Archive for February, 2014

big sur_kristina crestin designIt was a little sad to leave San Fran, but the idea of seeing ‘the big sur’, heading down the Pacific Coast Highway got us to our rental car and on the road pretty quickly. What a view! It was quite a ride and happily the shortest leg of our road trip.

Kristina Crestin Design_Big SurAfter meandering down Route 1 we ended up in Carmel, checked into our hotel and went for a stroll around town …. and of course found some more local vineyards to go try out. The hotel, La Playa was a great choice. It used to be an old mansion built in 1905 by one of the Ghirardelli family. Over time it’s been added onto in an intimate but sprawling way. The beach and watching sunset was just a stroll away, I’d absolutely go back there again for a longer stay!

Kristina Crestin Design_Carmel CA

Post sunset strolling we headed back to the hotel for their cocktail and wine tasting time on the patio, a lovely spot situated up high enough for a view of the last bit of the sunset.  They had heaters hidden so you could enjoy still sitting outside as the sun disappeared. Such a nice evening!

camel hotel patio_Kristina Crestin DesignLa Playa Carmel by the Sea is at Camino Real at 8th Ave, Carmel, CA 93923. Rendering at the top of the post is done with an app, I didn’t do the watercolor!

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paragon san francisco_kristina crestin design While in San Fran we hunted down another stop for lunch, with the appropriate ambiance of course. A quick glance in the window at Paragon (not to be confused with checking the menu ….) and I scoped out some barn board, subway tile and a kick ass lighting installation – done! Happily the lunch was fantastic and we met some new travel friends. Perfect!

San Fran Paragon _Kristina Crestin DEsign

Photos taken at Paragon, 701 2nd St, San Francisco, CA 94107. Top watercolor rendering done  using an app.

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Alcatraz _Kristina Crestin Design

On our second day in San Francisco we went to Alcatraz (my husband had this stop on his ‘want’ list and I balanced it with Hearst Castle on my ‘want’ list!) I pre-booked the first ferry out in the morning, partially as we were still on east coast time in our heads and I thought it would be the least crowed. The weather was brisk but clear – a nice day for an excursion to ‘the rock’!

I was prepared for some meandering, but I was not prepared for how gorgeous their plantings were. Apparently when the prison was in operation they had gardens and took care of the surrounding landscape, but even now there are succulents flourishing everywhere – even in the midst of buildings practically falling apart. Its incredibly beautiful and had me wishing for warm weather at home to get my hands in the dirt and be surrounded by lushness like this!

Alcatraz _Kristina Crestin Design

Photos taken at Alcatraz and to watercolor image done on an app.

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San Fran _Kristina Crestin

We recently got back from a trip to KBIS (Kitchen and Bath Show) that I combined with a road trip with my husband Kirby. We started off in San Fran and worked our way to Vegas for the show. Stop one – San Francisco. My goal on road trips tends to be finding really great interiors (I know, shocker …) We fit in the requisite sightseeing; a trip to Alcatraz, rode the trolleys etc etc. But between all the tourist stops we sought out some cool places to grab a drink and some nibbles. The Rickhouse was by far my favorite of the trip! The space was small in scale and a perfect mix of materials. Combine that with a killer ceiling (looked like old wood barrel pieces!) and craft cocktails – we were happy folk! I seriously suggest stopping there if you are in town.

rick house bar_Kristina Crestin Design San Fran

Photos taken at the Rickhouse, 246 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA 94108. Top image watercolored using an app.

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My last site visit was pretty exciting. A painting commission that was started in the summer is finally up! Not to mention that the house is now finally lived in and not a construction site anymore!

We introduced our client to a local artist we love, Suzanne Vincent based in Salem, Ma. I am enamored of her work and finally had a project that her pieces would be an excellent fit with. Combine that with a large space in need of a focal point and a non standard size and we have a perfect marriage! Months and months ago we commissioned this piece and Suzanne began scouring the waterfront, snapping pictures and thinking of composition. We had a couple meetings on site to review the colors of the home as it was coming together and to discuss lightness and darkness; really having the opportunity to get it right. We’re all so thrilled with the outcome!

