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Last Day To Enter This Week’s Giveaway!
This week’s giveaway, a copy of the newly published book, The Vintage Table, is over at the end of the day today! If you haven’t entered, follow this link to get the details and enter now!
Mastering the art of French tabletop décor is not my forté. That’s why I found this book so inspirational. But I promise to send it to the winner when I draw the lucky name tomorrow. And, no, it hasn’t been dog-eared! No coffee cup marks either. :-)
Good luck – check this site tomorrow.
DH Giveaway Winners!
What a crazy week I had. So much work to do with clients, getting my home ready for the holidays, Christmas shopping. Is it like that for you? I hope these prizes will help dress your tree, or someone else’s. And I’m hoping the Paint Style book will inspire the winner to spruce up a room or two. If you need some help, just ask me!
The winner of the Lilly Pulitzer gift set is….
Shahida!
Congratulations! I’m giving Shahida the preppy name of Curly, after the woman who built our home, Curly Ledyard. She was the ultimate prepster. So, Curly! Your gift will be winging its way to your home on Monday.
The winner of the Paint Style book is….
Jeanne!
Jeanne is not in to pink and green. I’m sure she’ll find some excellent ideas to paint her home beautifully. Congratulations!
Next week, I’ll have two more giveaways. Stay tuned on Monday for the big reveal. Have a great weekend.
Friday Favorite: Art & Photos by Marc Loret
I can’t remember how I came across Marc Loret, but I was immediately attracted to his photography. Let’s take a peek.
Marco lives and works in France where he pursues his two passions: photography and nature. Many of his photos are of the natural world. He sells his work at his Etsy shop. Standard size prints are 6″ x 6″ and sell for $9.00. You can order larger prints as well.
I suggest buying several and grouping them. Buy three – one in a larger size and two in the same. Mat and frame them and you’ve got a lovely wall.
When Marc isn’t taking photos, he’s creating his own illustrations on vintage books.
You can find these at his other Etsy shop. Most prints sell for about $10.50.
What I Want For Christmas
Dahling, this speaks to me. Don’t ask me why, because it’s completely silly, but I love this pig. I’m not a particular fan of pigs, but I am a huge fan of Jaime Hayon. And here’s something designed by Jaime (first name basis you know) that’s not thousands of dollars – only around $142.00 at Wannakees.
A little pig could look nice on a bookshelf, a dresser or some other serendipitous place It’s just a little something that makes me smile.
What’s on your smile list?
DH Gift Ideas For A Beach Cottage
It may be cold in some parts of the world, but it’s summer in others. And as sure as day follows night, I’ll soon be shouting, “surf’s up!” at Chum Bucket. Which means that it’s always the season for a beach cottage gift.
My current favorite are these glass nests created by Heather Palmer. They come in four sizes and three colors. The small size retails for $60.00 at Maxwell Silver.
Here are a few other suggestions. First, the always wonderful Hable Construction. Check out their pillows and this photo frame ($65.00). They also make great Christmas stockings.
Next up are these glasses from Cat Studio. They make vacation-themed pillows and glasses that are lots of fun. These are from Tabula Tua. A set of four sells for $48.00.
Finally, a classic Mediterraneo bowl designed by Emma Silvestri for Alessi. Find it at Unica Home ($75.00 for the small size).
Top 8 Scent Diffusers
I’ve become a fan of diffusers. Candles can cloud the air, while diffusers are clean. They’re also beautiful and look great in a powder room, or on a kitchen counter.
Here are eight great styles
1. Alora Ambiance
Alora’s scents are splendid and the diffuser is nice. They feature a cloth label from the designer or company who created the scent. And there are a wide variety of scents to choose from. My only complaint is that I don’t like labels. You can’t peel these off. The 16 oz. diffusers last for 4 -6 months and sell for $80.00. If you live in Detroit, you can find them at Barney’s Co-Op. They sell an 8 oz size for $58.00.
