must if you are in the area!

So, I'm apologizing again for being too busy to get to reader questions in a timely fashion.  I'm really, really behind. I've been busy!  Not complaining, mind you.

So today is catch up day and I'm devoting this entire post (another thing I haven't been keeping up on) to answering questions from my valued readers!!

First - a question from Lynn:

Hello to you! I have been reading some of your posts and thought I would ask your suggestion for a paint color. I am wanting to update our small bathroom and am undecided on which approach I am needing. While I am wanting an updated color choice, I am also looking to create a spacious appearance. The major holdback for me is the fixed element in the room, being ceramic wall tile. Since it would be cost prohibitive to remove it, I have opted for the alternative for the time being. The border outline trim of the tile is probably a muted warm brown (think of cinnamon w/o the orange cast).

The field tile is a light creamy "butter" color, with specks of the brown color throughout. It is not a full fledged yellow, but more of a soft buttery cream color. I will be painting the wall surface above the tile,
as well as the vanity in the room. There is only one very small window for the room, and it lends very 
minimal light to the room, faces northwest direction.  Would I need a darker color, or should I be 
focusing on a basic light color choice? Will the vanity need to be painted the same color as the new 
color going on the wall or a color of its own ? I've been tempted to try something in the brown-grey 
category as you describe in your post about How to Pick the Perfect Wall Color. The only things that 
will be painted are the vanity and walls..possibly the two doors...and for now the floor will remain. I plan
on using a rug to camouflage it for now. The light bar will be replaced, and the window valance has 
already been removed. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated...many thanks! Lynn



Lynn,
Ah...the outdated bathroom dilemma.  Lucky you!  Lol!
Two possibilities come to mind.  A gray, or greige, as you mentioned - however, with the warm tone of 
the tile, you may need to go more gray.  A cooler contrast will probably look better.  In fact the second possiblity was a gray with a blue-ish undertone - I think that will play nicely against the cinnamon.
Have a look at these color combinations and see if you like that look.




 Sherwin Williams PEACOCK PLUME may be a little dark...so try something softer, like RAINWASHED or SEA SALT.





 Try Behr PRELUDE for this look.








Benjamin Moore SMOKE or PALE SMOKE








These are a couple of suggestions - but again - you will have to be the best judge as you see the 
samples of the colors in the actual room.   Good Luck!

Hi. I was online looking for help with paint colors last night and ran into some of your work. We had a room addition put on our house and I don't know where to begin. .. we have honey oak hard wood in our existing kitchen so we will continue it through out our new room with a large area rug.  Our furniture is dark brown leather sectional with oak trim around the windows. We will be ready to paint in two weeks,  there is also a small living room on the other side of the kitchen!  Excuse the mess. Thanks so much, frances 

Hi Frances..... Will you be applying a backsplash in the kitchen, or are you painting this area? I'm looking at colors that are neutral to combine the two rooms and that will not darken this space further.  Here are two colors that go very well with grays (counter top), and the pine and oak woods you have in the home.

Sherwin Williams:  ACCESSIBLE BEIGE 

Houzz

Elite Staging and Redesign

Sherwin Williams:  WORLDLY GRAY

Houzz

Houzz

Worldly Gray is one of my favorite, calm soothing colors - easy on the eye and has a warm beige undertone.  Accessible Beige is a cool beige color that goes with everything.  Both are neutral wall colors, so you can bring in any color in cushions, fabrics, and accessories that you desire and it will look great.  In addition, I would paint the oak trim white.  It needs to be a background, not a feature and oak has a way of jumping into the forefront.

Good luck!

Claudine
(I did hear back from Frances that she was going to use a subway tile backsplash in her kitchen... sounds great!)SaveSave

HELLO YOSEMITE!

16 REASONS I LOVE YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

(This post is picture heavy - 

because it has to be... )

For approximately 25 years this gorgeous valley was our annual vacation spot.  Our first visit was before our 1st anniversary and long before James was born.

You may think we lacked imagination or got stuck in a vacation rut, but the truth is - 

we were hooked after that first visit 

and through the years we brought friends and family to share it with us.

Yosemite Valley painting by Albert Bierstadt

Yosemite was my son's home away from home.  When he was a toddler,  my husband hiked with him on his back, and when he was a young man, he climbed Half Dome on his own.
When my son left for college, we stopped going to Yosemite for a while.  

It didn't seem the same without him - and I was going through a giant case of empty nest syndrome - 

ugly it was...

