So, there are SOME things I do not like about the holiday... doesn't mean that they are wrong... just not my cup of tea.... especially when there is cocoa to be served!
Colored Christmas tree lights. Let your decorations lend the color to the decor.
Blinking ornaments. Enough already,.... let's keep it simple.
Decorations in the bathroom.... we get it. It's the holidays... I don't need to wash my hands with Rudolph.
Tinsel. I don't think I even need to expand on this one... do I?
But DO decorate with live holly, misletoe and magnolia leaves. A simple festive floral candle in the bathroom will get you message across. Fresh pine boughs tied up anywhere lend a festive spirit. A fire in the fireplace is always welcoming... just remember to temper your heating to accommodate your guests. Red candles make a joyous statement. Candles strike a lovely atmosphere... the more the merrier.
Stay away from anything that needs any industrial blower or will jack up your electric bill by 25%.
Think environmentally and you will do everyone a favor!
Monday, December 6, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
Mies Van der Roh and Christmas!!!
I have just moved two wing chairs, a side table, a needlepoint footstool, a dining room table and six chairs.
I am shifting the house to make room for the Christmas tree... however, when opportunity presents itself, be ready!
Wow. That bigger wing chair sure looks good in the study, even though the other chair was much smaller. The blue and white garden stool fits neatly underneath the huntboard. Decluttering the mantle to make way for the garland has given the living room a new look.
Sometimes the best decorating involves editing. The old adage about removing one accessory before going out also applies to the home. We tend to clutter our homes as we do our lives. Paring down is cathartic.
Give yourself a gift. And maybe someone else too... declutter your home, donate your extras to Goodwill before the Holidays. Make someone else's Christmas and take a write off too.
Less can be more.
I am shifting the house to make room for the Christmas tree... however, when opportunity presents itself, be ready!
Wow. That bigger wing chair sure looks good in the study, even though the other chair was much smaller. The blue and white garden stool fits neatly underneath the huntboard. Decluttering the mantle to make way for the garland has given the living room a new look.
Sometimes the best decorating involves editing. The old adage about removing one accessory before going out also applies to the home. We tend to clutter our homes as we do our lives. Paring down is cathartic.
Give yourself a gift. And maybe someone else too... declutter your home, donate your extras to Goodwill before the Holidays. Make someone else's Christmas and take a write off too.
Less can be more.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Some things I love for the Holidays
Silver.... Silver decorations are festive for both Christmas AND New Year's Eve. Decorate once, enjoy it twice! Silver candles are particularly pretty in crystal holders. Silver balls are beautiful in a punch bowl. Silver place settings are always elegant.
Ok, so not everyone had mint julep cups BUT if you do, don't wait until the Derby to pull them out! They make lovely water "glasses" and look great next to crystal stems. Or set one at each place at the table and fill it with holly sprigs.
Age old trick, always a fresh idea... stud fresh oranges with cloves. You can get creative and make designs if you wish. The orange and clove scent is is perfect for the holidays. A big silver bowl filled with studded oranges makes a great centerpiece.
Can't afford pricey table decorations? Do you have small jewelry gift boxes? Wrap them in festive paper and tie pretty bows on them. Group them as a centerpiece.
On the cusp of sounding like Hints from Heloise, I save pretty Christmas cards, cut the front from the back and wrap a present with a single ribbon (do not tie in a bow; just tape the ends) then I stick the pretty card on top of the taped ribbon. Beautiful wrapping and you've done your part recycling!
Well I'm off to indulge in one of holiday favorites... Egg Nog!
Ok, so not everyone had mint julep cups BUT if you do, don't wait until the Derby to pull them out! They make lovely water "glasses" and look great next to crystal stems. Or set one at each place at the table and fill it with holly sprigs.
Age old trick, always a fresh idea... stud fresh oranges with cloves. You can get creative and make designs if you wish. The orange and clove scent is is perfect for the holidays. A big silver bowl filled with studded oranges makes a great centerpiece.
Can't afford pricey table decorations? Do you have small jewelry gift boxes? Wrap them in festive paper and tie pretty bows on them. Group them as a centerpiece.
