It’s that wonderful time of the year! It really is. You just have to take control and let yourself be inspired. Extra dinners with family and friends are quickly approaching. While you’re still working on the menus, here are a few inspirations for centerpieces and tablescapes.
But first, a word from the turkeys:
You don’t mean to . . . you don’t, do you! A roasted pig looks better on the table, don’t you think?
That being said by our fine feathered friends, let’s set the table!
The following is one of my favorites. The bouquet colors don’t quite fit with Thanksgiving but of course that can be remedied by making or purchasing a fall arrangement.
From Southern Living
I love these centerpieces. They’re so easy to put together!
Simple, yet stunningly beautiful centerpiece!
From Babble.com
But on a grand scheme, especially for a wining buffet, this will blow the minds of your guests:
When you live in a coastal town, as do I, a nautical tablescape is quite natural to have on any holiday . . . in fact, any day of the week:
Tablescapes can be glamorous or very traditional or formal or playful. But for those of us who prefer just the comfort of a lovely table, family and good friends, just a touch of love and simplicity fits best–as do the following table settings:
A fabulous tablescape story from Common Ground From Common Ground #2 From Common Ground #3 From Laura Casey Interiors LLC A must see blog for this setting is on Hampton Hostess
I’ll end here with just a couple of light but simple accent statements:
From Just Imagine And of course, a touch from Martha Stewart
Make It Simple, But Significant. I ran across this image on Pinterest. It’s an ad for men suits. Yet, the statement also applies to decorating your home. It’s easy to get lost in a decorating project when furnishings, accessories and colors start to overtake you. For example, a stunning sofa you saw in a photo or at a store becomes a must have. Though it is not in the original plan you succumb to its attraction. Next you have to fit it into the scheme but you don’t know where or how. Worse, it doesn’t quite complement what you have or The Plan. Do you buy more and throw something else out? The list just goes on and on. It doesn’t really have to if you just remember to “keep it simple, but significant.”
Dresser From Ivy and Vine
Clearly the significant object in the above vignette is the fabulous coral chest with other objects providing supporting roles. The vignette does have complexity, such as the ikat fabric pattern on the chair and in the grouping of the objects on the chest. Yet, there is simplicity in the limited color scheme: coral, taupe, brown, silver and white.
It doesn’t take a big budget to bring simplicity and significance to your space. The corner bed below has a city skyline for its wall headboard. The color scheme and number of objects makes this simple space. Even the single, naked light bulb has a significant presence.
The sitting area in the photo below is small. But notice that each piece is well designed and can stand on its own. Even the flooring makes a significant statement. The color value brings it all together in that one piece does not over power the other pieces. From the wall color, the chandelier to the painting (a focal point offering other colors) to the stools to the floor, it all comes together as a simple but significant statement. Did you notice two more simple but significant statements? If you guessed the beautiful floor boards and the crown molding, then you read my mind.
From Home Adore
Often when we think of simple, as pertaining to decor, we think of sleek, minimalism and neutral colors, such as in the photo above. But simple can also mean an uncomplicated color scheme. Notice how there are a lot of “stuff” and patterns in the photo vignette below. On the surface it does appear complex. Yet, it can be called simple, and of course significant, because the color scheme is a variation on just a few colors:
Found on Pinterest
Simple but significant whether its your decor or your fashion does require careful and perhaps brutal editing. Knowing where and when to stop adding is key. So how do you know? Start with just one item that can stand alone and command attention, carefully add the next supporting star. Remove it if it clashes, keep it if it can stand with or without your main star! Good luck and have fun!
There’s a group of entrepreneurs who are making news by their shear numbers: seniors 50 years and older following dreams to run their own business. Annsliee owner, Shirley Byrd, is one of them. Read the article in the Getting Down to Business in the Star News, Wilmington NC, July 2013
OK! Yes, I make decorative pillows. And yes, of course I’m a strong proponent for more of them. But clearly you can see why from the photo above. Can’t you see yourself replacing that cat, relaxing on the thick cushions and caressed by all those colorful pillows. How about plumping up a few to lay your head on while you read a mind-capturing book! Imagine, if there was only one or two pillows in this same setting. Even the dramatic wall and bovine inspired area rug would look lonely, wanting something more.
