Wednesday, May 14

Unexpected Guests: Analisa Payne.

I am really excited to share with you today my very good friend, Analisa Payne's beautiful Mill Valley, California home. Analisa is a recent first-time home buyer, and shares a beautiful lot with her amazing sister Quinci, and best brother-in-law ever, TJ (we'll be visiting them sometime soon!). The three went in on a duplex together, and Analisa's unit is downstairs and is just an exquisite place surrounded by lush greenery and gardens. Analisa is a longtime advertising industry Art Buying guru, and her great eye for buying photography and illustration has translated into creating a really beautiful and welcoming home. Being there is much like a being away at a woodland lodge, indeed, and often I feel like I'm off on a zen retreat, what with the natural beauty of Analisa' place, the calming interiors and the abundance of delicious healthy food she serves up! Oh, and there's the yummy wine and great laughs we all enjoy there, too! Thanks for sharing your gorgeous new home, Ana!

What is your idea of a perfect day in your city?
There are so many ways to have a perfect day. But the first that comes to mind starts with a bikram yoga class, brunch at Toast in Mill Valley, or Fish in Sausalito, and a hike from Tennessee Valley to Muir Beach for a pint (and maybe a game of darts) at the Pelican Inn. Hang out on the beach, collect some rocks and shells, hike back, head home, have a nice long shower, hang out in my back yard. Then hop on my cruiser bike to downtown Mill Valley and have dinner at Ora, Small Shed Flatbread or Bungalow 44, and then check out who’s playing at the Sweetwater.


What don't you leave home without?
Lip balm.


What's your favorite local shop?
In San Francisco, Timeless Treasures; in Mill Valley: Maison Reve, and Summer House.

What's one thing about you that would surprise people?
In college I didn’t really exercise, and my diet consisted mostly of not mac and cheese, but spaghetti and Velveeta, Pyramid pizza, quarter pounders with cheese, and Sonic tater tots.


Who are your favorite artists and photographers? And why?
Henri Cartier Bresson: He captures honest moments that pull you into a deeper story; Henry Ossawa Tanner: his brush strokes are as rich as his subject matter; Andrew Wyeth: the mystery; and Auguste Rodin: his realistic ability to express movement and character of his subjects.

Where do you find inspiration?
Flea markets, antiques stores, paper/stationary stores, junk shops, nature.

Who do you admire and why?
My mom. She’s the hostess with the mostess. She can whip up a dinner party in an instant. She knows her way around a garden, and can spot a weed a mile away. She volunteers for Youthfriends, and at the library. She’s a dog lover, a voracious reader, and loves to travel. She always has fresh cut flowers and night water by my bed when I come home for a visit. Not to mention she’s incredibly thoughtful, crafty, talented, smart and fun. And, wow she can cook. And, of course, because she married my dad, who's the best sous chef, yard manicurer,
handyman, builder of many fine things, and all around great guy.

What's the last great book you read?
Sharp Teeth by Toby Barlow.

What's your favorite film?
Secretly? Sixteen Candles, and then there’s Big Fish.

If you could photograph anyone in the world, who might that be?
Queen Elizabeth.

Who would you like to sit down to tea with?
Maya Angelou.


Do you have a guilty pleasure?
Baked goods, pretty much anything with cinnamon.


What is your most treasured belonging?
My grandmother’s Fiestaware.

What's souvenir did you bring back from your last trip?
Maracas and a tapestry.


Greatest indulgence?
Consecutive spa treatments.

What is your idea of living hell?
Having to eat a cantaloupe, raisin, bell pepper and beet salad.


What are some of your favorites websites/blogs to visit?
Sfgirlbybay (of course, and I’m just not saying that, your perspective is classy and sassy and inspiring); beachbungalow8 (not because Megan is one of my oldest friends but because she’s super talented and smart, has a great eye, and is full of wit), and bonjourbruxelles (because I love Karen’s amusing take on life). You girls are always teaching me something new. Thanks for having your eyes wide open.

22 comments:

SimplyGrove said...

Great space! And such a lovley interview!

Anonymous said...

Charming!

