Genevieve Lethu

Do you decorate for the seasons? I don’t mean Pumpkins and Santas. Those are great for the kids. I’m talking about switching the toss pillows and throws from cool tones to warm ones. How about changing your tableware, too? Looking at the same old dishes every day gets boring.

I’m thinking of chunky dishware that reminds me of stews, chili and hot soup – the kind of food we look forward to when the weather turns cold.

I found these at Genevieve Lethu, the French store with shops here in the States. The plate is from the Mathilde Collection and comes in two colors. I mixed that with some leafy spoons that I would team with my regular flatware. Maybe add a horned steak knife. A chunky glass, this one is called Tendance.

I love this La Memoire de Temps ceramic pitcher. Use it as a centerpiece, or fill it with cider. Finally, I’ve covered the table with a table runner that ties it all together.

To find Genevieve Lethu shops near you, follow this link.

Create a colorful table for outdoor dining

It’s summertime and the living is easy. Dining should be too, don’t you think? A summer salad, grilled fish, fresh fruit and a glass of chilled Sangria are on the menu. What’s on the table?

I came across this beautiful photo of an outdoor picnic in Cote Sud and it inspired me to recreate its breezy, cheerful and, (best of all) laid back style. Brights are on the menu for my version.

I’m starting with a beautiful tablecloth made from Brunschwig & Fils’ Fawkes cotton print. The table is set with:

• plates from Gracious Home. Their Benidorm melamine dishware ($15 each) comes in a variety of bowls and dishes.
• We’re drinking our sangria in Juicy acrylic glasses from Target ($$19.99 for a set of four).
• The blue, striped flatware is from Nautical Luxuries ($320 for a set of four, 5-piece settings) is imported from France. Ooh la la.
• Finally, our Francesca Orange napkin can be found at Roberta Roller Rabbit ($8.00 each).

But we’re not finished. We need a centerpiece and some accessories.

• I love this centerpiece, made from recycled pop cans.¬† Would real flowers, picked form your own garden fit our scene more perfectly? Err, yes. But I like it, so it’s in. My fake flowers are from Eco-Artware ($24 for six flowers).
• This set of colorful, melamine stacking bowls are perfect for our fruit and salads. They’re from Apartment 48 ($65).
• I also love this collapsible cooler - just the thing to keep our sangria cold. It comes in two colors. You can find it on sale at Sur La Table ($31.96).
• Now for the chairs. Maine Cottage serves up several styles that come in just about any color you like. Their Edna Chair sells for $350.00.

Outdoor Dining Tip

Please don’t hesitate to take your indoor furniture outdoors for an evening. There’s something about a wooden table and chairs that create a romantic atmosphere. If you can fashion a canopy, keep the furniture out all summer. If not, be sure to cover the set table with an old sheet until your guests arrive. This will keep the leaves and birds from making a mess of your beautiful tablescape.

Do you think it’s important to have a separate set of dishes for outdoors?

Mood indigo: decorating inspiration in a blue hue

I thought you’d enjoy taking a look at interior design inspiration based on indigo, one of the most rare and expensive dyes in the ancient world. Deep blue hues seem to like living with turquoise and voilet.

The contrast it offers next to white is also perfection.

It all depends what mood you’re in. Here, the designer jumped across the color wheel to create a warm contrast.

Feeling dark and mysterious? Indigo is the way to go.Indigo will make the orange tones in wood pop.

Feeling uncommitted? You can paint your walls white and use indigo for accents. Some choices are: IKEA’s PS Collection African rug, Indigo toss pillows from Persnickety Home ($17.95), Ink Dish Tattoo dishware from Fitzsu ($82.00 for a 4-piece setting), & Crate & Barrel’s Lago Lamp ($129).

Maybe because it’s summer, I think white is looking really good next to indigo. But turquoise, and other jewel tones, are also beautiful. Agree?

images: Henry Bourne, William Waldron, Hanks Fonk

Mother’s Day: breakfast in bed

I think Mother’s Day was invented by Hallmark. Or Kay Jewelers. All I want is breakfast in bed and someone else to cook dinner. A handmade card is nice. But a kiss will do just fine.

I like this idea. Make Mother’s Day simple yet meaningful. Give her a special breakfast in bed set?

Add a cloth napkin with a special note from the kids written on it using fabric paint or just a Sharpie. Don’t forget to add coupons good for doing the laundry, or cooking dinner. Each year the set comes out just for her day.

You can find something nice on eBay, or any local china shop. This Summer Pattern is from Tiffany’s. It’s expensive, but you don’t have to spend the big bucks. (I just think this one is pretty).

I like the idea of making Mother’s Day about children thanking their Mom – not a spouse giving diamonds. Do you agree?

Blossom & Pomegranate seder plate

Since Passover is right around the corner, I thought I’d check out seder plates. I found some funky styles at Modern Tribe.

This enamel and laser cut aluminum plate ($195) was created by jewelry designer Yossi Steinberg for Blossom & Pomegranante.