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California Country Style

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The other day, I discovered an awesome blog written by an gal named Kelley…

She and her family used to live here, in Corona Del Mar, California…

Kelley spent four fun-filled years decorating the place from top to bottom…




But on September 29th of last year, she published a blog post titled SOLD. Kelley confessed that they had recently decided the time was right for a new challenge, and that they had sold the house completely furnished. Like, as in, they left every single thing in the house for the new owner. Pretty wild, huh? (I’ve entertained the idea of doing that with our house someday, so it was neat to read about her experience!)

Today, Kelley and her hubby are renting a condo while they search for their next home. They’re also in the process of renovating a ranch house in Ojai, California. Kelley said, “it was a total mess, but exactly what we wanted for a weekend getaway.“

(Kelley’s Ojai, CA fixer upper)

Ojai is about 25 miles south of Santa Barbara, and about 12 miles inland from Ventura and the beach. The population is about 8,000 and the valley itself is only about 12 miles from end to end. There isn’t a single mall or parking meter to be found, and its winding roads are lined with native California Oaks- most of which are 80+  years old and because of strict preservation regulations. Each lot in their community is at least one acre and is surrounded by countryside dotted with orange, lemon and tangerine orchards. She says buying their Ojai fixer was their “crazy and exciting attempt to capture a small slice of the country life just a few hours from work, and not so far from the city that you can’t find a Home Depot near by“.

So far, they’ve pretty much just concentrated on fixing up the outside areas of the house. The front porch got some fresh paint, a floor full of stunning stones, and a whole bunch of neat, flea market style decor…

I can hardly wait to see what Kelley does with the inside of the house! Here are some of her ‘before’ shots…


They’ve just started to renovate this bathroom…

If you’d like to see how it all turns out, stayed tuned to Kelley’s blog: The Polished Pebble!

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Comments

  1. Susan

    Wow, Layla, I can’t imagine walking away from that amazing home. It would be fun to start a brand new adventure, though. 🙂 Thanks for sharing Kelley’s home and blog.

  2. Penny G. Malone

    I’m going to add “The Polished Pebble” to my favorites list, also. I can not believe she could move out and leave all of those PRICELESS treasures!! Yay for the new owners though, right? I enjoy reading your blog =) I look forward to reading it every day.

  3. Alima

    Wow! That first house was GORGEOUS!! I am still drooling over that kitchen! She has amazing style – I am so jealous of her talent! I can’t imagine how hard it was to leave that home. But I bet she will make the next one just as amazing!
    Definitely going to be following her blog! Good find Layla!

  4. Melanie

    whoah…thanks for sharing! She has a BEAUTIFUL HOME! Of all things- I am DROOLING over that laundry sink!
    I have been searching fro one like that for when we finish the basement! GAW- geous!

  5. MorningT

    I’ve been reading Kelley’s blog for some time and I love it. She’s certainly got a great eye and is a lovely person.
    Great feature Layla.
    xo~
    T

  6. colleen gilgenbach

    I want to know where they found that fantastic screen door. I want one.

  7. kelly

    wow!! what inspiration! how i would love to have bought that house!! in my dreams!!!

  9. Jami at freckled laundry

    Such a beautiful home! I cannot believe they sold the home and everything inside! I might have wept over some of those grain sack pillows, the bottle drying rack, etc. lol I think it’s a fun & awesome concept to start fresh like that. (And their ‘fixer upper’ getaway home has such potential!)

    Thanks for introducing,
    Jami

  13. velvet and linen

    Kelley is amazing!
    I’m fortunate to be able to have her as a friend and future neighbor!
    Her blog was one of the main reasons we decided to move to Ojai. Her home there is truly magical.
    Thank you for introducing your readers to Kelley’s beautiful world.

    xo
    Brooke

  14. Donna Frasca

    That is so sweet of you to write about someone else’s blog – I love that – and The Polished Pebble too. I’ve visited there many times.

    Fun blog you have too! Stop by mine when you get a chance 🙂

  15. Heather Andignac

    Ohhhhh, I am soooooo happppppyyyyyy I landed here today (jumped from PWs site). I JUST started a new blog on renovating a CONVENT and raising a family, LORD HAVE MERCY. Cool to see we have some things in common — I have 2 kids we adopted, and live in the not so deep south – Atlanta, GA. I did grow up in Bama though. Come see me. I’m having fun!
    http://www.thegatheringarea.com

  16. Elisabeth

    That will be a fun blog to follow! I have to say, I could never do that! I am way too attached to my stuff. Not saying that’s a good thing, just the truth. For me, esp because I made a lot of stuff in my house, or fixed it up so I’m kind of emotionally attached to it.

  19. ErinWB

    Layla,

    Thank you for sharing that incredible home! Kelley’s style is impeccable – so fresh, fun, and sophisticated. My husband and I are renovating our 1930’s cottage and blogging about it. I’d love to send you some before and afters when we’re done! Hop on over if you have a minute 🙂

    Best,
    Erin
    http://www.chiccottagecharm.com

  21. Darcy Davidson

    I absolutely love Kelly’s house in Corona Del Mar! Oh to live by the beach again…her kitchen is to die for with the cararra counter, and the living room accessories are fun and beachy!

  22. Tina K

    Love her style! She is definitely a talented lady. What I cannot fathom…CANNOT….is that she left all that stuff behind. I would be thinking “but, I dug and found that at a thrift store really cheap” or “so and so helped me paint this and hang it up”. Just the memories of decorating would be too much for me to let it all go. Kudos to her though!