Since my French fry research extends beyond San Francisco, I consider it my responsibility to share the wealth.  So here we go with another top 5!

1) Bonnie Bar in Paris – This experience gets the number 1 spot because of the serendipitous way that my son and I stumbled upon this rooftop lounge.  Read more about that in the New and Old in Paris post.  As for the French fries, they were outstanding, but what doesn’t taste amazing with a sweeping view of Paris?  Extra bonus for fans of Emily in Paris:  catch a glimpse of the Bonnie Lounge in episode 3, season 4.  

2) McMenamins North Bank in Eugene, Oregon – McMenamins serves handcrafted beer and pub food throughout the Pacific Northwest.  I’ve been to many of the locations, and the fries are dependably delicious.  They serve a classic fry, with some skins left on, medium size, and perfectly fried.  The location on the North Bank of the Willamette River has a special place in my heart from my days living in Eugene as a grad student, and now my son is an Architecture student at the University of Oregon (Go Ducks!).  If you rent a bike in town, you can ride your bike along the river trail, and North Bank will be a delightful place to refuel!

3) Punky’s, off the beaten path in Twin Lakes, Colorado – On a back country road, driving from Aspen to Colorado Springs, we saw a lone trailer with a big sign that read “Ribbon Fries.”  Obviously, it was a sign (literally and in the cosmic sense) that travel is about the journey, not the destination.  The only thing to do was to turn the car around and find out what exactly are ribbon fries.  It turns out they are delicious!  More like chips than classic fries.  Crunchy, salty, and curly – the perfect back country snack.

4) Amy’s Drive-Thru in Rohnert Park – The green roof on Amy’s Drive-Thru is the first clue that this is not your typical drive-thru.  With extensive organic and vegan options on the menu, it’s always a welcome stop when we are heading north on Highway 101.  Their Sweet Potato Fries are my favorite, and if you get them with the Rachel Salad, it’s super healthy! 
[Editor’s Note:  Amy’s Drive-Thru announced they are closing their doors in early March 2026, so get there while you can!]

5) Boon Eat + Drink in Guerneville and The Birds Cafe in Bodega Bay – I’m sort of cheating by putting two places in the number 5 spot, but I included both of these in an earlier post about Adventures in the Russian River Valley, and I just couldn’t choose!

I realize this post has nothing to do with interior design, but if you would like to talk to me about your interior design project, click the link below to submit an inquiry form and schedule a Discovery Call:

Schedule a Discovery Call

Also – don’t be shy about sharing your favorite place for French fries – near or far – in the comments section!

The post French Fries Beyond the Bay appeared first on Nystrom Design.

On my family’s trip to Canada this summer, I felt like we got the best of both worlds, dividing our time between Banff National Park in the Alberta Province and downtown Vancouver.

The town of Canmore was our home base to explore the Canadian Rockies of Banff National Park. From there, we could access the unreal turquoise waters of Lake Louise, the mineral springs known as the Inkpots, and pristine hiking above the timberline.

Banff National Park is known for its dramatic natural wonders, but you could easily get your nature fix without even stepping into the park. One day I opted out of hiking to explore the town of Canmore.

I followed a quiet walking trail from our hotel to the downtown area, took a yoga class at The Yoga Lounge, followed by tea at Communitea Café, and browsed shops and galleries along 8th Street and the small downtown area.  One of my favorite shops was Project A, featuring work by emerging Canadian artisans and craftspeople.

We explored the town of Banff for dinner at Farm and Fire one of the nights. The other nights we were happy to choose from the dining options in Canmore. We were so enamored with the food and earthy décor at Bridgette Bar that we went back for a second time. Specifically, the wild mushroom pizza was a crowdpleaser for my whole family.

We were all a little wary of the 12-hour bus ride from Canmore to Vancouver, but it turned out to be a pleasant way to see more of the country. Huge picture windows and no responsibility to navigate gave us the chance to watch the Rockies open up to lakes and endless green vegetation, eventually giving way to the city of Vancouver.

Our introduction to Vancouver was from the 27th floor of our Airbnb, where we were treated to views of the city skyline at twilight, including a full moon reflecting off the surrounding water.

