My Snowy Valentine

I dashed out early Wednesday morning ahead of the snowstorm and crowds, to get ready for cupid's holiday. It felt like a sweet little victory to get everything checked off my list and spend the afternoon cooking and listening to French music.

A romantic card on a pretty cotton tablecloth.



Yesterday morning I came downstairs opened the front door and this was the scene.  Over 12" and still snowing. Those little mounds just beyond the Korean Lilac are boxwoods. By the time round two rolled through, there wasn't a bit of green to be seen. Yesterday afternoon was spent shoveling-round three comes tonight or tomorrow!



I couldn't decide on one color, so I chose three! Who says you need roses to set a romantic tone?



A little something for the foyer table too.

Who doesn't LOVE an embroidered linen hand towel? 

Wondering how long the shoveling was going to take yesterday...



so we could play!

Wooden letters and glass hearts to send hugs & kisses and wish you a


 Happy Valentines Day!

All photos courtesy of A&A

What Would Edith Wharton Say?

Dearest Edith,

I am writing to inform you that formal living rooms are no longer in fashion. Well, at least in the 21st century. Well, at least at my house. And, perhaps a few million other people.

A formal living room that Edith would certainly have enjoyed.

Please don't faint when I tell you that the living room, formally known as the parlour, has far too often become a large box devoid of all architectural detail,  fireplaces and appropriate furnishings. Well at least (no fireplace) at my house. And, perhaps a few million other people.



I have read your book, like any decorator should, cover to cover.

It's incredibly sad. And incredibly liberating! You would be quite shocked to learn that people rarely dress up and entertain in the living room except perhaps during the holiday season. I must confess I often wear pants or jeans, a silk blouse and heels while entertaining. I know you don't know what jeans are and that's just as well. If you did, you would likely gasp. Pants are like men's trousers, but for women. With the exception of hiring the occasional caterer, I do all the cooking for parties. I have no servants. People often gather in the family room (which should really be called the living room because it's where we do most of our activities), libraries and kitchens. Probably because of the lack of servants. Well at least at my house. And, perhaps a few million other people.

Classic yet modern in it's multi-purpose function of working, dining and whining. I love the idea for this space, but I would whine without at least two comfortable chairs next to a fireplace to enjoy my favorite bottle and a good book!

Even though I have a library, it has been my dream for far too long to convert our seldom used living room into a large library/office. The current library is small does not have adequate bookshelves, but it is a wonderfully cozy room with a fireplace and a large window overlooking the backyard and we use it in every season,  every day. It's probably my favorite room. I love to shut the french doors read, listen to music, enjoy my favorite elixirs and even work. A larger library would better suit our particular lifestyle. I don't know if we'll have the chance to fulfill our dream of converting the living room in this house, but it's high on the list for the next one! I think you (and hope architects of the future) understand this preference and shift and would be proud that we (decorators) will strive to include appropriate architectural details and volumes of books.  And of course only a few, well chosen biblots and most definitely keep the bric-a-brac to a minimum!

Affectionately,
A devoted reader

PS: I do understand that not everyone would agree with me on this point. And I have seen and been a guest in some beautiful, well appointed living rooms that the occupants use for formal entertaining. And although it's not for me, as I prefer a room that serves more than one function, I still appreciate the beauty when I sit in one that is well done and love to help clients create one if it's part of their design dream and lifestyle. After all, life unfolds in the rooms we use and love the most. It's where our memories are made and the details of our stories are gathered for future generations. I know dearest Edith, you would approve of that sentiment.

Baby, it's cold outside!

Talk about the shivers!!! On my way home, I passed by this house located in Middleburg, Virginia.  The large icicle over the doorway was about 5 feet long- absolutely horrifying! I was already freezing cold and this just made me want to get home quickly and park myself next to the fireplace for the evening. We still have plenty of snow on the ground and with the latest weather forecast, it seems few will be escaping Mother Nature's icy grip this year. Brrrrr. 

I certainly hope there is another way into this house!?

2014. What's In/What's Out?

Every year the Washington Post publishes it's Out/In List. And,  just like every new year I read it along with Dave Barry's year in review. The DB article is a cynical, albeit mostly true, synopsis of what each month had to offer in world events, politics and people that captured our attention for better or worse. Mostly the latter.  It is always so damn funny. The out/in list is an entirely different read,  almost like the pulse of current pop culture and trends.  I am always surprised by the things that I've never heard of and the things that don't make the list. So this year I felt compelled to come up with a list of my own!

