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When my mom passed away almost 4 years ago, my sister and I were cleaning out the house and garage prior to its sale.  We came across this small wooden chest and couldn't quite place where it was from.  It looked familiar to us, but couldn't remember its proper origin or how it ended up in our mother's garage. Shortly after I brought it home, my uncle was at my home for a holiday and couldn't believe I had this chest in my possession.  The chest belonged to my grandfather, my mom and uncle's dad.  It was the chest that contained his only belongings when he immigrated from Switzerland in 1923 at the age of 17.  

Can you imagine placing all of your belongings in a small chest, leave your parents and country behind at the age of 17 and get on a ship to a whole new world? My nephew is now 17 and it really puts things into perspective when I look at it this way.  You can still see some remnants of the paperwork that was attached for his voyage. I have a copy of his 'Declaration of Passage', but am not sharing it due to privacy reasons.

He had less than $100 to his name when he arrived and years later went on to become a very successful restaurateur, with multiple locations in the area, which he started back in the 1950's.  Sadly, he passed away in the 1980's when I was in high school, but can recall so many great years together prior.  He was a hard working man who was smart, had incredible drive to succeed and treated his employees with respect.  Here he is at the grill of one of his many drive-in restaurants, always in a crisp white shirt and tie and his restaurants were always immaculately clean.

You never see restaurants this clean these days!  That OCD has definitely rubbed off on me in certain areas. :)

I keep his picture on one of my boards in my office, right next to one of my mom.  Love the constant reminder that they are with me at all times.  The quote is so appropriate, too!

Throughout his lifetime, he never forgot where he was from.  He ran his successful farm prior to the restaurants and remained highly active in a local Swiss club.  He was even published in a magazine!  Photo below is from that magazine feature, seems to run in the family. :)

I have learned that with hard work, drive and determination, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.  I knew from a very early age that I would have my own business one day, it just took me later in life to finally get to that point and take a huge risk and leap of faith to do so.  It doesn't matter what your age is, economic background or other obstacles in your way, you can do what ever it is you dream.  I know that my mom, grandfather and grandmother are all looking down on me from heaven cheering me on!  They were after all, my biggest cheerleaders!

As you know, I'm always inspired by neutrals, so today is just a quick post of some things that have caught my eye.  I'm really inspired by this tile not only for it's inviting palette, but also for it's subtlety.

This charming narrow room functions nicely as a small study.  The built-in window seat appears to provide some much needed storage.  See, you can live well in small spaces.

 The tiles in this shower are lovely.  Kind of takes the blood pressure down a notch, don't you think?

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First up is Brooke's gorgeous new home in Ojai.  If you haven't seen it, well you're in for a real treat!  She just posted this photo of the master bath and my jaw dropped.  Heavenly, a complete understatement!  

{giannetti home}

Dying over her new Lacanche range with brass that just got installed!  Seriously, Brooke, I'm coming to visit and will sleep next to your range or in your tub if I have to

  {giannetti home}

Moving on... here are more great inspiration images of unlaquered brass to drool over.

Even the smallest touch, like these bathroom faucets, make a huge impact.

{indigo & orchre}

Seriously, in love with these bath details...

{disc interiors}

Door hardware is another great place to add it...

{design inspiration}

And, you know how much I adore brass lighting.  I have this light in my office and also love it in Holly's back entry as shown here.

{things that inspire} 

So, what are your thoughts on unlaquered brass?

{howard design studio} 

Urban Electric Co.

   Visual Comfort

If you would like help creating a home you absolutely love or are interested in purchasing to-the-trade items, please email me at info@mariannesimondesign.com for more information.