Hot or Not
Time for my regular weekly evisceration of all things “ugh”.
What’s hot:
These little chair caps from Nuage Designs are a super chic way of adding a little oomph to your design.
What’s not:
Maroon chiffon bows on white spandex chair covers define “lipstick on a pig”.
What’s hot:
These gorgeous toppers are from Paris Tiaras. I want one just to perch on that vanity I’ve yet to find.
What’s not:
Swarovski cake topper monograms + initials. Is your trousseau from Claire’s Boutique as well? Nay.
What’s hot:
Using one inexpensive natural element (in this case : palm fronds) and doing so simply is totally chic.
What’s not:
I dubbed this picture “Rental Ficus Fiasco” for a reason. If I need to paint a clearer picture, you need to get your head checked.
What’s hot:
A blood orange champagne cocktail, courtesy of Bon Appétit, is both refreshing and perfect for a summery affair.
What’s not:
Taking your matchy-matchiness to such heights that you deploy Blue Curaςao in your signature drink is driving a point home to oblivion. It’s tooth-staining, saccharine, and just- not appetizing, ma chère.
What’s hot:
In lieu of your gorgeous photographs being filled with beer bottles, ask your wedding planner to stock your bars with skinny highballs or pilsners. Your planner should also instruct the bar service to utilize these glasses in lieu of offering bottles, unless requested specifically by a guest.
What’s not:
Image courtesy of Luster Studios. Really, I . . . I digress here. You get the point. (And nooo, I didn’t miss the garter on the arm, y’all. At least they’re having fun, right?)
10 Tabletop Things that Make Me Happy
I think what draws me to covet all things tabletop is the minimal impact on storage and maximum impact on look. A fabulous dinner lapkin (the big kind that covers your lap!) transforms a blah table in moments. A series of bohemian votives masks an otherwise banal little dinner setting. Check out what floats my boat lately:
Kim Seybert Pickstitch Napkins from Gracious Style. . .
Suki Cheema Tea Towels . . . note to family: stop asking what I want for Christmas/birthdays and digest le blog.
Gorsuch Austrian Dinner Swirl Plate
Karin Eriksson’s tea cup from Shop Horne . . . the daintiest and loveliest
Colored hobnail pitchers from Apartment 48. My sister Lisa haaates hobnail, so I posted this just to irritate. I love it. Family lexicon includes “beebledy-bob”, to describe anything that’s tactile and bumpy and spotted, like hobnail. I tend to love all things beebledy-bob.
Burke Decor Hummingbird placemats . . . how snazz would these look on a weathered wood table al fresco?
Pioneer Linens Cypress Tablecloth
Jayson Home & Garden Guinea Feather Placemats . . . terribly impractical, totally fabulous.
Libeco Home Stores French Grain Sack Table setting . . . deeliteful.
William Sonoma Home Iznik floral napkin . . . love the color combo.
Ode to la silhouette
You need to know: I have a small addiction to antique cut silhouettes. For years, I’ve clung to an inspirational tear-out from the iconic Southern Accents (sniff), back issues of which still fill a great big apple green Macbeth tray on our coffee table. I treated said page like a dictum on how I should use them design-wise . . . like I wasn’t allowed to put up a trio of them, oh no. Instead, I spent a decade sidling in and out of antique malls, snatching any that caught my eye and were signed/authentic/hand-cut, and safely stowing each silhouette away until I felt I owned enough to splay them across the wall behind our master bedroom headboard.
Bless my heart.
Moving on, the obsession hasn’t subsided. A few nights ago whilst out on a girl date, my new friend suggested I check out the latest Mike Miller collection at West Elm . . . thus fueling the fire. Have you seen it? Check it out:
Cool.
Isn’t this you and your bestie (you/your sister, you/your mom)?
The perfect gift for groomsmen…
Cuh-ute on a little armless slipper chair.
Though masculine and super-clean in their mock-up, I think it’s still a sharp presentation and could translate to almost any home.
NOW. If you’re only up for the classics/vintage/real deal, a few tips:
1.) Click here for a little history and origin if you will.
2.) Avoid buying them unframed, as finding the perfect tiny old frames is a hard row to hoe.
3.) Commission a local silhouette artist in your town to have your loved ones (even pets) done, like we did here.
4.) Try to find only those which are hand-cut, ie not drawn on or painted on, as those tend to be either modern, poorly done, or sorta funky. The flip side: if funky is your thing, then buy it. My sister always says it’s about what you love; ie, it doesn’t have to be infinitely collectible to belong in your life.
Dig on this:
and die over this: all rounds!
Ok, I’ll stop now.
