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Archive for October, 2010

Going to a Ghoulish Gala!

Saturday, October 30th, 2010

Never being one to pass up an invitation to a party, we’re off to join Diana at One Crafty Fox for some Halloween fun!

Come one, come all to a ghoulish ball!

We’re dressed “to kill”…

Valentino Vamp

Quills That Kill

A Clutch by McQueen

and come bearing ghoulish gifts…

A Dark Bouquet...

and a Dark Candle

but before the clock strikes midnight…

Bong, Bong, Bong...

we must be off…

Our Pumpkin Chariot Awaits!

since by day, these zany zombies turn back into princesses!

J'Adore...

Photos from One Craft Fox, net-a-porter, Oregon Flowers, Vivre, Bouf, I Hereby Decree and The House That Lars Built

Tags: Halloween Party, One Crafty Fox
Posted in The Latest Buzz | 9 Comments »

Bugs and Birds and Bees… Oh My!

Friday, October 29th, 2010

On a recent visit to Anthropologie we stumbled upon a table set with the most unique, and yes, some would say bizarre, collection of plates we’ve seen in ages.

The Natural World Collection

We couldn’t decide if these vintage-like ceramics created by the quirky British designer, Lou Rota, were delightful or disturbing. After all, some of her designs look like pieces from a picnic gone awry - green bugs and stag beetles share space with antique roses – while others are perfect for Halloween.

Waiter - There's a Bug on my Plate!

Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe?

Reflecting her passion for nature and a deep-seated recycling ethic, Lou uses collage and decoupage and both handmade and vintage decals to transform people’s unloved cast-offs into highly desirable treasures.

This Could Be Love

Are you the type who loves Lou’s light-hearted, mix and match alternative to elegant sets of wedding china? Would you use these plates at home?

Lou's Plates at Home

P.S. Lou’s eclectic collection of tableware and furniture is available at Not On The High Street and at Anthropologie.

Photos from Anthropologie and Not On The High Street

Tags: Anthropologie, Lou Rota, vintage plates
Posted in Fabulous Finds | 13 Comments »

A Pomegranate Primer

Wednesday, October 27th, 2010

When Persephone, the Greek goddess of spring and fruit, was kidnapped and held captive by Hades in the underworld, she swore she would not eat until her release… but then she came across a pomegranate!

The Perfect Pomegranate - Martha Style!

According to the myth, she devoured almost the entire fruit, leaving only six seeds, which forced Persephone to spend six months of the year in the underworld once she had been released. The months she is away, her mother, Demeter, the goddess of harvest, grieves and the earth becomes barren and that’s why we have seasons (according to the Greeks, that is!)

Beautiful Pomegranate Bouquets

Pomegranates remind us that as leaves are falling and the colors in our gardens fade, spring will come again… until then, we hope these pomegranate pretties brighten your day!

Pomegranate Place Card Holders

Nigella Lawson's Pomegranate Ice Cream

K. Hall Pomegranate Soap

Sferra Embroidered Napkins

Adam and Viktoria Pomegranate Pillows

Photos from Martha Stewart, Camilla Flowers, Party Resources, Nigella Lawson, Gracious Home, Gracious Style and Lisa Fontanarosa

Tags: fruit and flowers, Greek myths, home accessories, pomegranates
Posted in Fabulous Finds, Inspirations | 12 Comments »

Monday Mood

Monday, October 25th, 2010

It’s Monday – what mood are you in?

The Great Pumpkin Blaze at Van Cortland Manor

Mysterious

Pronunciation: \mis-ˈtir-ē-əs\

Exciting wonder, curiosity, or surprise while baffling efforts to comprehend or identify

Photo from Van Cortland Manor

Tags: Halloween, Monday Mood, pumpkin carving
Posted in Monday Mood | 10 Comments »

Taking Time…

Friday, October 22nd, 2010

“Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn.”
~ Elizabeth Lawrence ~

The Bridges of Westchester County

The Gates of Westchester County

The Ponds of Westchester County

P.S. Shhhhh – We’re off to a surprise 50th birthday party and we hope you all have a wonderful weekend, too!

Photos by our fabulous friend Sally Green, the best photographer in Westchester County - you can see her beautiful work here.

Tags: fall foliage, inpirational quotes, Sally Green Photography
Posted in Inspirations | 7 Comments »

Meeting Charles Faudree

Wednesday, October 20th, 2010

Carolyn and Charles Faudree

Saying that we’re huge fans of the charming and delightful Charles Faudree would be quite the understatement – we have all his books, love his French Country style and share his belief that flowers are the single most important decorating accessory. So when Mr. Faudree came to town last week for a book signing at Pierre Deux in Westport, we were there with bells on and floral gift in hand!

