The Study of A Study in the Maria House In San Juan Capistrano~The Private Home Of The Proprietors of Whim Interior Design

Continuing on our home tour of the soon to be (hopefully) historic home build in 1924 of the design duo Eric Guenther and Daviell Maldonado. This talented duo not only own one of the most memorable properties in Orange County, they also own one of the most memorable upscale furniture, home furnishings, jewelry and floral shop. Well, that's a whole lot of talent under one roof. And, their home truly shows what type of talent they possess.

An interesting lamp, grand unique mirror, books and collections of exotic items from all over the world.

The art of displaying a bookcase with layers of old books on top of books. They sure know how to do it. The old iron would lead to an interesting conversation I am sure. Maybe they found it in the home?

Well, this study makes me want to get a cup of coffee, grab one of their cashmere blankets and get comfy for a while. There are so many interesting items in this cozy study, I would love to ask the owners about many of them. But, for now... I enjoy just looking upon the beauty. A study of a study.

Does this study bring up any thoughts for you? Such as the love for the color, style or collections? Do you use old books as well? I think they bring a soul to a room. What do you think?

Thanks for stopping by. Have yourself one fabulous day!!!

All photos taken by yours truly, Christina Gough.

Travel Back In Time To The Master Suite Of The Maria House in San Juan Capistrano The Private Residence of The Owners of Whim Interior Designs

Continuing the grand tour of the Maria and Folie homes that share the same property in San Juan Capistrano, California. This is the luxurious yet cozy master suite of Eric Guenther and Daviell Maldonado, the proprietors of Whim Interior Design. This house was built in 1924 and is in the process of becoming an historical building. You can find more information regarding this property by viewing all the posts on Whim Interior Design.

Again, all the windows are doors are from the 15th and 16th century and brought over from Europe by the previous owner and well known antique dealer, Gep Durenberger. This is the lovely view from the master suite.

One side of the double doors that lead into the suite from the poolside veranda.


Collections of beautiful blue glass vases on an exquisite crystal leaf vanity tray.


A view behind the master bed with treasured photos, books and collectibles that I am sure all have a story to tell about the homeowners travels and lives.


A few necessities that create comfort on the bedside table.



A desk, comfortable chairs, decorating books and magazines seem to be calling to us to sit down and enjoy this a while.

The gorgeous and quaint wood burning stove in the master.

The view from the master to the space with a cozy breakfast nook and bath.

Since this is the entry from the pool, this entry type of table with books, candles and collectibles sets the mood for the space.

Oh my... do I need to say anything here?

Fine luxurious lines crown the bathroom.

A table setting in the master set for the kings of the home. I can image sitting there having a cup of coffee and reading the paper in the morning. What a life they lead!!

They are so clever to use a unique and colorful table lamp to add height, lighting and ambiance.

Hand painted Swedish cabinets, floors and bath make this one memorable space.

The owner, Daviell, poolside in during the home tour in October is the buyer for their retail store and a fantastic jewelry designer. If you are looking for a unique piece of quality jewelry you should visit their store that is downtown in San Juan Capistrano. I promise it will be a feast for the eyes!!!

The other owner and partner, Eric Guenther, the interior designer of this luxurious property looking very stately during the home tour this month.

Well kids, I hope you enjoyed the master suite from this amazing property. More to follow this week. The beauty just goes on and on...

Go have yourself one fabulous day!

xo,

Christina

Fabulous Finds Gal

Finding What Works~ Top 20 Fashion Posts Via Links A' La Mode

Finding what works…

Edited by Jennine

Man, editing the links this week was painful, only because there were so many fantastic posts, so be sure to check them all out in the IFB forums! This week we have loads of great interviews, a few wonderful lookbooks from our members, and had a recurring theme of personalizing style, from the DIY projects from M.I.S.S., Monoxious.com, Quirky Fashion, to customizing trends on Clutch 22, dramatis personae and The Art of Accessories we’re finding what works!

Links à la Mode : November 12th

• 39th and Broadway – Wendy B Tells All!


