Lets take a walk: Reese Witherspoon's Ojai Ranch

I'm sure most of you know that actress Reese Witherspoon purchased a little (7 acre) ranch a few years ago, in the historic, Arbolada area of Ojai, California.

This month, Elle Decor
shares her newly re-done interiors
and I thought I would share a few of the photos with you too!

But hey...how do we get there?

Well... my dog Millie knows the way, because she
 walks by there every day

let's go Millie

up the road 

doggie bags....check

water...check

camera....well just for today

First stop is my friend Christine's fruit stand...

it looks like she had quite a few visitors yesterday!

This is a very private area, 

known mostly to locals as the Palomar trail.

Horses and dogs love it

and so do the people who are with them!

Millie usually likes to look at the goats up the trail, 

but she never gets too close...

she gives me this look like...who are those dogs 

and why do they smell so funny?

 There are some wonderful homes along the trail,
with great vintage details
 like this scalloped picket fence!

 We love to stop and look at the tomato's
 this family sells at their little stand...
only locals would find this
and I never have any spare change... but yum!

 Remember this house?  Read my post about it here
What an amazing and beautiful restoration they did....I am soooo jealous!

Are we there yet?

Millie says yes, 

so lets go inside and see what is new 

Reese worked with Los Angeles based designer Kristen Buckingham and the feel of the house is really different from when she originally purchased it,
about 4 years ago.

Designer Katheryn Ireland,
known for her great use of color,
owned the property prior to Ms W.

Kathryn spent quite a few years upgrading and renovating this wonderful home and you can find more details and wonderful photos in her book: 

Creating A Home

I love her work,
 and have posted about it quite often,
you can read more here 

Above is the newly re-done office area

The office before; really quite  a change.

  

Kathryn was responsible for refurbishing 

all of the original hand wrought fixtures and fittings,

original to the house and forged right here on the property.

This is Reese's daughters room...I just love this room don't you!

The colors are so soft.
Look at that closet door!!!! 

The little bedroom before. 

 Notice the cute little lamp above the chest
 in a Kathryn Ireland fabric and how different it looks today
with the new pink shades.

A new dining area, very chic and so much more formal, 

but really beautiful with the old saltillo tiles and original iron work.  

Kathryn used many of her signature fabrics throughout the house, 

when she lived here

and the feel was very Moorish

 and vintage. 

 I happen to really love the curtains above 

and think they would have worked with the new decor as well.

 This historic home originally was designed as a stables 

for the Libby family's horses and cows, 

 then re-worked into a family home by Austin Pierpont.

It is full of these wonderful nooks 

and details that are so charming and typical 

of early California  architects

Kathryn's work above...what a beautiful daybed with the Fortuny inspired pillows!

 The little nook today...very spare and sharp
but I love it!

Amazing iron work!

The huge fire place with Kathryn's 

signature details and casual flair for color

Notice how the huge beams and hand troweled plaster 

works with both of the decor styles

The living room today...don't you love the little Juliette balcony to the left.

I  love this room, with the exception of the plant on the ledge. 

Could that be the work of a stylist?  I think so!

Kathryn's bold living room before...so her and so grand.

New version above... and guess what kids?  

The rug is from Pottery Barn!

I'm in love with those chairs

What a difference!
The Robert Kime fabric on the chairs
and the earthy tones of the couch and quilt...

But don't we love them both?

Another feature of this property,
 are all of the little out buildings and guest houses.

Above is the forge for the iron workers of long ago.

This area of Ojai is an old growth Oak forest,
which that is why it feels so secluded and majestic...
perfect for dining al fresco.

The temperature here tends to be at least 10 degrees cooler
than any where else in the Ojai valley.

Portico's, walks and stone work are everywhere.
Reese has dogs, chickens, horses, ponies
and probably dozens of gardeners too ...
which is why this place so wonderful.

Kathryn and friends above,
enjoying some lunch in the garden

and now the new wisteria covered dining area outside 

for Reese and her family to enjoy

How interesting is this house
with two completely different styles?

I think the house, is really the star of the show...
but I won't tell the decorators!

Elle Decor photography: William Waldron

House Beautiful photography: Victoria Pearson

now back home  we go...me and Millie

hope you enjoyed the walk

see you soon

Summertime food: The Balboa Bar

This is a what came first...

the chicken or the egg 

or

the banana or the bar 

 Almost everybody who comes to Southern California for a visit 

usually ends up spending an afternoon strolling down the sunny streets 

of Balboa Island

Well it should be sunny but it's June, 

so we typically never see the sun during "June Gloom"

Ahh who cares about sun...lets eat!

  No visit would be complete without a treat like an ice cream....

 or maybe a frozen banana

 first stop

"Dads" 

 "Dads" has been around since the 60s and claims 

that they were the first to sell the frozen banana

 "Dads" is really cute and kitschy and sells donuts and cookies 

and bread sandwiches....?

They sure seem to know their bananas though

 They also sell the  Balboa bar which locals say 

was invented here in the early 50s

 A balboa bar is a square vanilla ice cream bar 

dipped in chocolate 

and then rolled into your favorite topping,

 like nuts or sprinkles

 But right down the street from "Dads"

 is "Sugar and Spice"

 "Sugar and Spice" claims to have invented 

both the Balboa Bar and the frozen banana too

 Well that's some serious bragging rights...

Two wonderful treats invented right here on little old Balboa?

Who would think this up...putting a banana in the freezer 

and then dipping it in chocolate?

 Sugar and Spice is really cute too 

 Sugar and spice has a few more toppings than dads

Hmmm....which one  

 I love happy dancing desserts...don't you?

 I think I'm heading back to "Dads"

and I know I'm not in the mood for a banana

 I want a big giant Balboa Bar please...

 And could you please roll that around in the butter brickle 

then put it back in the chocolate for an extra swim?

 I haven't had one of these for years...

but yummy good stuff like this never goes out of style

Hopefully this post didn't make you too hungry....

Stop by soon and enjoy a summertime treat!

I'll be sitting here in front of "Dads"

enjoying a little piece of history

~kelley~