On the cusp of sounding like Hints from Heloise, I save pretty Christmas cards, cut the front from the back and wrap a present with a single ribbon (do not tie in a bow; just tape the ends) then I stick the pretty card on top of the taped ribbon. Beautiful wrapping and you've done your part recycling!
Well I'm off to indulge in one of holiday favorites... Egg Nog!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
You CAN take it with you
So while I have frowned on theme decor, I do want to stress that if there is a "style" that strikes your fancy, don't be afraid to embrace it.
I just returned from a grand adventure... one that both confounded and delighted me. We spent a week on Nevis in the West Indies. If you haven't heard of it, don't be ashamed! With about 12,000 inhabitants and one (currently inoperational) hotel to it's name, Nevis is sort of off the beaten path.
Liberated from British Occupation in 1983, Nevis definitely still houses some of the old British West Indies charms. There are several old sugar plantations which have been restored and turned into genteel inns. Among our favorites are Golden Rock Inn, The Hermitage and Montpelier.
I gleaned a few things from the charming Nevisian style which I would like to incorporate in my own decor: The Hermitage used pewter chargers underneath each place setting; the Montpelier holds a proper cocktail hour, with themed drinks, from 7:00 to 7:30 (yes, Island time is dawdling and lovely); Golden Rock incorporated its outdoor spaces in to double its entertaining area.
British West Indies style is abundantly present... mahogany furniture, oriental carpets, local and exotic floral arrangements, exquisite place settings and crisp linens. Louvered shutters are used instead of screens. Bright pastels - think Pepto Pink and Cornflower Blue - dominate the scene. Dark furniture is accented by bright white bedding. Candles illuminate exterior space.
Maybe I can't turn my home into a gingerbread cottage like those that dotted Mt. Nevis, but I can certainly bring home some of the genteel atmosphere. Maybe I will entertain on a little slower pace, maybe I will pour more rum (with grated nutmeg, a local trick), maybe I will buy pewter chargers on eBay. I think I do like mahogany against ivory and my love of oriental rugs has been reaffirmed.
In short, don't be afraid to take with you more than memories... take home a little inspiration and relive your vacation every day!
I just returned from a grand adventure... one that both confounded and delighted me. We spent a week on Nevis in the West Indies. If you haven't heard of it, don't be ashamed! With about 12,000 inhabitants and one (currently inoperational) hotel to it's name, Nevis is sort of off the beaten path.
Liberated from British Occupation in 1983, Nevis definitely still houses some of the old British West Indies charms. There are several old sugar plantations which have been restored and turned into genteel inns. Among our favorites are Golden Rock Inn, The Hermitage and Montpelier.
I gleaned a few things from the charming Nevisian style which I would like to incorporate in my own decor: The Hermitage used pewter chargers underneath each place setting; the Montpelier holds a proper cocktail hour, with themed drinks, from 7:00 to 7:30 (yes, Island time is dawdling and lovely); Golden Rock incorporated its outdoor spaces in to double its entertaining area.
British West Indies style is abundantly present... mahogany furniture, oriental carpets, local and exotic floral arrangements, exquisite place settings and crisp linens. Louvered shutters are used instead of screens. Bright pastels - think Pepto Pink and Cornflower Blue - dominate the scene. Dark furniture is accented by bright white bedding. Candles illuminate exterior space.
Maybe I can't turn my home into a gingerbread cottage like those that dotted Mt. Nevis, but I can certainly bring home some of the genteel atmosphere. Maybe I will entertain on a little slower pace, maybe I will pour more rum (with grated nutmeg, a local trick), maybe I will buy pewter chargers on eBay. I think I do like mahogany against ivory and my love of oriental rugs has been reaffirmed.
In short, don't be afraid to take with you more than memories... take home a little inspiration and relive your vacation every day!
Friday, November 19, 2010
When in ....
So.... though HGD doesn't really smile upon theme decor, we do think you should embrace your environment.