I found the skyline of Vancouver to be one of the most compelling aspects.  High-rise residential buildings are scattered throughout, each with a sculptural quality, often with clever integration of the balcony. The buildings are spaced out to preserve views and light, so you can really get a good look at the architecture.

I also appreciated more decorative urban gestures, like hanging a super-sized chandelier beneath the freeway overpass!

Much of downtown Vancouver is defined by modern architectural styles, but the Gastown neighborhood is a part of the city that retains many older buildings, brick pavers, mature street trees, and the popular Steam Clock.  There is a concentration of shops and dining that lend a quaintly hip character.

A few favorite shops were The Latest Scoop for clothing and Old Faithful Shop for housewares.  We enjoyed outdoor dining at Guilt & Co.  And Soft Peaks Ice Cream Shop is practically a meal in itself, so plan accordingly!

The Public Market on Granville Island is filled with fresh produce, artisan foods, crafts, and artwork. We re-energized with a picnic by the water of local cheeses, preserves, and fresh-baked bread.

Vancouver is ideal for getting around by bicycle.  After we rode around StanleyPark, we kept going along the north side of the city to the cruise ship terminal known as Canada Place.  This also happens to be a lovely place to catch the sunset!

Happy travels!

The post Travel Log: Canada appeared first on Nystrom Design.

On a recent trip to Paris, I was aware of how this principle applies on a macro scale to the fabric of a city that is defined by layered history.  The Louvre is perhaps the most obvious example of a juxtaposition between different periods of architecture.  While the building’s oldest parts date back to the 1500s, most of the current building was constructed in the 17th and 19th centuries.  More recently, the striking glass and metal pyramid by I. M. Pei that serves as the entrance to the museum was added in 1988.

If you wander around to the northern side of the Louvre, you will find a far more understated example of the relationship between new and old architecture.  A mirrored cube by French architect Jean Nouvel (which is actually there to hide construction) pays respect to the Louvre by literally creating a mirror image of the north wing. The architecture of the Louvre consists of repetitive bays, so it takes a second to even realize that you are seeing the continuation of the bays as a reflection, not the actual building. 

I would describe my favorite travel style as ‘purposeful wandering.’  I like to have a destination in mind, but to also leave time to happen upon things that might be a little off the beaten path. This is exactly what happened when my son and I discovered La Félicité, a modern mixed-use building constructed in 2018. My son noticed vertical farms on the rooftop, so we obviously had to go investigate. 

The roof was not open to visitors, but we were invited to visit the lounge on the top floor. We discovered a sleek modern bar with floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing a panoramic view of Paris and all its historic splendor. 

I’m not in the habit of taking pictures in public restrooms, but I made an exception here.  Freestanding pedestal sinks pose minimal obstruction to the eastern view of the Seine River.

Naturally, we had to sample the French fries. If you share my love for fries, but don’t have immediate plans to go to Paris, be sure to read my blog post about the best fries in San Francisco!

Bon Appétit!

The post New and Old in Paris appeared first on Nystrom Design.

A recent experience gave me insight into the origins of my sensitivity to color. Out of the depths of the home where my mom has lived for over 50 years, emerged the fabric swatches that she saved from when she had my colors done in the 1980s.

For whatever reason, my single working mom decided to splurge on what must have been a bit of an extravagance, especially for a 9-year-old. And I’m so glad she did. I remember being mesmerized by the hundreds of fabric swatches that my colorist held up to my face, representing nuances of color and tactility that never would have occurred to me at that age.

A compact color deck was made for each of us with the idea that we’d take it along when we shopped for clothing. Unbeknownst to me until recently, they also sent the original fabric swatches, taped to sheets of paper without the plastic cover.

When I pulled the stack of colored fabrics from the packet my mom had saved all these years and ran my fingers over the fabrics, it activated a familiarity that is like reuniting with an old friend. This set of colors is unique to me, and I’ve internalized them as my go-to colors of which I never seem to tire.

It gave me pause to recognize that the experience created a sort of color language between my mom and me, and it was an early introduction to color concepts that have influenced my approach to interior design. “That’s one of your dramatic colors” or “That’s one of your eye extensions…”

All these decades later, I realize what a gift it was to have been introduced to these subtleties of color so early. It gave me an understanding of how the right colors can nurture, soothe, and energize us, whether they fill our closets or the spaces where we spend our time.

