This edition of The Home Page was originally emailed to subscribers on January 12, 2025. To receive Sarah Sinclair’s real estate newsletter in your inbox each Sunday, sign up at independent.com/newsletter
As I write this, fires are still active in Los Angeles and beyond, with lives lost, homes destroyed, and thousands of people displaced. My heart is heavy. This devastation happening on the anniversary of the Thomas Fire and debris flow hits home more than ever. There are many ways we can offer support to the firefighters and those affected. Learn more here.
Local real estate professionals are mobilizing to provide relief to the fire victims in many ways. One tangible effort is the in-person fundraiser shown above, being held next Saturday from 12-3 p.m. at Kiva Cowork, 1117 State Street. Avi, Garrett, and Joe from The Santa Barbara Group are organizing the event. Show up, or reach out to learn more about how you can help.
Farther afield, I ran across this article describing a converted barn on the grounds of a turreted Irish castle just outside of Dublin. I was charmed by the description, the decor, and the lovely blend of eclectic design choices that included antiques along with industrial touches. The living room, above, was at one time used for grain storage. At ten meters high — that’s over 32 feet for those of us who grew up metric-illiterate — it allows for a melange of designs. The carved wooden gallery was salvaged from a nunnery, French antiques, and splashes of pattern from floral to fruity and beyond. The article calls this haven a “fantasy Irish bolthole.” I had to look up ‘bolthole.’ It’s a great word meaning a hideaway; a place to escape. Someplace to hunker down. It feels fitting this week to hunker down. I’m adding it to my repertoire.
To continue with the theme of cozy, here’s something you didn’t know you needed: Small lamps to cast a glow in your kitchen. “Lampscaping” your kitchen is sure to elevate your culinary cache and provide a calmer, more inviting aura. A dozen curated examples of small yet mighty table-top lamps are included: from a $17 clip-on light from Target to a couple of $800+ options. There’s a selection for every decor style and every budget. Of course I’m now craving a subtle smolder in a corner of my kitchen instead of the current overhead glare. Seems like a little purchase that could have a big impact.
Fittingly, this week our Style Specialist’s roundup of top design trends for 2025 include color-drenched rooms, artful lighting, and more cozy comfort than ever. I love the clean lines of the cranberry kitchen above. Her trends also mention using more patterns, like plaids and florals, to break up a room. It might be time for an easy update like pillows or a patterned throw.
Uh oh, sounds like I’m going shopping for throw pillows and a cute little lamp for my cozy bolthole. Our latest real estate news, and this week’s issue are both here for some comfort reading. Wishing you a safe Sunday!
