Get Ready for the Holidays in Style - Join Me at WestEdge Design Fair

What an exciting month this has been so far, and we are only getting started!

October is filled with Design events, trade shows and home tours throughout the country and as some of you that follow along on my Instagram would have seen my tour through the homes at the Fall edition of Palm Springs Modernism Week - and they were fantastic. I will be sharing more detailed images of those tours on California Home+Design and here later on but for now, I wanted to make sure that for those of you still working on your weekend calendars to take note as High Point Market opens in North Carolina and WestEdge Design Fair starts tomorrow in Los Angeles. So from coast to coast, I have got you covered as I take part in both Design Trade Shows this season.

For those that remember my last post, I am part of a group of very talented designers that have produced hand drawn sketches for a vignette which will be revealed in Market Square during High Point, and will also be taking over the @DesignOnHighPoint Instagram account on Tuesday of next week with some finds from the show.

Before I head out to High Point myself, I could not miss the WestEdge Design Fair, in its second year, as it showcases contemporary vendors and artisans from around the country to this very eager LA Audience.

I will be moderating a panel for California Home+Design Magazine,

 "The Art of Entertaining for the Holidays in California" 

on Sunday, which is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, from 11.30am-12.30 

and have the pleasure of having both interior designer David Dalton and Joey Corrigan from Sticks and Stones Floral Design.

David Dalton is an acclaimed interior designer, with an office in Los Angeles, California, however with designs reaching across the globe. Featured in many television and shelter magazines, David's designs have been widely published and recognized for his classic design aesthetic and international appeal. 

via House Beautiful Photo: LISA ROMEREIN

via AD Photo: Christopher Dow

Some may recall the fun 3 part episode for Editor at Large that David and I filmed with The Antiques Diva as we toured the Paris Flea Markets in January.

Joey Corrigan will be sharing his love of floral design, as many clients have sought him out as one of Beverly Hills' premier floral / event design firms.   

We hope to get you all kick started for the Holiday Season, with plenty of ideas and inspiration from the pros, whether it is Halloween, Christmas, Hanukkah or any in between, there will be plenty of ideas and takeaways so please do not miss this event.
Register for the Show and Panels on Sunday here.

A Storybook Christmas Story - Bartow Pell Mansion

As many of you may remember, in May of this year, several of us bloggers banned together to help a local historical home win a fantastic grant to help restore their gardens...
Bartow Pell Mansion in the Bronx,  is one of the few remaining hidden jewels in this area and they are getting ready to spread the holiday cheer as they do every year.

What's different this year?


Lynn Byrne and the team from Bartow Pell have invited me, Tamara of Nest by Tamara Blog, Bryant Keller, among others, to decorate gorgeous 8 foot Christmas trees with a Storybook theme based on favorite children’s stories.



Fresh off the heals of my trip to London for BlogTour, how could I not choose a childhood favorite: "Paddington and the Christmas Surprise Storybook by Michael Bond" as the story to illustrate my Holiday decorations? It is the story of a lovable bear found in Paddginton Station in the heart of London and taken in by the Brown family, and all the mischief that he gets into with the children Jonathan and Judy. Simply could not resist! 

Paddington Bear knows just what he wants for Christmas and is anxious to make sure Santa Claus knows too. A trip to Santa’s grotto at the department store is his perfect chance to make his wishes known – but not everything goes quite according to plan!

Once, my room was chosen, I had the added surprise of learning that Santa himself will be visiting all the children in my room and making sure they get their special gift on his shopping list, while they take a picture.

So of course, the instant theme was an English inspired, plaid / tartan themed color to fit in beautifully with the classical design of the room.

Curious? Here are a few of my inspiration pictures from Pinterest that kick started the design.

Come back tomorrow, to see the big reveal and final results of the Paddington Bear Christmas tree.


Want to know more? There are events scheduled throughout the month of December with the Gala on December 1st to open the event as well as raise funds for this wonderful organization and all that it does to help the community.


HOLIDAY 2012 EVENTS

1. Holiday Luncheon - Friday, November 30, 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m. Booksigning and demo by paper artist Pamela Dalton, New York Times award-winning children’s book illustrator. Call 718.885.1461 for details
2. Annual Holiday Family Day - Saturday, December 1, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Holiday spirit abounds during this fun-filled day. Children will delight in a shadow puppet show, A Year with the Bartow Family, by French artist Caroline Borderies.