The post The Comfort of Color appeared first on Nystrom Design.

Over the years, our weekend trips with friends have turned into week-long visits with our kids. Our top search criteria when we look for rental houses is still that it has a hot tub, but we’ve discovered many reasons to tear ourselves away from the house and explore the Russian River Valley and nearby towns.

On our most recent trip, we found it was not hard to revert to our old ways and isolate at home, in compliance with Covid guidelines.  But we look forward to venturing out again when it’s safe to do so.  

Here are my top 5 reasons to venture away from the hot tub:  

1. French Fries!  

It’s no secret that I take my French fries very seriously, and the Russian River Valley has two destinations that I am officially adding to my list of the Best French Fries.   

The first is The Birds Café where you can enjoy tasty fish tacos, clam chowder, and perfectly crispy French fries from the outdoor deck overlooking Bodega Bay.   

The second destination for gourmet French fries is Boon Eat + Drink in downtown Guerneville.  The menu is full of California-inspired cuisine, with many delicious plates.  But if we dine together, I will insist that you share an order of truffle fries with me.  And by ‘share’ I mean that I will eat most of them, but I won’t feel guilty because we shared them!  (During the Covid pandemic, Boon’s garden dining is open and take-out is available.) 

2. Fresh Bread and Pastries 

It’s possible that the reason my family started staying in the area for longer stretches of time is because we keep discovering new places to get amazing fresh bread.  Our first discovery was Raymond’s Bakery.  When we drove into the parking lot the first time and discovered it was closed for the winter season, the owner, Mark, who was hosting some Airbnb guests, came out and insisted that we join his guests for pastries.  Raymond’s is open for live music and pizza most Friday nights in the summer.  (Take-out only during the Covid Pandemic).  I recommend the Kitchen Sink Pizza! 

Next, we learned about Wild Flour Bread, a bakery in the nearby town of Freestone.  With the town population listed as 32, this place is a true destination and completely worth the detour!  Conveniently, the Freestone Artisan Cheese Shop is down the road, and there is a little Redwood grove with picnic tables a few steps away.  My favorite breads are the rosemary garlic loaf, the blueberry lemon scones, and the decadent Bohemian, filled with sticky apricot goodness.    

The General Store in Duncans Mills also has fresh bread.  I love to pick up a warm loaf of jalapeno cheddar bread, and a few cheese wedges on our way to hike in Bodega Bay.  

3. Duncans Mills Village 

For several years, we would drive right through Duncans Mills Village on our way to Bodega Bay, never realizing what we were missing.  From River Road / Highway 116, all you see are the General Store and a few shops, but there are over 20 shops, art galleries, restaurants, and a wine tasting room tucked away in this little village.   

The fresh bread at the General Store is enough of a reason to visit, but they also carry over 60 types of craft beers and specialty drinks, a selection of artisan cheeses, and other riverside picnic essentials.       

Don’t worry, this shopping experience will not disrupt the vibe of your rural getaway.  Sometimes there are even cows grazing in the meadow behind the shops! 

4. Hiking 

With the Russian River Valley as your home base, you have access to so many stunning landscapes, and hiking is one of the best ways to experience them.   

From Shell Beach, one option is to take the Kortum Trail along the coast, which is flat and gives you vast ocean views.  For a more challenging hike with a more diverse terrain, cross the road and go to Pomo Canyon Trail. 

My newest favorite hike for dramatic ocean views is the Bodega Head Trail.  This can be a windy spot, so bring layers! And nourish yourself afterwards with a crab sandwich from Fisherman’s Cove.   

5. Redwood Trees 

Technically, you don’t have to leave the hot tub to enjoy the company of the Redwood trees.  Since they thrive in the climate of the Russian River Valley, it’s easy to find a rental home that is surrounded by these majestic trees.   

But few experiences can put things in perspective like a walk through an old-growth grove of Redwoods.  Armstrong  Redwoods State Park  has trees that are over 1000 years old and hiking (or strolling) trails for every level of hiker. 

And at the end of your hike, you can head back to your hot tub for a relaxing soak.  Enjoy! 

The post Adventures in the Russian River Valley appeared first on Nystrom Design.

