Support Local | Home Decor

January, 14, 2021

With the start of a new year comes a time of reflection, resolutions, and new goals. With so many businesses affected this past year by the ongoing pandemic, we believe a great goal to set for 2021 is to support local. Many stores, shops, and restaurants are open for business, curbside pickup, and online ordering. We have curated a list below of some of our agent’s favorite local shops around the Tri-Valley and Fremont area.

Home Decor

The start of the year can be a perfect time for a home refresh. It can feel easy to shop for home goods at big-box stores such as Walmart, and online at Amazon. However, you can find so many high quality, unique, and even handcrafted home decor items at local shops instead. Many of these stores are open for curbside pickup and delivery as well.

American Harvest | 438 Main St, Pleasanton

Located in downtown Pleasanton, this is a unique venue for French and American antiques, one of a kind artist made pieces, vintage treasures, and great gifts.

They are currently open with limited capacity, and you can call and make a private shopping appointment. Online shopping is available as well.

Consignment Furnishings | 6891 Village Pkwy, Dublin

Since 2007, Consignment Furnishings has proudly provided the Tri-Valley area with furniture and home accessories at competitive and affordable prices. Our inventory comes from private collections, model homes, show-room liquidations, and wholesale distributors.

They have an online shop available, and you can call and make in-store appointments as well.

Lynen Interiors | 156 McLeod Street, Livermore

In their own words, “Lynen Interiors is a Natural Interior Design Studio & Shop. We create clean and fresh interiors with a relaxed, California vibe. We LOVE layering elements from nature such as wood, stone, linen, and cotton with antiques and living plants. It’s our obsession”.

They are open currently on an appointment only basis, as well as having an online shop available.

Home Consignment Center | 1901 Camino Ramon #F, Danville

The Home Consignment Center has been in business for more than 2 decades. In that time, they have developed a reputation for the very best sales, consignments, and inventory in multiple states. Discover furniture, jewelry, and more.

Open with limited in-store capacity, and have their full jewelry selection available online.

A J’s Attic | 2540 San Carlos Ave, Castro Valley

Located in Castro Valley for the last 16 years, this shop is home to interesting items. You can find antique sit slot machines, Trade simulators, neon signs, sports memorabilia, celebrity signed photos, and more.

During the shelter-in-place their store is open Friday’s and Saturdays at 9:30 am to 4:00 pm.

Casablanca Market | 8430 Central Ave #3a, Newark

A colorful retailer featuring a variety of handmade Mediterranean housewares, furniture & accessories. their mission is admirable, beginning with the artisans who create their home décor products, and their food makers, who execute traditional recipes. Every purchase at Casablanca Market is a supporting step to their financial security.

Their store is open for limited capacity and have an online shop available.

We would love to hear of other great shops to support! Let us know below.

Travel, Design, Experience – Doreen Trudeau | Agent Spotlight

June, 28, 2020

Venture Sotheby’s International Realty is known for our exceptional agents who excel in their real estate markets. Our company’s passion and diversity give us an opportunity to have agents from all backgrounds and walks of life on our team. Our agents are much more than real estate professionals, which is why we wanted to take the opportunity to highlight what makes one of our agents so unique.

Doreen Trudeau grew up on the East Coast, married a hotelier and has lived all over the country. Together they relocated 16 times in over 30 years of marriage. The last 20 years of relocating have been in the Hawaiian Islands. Having lived on Kauai, Maui, Oahu, and the Big Island, Doreen has an unparalleled, in-depth perspective of the real estate market state-wide. At this year’s first annual Chairman’s Circle Achievement Awards ceremony, Doreen was recognized as a Platinum award winner for her outstanding performance in 2019.

Prior to her real estate career, Doreen worked in the executive search business, partnering with Fortune 500 companies to secure C-level, executive talent. It is there that she honed her negotiating skills, discrete approach to client service, business savvy, and conviction rooted in exceeding expectations. She believes client service is simply treating others as you would have someone treat you.

One of her greatest passions is design; both interior, landscape and gardening. These skills help both Sellers and Buyers as they look at property and need experienced input on what’s possible. Doreen is also an orchid hobbyist (her blooming plants are often seen making cameo appearances in her listing photos.) Having bought, designed, renovated, and sold homes on each of Hawaii’s major islands (and many on the mainland), she brings a wealth of knowledge in construction, remodeling, landscape architecture, home design, and staging properties — all of which she puts to work to benefit her clients.

For fun, Doreen enjoys to travel with her family. Destinations generally revolve around learning more about indigenous animals, local culture and cuisine. Some of her favorite locations have been Africa, Australia, Italy and Fiji. Her beloved dogs and cultivating unusual plants feed her soul.

A confirmed believer in the mission, Doreen’s favorite charitable group to support is the North Hawaii Hospice. She has sponsored tables at the spring tea event in Waikii Ranch and for several years has shaken margaritas at their golf tournament at the Mauna Kea Resort.

Doreen understands that there is an art to selling fine homes. She is known to be authentic, transparent, accountable, and offers local expertise paired with Sotheby’s global exposure.

To learn more about Doreen and to view her current listings, click here.

QUIZ | Which Interior Design Style is Right for You?

March, 30, 2019

Arguably, the best design includes a dash of personality. From eclectic prints to rich textures, each interior tells the story of its inhabitants.

In the spirit of individualized inspiration, we reviewed some of today’s leading interior design styles and the qualities unique to each. The result? A quiz attuned to your personal tastes.

Click through to find the interior décor most likely to speak to you, and discover homes best suited to that style.

To view more properties with unique interior design ideas or to purchase your dream home, visit MacArthur Sotheby’s International Realty.