Live in the Midwest? You probably shouldn't paint your victorian shocking pink, though if you were in San Francisco we would definitely greenlight you. However, don't feel hampered by your geography. Victorians loved color. If your house is crying for it, embrace it. Just try try to remember your atmosphere... a little less vogue than the West Coast. Maybe use Mauve in lieu of pink. Taupes instead of greens. A little more conservative but still colorful.
South? Well, here is our forte. Chintz? You bet. Oriental rugs? Of course. White slipcovers for summer? Yup. Photos of the ancestors? Of course. Candelabras? Sure!
Northern? Think simplicity. Pine. Kilims. Buttermilk paints. Quilts? Why not? Hook rugs? Sure.
West Coast? Linen. Raw silk draperies. Exotic flora. Terra cotta tiles. Windows. Environmentally friendly products... like bamboo floors.
EC? Historical colors. Wood floors. Matelasse. Wing chairs. Pottery.
Do you need to be completely defined by these styles? Of course not. Think about it. Do you live where you were born? I was born in Mississippi. I live in the DC area now. It's important to me to incorporate both the Southern and the East Coast style in my decorating. Use where you are from and where you are now to define your own style.
Live in the Midwest? You probably shouldn't paint your victorian shocking pink, though if you were in San Francisco we would definitely greenlight you. However, don't feel hampered by your geography. Victorians loved color. If your house is crying for it, embrace it. Just try try to remember your atmosphere... a little less vogue than the West Coast. Maybe use Mauve in lieu of pink. Taupes instead of greens. A little more conservative but still colorful.
South? Well, here is our forte. Chintz? You bet. Oriental rugs? Of course. White slipcovers for summer? Yup. Photos of the ancestors? Of course. Candelabras? Sure!
Northern? Think simplicity. Pine. Kilims. Buttermilk paints. Quilts? Why not? Hook rugs? Sure.
West Coast? Linen. Raw silk draperies. Exotic flora. Terra cotta tiles. Windows. Environmentally friendly products... like bamboo floors.
EC? Historical colors. Wood floors. Matelasse. Wing chairs. Pottery.
Do you need to be completely defined by these styles? Of course not. Think about it. Do you live where you were born? I was born in Mississippi. I live in the DC area now. It's important to me to incorporate both the Southern and the East Coast style in my decorating. Use where you are from and where you are now to define your own style.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
A hospitable guest room
So a lot of decorating is as simple as adding accessories... like putting on earrings with that fabulous dress.
Whether or not you have a dedicated guest room, you can make room appealing to a guest. Take some cues from the best hotels:
Use a lovely tray and stock it with bottled water. Use a pretty crystal bowl or a silver compote and fill it with wrapped candies. Fresh flowers go a long way. A stack of recent publications is always desirable. Buy towels to coordinate with the room and stack them on the end of the bed.
Your guests will appreciate the effort and you will appreciate the "new" room.
Whether or not you have a dedicated guest room, you can make room appealing to a guest. Take some cues from the best hotels:
Use a lovely tray and stock it with bottled water. Use a pretty crystal bowl or a silver compote and fill it with wrapped candies. Fresh flowers go a long way. A stack of recent publications is always desirable. Buy towels to coordinate with the room and stack them on the end of the bed.
Your guests will appreciate the effort and you will appreciate the "new" room.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Highlight your assets
So this came to me last night in a dream... really. I have a beautiful french chair that I inherited from my grandmother. I chose to cover it in an acceptable silk stripe in a beautiful cinnamon color.
However, in my dream, I painted the wood electric pink and covered the cushions in black leather. I woke up inspired a more than a little disappointed that I had already spent so much money recovering the chair.
The point?
That chair is a show stopper. Electric pink and black leather would have totally accentuated its great lines. Don't be afraid to tinker with our "antiques". That said... if the Keno brothers have appraised your card table, you probably don't want to marbelize it. Be judicious but don't be afraid to have fun.
However, in my dream, I painted the wood electric pink and covered the cushions in black leather. I woke up inspired a more than a little disappointed that I had already spent so much money recovering the chair.
The point?
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