Entertain much?

Economy, schmeconomy.... here's the deal; you have your 26th birthday and realize that not all social events need to be outside your own home.

In fact, there are some pluses to throwing your own party.... you set your own spending tab, you know where the off limits bathroom is, you don't have to park, and you can be assured, somewhat, that you will wake up in your own bed.

Read that in Home Digest.

OK.  So, you've decided to entertain at home.  Great!  Be prepared.

Go to the Goodwill store, buy as many non chipped wine glasses as you can find.  Do it.  You can never have enough wine glasses.

Go to Safeway and register for their frequent shopper card.  Hey, it gets you 20% of 6 bottles or more of wine.  6 bottles.  Do this now.  Keep doing it until you no longer want to drink wine (in which case, quit reading this blog immediately).

Buy good toilet paper.  Don't ask, just do it.

Dont' be silly.  It's your party; do you want to cook?  If no is the answer, here's your solution... go to Popeyes.  Fast.  No, really.  If you don't have Popeyes, find a Church's.... but only it you don't have Popeyes.  For reals.....  Buy chicken.  A lot.  Buy biscuits... a lot.  They freeze well.  If you want o get creative,   boil some eggs and devil them.  I mean really?  Who would turn down chicken, deviled eggs, and biscuits?

Moving right along.... before the party, you need to assess the flow of your common areas.  Too many chairs around that dining room table?  An ottoman in the way?  Too much clutter on the coffee table?  Clear all of these.  While you are at it, clear your kitchen countertops of appliances as well.

And the most integral component?  Remember to have fun.    Dishes can be cleaned tomorrow.  Most stains lift.  Super glue works magic.

Invite your friends in.  Home is where the heart is... and your heart is where your friends are.

When you decide to keep the date night at home...

We just ordered two of these for a client to use on either side of his dining room table!  We are excited about the fresh modern take on a traditional dining room.  The stately fabric and warm wood keep things conservative while the double seated armless bench serves as a modern element.

The Decorator in you!

Boy, have we been busy!!  It's been over two months since the last HGD post!

Don't worry!  It hasn't been idle time.  Things have been moving and shaking in our little cottage industry.

You've read a lot of industry magazines, maybe you have even picked up an (expensive!) pretty coffee table book or two on home decor.  There are a lot of fabulous little tricks to be learned from those pages.

However, there is something that is really bothersome about decorating missives... everyone has an agenda.  Shabby Chic!  Noveau Euro!  Traditional!  Old Hollywood!  It seems every decorator wants to leave his or her mark on YOUR house.

We have a little different approach at HGD.  We want to help you uncover your own style.  It's in there!  Just like a great hairstylist can transform a duckling into a swan (by uncovering natural potential) so too can a decorator help you find your authentic taste.

Don't let a "professional" bully you into their style!  Would you let your momma still dress you?  Your home is an expression of you; don't be afraid to explore your more creative side.

When you are ready, HGD is here to help.  We are kind of like your decorating Sherpa... to get to the top, you need a little help!

571-232-4507

Grinchy!

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!

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.

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!

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!