How To Wrap Christmas Gifts Using Handmade & Recycled Things From Around The House

If you haven’t guessed yet from the shortage of posts, my life has been super busy. But not too busy to wrap Christmas presents in a new way (for me). I decided that this year I would wrap everything with materials I already had on hand. I started with newspaper, and embellished each package with decorations I cut out of wallpaper samples, left-over wrapping paper, etc. I also used rubber stamps and markers (particularly silver and gold). Read More…

Design Hole’s Gift Guide For Design Lovers Who Love Food

Jeez, how do I follow up misterarthur’s man-manship gift guide? It was obviously spot on. Well, they say that the way to man’s heart is through is stomach. So if you can’t afford a riding snow blower, here are some gift ideas for the special man in your life, or anyone who loves food. Read More…

How To Create Beautiful Holiday Centerpieces (And Other Home Accents) Using Botanicals

I was visiting my friend, Lizz Linabury’s gorgeous home a few weeks ago. She is one amazingly creative woman. I was especially admiring an art installation over her bed made from bell jars and manzanita branches. “Where did you find those awesome sticks,” I inquired. “Haven’t you heard of Nettleton Hollow?” No!

A ran all the way home (not really), and checked out their site. Nettleton Hollow is now my new favorite floral resource. With all the Holidays coming up I thought I’d share some of their products, and brilliant ideas for creating lovely centerpieces. Here we go!

Many of us are opting for a more casual style of living. That includes losing the formal dining room, and entertaining entirely in the kitchen. I love this kitchen – it’s formal enough for Thanksgiving. Wish I were invited! The arrangement of flowers on the table gave me the idea to replicate the look with year-round options. Try dry fruits and pods. They’re soooo much better than silk flowers, which scream “last century!” PLEASE! Don’t use fake. Use dried. I’d choose a better pot than the one shown with the lavender. Check out the terrific pots available at Jamali Garden. Read More…

Tuesday Review & Giveaway: Baroness von Neumann Candles, Dahlink

Let me begin this review by saying that the candle I was asked to sample from Baroness von Neumann is attractive. So is the box it came in. As such, it might make a delightful gift. The scent, Fete is a little overpowering. I prefer a more subtle scent. But that’s a personal thing, right?

I must admit, the Baroness’ “resumé” smells a little well, eau de poisson-y to moi.

I’m sure they’re accurate, but her press materials stress a ready-for-reality-show kind of vibe. Born in Detroit (how gauche!), raised in “Hollywood”, sent to Swiss finishing school following her marriage to the Baron John Von Neumann. He “discovered” her at a party when she was only 18.  (Perhaps Fete is a Baronessian homage to that fateful evening). Her background also includes a stint as a Dior muse, a dancer, and, “international tastemaker”. (I’d love that job title, by the way). Read More…

6 Easy-To-Make Holiday Centerpieces

Need some inspiration for your holiday table? Here are some ideas you can do yourself, or take to your florist.

A bark basket is filled with pine greens, twigs from a craft store, pine cones and berries. Buy large pine cones and use florist wire to wrap floral sticks to them. Place into oasis to create this beautiful centerpiece for a table or your coffee table.

This is a photo of my sister-in-law’s dining room. She lives in Verbier, Switzerland. You can’t see it, but a beautiful waterfall tumbles behind the window. Here, she’s get a beautiful basket, wrapped with leaves and tied with twine. The basket it filled with hydrangeas. Simple and lovely. If you can’t find hydrangeas, use another full flower.

I made this simple centerpiece using a wood, leaf-shaped basket from Scout, a home store in Royal Oak ($54.00). I used pine cuttings from the yard and layered large pine cones on top. Another cutting from a tree, tied with a satin ribbon, finishes the look.

This is another simple idea you can do yourself. Square, decorative boxes are lined with votives filled with water and a litte oasis. Pine cuttings and wild flowers are placed to create small, simple centerpieces. Make several and line them along the table, alternating votives candles.

I like this more abstract idea. You can use just about any sort of vase you have and fill them will a variety of roses and other flowers to create a colorful setting that matches your dishes. You can spray paint leaves to create even more bling factor.

This lovely idea using paperwhites is from My Sweet Savannah. Check out her blog for even more ideas.