A tiny taste of Sunset

We were just sent some snap shots of the staging process of the Sunset Magazine Idea House - Monterey California....

Take a tiny peek.

Head designer Joe enjoying what he does.

The house looks like it will be completed and open for tours October 2 - December 7th. So if you're in the area come on by!

One More Little Thing...

This is one of the coolest features in the house! Just got a picture of this Mustang, and no it is not a poster! A 1966 convertable Mustang on display.

View from the Entertainment Level with the lower garage viewing window. The Mustang is lowered on a hydraulic lift allowing 2 additional cars to be stowed below, while the street level garage houses 2 as well. It is fun to see the expressions of the guests when they see it in person.

Now that's something you don't see everyday!

Late But Worth The Wait!

On the Pacific Coast of Southern California, along the idyllic Santa Barbara shoreline, down a forgotten private road, within a secluded enclave, among 9 bluff-top homes with a private beach access, there lies a Tuvalu paradise...

We completed this home a few months back, but would like to share it with you now.

Known as “America’s Riviera”, Santa Barbara is Southern California’s coastal jewel, located 100 miles north of Los Angeles. Santa Barbara rests in a narrow coastal plain, surrounded by beautiful beaches and ocean on one side, and majestic mountains on the other. There is year-round moderate temperatures and low humidity, and over 330 days of sunshine per year.

This Cape Cod style oceanfront estate is situated on a bluff above a private beach. Panoramic ocean, mountain and island views. Approximately 6600 square feet on .91 acres.

Endless Pool, a ten seat Hot Tub, fireplace and outdoor LCD TV

Architectural Digest Living Room

Gourmet Kitchen

Breakfast Bar

Libarary

Suite

Suite

Suite

Master Suite

Mountain Suite

Hawaiiana Suite

Wash Room

Game Room

Wine Room

Arcade

Home Theater

Walk in Humidor

The couple that owns this home has decided to divide it into timeshares for families to enjoy throughout the year....

so if you would like to stay here just let us know!

As Seen In Coastal Living

Featured in this month's issue of Coastal Living Currents section. A washed-wood finish imparts a casual cottage feel to this Simplicity Chandelier. Currey and Company - click here to purchase.

Tuvalu in Better Homes and Gardens

The editor of Better Homes and Gardens called us and asked us to help them complete a feature which in this August issue on "10 Ways to Dress Down" - Why not live in a living room - really live, the kick off your shoes kind of of living.

Simply put here's what they suggest:

1. Throw on Slipcovers - The perfect fix for a room and make a sofa seem like a place to flop down and read a book.
2. Show A Bit of Yourself - Books stacked on a coffee table, a tray of seashells your kids found, or a chalk board with doodles and to-do lists make a home seem well lived in and loved.

3. Bring in Texture - A wicker table, seagrass rug, and rattan basket will add that easy going look to any room. Just be careful not to over do it.
4. Rethink Bouquets - Anything from nature can be a bouquet. Wispy grass, twigs from trees, and colorful or interesting produce from a farmer's market can offer as much great conversation as they do beauty. "There is nothing more beautiful than a simple bowl full of apples."
5. Ease up on Art - Lean pictures on a mantel or windowsill instead of hanging them.
6. Add Something Old - A trunk as an end table, a flat dough bowl to hold bottles of cooking oils, or a toolbox for magazines - through in one of these off beat surprises. The key is to make sure that each item has a purpose.
7. Tone down the Glitz - Shiny things - a brassy lamp or silk pillow - say formal, while matte finishes say casual.
8. Lighten Up - Remove heavy treatments and hang airy linen panels, also wood shutters have a very coastal look. Also a fun way to liven up your cabinets is to paint the back of your cabinets a bright apple green or citrus to make them even more casual and fun - especially if your dishes are not bright.
9. Move Outside - A porch or patio is the essence of casual living. If you can eat or hang out in an outdoor space, add furniture that would make outdoor living easy.... such as a bistro set for eating, or a big farm table for family gatherings.
10. Simplify - If you have 10 pillows on your sofa - pick your favorite 3. You'll create a lighter, more relaxing space. Know why you have certain things and what they mean to you. Everything should have it's place and a story behind it.

If you see anything in this feature that you just have to have, you know where to come!

Fresh Fall Finds!

We just got back from the Las Vegas Show and what a great show it was! Here's a sneak peak of just some of what's to come September 22nd!

Vintage Replicas - Just you wait till we select the mattes and moldings for these babies!

This is a line that we currently carry but they have come out new for fall with these beautiful custom pieces that you will see in Tuvalu come end of September!

Natural Chandeliers Comin' Your Way!

...And Hopefully My Way Too

Hand Painted Sealife Bowl, Pot, and Vase

Mix It Up With Some Wood and White

We found these books and fell in love! They are old books hand wrapped, rebound, and recovered with vintage vellum each designed by an artist.

Love Love Love These Books!

Laurie's Personal Fav.

We found this old shopper snoozin' away in the corner of the showroom, too cute to pass up. Laurie almost got caught - I think the flash may have awoken him out of his slumber... oops.

A pat on the back for a job well done!

Four little monkeys jumpin' on the bed!

We love happy customers - what more could a kid want? A comfy bed of pillows and a bag of treats from the Candy Barron, sounds like the makings for a great Tuvalu party if you ask me! And mom even has a free moment of shopping to boot...

Future Tuvalu Design Team

A Sweet Sentiment

We stumbled upon this refreshing review of our store and couldn't help but to be touched by the kind words of one of our customers, who altruistically and so enthusiastically paid homage to our name. We thank you for loving us and for reminding us why we love doing what we do!

"Juliet was wrong. She tells Romeo in that completely overdone and overappreciated balcony scene in Shakespeare's most famous play, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." Some might weep at the romantic complexitiy of the moment, but I like to go against the majority, and I cry foul. I realize that Romeo and Juliet are overcoming prejudices, not judging the book by the cover, and finding the beauty within, but sometimes I have to channel my inner Miranda (of SATC fame) and remind the world that it's just not practical! I could never marry a Richard! Not because it's not a fine name, but because it's my brother's name, and I won't say anything further except that it could prove very problematic during certain situations.So what does all this have to do with a home furnishing store in Laguna Beach? Hello? It's the name, silly! Who wouldn't want to go into a store with such a fun and exciting name like "Tuvalu!" It makes me giddy like a little sprite dancing and singing ditties on a deserted island that preferably does not get attacked by tempests. And it should, because Tuvalu stocks delightfully untacky beach-themed decorations that make me wish I owned a house by the ocean just so I can accessorize it with all their pretty scented candles, fixtures, linens, paintings, and various other odds and ends that are sure to make one feel like they are on a fab tropical getaway! Of course one doesn't need to fear mudslides, tsunamis and hurricanes to capture a piece of paradise. My WeHo-adjacent apartment is exceedingly happy with the Palm Tree stem-inspired candlesticks that I have placed on the mantel of my fake fireplace. It's nice to have a piece of Tuvalu to look at during the dark and light moments of life. I think everyone could use a little Tuvalu! Come on, say it with me! Tuvalu! Tuvalu! Tuvalu! Maybe if Shakespeare had named "the Tempest," "Tuvalu" people would have liked it better than that silly "Romeo and Juliet." Dying for love is just soooo cliched. Go buy your hunny an adorable over-priced sea turtle fixture for his/her garden instead! Nothing says love like emptying the wallet! (well... maybe filling the belly...)"