Beach House Style in Fairfax, Northern California

 Friday, September 25, 2009:  Another journey using the recommendations of Sunset Magazine, (they always have great ideas!) to north of San Francisco in the foothills of Marin County.  Used my trusty i-phone to map out my destination from San Mateo, across the Golden Gate bridge, up to Fairfax, traveling through the town of San Anselmo off of Hwy 101.  What did I do before I had my i-phone?


I should have stopped on the Sausalito side of the Golden Gate to capture the fog that day, now wishing that I had. Fascinating.. tendrils of cold gray fog spilling across the bridge and into the San Francisco Bay -  felt cold to even watch through the windows of the car!  Cannot begin to explain the beauty of the green hills in Marin with the bright orange-red bridge in the foreground, fog racing through and across.  Wow, promise to stop next time and use the video feature on my camera.

Beach House Style is a great shabby beach chic store nestled right at the beginning of Fairfax, off of Sir Francis Drake, the main road through San Anselmo that runs all the way to Point Reyes on the coast. Loved this store.  Vintage pieces mixed with new, makes for such an interesting fun-filled experience!  Shells, candles, painted chests, small tables.. The owners, Susan and Alisha, have done a great job of flowing the their beach decorating ideas together. Love the colors of coastal decorating, fading yellows, aqua, seafoam greens, blues, melon-pink...


Susan Delurgio, one of the owners, was incredibly gracious and wonderful. She obviously has such love for being a store owner!  (I can relate!) Can you see the faded white painted bench in the background of this picture? Loved all of the vintage furniture re-purposed for their next life,  waiting patiently for the new owners to find them and bring them home - Beach House Style signature items include the handmade picture frames and mirrors, fashioned from barn wood, old boats, and refurbished homes.  They also carry a line of linen nautical cushions hand-made locally in San Rafael. (Think that I need to carry these online too!)


Could not resist buying a new cookbook, Lazy Days and Beach Blankets, along with some yummy new dark aqua candles for the patio to enjoy with Tom.  


Had a fabulous time and a great day exploring Fairfax and San Anselmo.  Thanks, Susan - I promise to be back as soon as I move down!