May 16th, 2012 No Comments

Pink & Green: the wedding of Laura & Tory Patterson

This gorgeous late summer wedding in Napa was designed by Isabella Sikaffy of Florabella Weddings and photographed by Liz Banfield. This application of the pink and green color palette is such a great example of understated chic. I love the simple wreaths with pink ribbons as bride and groom chair decorations and the overall table settings (see photo below) are just beautiful. Combining topiaries for the ‘green’ and white, cream and pink flowers interspersed down the long rectangular tables is so appropriate for an outdoor garden reception. I’ve been loving these long rectangular tables outside in a garden with the … Read more

May 15th, 2012 No Comments

recycled glass bottles- a simple floral centerpiece idea from lotte & bloom

I stumbled upon this amazing floral design company, Lotte & Bloom, owned by Lotte Lawson and based in Glasgow, Scotland.  Lotte & Bloom is a floral and event design studio that specializes in weddings.  I really liked Lotte’s aesthetic. Check out her site to see samples of some of her work. This (photo above ) is a great idea for a spring or summer centerpiece. Save your glass bottles in different heights and sizes and group together in the center of a round table or down the center of a rectangular table, then just add stems of your favorite … Read more

May 13th, 2012 No Comments

color palette: pink and green

There’s still nothing quite as fun as pink and green. Usually associated with ‘preppy’ many designers feature these colors in their lines still, usually with a modern take, like John Robshaw’s cotton Ikat prints (see pillow below) or a design like this inspirational photo that appeared in Lonny. But there’s still your tried and true brands like Lily Pulitzer to get your pink and green prep going. Whether for home or fashion, pink and green are always a happy, friendly color palette. Stripes, solids, patterns in anything from towels to painted walls, pink and green is still … Read more

May 11th, 2012 No Comments

lynn’s picks/ color palette: yellow and white

Yellow Lattice Folded Cards, set of 10 with envelopes $12.50, from Jack and Lulu, Casual Cushion Pillows in Pistachier and White, $59 each, from Lacoste,  Tidvatten Flip flop, $30, from Tretorn, Lady Papaya watch, $50, from Swatch.

May 10th, 2012 1 Comment

yellow & white: rugs, pillows and doors

I used to have my living room painted yellow at our beach house. Although it was always lively and energetic, I did tire of it after a year or so. I now prefer when rooms are more neutral and you can add pops of color seasonally with pillows and flowers. A rug though makes a huge statement in a room and I’ve always loved patterned yellow rugs. This photo and rug are from The Rug Company. I think it’s a great example of how much impact a colorful rug can make in your room and completely change the look … Read more

May 9th, 2012 No Comments

my chat with ‘sweet genius’ host, ron ben-israel

I’ve worked with Ron on many cake stories throughout the years for both Martha Stewart Weddings and InStyle Weddings. We were always so busy and enthusiastic about the design of the cakes and the inspiration we had found to collaborate though, that we never really just had a leisurely chat.  It wasn’t until I started this blog that I began asking Ron about his beginnings and how he got started in the cake business. Ron has an amazingly successful cake company called Ron Ben-Israel Cakes, based in New York City and he’s added tv host and judge to his … Read more

May 8th, 2012 No Comments

an easy table setting idea for mother’s day

Yesterday I talked about simple table settings for Mother’s Day using monochromatic flowers and baked goods. Here’s a very easy centerpiece and table setting that will be sure to make mom smile and she’ll have flowers to take home and enjoy or plant outside. I started with a simple white tablecloth and white china so the yellow accents would pop. I picked up small white flower pots and yellow marigolds at my local nursery (pots about $6 each) and lined them down the center of the table.  I wrapped striped yellow and white ribbon from Hyman Hendler around the plate … Read more

May 7th, 2012 No Comments

color palette: yellow and white

Yellow and white seems like a perfect palette for spring with all the daffodils coming up in the garden. It’s also a beautiful palette for Mother’s Day, which is Sunday, May 13th- so if you didn’t get a gift for mom yet, better do it this week. A yellow and white luncheon or afternoon tea and cake could be a gorgeous way to celebrate Mother’s Day. Usually when I think of yellow I think of lemons, but for this cake, baker Jim Smeal used pineapple. This cake is a fresh-coconut butter cake with thinly sliced fresh pineapple between the … Read more

May 5th, 2012 No Comments

saturday shopping at abc carpet & home

abc carpet & home in NYC is an amazing place for furniture and home accessories shopping. I usually start with breakfast or lunch with friends at Le Pain Quotidien on the first floor and then go floor by floor. The Silk Trading Company (fabric, drapes & accessories) used to be in the basement, but now Conrans moved in about a year ago. I snapped some shots of a few of my favorite finds. I love the tufted navy linen ottoman- I might need to get that as a new coffee table for our family room. (my house … Read more

May 4th, 2012 No Comments

lynn’s picks/ color palette: lavenders and blues

Clockwise:  Aran Cashmere Pillow, (sale!) $199, from Ralph Lauren, Upholstered bed, $899-1099, comes in Debutant Lilac or Blue Bonnet, from Land of Nod. Solana leather belt in Purple, $45, from Calypso, Double-Faced Satin Ribbon, $10.99 per roll, from The Container Store, Agate cheese plates, $60-75, from Jayson Home.