Analisa, if you see this, was your yellow clock a vintage find, or is it something you remember the buying info for? I am looking for a vintage-style kitchen clock with a second hand like that, but I can't get a real vintage one because I can't plug it in!

72 and sunny said...

this family, has an amazing eye for design and color. it started (from what i know) with their grandmother and has trickled down.

your new nest looks SO beautiful. very 'analisa'

can i just say....i cherish our days of mac and cheese spaghetti style while watching long duck dong.

can't wait to see quinci and t.j.'s next!

Anonymous said...

can you tell me where you got your couch, it is awesome?!

Anonymous said...

It's funny how most everyone you interview does not leave home without lip balm!?

Anonymous said...

This house is INCREDIBLE. I love the fireplace with the grate on the mantel or whatever it is.

Kerry Doyle said...

Great interview! Great style! Hoorah for lip balm!
And even like how the links open in a new window ; )

sfgirlbybay said...

Glad you all enjoying Analisa's lovely home!

I thinking of developing a line of sfgirlbybay lip balm at this point! It seems to be every girl's must have! :)

And everyone owes Kerry (above) and big round of applause for showing this old girl how to code my links so they pop up in another window!! Now, if I could just get someone to go back through all my posts and do this!!

la la Lovely said...

What a pretty pretty home. Looks very serene and interesting... I love her style! Any idea where that cute cute mushroom came from?
Thanks for sharing the pictures and interview - fabulous!
Trina
la la lovely

Karen @ BonjourBruxelles said...

This is awesome! Now I can picture Analisa in her kitchen doing everything humanly possible to avoid red peppers, raisins, and cantaloupe.

xo,
k

cotedetexas said...

i love this! so cute !!! and I LOVE how she lives below her sister - that's the best part. the worst part? her favorite day - I'm EXHAUSTED just reading about it!!!! I mean yoga and hiking and darts and bruch and beach and hiking and showering and outside on the porch and then going out again. omg - I"d be DEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hahahhah

great post!!! I'm going to take a nap now.

Inklore said...

What beautiful spaces! I love the garden gate.

Anonymous said...

thank you all for the very kind words. victoria did such a great job putting my place in pictures. it's been really fun to see.

i wanted to get back to a couple of the comments:

yes, lip balm is ever so popular but oh so necessary.

yes, my couch is awesome. and best of all it's an incredibly comfortable pull out bed and was actually designed with kids in mind so it's durable too. i found it at summer house in san raphael. it's made by american upholstry
http://www.aufurniture.com/

no, my clock is not vintage. i found it at a hardware store in san francisco. i think it was the one on sacramento and presidio. when i get home on sunday, i'll look to see who made it and let you know.

so again, thanks for the kudos. have a great weekend all.

victoria, you're the bomb!

Anonymous said...

here's my question...completely undesign related. did analisa go to the university of kansas? i read pyramid pizza & i instantly started salivating. i'm sure there could be more than one location, but just curious. did beachbungalow8 go there too? inquiring minds want to know! ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK!

sfgirlbybay said...

marinajayhawk...i am not positive, byt yes they may have. i know ana is from kansas. maybe the girls will weigh in...

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

Great post! I love Analisa's style. Thanks for opening your home, and to sfgirl for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Ana, what's this 'secretly it's Sixteen Candles' nonsense? ;-> Embrace your inner love for Jake Ryan! (It's my fave movie too.)

K (in Strawberry, just across the fwy from you!)

LIBERTY POST EDITOR said...

My word...this is like a perfect set in the perfect chick flick! I love her space and design sensibility. So varied and meaningful - fun - full of wit. I would love to meet her...I can bake cinnamon buns...

72 and sunny said...

we did INDEED go to k.u.

kappas baby.

72 and sunny said...

oh...but neither of us are from kansas. we're from kansas city....which is in missouri. i know. you learn something new everyday.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful home and an honest extention on Analisa! Forget coming to Ketchum, I'm coming there!

xo
G

Jan Reis said...

Analisa-Your new place looks just wonderful! Can't wait to visit to check it all out!
Aunt J