Waters of March

Slowly but surely, things get done. A little while ago (I think it was late March) I finished a friend's bathroom remodel. So much work went into renovating a small space, but in the end it was worth  it!

Here's the BEFORE:

Here was my original design, showing a glossy tonal stripe of tile that went along the floor and up the wall:

And here's the big AFTER:

(Wondering where the litter box went? It's in a secret compartment under the sink--that stroke of genius came from my friend, the homeowner!)


Quite a transformation! I was also glad I finally convinced someone to paint a room in their house navy blue. The process of actually buying the materials (not just specifying, which is what I often do at Ye Olde Dayjobbe) felt great--really hands-on. And I found a great contractor who shared a lot of the same eco-friendly ideals as me.

Okay, who's next!?

Big Time--I'm on my way, I'm making it...

So while I was filming this new movie in Carmel a couple of weeks ago, I decided to look up the mother of an old friend of mine. Tracy Winters has been an interior designer as long as I can remember. In a small suburban city like Modesto, she had what I now realize in retrospect was truly "eclectic style." In a land of tract homes and McMansions, she (and her son, my childhood best friend Matt) decorated her small homes with such panache. I remember one home in particular had an old fashioned manual-style doorbell--the kind I now have in my Edwardian flat! I also remember a plaster bust of Caesar (or some other Roman or Greek) on a pedestal. Throws artfully draped across a chair or sofa. A hodgepodge of decorative accessories that just worked well together.

I remember Matt recently telling me that she had moved down to Carmel and had a shop there. So when I had a day off from filming I decided to look her up...

...Her shop was in the shopping center across the street from my hotel!

After nearly 20 years, I re-introduced myself and got a big hug from Tracy. Her shop, Consignment Carmel, was like everything I remembered her homes to be: a well-curated mix of local finds and treasures.

Here are some pieces I saw that really interested me:

I was sad that I didn't get a chance to go back before I left Carmel. But once I get paid from the movie, I think I'll take trip back and see what new treasures she has to offer!

Lights, Camera, Action!

Yes, I've been gone for two weeks. As some of you know, I'm also an actor and have been in Carmel shooting a new movie based on Jack Kerouac's novel, Big Sur.

It was so cool to see the level of detail that the production designers created. In one scene, we're all in this crumbling old cabin (which took eight bumpy river crossings in an SUV to reach) and it's been decked out in period decorations and touches:

Whenever I'm on a set, I'm always amazed at the level of detail the production department achieves! I guess that's the designer in me, geeking out.

Wouldn't it be great if I could blend design and acting together and work in production? Then again, I've seen how hard those people work...maybe I'll just stay in front of the camera!

More posts from my Carmel adventure soon!