holiday 101: traditional

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!  Can you hear Perry Como’s rendition in your ears?  I love the traditional holiday songs and I love a bit of “traditional” elements in my decor, as well.  It’s really easy to add a little burlap, jewel tones and a dash of classic elements in order to make your holiday reminiscent of days gone by.   Here are a few of my favorite things this year!

Pottery Barn Jeweled Mercury Votive Holders
PB Jewel Cut Martini Glasses
PB Embroidered Pillows
Crate & Barrel Ornaments
West Elm Felt Mistletoe
Pottery Barn Tree Topper
West Elm Felt Decor
Wisteria Dove Doormat
Ballard Designs Vintage Glass Bead Garland
West Elm Paper Flower Wreath
Ballard Designs Burlap Bird Ornaments

Stay tuned for the 3rd installment – Holiday 101: Sparkle!!!

Decorating Idea: Outdoor Centerpiece Chic

Happy Almost Summer!  Are you ready to brave the heat and entertain friends and neighbors outdoors?

Some of you may know that I teach decorating classes at Pottery Barn a couple Sunday’s a month.  Luckily, they let me exercise my creativity and pull together some of my own ideas for the class.  Here’s a simple centerpiece idea I created using flameless candles, recycled glass candleholders and succulents.  It turned out very organic and natural if I may say so myself :)

outdoor centerpiece i created at pottery barn

One of the reasons this works is it is very neutral and would fit in with almost any decor or color scheme.  Another tip is to let one thing “shine” through in your design.  In this case, it is the candles.  When entertaining, especially at night, lighting can make or break your dinner party.  Too much and it doesn’t feel intimate, too little and it is hard to see your guests!  One of the things I love about flameless candles is their ability to flicker and “dance” like natural candlelight without the hazards.  Bonus: most flameless candles have a timer built-in.  Which means if you want your candles to come on every night at 5:00 and turn off at 10:00, you can make it happen!

Hope this idea sparks your creativity, too.  I would love to help with your decorating challenges!  Please email me with ideas or spaces you would like me to address.

Thanks & Happy Decorating!

My Dream Office

So, it has been a couple of years and I am still obsessed with the color white.  It is the absence of color which has a very clean, soothing effect if executed properly.  The key is to balance the textures and lines of the space to create the warmth normally found in a room with more color.

Here are a few images I pulled together as concepts for my future office space.  I love the lines of the furniture and the crispness of everything.  I can already imagine the uncluttered backdrop to allow me to create beautiful spaces for my clients!  Mixing in weathered wood elements, satin silver finish, natural raffia and classic white marble offset the sleek white lacquer furniture fabulously.  Of course, the room would not be complete without my accent color “du jour” in the form of bright pink area rugs!

My Dream Kitchen

I admit, I don’t like to cook.  Mainly, because I don’t know how to “whip up” a creation and I don’t like to do things where I don’t excel.  I do, however, know how to “whip up” a creative environment.

Without owning my own home, remodeling my kitchen is not in the immediate future.  But someday in a place far, far away… i will own a kitchen inspired by these elements.  Hopefully, inspiring someone else to cook!

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“The One” Holiday Ornaments

I’m back in search of the perfect design element, this time, ornaments for the tree!  Actually, ornaments can serve several purposes during the holidays, some become hostess gifts, others become napkin rings, the list goes on and on.

So here are a few that I found especially beautiful and unique this year!

Happy Decorating!

Wisteria Glass Ornaments
Wisteria Glass Ornament

Crate & Barrel Curly Antler Reindeer
Crate & Barrel Curly Antler Reindeer

Wisteria Silvered Mistletoe
Wisteria Silvered Mistletoe

Ballard Designs Burlap Bird Ornaments Set of 3
Ballard Designs Burlap Bird Ornaments Set of 3

Pottery Barn Peppermint Sphere Ornament
Pottery Barn Peppermint Sphere Ornament
Horchow Waterford Crystal 2009 Snow Crystals Ornament
Horchow Waterford Crystal 2009 Snow Crystals Ornament

Restoration Hardware
Restoration Hardware

Crate & Barrel Jingle Bell Wreath Ornament
Crate & Barrel Jingle Bell Wreath Ornament

Pottery Barn German Glitter Bird Clip Ornament
Pottery Barn German Glitter Bird Clip Ornament
West Elm Silver Ball Ornament designed by David Stark
West Elm Silver Ball Ornament designed by David Stark