                                                               

OUT                                                               IN
weird pet pictures                                           silly pet pictures                  

Wiener, Spitzer, Ford                                     anybody else

fiscal cliff                                                       bankruptcy
parking spots for expecting mothers              parking spots for actual handicapped people                
loud talkers                                                    discreet talkers  
over sharing                                                   restraint
trellis patterns                                                 velvet solids
neon colors                                                     jewel tones
skinny jeans                                                    long skirts
scarves in summer                                          scarves in winter
gloves                                                             long gloves
bulky coats                                                     car coats and capes
Dexter                                                            Downtown Abbey
20 something know-it-alls                              50 somethings who know more, but don't over share
yearly trends                                                  classics
chemically aged or faux brass                       naturally aged solid brass and french brass
succulents                                                      topiaries
cupcakes                                                        muffins
dinner parties                                                 supper clubs
texting to talk                                                 actual phone conversations
air kissing                                                       real kissing
bromance                                                       drinking buddy
baby bump                                                     pregnant
my bad                                                           oops
people who think they're interesting              people who live lives beyond social media
big egos                                                          graciousness
wonderful, fabulous                                       the truth
smart phones as security blankets                   confidence
politicians on late night                                  dignified leaders
whatever                                                        witty quips
back scratchers                                               scalp massagers
antlers on cars                                                wreaths on car grills
inflatable holiday decor                                  wreaths on windows,  lights that work
stretchy dog leashes                                       standard leads controlled by considerate dog owners
ugly Christmas sweaters/theme parties           adults acting like adults                                        
public marriage proposals                              dignified private proposals
saying what you think you should say           having an opinion

And on that note, I'd love to hear your opinions of what you think should be on the list!

Merry, Merry Christmas!

I thought I was being brave last year venturing into orange, but when my husband said he'd like to see purple, his favorite color, in the decorating scheme, I was a bit concerned I couldn't pull it off... tastefully.

Then after an exhaustive search, I couldn't seem to turn up anything that didn't look like it belonged in the eighties or a teenage girls room. Ironically, I discovered from a few retailers purple was the "in" color last year.

 

So I found myself hours from starting the tree decorating with no real plan other than I loved the tree last year and the year before. I still wanted to use orange, but maybe in a more subtle natural way. That of course meant drying dozens of orange slices. A short time later I got a call from my husband declaring he found purple glass balls. He was at Home Depot,  now I was really nervous. Turned out no cause for concern was necessary. He came home with 2 large boxes with a mix of shiny and matte balls that conjured up visions of sugar plums! 

Each year I think the current tree is my favorite, but this year I finally realized they are all my favorites because they start with the same basic mix of things made by my kids and all the sentimental ornaments we've collected over the years.

Who would have thought orange and purple would be my favorite combination ever- well at least this year!

WISHING YOU AND YOURS A MERRY, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The Great Pumpkin Craving And A Favorite Muffin Recipe!

I go through it every year, that seasonal addiction that has me obsessing over pumpkins. Don't you?

Bet you can't eat just one!

The origin of the original recipe is unknown, I tore it from a magazine long ago. Over the years I've  made changes here and there until it had that perfect combo of spice and moist richness. It's a holiday staple in our house and a family favorite. This is my first time sharing it...with anyone!

Rebecca's Pumpkin Spice Muffins

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 12 count muffin pan with very soft butter using the butter wrapper or parchment paper.

In a medium bowl combine and set aside:
3 1/2 C. all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1tsp salt
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves


In a large bowl, beat until creamy:
1 stick unsalted butter-softened
2 cups sugar

Then add:
1tsp. vanilla
4 eggs
1 C. applesauce
1 C. canned pumpkin

Plus:
2/3 C. apple cider*

Begin mixing in dry ingredients, alternating with the apple cider*.  Stir in nuts and raisins last.

And:
Add 1 1/2 C. golden raisins (regular can be substituted)
Add 1/2 cup chopped pecans (if you're a nut lover)

Bake 18-20 minutes.

Sweet Twist:
Skip the nuts & raisins and top with your favorite cream cheese icing and turn it into a cupcake! Or mix softened butter with a bit of maple syrup and spread on warm muffins. Serve with hot cider for the perfect treat sitting by a roaring fire!

Tuesday Tip

Consider giving something you thought was really ugly a complete overhaul. The results may surprise you!

BEFORE:
The client sent me this photo taken at night, I'd swear, just to demonstrate how ugly and hopeless the chair was in it's current state. It had been recovered in this red stripped, somewhat shiny,  fabric a decade ago. The little blue fabric swatch she tossed on the back indicated to me she was open to the possibility it could have a new life. That and a story she told me of how this was the chair that her husband used to sit on, with a board laid acrss the arms, so he could do his homework as a child. I pounced on it! And not just because of sentimal reasons...



BEFORE:
but also becasue this chair had the right proportions, was well made and so interesting with the barley twist details! Not what you normally see on an Arts and Crafts style chair.  A bobbin or spool chair would have been a handsome addition to the room. But I didn't see the point when I knew this one would do just fine. We took the blue velvet seat from an occasional chair, just to have a look since the client thought she wanted blue to be one of the predominate colors in the room.



AFTER:
Purist's look away, or least try to keep in mind I was trying to save this chair from a life sentence in a basement. The new ebony color, proved to be just the stroke of genius that many of you got a good laugh over last year! It certainly yielded the desired effect to overhaul this baby.
 And, of course the perfect fabrics...

made the transformation complete. The cream toss pillow with the carmel velvet "conversation bubbles" is from John Robshaw and the wool plaid is from Kravet.  As you can see, we ended up with just a hint of blue-gray in the plaid I selected. I joked with the client that if she comes home one day and the chair is missing, it's at my house. Her response? It better not be because now it's one of her favorite pieces too!