Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Wedding Wednesday.....Rehearsal Dinner Decor


I'm not going to lie, there are times when I hold out on ya'll.

Especially with the wedding, I don't always want to just give away the whole farm. Which is super difficult when blogging, because obviously full disclosure is key.

I've thought about keeping my rehearsal dinner inspiration a secret, but I've decided to share it with you. Now, don't you feel super special?

We're having our rehearsal dinner at the Admiral Nimitz Museum in downtown Fredericksburg.
It will be in their courtyard, which is simple and beautiful.

Our meal will be BBQ---standard fare for rehearsal dinners, but the place is actually really delish.
This next statement may offend some, but although I was born and raised in Texas, I'm not super into "Texas-y" decor.

I know the whole mason jar thing is super popular right now, but I'm not into it.

GASP. I know. I don't like Dave Matthews either, while I'm revealing blasphemous secrets.
There, I said it.

Anyway, the least offensive choice for dinnerware from our caterer is blue and white speckled melamine. Popular for Texas-y and Homestyle type restaurants. And I actually think they're pretty cute.


After we agreed on that with the caterer, I thought, now what on god's green earth do I do with the decor?

And then it came to me.

Blue and white porcelain.
Tons of it. 
In all of it's traditional, asian, retro glory.


Some inspiration if you will.



If the wedding gods were smiling on me, I'd find some huge blue and white pots for orange trees.
I'm obsessed with the thought/concept of orange trees.
I just love them.


We will also be repurposing some of the white orchids that will be used the next day at the wedding in blue and white planters.






I've gone all over (flea market, antique shops, etc) looking for blue and white porcelain, and I've actually found some pretty great deals so far.




I'm still undecided on napkins, but I'm thinking alternating bright orange and pink linen ones.

Wish I could get super intense and have them all monogrammed, but we're having a HUGE rehearsal dinner and I'm not a gazillionare.

images via Pinterest

It's a nice thought though.

Thoughts?

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Tree Time......The Beverly Hills Hotel


Does Christmas seem like it's coming really early this year?
Not that I'm complaining, I started listening to my Christmas music in July. Per usual.

I'm helping my boss do Christmas decorating for clients for the next few weeks and it's gotten me to thinking about my own Christmas.

I've been wanting to do something a little different for a while now. Something with a twist.
Candidly, I want a pink tree. I think we discussed that a couple years ago.

But I've put it off because I know that the best time to purchase a new fake tree is immediately following Christmas when they go on sale. So, I'm trying to think of something fun I can do with my existing green tree.

And today I thought, What about a Beverly Hills Hotel inspired tree?

You know, something fun, something retro, and something that conjurs feelings of warmer temps?


God that hotel is fabulous.



So, starting with my typical green Christmas tree with white lights.


via Etsy

I'd add some green and white striped ribbon.

via Etsy

And a collection of pink and emerald green vintage balls.

via Etsy

And several vintage ornaments in different shades of pink.


Last year I used the Trina Turk fabric scraps from my dining chairs for my tree skirt and it worked famously. I think it might be fun to add some Brazilliance fabric for the skirt. I'm pretty sure that the Beverly Hills Hotel is emblazoned with Martinique Banana Leaf, but I like Dorothy Draper's Brazilliance much better. And this is my tree, so let me worry about historical accuracy. 


I might also order some of these fabulous pillows from a vendor on Etsy. To keep up for Christmas. Or all year-round. Whatever works. Isn't it a charming coincidence that the sofa these pillows are shown on is the same color as mine? Hmmm....

Thoughts?

Monday, November 25, 2013

The Pink Project......Dining Room.

image via Pinterest

Remember how we discussed The Pink Project?
Well, I haven't quite delivered the goods.

But being late to the party is far better than being a no-show.
So here we go. (Did not intend on rhyming.)

Not all of the rooms in The Pink Project are intended to be pink for the majority. In this home, most rooms would just have touch or two of pink. The dining room however, I would want to go BIG with the pink.


Some initial inspiration.


imageviaPinterest

image via TheGlamPad

imageviaPinterest

I will never forget when I first saw this room in Domino. Everything about it is so spot on.


And my inspiration for the actual room. As a really great color is the best foundation of all rooms, I'd paint the walls Farrow & Ball's Middleton Pink. The window would get a fabulous treatment of Schumacher's Mary McDonald Chinois Palais in Blush ConchTraditional dining table----which are becoming really really difficult to find, by the way. French Louis XVI chairs, covered in Schumacher's Sophia Velvet in coral  on the front and a Pierre Frey chinoiserie (Princesse Palatine) on the back. A gorgeous lacquered 1940's buffet would hold linens, candles, etc, while two Moroccan Pagoda china cabinets from Circa Who would flank the opposite wall. I'd have the exteriors done in ivory lacquer and the insides done in a soft aqua to complement my china. See it here. By the window, I'd add this fabulous Aldo Tura goatskin bar cart, accented with this fabulous retro pink poodle lamp. Above the dining table, this gorgeous pair of Venini Murano chandeliers. On the buffet, I'd add this pair of Famille Rose porcelain vases that have been converted to lamps. Above the buffet, I'd have a simply framed Slim Aarons print. I love the subversive element of this Slim Aarons photograph of Joan Collins in a pink bedroom with a pink poodle.

Here's a closer look at it.


I just love the juxtaposition of having a bedroom picture in the dining room. Such a conversation piece.
Only buy art you love, right?

What are your thoughts on an all pink dining room?

Monday, November 11, 2013

Design Obsession........Bear-Hill Interiors

Everyone suffers from "The Mondays" once in a while.

Even people who love their jobs, like me.

You know what cures my "Mondays"? 

Aesthetics.

Good Aesthetics.

And none better than truly beautiful interiors.

Enter Little Rock based, Bear Hill Interiors.

Oh, you thought Tobi was the only game in town?

Not so fast.


I adore Mrs. Fairley, but Bear-Hill Interiors happens to be another big Arkansas favorite of mine.
They have the most exquisite taste, the perfection of the elusive "mix" and every interior of theirs just screams glamour and elegance.


Feast your eyeballs.


I put this room first, because it's my favorite. It's just so RIGHT.
In every way. The rug, the wallpaper, the dining chairs. The mirrored doors.





 
I love how they can be traditional, modern, even a little whimsical.


Can we talk about this? Where is this and why am I not there right now?
#firstworldproblems

 

I can't EVEN. Love how they capitalized on the view and the natural light.
I'd be willing to bet that some fabulous dinner parties take place here.



all images courtesy of Bear-Hill Interiors

To see more of Bear-Hill Interiors' fabulous work, visit their website here.

Happy Monday! It will be Friday again before we even know it.