Crystal Cove: Seaside inspiration Part I

This is the time of year when every one begins to plan for a summer vacation.  About two miles south of us on Pacific Coast Highway, is an amazing collection of historic beach cottages, that can now be rented for a few days through the California State Parks Department. 

   

How about this for a vacation idea!

This wonderful and inspiring spot is known as Crystal Cove.   

This amazing three mile stretch of beach is sprinkled with timeless beach shacks and the ambience  of coastal California as it must have looked in the 1930s.  The history dates back to the 1920s when rancher James Irvine, Jr., allowed a small group of families to "camp out" on this unused parcel of coastline.

The history of the cove plays out like a Hollywood movie script, with characters and politics that could rival any great screenplay.  The politics of late have been about the sale of the cove and the surrounding 3000 acres to the California Department of Parks and Recreation in 1979.  Although I was born and raised in California and have lived in this area for over 28 years, the first time I was able to visit Crystal Cove was in 2006.  

The earliest "coveites" were there in the 20's to manage the property, which was used extensively as a movie set.  Most of the palm trees you see today are  those planted as props for  silent pictures.  The crews would work all day and then leave at dusk to have drinks and retire to bed in neighboring Newport or Laguna.  

The 20's and 30's was also a time for many now famous Laguna artisans,  working in the french Plein Aire style of painting, to paint along this unusual and majestic coastline

Crystal Cove  is still an extremely popular site for Artists of all mediums and the cottages are almost always a central theme.

What a spot to paint!!!

Early coveites were tent campers who later converted their spots into more permanent sites.  Eventually some of those sites became the cottages of today.

The "tents" were so elaborate at times, that it was hard to tell exactly where the  word "tent" fit into the equation,  but it was part of the culture of the cove and somehow everyone managed to get along.

Finely discontinued in 1962, it was the end of an era for many 

The lucky families who called Crystal Cove home in the 40's and 50's eventually passed the properties on the their children or sold them for a "finders fee".  All of these little homes were land leases brokered through what is now known as the Irvine Company.   The leases were for ten years and families had no ownership of the actual land or the buildings themselves.  It was, however, a small price to pay for this amazing little coastal paradise.  

Cocktail hour began with the raising of the flag, promptly at 4PM and was greeting with much revelry.  The coveites motto: "every night is Saturday night"

Dinner was usually, the catch of the day.   Abalone, albacore, corvina and halibut was still plentiful along the coast and surf fishing was and still is very popular  

Luaus were a favorite theme in the 50's and the 4th of July beach parties were legendary blow outs!

Notice the guy on the left...oh the things men do for attention... 

Below is the original "office"

Most cottages are a cobbled together mixture of boards and shingles as well as "beach junk" and drift wood.  Put all of those elements together and these little gems exude charm.  It's the kind of washed out, warn down simpleness that is so appealing.  The air is fresh and salty and the sand is as clean as any along coastal California.

This is the famous house from the movie "Beaches" made in 1988.  It sits at the very end of the cove and is perhaps the most painted and recognizable cottage.

The cove is a special spot.  It is nostalgic and simple and makes me think things have gotten way too complicated sometimes.  

This little bit of history of Crystal Cove will perhaps  get you thinking about vacation plans at the beach.  In my next post I will share the Cove as it is today;
 a spot for every family to enjoy.

  What is and will become an important legacy for our future

All photos are from the book:

Crystal Cove Cottages
Islands in time on the California Coast 
by KarenE. Steen


~*~


thanks for stopping by
kelley

Ahoy Mate: Framed Sailors Shirt

We have a pretty small laundry room, which felt sooo cramped. 

So a few months ago, I ripped out everything in this room and started all over.  I did a post about it here.  I doubt many people read it so here's a little update and a few more fun details that make folding socks a bit  more enjoyable. 

Is there such a thing as "re-posting"?  I guess so

I wanted some sort of a vintage article of clothing for the art work in here and I found this 

 really beautiful mens sailor shirt...jacket?  for about $20 dollars at a vintage clothing store.  I had it framed in a black shadow box with white linen backing.