Then, a few months ago, my son (now degree'd, employed and living in the Bay Area),  called to say  he was planning a Yosemite high country backpacking, hiking, camping trip with friends, 

and did we want to meet him in the Valley when they came back down?

We did.

Photo courtesy James Barnett @jamezillasaurus

It felt so good to be back in the valley that we  

are already making plans for next year.

So, after many years visiting this park, I thought I would share with you my favorite things about Yosemite... 

(in no particular order).

1. THE FIRST VIEW OF THE VALLEY

It doesn't feel like we've arrived until we drive through the Wawona Tunnel,
(even though we have officially been in the park for over 1/2 hour driving from the gate to the actual valley.)

We always touch the ceiling of the car, make a wish and try to hold our breath through the tunnel,
which is nearly a mile long (.8 miles).  

                  

I can't remember when or why we started doing that,
but it is a tradition.  

(I can never hold my breath for the full length of the tunnel - 

so I guess none of my Wawona Tunnel wishes have come true... )

The tunnel makes me feel like we have arrived - because the end of the tunnel is pure Yosemite magic. The whole valley spreads in front of you in the most picturesque way.
Everyone stops here.
Everyone.

It's breathtaking.

2. GRANITE AND GLACIERS
One upon a time, really big glacier cut a really big swath through solid granite,
leaving giant polished monoliths in its path
and a beautiful valley.

That was a long time ago -
eons ago -
but what remains are impressive solid granite formations.

I think Yosemite Valley stands out from other beautiful places in this world because of its compactness.  There is so much beauty in just a few square miles -
 you literally cannot turn your head without seeing something gorgeous.

Gray granite could have been so boring...
but these giant walls of stone are breathtaking as they
tower over tall trees and soft green meadows

This one, named El Capitan, challenges rock climbers from all over the world -
(with binoculars you can see them climb this sheer cliff,
and they sometimes sleep there, suspended in hammocks)
This is one gorgeous, very tall, hunk of rock...

but El Capitan is not the only hunk of rock in the valley -
across the Merced River lies the Three Brothers
with El Capitan on the left and the brothers on the right,
and Bridal Veil Falls dripping over the edge -
well, do I really have to tell you this is beautiful?

My very favorite hunk of granite is Half Dome.  So much so that it gets its own number (see #12 below).
It is the iconic image of Yosemite - immediately recognizable as such... but I will show you more about Half Dome a little later.

From the valley floor, a little journey by car or bus takes you a few thousand feet up
(3,200 feet to be exact) to Glacier Point
and from there all you see is rock -
Granite.
Lots of it.

unless you look down.

2. ALL THE WATER

There's a reason we come in the Spring.

It snows up there in the high country and the resulting melt in the Spring produces an abundance of

WATERFALLS

In the spring, they gush - spewing volumes of water down sheer granite cliffs.
(In the late summer some disappear
others trickle.)

Spring is definitely the best time of year to see them

because the falls, river and streams are at their fullest.

You can hear them everywhere.

This time of year the water rules.

This is upper Yosemite Falls, one of the longest waterfalls in the world.  I takes 3 drops

before landing in a spray of water and mist.

Photo courtesy James Barnett @jamezillasaurus

It's an easy walk to the bridge at the base, which is a wet experience in the Spring.

But not this bridge.

This bridge is over a stream caused by yet another waterfall.

Vernal Falls.

and you can actually hike to the top of this waterfall via a hike aptly named the Mist Trail... more on that later...

Above this waterfall, connected, but not visible from the valley is another waterfall - the Nevada Falls.

Photo courtesy James Barnett @jamezillasaurus

Photo courtesy James Barnett @jamezillasaurus

Bridal Veil falls is the first visible waterfall when you enter the Valley.  You can see it as you exit the tunnel.

There is a convenient picnic area at its base and a trail  -  just a short walk - to the base of the waterfall

This waterfall can completely disappear in the Summer.

The Merced River flows through the valley and collects all of the water from the falls.

You can rent rafts and enjoy a lazy float down to a pick up zone - 

(water fights optional)

It is full and very cold in the Spring.

In late summer, it is shallower, but not as frigid
and there are deeper areas perfect for swimming.

3.  THIS CAN HAPPEN 
10 FEET FROM YOUR ROOM

And it did.  

She was so quiet, most people walked by without noticing her...

Isn't she sweet?

This doe was only 3 feet away, and near the shuttle bus stop.
We have seen deer, fawns, bobcat, coyote, bear, raccoon, and about a million squirrels.
The wildlife is one of my favorite things in Yosemite.

 4. THE MIST TRAIL

There are hikes and rock climbing for every level of enthusiast.
From easy walks, to climbing Half Dome and beyond.

