We’ve lived in our current Los Altos home for almost 4 years and I’m still working on the decor. We’ve been lucky to have a great landlord in a really nice location so we aren’t in any rush to move, but I know when we decide to buy a home it will be much smaller than our current 2,500 square foot abode. That is just the way it goes here with our crazy Silicon Valley real estate market. I shared some photos of our family room after we moved in and I realized that it has transitioned quite a bit so today I am sharing an updated peek at the space.
I recently acquired an amazing vintage sideboard from the estate liquidation that we organized in San Francisco at the end of 2014 and I’ve finally had a chance to add some accessories and hang some new pieces of art. Harper approves of all of the changes to the space, of course she make the room feel like home!
This sideboard was tucked in a small dining room in the San Francisco home that dates to the early 1900s. I think it used to be part of a built-in from a different home, it has quite the weight to it and about 50 layers of paint. I was going to refinish it or repaint it but after it was cleaned up I decided to keep it just the way it is. It’s got a rustic look to it with tons of storage inside despite its low profile from the wall. I honestly don’t have much to put inside right now but over time I’m sure I’ll add to it.
There is nothing better than peeling hinges and original hardware. Taylor saw this piece when she completed the estate consultation and reported back to me that if it didn’t sell during the liquidation I should absolutely buy it for my home. She was so right, it has so much history and character, I just love it.
We entertain quite a bit in our family room so I’m planning to use the top surface to serve appetizers and cocktails, it’s just high enough that Harper can’t reach. If you have a dog you totally understand! The top is currently adorned with 2 additional estate acquisitions. The wooden file drawer was found in the basement of the San Francisco bath house so it was kind of related to the sideboard. My brother Christopher cleaned it up for me and I just how rustic it looks.
The original handles are just too cool! Can you believe that it didn’t sell at the liquidation sale? Me neither but I won’t complain, now it lives with me!
Just in case you are wondering I have a rule that I don’t buy anything from one of my estate projects unless it hasn’t sold at the end of the sale. You probably wonder how I use such restraint but I recognize that it could be a slippery slope and with over 100 estate sales under my belt in just the last 2 years I need to focus on the task of liquidation and ignore the urge to hoard. Yes, I said the “h” word. If I had a barn and a large property I’m sure I would be more tempted to become one of those people from television that you see with piles of goodies waiting for American Pickers to show up.
I’ve started a small gallery wall above the sideboard. My friend Larry helped me place the items so that I can add to it as I find new treasures.
Aside from the pictures of Harper, there is a picture from a waterfall at Big Sur, a picture of Chris and me from a recent trip to Napa, and this neat drawing that my sister gave me for Christmas of the Chapel at Alma College, our Alma Mater. Our talented friend Erin from Molly & Gordon is the artist and I just love it! I framed it at Aaron Brothers, a quick DIY spot here in Silicon Valley. The Chapel at Alma is one of the main focal points of our campus and I had college choir rehearsal inside everyday from 5-6:15pm so it is very special to me.
The second acquisition on the top of the sideboard is this amazing General Electric record player. It is portable and folds up like a boom box, it was a special find at our recent Portola Valley estate sale. We had it playing records during the sale and I fell in love with it. After it remained unsold for most of the first day (at a bargain price of $145) I put a sold sticker on it, I knew I would regret it if I saw a shopper walk out the door with it. I’m glad I followed my gut!
I’m still working on what to store inside of the sideboard, as you might suspect I don’t have a lot of clutter around my house so I really needed to think through what should live inside. I decided since this room is the easiest way to access our backyard I would use one side for outdoor entertaining items. I’ve wanted to add to this collection and now I have plenty of space for storage. I’m often caught red handed grabbing a wine glass from here and heading out to my hot tub, love the easy access!
The other side is used for games and puzzles, I figured if there were in our family room we might use them more often. Previously they were stored in the “she cave” closet.
Also in this space I’ve carved out a corner for my growing record collection. I only have a few but I’m excited to add more favorites. We always have records left over at our sales so it will be fun to bring a few home here and there. I’m especially excited to play the Christmas albums I am finding this holiday, can you even handle the vintage cover for The Wonderful World of Christmas? So cool!
My mantle changes constantly with the seasons and holidays. Right now it is very simple. Please don’t judge the brick fire place. I would love to paint it someday but my landlord loves it so it will have to stay the way it is. Instead of trying to hide it I’ve embraced it and let it dictate the color scheme. Someday I’ll get a more modern design I hope…someday!
I originally bought this chair thinking it would be great in a nursery some day but here it is in our family room. It is so comfy, it rocks and swivels. I love the fabric, I still can’t believe I snagged it on clearance at a local furniture shop that was going out of business.
I feel like this room is just getting more and more cozy with time. I used to have the DIY picture frames up on another wall as a pair but for now I have a single next to the sliders. I change out the pictures with Printstagram pics every once in awhile. It’s a fun little corner way to enjoy some of my favorites. I snagged the old fruit drying rack that the frame is made out of at my Castle estate sale in January of 2012. I loved that sale!
This framed bathhouse print is also from the Castle estate sale. It is very fitting now that it is in the same room as the side board from the Russian bath house liquidation in San Francisco. I had the print framed and it is definitely in my top 10 favorite items in my house. My client Joyce gave it to me after the sale an I just love it and I love her and think of her when I see it.
Hope created this book stack for me after our Los Altos Hills designer dream estate sale, nicknamed Burke Road part II. I love the color scheme and the content, I’m looking forward to adding more stacks in the future with Hope’s help, she is a book wizard!
Well that wraps up the tour of my family room. I hope you enjoyed the peek, I know it isn’t the flashiest space but it feels like home and I look forward to relaxing nights snuggled with Harper and Chris watching my favorite shows this winter.
Kate Kerwin says
Hi Amanda,
you have a cozy home – just lovely with all your
special treasures – sideboard is fantastic.
See you at your next sales!
Rosemary says
Hi Amanda, nice post and Thanks for sharing.
Your doggy is so cute!
I have some vintage records, next time I come by one of your sales I shall bring you some!
Cheers! and have a good week,
Rosemary
PK says
Nice!