The Lettered Cottage

You are here: Home / Featured Posts / California Country Style

California Country Style

By

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!

Click here to subscribe

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Emily

    I love when you find new delicious design blogs and share them. I just added the the polished pebble to my blog reader. Thanks!

  3. andrea

    that’s awesome. i admire those who sell their houses completely furnished! it’s kinda cool cause you get to start all over with a new idea/design. perfect for the design junkie who wants a challenge thanks for sharing i’m gonna check out her blog!

  5. Ginger

    I have followed Kelley’s blog for a long time. How lucky was that new homeowner to get all her gorgeous furnishings and art? She is amazingly talented and sweet. Glad to see you feature her!

  6. bungalowbliss

    Holy cow. I don’t know if I would be so brave to just walk away. On one hand, it sounds very refreshing and exciting (let’s start anew!) but I get sooo attached and have a lot of family items and furniture. Good for her, though. On to a new adventure!

    I’ve also added her blog to my reader. Looking forward to seeing the new house take shape!

  7. nancy

    I just love Kelley!! I’ve been a follower of her blog & she has amazing taste! I’m glad you discovered her and now many more will enjoy her blog as I do!! xoxo’s Nancy

  9. Rachel Gill

    Thanks for sharing Kelly’s blog with us Layla. I can’t get over how lovely her home turned out. It’s gorgeous! I’m heading over now to become a follower.

    Rachel
    xoxo

  11. Sheila

    I am at lost for words. No wonder the new owners wanted everything in the house she sold. The house is great. She has the decorating touch. Thanks for posting the photos.

  13. ashley

    OH. MY. WORD. I am DYING over her house! DYING. The yellow quilt…the sofas…the signage…the laundry room…ALL of it. LOVE her look and style. Officially obsessed. thanks for that one. 😉

  15. gretchen nation

    I have heard of this being done with vacation homes, but never with one so full of treasures. What a wonderful excuse to shop for new/old items! Makes you take a look around your own home and ask yourself iff it’s something you could do……?

  18. tracie

    thanks for sharing.. that was a beautiful home! and i love OJAI!! such a gorgeous location! {we used to live in Oxnard, next to Ventura}

  19. Dani

    What a beautiful house! That seems like one instance when you would not infact want to clear out all personal effects, as the realtors tell you to!

  20. liz @ bon temps beignet

    Oh, I totally love her style. You can tell that each and every piece in her home has a story.

    And every time I’m at Home Depot I see that door. My hubby and I call it the “pirate door”. I’ve always wondered what it would look like on a house. Thanks for sharing these pics!

  21. Kelly

    Great! Now I have one more amazing blog to stare at longingly instead of finishing my ever-growing laundry pile!!

  23. Aja

    WOW!!! This is so totally AWESOME! I really wanted this light for my kitchen… So this has totally made my day…Thank you for hosting such a wonderful giveaway! I love your blog and all the inspiring things you guys do. Your Blogger Friend, Aja

  25. lauren

    that would be one way to not get too attached to your things!! absolutely gorgeous! although i have to say i am kind of a sucker for the ‘this was my great grandma’s” ‘this i found on that little weekend getaway’ memories that live happily next to my pretties. but i can imagine if you aren’t into that– what a freeing feeling as you’re off to start over! 🙂

  26. Kelley

    Well…I’m pretty much speachless right now…that never happens!
    I can’t thank you enough Layla, for the wonderful feature of my work and house. You did such an amazing job really telling our story. I hope all of your readers stop by The Polished Pebble often…I am so happy to have some new friends! Your self included of course…

    SWAK Layla! ; 0 )

    xo kelley

  29. Lolo

    Kelley is utterly UH-mazing! Not only is she the bomb at decorating, gardening, etc. etc., but she is a kindred spirit too 🙂 Ojai is gorgeous. Quite a few famous people have homes there. There is a reason for that!
    Anyways, love that you featured my Cali gal pal. She is truly a gem 🙂

    ps – thank you for the coupon!! I am off to hopefully order another light from them 😀

  30. Kasey

    Wow beautiful house and another wow because I can’t even imagine selling an entire home full of furniture. 🙂

  32. Susan

    That was one of the most beautiful houses I’ve ever seen! Lucky is the person that bought that lock, stock and barrel!
    Susan

  33. Steve

    You’ve put together a really beautiful snapshot of Kelley’s homes. I followed along as she showed each room but seeing everything together is a special treat. I guess I should be following you too! Steve

  34. Steph.

    I live next door to Corona del Mar and I don’t know if I could do it because their house was likely a BLOCK from the ocean!!!! That said, the quiet, country kind of life is calling me more and more.

    Thanks for sharing this!

  37. kelly

    oh my goooooodness! that yellow quilt and striped rug, and the buckets, and pillows, and collection of prints in the dining room, and the kitchen cupboard, and the JARS, and that laundry room that i would die for, and then after venturing over to the blog – that GARDEN at her new project!!! glory!
    do you suppose her buyer is ready to sell it now? ha ha.
    thank you for sharing another place for me to get addicted.
    kelly in georgia

  40. Emily @ ReMarkable Home

    Her house was simply amazing! I can’t wait to see what she does with the fixer-upper!
    I had an apothecary chest similar to the one in her family room built for my sister’s cabin. I love that piece!

  42. Margie

    in.love. THANK YOU for sharing – you are the reason I have black cabinets and now Kelly is the reason we are ripping out the uppers for open shelving. So inspiratational!!!

  43. Kristin S

    Oh, this was a fun post! I can’t imagine selling a home with everying inside. Sure makes moving easier. Packing is the worst part.

  44. Geri Greco

    O.k. Layla.
    I will list your house with my new license and buy it too…..complete of course
    with all the Layla & Kevin magic included.
    Hugs,Geri.

  45. Jamie

    Layla & Kelly,
    Will you be my friend? Please check yes or no.

    Love the Polished Pebble! Definitely added to my reader…

  50. Kim in MD

    I would have bought Kelley’s house totally furnished! It’s gorgeous! I can’t wait to see what she does with her new home! 🙂