Rifle Paper Co.

Source: Rifle Paper Co.

I recently had lunch with a friend in Hayes Valley, and took the opportunity to revisit all the terrific little design boutiques along Hayes Street. There are a few neighborhoods in San Francisco that have clusters of design stores, but this is easily the most visually charming. Tree-lined streets, bakeries at every corner, and innumerable design stores? Bliss!

As I was browsing each store's selection, I noticed a recurring theme: a rack of stationary, cards, and small decorative objects by Rifle Paper Co. You've probably seen their beautiful work sold in bookstores, home design stores, or even on Etsy. Even though each piece is unique, there is a real consistency to the 'feeling' behind them. They are all full of whimsy and delight, and for me at least, emanate joie de vivre. 

Source: Rifle Paper Co.

What I love is that there's artistry behind these, such that you're not only committing words to paper but also sending a miniature work of art to someone else. I can't imagine receiving one of their cards and not feeling a surge of pleasure. 

Some of the floral patterns really reminded me of William Morris' illustrations. Morris' images are certainly much more densely populated by flora, and have that medieval tapestry look to them, whereas the Rifle Paper Co.'s are have a lighthearted, modern flair. 

Sources (clockwise from top left): Paper Source, Apparel Textiles, selvageblog, Telegram

Happily, Rifle have expanded their offerings beyond paper into kitchen coasters, phone cases, and more. I'm totally enamored of their iPhone cases! Any of these would make the most delightful hostess and/or friend gifts, no?

Source: Rifle Paper Co.

Source: Rifle Paper Co.

Hacienda Lost in Time

Source: lovelypackage.com

A few weeks ago, when Jon was visiting from the East Coast, we drove up to Sonoma for the weekend and visited one of my favorite wineries: Scribe. This is a really small (~6500 cases/year) wine-maker, that has quite a fun history. In the mid-19th century, some German brothers came over to California, smuggling vine cuttings with them. They started a winery on what is now Scribe, and enjoyed success until the Prohibition law of 1920 came into effect and wiped out their business. In the succeeding years, the land was used as a turkey farm until the 2000s, when another set of brothers (Americans, this time) decided to buy the land and found an artisanal winery.

Source: Green and Glass

On this visit, however, I was less focused on the vineyard than another building on the property--one that has always held an air of enchantment around it: the Hacienda. According to the historical records found by Scribe, this Mission Revival-style edifice was built in 1915, after the German brothers' home burned down in a fire. There is a marvelous Grand Passage entry road, lined with palm trees, that takes you up to a beautiful wraparound porch, also flanked by palms.

With the permission of the staff, Jon and I left the tasting area and prowled around the Hacienda before lunch. It's still vacant and some could say decrepit, but we were enchanted by the labyrinth-like layout of rooms, and the way that the light, color, and space made everything beautiful and inviting. Sunlight bathes this house, flooding through openings, doorjambs, and window panes.  Instead of feeling ghostly, though, the atmosphere was soft and mysterious.

Below are some of my glimpses into this lovely building.

Source: Green and Glass

Source: Green and Glass

Source: Green and Glass

Source: Green and Glass

Source: Green and Glass

Source: Green and Glass

Source: Green and Glass

Source: Green and Glass

Vintage Love

Source: tvtropes.org

Yes, that Love Story. The one in which a rebellious WASP jock falls hard for a fast-talking Catholic intellectual at Radcliffe. Both the screenplay and the book it was based on were written by Harvard-educated classicist Erich Segal. Maudlin it may have been, but it was also a huge blockbuster that made Ali MacGraw and Ryan O'Neal the definitive heartthrobs of their day.

So why bring it up now? I know it's a tearjerker that by today's standards is the epitome of schmaltz, but on a whim I recently watched it on Netflix, and found myself paying attention to aspects of the film other than its love-struck leads: its fantastic period clothing, style, and snowbound landscapes.

Sources: onlinefilmhome.dk, Lovely's Vintage Emporium

Part of what makes the courtship that much more intense is its juxtaposition against the New England winter. Maybe it's because I'm now on the West Coast but I found myself mesmerized by that beautiful 'dead of winter' and shots of a snow-laden Harvard Yard and Central Park. The palette of dulled browns and whites really takes you back to scenes captured in our parents' yellowing polaroids. It lends a note of freshness and authenticity to the film, especially when contrasted with the bulk of our glossy, plasticized dramas today.

It's also a great background against which to feast on period clothing. :) Since so much of the plot takes place in the winter, we're treated to an abundance of wool and tweed. There are thick Aran sweaters alongside modest turtlenecks, as well as an entire wardrobe of plaid skirts and tweed blazers. Throw in some sporting crimson, and there you have a star-crossed couple.

Sources (clockwise from top left): grafea.com, pinterest, ebay, nuji.com, cottonandcloud.com. Movie stills from fabsugar.com

Sources (clockwise from top left): Burberry Prorsum, Aran Sweater Market, Orvis, Norse Projects Chinos, RubyLane, Accent Clothing, Oscar de la Renta. Movie stills from dvdizzy.com

Following their marriage, Ali Macgraw's character matures into sleeker wools and furs. The cuts are still somewhat 'mod' but the lines are more tailored and elegant.

Sources: Burberry Linmouth Camel Coat, Jigsaw skirt, e4hats.com, 

A brief summer interlude takes the New England vibe to a higher level. Now we're talking vintage Cape Cod and Nantucket, with summer whites contrasting against deep tans. Where wool and silk took center stage in winter, the summer fabric is bare skin, and lots of it.  

Source (clockwise from top left): Nantucketbrand, French Dressing Olivia Slim Jeans, Macys, Old Navy, fashionandhappify.info, egotailor.com