bamboo forest  in the foothills

This is a bamboo forest planted in the Hakone Gardens outside of Saratoga, California. Located in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, you can almost miss the entrance, a steep narrow road going up into the morning fog.  I love how this area is just bamboo. You can smell its sweet and grassy scent.  And the rustling of the long, thin leaves!  Sometimes it sounds like tinkling, clinking glass.  Maybe it is all that silica in its structure.  This forest is young.  The bamboo is not as large as I have seen elsewhere.  Still I love how wild it looks and rejuvenating it feels.
 

 

Black bamboo costs more than regular bamboo even locally harvested.  Tim used every last bit.  He used the pieces to build the gates.  The ladder lifts up to sit into the wall.  I doubt we will do that.  It looks nice out into the space.

living area

We were starting to get used to the tub in the living area.  It has sat there since November.  The light is wonderful streaming in this south facing window, too.  Across from it is the wood stove.  A tub, wood stove and a view of the redwoods.  Hmmm.  Alas, there is no plumbing in this room.  So it had to go in here:

This photo makes the bathroom seem even smaller.  The window is to one side so I can reach it.  If it was in the middle I would have to stand in the tub to open the window.  I am short.  Not little.  Just short.  This way the practical me can reach all around and clean the floor.  The lime plaster on the wall is the palest of blue.  Sometimes it reflects back the green of the trees so the wall takes on a very light celedon. 

my duck feet on clay plaster floor

The concrete floor in both baths have a layer of lime plaster.  It is durable and has a wonderful satin feel.  The charcoal color provides a rich contrast against the wood and white tub.  I was thinking of painting outside of the tub, but now loving the clean, pristine whiteness.  This is much to the relief of Herr R. 

on right is the sink

three things: change out white pipe, light switch plates and find the right  mirror

two patches on floor are samples of floor treatments

 

This photo makes the sink look so small.  It isn't.  It's a Kohler Vox. It is deeper than it looks, too.  There's a few more details---accessories!

EcoSmart tankless water heater

Although I rather take photos of the pretty things, Herr R takes photos of the practical things.  Which is the point of this small, passive solar house.  We have no propane tanks, no gas heaters.  This is an instant, tankless water heater system.  It is connected to a solar panel on the roof, but also uses on the grid electricity to heat the water. We may live in a mini-banana belt, but it is still get coastal fog. There's a timer and a way to switch to the solar heater.  This is also the laundry closet.  We have HE compact washer/dryer to install.  Herr R is very excited about the efficiency and other gadgets.  Tim picked a pale lilac for the clay paint.  It is very pretty. 

Black bamboo-Hakone Japanese Tea Garden