From the beginning, Apartment 46 has been devoted to carrying the very best and most lovely items for the home and personal environment. Along with fresh flowers, found treasures and unique home furnishings I have always saved room to tuck in to some delicious bath and body products. I am actually extremely choosy about what to offer as everything that appears in the shop has to be something I truly love and would use myself. I am admittedly a scent freak. Flowers, candles, lotions, perfumes, you name it, I love it! It boggles my mind that not everyone feels the way I do about scent, but several of my friends are sensitive to smell and thus, I am careful to only introduce products that I believe everyone can enjoy.

I first met Mary Irving, founder of Maris Naturals at the SF Gift Fair two years ago. I was immediately taken by her chic packaging. She produces absolutely luscious smelling creams and soaps made from the finest all-natural ingredients. I made myself a promise that I would bring Maris to Apartment 46 for all of my wonderful clients to experience. I am so excited to announce that we now carry a select line of Maris Naturals products, including delicious soaps, outrageous body creme, and uplifting shower/bath gels.



Let me tell you, this gloomy weather has given me that "nesty" feeling and a warm, candle-lit bath, hot "peanut butter cup" (Butterscotch Schnapps and hot cocoa!) and a good slather of amazing lotion is on my list! With Valentine's Day right around the corner, I can't think of a better gift to give yourself or someone else!



Much love,
Melisa

My love affair with mid-century modern furnishings goes on and on. Although I don't carry many pieces from that era in my store, when I find something that fits the vibe here, I add it to the collection. Such is the case with this pair of wonderful Danish stools! Covered in a removable New Zealand wool topper, they would look excellent under a sunny window, in lieu of a traditional coffee table, as foot stools for more contemporary chairs, or as impromptu seating in an eclectic space:



I loved the 1970's aesthetic and the warmth of the toppers. It brought to mind a sexy lodge in Aspen or a hip San Francisco condo. Since I love them, they're here at Apartment 46. End of story. :)



I also love these horse head bookends from the mid-1950's. When I found them they were naked pine. While that was beautiful, I kept thinking that they needed to make more of a statement. I painted them a glossy lacquer white and now they can take their rightful place on any modern mantelpiece, bookshelf, window sill or side table. They make fantastic art pieces and are very exaggerated, almost Roman in feel:





When I think about Winter, it makes me want to create a home that is both cozy and interesting. A warm and inviting space where you are inspired to create, dream, and plan for the future.

Stay toasty my friends!
Melisa

I honestly love everything in my store but at any given time I do have favorites. Right now I am crazy about a beautifully made, sinfully comfortable, pomegranate print arm chair. It's the absolute perfect curl up and read chair or somewhere to snuggle when it gets cold outside. The print is very elegant but the styling is definitely modern.

I am also extremely fond of two 1970's era mirror-framed floral prints from an estate in San Francisco. The mirrors show their age and the prints are ever so slightly faded, giving them an ethereal quality that would perfectly suit a bedroom, little girl's room or any other calming space.

Lastly, I was really lucky to come across a signed vintage French Art Deco style screen print in wonderful muted green, yellow and orange. It's so unique and interesting that it would be a perfect focal point on any wall. I would love for someone to build a room around it!

Stop in and see the updated store layout! There is always something fun and unique to check out.

All the best,
Melisa

Often when I'm out treasure hunting I come across great books on interior design, art, flowers, and architecture. I'm always on the lookout for vintage World Almanacs because of the great maps and all of the countries that no longer exist or have new names. I'm obsessed with the graphic detail of world maps and the pages make excellent backdrops for photos, drawer liners, wrapping paper, art pieces, whatever you can dream up. I've also been fortunate to find extremely old science and poetry books, dictionaries and travel pictorials.

I have a lot of books in my own home, all very meaningful and beautiful to me. They always teach me something new each time I browse through them. I decided that carrying my book "finds" in the shop would be an ideal way to share beauty and knowledge with my customers. Having a well stocked bookshelf full of varied interests makes for a more interesting and well-rounded person!

I am very excited about the illustrated book on orchids, each page gorgeous enough to frame as art. I am also very partial to the vintage book on Rome. The pictures, the layout and the font are all very groovy 70's when it was such luxury to go to the Greek Isles.

Next time you're searching for a cool, affordable gift, consider giving a vintage book. You are always welcome to come in and browse my growing library!

Take Care!
Melisa



» Read More

Over the last several weeks I've been hunting and gathering for clients, looking for those one-of-a-kind, "Where did you get that?!" sort of items that feel right the minute you see them. While I have carefully curated the shop so that I display only things that I myself would want to buy, there are always a few items that come through that almost don't make it here because I want them so badly for my home. However, the only way to stock the shop properly is to "let go" and so I do - reluctantly. I look at it this way, since I'm in the shop so often, I basically am living with the things I love and it is essentially my second home so...from my home to your home!

One of the things I wanted to "steal" for myself is a vintage, carved teak, Thai bench, that is not so much about comfort but is very much about beauty and style. I picture it in an entry way where you could sit on it to tie your shoes, set your things ,or even display a few pictures, plants, or maybe some candles. The craft work is outstanding and the carvings even cover the inside of the bench legs. It is truly one of the most gorgeous things I have ever seen.

Among my other favorite Apartment 46 things is my 1960's Virgin Mary bird bath, which up until last week displayed my Bonny Doon Farms beeswax candles. While it is of course made for the garden, I just love the idea that someone should take her home and use her indoors to hold candles, plants, maybe a collection of beautiful stones or something else organic. Her face is so serene that the fact she is a religious icon matters very little to me. I see her as art. I love using cement statues inside to create a kind of fantasy garden interior. It's a little magical really - especially if you have hardwood floors.

With summer half finished, it's time to re-evaluate your space - take a long, hard, look at your surroundings and identify any object, area, or room, that you feel needs a refresh and get going on changing it. If you walk into a space and you don't absolutely love it and love being there, something needs to change.

I'm always available to help you re-purpose what you already own, revitalize something old or revamp it completely.

Have a wonderful week!
Melisa

I first discovered Bonny Doon Farm at the Teahouse Spa in Santa Cruz. After a perfect massage with their pure essential oils it was on to the hot tub where a quick shower gets you ready for a soak. The spa generously provides BDF body products and the lavender body wash coupled with the steamy shower was such a relaxing sensory experience that I bought some for myself.

In my home shower the gorgeous smells brought back the memory of sitting in the hot tub overlooking the moonlit bamboo gardens. When I decided to open the shop, they were the first people I called. I knew I wanted to share their unique, handmade products with my clients. While there are many good products available at local health food stores, I really believe in supporting locally owned businesses and family farms, and BDF is both. As they grow their own flowers and herbs and make their products on site, my orders always arrive fresh and wonderful every time. Opening the boxes is a riot of great smells!

I am now carrying nearly the full line of products from their generously sized soaps - Lemon Verbena is a customer favorite - to their long burning beeswax candles (I can’t get enough of the Bay Rhum) you can’t go wrong when choosing their items for gift giving as they are so well made. I highly recommend the body wash/lotion combo or a purse sized Rose Geranium skin spritzer for those hot summer days!

On another note, I am extremely happy that while the recent wildfire in Bonny Doon did come their way, the wonderful owners and staff of BDF were able to save their homes and farm from the inferno and assist neighbors in doing the same.



» Read More