Professional photographs with Santa (additional fee) DECEMBER 1, holiday shopping, caroling, and more. Puppet shows at 10:15 and 12:15; puppet making with Caroline at 11:15. Other holiday crafts and photos with Santa on-going. Space is limited, registration required. Cost $20 children one year and up; member children $15 (adults and children under one year free)

1. Holiday Evening Celebration - Saturday, December 1, 7–10 p.m. Support the museum while enjoying cocktails and holiday fare, caroling, and more! 
2. First Friday! with the Metropolitones - Friday, December 7, 5:30–8:30 p.m. Experience the magic of the mansion decked out for the holidays and delight in the festive, fun sound of the a cappella Metropolitones. Do a little holiday shopping and enjoy refreshments. The free Bronx Seaside Trolley makes a continuous loop from the #6 Pelham Bay Park subway station to BPMM to City Island. Registration requested. Cost $10 adults; $8 seniors & students; members free 
3. Bronx Arts Ensemble Holiday Concert - Saturday, December 15, 1 and 3 p.m. The Bronx Arts Ensemble and Singers present a wonderful holiday concert with music for St. Nicholas. Concert is free, but space is limited and tickets are required. Call Bronx Arts Ensemble at 718.601.7399 for tickets. The museum will not be open for tours on Saturday.
4. Holiday Candlelight Tours and Victorian Carolers Saturday, December 15, 6–8 p.m. Experience the mansion by candlelight with costumed docents highlighting 19th-century holiday traditions. Victorian carolers add to the festive atmosphere while you enjoy light holiday fare and wassail in the Orangerie. Christmas trees throughout the house evoke beloved characters in children’s books. Reservations required. Cost $12 adults, $8 seniors& students 
5. Bronx Arts Ensemble Holiday Concert Sunday, December 16, 1 and 3 p.m. The Bronx Arts Ensemble and Singers present a wonderful holiday concert with music for St. Nicholas. Concert is free, but space is limited and tickets are required. Call Bronx Arts Ensemble at 718.601.7399 for tickets. The museum will not be open for tours on Sunday.

THE TREES

1. Merry Christmas, Curious George Storybook by H.A. Rey; Tree design by Bartow-Pell docents Linda Sacewicz and Christine Williams
2. Eloise at Christmastime Storybook by Kay Thompson, tree decorator; City Island artist Anoosh Donahue
3. Paddington and the Christmas Surprise Storybook by Michael Bond; Tree design by interior designer Jennifer Mehditash
4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas Storybook by Dr. Seuss; Tree design by New York artist Mary Rumser
5. The Velveteen Rabbit Storybook by Margery Williams; Tree design by interior designer Tamara Matthews Stephenson
6. Babar and Father Christmas Storybook by Jean de Brunhoff; Tree design by City Island artists Mary Colby and Marguerite Chadwick-Juner
7. Christmas Eve Blizzard Storybook by Andrea Vlakhis; Tree design by artist and Wave Hill Family Art project manager Ilse Murdock
8. Raggedy Andy Stories Storybook by Johnny Gruelle; Tree design by interior designer Bryant Keller

For more: visit Bartow Pell or call: 718.885.1461 for details

Weekend Inspiration: Christmas Windows on Madison Gone "Gaga"

'Tis the season.. and the holidays are always amazing in New York,
and the windows this year along the Upper East Side of Manhattan, are are great example of creativity and imagination.

This Weekend Inspiration post comes from our trip into the city for a family stroll along Madison, and of course a quick stop at Barney where the windows (and an entire floor) this year have been taken over by non other than Lady Gaga herself and her team of wonderland elves ...

At first glance, I think to most of the passers by, these windows may nnot be understood and simply see them as another Gaga Theatrical performance. I'm not sure that I was any different, but thought I would take my pictures anyway, as we do in these moments...

Then in preparing this post I started to really notice all the details and how exquisite these windows really are, how much detail and thought had gone into every braid, every strand..
They are incredible!

And so is the new foundation Lady Gaga has created - The Born This Way Foundation - which "will focus on youth empowerment and equality by addressing issues such as self-confidence, well-being, anti-bullying, mentoring, and career development – and will utilize digital mobilization as one means to create positive change".

As a parent, this issue is very important to me - so this post is dedicated to her fanastic efforts in making a difference.

Thank you Lady Gaga, and Barney's for finding a way to make a difference this holiday

I've started my holiday shopping, how about you?