Pile on the pillows are just as inviting in a mono-color scheme as seen in the photo below:
This shabby chic style oozes comfort and relaxation. Noticed the slipcover? Hope you read my blog on slipcovers. Noticed too that owner uses a loose cover on the cushions that can be easily removed for cleaning. In fact, the all white fabric used on the sofa and for the pillows appear to be cotton and thus easily laundered. The soft pink print and taupe pillows offer a soft contrast to monotone setting. But too my point, the “pile ’em on’ pillow composition is an under-stated drama. A pillow or two would just cry shame on the decorator. Let’s see a few more of this style of “pile ’em on’ pillow decor.
From a Ralph Lauren showFound on PinterestA Tribeca Loft by Deborah French Designs (see Home Adore) http://www.homeadore.com/2013/02/05/tribeca-loft-deborah-french-designs/Found on Pinterest (See more of this style on Interior Blogg – Villa Paprika)
If your interest in having more decorative coordinating pillows has not peaked and you just want to live with just a couple, well . . . OK. But do make those two count. What I mean is make a statement with your pillows, don’t select pillows that just fade into the furnishings!
From Amanda Carol At Home (found on Pinterest)
Oh, one last thought on this subject. I must admit, personally I prefer deep seated sofas with lots on pillows. There’s something a little uninviting about a sofa where there are so many pillows only the edge shows seating space. Do you move the pillows out of the way or just sit on ’em!
The painter, Vincent Van Gogh, once wrote to his brother, “there is no orange without blue.” A cool color, blue complements the heat in orange. On its own, orange is associated with being a lively color that stimulates conversation, even the appetite. Orange is considered vibrant and flamboyant. It “radiates warmth and happiness, combining the physical energy and stimulation of red with the cheerfulness of yellow.” It has been said that it “helps us to bounce back from disappointments and despair, assisting in recovery from grief . . . is optimistic and uplifting, rejuvenating our spirits.” With that as a recommendation, perhaps just a little orange anything in our homes would help! So if you still haven’t shaken off winter cobwebs and spring hasn’t moved you into activity, go with orange accents.
Imagine a family room or living room or dining room or any room where lively activity would (or should) take place. Paint the walls a lovely bright white with just a hint of blue. Add a beautiful sofa in a rich cobalt blue fabric such as this one from Johnathan Adler:
From Jonathan Adler
Of course, you can simply start with an existing sofa by adding a cobalt blue slipcover or just reupholster it.
Above the sofa, shake up your emotions and doldrums living with a dramatic orange painting (from WiMDesigns):
Orange abstract 15″ x 22″
For a foundation, add a soft neutral area rug, giving the eyes a place to rest.
But do keep the heat on with color. I love these choices of colors for chairs in these fabric selections from Unique by Chivasso
Keep the color palate bright with light colors in accenting end tables and a cocktail table. Or if you want more contrast, use medium to dark woods. Strategically place other orange accessories in the room or repeat the accenting orange in an adjoining room. Here are some great choices:
Ready to try orange? Just remember these words from Bourne Creative
“Different shades, tints, and hues of orange have different meanings. For example, dark orange may represent deceit and distrust, while red-orange relates to passion, pleasure, desire, aggression, domination, and action, and a golden orange often stands for prestige, wisdom, illumination, wealth, and quality. A light orange or peach color tend to be more friendly and soothing.
Orange and blue work well together because they are complimentary colors. The orange and blue color palettes are commonly used for representations of play and summer fun, depicting both the hot, summer sun and the cool, refreshing water.”
It’s also important to note the many variations of orange, from Color Matters
“Orange is an excellent example of this design rule: There are no bad colors; only bad color combinations.
“It’s worth noting that there are many shades of orange – and different meanings. Some may be more appealing to those who find orange difficult: terracotta or cayenne – a dark orange, persimmon – a red-orange, pumpkin – a pure orange, mango – a yellow orange, salmon – a pink orange, melon – a light orange,.
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“Darker oranges offer a sense of comfort; some are spicy, some are earthy. Lighter oranges are soothing and healthy.
There was a time when I would have said no to a white room. I had been living in apartments for years, the walls were always white. When I had bought and decorated homes of my own, I had learned that there are different types of white. Natural or artificial light, the type of white, and other colors and objects in the room changed my whole perspective on the use of white in a room. And so for my next project, my display studio at the ArtWorks, having decided to pour the room in white, I’ve been doing some research. And I discovered some interesting examples and insights into creating the white room.
White is the color we see when we look at light “which contains all the wavelengths of the visible spectrum, at full brightness and without absorption.” (wikipedia) It doesn’t have red, yellow, green or blue, what we call hue. Its use in paintings dates back to the paleolithic period. Speed forward through subsequent periods to the twentieth and twenty-first century and we find that the symbols of white in many cultures have come to be associated with “innocence, perfection, the good, honesty, cleanliness, the beginning, the new, neutrality, lightness, and exactitude.”
