Weddings, weddings, weddings!! Tis the Season!

When I meet with a client they are always looking for something personal and unique for their upcoming nuptials. Here are a few idea's...an all white wedding and a farm/ranch wedding both being at one end of the spectrum from the other and beautiful in their own way. The birdcage idea came to me when discussing a wedding and the thought of love birds came into the discussion. I have many birdcages that I collected from a trip to Hong Kong from an area called "Bird Cage Alley". I lost my mind at the beautiful selection and dragging them on the airplane wasn't my family's idea of fun, but look how wonderful that arrangement looks in the birdcage. You could hang them over tables, elevate them on tables or hang them from trees. Add real birds, insert cards and well wishes into them or have butterflies. The daisy arrangement I thought was simple, clean and elegant.

Cottage Country?

Back where I come from when you said you were going to cottage country on the weekend or for a holiday or to your other home it looked more like a beach house. But if you think back when we were reading our fairy tales as children they spoke of Hansel and Gretel's cottage, Red Riding Hoods Grandmothers house in the woods and Hobbits...this is what I think those cottages looked like.
These are real life cottages from New Zealand through Europe. How charming are these homes?

Right out of a story book!

Fresh, Neutral, Unpretentious - Belgian Style!

Love, love, love this look. Axel Vervoordt and his Antwerp castle brought this look to life. Axel disdains the trendy and his taste spans centuries and continents. He is regarded as on of the most original and adventurous collectors of our time. To learn more about Axel go to www.axel-vervoordt.com .

To achieve this look you need to have a neutral color palette...grays, creams and browns. Some other elements are exaggerated scale,vintage, lack of pattern or ornamentation, distressed wood or appears aged, linen slipcovers and bedding.

Notice how the wood trim, walls all appear aged and weathered. This is such a relaxing and serene design no wonder Restoration Hardware has gone much this way with their look. www.restorationhardware.com

Window treatments are simple as well...belgian linen and in the photo on this page they stenciled the lacy curtain look...very unique!

Storybook Towns, Historic Gems on "The One"!

Thinking of planning your summer holiday? Think no more, if you haven't already done the Pacific Coast Highway Route 1 then wait no longer. This is an amazing car trip from Malibu to Monterey...but can continue right up to San Francisco. As you wind your way from Malibu through the redwoods of Big Sur to darling Carmel you will see why people come to California and never leave. The trip on this ribbon of blacktop along the coast has many visual treasures. One not to miss is the Hearst Castle in San Simeon. This historic gem has a main house with three guest houses done in Mediterranean revival style. It is filled with priceless art and furnishings surrounded by the largest private zoo in the world where exotic animals roam free on the mountain top. The magnificent panoramic views of mountains, ocean and coast line enhance the beauty of the the formal gardens. If you plan to do this trip take time to stop and see this historic gem and learn all about it's fascinating history.

Go to www.regal360.com for a virtual tour.

I personally have done this trip many times and never get tired of the natural beauty. You will get to see many types of architecture along the way in Santa Barbara, Morro Bay, Big Sur and Carmel. You will drive through eucalyptus forests ...breathe deeply and the site of the redwoods here on earth before Christ is something to behold!

Looking for a new Sofa?

I thought these sofa's from Jayson Home & Garden in Chicago have a great look. Their selection of sofas and chairs are unique and detailed. Looking for a comfortable sofa isn't as easy as you think it might be....many look great but are very uncomfortable. I love the many designs to choose from this company...www.jaysonhomeandgarden.com . They have free shipping and returns till the end on the month on all furniture, accessories and gifts. So if you don't like something it can be returned at no charge. I really don't like companies who charge a restocking fee as you never sometimes how a piece will look and feel in a room...but then that is why you need me!

Only the French!

I had to share this beautiful French menu card from 1900. It is absolutely gorgeous die-cut card and raised gilt serpent motif on the handle of the mirror or is it a fan?? Not sure but wish I was a guest at that dinner! The French make everything so beautiful.

Gracie!

If you have ever stepped into a room that has Gracie wallpaper you will never forget that moment. Many of their wallpapers have silver, pewter or gold hand leafed background that glow and shimmer. The handpainted wallpapers are Gracie's signature product line and their attraction lies as much in the patina and texture as in the exotic designs hand painted on them custom for your room. Gracie was founded in 1898 by Charles R. Gracie and continues to be in the family to this day. The company has expanded into collecting and dealing in antique Chinese and Japanese furniture, screems and porcelian. They carry an impressive inventory of 18th and 19th century antique wallpapers which were originally produced in France or China. Please go to www.graciestudio.com to see more of their amazing designs.