Archive for November, 2012

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Holiday How-to’s: Haus Design

Friday, November 30th, 2012

With so many talented and creative bloggers out there, how could we not have a holiday series to inspire and delight our readers?!  We’ve tapped some of our friends from all over the country to help with this “Holiday How-to” series and first up is the delightful Barbara from Haus Design (whom we got to meet when we traveled out west this summer!)

Introducing Haus Design

I am so happy to be here today on one of my favorite blogs, The Buzz!  We are new to the Seattle area, and new in our home, so this year will be a very special holiday season for us, full of new traditions and friendships.  I’m thinking that this December we will have a Holiday Open House to celebrate.  Notice I didn’t say *party*.  I’m not sure why, but I find it’s easier on me (and our guests) to have an Open House as opposed to a full blown party.  The difference is that people can just stop in when it works with their busy holiday schedule.  We provide a window of time when we’ll have drinks and appetizers, and they can pop in for 20 minutes or the whole time!  Here are a few of my favorite ways to celebrate this season.  My goal is to do all of these – we’ll see how successful I am! :)

Holiday Swags

I believe a festive welcome is a must to set the right one for the party.  I love the look of swags like these for a more interesting look.

Cranberry Mojito

My husband’s favorite drink is a Mojito.  I’m anxious to try this out 0 it will look so cheery floating around in guests’ hands at the party!

Cheerful Chairs

I’d love to dress up our dining room table with this type of detail.  Our dining room chairs are Danish – the sleek design lends itself perfectly to adding a slipcover and a flourish.

Elf Doughnuts

Since the kids will be coming, I want to provide some fun food, too.  How cute are these Elf Doughnuts?!

Gift Wrap with a Naural Touch

This is the Type A in me, but I truly adore when all of the Christmas gifts have coordinated wrapping paper.  This natural look won’t overpower the room and will give the tree a nice, cohesive, nature-inspired look.

