I have a special guest today! Kim Wheeler from Northern California Style! Kim has a kind heart and positive energy that is addictive. AND she is very talented with fashion. This recent post on shopping your closet is so helpful. I also love the New Traditional California Style of her home here in northern California and her cabin in Lake Tahoe.
Kim From Northern California Style
Thanks so much for having me on your blog, Mary Ann. It was a fun idea to have me on your blog at the same time you are my featured guest on, ‘Californians at Home.’ I am honored to be on your wonderful blog!
Where were you born, Kim? Have you always lived in Northern California? How many children do you have and how long have you been married?
I was born in the Bay Area and actually only live about five miles from where I was born! My dad, his mother’s family have been Californians since the 30’s. I have two boys, Jackson who is 23 and is off on his first apartment and real post-college job, and Griffin who is 20 and studying at the University of Utah.
What elements define your interior design style?
I think my style is very California with a bit of modern and traditional. I love natural light, plants and white walls, touches of wood, and elements of nature, but I also have a fondness for prints and wallpaper and vintage pieces and touches of fun!
What factored into the renovation of your current home in Los Gatos, California.
Is there anything left that you want to do?
Well, we had lived here almost 12 years before we renovated and by that time knew we wanted to make it more open, light-filled and create an indoor-outdoor feeling. We had to keep the same footprint though, so we removed a large interior wall and relocated the main living space to the center and back of the house. We added bifold doors and more windows to take in the pool and yard.
We used a fourth bedroom to create a better main bath and a new custom closet. I also added six skylights, three French doors, and a front patio to give us more living space on a tight lot.
I still have to finish choosing some wallpapers, and window coverings, and I’m currently working on office spaces for my husband and myself.
Is there anything you would do differently?
Honestly, I think my one regret is not building a formal pantry, but I’m not sure how we were going to make it work.
What do you love most?
The bar is probably my favorite space. I like the vintage-looking mirrored tiles and how I can display my glassware on the open shelves and the hammered sink, dark gold faucet, and contemporary pulls. It’s a mix of modern and elegant, at least that is what I was trying for.
What paint colors did you use in the interiors for your new traditional California Style?
I used Oxford White, a great neutral white, in most spaces, trim in Distant Grey, baths in Decorator’s White, and front bedrooms in Cloud Cover, all by Benjamin Moore.
Tell us about the tiled backsplashes in the kitchen and dining room.
The kitchen backsplash is a mosaic by Marble Systems called Ponte Basket that has a hint of a wood look to it and something about it seemed very organic and a good foil to the matte subway tiles. The bar has a 70’s era look mirrored tile with gold veining, a nod to my parent’s dining room, and is Yesterday’s Glass by Jeffrey Court.
What is your most recent purchase for your home?
A glass desk and a shearling chair for my own office/ workspace! I’m excited to have my very own area after using the kitchen counter for 12 years!
What is your favorite piece (or pieces) in your home that has meaning to you?
I have a bench from Mexico that was my mom’s that is on the new covered porch that we found just as the house was done and it miraculously fit in that space perfectly. I think she would love knowing it is there.
Shop Northern California Style:
Can you recommend a few home shops in the Los Gatos area that you love?
I’m kind of obsessed with a new home store, Home by Ling Interiors, which is beautifully curated by a talented designer with a great eye. I also find things at Harvest, which is a Bay Area chain and has some great chairs, pillows, and cool pieces.
You recently purchased a home in Lake Tahoe, California, Can you tell us a little bit about it?
We bought it just as the pandemic started and we were lucky to have it during this past year. It’s what they call a kit cabin and is a log cabin that was built from a kit back in the 1950s! It’s only 600 or so square feet, but it’s perfect for us and nestled next to the Tahoe National Forest on the west shore.
I spent many childhood summers at Lake Tahoe, so I am hoping my family will get to do the same. Right now I am in the process of updating it little by little, hopefully without changing the old-school charm of it too much.
You may also like Classic Casual Wedding Party in California.
Sue says
I have a question about the office. Everything is beautiful,but how do you plug in the lamp in the open floor plan? I would love to arrange my office in the same way, however wiring is a problem.
pat branch says
I have a hard time reading your titles
the font is faded in spots is this intentional?
Katherine says
What a lovely, relaxing, and welcoming home. The home exudes such warmth and care to what
went into creating such a nice vibe. Kim is extremely talented. I admire your close relationship, what
a gift you are to one another.
Kim says
Thank you Katherine for the kind words about the house. I am so lucky to be Mary Ann’s friend.
cathy says
Thank you both for the double blog on each other. Love both of your styles and it’s always great to read about someone in my area. Very inspiring!
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks so much, Cathy!!
kim says
Thanks Cathy!
Gail says
Definitely a double bonus blog day. I adore Kim’s home and it’s Uber casual chic style! I love everything about her house and her design choices. Sort of like how I feel about your home and design style. Win, win on two wonderful posts.