On a morning in early February, my kids and I (mostly me) were feeling nostalgic for our trip to France last summer.  Although my kids may not have fully shared in my nostalgia, they were promised a bike ride and pastries, so they went along with my plan!

Our first stop was to the Destination Baking Company in Glen Park, where they sell delicious croissants and baguettes.  As a side note, the challah is also excellent, and at Passover, they offer amazing kosher desserts! 

Here is the delicious spread we had for breakfast.

Just kidding, that’s from our first morning in France last summer! 

But here is our actual breakfast spread:

Even without the view of Notre Dame across the Seine River, the baked goods at Destination Baking Company are delicious.  And we had other exploring to do, right here in on own fair city. 

The last time I’d been to the bakery, I’d noticed a small display of watercolor paintings by a local artist named Martha Stookey.  It was a series of watercolors of all the gates along a path called Penny Lane that I learned is not far from the bakery. 

So after we nourished ourselves with fresh croissants and pain au chocolat, we parked our bikes and continued by foot to see the gates of Penny Lane.  It is one of those little paths that you could easily walk by and not even realize there is more to discover.  It feels a little bit like being on a country road. 

The gates are charming for sure, but I think I’m even more enchanted by Martha Stookey’s watercolors. 

While walking the trail on Penny Lane, we chatted with a Glen Park resident who suggested we also walk up to Poppy Lane, just a few blocks away.  Poppy Lane is a dead-end path that opens up to a view towards the southeast side of San Francisco.  I love the experience of being in the middle of an urban setting but totally surrounded by nature.

This urban adventure satisfied my Francophile cravings and reminded me of how much I love my own city of San Francisco.  But if you share my affection for France, you might also enjoy these blog posts on Garden Hopping in France and  Timeless Design. 

If you are interested in seeing other water colors by Martha Stookey, please contact her son, Nathaniel at nstookey (at) sbcglobal (dot) net.  

The post Pastries and Other Urban Adventures appeared first on Nystrom Design.

Lemons have a long season here in California, but I always associate their refreshing flavor with springtime.  So in celebration of the spring Equinox, I decided to gather up a few recipes that make use of lemons.  Cooking can be a wonderful way to lift the spirits, fill the days confined to our homes, and nurture the body and soul.   

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Natalie Mize, an incredibly talented home chef.  Natalie prepared the meals for the Divine Hustler Retreat that I attended last fall.  The food was gorgeous and delicious, and I loved getting to know Natalie over the course of the weekend.  I quickly became her biggest fan on Instagram, where she shares beautifully composed photographs of her culinary adventures, displayed with her personal collection of linens and serving platters.  Seriously, if you like pretty things, go follow Natalie!  Then come back here and read about the recipes she and I came up with, since it turns out we both have mature lemon trees in our yards.

It also turns out that Natalie and I are both big fans of Ina Garten of the Barefoot Contessa.  The image above is one of Natalie’s favorite recipes – Ina Garten’s Lemon Cake.

One of my favorite savory recipes by Ina Garten is her recipe for Skillet-Roasted Chicken with Lemon.  This is one of the most flavorful chicken dishes I’ve made, and totally manageable for someone who doesn’t quite have Natalie’s culinary skills!  I found it in Ina Garten’s book, Cooking for Jeffrey, which is both a cookbook and a very sweet love story.

Now, back to dessert recipes! My son and I recently made this recipe for Lemon Mousse with Lemon Peel Garnish by Flo Braker from the San Francisco Chronicle.  It’s a perfectly light and refreshing dessert that can be made ahead of time.  We made the Lemon Peel Garnish, but if you’re in a rush, you could use a sprig of mint instead.

The post Cooking with Lemons to Nurture the Soul and Welcome Springtime appeared first on Nystrom Design.

Although my husband insists that ‘Latke Fest’ is strictly our creation, the truth is that I owe credit to my dear gentile friend, Sarah, who I’ve known since middle school.  During her first semester of college, she took a world religion class that piqued her interest in Judaism. So, when we were all home from college for winter break, she called me up and announced that she and several of our friends would be coming over to my house for latkes.

