a tale of two houses

I’ll take a smaller, comfy, cozy cottage by the sea over a ginormous McMansion in the city any day of the week…but, what if you had both?  So is the case with Brooke, one of Jeffrey Alan Marks’ clients who appeared in a few episodes in season 2 of Million Dollar Decorators.  We caught glimpses of Brooke’s elegant Georgian-Style home in the Pacific Palisades, but we also got to see the entire reveal of her Nantucket beach house, which she commissioned Marks to transform using only furnishings from catalogues.  Both homes are gorgeous in their own right, but very different….an elegant, sophisticated family home in California with tailored, chic details and an undoubtedly California vibe, and a charming and casual, contemporary summer getaway at the beach with East Coast influences.  I thought it’d be fun to take a peek at both of these gorgeous homes today!

Love the black shutters and white brick of the Georgian-style Pacific Palisades pad – ivy-clad walls and clipped boxwoods are so charming!

Grasscloth walls, detailed millwork and plenty of seating create an elegant first impression in the entryway:

A beautiful linen tufted sofa, flanked by two lacquered armoires and an antiqued mirror is both dramatic and welcoming:

A stainless steel hood with brass accents is the star of the show in the gorgeous, classic black and white kitchen-glassfront cabinetry, subway tile backsplash and soapstone countertops are right up my alley!

I’m obsessed with that glass fishing float and rope chandelier; combined with the darker table and woven blinds, what a gorgeous eating area:

I included the dining room in a post a few weeks back about my color crush on indigo blue.  The dental molding, geometric print rug and deep, dark, moody blue walls are such a gorgeous contrast-definitely one of my favorite dining spaces ever!

A cerused oak cabinet, soft draperies and a teal sofa scream California chic in a sitting area:

Dark paneled walls and cabinetry are stunning in the master bath:

I love the patio, with its white-painted brick walls, slate floors, hangin lanterns and oversize table and chairs…

…as well as the gorgeous pool and poolhouse!

 Now, onto the Nantucket beach house…shingle style (yes!!) with white detailing and Adirondack chairs…so classic:

Crisp white paneling and a mounted boat in the entry are a nod to the sea right outside the door and a sneak peek of the goodness to come in the rest of the house:

Pops of black, red and gray soften an all-white living room – I love the striped rug layered over a larger jute rug:

Beautiful, sea-inspired details:

Blue and white is so soothing and perfect for a bedroom at the beach:

Gauzy white curtain panels are a must-have at the beach…pin tuck pleats are a tailored, elegant touch:

Beadboard paneling, blue-painted ceilings, all-white furnishings and a beautiful spindle chair add a classic, New England touch to the bathroom:

Grasscloth wallpaper, mismatched end tables, more layered rugs and a statement chandelier are absolutely stunning in the master bedroom:

Which one is your favorite?