tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84542659323921508632024-03-05T01:02:26.680-07:00The Four Dog Fig FarmLiving on the Urban / Rural edge.S@shahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06329629158498598528noreply@blogger.comBlogger234125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454265932392150863.post-38910123487215746382013-02-19T21:10:00.003-07:002013-02-19T21:10:54.756-07:00Chairs, Chairs, Chairs: Part II
Kurando Furuya's apartment via Freunde von Freunden
Since my last post I've fallen in love with a new, outrageously expensive chair. It's the Slow Chair in red/cream by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Vitra. Only $3755 plus another $1735 for the ottoman. Where is that wealthy chair patron I keep asking for? Love, love, love it.
It makes my number one wishlist chair, the S@shahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06329629158498598528noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454265932392150863.post-90903507830326405662013-01-21T11:32:00.000-07:002013-01-21T11:32:56.053-07:00Weekend Edition: Renovation ProgressI was home in Albuquerque over the holidays, and as with all trips back, I try to tackle some house related project. This time it was over at my Mom's house, installing kitchen cabinets to compliment the beautiful work she's had done on her new "great room".
To refresh, it used to look like this.
And now it looks like this. Its unfinished, the island shown here is S@shahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06329629158498598528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454265932392150863.post-14146256839266275552013-01-18T17:18:00.000-07:002013-01-18T17:18:32.201-07:00 Friday Fun: Antique Store Loot
I spent the afternoon visiting various thrift and antique stores. These came from the latter, so not really thrift finds, but fairly thrifty nonetheless. The mango and the tomato are there just for scale, to show how big the Russell Wright platter is. Its rather a strange color, but the table cloth coordinated so nicely that I figured I'd go for it. Reproduction Russell S@shahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06329629158498598528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454265932392150863.post-73955256543444370882012-09-22T22:14:00.002-06:002012-09-22T22:16:40.685-06:00Material Goods: Fall Fashion SpreeI had a busy week in which I took two of my professional licensure exams. This morning I decided that I deserved a bit of a shopping spree.
My job doesn't require flat shoes, because we all have to change into steel toed boots before we go out to the construction sites, but its not really a heels environment because it's too casual. So I always need flats. These oxfords are S@shahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06329629158498598528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454265932392150863.post-13300933142512305592012-08-18T17:51:00.001-06:002012-08-18T17:51:37.799-06:00Recent InspirationI haven't been terribly inspired by much online lately. A few images here and there. I'm sure its partially my own fault because I haven't really been looking in any concentrated way and partly because everyone seems more into Instagram postings than blog posts these days. I'm guilty of it myself. Instagram is so fast, most of the photos are original and posts are sort of S@shahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06329629158498598528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454265932392150863.post-72979784331564963862012-08-05T14:32:00.000-06:002012-08-05T14:32:44.940-06:00Home Kitchen ProgressI try to get some small home project done whenever I visit Albuquerque. Last October I painted my living room. This last trip I started painting my kitchen cabinets. The color is Benjamin Moore Van Deusen blue. It turned a little greyer as it dried.
Before and during. No after pictures yet, but its getting there, little by little. I plan to have very S@shahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06329629158498598528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454265932392150863.post-56119945730388453672012-07-15T14:41:00.000-06:002012-07-15T14:41:43.023-06:00HomeI was in Albuquerque last week. I arrived just at the tail end of a heat wave and was lucky to enjoy several days with rain while I was there. New Mexico is just incredibly beautiful, and seeing all my friends, family and dogs made it really hard to leave.
All shot from the car on the drive between Albuquerque and Santa Fe.S@shahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06329629158498598528noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454265932392150863.post-81348815699383576342012-07-15T14:09:00.002-06:002012-07-15T14:09:27.245-06:00Recent AcquisitionsSome things that I've happily acquired in the last few weeks.