2. Manhattan Diffusion
I like these diffusers from, Manhattan Diffusion, a lot. They’re glass and come in several sizes and shapes. The largest, Classic” size (500 ml) sells for $48.00. They sell a mini for $14.00.
3. K Hall Designs
The scents from K Hall Designs are really the thing here. They’re very sophisticated and use high quality ingredients. They have a label, but I like the style. If the diffuser is set among some other tabletop items, I think it won’t look so much like a product. You can buy these locally at Scout, in Royal Oak.
4. Votivo
What’s not to like here? I ask you! Votivo’s diffuser is the loveliest ($50.00). They’re famous for their red current scent.
More scented beauty!
DH Giveaway! Handmade Christmas Stocking
This week’s giveaway is a beautiful, handmade Christmas stocking, designed, machine embroidered, and sewn together by me! Say nice things about it!
This giveaway is like the others. It last all week and I’ll draw the winner at random on Saturday. Leave a comment under any of the posts and you’re in. I ship to the US and Canada.
I’ll run reminder posts, with the final one on Wednesday. Then I’m off for Thanksgiving. But you’ll hear from me on Saturday when I announce the winner. And don’t forget that starting next week I’ll be running two giveaways each week until Christmas.
Friday Favorite: One King’s Lane
I am totally addicted to this shopping site. One King’s Lane sells luxury home goods and discounted prices. I stop by almost every day to see what’s up for grabs. If I ever get my Christmas list act together I’m going to do some serious damage there – probably just for myself!
Here are a few things that were up for sale as of yesterday.
Trays, place mats and bowls from Pearl Dragon, pillows by Monya, and throws from Pur Cashmere (were $356, now $179). You have to act fast or the best stuff is gone. Great shopping site.
DH Gift Guide: 5 Great Gifts For Guitar Players
My gift guides this year aren’t just about interior design. I thought I’d spread the subject out. After all, we like interior design. But it’s not necessarily the thing for those we love. Plus, it gives me a chance to visit life outside the box for a bit and work on my own shopping list. wink, wink.
Do you know a guitar player? How about a wanna-be guitar player? Here are some ideas from my favorite musician, misterarthur.
1. Personalized Picks
All the big rock stars have them. Here, for example, a front and back of one of Eric Clapton’s picks: There’s no reason you can’t do the same for the guitar player in your life. Lots of places sell them, but Pickworld (100 picks for $30) is a good place to start.
Before you buy, check your player’s preferences. Picks are made of various materials and thicknesses. Your guitarist may prefer one over another. Even if you don’t get them exactly right, your player will be thrilled.
2. Vintage Rock Poster
How about a ‘vintage’ rock poster? Real antique posters are pricey pricey pricey. Consider getting one from one of the originators of “psychedelic art”, Detroit’s own Gary Grimshaw. He’s re-printed some faves we can all afford. Here’s Jimi Hendrix at Detroit’s Masonic Temple Auditorium ($15.00)
If you’re into more modern music, here’s one for the White Stripes ($30.00)
3. Guitar Strings
You can never have enough of ‘em, and getting a whole bunch at once would be very cool. They also make a great small gift at around $12.00 a pack. Musician’s Friend sells all kinds of strings – separately and in bulk sets, which are fun. Be sure to look through his or her guitar case to see what brand he or she likes. (And remember, electric and acoustic guitars use different kinds of strings). Ok, so they don’t have swanky packaging – you’ll think of something to make them look more attractive.
4. Guitar Case
Lugging a hard case around gets to be kind of a drag. But most soft cases don’t do a real good job protecting the instrument. This one does. It’s made by Mono ($189.99).
5. A Guitar!
If you have a tween-ager or an older daughter who’d like to play the guitar, there are a bunch of great choices. Daisy Rock makes guitars just for girls. The acoustic Wildwood model ($419) comes in funky colors.