I’ve been fortunate enough to meet Carolyn and Cynthia once before, and if they lived closer, I’d definitely love to be celebrating with them this holiday season!  C & C – if you decide to jump on a plane, let me know – I’ll have a cranberry mojito ready for you! :)

~~~

Thank you, Barbara, for your wonderful post –  just let us know when the party is and we’ll be there with sleigh bells on!

Photo sources and more Open House ideas can be found on Barbara’s Pinterest board here!

 

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Making a List…

Thursday, November 29th, 2012

A Must-Read!

and checking it twice?  Perhaps a visit to one of our favorites blogs, The Enchanted Home, is in order!  Tina has collected great gift ideas from other bloggers (including yours truly!) and there’s sure to be something for everyone.  Click here to read more!

Photo via The Enchanted Home

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Posted in The Latest Buzz | 3 Comments »

Pastel Perfection at Pimlico

Wednesday, November 28th, 2012

Making an Entrance

It goes without saying that one of our very favorite places to shop for unique home decor and beautiful gifts is Pimlico in New Canaan.  No trip to town is complete without popping in and seeing what owners, Melissa and Jill, have added to their elegantly curated vignettes – whether it’s a bauble from White Moth Jewelry, the latest work of local photographer Barbara Erdmann or a hand-crafted bowl by Lawrence McRae.

Baubles and Trees

While Pimlico is always a feast for the eyes, the store is magical this time of year.  From the moment you step through the entrance decked out with white birch logs and mixed garlands, you’re transported into a world of pastel prettiness and glitter.

Frosted Trees and Snowmen

Needless to say, we’re so excited to be part of Pimlico’s festive mood this year.  When Melissa, who is responsible for the holiday decor, came to us to source faux garlands and create custom boughs for the store, we were more than happy to help.  And the result speaks for itself, doesn’t it?

Merry Magnolias

Pretty Pine Boughs

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…

Feather Trees and Rope Balls

Photos by Jane Beiles Photography via Pimlico

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Monday Mood

Monday, November 26th, 2012

It’s the Monday after Thanksgiving – what mood are you in?

A Snowy Palette

Gifted

Pronunciation: /ˈgiftid/

Talented; endowed with natural ability…  Are you a gifted gift-giver?  We’d love to hear what’s on your list this year!

P.S.  Just in case you didn’t know…  15% of all sales on Diane James Home through December 15th, 2012, will benefit the American Red Cross Hurricane Sandy Relief, helping all those families who have been displaced by the storm.

Photo via Traditional Home

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Posted in Monday Mood | 9 Comments »

Thanksgiving Time

Wednesday, November 21st, 2012

Fall Leaves

When all the leaves are off the boughs,
And nuts and apples gathered in,

Gathered Apples

And cornstalks waiting for the cows,
And pumpkins safe in barn and bin,

Pretty Pumpkins

Then Mother says, “My children dear,
The fields are brown, and autumn flies;

Autumn Flies

Thanksgiving Day is very near,
And we must make thanksgiving pies!
~ Author Unknown

Pie, Please…

Wishing you and your families a wonderful Thanksgiving Day filled with joy and gratitude and of course, pie!

Thank You!

Photos via Pinterest,  French Essence, Better Homes & Gardens, Traditional Home and Rifle Paper

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Monday Mood

Monday, November 19th, 2012

It’s Monday – what mood are you in?

Fall Finery

Abundant

Pronunciation: /əˈbəndənt/

Plentiful…  Wishing you a week of filled with blessings with this beautiful fall setting created by Poppies & Posies.  We’re already feeling thankful!

Photo via Camille Styles

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Vincente Wolf’s World

Friday, November 16th, 2012

Vincente At Work

Last week, not only did we have the chance to speak on our very first panel of bloggers during the Designing Greenwich event, but we also got to see Vincente Wolf speak.  While we knew of his wonderful work and seen his tremendous talent first hand (at the Liberty National Golf Club, no less!), we didn’t know much about him as a person (he has ADD and no memory – his words, not ours!)

It’s all Relative

With no formal education in design (and he didn’t go to college), Vincente believes that life and travel are the best vehicles for learning and he works completely by “gut feel.”  He really doesn’t like to analyze things too much as this leads to insecurity and confusion.

Wood and Stone

He introduces a sense of calm through balance in his rooms and while they are luxurious and “couture”, they’re also very practical.  Notice the curved sofa in this Malibu living room which allows for conversation rather than craned necks!

Sitting on a Curve

Throughout his talk, Vincente scrolled through pictures of his work, all of which he took himself, and many showing the unusual and special objects he finds during his travels incorporated into his interiors (like these Asian artifacts which create architectural interest in this Manhattan bedroom.)

Found Objects

Equating design to cooking, Vincente chooses pieces that relate to each other well and his rooms need to read “modern”, as in current and not dated (and prints date a room!)  He used the term “ying and yang” quite often to illustrate the play between the old and the new.

Old and New Together

When asked what type of projects he preferred, Vincente did not hesitate to answer “empty spaces and large budgets!”  Given his innate sense of style, we don’t doubt that any house he touches is transformed into an elegant home filled with exotic touches.