Four World of Interiors magazines from 2009. The top issue is one that I had for a particular spread that I love on Henry Wilson's London home, with elaborately hand painted walls inspired by his life in India. My mom donated it to the free magazine bin at our local library when I was away from home. I'm sure she S@shahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06329629158498598528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454265932392150863.post-88984459863594430932012-06-13T16:30:00.000-06:002012-06-26T21:05:42.665-06:00Apartment Files: Kitchen ImprovmentsMajor kitchen improvements. I built an island and bought some stools and a rug. This happened in March, but I just haven't been in a blogging mood. [All about Instagram right now. Its so fast and easy.] It's made cooking and eating so much nicer.
Then I replaced that West Elm advertising poster with shelves! I've lost track, but this probably happened S@shahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06329629158498598528noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454265932392150863.post-28879014768109111732012-06-11T20:02:00.000-06:002012-06-11T20:02:28.745-06:00Culinary Chronicles: Weeknight SupperCan you tell that I feel like detoxing this week? Last week I cooked a big pot roast and ate it for five straight days. This is my dinner tonight. Not a meat product in sight. A variation on Heidi Swanson's Sushi Bowl. Its good hot or cold, so it's an excellent thing to pack up for lunch tomorrow.
Followed by an Indian flavored chia pudding-- coconut milk, S@shahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06329629158498598528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454265932392150863.post-83857203911161463182012-03-31T14:58:00.000-06:002012-03-31T14:58:45.185-06:00Apartment Files: Storage ImprovementsAs anyone who lives in a small place knows staying on top of clutter is the key to a happy life. And probably being a minimalist by nature is the real secret. However, I am not a minimalist. I like to collect things and I want to be comfortable. If I go for a hike, I come back with cool rocks. If I go to the beach it's impossible not to pick up a shell or two. S@shahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06329629158498598528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454265932392150863.post-18661243425087686042012-03-20T13:21:00.001-06:002012-03-20T13:21:00.247-06:00Apartment Files: Decorating the KitchenI just ordered these two prints from the Sevenstars Treasurebox store on Etsy.
Seriously, excellent illustration style and a recipe? Perfect.
So excited for them to arrive. Now if I could just find a spicerack that I like. (Not normally a spice rack person, but I need to free up cabinet space since my kitchen is tiny).S@shahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06329629158498598528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454265932392150863.post-16048271464752923872012-03-18T11:18:00.000-06:002012-03-18T11:18:02.198-06:00Culinary Chronicles: Sourdough for a Small Kitchen -- CrepesI almost always prefer a savory breakfast to a sweet one. A few weekends ago I put together my standard sourdough pancake starter on Saturday night, but Sunday morning I just wasn't quite up for pancakes drizzled in syrup. Instead I remembered the sweet potato and bag of spinach that I needed to use up in the vegetable crisper. What's the savory answer to pancakes? Crepes!S@shahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06329629158498598528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454265932392150863.post-65232386678702502922012-03-04T15:01:00.000-07:002012-03-04T15:01:37.071-07:00Light postings = busy life
I just noticed that I've only posted three things so far this year. I've never been a regimented blog writer, but I will admit that I've been neglecting this space lately. There are lots of reasons-- visitors every weekend of February, a broken oven(!), no major changes to the apartment to document, a broken computer (!!!), a new computer that doesn't like my old adobe software (I'm S@shahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06329629158498598528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454265932392150863.post-44612362062505086332012-03-04T14:19:00.000-07:002012-03-04T14:19:56.725-07:00Culinary Chronicles: Quinoa and Fennel Salad with Citrus Dressing, Fresh Peas and Fava Beans Yesterday was one of those perfect weather days here in Southern California. This is what it looked like at 7:00 am. (Just want it noted that the skull+ antler garden art is not remotely my style, but my landlords')I went to a barbeque last night and after such a beautiful day I really wanted to bring something super fresh and spring-like. At the farmer's market I saw lots of S@shahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06329629158498598528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454265932392150863.post-14874458391070556142012-01-22T18:42:00.001-07:002012-01-25T19:15:59.144-07:00Culinary Chronicles: Sourdough for a Small Kitchen-- Vanilla Almond SconesIt's all well and good to bake bread with your sourdough starter, but what about when your kitchen is so small that making bread is just a