Kristina Crestin Design_Suzanne VincentHere are some shots from Suzanne’s studio when the client and I got a sneak peak of the progress:

Kristina Crestin Design_Suzanne VincentIf you are interested in seeing more of her work you can reach out to Suzanne via email @ svincent112@comcast.net or check out some images on her web site www.suzannevincent.net.  Custom frame and framing by Mingo Gallery in Beverly. Hanging entry lighting is a custom Mizu from Terzani through Casa Design in Boston. Architecture by Walter Jacob Architects. GC and custom cabinetry by Apex Carpentry.

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We Made Best of Houzz!

February 14th, 2014

We just found out happily that we made Best of Houzz for both Design and Client Satisfaction – wooo hoooo! I’ll take it!

Kristina Crestin Design_Best of HouzzMost photos by Jamie Salomon. Bottom 4 photos by Sandra Kimball.

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I was just on site for a furniture delivery and got to see some lighting up that I have been waiting not so patiently to see! Our beaded light from Ro Sham Beaux is gorgeous! So happy. Kelly has been working tirelessly on this project through the summer and now into winter. It getting closer to completion and I realize we haven’t shared much progress! Stay tuned … lots of gorgeous, sophisticated design coming your way!

Kristina Crestin Design_ Ro sham beaux

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We ran over to our project ‘Big P’ the other day and hung Michelle Morin’s flamingo prints in the clients Daughter’s room. I love this point on a project, we get close to completion and the house really starts to feel like a home! I still am not sure what my favorite element is in this space, though it makes me happy every time I walk in and see the Capiz shell flower pendants hanging over the night stands (which is a super fun design from Bungalow 5)! Hmm … actually I also love the Jonathan Adler pillows Stacey found that are monograms – they happened to come in bright pink! How cool is that? We still have some art and photos to get in our frame arrangement over the dresser, but half the battle is getting the frames up (thank you Sarah!). We should be hanging shelving on one of the remaining open walls in the next week or so and will be in good shape until we add a desk or cozy chair as her daughter gets older.

Kristina Crestin Design_Flamingo Os Bedroom

Below is a close up of our butterfly wallpaper that started off this whole room! It’s Osborne & Little‘s Butterfly Meadow. We used the matching fabric for a shower curtain and shade in her bathroom – stay tuned for progress photos of that!

kristina crestin design osborne and little

Photos taken on site, if you are looking for Michelle’s art check out her etsy page. Capiz flower pendants are from Pottery Barn. Pink shag rug from Landry & Arcari. Frames and leaning floor mirror are from West Elm. Bedside tables are the Brigitte from Bungalow 5. Architecture by Walter Jacob Architects. GC and custom cabinetry by Apex Carpentry.

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Local Artist: Michelle Morin

February 6th, 2014

We love getting packages in the mail! Especially when it’s not something broken or scratched (which has been happening allot lately) We’ve purchased from Michelle before and recently had an ah-ha moment at ‘big pink’ thinking her flamingo’s would be perfect in the clients daughters room – we just needed to pair it with a second piece (hence the ostrich hanging out with the flamingo in the 2nd piece). They just came in the mail today and we’re super happy. The top piece is called ‘all the single ladies’ – hilarious. Can’t wait to get them hung in the space – we’ll share as soon as we do. Visit Michelle’s etsy page, United Thread or her web site. She just happens to be local – how lucky for us!

Kristina Crestin Design_All the single ladiesBelow are some pics of some of her other work. She’s just so creative!

Kristina Crestin Design_Michelle MorinPhoto sourcing: Top photos taken in our studio, bottom photos pulled from Michelle’s Etsy page, United Thread.

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Featured on Houzz!!

February 2nd, 2014

We made it into another featured article on Houzz!  Woohoo!  It’s great to see a project through another person’s eyes; especially when we’ve lived and breathed something for so long.  We hope you love it too!

houzz_bathroomCheck out the feature on Houzz here!

Stacey Signature copy

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