Lets take a walk: Reese Witherspoon's Ojai Ranch

I'm sure most of you know that actress Reese Witherspoon purchased a little (7 acre) ranch a few years ago, in the historic, Arbolada area of Ojai, California.

This month, Elle Decor
shares her newly re-done interiors
and I thought I would share a few of the photos with you too!

But hey...how do we get there?

Well... my dog Millie knows the way, because she
 walks by there every day

let's go Millie

up the road 

doggie bags....check

water...check

camera....well just for today

First stop is my friend Christine's fruit stand...

it looks like she had quite a few visitors yesterday!

This is a very private area, 

known mostly to locals as the Palomar trail.

Horses and dogs love it

and so do the people who are with them!

Millie usually likes to look at the goats up the trail, 

but she never gets too close...

she gives me this look like...who are those dogs 

and why do they smell so funny?

 There are some wonderful homes along the trail,
with great vintage details
 like this scalloped picket fence!

 We love to stop and look at the tomato's
 this family sells at their little stand...
only locals would find this
and I never have any spare change... but yum!

 Remember this house?  Read my post about it here
What an amazing and beautiful restoration they did....I am soooo jealous!

Are we there yet?

Millie says yes, 

so lets go inside and see what is new 

Reese worked with Los Angeles based designer Kristen Buckingham and the feel of the house is really different from when she originally purchased it,
about 4 years ago.

Designer Katheryn Ireland,
known for her great use of color,
owned the property prior to Ms W.

Kathryn spent quite a few years upgrading and renovating this wonderful home and you can find more details and wonderful photos in her book: 

Creating A Home

I love her work,
 and have posted about it quite often,
you can read more here 

Above is the newly re-done office area

The office before; really quite  a change.

  

Kathryn was responsible for refurbishing 

all of the original hand wrought fixtures and fittings,

original to the house and forged right here on the property.

This is Reese's daughters room...I just love this room don't you!

The colors are so soft.
Look at that closet door!!!! 

The little bedroom before. 

 Notice the cute little lamp above the chest
 in a Kathryn Ireland fabric and how different it looks today
with the new pink shades.

A new dining area, very chic and so much more formal, 

but really beautiful with the old saltillo tiles and original iron work.  

Kathryn used many of her signature fabrics throughout the house, 

when she lived here

and the feel was very Moorish

 and vintage. 

 I happen to really love the curtains above 

and think they would have worked with the new decor as well.

 This historic home originally was designed as a stables 

for the Libby family's horses and cows, 

 then re-worked into a family home by Austin Pierpont.

It is full of these wonderful nooks 

and details that are so charming and typical 

of early California  architects

Kathryn's work above...what a beautiful daybed with the Fortuny inspired pillows!

 The little nook today...very spare and sharp
but I love it!

Amazing iron work!

The huge fire place with Kathryn's 

signature details and casual flair for color

Notice how the huge beams and hand troweled plaster 

works with both of the decor styles

The living room today...don't you love the little Juliette balcony to the left.

I  love this room, with the exception of the plant on the ledge. 

Could that be the work of a stylist?  I think so!

Kathryn's bold living room before...so her and so grand.

New version above... and guess what kids?  

The rug is from Pottery Barn!

I'm in love with those chairs

What a difference!
The Robert Kime fabric on the chairs
and the earthy tones of the couch and quilt...

But don't we love them both?

Another feature of this property,
 are all of the little out buildings and guest houses.

Above is the forge for the iron workers of long ago.

This area of Ojai is an old growth Oak forest,
which that is why it feels so secluded and majestic...
perfect for dining al fresco.

The temperature here tends to be at least 10 degrees cooler
than any where else in the Ojai valley.

Portico's, walks and stone work are everywhere.
Reese has dogs, chickens, horses, ponies
and probably dozens of gardeners too ...
which is why this place so wonderful.

Kathryn and friends above,
enjoying some lunch in the garden

and now the new wisteria covered dining area outside 

for Reese and her family to enjoy

How interesting is this house
with two completely different styles?

I think the house, is really the star of the show...
but I won't tell the decorators!

Elle Decor photography: William Waldron

House Beautiful photography: Victoria Pearson

now back home  we go...me and Millie

hope you enjoyed the walk

see you soon

Ten Things to a Better Garden: Part Two

 Hey there fellow gardeners...thank you for the great comments on the last post!

Did any one notice that I left out #4? 

Obviously my head was in the compost bin while I was writing ....

 So here is # 4

Biodiversity and Sustainability

Essentially what that means is, when you create your garden you should give some thought as to how you can offer support to the Eco system by means of the variety of plants that you choose and creating  more diverse habitats for plants, insects, birds and other species. 

 The sustainability part is to choose plants that will grow for a very long time with out using tons of water, fertilizers and require a huge amount of effort.

I can't tell you how different my yard is now from three years ago...just by counting the number of different bird species that nest in my garden....so it's working!

 Now on to #6

Match the style of your garden to your house

I know this sounds really simplistic but we have all seen it right?...the house down the street that is a colonial style house but has a garden with 

a pagoda

 and a Buddha statue

You get the point!

 #7  Break it down

Create distinct areas or zones that you can manage and work on them until they are looking really great. 

It helps when you are shopping for plants'

 to know exactly where the plants will go 

and how they will be arranged,

 if you are thinking about just a specific area of the garden 

and not the whole yard.

 #8.  Create a garden that fits your lifestyle

Not everybody has the time, 

space or energy to have a big huge veggie garden or an orchard. 

I have gotten more joy from a tiny patch of front yard on a 30 foot lot...just planting and clipping and enjoying  a sunny day.

I never felt bad when I didn't have a big grassy back yard or a chicken coop....just garden with what you've got, even if its an apartment balcony!

 #9  What you don't see matters

 Drainage, soil prep and proper irrigation....

really boring stuff but it really is the key to a great garden.

We are constantly tweaking or irrigation system...I mean like every week, as the weather changes!

 Take the time to get your beds in good working order before you plant.  

Don't forget to use lots of organic amendments too! 

 If you have a vegetable garden,

 each time you start a new bed you will need to add soil boosters and compost to replenish the soil for really healthy vegetables.

 #10  Plan for the future

 Even if you don't know how long you will be in your current home it's nice to know that you did your best and that the things you did will be there years from now and enjoyed by others. 

When I am long gone I know this garden will still be here...that's really nice to know!

 I decided to add more more thing to the list....#11

Plant some thing to eat!

Anything!

It is so fun to eat what you grow 

even if its just a little cherry tomato or an herb!

 So those are some of my ideas on how to create a really great garden!

On the next post I will show you how I have my binder set up and a few ideas that might help you set up one of your own!

Have a great day....and happy gardening!

Kelley