Mary Ann Pickett says
You are the sweetest, Gail!
kim says
Thanks Gail you are so kind! xo
Annie Diamond says
Mary Ann! Such a fun read today! I love you both! I adore Kim’s style. The renovations she has made are so thoughtful and timeless. I do love her glamourous bar, but the kitchen with those gorgeous barstools and the open shelving where she can add her warm touches… Love! And the bench in the entryway just fits perfectly. It was meant to be! Her mom would have loved to see it in such a prominent spot in her home!
xx
kim says
Thank you Annie.. so sweet of you.
Linda says
Mary Ann,
This has nothing to do with today’s post, but I need your help. I have tried to no avail to find your post(s) about your thinning hair: how you have it cut, what products you use, and how you style it. No matter what I type into the search button, I cannot find anything but a few products you recommend–certainly not the in-depth posts that are so helpful. My sister has similar problems. I know she would enjoy and find very helpful the things you have posted. Therefore, would you please give me these links or tell me what to type into the search feature?
I enjoy your blog and look forward to each of your posts~~ even though I live in right now very cold and snowy Iowa, very different in many ways from where you live and visit.
Blessings.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Hi Linda, I have other problems…but not thinning hair…so I haven’t written a post about that. Thanks for commenting!
Elizabeth@oineconesandacorns says
MaryAnn, I love this post about Kim, her style and her beautiful house and renovation. Kims’ house and style are very elegant, modern, and clean and I love the vintage touches she gave to her space. I cannot wait to see what she does to this little cabin.
kim says
Thank you for saying that Elizabeth.. I am so blown away by everyone’s nice comments about the house.
cindy says
Love seeing Kin’s house through your eyes Mary Ann. I agree with Kim that bar area is so clever. I also love her kitchen…well I just love the whole thing!
Kim says
Cindy so nice coming from you. xo
Tracy Bilello says
Loved this!! Kim is a favorite of mine and I just love her personal style and kind heart!! Thank you for sharing!!
Mary Ann Pickett says
Me too, Tracy!
Sarah London Style says
What a great post! I love Kim and her style! That bar area of hrs is magnificent as is the rest of her home when I think about it! Thanks for letting us in..
Mary Ann Pickett says
I love her style too, Sarah!!
kim says
Thank you Sarah for saying that. xx
Heidi says
Hi Mary Ann,
I love Kim and adore her house, her style is so cool and very California! Both of you inspire me everyday in so many ways. Thanks so much for this fun feature!
XO Heidi
Mary Ann Pickett says
Kim is just the best, Heidi!!
kim says
Thanks Heidi you are so nice. I think the same of you.xx
Judie says
That was a fun post! Thank you. One question …. Can you tell me about the chair in the corner in the office? (The one with the “hi” pillow). I’m looking for something similar. Thx.
kim says
Hi Judie thanks so much. The little swivel chair in the corner is from Harvest a Bay Area shop https://shopharvest.com Kim
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks for the quick answer, Kim. We are in the car headed to Napa right now!
LA CONTESSA says
LOVELY POST ON KIM AND HER REMODEL!I REMEMBER SHE HAD A DECORATOR WHO QUIT ON HER IN THE MIDDLE OF IT ALL AND SHE TOOK OVER!I THINK SHE DID A BRILLIANT JOB AND SHE JUST KEEPS GOING!
Her home has always reminded me of a house in the DESERT LIKE Palm Springs!
VERY CLEAN LINES AND COZY!
Mary Ann Pickett says
I know, Elizabeth…and so comfortable and refreshing!
kim says
Thanks so much Elizabeth. You are so encouraging and kind! xo I love the desert style so thanks! xx
Juliet says
It’s a double bonus day … what fun! First I read all about you and your fabulous apartment on Kim’s blog and now it’s all about Kim on yours. I loved following Kim’s home renovation. Living in the Bay Area I feel we’re all neighbors even if we’re an hour or more apart. Homes in Northern California share similar styles as well as high points and challenges. With every post – of hers and blogs where she’s featured – I learn more about her renovation and the brilliance of her choices. Kim is very thoughtful in how she approaches her living spaces and her own personal style. I love them both. And I enjoyed this so much. Both your posts made my morning. It’s going to be a great day! xo
Mary Ann Pickett says
Kim has such awesome style and the fact that she is so kind is an extra bonus!
kim says
You both are too nice. Thanks so much Juliet. Seeing you renovate your home has inspired me so much and wish I did some things you did! We all are so lucky to have connected here! xo
Karen B. says
Mary Ann,
This was fun. I really like Kim’s style. It looks like the cabin in Tahoe would be a fun place to spend some relaxing time communing with nature.
Karen
Mary Ann Pickett says
I think so too, Karen!!
kim says
Thank you so much Karen!
Kim says
Thank you so much Mary Ann for being my guest today and also so kindly inviting me to be on your blog too. I really enjoyed doing this so much. You are very sweet and I am honored to be on your wonderful blog. I know everyone is going to love hearing more about you and seeing your beautiful place on mine!! Adore you. xo
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks so much, Kim for initiating this fun idea. LOVE your style!