If your daughter is more of an electric rocker chick, try one of these. The Squier Hello Kitty Stratocaster ($199.99) is sized for a younger girl. So is the Daisy Rock Debutante series. The pink guitar on the left is sells for $169.00.
Finding the groupies are up to you!
DH Gift Guide: 10 Great Gifts for iPods
Yay! My first gift guide is here at last. I know you’ve been counting the days. I’m starting things off with add-on suggestions for one of my favorite, can’t-live-without things – the iPhone. Actually, these gifts are great for an iPod, cell phone, etc…
1. Gelaskin Covers
I like Gelaskins because they protect your iPhone without making it bulky. They’ve got zillions of styles to choose from ($14.95). Here is a blogosphere favorite.
2. Vers Wooden iPhone Cover
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Vers makes this hip wooden cover. The iWhatever slides in. You’ll find this at my favorite gadget shop, Think Geek ($39.95).
3. Fallout Custom Headphones
I styled these myself. I think the pink fur on Fallout’s custom headphones ($34.99) is so classy, yes? You can find these at iFrogz.
Giveaway Week 2: Terra Home Not-Just-For-Sushi Dishes
Yay! I’ve recovered from the horrid H1N1 and am in full Giveaway form. This is week two of Six Weeks of Giveaways and I have something really special – a set of four Not Just For Sushi dishes from Terra Home ($88.00 retail).
These lovely dishes come in three styles and you get to choose your favorite. Hand built from white stoneware, they vary in size from 8″ x 6″ down to 2″ x 4″. They’re perfect for serving small delicacies like sushi, cheeses, etc.. They could also hold a pillar candle, a bar of soap, butter, rings. Let’s face it – there are 1,001 uses for these beauties.
You could also divide up the set and give them away as hostess gifts. Everyone brings the usual bottle of wine. Why not make your gift extra-special?
Lingua Terra Tile and Terra Home is a four year-old, family run business. Bronwyn Simons worked from her rose covered cottage. The company is now housed in a sunny 1,000 square foot hand built post-and beam studio on four acres of meadow, garden, and woodland. If that doesn’t paint a picture of perfection, their four acres are in the heart of Denman Island, one of British Columbia’s jewel-like Gulf Islands, home to gorgeous mountain and ocean views, lush rain forest, and a vibrant community of artists and entrepreneurs.
Everyone who wants to visit Bronwyn right now raise your hands. Me!
How To Enter
My giveaways typically run for five days and this is no exception. To enter, simply leave a comment answering this question: What is your favorite holiday? Leave your answer under any of the daily posts. The giveaway ends Friday and I’ll announce the winner (chosen at random) on Saturday. Entries are limited to residents of the US and Canada.
What’s your favorite holiday? Arbor Day? Mine is Passover. I’m not Jewish, but I’ve been a guest at several seders. I like a holiday that encourages everyone to sit with each other and enjoy a long meal.
Helen Musselwhite’s Cut Paper Artwork
Sorry to be posting so late. I’m in the midst of writing up purchase orders for a project I’m working on. In the spirit of the occassion, I thought I’d feature the cut “paperwork” of artist, Helen Musselwhite.
Helen, working from her UK studio, cuts paper elements and arranges them to create three-dimensional works of art. She has an obvious love of owls.
Her work is perfect for a nursery. I’d place one on a stand and place it on shelves or the dresser of baby’s room.
These would also look perfect in a small cottage. Make it part of a grouping. Or hang it on a small wall, so it makes the most impact.
I like these especially. A little girl’s room would be happier with one of these on the wall.
To do own a little cabin near a lake? Helen’s woodland scenes would look splendid there.
Any of these would make a unique and memorable gift. Who wouldn’t love to hang that Owlphabet in their nursery?
Helen Musselwhite’s work comes in several sizes. You can order directly from her. Prices seem to range from $53 to $150 and depend on the size an complexity. She does custom work as well.