Wishing You a Wonderful Christmas

I've decided to take a break this week from blogging to spend some quality time with my family.  
Here's wishing you all the joy, peace and comfort you are dreaming of this holiday season.

I'm filled to the brim with gratitude to all of you who continue to follow and read my daily posts.  You have brought me more joy, peace and comfort than you could possibly imagine.
So, before I get too misty or sappy . . . Peace Out!  See you next week.  M.

Cool Christmas Tree

Last week, I was greeted by this when I opened the door to my salon.  The creativity of the human mind never ceases to amaze me!  I had a difficult time getting the entire image in the frame (talk about an Amazon), but at the bottom of the tree there is gold tulle that finishes the dress.  The PERFECT tree for a salon, don't you think? 

I finished my last Christmas decorating job yesterday, and now I am full on - operation Christmas presents for the family.  So, wish me luck - not excited about facing all the crowds but it must be done.  Enjoy your weekend! M.

Antique Lesson - Heart Ex-Votos

Years ago, I saw an image that stopped me in my tracks.  Although I can't remember the specific shelter magazine,  it was an image of a stunning home and on a table was a very large collection of these.
I remember thinking, what in the world are those gorgeous things?  Why can't I collect something unique and cool?

I've since learned these beautiful objects are called Heart Ex-Votos and they actually have a religious purpose.  They are a form of votive offering to a saint or divinity.   These offerings are given in the fulfillment of a vow or in gratitude or devotion.   They are generally placed in a church or chapel where the worshiper seeks grace or wishes to give thanks. 


For the heart shaped ex-voto, many open like a locket and includes a prayer, note or thank you for the completion of a miracle.  So, the ex-voto is both public (since you leave it at the church for others to read for encouragement) and personal (since they usually include a very personal story about the giver). 

Although some are made of silver, the large majority were created out of tin and may include a picture of the bearer or of the person the prayer is in honor of when presented.  


Many shrines at the end of long pilgrimages, include large areas decorated with ex-votos.  These can take many forms of which the heart is one.  These have a Italian origin, but quickly spread to the New World by Spanish settlers. 

If you are considering a unique collection, I think these are amazingly beautiful and interesting.  Have a wonderful day! M.

PS: for additional information on these lovely objects go here and here. 


Christmas Fluff

The last couple of weeks I've been spending a lot of my time focusing on Christmas decorations for clients.  I know there are lots of interior designers who "don't do Christmas decorations" which is totally fine.  But I adore it!  I think it is such a fun creative way to style a home, and it only happens this time of year.  

I've done some bigger jobs (still have one to go) with the whole shebang from the outside garland with lights to all the mantels and entryways.  I love being able to create a feel for the entire home.  But, I've also been doing a few in the "Christmas Fluff"(totally made this term up) category.  It's sort of like going to have your hair blown out and styled (rather than a full on cut/color/highlight/straightner - and NO I don't do all those things to my hair!)  

For a Christmas fluff, the client will put up their decorations, and I will come in and zhush it up a bit with fresh greenery, ribbon, etc.  I will also put together arrangements and centerpieces for areas where they just want something new and different.

Here are a few pictures I took of a fluff I did for this super great family who were having a dinner party this past week.    For starters, they have an amazing home.  It's simply beautiful.  

We started by meeting last week and brainstorming on what she might like for her table.  She pulled out these crowns and the deal was sealed.

I thought they were the perfect solution for a low centerpiece that allows your guests to see each other while giving you some major impact.

Two of the crowns are different while the third type is a set of three in decreasing size.

I used my tried and true trick of three different types of greenery and she happened to have these dried white berries from another project, so I incorporated them to give the arrangements some contrast. 

I think they are simple yet still very elegant in keeping with her gorgeous dining room.

As for other rooms, I added some greenery to this bowl of Christmas ornaments in her family room - just a little zhush.

I thought the table needed something fresh to finish it off. 


Then in her breakfast room, we did some fun things with more color.  Sorry the picture has such a glare.  It was a very sunny, and the light was not cooperating with me!  

