Pickett's Press

Last week, my friend Elizabeth Pyne of McMillen Inc. introduced me to Kate Pickett, owner of a letterpress stationery line called Pickett's Press. Elizabeth raved about Kate's stationery, and during the course of conversation, two more people approached us to share their praise of the line. Needless to say, as soon as I got back to the hotel that night, I visited the Pickett's Press website to see the stationery for myself.

There is a lot of letterpress stationery on the market today, but much of it isn't quite formal enough for me. What I like about Pickett's Press is that the designs resemble what one might see in more traditional engraved stationery, and yet the letterpress printing of it makes the stationery seem fresh. It's the best of both worlds.

The line includes boxed note cards and gift enclosure cards as well as place cards and fill-in invitations. I love using fill-in invitations for small cocktail and dinner parties, so it's nice to see that Kate has included these in her line. Custom letterpress stationery can also be designed. You could order change of address cards with an architectural rendering of your new house or personalized menu cards or...well, the sky's the limit.

Seeing that the holidays are just around the corner, I urge you to visit the website to see the full range. I think that Pickett's Press is a great resource for social stationery during the holidays and the rest of the year too.

Dempsey & Carroll Tablets

Remember how we all lamented the loss of those fabulous Mrs. Strong house tablets? Well, if you're down to the last few sheets as I am, don't distress. Dempsey & Carroll has recently introduced a whole line of tablets in two different sizes. The tablets come in two different sizes and bear gorgeous engraved motifs like pineapples, airplanes, elephants, and crescent moons. My personal stationery is from Dempsey & Carroll, and the quality is really fantastic.

Off to order a few tablets for my home!


Petite Eiffel Tower Tablet


Petite Elephant Tablet


Golden Pineapple Tablet

Image at top: Petite Tablets Deluxe Gift Set

Gadabout and Gallivant Papers

Although most of us spend a great deal of time emailing, blogging, and surfing the internet, we still seem to be a pretty traditional group of people. And I know that most of us own proper stationery and follow social etiquette (there are times when an email just won't do!).

One young woman who believes in the power of a handwritten note is Hanna Nation. Nation is a senior at Wofford College in South Carolina, and she recently decided to pursue her passion and create a line of stationery. (How impressive is that? When I was her age, I was worried about completing my honors thesis and planning a graduation party. A career seemed a blip way out on the horizon!) Hanna has actually created two lines: Gadabout is geared towards those of us who like design, fashion, and decorative motifs, while Gallivant stationery is more for the outdoorsy person. Obviously, I'm more of a Gadabout customer!

Hanna prints her hand drawn designs on thick 5 X 7 card stock in either white or ivory, and each set of 25 personalized cards and envelopes sells for $35. Custom design is also an option. Some of Hanna's designs can be printed with your name, while others can be personalized with your monogram (and who doesn't love a monogram!). I'm including some of my favorite selections here, but please check out Hanna's website for other options as well as information on how to order. You see, just because we may spend more time on the internet than we should, it doesn't mean we should forget our manners!


Thissur Pooram, initials placed inside print


Life Starts All Over Again When It Gets Crisp in the Fall, full name printed alongside


Fina, initials in the third lamp


Chuxi, full name printed alongside


Mahendi, intials inside the print


Initials placed inside print

Image at top: A Horse of a Different Color, initials inside the print

Setting the Scene

I've been thoroughly inundated with books! The Fall releases have been arriving daily at my house (what? me wait until Christmas for these goodies?), and as I write this I'm looking at a pile of about 25 books that are beckoning me to read them. When will I find the time? That I don't know, but when I can find an hour here and there to read, I try to make the most of it. So with that in mind, here are few things that to me make reading time enjoyable.

One must be comfortable while reading, and I can't think of a better chair than this one by Hollyhock. The Spencer chair is upholstered in a Velvet Strie in Slate, part of Suzanne Rheinstein's new fabric line for Lee Jofa.


Don't forget the throw! I love to read with my ivory Yves Delorme mohair throw on my lap (available at Linen Closet Online)


Of course the right light is crucial, and this floor lamp is a classic. (Le Tent adjustable floor lamp from Circa Lighting.)


I like to keep a journal and pen handy to make notes while reading, and I think this embossed journal from Charlotte Moss is particularly handsome.

Sometimes I like to drink these while reading, depending of course on the amount of concentration needed to read said book:

Vodka Gimlet
1 1/2 oz. vodka
1/2 oz. Rose's Lime Juice

Pour the vodka and lime juice into a mixing glass half-filled with ice cubes. Stir well. Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with lime.

(Recipe and image courtesy of Southern Accents. Photographer Rex Perry)

And what would be my ultimate reading accessory? Why having one of these curled up next to me:

Graphic Classics

My post yesterday made me think about classic color combinations, and in my mind there's nothing more classic than black and white. Think black and white marbled floors, black and white striped awnings, and even black and white silhouettes. This graphic color combination is always crisp, tailored, and elegant. You may not want to design an entire room entirely in black and white, but perhaps these black and white items might inspire you to add a little graphic punch to your home.


"Tess" chair by Chair Couture


"Black Aves Platinum" by Royal Crown Derby


Black and white striped ottoman, one of a set of 3, at Dragonette Limited


Black and white obelisks at Biggs Powell


Chevron patterned black and white tray by Oscar de la Renta for Lunt


"Black and White Story" stationery from Kate Spade

Image at top: Hampshire House, New York, designed by Dorothy Draper. One of Draper's favorite color combinations was "dull white and shiny black". One of her trademark looks was black and white checkered floors- beautiful and stylish then, still so today!

Strong Stationery

I've long been a fan of Mrs. Strong's stationery. Their notecards are so simple, yet so stylish. They hearken back to the days when people actually wrote notes rather then emails. And while I still love their notecard designs, I think that I may like the lined envelopes even more! For the Spring & Summer collection, the envelopes are lined with abstract florals, geometrics, and asian motifs. Which do you prefer- the card, or the envelope???

"Beach" Collection notecards


"Pink Feather"


"Ostrich"


"Pagoda"

Image at top: "Days of the Week" cards

Valentine Wishes

Valentine's Day is right around the corner, and so is the stress of trying to figure out what to get one's significant other. I personally think that a beautiful and heartfelt card is one of the best gifts you can give. Here are some cards that hit a sophisticated yet romantic note!

Bernard Maisner "Love" Card


Bernard Maisner "I Love You" Card

Mrs. John L. Strong "Sugar or Spice" Card

Mrs. John L. Strong "I Only Have Eyes For You" Card




Kate's Paperie "Hey Hot Stuff" Card

Carrot & Stick Press Stationery

Was anybody else taken with the leopard print note cards featured in the February Domino? Any and all animal prints catch my eye. The note cards were designed by Carrot and Stick Press in Oakland, CA. Their website has so many great graphic note cards, place cards, and place mats, all in bright, cheery colors.

What I plan on ordering, though, are their stylish note pads, perfect for a bedside table or by the phone. The brown and white striped one reminds me of a Bendel's bag!