Relaxed Elegance in the Wine Country; BARDESSONO, a Fabulous New Eco-Resort

My husband and I are off to San Francisco and the Wine Country next month, so I've been perusing the Internet for places to stay. It's a bit more than I'd like to spend (at over $500 per night), but if money was no object, my first choice would be Bardessono, the new 62-room eco-recontsort in Yountville. If you are not into frou frou French Country, but prefer understated, earthy elegance--this is the place for you--and me. I have posted some photos from their shop where you can find tempting things by James Perse, Matta, Hannoh, and others. I can't wait!

Very Cool Shade Solution: Parasoleil, Pretty and Green

 I saw these today on An Indian Summer and fell in love. Fabricated from copper, wood, powdercoated aluminum, and other materials, the panels are made with 90% recycled content and come in a variety of beautiful  patterns. They can be used for screens, shade covering, fencing, and many other creative applications. Based in Boulder, Colorado, Parasoleil is a green-certified company, the brainchild of artist, Uriah Bueller.

Very Fun Accent pieces from UK's Graham and Green

I saw these Indian bone inlay dressers and chests from the UK's Graham and Green and thought they'd look really great as an accent piece or in a bedroom. I'm especially fond of the green one.

Illustrator, Lasse Skarbovik

I found these very fun, graphic images by Norwegian artist / illustrator, Lasse Skarbovik, on Sunset Gurl Design. I especially love his outdoor murals--do take a look.

Dreaming of Far-off Places

The Rachamankha, an exquisite boutique hotel  in Chiang Mai

Summer is almost here which has me dreaming of romantic, far-off places. One of the most memorable was the Rachamankha hotel, a serene, temple-like retreat in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. Furnished with Thai and Chinese antiques, the hotel's owner and designer, a well-known Thai architect, wanted tourists to experience genuine Lanna Thai culture and design. The 24 room hotel is tucked away on a quiet side street, which makes it an oasis of calm in bustling Chiang Mai.

i-escape: Escape to a Hip Hidaway

One of i-escape's hip hideaways in Spain, a lovely villa called La Huerta el Noque

Ready to escape the everyday grind? Here's a London-based travel site I really like. They specialize in beautifully designed, very hip hidaways and boutique hotels. It's fun to look at the lovely lodgings even if I am only dreaming of travel to far-off places.

The Beauty of Linen--Fog Linen Work

Fog Linen work

Designer, Yumiko Sekine creates beautifully simple linen clothing and everyday objects for the home from Lithuanian linen. She has a lovely shop in Tokyo, and many of her things can be found in select shops in the USA and elsewhere.

Pretty Porches and Patios

Look at these lovely porches and patios. Wouldn't you just love to curl up with a good book on a warm summer afternoon in one of these spaces.Look for more of these sunny porches at Coastal Living.

The Simple Beauty of White--Anabel's House

How I love white spaces, especially when they are filled with sunlight, such as these pretty, summery-looking rooms in a house in London. To see more of this lovely place, go to 1st Option..

Architect, Jeff Shelton's Very Cool Garden Sheds

Award-winning, Santa Barbara architect Jeff Shelton is known for his fanciful, Gaudi-esque  buildings nd his appreciation for craft. Wouldn't you love to have one of these darling, eco-friendly sheds made from recycled materials! I would love one for myself and I'd use it as my private studio.