Just in case you haven't planned your holiday table yet, a few photos to get the creative juices flowing.
Baking Christmas Cakes
The Glorious Tree
The Gingerbread People's Lunch
Red, White and Red
Christmas at Mellerstain
New York- December 25
All photos from A Tiffany Christmas
My friend Ned Marshall recently opened his New Orleans house to the public as part of the Preservation Resource Center holiday home tour. According to Ned, between four and five thousand tour tickets were sold! It sounds to me like it was one successful tour of homes.
Knowing that visitors would expect his house to be done up for the holidays, Ned was a bit more lavish with the Christmas decorations than he usually is. A beautiful Christmas tree was trimmed in both white and colored lights, while garlands were strung between the living room columns. Ned's dining table was graciously set for a holiday dinner, while a drinks tray stood at the ready with preparations for holiday libations.
Since most of us were not able to attend the tour, we can take a virtual tour thanks to some beautiful photographs. I hope they bring you some holiday inspiration.
All photos courtesy of Kerri McCaffety, photographer.
I've had Mario Buatta on the brain lately, and I've been thinking about his apartment as it appeared in the 1970s. There is something very comforting to me about these photos. Maybe it's Buatta's choice of colors, the combination of fabrics and prints, the cozy seating arrangements, or the plenitude of collections. Perhaps it's a combination of all of the above. Whatever the secret formula was, these interiors make me want to crawl into the photos and curl up with a good book in that sunny yellow living room or that rich red bedroom. Can you imagine a better way to relax at the end of the day than to retire in that luxurious canopied bed?
Various shots of Buatta's living room with its glazed yellow walls.
The bedroom with its "Beaujolais" colored walls.
All images from The New York Times Book of Interior Design and Decoration
Yes, I borrowed the title from the Burl Ives' song, but it seems appropriate for a post on metal and metallic colored trim. It's been catching my eye lately. The trim by Aiveen Daly reminds me of jewelry, while Samuel and Sons' studded trim is reminiscent of the leather bracelets that have been so popular lately. Like bold jewelry, metal trim makes a statement so you need to use it wisely. Oh, and try to avoid anything that is too terribly shiny.
The three trims above plus that in the top photo are all by Aiveen Daly. The collection, available in a range of finishes, will debut soon. Visit their website for more details.
Samuel and Sons Diamond Nailhead on Leather. I could see it used on a tailored chair or sofa and perhaps even on a console or side table.
I think that this metallic border by Samuel and Sons is so elegant.
This tieback by Remy Lemoine Passementerie is not a metal but rather mirrored glass. Still, it reminds me of a sterling silver piece by Elsa Peretti.
I like the military look of this Royal Air Force Sword Knot Lace from Hand & Lock.
I'm sure it would be a big-time no-no to use Hand & Lock's General's Gold Twist Shoulder Cords in your home, but you have to admit they're pretty handsome.
One of the great little luxuries of life is a pair of cozy house slippers. During fall and winter, I wear nothing but slippers around the house. (Not bedroom slippers or scuffs but rather little slip-on shoes with soft soles.) I recently received an email from Pratesi announcing their new cashmere collection, and what caught my eye above all else? Very chic cashmere house slippers for both men and women. I'm a fan of J. Crew and L.L. Bean slippers, but Pratesi is winning me over with their use of cashmere. And if you're a man, all you need to complete the picture is a smoking hat like those I mentioned a few weeks ago.
There are other items in the collection including cashmere throws, ponchos, bags, and eye masks, all of which make for great holiday gifts. Who doesn't like an indulgent gift every now and then? Personally, I can't imagine anything better than lounging on the sofa under a Pratesi throw while reading a vintage design book.
For more information on the collection or to purchase, please call Pratesi at 1-800-332-6925.
The Aconcagua directly above are for men, while those at top are for women.
Sabrina home shoes for women.
Mens slippers.
Camel toned slippers for women.
Slippers with straps for women.
I'm crazy for these cashmere ponchos. Just the thing to wear when taking Alfie for a quick walk around the block.
Beautiful cashmere throws.
This quilted cashmere and silk blanket might be a nice alternative to the oft-photographed orange Hermes blanket.
The very stylish and practical Pratesi eye mask and matching bag.
One of the joys of visiting a bookstore is the likelihood that you'll discover a gem of a book, one with which you're not familiar. Because Atlanta does not have a decent used bookstore, I like to visit Jane Stubbs at Bergdorf's, Archivia, or Potterton Books when I'm in New York. Shopping for books online is a completely different experience. Let's face it- discovering some charming, out of print book on Amazon is difficult. It really is like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
I recently received the 2011 Holiday catalogue from Nick Harvill Libraries, and I have so enjoyed reading it. Nick does a great job of assembling all kinds of literary treasures, and his engaging descriptions of each book really give you a sense of what lies beneath the (oftentimes) charming dust jackets. Lo and behold, I discovered some intriguing and even quirky books that I might have otherwise never known about it, and I didn't even have to travel to Nick's shop in Hollywood to find them! I thought I would share a few of them with you, just in case you too live in a book barren city.
Reno by Cornelius Vanderbilt Jr.
The Cat by Colette
How to Be a Party Girl by Pat Montandon
Someone's in the Kitchen with Dinah by Dinah Shore
The Constant Sinner by Mae West
Rich was Better by Philip Van Rensselaer
Mrs. Astor's Horse by Stanley Walker