• Clutch 22 – AMSB Challenge #3: How to Style a Hot Pink Mini


• Denim Debutante – How to: Easily Find the Right Denim Sizing for You


• dramatis personae – A Girl’s Guide to Faux Eyelashes


• Fashion Pulse Daily – Candela NYC: Casual, Carefree, Cool


• Fete a Fete – Armani 2009 Holiday Crystal Collection


• Fresh Pie! – Piewacket – Outtakes


• Gloria's Jeans – Flight of Fancy: How to Travel in Style


• IdilViceFashionRocks: – wedding in las vegas


• Idiosyncratic Style – Pearls of Wisdom: The Holy Fashion Grail


• Large Black Diary – Official neck trend of 2009


• M.I.S.S. – She’s Crafty: DIY Convertible Chain Jewelry


• Monoxious.com – DIY Clothes Tutorial: Shirt to skirt.


• Painfully Hip – Painfully Hip Design Collective F/W 2009: Daphne


• Quirky Fashion – How To Make a Fascinator – DIY Fashion Story


• Retro Chick – Luscious Lingerie – Miss La La’s Boudoir


• Sweet Fancy Treat – The Nomadic Way


• The Art of Accessories – How To Accessorize With Belts


• THE COVETED – Everyone is beautiful: Our relationship with beauty isn’t always easy


• The Curvy Fashionista – Plus Size Fashions by the Ines Collection


• The Working Wardrobe – Designers Who Work It: Orlando Espinoza Transcends Both Time and Trend for the Working Woman

Thanksgiving Table Test Run~ Am I Ready To Get The Party Started???

Well, I decided to take quick break from the home tour of the owners of Whim's house because it was time today to do a test run for Thanksgiving. My parents were going to have Thanksgiving, but we decided yesterday that it was best that my husband and I have it. So, no pressure!!! Like a good little hostess, I hit a few stores today while small child was in school to gather a bit of inspiration and maybe a few new tricks. What I came up with was the wreath in brown and gold that I turned to hold the pumpkin as a centerpiece. On sale for $15 just seems to do the trick. After I hit a few stores I had my weekly training session with my trainer which proceeded to take my "at rest" heart rate. She said "wow" that's a lot higher than last time. I didn't have the heart to tell her I was in a decorator hell. Somehow I didn't think she would understand. We all have our sicknesses, right? After viewing the table scape from Eric and Daviell last weekend, they really set the bar.

Here is my everyday dinner plate, candlewick salad plate from my gracious Grandmother, Pierre Frey napkins acquired over 10 years ago, beaded butterfly napkin holders about 15 years ago from a San Fransisco trip, silver place setting from my gracious Grandmother, Versace glasses from my parents last year and custom wine glasses by a friend, Misty, last year.

So, after whipping out the said wreath I had to see what the heck I was going to create and if it would even work. I pulled these items from the living room and kitchen bay window. I was a mad woman on a search for all things orange and brown. These are items I have collected over the years from various shops. I always had a thing for those gold 60's grapes and I am thankful today I did. They seem to work perfectly with the Thanksgiving theme I am creating. And, they have such a great reflective property.



This is a great example of adding a special item each year to your table. This wine glass was hand painted by my friend, Misty Maretsky, a local talent and fellow momma. I had thought last year that leopard and those colors would be timeless and useful in my house. Again, I was very thankful today. (Um, I thought I should try to see what a glass of Merlot would look like... tee hee)


You can't see very well, but the drinking glass on the bottom left is a Versace glass that my hubby was lucky enough to receive as a set of 6 from my parents last Christmas. They are coming in handy this Thanksgiving!



So, I pulled a velveteen drape and made it the table runner. Don't tell anyone! I also pulled those balls from a previous decoration. Oh, how I love using what I already have. I used the balls to create interest and a lower filler for the grapes. The colors and different textures just seem to work. I mixed matte with shine to create interest as well.




Here's my storm trooper that just happened to match my Thanksgiving theme today. I guess I had Thanksgiving on the brain.



A little back side view. I need to fill it in a bit to match the front. The pumpkin does the trick, but if I could do my dream centerpiece it would be a piece of art glass in the same colors. But, since I still have a small stromtrooper, art glass is on hold for now. But, I can keep my eyes open. Now I know my measurements and you just don't know what you can find.




