As we approach the winter solstice, many of us bemoan the shorter daylight hours. But there is a particular quality to winter light that I find to be especially captivating. It has to do ... Read More >
Winter Hikes
Entertaining with Style and Ease
As the holidays approach, it’s the perfect time to think about entertaining, and the design touches that make it possible to host gatherings with style, ease, and comfort. When we work with ... Read More >
Bridget’s Favorite Bay Area Pizza Places
My assistant, Bridget Kelley, has many areas of expertise, and one of them is pizza! Here’s Bridget’s advice for where to get your pizza fix: While Ellen’s passion may be French Fries, mine ... Read More >
First Impressions
As the saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression, and the entry foyer of a home is a great place to convey the personal style of the owner and set the tone for the rest of ... Read More >
Garden Hopping in France and Norway – Part 2
A few weeks ago, I shared some of the formal gardens I visited last summer in France. That trip continued on to Norway, and this week's dose of nature therapy is about the Norwegian gardens that ... Read More >
Open Studios Begin This Weekend!
The fall season in San Francisco is packed with design and art-related events. One of my favorites is Open Studios, a month-long event where over 800 local artists open up their studios and showcase ... Read More >
Get Ready for the San Francisco Fall Art + Antiques Show
Mark your calendar for the upcoming San Francisco Fall Show at Fort Mason from October 3 – 6. The themes this year is: Wanderlust: Around the World with Art, Antiques, and Design, and the show will ... Read More >
Palecek Factory Tour
The Palecek line of furnishings and décor are so well-suited to the relaxed style and eco-conscious mindset of California. I recently had the opportunity to go behind the scenes and attend a tour of ... Read More >
Timeless Design
Timeless Design is one of those terms that seems a little subjective, but there are spaces that remain relevant throughout the decades and even centuries. The ballroom of Château de Chenonceau in ... Read More >
Garden Hopping in France and Norway – Part 1
As a gardening enthusiast (one with more enthusiasm than expertise!) I love to visit gardens when I travel, compare different approaches to planning a garden, and pick up ideas that I may attempt to ... Read More >
