Merry! Merry!

Source: sointovintage.blogspot.com via Adair on Pinterest

Happy Happy Happy Holidays! Anyone else not finished yet??!?!? Growing up, this time of year was always quite magical, little did I know that behind the scenes was absolutely insane. Finishing up things at work, shopping for family and friends, parties, cooking, baking, hosting, mingling, wrapping, planning for 2012. Whew.

Cheers to you all and best wishes for a wonderful holiday and prosperous.healthy.happy. new year!

Introducing the Interioriented Store!

A Pair of Chinese Chippendale Side Chairs. Finished in Red  newly upholstered in a raised, cut velvet, quatrefoil sturdy (upholstery weight) fabric. Contact me for pricing and shipping information!

The first go-round at selling furniture... Please comment on what you would like to see in the Interioriented Store! And give feedback on what you need for me to communicate about each piece - maybe dimensions?

These chairs measure - 39" high, 19" deep, with a seat height of 21"

Please pardon the model, she is not for sale, but is such a ham. 

My Christmas Tree

Well, I forgot I had three festive gatherings this past weekend. So, the Christmas tree project took a backseat when I made this centerpiece for my mom's kitchen. Using yard-found items and her existing poinsettias and votives, I made a holly tree type thing-ish. It was festive, Christmasy and served it's purpose; to add height and color to the island. Maybe this weekend, in between getting ALL of my Christmas shopping done, I'll construct that tree I've been thinking about - we shall see.

Trimming the tree...

...out of my budget. How sad, my holly jolly spirit is squelched by the lack of a Christmas tree. I figured out last night that I need something in my cottage that says Yuletide greetings. My project for the weekend is a make-shift Christmas tree. Will post on Monday with my success (I won't be negative and put the opposite of success.)

Source: birchandbird.com via Birch on Pinterest

O' Tannenbaum.

Source: cfabbridesigns.com via Charlene on Pinterest

A can-do diy ornament.

Source: images.search.yahoo.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

Foreshadowing my Monday post.

pa rum pum pum pum

Christmasy drumroll. The Pantone color of the year was introduced today!

Source: pantone.com via Adair on Pinterest

Tangerine Tango.

Pantone does extensive color studies with experts from a variety of different industries. Think how many industries could be involved in color - cars, fashion, interior design, too many to list.

Source: pantone.com via Tara on Pinterest

Sketches from Adrienne Vittadini

Source: pantone.com via Kathryn on Pinterest

Oranges galore.

Just keeping you up to date on the color forecast.

Find Out About Polyvore, Friends.

Back in the day, when I worked at a fabric showroom, clients would come in and say "I want to do something different!" Good for you, I'd say. Let's look around. Giant floral, bold geometric. They'd really get into it, but then I'd bring them back to reality with "You may like this piece of fabric, but would you wear it?" Oh the look on their perplexed faces. My motto is if you wouldn't put it on your body, you're going to hate it in your house. Style doesn't stay in your closet. It's your own personal statement of how YOU like things to look. Interior design is tricky because it's all about personal taste. As a designer, it's my job to read your taste and make offerings on what I think you might like + a little bit of my taste + your opinion. It's hard work.

I wear the same thing everyday I go to work. On the weekends, I add spandex and Minnetonka moccasins. Here are a few outfits that some gifted people made on polyvore - which is a neat, neat, neat website. Much like Pinterest, Polyvore allows you to clip pictures from favorite shopping sites and make ensembles/collages/dream wardrobes.

Source: moredesignplease.com via Kate on Pinterest

Source: polyvore.com via Beth on Pinterest

Source: polyvore.com via Ann on Pinterest

Source: polyvore.com via Kimeshia on Pinterest

I'd call it a mix between scrap-booking and window-shopping, but haute-er. In planning an outfit to wear to a Christmas cocktail party this weekend, I internet-enlisted Polyvore for help, unbeknownst to them. Thanks P.! Appreciate the help!

Setting the Table

I don't believe I have ever set a formal table with 19 forks, 7 knives, a tiny fork and minute spoon. One day, maybe. At 27, I haven't prepared for a state dinner. Preparing for my adult table, I don't want a bunch of fuss. My style is much more eclectic. But, how do you make an eclectic table setting without it looking like you raided Replacements Ltd. on I-85.

My solution to table setting eclecticism: Either your charger or your dinner plate should be plain and simple. You can have plain ol' white or with a metallic rim or a colored band. Then for the contrast you can go wild, natural organic patterns - animal, reptile, wood grain. Geometric, this one you can make it an all over pattern or use your geometric rim as the plain plate. Rambling. Here are a few pictures of successful, eclectic settings.

Source: nickholmes.tumblr.com via Kat on Pinterest

A picture diagram of how to set a table with a fish course?!

Source: lonnymag.com via Adair on Pinterest

Example of your plain dinner plate, wild animal charger and geometric dessert (? could be salad) plate. Gold is the element that ties the flatware and silver(gold here)ware together.

Source: lonnymag.com via Lonny on Pinterest

A solid color charger also adds a great layer to the table. The feathered placemat is the organic/wild animal accent. I like the mix of silver goblets with the gold.

Source: theinspiredroom.net via Jackie on Pinterest

Playing up the bird theme, the centerpiece - an important member of the table association - is feathers that go with the Woodland plate.

Source: amazon.com via Adair on Pinterest

A great table setting book: Flair by Joe Nye

Source: stylecarrot.com via Adair on Pinterest

A chinoiserie table setting set by Joe Nye.

Do you think a fancy table setting makes the food taste better? One would hope cheetah plates would take the attention off of my burnt dinner.

Go. Now.

Cozamia is having a 30% off sale! Go.

Imagekind.com use code: 30ELF to receive 30% off your order!

Source: imagekind.com via Adair on Pinterest

Nancy Ramirez, artist.

Getting Cooler. Getting Warmer?

Neutral palettes are the diving boards you can use to jump into different pools of color. What a metaphor. A little pinterest/internet window shopping experiment and this is what I came up with... which do you prefer cool or warm - blue or red? See how the "feel" of each room is different, let me know what you think! And, as always, have a great weekend!