So, there it is. The official test run for my Thanksgiving table. It looks like we will have 6 adults and my little one. So, I could show the grain of the table instead of using a tablecloth. I am liking the wood grain, since I normally do a tablecloth. But, I was wondering your thoughts. Should I do a tablecloth? Any other suggestions? We have a little time to pull it off! This psycho momma hostess is now enjoying that yummy glass of wine and hopefully my resting heart rate is down to normal... I never said I was normal!



xo,
Christina
Fabulous Finds Gal

Thanksgiving Table Inspiration From Whim Interior Designs~ Let's Get The Party Started!

Wonderful artglass collections and topped off by acorn chocolates and chocolate dipped strawberries from Schmid's of San Clemente.

This is the home of interior designer Eric Guenther and jewelry designer Daviell Maldonado from Whim Interior Designs in San Juan Capistrano. I am continuing the home tour of their unique historical home. This shows the workmanship that can go into a finely set holiday table. And, I get it, not all people want to, desire to or do this type of table. But, my family lineage has focused on the table scape as a fine honed skill. My great grandmother Gaddie, who was a refined French woman, started the china "fetish" in our family (what I like to call it) and the respect from generations for setting a fine table. My grandmother, Nadine, followed with huge collections of Lenox, Waterford, Silver, fine linens, Lladro, etc... and silver place settings. And, my mother inherited more than most and collected more than most herself. But, what these fine women had in common was the desire to create a memorable table that took much thought and preparation for their family to enjoy and to create a tradition for generations to follow.

This type of table doesn't come overnight, well, unless you hire someone like Eric and Daviell or visit a full service shop like Whim. But, takes a few years (or many) of collecting to get it just right. Our family secret is to set your table the night before the feast. It creates much less stress and facilitates more creativity. I set everything except the knives, since I have a little one, the day before. It used to be the Waterford crystal glasses last as well, but thankfully he has grown out of that stage. I organize the linens about a week before so I can send the out for pressing, if needed. Or, I press them myself depending on the condition. Which forces me to decide on the entire place setting and table centerpiece decorations. I lay down the linens first, then I tackle the centerpiece. If I order the flowers for the centerpiece then this is done a week in advance and hopefully is available two days before the dinner. If I also decide to add a smaller personal floral arrangements, l like to buy these flowers a few days ahead of time to get the best choice and to let them open in time for the dinner. This type of preplanning also allows me time to review, clean, plan and replace items where needed. I clean all the china, silverware and glasses the day before the dinner. Then, I proceed to set the table settings. So, this is a process that I savor and is for me a part of the fun of being a hostess.

Another trick is to light candles with a great aroma the morning of the event and an hour before in the main dining, sitting areas and any baths that might be visited by guests. That way when they walk in, they smell the candles and the food. I try to buy the best aroma candles possible and to make all the candles the same scent. The candles on the table are lit just before dinner is served and are usually a mix of taper and votive. Having the centerpiece done a few days before gives me the opportunity to see how much room I have left for candles and to decide which ones will work.

My plan for decorating for the holidays is to add something really special each year. So, the table evolves over time as your taste evolves. But, if I had the means and started with nothing, I would love to do it all at once. But, then, I like to mix old treasures passed down from my family with new pieces to give it a fresh and personal spin. And, I think a table or anything that accumulates over time has more character. But, what the heck do I know? Ha.. Ha...

I wish you much luck in creating a memorable table or decorations for this holiday season.

Are you motivated to get your Thanksgiving decorations or table going? Do you have any table setting tips or hostess tips to share with us?

Let's get the party started!

xo,

Christina

Fabulous Finds Gal

The Charming And Colorful Maria House In San Juan Capistrano~ A Perfect Example Of How To Make A House A Home~ Part 1

Welcome to the Maria house that was built in 1924 for the workers to live in while they built the 6,000 square foot mansion for the wealthy Doheny family.

Edward L. Doheny was an Irish oil tycoon that owned most of San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano. We still have a favorite spot, Doheny Beach to remind us of this tycoon. He drilled the first successful well in the Los Angeles city oil field. This house is modest in size, but big in character. It is currently being reviewed to become an official historic site in San Juan Capistrano. Nothing here says "workers quarters" to me.

