Stunning Pendants

While on the hunt for kitchen pendants for a client, I came across these stunning options. Aren't they all so elegant and sophisticated! Do you have a favorite?

1.)  Holly Hunt Roman Ring Pendant

2.) John Pomp Clear Band Pendants

3.) YLighting Honey Small Pendant

4.) Tom Dixon Beat Light Stout White

5.) YLighting Spinning BH2 Pendant Light

6.) Tom Dixon Pressed Glass Light Bowl

7.) Tom Dixon Void Light Stainless Steel

Frette Linens

Take a look at this gorgeous Frette pillow and throw!  She silver geometric design against the ivory background is stunning.  I am dying to find a home for these.  I was in the store the other day, and these beauties are on sale for 40% off.   Somebody better grab them soon!

Giano Lurex Cushion

Giano Lurex Throw

Tiny Love

Did any of you know that Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams made chairs for children?  When I saw this little Mini Sadie Kids Chair on the floor the other day, I stopped dead in my tracks.   I talked to the store manager, and apparently they have made them for a while but are just now displaying them in stores in time for the holidays.  Check out these little darlings below.

Mini Sadie Kids Chair

Luc Kids Chair

Luc Leather Kids Chair

Introducing Art Collages by Jan Eleni

I first saw these fun children's art collages by Jan Eleni on HGTV's Home by Novogratz.  What a great idea to compile any treasured artwork!  She takes original works of art, shrinks them down, floats them and then frames them in a grid arrangement.  Custom sizes are available, but the most popular size sold by Jan seems to be a 60"x40" that holds 112 pictures. 


I have a relative out of Houston, TX creating something very similar for less.  If you are interested, contact Sheilla Boudreaux for more information.

The New Hudson Boston Location

When I have a free Saturday, I love to walk over to the South End Buttery and start my morning off with one of their delicious lattes.  Then, I  enjoy popping in the many unique shops in the South End neighborhood.  One of my favorite home boutiques in the area is Hudson.  The store has a relatively new location on 12 Union Park Street, just around the corner from the old storefront.  The new store is a larger, upgraded version of the darling, original. They sell new and vintage furniture, lighting, art and a plethora of home accessories. Owner, Jill Goldberg, has done such a wonderful job selecting unique pieces and staging the store.  I highly recommend you check it out.

Rules for A Proper Place Setting

With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, I have been doing some research and brainstorming on stylish centerpieces and table settings.  While flipping through some of my favorite magazines and blogs, I came across some helpful diagrams and tips for proper place settings from The Classy Woman.  As some of you may be hosting Thanksgiving at your house this year, I thought you may find this helpful.   I have a copy printed out and stored with my china so I can access it when needed.

Image from The Classy Woman

The diagram above illustrates your basic everyday table setting, which is the easiest of the two. The fork, knife and spoon are placed on the side in which you are required to hold them when cutting and eating. This is considered proper etiquette vs. cutting up much of your food and then switching the fork to your right hand to eat your meal.

A meal that requires a formal place setting will consist of salad, bread, soup, drinks and a main course with dessert and coffee following.

Silverware:

• Similar to the informal place setting, again forks are placed on the left of the dinner plate, knives and spoons go on the right.
• Silverware is to be placed on the table in the order it will be used; silverware that will be used first should be  set to the farthest left and right sides of the plate.
• Knives should be placed with their cutting-edge toward the dinner plate, except the butter knife which should be laid flat on a bread plate.
• Utensils should be roughly 1/2 inch away from the plate and should be lined up evenly by using the bottoms as measure.
• The dessert fork and/or spoon should be centered above and parallel to the dinner plate. 
• Note that you should only place silverware that the meal calls for.

Plates and Bowls

• The bread plate should be placed to the right and slightly above the salad plate.  
• Salad plates are placed to the left and just above the forks.
• Dinner plates should be placed about 2 inches from the table's edge, centered on the place mat or squarely in front of the chair for a proper place setting.
• Soup bowls are placed on top of the dinner plates.
• Clear dishes and utensils after each course is finished by all at the table.

Cups and glasses

• Water glasses should be placed above the dinner knife, with other drinking glasses arranged neatly nearby the water glass and to the right.
• Coffee cups and saucers may be placed on the table to the right of the knife and spoon.

Napkins and name cards

• For a less formal proper place setting, napkins are placed either on the plate or to the left of the forks. For a more formal place setting, napkins are placed inside a drinking glass whereby a server may place it in your lap upon being seated at the table.
•  Name cards should be placed above the dessert utensil and to the left of the drinking glasses.
• During the meal the napkin should always be placed in your lap. If you must excuse yourself from the table, the napkin should be left on the arm or seat of your chair, or to the left of your plate as a last resort (as dirty napkins on the table are never appealing). When everyone at your table is through with dessert, you can fold your napkin neatly to the right or left of your plate.

Campaign Inspired Furniture

New York furniture maker, Richard Wrightman, has developed a spectacular niche through his creation of beautiful, updated campaign inspired furniture.  The term "campaign" is used,  because it resembles the  the easily dismantled chairs, desks, tables, and beds that 18th- and 19th-century British officers took to war to maintain a certain standard of living.  His pieces are unique, high-quality, and timeless enough to be displayed in traditional or contemporary style homes.  I had the pleasure of speaking to Richard this week when inquiring abut a custom piece for a client.  I was actually surprised that he answered the phone.  He has been incredibly busy since a recent article in Elle Decor.  See some of his work below.

Greydon Bed

Mattiessen Desk

Mattiessen Round

Chatwin Lounge

Nursery Fabrics

Drum roll please....here are the fabric selections for our little girl's nursery!  The floral print is from Designers Guild, and the other two are from Kravet.  Now I need to get these orders in ASAP, because this stuff takes longer than you think.  Do you like???