My family had never been very observant of Jewish holidays, and I admit that I didn’t even know what a latke was!  This was back in the 90’s before Google, and when people still clipped recipes out of the newspaper (some of us may still do that!).  Lucky for me, several years earlier, my mom had saved an entire feature written by Judy Zeidler on Hanukkah cooking from The San Jose Mercury News.  So she dug it up and we got to work.

Potatoes were shredded by hand. Onions were chopped, and tears were shed.  Latkes were fried, smothered with apple sauce and sour cream, and a tradition was born.

My mom and I used our scientific ranking system to rate this recipe, and gave it a ‘Yum!’  

That recipe has been in use every year since then, with a little math to adjust for bigger crowds.  

From that same feature in The San Jose Mercury News, came the recipe for Hanukkah Pear cake.  It’s one of the few cakes that I make completely from scratch and has become another Latke Fest favorite.  The aroma of almond extract is now one that I will always associate with Hanukkah.

The original recipe calls for either apples or pears, but I prefer pears.  I give myself a little break with the pear prep and buy 2 jars of peeled pears from Trader Joe’s.

Several years ago, I discovered the San Francisco Flower Mart, and now hosting parties have also become my excuse to pretend that I’m going to be a florist when I grow up.  I’ve always loved the way a little foliage and a few candles can transform a tabletop or mantlepiece. This is especially impactful during the short days of winter when daylight is limited and we crave warmth and light to counter the dreary weather.    

Traditions offer us a marker of time, reinforced by sensory experiences.  They allow us to notice how some things have changed, and to find comfort and familiarity in the things that remain constant.

The post Holiday Traditions appeared first on Nystrom Design.

While Ellen’s passion may be French Fries, mine lies with pizza.  Maybe it’s my New York roots, but I’ve been on the hunt for the best pizza in the Bay Area since I landed here just over a year and a half ago.  Here are my top 3 so far:

1. Vesta – Arguably the best restaurant in Redwood City, you can’t go wrong with Vesta’s wood-fired pizzas.  While I hear their most popular pie is the Sausage & Honey, I can’t get enough of the Basil Burrata. And my husband’s number one choice is the Vegan Pesto.  Don’t miss their small plates either – especially the cauliflower! And pro-tip – order one pizza per person. It will be too much, but who doesn’t want pizza leftovers?

2. Cellarmaker House of Pizza – Certainly most people are stopping into Cellarmaker for their beer – which is worth it on its own – but the Detroit-style pizza at their Bernal Heights House of Pizza location shouldn’t be missed. 

Pillowy dough with a crispy, buttery crust – it’s the perfect complement to a pint.  The menu changes seasonally, but right now the Sungold Tomato Burrata pie is a must. (Can you tell I like burrata?)  And the Detroit Red Top is a tried and true classic.

3. Del Popolo – Started as a mobile pizzeria in 2012, Del Popolo opened its brick-and-mortar restaurant in Nob Hill just 4 years ago.  Not only are their Neopolitan-style wood oven pizzas mouth-watering – but their veggie-focused smaller plates provide the perfect compliment.  And since this is a design blog, after all, let’s not overlook the restaurant’s beautiful interior – centered around the wood oven and vibrantly tiled bar.  It’s the perfect date-night spot!

The post Bridget’s Favorite Bay Area Pizza Places appeared first on Nystrom Design.

1) Trick Dog – Thrice Cooked French Fries!  Also, a creative drink menu that changes regularly. The current menu was designed by tattoo artist Idle Hand. Fat French fries are not normally my favorite, but these are perfectly crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. I mean really, look these….

2) Café Claude – My husband and I love to get their soup of the day, which is always seasonal and delicious, and share an order of the pommes frites, which are shoestring style. The setting is tucked away on Claude Lane, and the perfect place to duck out of the Union Square shopping crowds for a little touch of France.

3)Beep’s Burgers – I’m embarrassed to say that I lived a short walk from Beep’s for several years before discovering this neighborhood gem which has been there since 1962. Yes, the burgers are fantastic, but do not miss the curly fries!

4) Southern Pacific Brewing – I’m sure that most people come here for the range of excellent brews, but I’m all about the Sage Fries!

5) Chez Maman – When you’re in the mood to mix a little high and low, head to Chez Maman for their French Fries with Aioli Sauce, and pair it with a Kir Royale. Cheers!

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