As much as you all know I love blue color palettes, I keep coming back to pink and green. I think it conjures up a fantasy world of sunny days by the ocean, coming straight out of the pages of a Slim Aarons photograph. It’s a palette that I think you dive into and go with 100 percent or it doesn’t quite work. Above are a few true pinks with red undertones from Benjamin Moore Paints as well as a stem green called Spring Meadow Green, not to be confused with just Spring Green which is much more dull … Read more
Archive for the ‘Greens’ Category
simple herb centerpieces & place settings for the holidays
The holidays can be a very stressful time of year, trying to fit in all the shopping, baking, attending events and parties, all within your usual busy schedule. So if you are hosting a holiday dinner, brunch or luncheon try these simple but chic ideas. Your table doesn’t always have to be red and green for the holiday. Neutral creams & whites, chestnut colors and fresh greens is a lovely palette for any party. Above, clear vases in different sizes and shapes hold mint and lavender. You can pick up fresh herb bunches like this while you are at the … Read more
we’re loving this bay leaf wreath as our first decoration for the holidays
A bit too early to decorate for Christmas but I think everyone is feeling really excited for the coming holidays and all the events that surround them. As one of your first decorations a wreath is a perfect prelude and is very welcoming, whether it be on your door or windows. We are really loving this bay leaf wreath this year from Mcfadden Farms for only $27.50.
weddings: food & cocktails can be part of your color palette too
When planning a wedding or any celebration, as you know I have always recommended deciding on your location and then selecting a color palette. I say start with your location because there might be some specific colors at your location that can’t be changed and you want to consider your surroundings. Once you select a color palette it will make planning easier as the choices are narrowed down for you AND your celebration will look cohesive and thoughtful. Your color palette is not only your table linens and flowers though. When you consider all your details of your party don’t … Read more
update how you serve punch for the holidays with these simple ideas & recipes
You can update the look of a traditional punch bowl just by using these other glasses and vessels. At the Philly Fish House in Philadelphia they take old wine bottles and recycle them by filling with their Philly Fish House Punch recipe and letting guests serve themselves from the bottles. Love those tumblers they show? We have them available on our shop. Here’s the link. (above photo by Tina Rupp) Consider using martini glasses to serve your punch to your guests instead of a tumbler or glass cup. This Pineapple Punch from Cosmopolitan looks great in a martini glass. Try … Read more
this week’s color palette: golden yellows & green -perfect for thanksgiving
As the leaves fall and everyone is preparing for Thanksgiving there’s a transition in color palettes going on for the holidays. Most think of rust colors and oranges for October and Halloween. So a great transitional color palette for these weeks leading up to thanksgiving is a golden yellow and green. Fresh greens, herbs, wreaths can all adorn your home for Thanksgiving without looking like Christmas yet. Small punches of yellow or gold, with your glassware, a velvet ribbon tied around napkins etc. can elegantly adorn a November table setting or decor. The gold glasses I carry at the … Read more
inspiration for your holiday table: mckenzie powell’s enchanting florals
Mckenzie Powell, floral and event designer based in Seattle, has such romantic and organically beautiful florals. Mckenzie trained as a graphic designer which clearly has an impact on both her floral and event design. Her blog is charming. It features so many of her elegant celebrations and snippets of her personality and travels. When I asked her what advice she had for creating holiday centerpieces Mckenzie told me, “While I obviously love a lush floral centerpiece, something on the simpler side can still be really lovely. One of my go-to’s is using a collection of small potted plants, a … Read more
Yippee Ki Yay, Rocketbuster Boots!
One of the best things about working in the design industry is meeting such creative people, like Nevena Christi of Rocketbuster Boots. Nevena and I worked at Nicole Miller together for a short time and Nevena certainly made an impression on me. I remember one of my first days on the job, Nevena had decorated Nicole’s office for her birthday with about 100 potato chip bags hanging from the ceiling and the design team would just reach up and grab a bag as they worked into the wee hours on a new collection. Margaritas sent in from Virgil’s and … Read more
create a living fall centerpiece from your local garden center
Instead of using cut flowers as a centerpiece it’s always fun to use seasonal flowers and foliage and plant in a bowl or antique vessel which should last 2-3 weeks at least when kept in a cool environment. (Placing them on an outside table when not in use is best.) There are so many pretty, deep colors this time of year. The cabbages and lettuces are particularly beautiful. Above we pulled red lettuce, blue pansies and pink oxalis (otherwise known to some as false shamrocks or pink sorrels) in keeping with this week’s color palette. Ornamental peppers are also abundant … Read more
create a neutral color palette with gray & green
When people think of neutrals most automatically think of tans and creams, but gray and green can be a nice alternative. Whether it’s light or dark gray, both shades are still very neutral. Green solids or patterned fabrics add dimension and texture like this upholstered headboard in Elizabeth Mayhew’s bedroom above or these solid green drapes in a dining room pictured below. Blending in cream or white balance the overall palette. This is an easy palette to work with in kitchens too since many appliances, finishes and flooring are all in the gray family. And don’t forget your front door. … Read more