In his book,The New Traditional, Darryl Carter says, “White makes old things seem more current. White rooms are more complex than they appear, because there are no distractions. Every choice becomes critical.” White rooms are too often, and unfairly, viewed as cold and uninteresting. For example, major paint manufacturers are able to create whites with soft hues; varied textures elicit visual interests; and contrasting colors in furnishings and accessories stand out against the white, providing that desired or needed distraction.
White is the primary color but is checked by the splattering of wood tones, blues and other hues. (from http://www.countryliving.com)
The above design style also fits into a monochromatic color palate using white and wood tones. Here too are examples of a white room that fits into the monochromatic palate. They were created in the classic Scandinavian style of clean lines, minimalistic interiors and colors, also called Scandi or Norse minimalism. (Photos and info from Home Designing.)
Any contrasting color stands out against white but of course you knew that. Let me add that white rooms also give the eyes places to rest, the brain room to think and organize. They suggest peace and tranquility. Even rooms over-pouring with stuff but with masses amount of white spaces provide a sanctuary for the heart and mind like the living room photo above. I guess the only thing left is to be bold enough to try it.
Of course, the white room doesn’t suite everyone and that’s okay. What’s your take on a white room? Love it? Hate? Find it boring and bland? Love to hear from you. -xoxo
It’s exciting to find one’s work, the blue blossom pillows, in such a beautiful setting. It was designed by Anna Burke for Traditional Home Digital Spring 2013 issue (pages 78-81). Ms. Burke takes a fresh approach to creating this gorgeous vignette based on the traditional color scheme of blue and white. The colors are rich. Blue is a cool color but here it is warmed by the gold faux tree trunk tables and the deep cream sofa. The splashes of white adds a fresh contrast to the blue. Far from the ocean side, yet the blue and white has a way of taking the subconscious to the ocean. You can find out more about the blue blossom pillows in my Annsliee shop.
Stage 1 for Annsliee Studio is building the frame.
It’s scary and exciting! I will be moving into a studio where I will display functional art pillows focusing on abstract designs with fabric as my medium. The project couldn’t take place in a more inspiring environment–the ArtWorks.
The ArtWorks is a new art village located near downtown Wilmington, NC and the Greenfield Lake Park. Founders Jim and Betsy Knowles are transforming the historic Block Shirt Factory from where he now houses his antique car collection into a hub for artists and art lovers. The building will be home to a 7K square foot gallery; artists studios; rooms for meetings and classes; and a coffee cafe. Free wi-fi is throughout the building. Artists are already moving in, making the “streets” and “alleys” a colorful place to walk:
I will be documenting the progress of Annsliee studio in this blog. Do check back for more photos and comments on this nail biting experience.
There are hundreds of great articles on the internet on art genre, how to buy art, frame it, where to hang it and how. There are books upon books and magazines upon magazines on art. But for those of us who love it, buy it but then become paralyzed by the indecision on presenting it, we’re left alone to self-treat our sad phobia. If there is a category for such people, I would land in the category of laypeople who love abstract art. I am particularly drawn to drawings in charcoal and pencils , and art that dissects the human form. The problem for me had been, once I brought such a piece home, where and how do I hang it? What would my friends say? (To them an apple is an apple is an apple and should be interpreted as such.) Not ready to defend my taste in art, I would buy them and put them away.
It took me three months to pay for this print by a Sunol Alvar, seven years and three homes later before I had it framed, and then one month later had it re-framed!
I’ve always been a fan of Story People prints. They’re simple, fun and colorful; and I had always imaged a collection of them on white kitchen walls, near the white kitchen cabinets, over the kitchen desk. But when I did have a white kitchen, I just bit my nails with fear and indecision on what would be an appropriate frame and would they look to “cluttery” over the desk, under the collection of cook books. Ten years later and two more places where I have lived, I have yet to frame and hang them.
Contrary to what you may be thinking by now, I have been exposed to fine art. Why I’ve made lots of treks to some of the famous fine art museums, such as the Louvre, the Smithsonian (frequently), and The Art Institute of Chicago. (Still on my wish list is the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art). And yes, I’ve stood and stared at works of the old masters of Europe and modern American artists–but seldom for more than 10 minutes. For me, it’s abstract art that fascinates to no end. I can sit for hours mesmerized by a mobile or some sculpture that doesn’t seem to make any since at all. Place me in front of a painting that only explores the variations of one color and I’ll lose all track of time trying to imprint its intricacies on my right frontal lobe–its shades, tones, brush strokes or even how much oil or water was used. I don’t care what the artist was thinking or trying to convey. I only care how it makes me feel or invites me to think, to image. But if I bought it, I would still be faced with fear on how best to present it.