///

Barneys New York is pleased to present

 GAGA'S WORKSHOP

A unique collaboration with Lady Gaga, the campaign brings together renowned creative talents including artists Eli Sudbrack and Christophe Hamaide Pierson of assume vivid astro focus (avaf) and Mugler Creative Director and Lady Gaga Fashion Director, Nicola Formichetti, to create Lady Gaga’s interpretation of the iconic Santa’s Workshop.

In honor of this special project, Barneys New York is proud to donate 25% of sales from all items featured in GAGA’S WORKSHOP to the Born This Way Foundation,

recently launched by Lady Gaga. (excerpt from Barney's site)

Click on this image to head over to Gaga's workshop

or see more in detail here via Frame Web

DAP 360* - Books, Creative Gifts and Holiday Spirit

On my trip to Boston last week, I spent some time in Paper Source and Oh my.. can I loose myself in a store like this!

Besides the incredible gifts and stationary which I am a huge sucker for, I was drawn to this  amazing book, especially since my last post on the same subject.


As a great follow up and just in time for the holidays, I couldn't resist focusing this week's Dec-a-Porter 360* post on:

Su Blackwell, The Woodcutter's Hut 2008

In these pages, Jason Thompson focused on a few ideas, and with easy to follow step-by-step instructions on how to achieve them.

The book consists of 3 main chapters:
1. Getting Started: Folding, Mutilate, Staple, and Spindle
2. Projects to Play with: Novel Ideas for Artists and Bibliophiles
3. Gallery: Reimaging the Book

Of course, I am not suggesting you run out and start ripping apart your books..but, there are so many books being discarded or unused and unloved, that can be given a second lease on life.

Visiting any Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army or Second hand shop, and you can find plenty of paperback books in groups for sometimes under a $1 - at the same time helping those in need.

And with the holiday spirit in mind, here are a few ideas to help decorate the house this season..from hanging ornaments, to wreaths ..
Why not take it one step further, and personlize these with handwritten sentiments, or a family portrait?

and wrapping gifts with customized gift tags and bows ..

or setting the table ..with a personalized touch. This could be a flower with the number or initial ..or perhaps get the kids involved and let them help paint these for a truly unique table setting.

and for all those gifts you have to give this season...

As a hostess gift, for the teachers, the post man, the ladies at the local grocer..with a special wrapping like this (which can double up as an ornament, don't you think?) how could they not feel special this year - and still don't have to break the bank.

or simply a work of art that glows on the tablescape..

This book has so many fabulous ideas and is just a pleasure to read.

Hope I sparked your curiosity ...

Want one of your very own: You can buy one here, at my Amazon Shop.

Have a wonderful weekend, and look out for more great finds from Boston on Monday's Weekend Inspiration.

Thanskgiving 1-2-3

The turkey is in the oven..
The table is set and it's almost that time of year again.
I think that Thanksgiving has become my most favorite of all holidays.

It's the holiday that crosses all religious boundries and brings families together over a long weekend as opposed to a one day celebration. No stress, no negotiating between whose in laws we are going to visit. We can spend the time with friends, our children and each other.

With table settings and decorations on my mind, I really love the idea of being able to incorporate the halloween and fall decorations from last month onto my Thanksgiving table.

Here are some ideas to inspire you in this 1-2-3 post with some delicious eye candy:

Image via Pinterest: dina hafez-suggs

Stone Gable china
Etsy finds: Giardino linen, PressedinBrooklyn Card, Cork Place holders_KaraVineyardWedding

Centerpiece via BHG.com, Table via Domino, Table via hgtv.com 

As it is the time of giving back, I couldn't resist in finding some really great Etsy shops that not only help out some local small businesses, but also make your Thanksgiving table all the more original.

Table & detail: marthastewart.com,  pisforparty.blogspot.com, Countryliving.com

What a great idea above of a long table - use this as a buffet table for the left overs so everyone can help themselves throughout the day.

Stonegable table setting, hgtv.com table, sweetsomethingdesign.com

I love being able to mix and match the china. Don't be afraid to get creative and have fun with it! You have four days to explore the options.

Candles via marthastewart.com
Etsy.com finds: Paper Cone Placeholders: ameasuredgift; Sierrametaldesign Napkin Rings

and these ideas are great and an inexpensive way to make that special difference!

marthastewart.com

multiplydelicious.com, Marthstewart.com DIY ideas

Of course we shouldn't forget the kids. It can be fun; it can be quirky..but always stylish!

Luxeandlillies.com

Wishing you all a very Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving weekend,
Safe travels and see you next week on Monday with my Weekend Inspiration..and promise it won't be about food!