Creating a Fall Tablescape

With the changing temperatures, now is a great time to think about fall entertaining.  Today I wanted to offer a bit of inspiration on creating a fall tablescape.  I remember Martha Stewart once said that she never set the same table twice.  Well of course she didn't, but not all of us have a dish room!  Here I have used folliage and accessories to expand on a table setting that starts with white dinner plates.  Table runners, chargers and napkin rings can be used to easily transform what would otherwise be an ordinary place setting.

Centerpieces can be expensive and often distract from dinner conversation.  In this case several low containers create one continuous presentation.  To ovoid excessive cost, use items that you have on hand.  For this table I gathered fallen acorns to add to existing hurricanes and placed fall hydrangea blooms in silver julip cups.  The whole look creates a soothing autumnal backdrop for a cozy dinner party.

The Look for Less

I am always excited to share a good bargain.  Today I want to pass along a great find that I have had fun using in some of my interiors.  Recently, Mongolian Lamb pillows keep showing up in all sorts of chic interiors.  I like to use these pillows in bedrooms to add a sexy softness, or to any room that I think needs a little luxury.  

Here you can see I have used one of these pillows in a model home I staged.  In this case I think it just takes the room up a notch and adds some unexpected softness to a modern aesthetic.   Always trying to keep budget in mind for my design clients as well as myself, I wondered if there was a way to get this same look for less. 

These pillows are regularly seen for $54 on up.  But I found a bargain look a like floating around target for only $14.99, and if you shop online right now it's only $11.99! 

I am happy with the quality of the target pillow too.  Just recently, I was shopping in the gifts department at Nordstrom only to find an exact look a like to the target pillow with a $58 price tag.  Check it out and add some chic to your space!

Home Decor Shopping Made Simple and Affordable

I don't know about you, but I have never been too impressed with online member only shopping sites.  They either seemed too outrageously expensive, or items that I would never buy.  This is not the case with Joss & Main.  They feature furniture, lighting, rugs and home accessories.  The sales all run for three days, but as I found out, the good stuff goes fast!  I'm addicted to this site. I find myself waking up in the morning to check my email and find out what the new sales are on that day.  What I like about Joss & Main is that they do the leg work for me.  They feature unique items at amazing prices, and since it isn't mass retail you aren't likely to see what you buy showing up in all of your neighbors homes.  Check out some of the great items I have found on this site.

There are new sales every day and many items you won't want to miss.  Use this link to sign up and start shopping today!

West Elm Fall Preview

If you're like me you're not even thinking about Fall.  Well not so for the folks at West Elm who have recently released a preview of their Fall collection to the Trade.  Even if you're not a big fan of modern design, many of their pieces will work in transitional or even traditional interiors.  Two of my new favorites are in the picture above:  the Cabriole Leg Desk and the Horse Bookends.  Check out the entire collection of new arrivals.

Elle Decor Showhouse

via Elle Decor

I wanted to share the living room space of this years Elle Decor Modern Life Concept House.  This room was designed by Carrier and Company and showcases many clever space saving ideas.

Carrier and Company used pops of yellow much like that of the yellow forecast for 2011 in the Benjamin Color Trends seminar I attended.  The yellow juxtaposed to the grey beige walls gives the room a fresh and modern look.  Since the home is in NYC, the designers used bookcases to house book collections, storage and a cocktail bar.  Multifunctional furniture is a must in small space interiors.

The view from this side of the room shows how a chaise lounge was used along with a table to create a multipurpose space.  By using glass and mirror, the designers expand the visual space and create a energetic and practical living room.  The arcing lamp over the table is the perfect choice in such a space.

Design your own Fabric

Design, like so many things these days, has come a long way in the last few years.  There are many tools out there that help us such as 3D Room Designers, Color Preview software and online access to design experts.  I learned of one site recently that intrigued me and I thought I would share it with my readers.  


It's called Spoonflower and their easy to use website allows visitors to design their own fabric.  Now I know most people will not find this quite as exciting as I do.  While other little girls were playing softball and pretending to be Wonder Woman, I was making doll clothes on my first little Singer.  However, just imagine the possibilities!  Any pattern you have access to or design can be made into pillows, drapes or napkins to help customize a room.  Not to mention how fun this site could be for quilters, especially landscape quilters needing to find just the right pattern and color.

The process is extremely simple.  All you need to do is upload an image and the software on the site will show you how the pattern will repeat on the fabric.  In this case, I chose a bold pattern from a Jonathan Adler notebook and scanned it into my computer.  I cropped the image and uploaded it to the Spoonflower site.  The resulting fabric I created can be produced in many different sizes and weights.  If you want to make drapes or pillows you would order either Linen Cotton Canvas or Upholstery Weight Twill, while napkins would be fine made from Quilting weight cotton.  Even if you don't sew, you can have these items made for you at either a dry cleaner or by a good tailor.

Margarita on the Rocks

Since it's Friday I thought I would post my favorite margarita recipe - enjoy!

Margarita on the Rocks

1 oz. Rose's Lime Juice

1 oz. Triple Sec

2 1/2 oz. 100% Agave Tequila 

5 oz. Sweet & Sour

Put all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.  Shake until nice and cold and serve over ice.