There is a happy ending to this story for those of you who suffer this malady. First, I finally learned that art is like love, it’s in the eyes (and heart) of the beholder. It doesn’t matter what others may think. Then, I learned that grouping similar pieces with similar or like frames helped to make the collection appear cohesive. Or if it is just one piece, give it front stage. Remove every other accent piece in the room, slowing adding what compliments or supports that treasured piece of art. Find a really, really good framer with a great eye who can help you select the best matting and frame. In fact, I would say this is critical. Most important, just do it!
I found these wonderful examples on Houzz.com (yes, one of my favorite internet places) of art pieces that make a bold statement. Can you determine what makes them work in their selected locations:
And finally, this would be a favorite for me. Such a dramatic entryway could even be scaled down with smaller pieces of abstract art if you live in a smaller home:
Thinking about slipcovers to revive an old but sturdy sofa? Here is my case for these marvelous sofa life-supports.
From a previous guest room called The Cocoa Room, an old sofa was fitted with a custom made shabby chic slip cover in a soft cream cotton, loose fit. New down/feather seat and back cushions were made to get this plush, sink in effect.
There was a time when I thought of slipcovers as nothing more than an extra large sheet of drab rough fabric, loosely thrown over an old couch. I found them totally uninviting; perhaps suitable for a dorm room but not belonging in a living room. It didn’t matter to me that they were utilitarian and perfect for the well used room of a family with children. It had crossed my mind that impressionable children shouldn’t be subjected to those unformed over sized covers. I suppose you could judge me snobbish. But wait. I felt this way until I was in a Calico Corners fabric store in Northern Virginia. On the floor was a beautiful winged chair that had been fitted with a tailored slip cover. The fit was tight and perfectly detailed with a self welt; a hidden back zipper closure; and the pattern meticulously lined up at the top, in the corners and at the edges. I became a convert for slipcovers that very moment.
Before my five-year long decorating project had ended, I had slipcovers made for two old sofas. They were both well constructed and were in excellent condition. One was an over sized, thick cushioned love seat. It was in the family room and had become one of the play areas for two rambunctious soft-coated wheaten terriers. The other was a purchase from my floral-jeweled-tone-deep-burgundy-and-purple decorating days.
In purchasing custom made slipcovers, it was the process that I had found fascinating. I had purchased what seemed a bolt of fabric and had some how got it home. The upholsterer came by a week later with his helper. He then fitted, pinned and cut each piece to the contour of the sofa, like a tailor fitting, pinning and cutting each piece of a suit to fit to the contours of the body. He asked me what style I wanted, how tight I wanted the cover to fit, what kind of details did I want, such as a welt, pleats or gathering. When he was finished, he simply slipped the pinned pieces off the sofa and rolled it up. Two weeks later, he returned with the slip cover. It fitted perfectly. You see one of the sofas in the photo above. I had chosen a shabby chic style with custom made down/feather seat and back cushions. The transformation was astonishing and I had gotten exactly what I wanted.
Here are more inspirations:
A new sofa is wonderful to have and there are many styles to choose from. Custom made sofas are even more desirable. The styles and fabrics are seemingly endless. But sometimes these choices are not always practical, necessary or even wanted. A well constructed sofa with a cover that has merely become outdated due to color or pattern or just worn can be made new again. New back and seat cushions can be made.
Like pillow covers, a slip cover can also be a seasonal cover. Slip on a spring/summer cover for a new look but remove it for a fall/winter look. Have matching pillow covers made. The choices for fabric and style offer endless possibilities. Costs will vary depending upon fabric selection, trim work and other factors such as new cushions. And of course it is wise to compare the cost to a new or custom made sofa. Still, a custom made slipcover is definitely an option not to be overlooked for that next redecorating project.
Convinced that a slipcover can save your favorite sofa or chair? Oh please, do tell? Love to hear from you!
You don’t mean to . . . you don’t, do you! 
A roasted pig looks better on the table, don’t you think?
From Southern Living
Simple, yet stunningly beautiful centerpiece!
From Babble.com
A fabulous tablescape story from Common Ground 
From Common Ground #2 
From Common Ground #3 
From Laura Casey Interiors LLC 
A must see blog for this setting is on Hampton Hostess
From Just Imagine 
And of course, a touch from Martha Stewart
annsliees 