August 5th, 2013 No Comments

this week’s color palette: sandy neutrals

Creating a color palette for your home can be a bit easier if you choose something you are inspired by… like the sea, sand, a forest, even a farmer’s market. I always like to keep in mind the flow from room to room. As you are sitting in one room you will be looking into the adjacent rooms, so it’s a good idea to consider what colors are next to each other as you travel throughout your home. Pale shades of neutral colors for your walls are always a good investment and you can bring in color or keep within … Read more

August 2nd, 2013 No Comments

pink elephants and green alligators make for a very happy birthday

For my girls’ 3rd birthday I found these fondant animals on etsy.com from “The Cupcake Stylist” and knew we had to do their whole birthday theme around these little animals. So the entire party became pink and green. Here’s a few personal snapshots of the details from our family cake party.  -Lynn Butler Beling Simple white buttercream cakes from our local Tate’s Bakery were adorned with the fondant animals I ordered from the shop The Cupcake Stylist on etsy.com. A serve yourself bar of pink lemonade with plastic bottles which were safe for little ones. Pink and … Read more

August 1st, 2013 No Comments

green and white patterned wallpaper paired with pink, we love it

We have always loved this photo… and this wallpaper. Our friend Davida was nice enough to write in and let us know it is a Manuel Canovas paper called Trellis. It comes in several color ways but we love the green and white. Do you have wallpaper in your home? If so, where? A feature wall, a small room like a powder room? or a big statement room? We’d love to hear from you!

July 31st, 2013 No Comments

weddings: brides are choosing a more organic approach to their flowers for their big day

Flowers that look like they have been picked straight from your own personal garden and arranged thoughtfully have been on brides’ wish lists lately. These images from wedding photographer Laura Billingham are a beautiful example of how her brides are choosing a more organic approach to floral design for their big day. This wedding of pink and green mixed with whites and yellows is so pretty and romantic. We love it.

July 30th, 2013 No Comments

elevate even the most casual parties with a bit of direction…and calligraphy

If you are entertaining friends and family this summer it’s ok to give them a bit of direction and having a calligrapher do a few simple tags or signs for you can help you do that. You can’t be everywhere when your guests start arriving, so having a station or bar set up for drinks so they may help themselves can actually let them feel at home and at ease. A calligraphed note can act as your elegant helping hand and let them know it’s ok to dive into the festivities without you waiting on them. This calligraphy was done … Read more

July 29th, 2013 No Comments

this week’s color palette: pink and green

Pink and green always seems like a summertime color palette to me…or at least a color palette that wants you to feel like it’s summer all year long. Images of iconic Florida bungalows, Lily Pulitzer dresses and fresh bouquets of pink flowers immediately come to mind. What does this color palette make you think of? Here are a few pink and green floral arrangements to inspire your Monday as well as my Benjamin Moore paint picks above for this palette to guide you in any decorating or party planning you might be doing this summer. -Lynn Butler Beling Sources: Opening … Read more

July 26th, 2013 No Comments

anemone bouquet

It is a nice idea to incorporate the same flower (or flowers) in your bouquet into the design of your cake or vise versa. This anemone bouquet I styled for Martha Stewart Weddings would make a wonderful compliment to the anemone cakes I posted. (Bouquet flowers by Matthew Robbins) Lynn’s TIP: having a color palette decided on in the beginning of your wedding planning process (or any celebration for that matter) is a great place to start. This will narrow down your decision making process when you are faced with thousands of choices. Black, peach, pale pink and … Read more

July 25th, 2013 No Comments

a colorful (high-gloss) painted door can make a big first impression

Designer kelly wearstler has several books that I often reference- Modern Glamour and Hue (available on amazon). I like her mix of colors and textures and her attention to detail. One of my favorite spaces designed by her is the restaurant BG at Bergdorf Goodman.  Above is an example of how she incorporates color through details at a residential home. She starts with basics and builds from there- white walls, a dark floor, select pieces of black furniture, but then layers in coral /peach upholstered stools, accessories, a gorgeous coral painted door- it all comes together effortlessly and her … Read more

July 24th, 2013 1 Comment

weddings: anemone cakes by elisa strauss of confetti cakes

(photographed by Monica Buck) I have collaborated and styled so many wedding cakes over the years and one of my favorites is a cluster of 3 little floral cakes I designed with the very talented Elisa of Confetti Cakes for InStyle Weddings. I had a craftsman make 3 black cake stands, varying in height. I was inspired by a vase and we worked from a snapshot I had taken of it. Usually you wouldn’t think of black cake stands for a wedding, but I think the light colored cakes and the anemone flowers with black centers keep it classic in style … Read more

July 23rd, 2013 No Comments

create a dramatic table setting with black, peach and pale pink

I love these black compotes and bowls that I have on my online store, little blue dish. (They are made by an Italian glass company called Nason Moretti.) I like to fill vessels with candy for quick and easy centerpieces and also fill the felt favors you see tied with black polka dot ribbon with candy as well for guests to take home. This color palette could really work for any season and any occasion- and for more formal gatherings add a calligraphed place card for each guest within the palette. I alternated black cards with cream calligraphy and … Read more