The Calendar Says Spring is Here...

..but when the temp is minus 2 degrees in Vermont, as my friends there have told me, you have to wonder? No daffodils poking through the snow this week..the first full week of spring.

Here at home, however, it is all about the spring time... and our visit to Filoli last Sunday was just what stuffy, wintered rooms needed... a breath of fresh air! So I invite all my East Coast friends who are expecting yet another frozen week to come feast your eyes on nature's early springtime show here in Northern California at the gorgeous gardens of Filoli, just a few miles from our home in Silicon Valley. Chris, Lisa and I were there together and had such a gorgeous time. Wish you were here! And take heart, spring really really will come!

all photos Kit Golson iPhone

For "une petite pause": Early Spring at Filoli

Not just another pretty springtime bouquet, this country estate-turned National Trust for Historic Preservation landmark is a must-see if you love formal gardens and beautiful old homes. A trip there will transport you to a quieter, more serene time when the cultivation of exquisite gardens and the keeping of mansions was a gracious way of living daily life. In other words, a peek at how the other half lived in 1925!

Situated on 654 acres with gardens to wander, a Gardener's Resource Shop to peruse, a cafe for lunch and amazing 18th & 19th century furnishings to admire in the House, an afternoon at Filoli is a designer's feast. What better place to meet a favorite client for a few hours? That's just what we did this week.

potted flowers in the ballroom

Chinoiserie in the Asian Room

flowering tree at Filoli

doorway at the Garden Shop

approaching the Orangerie

pathway leaving the Orangerie

the swimming pool flanked by potted lemon trees

pots of tulips at the rear of the House

one of the two Camperdown Elm trees

flanking the pool house

fuschia tulips underplanted with tiny forget-me-nots

inside the Orangerie

Chinese figure inside the House in the Asian Room

piano player in the ballroom

map of Filoli Gardens and House

So if you are lucky enough to find yourself in San Francisco this time of year, take a little time out to visit these gorgeous formal gardens and the exquisite mansion. Since I live about five miles away, let me know if you are in the area.

We'll have a wonderful walk through and might even take home a plant or two for our gardens. We'll definitely leave inspired.

Visit the website for information on visiting and the history. www.filoli.org

all photos by Kit Golson

download if you like!

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in 2010, it's:

Kit Golson Design

for elegant, sustainable and pragmatic

Chic Provence Interior Design

Lulu DK Inspires the Breezy Guest Room

o the treasures we'll find,

like these vintage mercury glass bottles!

Don't misunderstand me..I love living on the Best Coast, and I love my family and friends here. But sometimes I miss, really miss, my friends and family on those other coasts: Pacific northwest, east and south, and across the oceans. Especially all the girlfriends, cousins, sisters-in-law & their sisters, aunts, Mom; and the long uninterrupted weekends we could spend together, just being and doing whatever we feel like: a little pampering, a little shopping, a little relaxing and a little indulging.. & mostly talking!

In that spirit I am thinking Guest Rooms and turned to Lulu DK for inspiration. These fresh and accessible designs are what I found. They look very inviting, relaxing, unfussy and fresh to me. What do you think of these? Would they lure you out west for a visit? Especially after the weather you've endured this winter..you deserve un petit vacance! Here's what we'll do!

Lulu DK (deKwiatkowski)

Matouk Bedding

so comfy and unfussy you can let

the pup sleep with you

extra towels, pillows and chilled water

at your bedside

Relax, take a little snooze. Supper in the garden at 8! Then we can stay up all night long getting caught up and watching old movies!

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supper at 8

Juliska at Emily Joubert

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Tomorrow I've scheduled us in for Jurlique facials and heated stone massages at Watercourse Way in the afternoon!

sheer heavenly pampering waits at

Watercourse Way in Palo Alto

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fun shops in Sonoma & San Francisco,

flea market finds & Filoli's Orangerie

On Sunday we'll wander over to the flea market, then hit some of our favorite consignments shops..and oh, we might sigh over the Orangerie at Filoli's gardens on our way over to the beach for dinner at sunset.

So glad you're here..the perfect weekend with the perfect houseguest..YOU!

Oh, by the way, the fabulous and talented Lulu has a blog now! check it out at Trail of Inspiration!

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in 2010, it's:

Kit Golson Design

for elegant, sustainable and pragmatic

Chic Provence Interior Design