Nathan Turner’s I LOVE CALIFORNIA State (of Mind) Book We Need Now

(Gerry Furth-Sides) Nathan Turner recipes, tips, and his love for his home state, California is especially welcome at holiday time, especially after a year of natural disasters.   And the author is just as sunny as anyone would California to be.  A book of nostalgia and mood to inspire, it defines “California Coastal” perfectly.  When early 20th century Los Angeles developers advertised California to potential new residents, they designed postcards showing a sun-drenched California filled with orange trees in everyone’s backyard.  The glamour of surfing and movie stars evolved through the years but always with a spotlight on fresh healthy food grown right in the state.  The combination is the dream.  As Nathan put it, “theres a laid back, simple relaxed feel that just seems fun!”

That is why his book, Nathan Turner’s I Love California (Abrams; 2018) takes readers on a journey up and down Highway 1 that takes readers from the redwoods of northern San Francisco to the mountains of the Sierra Nevada to the beaches of Southern California. Northern Central California, and Southern California are all represented, with regional areas highlighted by cities such as San Francisco and Calistoga (North), Los Angeles and Rancho Santa Fe (South) and Hope Valley and Big Sur in the Center.

The recipes are very simple and easy-to-make.  They look so inviting that they also inspire ways to serve the dishes.  Ingredients can even come from what is in stock in your pantry, with entertaining tips for entertaining and  never-before-seen interiors. Lavish photographs capture the homes, people, and food for entertaining inspiration.  Nathan also included signature recipes for his favorite California comfort food, like his family’s Cioppino, Marinated Tri-tip Steak, Mexican Chocolate Cake.  We would have loved a recipe index, though!

Ah.  I remember my first glimpse of California when I arrived, my California dream since I was ten.  Home base was in San Francisco and I shared an architect’s trailer over the San Francisco Bay past where Van Ness ends.  Nathan captures that feeling for us in entertaining and design of stylish old-city society mixed in with free and easy Haight-Ashbury/Fillmore Concert giddiness.

At a Melissa’s media luncheon, Nathan told us about he created the book.  “When I knew that my home state would be the focus I started to think of all the places that were special to me, whether it was my hometown, or places I visited as a child, to where I live now.”   “I also wanted to share the diversity of California, and the many hidden gems in the mountains, at the beach, Central Valley.  There should be something for everyone.”

Even Nathan’s breezy but substantial outdoor picnics have special details.  A true California conservationist, he urges,  “NO MORE PAPER PLATES, suggesting “using camp tinware or anything that’s lightweight ad stackable.  You’ll save money, and the goodwill be more decision.  Promise.”

Nathan’s mood guide takes us from more structured San Francisco to classic spiffy Santa Barbara  – always with fresh produce of the state and often with a historic Mexican influence.  Flowers, bold and beautiful,  bring California  nature to the table.

Nathan even shows how to carry out what we affectionately call California Coastal at the beach with the few, simple, thoroughly joyous  techniques.

You can catch up with Nathan Turner’s American Style (Abrams 2012) on the Today Show, where he is a regular entertaining expert.  His designs, parties and products have been featured in Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, Vogue, Domino, Town & Country, House Beautiful, Food & Wine, and more. He lives in Los Angeles and Ojai, California.

Note: the name may sound familiar but this is Nate Turner, style is synonymous with the gloss of California living, not Nate Berkus, although they  are both young, handsome, stylish and talented interior designers.