Gardens of Filoli and some detective work!

Filoli is known primarily for her gardens admittedly. Yes I love the house but most visitors are drawn there for the gardens and the Dynasty connections (more on that later in the post, stay tuned Ed!).

A few years ago I briefly blogged about the gardens HERE but you can never have enough pretty pictures, right?

The gardens encompass many outdoor 'rooms' which because of deer (and security one would imagine) are walled off.

The deer actually linger just outside of the gates, visibly!  They probably smell all of the goodies inside!

The carriage house has been turned into a lovely gift shop and garden center. Some of the produce from the garden is sold here; I bought some lovely rose tea grown on site.

The roses weren't at their peak during my visit in early June but were none-the-less lovely.

If you're curious about any of the rose names the images are entitled by the names I got off the tags.

And as always you can click on any image to enlarge it on your screen!

Most of the roses were heavily scented.

Why have a one color rose when you can have two in one?

The colors were vivid and beautiful in the California sunshine.

Areas of shade were never far away either; a blessing for my sunburn!

I loved this rose arbor over a bench; a wonderful spot to rest.

The summer or tea house remains my favorite part of the property.

See a lengthier post on the summer house from my previous visit HERE.

However the best view of all isn't of the gardens but of the adjacent mountain.

Now down to the detective work.  Filoli is known to many from the 80s tv drama "Dynasty". Both of my visits I overhead snippets of conversation about the lily pond and a cat fight.  Above you see the swimming pool with the house beyond.  To the right of the pool is the lily pond and then the carriage house.

Above is the lily pond which is off the dining room terrace and the carriage house.  However the lily pond is clearly not the one used in Dynasty. Thanks to youtube I have proof - see the video below!

After driving into the entry court of Filoli the women are seen talking in the library. I watched the video closely and it is this exact library (with different furniture and artwork). See my earlier post on the library HERE.  HOWEVER you can see that the lily pond is different - different shape, different plantings, AND A DIFFERENT HOUSE in the background! 

Does anyone know where this iconic scene from Dynasty was actually filmed?

Filoli entry

The thing I adore most about visiting  house museums is checking out the amazing details caught in time. While at Filoli I must have taken 20 photos of the entryway itself!

Everyone knows the neo-Georgian front facade of Filoli from numerous tv shows and movies but it was used by Hollywood for a reason; the quiet good taste and great details just are dying to impress.

Looking up to the portico ceiling is rewarding with amazing plaster and stonework. Even the bronze lantern with leaded glass would be beautiful on its own.

Flanking the front door are antique Roman birdbaths - each slightly different but similar enough to appear a matching pair to the common observer.

Once inside even the front doorknob is a work of art, chased with detail. One small overlooked detail however: the screws are all different directions!  Horizontal or vertical I want them all to align!

The interior plaster walls are scored to resemble stone, a common technique used in my own coop building lobby.

And as everyone knows by now I adore a vintage light fixture.  These iron sconces  in the entry vestibule are also works of art.  Detail is everywhere if one just opens their eyes to SEE!

Interesting lighting at Filoli

While in California I stopped by Filoli, a spectacular house museum that I have blogged about extensively in numerous posts HERE,  and noticed an unusual light fixture in the dining room.  The 'candles' of the sconces are torpedo shaped sleeves from which slits are hollowed out in the back to hide a much smaller bulb.

When one sees the fixture from afar they appear to be candle-lit sconces as no light bulb is visible but they still 'glow' providing ambient light.

Above you can even see how some of the sconces hold real candles while others hold the backlit torpedoes. I think I rather like this idea.  What about you, or is it trying too hard?

Legion of Honor Museum, San Francisco

While in San Francisco I visited one of my favorite museums which I see every trip to California, The Legion of Honor museum.  While on this trip I went primarily to see the newly restored Salon Dore and the coverage on its restoration, I was happy to revisit old favorites as well. (more on the Salon Dore in a later post).

This museum has everything going for it in my book; the architecture is modeled on the Hotel de Salm in Paris, the collections span everything from porcelain, Egyptian relics, decorative arts and paintings from the golden age of Europe, and the views of San Francisco and the bay from the hilltop location are stunning.

 The entry is a long procession between the gallery wings past one of Rodin's 'The Thinker' sculptures.

 Inside each gallery houses a different genre of art so there really is something for everyone!

Each gallery also has its own color scheme -the English Country house room is a striking red.

 One of the period rooms featured excellent natural wood and gilded boiseries.

The stunning Italian rock crystal chandelier dates to 1730 and was a gift to the museum from Madame Jacques Balsan, nee Consuelo Vanderbilt.

 I loved how the case protecting this lovely terra cotta lady allowed her to gaze upon herself in reflection.

 Rodin's works are to be found throughout the museum.

The most stunning item in the collection though has to be the polychromed Spanish wood ceiling from around 1500 - gasps are literally heard as one walks into the gallery.  Be sure to visit the Legion of Honor museum whilst in San Francisco!

Carmel cottage

I came across this cottage while in Carmel, California and immediately thought it was the perfect little beach cottage. A field of lavender for a front yard, climbing roses up a brick chimney, an American flag waving by the front door, wide casement windows to hear the ocean - what more could one ask for?

Artefact design and salvage, Sonoma

I recently returned from a vacation to Northern California and while I organize my thoughts & photos I thought I'd share with you Artefact Design & Salvage. Artefact is a store that I came across in Sonoma thanks to a recommendation from my good friend, designer Michael Hampton.

Housed in a small district of warehouses near the Sonoma airport, the immense store carries all manner of re-purposed salvage and a lot of other quirky finds.

 One could spend hours browsing their stock and reading through the offered design books of local talent.

One will of course be greeted by Axel, the trusty store mascot! A playful dog, he will demand you play with him and his favorite toy bucket. Beware.....should you attempt to play with him, Axel and his bucket will follow you throughout the store no matter the length of your visit!

The goodies continue outside in the yard - I particularly loved this stone urn.

 This child's sled would be a charming planter or great for Christmas decorating.

 Looking for column capitals; How about a matching pair of enormous Corinthians?

 The closer you look the more you find; architectural fragments are everywhere!

This metal dormer is the real thing -often copied for use as mirror frames or such inside.

 Notice the unusual Egyptian column integrated into the wall above.

 I wish I could have packed these dozens of feet of huge Gothic revival trim into my suitcase!

 This ornate iron gate must have come from a grand estate.

 The design of this iron guardrail was probably one of the more inspiring finds.

I'm not sure how this enormous stone 'coin' from Philadelphia made it to the wilds of California but I imagine it would be great integrated into someone's vineyard!

If you find yourself in wine country don't forget to stop by Artefact and tell them ArchitectDesign sent you!
No compensation was received for this post: the pictures are my own.