Orange Season

There were at least six varieties of citrus at my favorite produce market today, glowing in the golden hour sun. Such are the small miracles of life here in golden land in January. I am on the steep learning curve of moving this blog to Square Space, so thank you for your patience, it may be awhile. Go buy some oranges while they are going off! Yum.

Tuesday Tour Tidbits - Building Edges

Sometimes it's a bad idea to look at the highest end homes at the beginning of tour, they can make everything else seem a little less fabulous. I believe in "pattern language" though, so next Tuesday I'll look for these patterns (in this case "light on at least two sides" and "building edge") at lower price points. Good architecture can make spaces beautiful and livable at any price level. For today though, here's some high end glory.

Claudia taking in the view from one of many terraces of the beautifully updated 65 Montclair Terrace, on Russian Hill. Designed by Gardner Dailey, this place is so wonderfully organized to the light and views (!) and livability. Recently we've been discussing the kinds of properties that look incredible from the outside but inside can be dark or poorly laid out or cramped, vs. the kind that look a little boring or at least not epic from the outside but are bright and beautiful and livable on the inside. More on this later. This one isn't at all boring from the outside, but inside it's truly amazing, and my photo's really don't capture it fully.

Ok so it's staging, but how fun would this be! and to the immediate 

left are french doors to walk out terrace, and behind me the wonderful kitchen, and the views! Making the guest list in my mind...

This one is taken from 2680 Green St, another amazing remodel ("to the highest sustainability standards,"  in Pac Heights. Roof gardens always get me, and how about that view?

Happy Friday!

City Compost Awesomeness

Reason to love San Francisco number 14,397.

This is picked up and taken away from the curb outside my apartment building.

Then twice a year I take a big bucket to the Great Compost Giveaway.

And take it home to use it in my little city garden.

How wonderful is that!?

Atriums, Center Patios, Courtyards

Been a little busy lately. With really cool properties. Two of which have indoor patios.

Back in the day when I was first raving about aspect and light from different exposures, here, and here, I did not factor the light bringing power of the the atrium. Not to mention the gardening possibilities! Two of those shrubs, in the photo above of a recently sold Terra Linda atrium, are flourishing gardenias!

 

In the close confines of the city, an atrium or patio is a fabulous way to have private outdoor space, and bring light into the heart of the living space, even with close neighbors on both sides. Here's a fun link to city floor plans built between 1920 and 1950, the "center patio" is still a favorite today. 

I love these traditional courtyards of stone. 

My Igloo!

                              

and Houuzz.com has lots more images of beautiful more modern atrium loveliness.

Daily Delight NY Zoning MESH Architects

Wishing you all a flourishing, light filled Fourth!