Christmas in review

After a long Christmas break filled with fun, it is back to reality this week as school started again and it was back to our regular routine.  I finally took down my tree and decorations last weekend, and am now missing the sparkle of Christmas!  Here are a few of my favorite holiday images...

I adore the simple garland, wreath and planters in this doorway.  It perfectly frames the the gorgeous door.  I only do real trees and garland.  Although there are amazing, very high quality faux trees and garland, I must have the real deal. Even with the mess that occurs!

  

 Another beautiful front porch.  Pretty burlap wrapped pots create a very inviting entrance.

Fabulous stairway dripping with fresh garland and simple bows that drop to the floor.  Paperwhites in clay pots on a crusty table add a fragrant note.

  

Lovely Christmas vignette.

Wreaths in multiples add impact to this staircase.

In Jill Brinson's kitchen, three sunburst mirrors and a swagged garland add to the Christmas spirit. What great lights!

Glass bell cloches filled with ornaments and an antique urn holding presents.

Elegant tabletop all in green and white.  What a romantic setting!

White flowers and greenery in mercury glass.  Cinnamon sticks and white roses in simple white containers. Mmmmm...

A burlap stocking with a jeweled adornment has just the right pop.

And don't forget beautifully wrapped presents!

Great ideas for adding a little something special to your gift wrapping.

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And finally, wouldn't you love this to be your driveway entrance?  Absolutely magical!

Love a Banquette

I am always intrigued by a breakfast or dining room with a charming banquette.  It adds such a cozy element to the space.  Whether it is more formal such as the tufted, velvet banquette above, or more casual, this is a great way to add style to your room.

I love the lines of this banquette and especially the nailhead detail at the bottom.

This U-shaped banquette provides abundant seating.  To make it more kid-friendly, you could upholster in vinyl- just wipe off the spills!.

Fabulous space in a kitchen to sit with your morning coffee. 

Gorgeous, curved banquette with tufting and nailhead trim.  I like that it backs up to the kitchen island.

A long and lean version with a great curve.

Charming breakfast room complete with matching dog.

 

A bright and sun-filled room.  The banquette provides a comfortable spot to enjoy the lovely view.

A corner banquette.  Wouldn't this be fabulous for a dinner party?   I can see lounging there chatting and drinking wine for hours!

This would be simple to replicate on a budget.  You could use a ready-made storage bench and the oversized back would be an easy DIY project.

A glamorous velvet banquette in a dining room.   Beautiful, metallic wallpaper dresses it up.

Glam-o-rama

I love glamour and nothing says glamour more than an exquisite piece of mirrored furniture. Whether it is a chest, cocktail table, or console, they all inject a sophisticated feel to your room. Above, an antique mirrored dressing table combined with a lucite stool and billowing silk draperies. Wouldn't you love to get ready for a night out here!

The chest above is the perfect complement to the crisp, all-white scheme.

  

A beautiful room designed by Jan Showers.  A very glamorous lamp/table combination, which works perfectly in the space. 

Lovely soft, blue room with a mirrored chest at the bedside.  The glass lamp and serene palette enhance the soothing feel.

Another Jan Showers room with a unique mirrored cocktail table.  For some reason, when mirrored, I call them cocktail tables instead of coffee tables.  It must be because they look so fabulous that you should be sipping a martini!

Phoebe Howard, my personal design hero, designed this stunning pink room for a showhouse.  It would not be the same without the mirrored chest. This shows how pink, done correctly and with the right pieces, is as beautiful for an adult as a child

 So glam...this dressing table vignette is very Hollywood regency.  I feel like putting on maribou slippers and a silk dressing gown.  Boring  jammies would be a real no-no here!

Here, there are two mirrored pieces which work well together.  The gilt table with an antiqued mirror top is the center of the conversation grouping.  To the right is a mirrored chest with elaborate Venetian mirror above.  A sleek and stunning room to behold.

Fun at Scott's Antique Market

Scott's Antique Market is a huge antiques show that takes place in Atlanta the second weekend of every month.  Nothing gets me salivating like the thought of a long day perusing all of the fabulous merchandise.

Beautiful, antique books artfully arranged made me want to whip out my checkbook. 

 Lovely mirrors in an array of shapes and sizes.

 Each booth is a visual feast.

A gorgeous antique chest with gilt altersticks and mirror.

Tables and tables of fabulous prints ready to be framed.

Faded and worn antique Oushak rugs.  I adore the muted colors and soft pattern.  This is exactly what I want for my living room.

 Such a pretty grouping!

Beautiful lamps in an array of shapes and sizes.   I have seen this company's lamps and mirrors down at the Mart and the finishes are sublime.  They are also quite reasonably priced.

I am pondering turning these shutters or some that are similar into a cover for the television in our family room.  I want to hinge them to the wall so that they will swing open to show the tv, which will be recessed into the wall.  Or attach them via a track system.  I am still working this out.  These are a bit rustic for my taste, although I really like the peeling painted finish.  I would prefer solid doors so I do not have to put fabric behind.  A tad dressier, paneled look with a French feel and beautiful old patina would be perfect.  

I guess I will have to hit Scott's next month and see what else I can find!

Garden stool goodness

Garden stools are a wonderfully versatile piece. They look great next to a sofa or chair as place to set a drink. Or use a pair as a coffee table or in front of a fireplace. They are heavy enough that they cannot be knocked over by the tail of your canine companion or a rowdy toddler. Yet, they are light enough to move about easily. I love the various textures and the multitude of beautiful glazes that are available.

A lovely room with a garden stool next to each chair.  Perfect!

A classic circle of life pattern on this garden stool in a taupe glaze.  The chunky heft of the stool balances the lighter chair .

Here, a pair are used next to a loveseat at the foot of a bed.  They are small enough to be unobtrusive, yet function perfectly.  The white filigree pattern adds a bit of interest.

A celadon glaze and subtle pattern.

A capiz shell stool in a cylindrical shape.  This definitely strikes a glamorous, modern note.

A punch of turquoise would look great in an all white room.

Foyer Fever!

 I love a beautiful entrance.  The foyer is the first glimpse of your home and it establishes the feel of the decor. It starts with a great door or pair of doors.   Add an elegant chandelier or lantern and a pretty vignette to focus on.  A console or chest topped with an antique mirror and fabulous lamps as well as a chair or bench if room allows is also a nice touch.

The foyer above has a gorgeous pair of arched, limed oak doors.  I love that they are glass which adds to the bright, light-filled atmosphere.  Stairs tucked to the side, a lovely French chest and a stunning, painted chandelier make this foyer a winner.

Again, an arched pair of doors.  This time they are solid with glass doors behind, which is another great option.  The curve of the doors is repeated in the ceiling.  Beautiful, rough floors juxtapose with a large yet graceful crystal chandelier.

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This foyer is one of my favorites!  It is perfect simplicity with pale wood floors, a stunning Mora clock and antique mirror.  I love the tiny pop of color in the celadon garden stool on the landing.  I also like that you can see all the way to the back of the house and to the garden beyond.  This invites you into the house and beckons you to stay.

Soft gray doors and trim contrast with white walls.  The X motif of the transom is reflected in the bookcase design which you can just see peeking out on the right.

Again the arch and the double doors- I must really be drawn to these.  The doors are located inside the vestibule which is a bit more unusual.  Herringbone floors, a pair of velvet slipper chairs and glass lantern add to the charm of this foyer.

 

The zigzag pattern in the rug leads the eye toward the living room.  The settee offers a place to drop your handbag or tie your shoes. 

What makes a perfect foyer for you?