Country French Florals & Interiors

Pink Perfection in a Pretty Glass Vase

An English Tea Box Holds a Bright Bouquet

Once our copy of Country French Florals & Interiors had been signed (for our mother, of course!) “May your home be filled with joy, much happiness and a few flowers. Enjoy the good life!”, we stayed and chatted about Mr. Faudree’s love of flowers (as a child he helped his grandmother with her cutting garden), his long-time friendship with David Easton (we can’t divulge the antics and pranks these two played on each other!) and his fabulous interior design business and store in Tulsa, Oklahoma (which we hope to visit the next time we head west.)

Fabulous Fabrics for Vervain

A Jamaican Home, Charles Faudree Style!

Needless to say, a wonderful morning spent with a lovely person in a pretty store – who wouldn’t be tickled to be in the presence of such talent?

Photos from yours truly, Rick Stiller, Vervain and Veranda

Tags: Charles Faudree, decorating books, floral design, French Country, Pierre Deux
Posted in Events, Inspirations, Personalities | 10 Comments »

Monday Mood

Monday, October 18th, 2010

It’s Monday – what mood are you in?

Todd Gribben's Inspired Take on Country

Pastoral

Pronunciation: \ˈpas-t(ə-)rəl\

1. of or relating to the countryside : not urban

2. pleasingly peaceful and innocent

Photo from East Coast Home & Design

Tags: East Coast HOme & Design, Monday Mood, Todd Gribben
Posted in Monday Mood | 7 Comments »

Pull Up a Chair…

Friday, October 15th, 2010

When we moved our office from one side of the building to the other, all we wanted besides pale purple walls were a pair of Herman Miller Aeron chairs. Sadly, our budget is such that we could only afford the wheels! But with the launch of the company’s Design for You contest, we may have a chance to sit pretty this fall.

The Artists and Their Chairs

Capturing the power of collective participation and social media, Herman Miller is giving away its iconic furniture and accessories and all you need to do is enter your email. But here’s the catch – the more people who sign up and enter to win, the more prizes are given out. The grand prize (if 10,000 people enter) is five custom hand-painted Eames rockers by artists including Andrew Holder.

Andrew's Peacock Chair

We got to thinking that perhaps instead of an Aeron chair, we could just get Eames rockers and have them designed to our liking – with flowers, of course!

Nathalie Lete - Blume Bleu

Peter Rath for Lobmeyr

Pretty Paper Posies by Eloise Corr Danch

Fringed Tulip by Erica Eriksdotter

We think these artists “rock” – don’t you?

Photos from Herman Miller, Nathalie Lete, Kneen & Co., Fiore Fresco and Studio Eriksdotter

Tags: Andrew Holder, Design for You, Eames rocker, Herman Miller
Posted in Inspirations, The Latest Buzz | 12 Comments »

Q & A with Lynn Morgan

Wednesday, October 13th, 2010

Lynn Off To See A Client

There’s something so fresh and fabulous about Lynn Morgan‘s aesthetic that there’s no mistaking her touch when you come across her interiors. Given that many of her clients live in homes by the sea (and her office has water views), her easy, breezy vibe fits the coastal lifestyle to a tee.

A House Beautiful Bedroom

Palmer Hill Condo

A native of Savannah, Georgia, a city known for its genteel elegance, Lynn worked as the decorating editor at House & Garden before launching her business in 1982. Her interiors, with their bright hues (the most gorgeous blues, greens and pops of coral) and relaxed sensibility, are the perfect mix of comfort, sophistication and fun.

New Canaan Estate

Rowayton Cottage

A Palm Beach Beauty

Needless to say, we are thrilled that Lynn is local and that we’ve had the pleasure of working with her over the years on a number of wonderful projects (and that she would submit herself to our Q & A!)

1. What did you want to be when you were a child?
You know the saying “keep your eye on the prize”? Ever since I can remember I had my sights on design. First, as the Decorating Editor for House & Garden and then I moved on to start Lynn Morgan Design.

2. What is your necessary luxury?
Flowers! I have to be surrounded by pretty flowers!

3. What is your favorite decorating accessory?
Color! Splashes of color everywhere!

4. Where do you window shop?
Anywhere and everywhere.

5. What makes a house a home?
A dog, kids, and good friends… not necessarily in that order.

6. What is the most enjoyable part of your day?
I love the first part of the day. Arriving at my office early before the day gets ahead of us. Sitting in the office with a cup of coffee, looking out the window over the Five Mile River watching the kayakers and boaters.

7. What is your favorite flower?
Hydrangeas and peonies.

8. If you were a cocktail, what would you be?
My southern roots are showing here, mint julep!

9. If your life were made into a movie, what would be the title and who would play your part?
“One Lucky Lady”, starring Audrey Hepburn.

10. Name one thing from your “Bucket List”.
Sailing in Polynesia.

Thank you, Lynn, for your great sense of design and refined simplicity!

Photos from Lynn Morgan Design

Tags: interior design, Lynn Morgan Design, Q & A
Posted in Q & A | 12 Comments »