part of the reason i wanted to start this walls columns was because a lot of my friends have really cute houses/apartments that i wanted to showcase.  one of my best friends laura (who just visited a few weeks ago) lives in santa cruz, california in an adorable cottage a few blocks from the beach.  it is just the coziest, cutest thing ever!  we were able to see her house on our drive back to southern california from san francisco in january.  she and her roommate have successfully decorated their place using thrift finds, DIY projects, and flea market scores.  a few of my favorite things about their house: the amazing natural light, the open kitchen shelving, the shingles on their bathroom wall (+ an unpictured clawfoot tub!), and their bubbly bar.  the structural charm of the place with the wooden beams and old windows PLUS their interior decorating skills make it so homey that upon entering you want to curl up on that couch with a blanket, a good book, and a glass of champagne.  and hey, check out that beach at the end of their street (santa cruz WOULD have a peace sign drawn in the sand, ha!).