A Home Sweet Home...

Houses are like relationships...one has to celebrate the ones that "go the distance" in our lives. Besides the home I am about to feature the longest personal relationship I currently have with a home is actually my own... where I have lived now for 12 years...everyone else I know has moved from the homes that I have known since childhood. 

My two dear friends in California have lived in both of their homes a long time...my friend Mademoiselle R has lived in this wonderful gem since the 1970's. It is a historic home built in the 1930's. I have been creating memories in this home since I was 19 so it holds a very special place in my heart. Every time I visit California I spend time here and it is like coming home in so many ways. 

I love a grand old Tudor...this home has a rambling subtle elegance... the interiors and gardens are done like an English country home...with a California twist...of course!

I will just give you a little taste of the interiors on this post since on this visit I took so many pictures of the wonderful garden...on my next visit I will hopefully feature the inside spaces which are so lovely!

A photograph can't do justice to the magnificent stairway that has endless curves....

A hallway leading to the butlers pantry...

Even though it is Winter and the garden is not revealing all it's glory it is still beautiful....the sky color on a beautiful California day alone is enough to make everything radiant!

The breakfast room has many windows to view the garden...

The view from one level of the backyard...the property rambles through a beautiful ravine with a guest house/art studio and a tennis court with a hedge of beautiful bougainvillea... I will feature those areas next time when everything is in bloom!

Some of the trees go bare in the Winter in California...

The magnolia trees are about to bloom...in the Midwest this will be happening in late April....

but the orange, lemon and lime trees still deliver delicious fruit....

I love eating meals on the terrace...

Views of the pool...

The pool was designed to fit in with the landscape perfectly...there are no hard edges...just soft curves...which I LOVE in this setting!

The whirlpool follows the same natural aesthetic as well and sits above the pool with easy access to the garden room...

I am just crazy for the vibrant window casing trim color...the color just "pops" perfectly against all the flowers and greenery...it makes the house seem fresh and current too!

More beautiful vegetation even in the Winter months...

The garden entrance on the far side of the house...

and this post wouldn't be complete without a picture of Mickey...Mademoiselle R's faithful companion and one of the best features of the garden as well...in fact, he enjoys it the most I'm sure! He is always part of the welcome committee too!

 Funny enough he is most excited when we are leaving... as you can see...ready with his leash...to go on a fabulous adventure...

I hope you enjoyed this brief tour of one of my favorite places....I can't wait to feature more of it at a later date...the inspiration is endless!