My favorite hike is the Mist Trail.  The trail's destination being Vernal Falls,

with the last part of the hike being a climb to the top of Vernal Falls by a path cut into the granite like steps.  It isn't the easiest hike, but the rewards are well worth it.

Best to bring a poncho for this, in the Spring it is very wet.
The spray from the waterfall creates a heavy mist and by the time you get to the top,
you are soaked.

If you are fortunate to be there at the right time of day, you may find rainbows in the mist.

Photo courtesy James Barnett @jamezillasaurus

The rainbows, music of the stream and the thunder of the waterfall makes it an amazing experience.

The trail is well maintained, but can be slippery when the mist is heavy -
and the last portion of the hike is like climbing a thousand stairs.

5. ANSEL ADAMS

Ansel Adams is gone now, but his photographs live on.  Yosemite was one of his favorite subjects.  He brought it to life in Black and White.
His images are amazing - timeless.

Photo:  Ansel Adams

The Ansel Adams gallery in Yosemite Village will inspire you to capture this beauty on your own camera -

or to try.

(Its also a great gift shop to find a souvenir to take home)

6. BREAKFAST AT THE MAJESTIC 
(PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS THE AWAHNEE)

The Majestic (Awahnee) was built sometime in the 20's or 30's. 

After the tradition of the grand old hotels of that era, it has soaring ceilings,

cavernous fireplaces,

beautiful views,

rustic elegance,

and an amazing grand dining room.

The hotel itself has a waiting list of over a year.

While we may not stay here often, we always have breakfast in the grand dining room

at least once during our stay.

or maybe dinner, 

if we've remembered to bring the appropriate clothing

7. THE TENT CABINS

I don't camp.  

I don't sleep on the ground,

I hate not having showers,

or bathrooms

and no electricity...

No roughing it for this girl.

Unless its the tent cabins in Half Dome Village (formerly Curry Village).

While not exactly 'luxe', 

the tent cabins allow me to feel like I'm in the great outdoors, 

without sleeping on the floor.  

I can still hear the wind in the trees and

rain on the canvas roof -

 if it rains.

I can smell the fresh air

and hear a pine cone drop.

It feels like I'm out there in the woods

but I have a wood floor
I have a bed and wool blankets and pillows
There is a room safe and electricity
and a locking door.
There are bear bins to store things bears might be interested in...
OUTSIDE the cabin.

There's a lodge

showers and bathrooms
a swimming pool
a general store
a pizza patio
and this view!

I hardly even notice the lumps in the bed...

 8. THE GREEN 

Trees.

I'm a little nuts about trees.

There happen to be a lot of them in the valley.

They
are
so
tall

and so green

and they smell amazing.

It may seem silly, but the trees are one of my favorite things here in Yosemite.

9. STARRY NIGHTS

It takes your breath away.

The sheer volume of twinkling lights above.

Not a single street lamp.

No lights from houses or shopping centers.

Just the occasional passing car,

a gazillion stars,

and great granite silhouettes.

James and friend Erik had this fun idea to do some star tracking.

(Time lapse photography with a tripod.)

Here is one of Erik's photos:

Photo courtesy Erik Totman

You can actually see the rotation of the earth.

The Hubs didn't have a tripod, so he used Half Dome as the focal point - 

and tried to keep the camera still by propping it against the bridge...

Our pictures turned out more like a painting than a photograph...

not perfect, but I love them

See the shooting star?

We spent the rest of the time lying on our backs on the sidewalk of the bridge

gazing at all those sparkling diamonds in the sky

My favorite thing we did on this trip!

10. GLOBAL VOICES

Yosemite National Park is visited by people from all over the world.  

Its a great place to people watch if you enjoy that type of thing (I do),

but my favorite is listening to all of the languages and dialects of the people around me.

We really are more alike than we realize.

People from all walks of life and all places of the world, here in one spot -

to enjoy the beauty around them and immerse themselves in nature. 

Just like us!

11. THE SHUTTLE BUS

Once you arrive in the valley, you really don't need to use your car to get around.  

The shuttle bus is free, and circles nearly the entire valley floor.

Hop on and off wherever you like. 

 They come along every 10-15 minutes.

I like to ride for the complete circuit and just enjoy the view!

12. HALF DOME

Half Dome is my favorite hunk of rock.
It is immediately recognizable to Yosemite National Park

I love to watch as the light changes on its face throughout the day, or as the weather changes.

Braver souls than I climb it.

My boys have done that, but I prefer to gaze at it from the valley floor.