You, too, can be part of Vincente’s world with his blog!

Photos via Vincente Wolf

 

 

 

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From Posy to Party

Wednesday, November 14th, 2012

Diane James Home – Wine Country Bouquet

Now that Sandy has passed and the 9″ of snow has melted, we can finally turn our attention to the holidays and with Thanksgiving just a week away, it’s none too soon!  Given that this holiday really centers around food and therefore, the table, we like to go all out…  Thankfully, we’ve got the flowers covered and we’re thinking of a plum and silver theme to coordinate with our Wine Country Bouquet.

Loveramics – A Curious Toile

ABC Home – Mercury Glass Votive

Williams Sonoma – Place Card Holders

Kim Seybert – Silk Organza Napkin

Wisteria – Silvered Glass Gourds

What will inspire your Thanksgiving table this year?

P.S.  Need any ideas?  Join us at Nielsen’s tomorrow in Darien for a Home for the Holidays event, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  (all proceeds will benefit the Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County.)

Photos via Diane James Home, Loveramics, ABC Home, Williams Sonoma, Kim Seybert and Wisteria

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Monday Mood

Monday, November 12th, 2012

It’s Monday – what mood are you in?

Light-filled and Happy

Sitting Pretty

Pronunciation: /ˈsitiNG ˈpritē/

In a favorable situation…  Like getting our power back (finally!)

P.S. Don’t you just love this vignette from Alex Papachristidis‘ Manhattan apartment?  So filled with light and beautiful…

Photo via Elle Decor

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Q & A with Carolyne Roehm

Friday, November 9th, 2012

Carolyne Roehm at Home

We’ve been wondering if the fabulous Carolyne Roehm needs a lengthy introduction, given the number of fans she must have all over the world, yours truly included…

Flowers

If you haven’t seen her books about flowers, lifestyle, decorating and entertaining (eleven in all), or followed her career as a top fashion designer resulting in her election as President of the CFDA, or been enchanted by her newly revamped website and blog filled with wonderful ideas and pictures, then you haven’t experienced Carolyne’s passion for beauty and her world of gracious style.

Fall at Weatherstone

Needless to say, we were thrilled to be able to interview Carolyne as her new book, Flowers, has just been published.  Better yet…  she’s coming to Stamford, CT this weekend to join notable interior and entertaining designers including Vincente Wolf, Amanda Nisbet, Lulu Powers and Annie Falk at Designing Greenwich sponsored by Connecticut Cottages & Gardens at The Loading Dock.  We can’t wait to visit this first-ever show of its kind in Fairfield County, featuring curated collections of fine art, modern antiques, couture jewelry and more from over 35 galleries worldwide.  What a perfect venue for Carolyne to share her style secrets and introduce her new book!  So, without further ado…

1.  What did you want to be when you were a child?
I really wanted to be a fairy princess and only wear “formals” as they were called back in the 50′s and a tiara of real diamonds – I had a rhinestone one that I wanted to wear to school every day but my mother dissuaded me.  I was not sure how to become a princess so I thought I should have a backup plan.  So, at a very early age, I wanted to be a fashion designer.  No tiara but lots of pretty clothes was second best.

2.  What is your necessary luxury?
My necessary luxuries are lots of cut flowers.

3.  What is your favorite decorating accessory?
My favorite decorating accessory is a mass of cut flowers.

4.  Where do you window shop?
Every place…  But my favorite place is Paris, I suppose, but I look wherever I am.

Setting a Fall Table

5.  What makes a house a home?
The individuality of the owner, the more intimate personal possessions that reflect the interests and the personality of the owner.  A house needs to feel alive in order to be a home – dogs, plants, flowers, scents emanating from something cooking in the kitchen, music playing, the movement of people in the house.

6.  What is the most enjoyable part of your day?
I love the early morning when the house is quiet, the dogs are gathered around me and I have a cup of coffee in my hand.  I also love the end of the day when the shadows are golden and long… with my dogs around me, sitting next to a cozy fire and a good glass of red wine in my hand .

Carolyne’s New Gardners

7.  What is your favorite flower?
That is just too hard – I love them all.  But I shall be traditional and say garden roses and tree peonies.

8.  If you were a cocktail, what would you be?
I am not a big lover of cocktails.  I would prefer to be a great glass of French red wine, either a Burgundy or Bordeaux, because a great glass of wine is memorable and stands the test of time.

9.  If your life were made into a movie, what would be the title and who would play a part?
Calamity Jane Part II.  Lord knows, maybe Robin Williams…  I would like for it to be a comedy.

Last Dahlia Dinner

10.  Name one thing from your “Bucket List.”
I want to swim with dolphins in clear, warm and safe waters.

A big thank you to Carolyne for entertaining us with her answers and inspiring us daily!  If you’d like to see her in person this Saturday, click here for more information and tickets.

P.S. And if you’d like to see us participate in the “Secrets of Design Blogger” panel moderated by DJ Carey, we’re on today at 1 pm!

Photos via Carolyne Roehm and House Beautiful

 

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