It did not take very long to convince Scarlett Fiona Reed to decide to go to her cozy Schwan Lagoon home in Santa Cruz, California. “Once I walked into the door, I was in awe of the opinion along with its own magical bones,” she says. “I knew I had to own it at any price.” Once she moved, Reed, proprietor and interior design store Saffron and Genevieve, stuffed her 500-square-foot home with organic textures and classic decor to reflect her casual, elegant fashion.
at a Glance
Who lives here: Scarlett Fiona Reed along with her 2 cats, Butters and Zuzu
Location: Schwan Lagoon, Santa Cruz, California
Size: 500 square feet; 1 bedroom, 1 bath
That’s intriguing: To match the contemporary granite kitchen backsplashes with all the style of the rest of the home, Reed covered them with lace.
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Reed’s decorating philosophy is simply based on the things she loves and has collected through the years. Everything she owns is either classic or has a unique story behind it. “I strongly believe in William Morris’ stating ‘Have nothing in your home you do not think to be useful or beautiful.'”
One of her favourite pieces is her craft cabinet, which was originally a food secure, found in Corralitos, California.
Pillows: some custom made with Jasper fabric, two from Flock Home; couch: Greatest Slip Cover Company
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While employed for Los Gatos, California, designer Joella Conover of Antiques & Interiors, Reed discovered her passion for fine English antiques and clean lines. “Joella has excellent flavor,” says Reed. Each the linens and organic components give the home a sense of timeless elegance.
The java table is in the Santa Cruz article office. Reed reupholstered the corner armchair .
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The lamp in the living area is just one of a handful of pieces made for Reed’s boutique by artist Joe Romero.
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Reed painted her home working with all Benjamin Moore paints. She repainted the hardwood flooring and each the walls with light and airy colors. The floors are Duxbury Grey along with also the living area walls are Rock Candy.
Dresser: steel, by a classic show in Texas
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This desk is just another Texas antique find. When Reed bought the item for $45, it was falling apart. “After my antique restorer completed working on it,” she says, “he pulled out about 200 claws. It cost a good deal more to fix, but I really like it. I really like any piece with patches.”
Reed assembles old dolls, and here they’re displayed as thoughtful decor accents.
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To provide the room some personal charm, Reed hand-painted this antique cabinet with chalkboard paint.
The artwork over the cabinet is by local artist Michelle Stitz.
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The moss-green hue in the kitchen superbly complements the outdoor scenery. Reed mixed three distinct Benjamin Moore colors to attain this nature-inspired tone. When she is considering color palettes, “the home usually tells me exactly what it wants,” she says. “I normally don’t gravitate towards this particular color, but this house just wanted to be green”
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Rather than using traditional frames to exhibit such botanical prints, Reed utilized old clipboards found at the Alameda Flea Market.
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Reed did not have to make any structural adjustments to her new residence. “The home was already pretty damn adorable,” she says. The only adjustments she made were easy decorative alterations. She substituted the shelf over the sink with this open-shelf, galvanized unit and inserted her personal touch to the kitchen backsplash. When she moved, the backsplash had been changed to a contemporary granite, which she believed did not fit her aesthetic. Rather than removing the granite, Reed covered it with lace.
Shannon Malone
Reed added a classic mirror to this kitchen backsplash.
Shannon Malone
“Every home differs. There are no rules; decorate with anything the space needs,” says Reed.
This charming mudroom offers storage and leads the way to the backyard.
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The small hallway is dolled up with elegant classic pieces Reed has collected through the years. The mirror is a classic find from Alameda, California.
Shannon Malone
Reed replaced the present bathroom sink with this gorgeous porcelain one, which is more appropriate to the rustic design of the home.
Paint: Sweet Dreams, Benjamin Moore
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With only one north-facing window covered from front porch, the tiny bedroom was among Reed’s biggest design dilemmas. She’d stuffed the home to the brim with furniture and bookcases but quickly realized it was too crowded. She scaled by downsizing her king-size bed to a queen and restricting the number of furniture items.
Because the home, particularly the bedroom, has very little storage room, Reed made a custom made mattress with extra height for underbed storage.
Duvet cover: Rough Linen; paint: Celery Salt, Benjamin Moore
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Reed included a sign of beach-style living with ocean-inspired decor like this seashell door stopper. “I really like the casual feel of Santa Cruz,” says Reed. “You don’t need to be fancy. Folks don’t flaunt their money.”
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The backyard includes captivating views of this Schwan Lagoon and the surrounding scenery. The bright seating area is ideal for relaxing and enjoying a cup of green tea. “I am blessed to have the serenity the lake as well as the wildlife provide,” says Reed.
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Reed’s next job is to provide some attention and love to the landscaping. “I wish to have parties out here,” she says.