{design: vintage reclaimed wood floors}

Historic Barnwood Oak

If you've ever replaced your floors, or even had them refinished- then you know how daunting of a task it can become. There are so many choices, colors, textures, new, old, engineered, reclaimed, etc. UGH. I've made some mistakes in my life when it comes to floors, but mistakes no more, I know what I need in my floors. For example, my store has engineered flooring due to the high traffic and high usage of the space. We are constantly sliding heavy things and need the floors to be scratch proof. However, in my main residence in LA- we made a hasty decision to have three bedrooms refloored while we were on our honeymoon, and came back to less-than-desireable floors. The moral of the story, don't leave town while your floors are being done unless you have them sign off that they will give you their first born if they are not done to your exact specs....

Coopersmark Oak Barrels

Fortunately, the rest of the house has gorgeous 85 year old Oak floors that were laid in 1923 when the house was built, so we just tolerate the other floors in the bedrooms. Which leads me to my cabin, which in case you didn't notice, has become a bit of an obsession. I've been determined to not settle on even the tiniest point, which has led me on a search throughout the country for the perfect wood floors. While we were in the Hamptons over the summer, we found a little shop in Bridgehampton with the floors I desperately wanted, but hence, could not be shipped across the country without quite an ordeal and large expense. We were also weary of ordering them, having them shipped, and then taking the chance of them not being exactly what we wanted. So, the search continued, until I found Vintage Wood Floors right here in Southern California.

Sample boards in the showroom

The view inside one of their warehouses

Old red barnwood from a dismantled 50+ year old barn in Wisconsin. I'm going to pick each piece myself (they said I could!) and have all my windows and doors trimmed in this.

This is a sample board of wood that we discussed as a possibility for the exterior horizontal finish with chinking. We decided it was too rustic and picked a different wood and finish. This is a great way to ensure you are getting exactly what you asked for and envisioned. If they can't provide you with a sample board, or you don't ask for one, then you just may not get what you want.... Clearly not an option for me.

To see more of their work and about their company click here

{design: reclaimed fireplace mantels & stone floors}

$22,500

I've been on the hunt for some interesting pieces to incorporate into my cabin, and have stumbled upon some incredible finds. When my husband and I designed the new addition, we put in as many fireplaces as possible, and then were left with the task of making each one unique and special. These fireplaces are the hub and focal point of all five rooms they are in. Most importantly to me, was the library, my sanctuary. One the flip side of the library fireplace is the family room fireplace, so I wanted them to have a cohesive feel, but not the same mantel.

These antique French limestone mantels are pieces of art and can give a room that homey, rustic feel-while still keeping it sophisticated and simple. I just couldn't stand the thought of staring into a cookie cutter fireplace when we will be using it so much and with lots of friends and family. These are from Exquisite Surfaces in Beverly Hills. Now don't get me wrong, I absolutely think these are extravagant purchases, but these types of details will absolutely MAKE your renovation. You really can tell the difference, I promise.

$18,200

$32,500

$8,200

This flooring, rescued from a very old estate in France is absolutely gorgeous. They bring it back as a large slab and make 3 horizontal cuts in it to reveal three different grades of stone. This one is the first cut, and the most expensive at approx. $58 per s/f (based on over 500 s/f). My little toes were in sheer heaven walking on this!

{design: reclaimed antique Indian doors}

There are several dealers I work with who bring in reclaimed items from all over the world. I seem to gravitate towards really old wood and things that were used for many, many years and in seemingly ordinary ways. These wood double doors are from India, and are gorgeous, one-of-a-kind, art pieces. They range from 50 to over 100 years old, and can make the difference between a ho-hom entryway, and a knock-em-dead experience.

I've used a smaller set going into a guest bathroom, and am going to use one of these as an entrance into a guest bedroom. My contractors will have to cut down the wood frame a bit to make it fit into the width constraints of 48", but the height of about 9' will ensure that the dramatic effect of the doors is intact.

Whether you are working on a new house, or vamping up an older one- try to find some unique ways to make your house stand out from all the rest. You'll be glad you did!

{book: Building With Reclaimed Material}

I was recently at a warehouse hunting down old barn wood for the floors of my cabin that is being renovated, and stumbled upon this book. It was a wonderful find for anyone that needs fresh ideas for old materials. You will love the pictures of how they mixed the woods with reclaimed marble, and stone. I found the book on Amazon.com. Let me know what you think.

{design: add guest house/garage}

location for guesthouse in front of house at end of driveway.

long driveway heading down from street to main house.

When I say "summer project", I mean that we will BEGIN. This by no means will take less than a year. That being said, we are about to approve the drawings and get them into the city to approve, or not.

{design: cabin renovation, enlarge/enclose entry}

The existing entry to house is not functional. We will remove current front door, and enclose and extend this space. Possibly add closet space for ski gear, coats, etc. Also, add door on left side to go to wrap around deck on side of house.

{design: cabin renovation, wine grotto & billiard room}

stairway coming down from existing living room in the main house, to what was the previous owners basement.
door to the right side of the house. ground level.
sliders going to an unused ground/lake level deck.
overall shot of space.

{design: cabin renovation/additions}

We were just up at our cabin on Donner Lake in Truckee, CA., which we bought about a year ago and decided to do some quick, albeit major, renovations to bring it up to a user friendly level.

The house was an absolute mess when we got our hands on it, and we weren't sure if we would tear it down and start over- so we renovated the main areas (Phase One): kitchen, 2 baths, master suite, living room, dining room, den and fireplace- and most importantly, adding a dock. We did all this thinking there was a possibility we would end up scrapping it, but we wanted to be able to use it right away for skiing and then the summer.

To our surprise, the house turned out so great, that we are going to begin the next part of the process.

Below is the scope of the project. Phase two needs to get permitted asap in order for us to get the foundation and framing up prior to winter snowfall.

Phase One: Completed

Phase Two:

(all in the lower level): add bathroom, bedroom, wine grotto, billiard room, garden room/conservatory, living room, wrap around deck.

(upper level): enlarged entry, enlarged main outdoor deck area, enlarged master bedroom deck.

(outside): raise grade of driveway, add heating to driveway, relocate septic tank

Phase Three:

build two bedroom guest house with two car garage, change out all non-updated windows, resurface exterior woodwork, new roof, add seawall, add beach, lanscaping and tree removal

{pre-renovation: Sur La Mer}

as you may or may not already know, i own a furniture store in manhattan beach, california, called Sur La Mer.

i've been open now for four years, and am about to do some interior touch ups. i have nailed hundreds of pieces of art, mirrors, and things-in-general to the walls and they are a little worse for wear. the harsh rays of the sun have also wreaked havoc on the color, so i'm going to change it, as well as, add crown mouldings. i'm so excited. it's going to be gorgeous!

post renovation pics to come.... stay tuned.

http://www.surlamerdesign.com