All the windows and doors of this home are 16th and 17th century from a European property. They were replaced by the previous owner and antique dealer, Gep Durenberyer. Gep purchased this property in 1979 and proceeded to transform this modest cottage from the original Spanish style into French style to fit his needs.


Gorgeous and brave color combinations of yellow, green, white, pink, blue and red fill this space. Nothing feels too precious to touch, sit or relax in. Even though it is actually overflowing with precious little boxes, china, silver and collectibles. I'm sure the owners made a conscious decision to bring the grandness of these pieces down a bit with comfortable chairs, sofas, stools, rugs, pillows and lighting.

The current owners, Daviell Maldonado and Eric Gunether, the proprietors of Whim Interior Design, have created several sitting areas in this traditional living room. Eric believes in creating cozy sitting areas versus the large great rooms with only one sitting area that most of us have. If you don't, good for you, you are ahead of the curve. The room calls to you to sit down, enjoy a book, cover up in a blanket and get comfortable for a while. And, they have already thought of proper lighting. There are probably seven lamps in this room, from my memory. They had standing lamps next to chairs and lamps on each of the tables, so where ever you decide to sink into the lighting is perfect for drooling over any one of their design books. What a master plan.

Collections of boxes and books make this a welcoming and interesting space and leans itself to easy conversation with the homeowners. They share a bit of the homeowners history, travels, likes, and taste. Whenever you enter a home and don't quite know who the owners are, just examine the coffee table and side tables. They should, when done personally, show you a window to the owners soul. This is why I never truly know a person until I see their home. I just realized Eric's talk was on "Accessories... Just clutter or the room's soul?". Well, I guess I got that question right.

Orchids, tulips and ferns bring life to the room and are a perfect match for the traditional decor. Note how the pillows are beautiful, but aren't too precious to actually use or scream "you need permission first" to sit back on.

Awe... the small garden room. This is one of the two bedrooms in this cottage. The layering of fabrics and textures in this room make this small room pop with color and interest. Something about crisp and comfortable white bedding just calls to me to sit down and enjoy a bit. Does it do that for you? More photos to follow of this charming room this week.

This is one of the rose filled rooms, one of the 11, on this lovely acre of property. The railing and building on the left is the quaint Maria.

Gorgeous flowers and ferns in an french basket are overflowing with luscious greenery.
Whim provides the most original floral arrangements in Orange County with their talented staff with 20 years of floral experience.

The welcoming dining room with comfortable chairs in classic plaid, tile floors and a huge hand painted skylight and chandelier overhead. Sorry, the photo of the chandelier to follow.

A cozy bench with welcoming pillows tucked into an alcove in the dining room with ambient lighting. Seating is abundant in this cottage. I swear a 100 people could fit comfortably in this modest cottage due to the seating arrangements. This must have been a need the homeowners wanted to solve. And, they sure did and without any folding chairs!


Modern artwork fitting for a gentleman's home over wonderful live fresh plants in an interesting container.


My mom enjoying the fabulous food, wine and chocolates poolside steps from the Maria home while listening to live music, birds and waterfalls. And, being oh so patient while I take a million pictures. Can you blame me? I love you, mom.

This home is a great example of "how to" create a cozy space that is full of comfort, collections, color, texture and personality. Does it make you want to add a splash of color, texture or a personal collection to your space? Or, call these gentlemen to help you create the same comfort in your space? They travel all over the world just doing that for the lucky clients that get to work with them. Oh... I've got to hit the lottery! Ok, I am sure they are reasonable in price and, obviously, LARGE on talent. Until then, I get to visit my favorite store of theirs, Whim and am blessed to be able to enjoy these home tours. Sometimes I just want to pinch myself. Thanks gentlemen for all you do to create beauty, sharing your magic with the world and your graciousness! I've got more to share of this amazing home this week with out of this world tablescapes. Please come back this week for Thanksgiving and Christmas decoration inspiration from this dynamic duo.

Please let me know your thoughts. What do you think? Does this feel comfortable to you?
Go have yourself one fabulous day!


xo,
Christina
Fabulous Finds Gal