hassle? These days I'm working with two feet of counter space, and a tiny apartment-sized electric oven. If I can't mix something up in one bowl, I just don't have room to make it. And just try to get your tiny apartment grade oven to reach S@shahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06329629158498598528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454265932392150863.post-91111508911918045282012-01-08T11:08:00.000-07:002012-01-08T11:08:40.847-07:00Sunday Morning: Nearly Perfect BreakfastYum, soft boiled eggs, tangerines, toast with sweet lime jalapeno jelly and Tour de France tea (like Earl Grey but with jasmine added). Plus a lovely interiors magazine. The only thing that would have made it better would have been enjoying it on a sunny terrace on vacation in a foreign country. Happy + relaxing Sunday to you!S@shahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06329629158498598528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454265932392150863.post-29301550306287764362011-12-26T18:22:00.000-07:002011-12-26T18:22:26.702-07:00Christmas 2011
It was a whirlwind trip home for Christmas, in Thursday night and out at the crack of dawn this morning. Just enough time for a little shopping, a lot of cooking and the holiday celebration. Then finally home for a nap! Pretty simple table this year with black, gold and amethyst.S@shahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06329629158498598528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454265932392150863.post-49330098074281570512011-11-25T11:31:00.000-07:002011-11-25T11:31:20.377-07:00Holidays: ThanksgivingThe last thing I did before getting in the car to join friends for Thanksgiving yesterday was gather this holiday bouquet from the garden around my apartment. A little flowering rosemary, New Zealand flax, maidenhair grass, bronzy-orange bougainvillea and that red berried shrub that I can't identify. It was the perfect palette for Thanksgiving. S@shahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06329629158498598528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454265932392150863.post-89328854026962519592011-11-13T09:38:00.000-07:002011-11-13T09:38:52.567-07:00Sunday MorningBought these lovely small plates yesterday during a day of otherwise unproductive thrifting in the rain.
My only hesitation before buying them? Where will they fit in my tiny, cupboard challenged kitchen. (Oh, that's my new staghorn fern! So pretty).
My new fern is leaning on the counter because he needs to be dampened quite frequently, and I haven't figured out where I S@shahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06329629158498598528noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454265932392150863.post-91229078652828225242011-11-05T11:04:00.000-06:002011-11-05T11:04:28.691-06:00Apartment Files: Tiny updateNew bentwood chair. Serving as an extra bedside table for now, but eventually will be part of this set.S@shahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06329629158498598528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454265932392150863.post-12473740799480538952011-10-29T10:30:00.000-06:002011-10-29T10:30:19.700-06:00Supercool: Steel Boulders
Steel boulders from wyattellison on Etsy.
S@shahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06329629158498598528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454265932392150863.post-68794368435635439012011-09-04T13:52:00.000-06:002011-09-04T13:52:15.416-06:00Perfect Sunday MorningIt's been especially lovely here this morning. Alternating sun and clouds with a fresh breeze blowing. It makes it feel like the seasons are changing, even though this is southern California, where Fall doesn't exist in the traditional sense. I spent the morning drinking coffee, eating huevos rancheros doused in molé, reading magazines and a novel, and finishing the week's S@shahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06329629158498598528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454265932392150863.post-14565320896764599912011-08-29T21:03:00.000-06:002011-08-29T21:03:10.806-06:00Apartment Progress: Moveable ChairThis was waiting for me when I got home.
Yay! Eames fiberglass shell chair with low rod base.
Inside the house it will reside across the living room from the couch, partially in front of the sliding glass door. That way it can easily be picked up to serve as extra outdoor seating when I need it. And this is the view through the window when seated.
Can't wait for S@shahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06329629158498598528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8454265932392150863.post-39111619351754396492011-08-27T13:48:00.000-06:002011-08-27T13:48:16.646-06:00Apartment Progress: Layering in the BedroomOkay, this morning with my back feeling better and my house-sitting duties complete, I finally got around to laying down the new rug in the bedroom. Wrestling that mattress on and off the frame was rough, but necessary. I really like the large-scale ikat pattern.
I have some new bedding on the way, but for now I just added a piece of ikat fabric that I've been S@shahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06329629158498598528noreply@blogger.com1