Christmas Inspiration Kick-Off

Hope you had a very Happy Thanksgiving!  We had a  great one - capped off by a post-dinner watching of The Christmas Story and It's a Wonderful Life.  Now we are definitely in the Christmas mood.  Time to start thinking about decorating the house.  Here's some Christmas inspiration from over the years.  First up Georgetown.







Beacon Hill

Peace be with you :)

Our Christmas Tree - 2009

The Cross Bottle Guy!

During the One Room Challenge, I had some very helpful and super funny!  email exchanges with Artie Vanderpool of Color Outside the Lines - aka the Cross Bottle Guy.  Artie is an Interior Stylist and artist living and working in Western New York and he creates the most wonderful and unique bottles made using the antique copper foil stained glass method.  Artie generously sent me two of them - they're now my new favorite accessory!  I had moved all the coral from the dining room into the family room so they fit in perfectly on these shelves.

the beautiful blue coral on the vintage ink well and

the gorgeous shell on the old blue bottom

 or maybe this one should go here…

or stay together…

Be sure to check out Artie's selection here where I'm sure you'll find the perfect gift for someone special or yourself!

Above shells from a happy client. Love this grouping.

Thank you Artie!

The Cross Bottle Guy

Say NO to Shopping on Thanksgiving

Everyone deserves a holiday.

Shopping on Thanksgiving Day only supports stores who do not honor this very special holiday.

Think of all the kids whose Mom or Dad won't be at the Thanksgiving table because their employer   scheduled them to work.

Join the pledge - Say NO to shopping on Thanksgiving


*If you're a blogger and agree, hope you'll consider posting about it too.

The Latest from Tommy Smythe

There's a great feature on Tommy Smythe's interior design of an uptown condo in December's House & Home.  Along with fellow colleagues Lindsey Levy and Lindsay Mens Craig of Sarah Richardson Design, Smythe created a chic, comfortable space with French, English and what he referred to as "frontier" influences.  It alls adds up to gorgeous decor.  (photography by Michael Graydon)

On another note, I finally figured out how to put a Pin It button on my images!  Check out my pinterest boards if you're interested.

Meet Me In Philadelphia: Thankfulness and Pine Chests!

Today I'm guest blogging over at the Meet Me In Philadelphia. Ashley may just have one of the most charming houses in the greater Philadelphia area!  She's devoting November to the theme of thankfulness and gratitude and taking the time to really stop and notice the blessing in your life.  I'm very happy to be included.

On another note, I couldn't help but notice her amazing antique pine chest finds this past year.  The one above was found for $125 and the one below for $75!  They're so rich and warm looking - absolutely love them!  Hope you're having a great Monday.

Stefan's Fireplace Transformation!

When I saw Stefan of Architect Design's transformation of his fireplace it was one of those Wow moments - I absolutely love it!!! Above is the before in it's ho-hum state but look at it now with a painted black surround and layered with art over the mirrored wall.  The bust in the firebox is the perfect complement and the lamps add a classic touch too.  

Stefan is one of my favorite bloggers and I emailed him about the print.  It's an India ink watercolor that was a housewarming gift to his grandparents from one of his grandfather's professors from architecture school when they built their house back in 1950. It's assumed that the professor painted it himself. Stefan has always admired it growing up and when he bought his last apartment his grandma gave it to him.   Perfect for the space in so many ways!

Stefan  recently helped a friend improve the look of his fireplace as well, you can check it out here.
Hope you have a great weekend!  Michele

Thomas Pheasant: Simply Serene

 Thomas Pheasant: Simply SereneSome titles capture the essence of a book and in the case of Thomas Pheasant's first one, that is absolutely the case.  Achieving a simply serene environment is no easy task and as the book engages you in one impeccable and sophisticated interior after another, it becomes so very clear how much thought and true talent goes into the creation of these spaces.  In addition to his work for his  clients, you'll be treated to his home and stunning Paris apartment.

The back of the book contains an amazing section entitled Perfection.  So often when we gaze at incredible homes we assume the designer simply walked in to a beautiful shell and added their flourishes.  Here Pheasant shows you the the true reality of these transformations from top to bottom. Here's just one to whet your appetite.

Some rooms are shown in black and white photography to emphasize form - only deepening my appreciation for Pheasant's incredible furniture designs.

While well known for neutrals, the chapters on Color and Sculpture will surely broaden your opinion on that.

Thank you to Patti Friedler of RH Birdwell for letting me review this incredible book and to Thomas Pheasant for autographing it.  I'm so pleased to add this classic to my collection - Thomas Pheasant: Simply Serene.  (Principal interior photography by Durston Saylor)

Trending: Glazed Pottery

I've been noticing more glazed pottery lately.  Have you?  I can remember as a kid back in the 70's it was very popular.  Earthy, substantial and reflective in it's own way, I'm really liking this resurgence.  

(Above image of the 2013 Hearst Designer Visions Showhouse, designer Carlos Aparicio, from Curbed, photography by Will Femia, more images here.)

Designer Kishani Perara  here

Architect Joan Dineen via New York Social Diary, photography by Jeff Hirsch

Home of Rachel Bilson and Hayeden Christensen, design by Kishani Perera, photography by Douglas Friedman  via Lonny November 2013

alex + marion ceramics via the market here. 

takahashi vase from etsy here - beautiful against this white washed wood.

via etsy here

peacock glazed jug from etsy here - while creating this post a few weeks ago I decided to buy this one. Just couldn't stop thinking about it.

On a more important note, today is Veteran's Day.  

Thank you for your service.