It is a beautiful dark blue wool and there wasn't as much as a splotch or tear on it anywhere.  I  folded the sleeve so that the details on the cuffs could be seen and I think my sailor boy might be reciting the pledge of allegiance!

The bright "cleaners" sign adds to the nautical colors and the sign says: Kelly Ave....too funny.  There are only 4 shelves in this room, which I like, because it keeps me from buying too many cleaning products.  

I love Mrs Meyers, in case you didn't notice.  

Here is the utility sink from Kohler.  It can be purchased with or without the birch stand.  All of the details about the items in this room can be found in the first post, if you need more info.

The wood top pops off and it is really a nice deep size.  This would be great in a potting shed or a kids bathroom too.

Just for fun and to store my scrubbies and sponges I used these large glass cylinders from the Sundance Catalog.  The stainless shelves are from Danver and would look great in a kitchen or utility room.  These are 36" in length and I believe they make them up to 60"

One more sign... that's what I charge to do the laundry

And finally, the ceiling fixture, from Barn Light Electric, with the light bulb cage ties all the colors together, while not  seeming too cliche "nautical"

I love this little jacket.  

My Grandfather was in the Navy, so I think of him when I look at this : )

Thanks for hanging in there last week and as always a huge thank you for your funny and happy comments.

More good stuff....on the way 

xo 

~*~

kelley

Country Living in Ojai

Just in case you were wondering.... I'm still here, just a bit behind schedule

My modem went out,  as did my phone and I forgot my camera!  I did remember to feed my dog however...

I will catch up on all of your new posts this weekend and I hope you will stop by next week for some great garden ideas and lots of pictures from Ojai

Have a wonderful weekend

~*~

kelley

House for Sale: A Vintage 50's Charmer

The MLS ad went something like this:  Wonderful California rancher, great street and beach close.  Classic in every detail, with a well thought out floor plan and a kid friendly yard with beautiful mature landscaping.  Wont last long...open Sunday 1-4

Well, they really were not lying, after all it was a "house" and the word "beach" was part of the address.  And the landscaping...well yes "mature" works.  

What were we thinking!!!! 

 My husband Greg and I bought this house in 1985, yes to live in, just in case you were thinking "who would live in that dump?"

Note to self:  stains on ceiling result from leaking roof.  Lovely, lovely, lovely

Notice the vintage details in the vinyl flooring and tuck and roll naugahide kitchenette. 

 The fluorescent drop in ceiling lights were a bonus...

Wall paper stripping is a job that must be tackled only after at least a six pack of Budweiser has been consumed 

I love how the peel and stick mirror was trimmed out to match the color of the prefab paneling.  What is the color of that carpeting?  It looks sort of like brown gravy.

And yes, what California rancher would be complete without a blue bathtub with grey speckled tile.  Notice the little no slip flowers  

and the rusting sides

No the baby didn't come with the house, he came a little later...

Someone please call Child Protective Services immediately!

Now that's some grass.  The stump... it just works with the overall design

I've have always felt that a little Asian influence is important in a homes decor...

Just not at the end of the roof line.  The sellers threw in that pot for free, can you believe it?

We did the floors of the entire house in Saltillo tiles, unfinished by the way,  which soaked up gallons of oil based urethane.... My job.  I'm sure I killed a million brain cells inhaling those fumes

The Armoire on the left was a huge purchase for us, I think it was around $800 dollars.  The little wicker settee's came from Pier One.  Not sure where I got those lamps but I like them.  This was 25 years ago, in case you forgot.

I think we eventually painted out all of the brick white, but this doesn't look all that bad 

Greg built this great big deck in the back, very kid friendly and we re-sodded the entire yard

I'm not sure what the thought was here with this planter idea but I think inexpensive comes to mind

Not that bad!  

A lovely little rancher,  if I do say so myself (circa 1985)

Enjoy your weekend

~*~

kelley