a stunning beach house tour

This is one of my favorite houses down by the beach. It has incredible designer details and mixes antiques with seashells and beachy accents.   

Great curb appeal is achieved here with a clean palette of 

white and traditional brick and is finished off with a long 

wrap-around porch and citrus trees in pots. 

A custom made seashell address 

medallion hangs on the porch.

A hand made seashell address 

medallion hangs on the porch.

The living room is a perfect mix of antiques

in an ocean and sand color palette.

A natural fiber rug and

window shades pull it all together. 

My favorite part of this family room is the seashell encrusted fireplace surround. It has all the amenities a family could want, including easy access to the backyard swimming pool.

The white kitchen gets a bit of color from the turquoise tile backsplash, and a breathtaking mermaid mosaic highlights the kitchen and sets the tone for this seaside theme. Majolica plates in greens adorn the window on the right side. The rich wood floor gives the whole space warmth. 

The dining room greets visitors at the front of the house and is just off the kitchen.  It's walls are a vibrant turquoise venetian plaster and the dining chairs are a sandy colored linen, finished off with playful striped seats.  French doors open up to the front porch.

Perfect balance and symmetry makes this room simple, 

and the colors make it so fun!

The master bedroom is a quiet sanctuary 

with its own private outdoor retreat.

The soothing colors continue on through the master bath.

I love the mix of bohemian chic antiques with the colors of the sea. 

A nice little quiet spot in the hallway.

A fun,beachy spin in one of the bedrooms.

Here the decor has turned sweet and feminine.

A useful study nook at the top of the stairs. 

Custom pierced cabinets define the laundry room area.

A beautiful pool, a fire pit with comfortable seating

and a barbecue station enhance this backyard.

Notice the second mermaid mosaic.  

This one is the focal point of the outdoor space.

A third story deck is blissfully enjoyed,

especially when gorgeous Pacific sunsets

can be easily spied from a comfy spot

on the outdoor sofas. 

ciao! fabiana

highlights of the spring garden show

Fairy Gardens

One of my favorite things at the Southern California Garden Show at South Coast Plaza is seeing the "Fairy Gardens".  They are miniature vignettes created in pots that are fairy-scale.  It's like a combination little doll house garden mixed with bonsai.  The details are really fun!

Orange Coast College Horticulture Club's

Garden for the Visually Impaired

This is a garden experience for everyone.  It featured a lot of textural and fragrant plants, so as you walk through the exhibit, you can enjoy the feel and fragrance of a lovely California garden.

Visually impaired guests were
welcomed graciously in this beautiful garden. 

Lavender, Jerusalem sage {yellow flower],
scented geraniums and velvety succulents.

A great mix of succulents and herbs dominated the display

The center of the exhibit featured a large topographical globe for touching.

Plant descriptions written in braille

Fragrant Sage and fuzzy succulents

 Large exhibits...

Carved wooden vessels act like natural bird baths.

An inviting zen garden recreated in the mall.  

Sit down and enjoy this long stone fountain.

A great combination of a nest 
swing and a starfish pond. 

The centerpiece of the garden show.

A creative water feature.

Favorite Details...

a huge variety of succulents for sale


Plumeria stalks were available 
for sale and  are so easy to grow. 
They remind me of Hawaii.

Begonias and other interesting plants.

A living wall.

This is a great idea!
A variety of succulents growing in a single 1 gallon pot.

Beautiful bonsai.

A huge variety of geraniums.
My mom would love this table!

A trough of succulents topped off with a faucet.

A twig chair garden.

A tiny filled seashell.

A centerpiece candelabra. 

Square and heart shaped succulent wreaths.

A showstopping, tightly filled wreath. 

Fill up this moss handbag with your favorite plant.

A natural valentine.

How about a vintage boat filled with coral-shaped plants? 

You can't have too many shoes.

 Great colors and great ideas!

For another tour of the garden show with lots 

of gorgeous succulents, click here.

ciao! fabiana