Photo courtesy Erik Totman

Because who, in their right mind, would want to do this?

Photo courtesy James Barnett @jamezillasaurus

Photo courtesy Erik Totman

If you do decide to take this adventure, make sure the weather is good.  

If it looks like a storm is approaching - don't climb Half Dome.  

According to park officials, lightning has struck the top of Half Dome
every single month of the year.  

Kind of a fatal attraction going on there....

Photo courtesy Erik Totman

Still, its a pretty impressive hunk of rock, whatever your vantage point.

13. THE VILLAGE

I like to hang out here to watch people,
visit the Ansel Adams Gallery,
see how the valley was formed at the information center,
get groceries,
buy fudge,
t-shirts,
and have lunch at the deli.

Its also a most excellent vantage point to view Yosemite Falls.

14. ALPEN GLOW

I call it the magic hour - although it rarely lasts an hour.  

If you don't look up, you will miss it.  

When conditions are right, the setting sun kisses the granite with its warmth
and leaves the valley in shadow.  

It is called Alpen Glow.

 Conditions aren't always perfect for this phenomenon, 

which makes it all the more magical when you see it.

We caught Half Dome blushing this year.  

15. SOUNDS OF YOSEMITE

There are many sounds.

There are thousands of tourists

and there is never silence.

There are car and shuttle bus sounds.  

There are thousands of voices and thousands of footsteps.

And yet, this vast wilderness area somehow absorbs enough of  it

that you can still hear the mountains.

The wind has a sound, 

the water never stops speaking.  

There are insect sounds and animal sounds and bird sounds - 

and sounds that are muffled by pine needles on the ground -

you can still feel the solitude.
Even at night, when everything gets so still and the living things sleep,
nature still speaks.

16. BREATHTAKING BEAUTY

This is the most obvious of my 'favorite things'.

It is the reason we come here, 

and the reason we come back year after year.

Because we can never get enough of it.

The beauty stays with us after we leave 

in memories and photographs we can't believe we actually captured.

Photo courtesy James Barnett @jamezillasaurus

The valley feels somehow sacred

Photo courtesy James Barnett @jamezillasaurus

like this is God's country

and we've been allowed to visit awhile

Photo courtesy Erik Totman

You find yourself planning your next visit

even as you leave

Photo courtesy Erik Totman

because this never gets old -

it is never the same -

it changes with the weather,

Photo courtesy Erik Totman

it looks different with the time of day.

It is different in every season

Photo courtesy Erik Totman

but it is always

always

beautiful

************************************************************************

LETTER FROM A READER:

Claudine, 
Just started following and so glad I found you! 
I currently have builder beige everywhere in my home. We are going to be painting entire inside. 

We just did Behr Contemplation in master bath and bedroom (love the color but not crazy about it against the beige tile) . 

Behr CONTEMPLATION
via Pinterest

We have a very open floor plan. We have also decided to paint our bookshelves and around our mantel Behr Calligraphy in our hearth room which is directly off the kitchen. 

Behr CALLIGRAPHY

I'm looking for a light to medium gray that will compliment those colors keeping in mind my kitchen has a tan and cream backsplash, granite is black with dark green and silver/gray specks. My cabinets are maple color. I've already sampled Behr evening white which is too light and planetary silver which doesn't really look great next to the backsplash. 

Also my floors are med dark hardwood. All my furniture is white, cognac and charcoal gray.. 
Any help would be appreciated! I can send pics if need be. 

Tracy Brecheen

Hi Tracy,

The two colors you have chosen are in the gray - gray/blue family.  I think staying in a similar palette will make the most sense in your kitchen - tans and creams tend to look very nice with the blue grays.  Try one that is more gray with just an undertone of blue and you will have a color that will have more staying power as it will read more neutral.  I like these, and you should try them on a 8x10 poster or foam core board (2 coats) and hold it next to your other colors and the backsplash to see which will work best.   The first one is Rhino by Behr - It may have a little too much blue to go with  Contemplation, but you will be the best judge of that from your sample.  It seems to look okay here...

Contemplation (Behr)

Rhino (Behr)

The  next is Dolphin Fin by Behr.  This is a favorite of mine .

Dolphin Fin (Behr)

Also pretty with Contemplation, but you will have to hold it to the Tan/Cream backsplash to see if it looks nice there too.   It looks good with the tan tile in this photo.

Dolphin Fin (Behr)

Last one, Colliseum Gray (Behr).  Nice neutral warmish gray.
Colliseum Gray (Behr)
Good luck!  Let us know what you choose!