All posts filed under: architecture and art

inspiring luxury living

One of my favorite things to do, on Saturday mornings, is to walk my dog through predominant neighborhoods in San Francisco and imagine how it would be to own one of those properties. In light of that fact, I often am inspired by the decor associated with luxury living. Here are some of my recent favorites.

boutique hotel pick – montana art deco hotel – lucerne, switzerland

With freezing cold temperatures in San Francisco, I cannot help but want to be tucked in under the covers in a room of a beautiful hotel perfectly located near snow capped mountains. One place I have always loved and haven’t been to for a while is Lucerne Switzerland and this year, while I plan my annual trip to Europe, I am going to consider a day or two here – except I would prefer the destination during the winter months.

travel journal – holiday end – paris to san francisco

I am now back in the states and aimlessly trying to get adjusted to everyday life. I avoided it for a couple of days while I recovered from jetlag, but knowing there was no alternative, I put on my work clothes and commuted to work early Thursday morning. Vacations or holidays, as they are referred to, throughout other parts of the world, are the most difficult to return from, especially if they pan out to be as beautifully as you envisioned it while planning. I am aware of the fact. But it’s not so much that I regret it’s over, it’s the fact I had to leave Paris, once again as a tourist. The funny thing about annual vacations, at least for me, is that I use the time to not only regroup, but also to reflect on the past year and decipher what I need to do to improve my life and lifestyle. Whether it be, a career change, a move to a new neighborhood, or realigning our long term plans. And every year …

day 13 – travel journal – paris france

There is no way on earth I would pass up Paris, no matter what other destinations I have included in my annual trip to Europe. This year, while the TGV pulled into Gare de Lyon from Cannes at a little after 9p.m. I noticed it had been raining in the city of romance. I didn’t care, the rain is always refreshing in Paris and I have actually been in the city every month out of the year and every single time it had rained. It usually bothered me, but I’ve come to accept it and now even embrace it. Paris isn’t Paris without rain. We hopped on the RER (urban rail network train) from Gare de Lyon to our Hotel in Charles de Gaulle Etoile (between VIIIe and XVIIe arrondissements) and within a five minute walk, landed in front of our quaint hotel with minimal frills and turned in for the night. I usually sleep with the windows open, normally for fresh air, but in the case of Paris, just so I could hear the …

interior decor: visions of simplicity

On occasion I contemplate owning only the simple things in life and although I have downsized quiet a bit since my move back to San Francisco, I am really considering maintaining a streamlined and simple approach to decorating my next home. This could very well be just a phase, but for now check out what I am leaning towards:

interior decor: in-home office space for the creative writer

I crave for an in-home office space of my own just so  I could lock the outside world out while I work on my novel and postings for my blogs. I never realized how important the space was until I sold my home a few years back. Nonetheless, while I strive towards having my very own in-home office (again), I have begun to compile photos of  my favorites to incorporate into my very own style. I  do believe that a creative writers space should be warm, inviting, colorful, comfortable, inspiring and as unique and different from the rest of the house as possible. The room should give you a sense of escape from the uniformity of every day life and traditional office spaces both in the home and at work and should be one, which can only be used by you.