This sitting area is to the left of the breakfast room table.  So we put together this little container.  I think she picked up the cup on a trip to Scott's in Atlanta.  It's so simple to put an arrangement like this together if you are clever with the container you use. 

In this container we started with some floral foam covered with moss (this is a trick to help you use less greenery and flowers).  Then we added gerber daisies cut at three different heights along with some rosemary and holly from the yard.  super simple.

Have any of you finished your Christmas shopping yet?  If so, please don't say as I am far far from finished!  I only want to hear from those of you who have been procrastinating or have been too busy to pull it all together - I need to feel better about my delay! M.

2012 Color of the Year

It's one of my favorites . . . 

Tangerine Tango

I've been using shades of orange as an accent color in spaces I've designed for quite some time.  So, when I heard the news, I was thrilled.  I think this color has so many possibilities . . . 


It can be used in traditional and modern spaces and it goes so well with lots of other colors.


Look how yummy it is with blue.

Mercer House traditional dining room

You could be brave, like Kate Spade and paint the walls!


Or your front door.

Or you could simply bring it in as an accent color in a neutral space.  Look how amazing it looks with the dark chocolate walls.

Here with more gray tones.






No doubt about it, I will be incorporating this color into my family room after Christmas.  Love having something to look forward to after the holidays!  M.







This Weekend

With so many events to choose from this time of year, it's hard to know where to spend your time.  Well, let me help you out a bit.  

If you live in the Birmingham area and would like an hour or two of sheer interior design bliss, here's where you need to focus your time this weekend. . . 

IPC Holiday House Tour
I am always amazed by this tour.  The ladies in charge of this tour do an amazing job selecting a wide variety of homes (in both style and size) all of which have be touched by the style mavens of our city. 

The Home of Doug Davis
(interior designer for Tracery Interiors)


The Home of Betsy Brown 

The Fulmer Residence






The Wagoner Home




Every detail is styled to perfection - just for you!!! 
So, you know where I'll be this weekend!  Hope to see you there. M.

AND
If you are still wanting more, my dear little sugar plum fairies?  

For this weekend only, your Holiday House ticket will also get you in to the Birmingham Home & Garden Inspiration Home.  For free!! 

I attended a grand finale party at the inspiration house this past week, and I will tell you -  it did not disappoint.  Every single furnishing in the home has been so thoughtfully selected - lots of limed washed wood walls and ceilings, Circa lighting, and the most delicious fabrics.   



Happy Weekend. M.

Enjoying the Month - Advent Style

Every December, I get out this very cute Christmas tree wall hanging with the days of the month magnets and my kids fight take turns placing the days on the tree as a countdown to Christmas.  Each day is a different shape - candy canes, presents, elves, etc.  In addition to this, we've always celebrated with an advent wreath we light each week to represent the season.  This year, I had to come up with something different.   

To make a very long, boring, almost painful story short - I decided to decorate our home without using red in any of my decorations (both inside and out).  Instead, I decided to go with golds, whites, chocolate and a fern green.  It really does look beautiful.  BUT, I had no idea how much this "on the fly" decision would impact my decor.  Lots of things you don't think about - including our Christmas tree countdown (it had tons of bright, reds and greens) and our Christmas stockings (which is a totally separate post!)

Well, I did a little brainstorming and decide to combine the countdown with an Advent concept. 

There is one for each day of the month, and inside there is a Bible verse for the day and a trivia thought related to Christmas - history of the Christmas tree, several Christmas carols, even Norman Rockwell and how he got his start.  Yesterday, the trivia note was about cultures who celebrate by drinking Wassail.  We even made a recipe of it to try!  Very fun.      

I relied very heavily on this amazing Advent Calendar from the Teaching Mom to create ours.  I just tweaked the days of the activities based on our schedule.

Then, I spruce up a basket (it's actually my Easter basket when I was a kid) with some greenery and a gold organza bow.  It's been very fun and a great way to remember why we celebrate Christmas.  I hope you are taking time out to enjoy the season. M.