Everyone has a story. This is mine.

It all started in an east London suburb in 1954. A cold and dreary January. No wonder I love the Californian sunshine so much! I was born 2 years after my sister, and 6 years later we all moved ‘up’ in the world to a south London suburb called Purley.

Everything happens for a reason. The local high school was heavily into Art classes, and I was in heaven, busy with ‘projects’ that filled the window sills at home. My ‘trophies’ were lovingly cared for by my mom, and lasted for years, until one day I took the waste bin and filled it with all but a select few! What a relief to me. But my mother never gave up her support. Bless her heart!

College was bliss. I spent at least 12 hrs a day, in wrapped focus, learning to craft a range of materials into forms, colors and textures that were mostly inspired by nature. Drawing and painting were also a passion. So when I wasn’t studying, I would be hiking the moors or searching through ardent debate the true meaning of life and this universe that we share. I was a long haired ‘artist’ in every way!

My bohemian lifestyle has come naturally to me. I was married while living on a canal boat in England. We moved to Crete where we lived and taught school children for a year. Family life brought more stability in the beautiful south west of England. I set up a wood shop with a partner, and we started to produce all kinds of exciting joinery: spiral staircases, entry doors and cabinets for all places in the home, to name a few. This is where my interest in interior space design and kitchen / bath function began to get nurtured.  My two boys were growing, I could sail locally, I had a wonderful life. Or was it? I knew something was missing, and so when I met a man who completely changed my view, I had to stop and re-evaluate.

USA, the new adventure. We left UK, all 70 of us, in May ’88. I was scared and excited. I didn’t know how we were going to make it, but I had many friends and a burning passion to be part of the rapidly expanding group that was so full of the same joy I personally was experiencing. This was my spiritual community. Together, we moved from east coast to west and back. I worked, always in construction, small jobs and large, and eventually hooked up with a cabinet shop in Oakland, where I created designs, and performed the layouts for the shop guys to produce. I loved the work, and got my Green Card too!
12 years later, I decided that my community life had become ’cult’ life. Some core values seemed to be getting lost, and I left in a barrage of bad feeling and shame.

It was worse than getting divorced! But as always, everything happens for a reason. In the following months, I found more great kitchen and bath design work and a

new and wonderful wife, who had also been thru the same community life.  In our 8 years together, Julie and I have created our own sanctuary here in Santa Rosa, supporting each other and sharing our love of life. What a blessing! Between us, we have 5 children and 3 grandchildren. We have 3 ex’s too, and we all get together, whenever we can!



As much as I am committed to living a full life, I am an ardent health ‘nut’. I ran a marathon, completed 1800 pushups in an hour, sail the pacific ocean, ride a mountain bike on mountains, and love to hike in wild places. And organic food is pretty much all I choose. So, becoming a certified Green Builder is also part of my ethic. I love to share what I have learned about healthy home building, and the positive energy it brings, not only to the individual, but to our ailing planet also. It’s all about our choices, and what we want to create. I say we have the ability to create an abundant future for all.

DreamSpace Design is the culmination of all my knowledge and expertise gained over these past 25 years of working in the designer and craftsman field. I offer as much as each client requires in terms of the project design and the product choices. I have cabinet options that can keep the budget in hand as well as offer a wide variety of choices, including a healthy ‘green’ one. I love to find ways to re-use your existing, cut cost with ‘value design’, and keep it simple when that’s the best solution.

Please spread the word! James has a new business! And if you check out my website, you will see testimonials and a portfolio that will show his ability to deliver. And remember,” If you can dream it……..I can design it!”

James Blair
707 695 8147
www.dreamspacedesign.net