California Dreaming, snapshots of a sunny vacation as interior design inspiration
Under The Pergola Column:
California Dreaming and Hamptons Living
photography by Gabriella Stephenson
just about this time of year with the deluge of sleet and snow and I'm up to my ears in snow boots and layers of dress, I start to think about one of my favorite places, California. Much of this state is an inspiration to me, from the varied topography, myriad of cultural influences, the food, the surf and more. My family and I recently took a road trip from sunny,Southern California in San Diego all the way to the Napa wine country. We headed north through Santa Barbara, Carmel, San Francisco and ending our trip in Napa Valley. This was one of the most inspiring week long vacations I have had, and I came home fully loaded with an arsenal of new ideas and design tips from all I witnessed. I don't know about you, but a vacation can really get me thinking about how I live - the good, the bad and sometimes even the ugly eyesore stuff that I have grown accustomed to living with (yes designers live with ugly too). We tend to get stuck in the doldrums of our everyday life just like everyone else and after awhile we stop noticing some corners of our environment, but a trip away seems to snap me back to the visual day to day picture in my home.
Highlights of the trip cemented
design changes in my own home:
design changes in my own home:
We drove through Orange County, Los Angeles and along the Pacific Coast Highway, enjoying many sights, museums, and food along the way. Once we hit Santa Barbara both my husband and I agreed this was heaven - the Spanish influences tug strongly in this area. At the Four Seasons Hotel we had one of the best meals of our trip, under the stars on a patio and overlooking the ocean - divine!
So, California dreaming is a thrilling ride sprinkled with ocean, fresh food, artistic materials, Spanish, Mexican and Asian influences, surfboards, vineyards and wine. After a particular evening we spent in Santa Barbara during this visit, we decided to build a pergola in our beach house over our brick terrace. Of course we have pergolas here in the east coast, but the memories of that one particular evening we sat amongst the heat lamps in Santa Barbara with bougainvillea flowers swaying slightly over our heads, heat lamps warming us on a patio of a cool evening (oh, and the added touch of the crashing surf in our distance), drove home the point to me to enjoy our outdoor space a bit more. I created an alcove of sorts with the flower adorned pergola overlooking our pool and yard. Each time I sit dining outside under the stars I am reminded of that spectacular place and time. I incorporated many California inspirations into a Fourth of July party and wrote about casual summer entertaining on Nest. We turned a surfboard on its side, creating a raw seafood bar, brought in other nautical inspirations taken from our trip through California here.
our beach house in the Hamptons was inspired
by our California road trip:
inspired by our California road trip
Take a look at some of the photographs from San Diego to Napa Valley that my daughter took while on this trip.
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| zucchini de flora Del Mar farmer's market |
The next phase of our trip was where we experienced the rugged beauty of California. We drove along the Pacific Coast Highway, hugging the coast through Big Sur.
Hearst Castle is between Santa Barbara and Big Sur in the small town of San Luis Opispo. Talk about Old Hollywood -- I had read about this infamous estate over the years and this is not to be missed. The Hearst estate is an eclectic home with a mishmash of design inspirations from Egyptian times to European influences, and even boasted a zoo during it's original times. 
The Castle was dreamt up by William Randolph Hearst. With the direction of architect Julia Morgan, they starting building this estate beginning in 1919 and construction spanned nearly 30 years. In 1957, The Hearst Corporation donated the estate to the State of California. The main house called, "La Casa Grande," is still home today to Hearst's collection of European antiques and art. The castle is a blend of historic architectural styles that Hearst admired in his travels around the world. The main house is modeled after a 16th century Spanish cathedral, while the outdoor pool features an ancient Roman temple. The house has Spanish influences while the gardens and pool are quite different in feel.
A jaunt through Carmel by the Sea.
It was like stepping into Provence, France and a nice respite from the Southern sunny California vibe, however, the crashing ocean is only a quick walk from town. Carmel feels steeped in history, and we arrived at L'auberge to find a lovely quiet oasis right in the middle of town.
l'auberge in Carmel by the Sea
The ocean smell permeates the air and the town is cool and crisp and cultural.
stop into the l'auburge for a sampling of fine California cuisine When we thought we had seen a wide range of topography and influences, we came upon the great city of San Francisco and later the Napa Valley. From the San Franciso food, architecture and rolling hills to Napa's vineyards and design inspirations I was rejuvenated.
Now what cinched the deal for me (what is the deal you ask, well the deal was to take the California essence home with me and incorporate it into our home) was our stay in the Napa Valley. It was a serene way to end a very busy trip of navigating and the spa-like feeling of the entire area was lovely. We especially enjoyed our stay at The Carneros Inn and Spa. The hotel is a fine combination of cool, hip with country, vineyards and wine thrown in for good measure. We stayed in separate cabins that felt both luxurious and rustic at the same time. There was something for all of us. I liked the indoor/outdoor shower. Of course my daughter loved the horses that roamed the property and my son loved these darn donuts. My husband was happy with the spectacular wine choices. The entire hotel has a spa retreat feeling.
Happy Nesting
XO Tamara
