Higher Ground

Whenever I’m asked whether it was hard for me to give away my much-viewed painted vinyl sofas, the answer’s always an emphatic no. I mean, if I hadn’t they wouldn’t be looking awesome at their new home on Britney and Bill’s hilltop aerie in Riverside.

Husband Bill designed the deck, and he and other family members constructed it; it’s an impressive raised platform that may yet become a tea house. It’s fun to get to, involving a nice set of steps up from their backyard, followed by a steep path. Being on B&B’s deck you feel like you’re in a very special outdoor room — up in the trees and above it all. Signs that Britney’s been flexing her design muscles are all around the property and it’s no different on the deck; she’s constantly adding to her collection of vintage planters and other finds … Bonus: Britney snagged quite a few prized objects from the Rancho’s sales last year so I get to visit them as well as the sofas. When the sofas were at the Rancho (see inset) they always got a lot of attention, both online and in-person. Do I miss them now that they’re gone? Not really; I’m an out-of-sight-out-of-mind kinda guy. Besides, I’ve been sitting on them as the sun was going down, with the sound of the breeze in the surrounding trees and a glass of wine glowing in my hand, so I know they’re in a really good place!