Discovering Chairish

When I was contacted by Chairish to create a style board using one of the rugs from their latest collection, I had no idea just how much the project would resonate with me!

I had seen a few other bloggers mention Chairish but hadn't delved into the story behind their amazing furnishings. Chairish.com is an online marketplace which buys and sells high quality, gently-used vintage furniture, decor, accessories, and jewelry. Its inception came about as the result of a husband and wife team who were moving and wanted to replace some furnishings, while still respecting the value of pieces that just didn't fit the new design scheme. And can't we all relate to that (especially those of us who enjoy changing things up often.)

I am so glad that this opportunity came my way...not only did I find an incredible source for one-of-a-kind design pieces, but through the process, a positive personal transformation took place for me. As I worked on creating this style board, I returned to my long-latent love of good design and my past career as a designer. In fact, I was in the "flow" and spent hours perusing the site for the perfect pieces to complement my virtual room!

I favor eclectic spaces which successfully marry contemporary, masculine lines with softer curves and period-style elegance (like these Ming style chairs.) Green is a favorite go-to color, so this emerald sofa really sang to me. And as far as I'm concerned, black always adds drama and grounds a room. I love the juxtaposition of the modern table, rug, and art with the antique bar and column lamps. And doesn't every great room need just a hint of animal print? The special touches (like this Russian Artisan serpentine box and the green iron traveler's trunk) are what put a personal stamp on a space.

All of the elements you see on the board were found on Chairish.com. It was easy to create a complete look, since they offer furniture, accessories, rugs, and accents. This room is so "me" that I plan to use it as a springboard for a future living room update.

This project has absolutely been a win-win for me...thanks, Chairish!

To view the other great rugs that were available to select, go here.


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Beautiful Bridal Brooch Bouquet

Today's post is brought to you by Alliteration Station....(haha, couldn't help myself!)

So, I've been pretty scarce in the blog world for awhile. We've been on a crazy road of twists and bumps for the past few months around here.

My daughter married the love of her life on December 28th, and we couldn't be more thrilled! I must say, though, that there was plenty of upheaval and drama during the wedding-planning process (which is part of the reason that I have been an absent blogger.) Be that as it may, when the big day finally came, the love between my daughter and her now-husband was evident as their blissful emotions filled us all with joy and blessedness.

For many months, I worked on the perfect bouquet for our special bride. It was a true labor of love, and it included pieces from both of her grandmothers and one that had been her great-great-grandmother's!

I can hardly wait to see the photographer's shots of my daughter holding her brooch bouquet. I hope that those photos will always remind her of her family heritage and of how much I treasure her.

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Simple, Understated Holiday Decor

The months leading up to this holiday season have been extremely rocky eventful in this house! Add to that the fact that we will not be hosting Christmas this year for the first time in ages, and the result is that my motivation to pull out all the stops in decorating is definitely lacking. For someone who absolutely loves turning my home into a holiday wonderland, I am experiencing a few conflicting emotions, but go ahead...call me Scrooge.

Just because I've chosen not to drag all 147 boxes of Christmas decor up from the basement, though, doesn't mean that I'm not doing any "house fluffing" for the season. (OK, 147 might be a slight exaggeration, but that's the number of boxes my mind conjures up when I imagine the whole production.) Rather than decking the halls with boughs of holly, glittering ornaments, and sparkling trees, I'm going simple and understated, focusing on decor that can predominantly remain throughout the winter months.

Greenery, a few ornaments, apples, and snowflakes create festive, yet easy, vignettes, and scented candles bring in those amazing holiday aromas.

A tabletop tree, while unable to replace the glory of our traditional full-sized, magical tree, stands in as a suitable symbol for these empty nesters and their greyhound ;)

One of my favorite accessories, this hand, holds a jewelled snowflake in a bed of snow for the winter months.

This book of Christmas photos in Chicago was a gift from my very favorite Chicagoan (my daughter!) a few years back. A small glass decanter filled with glittered greenery and beads in a mercury glass dish add a little sparkle.

In the entry, I kept the bones of the previous display but replaced acorns and a green wreath with a Restoration Hardware snowflake, gold balls, and more branches of greens and berries in thrifted vessels. The greyhound looks like he needs a holiday bow or hat...but in keeping with my minimal decor, he'll remain unclad this year ;)

I'm loving our architectural, masculine mantel in its minimal furnishings right now. Instead of the usual stockings, wreaths, lights, and glitz, it's sporting a very simple collection of open frames, branches, a large black pedestal, and a nutcracker. I should be able to tweak this look all the way into Spring.

Here, a thrifted bowl holds apples in front of a greenhouse containing more greenery and a large ornament that adds just enough shine.

This casual and spare Christmas decorating has been really economical and stress-free...I guess being a Scrooge has its rewards............ :)

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Bountiful Tablescape

I feel like I'm late to the party. All of my blogging friends seem to be in high-gear Christmas mode, while I'm blissfully back here reveling in my Thanksgiving decor. But it's ok...Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday (and not just because my hubby does all of the cooking, although that is a definite bonus!) I just love a holiday that isn't so commercialized. At Thanksgiving, it's all about family, friends, food, warmth, and gratitude.

(Ok, I can't lie...come Black Friday, I'm all about the shopping followed by some awesome turkey and dressing leftovers.)

For my tablescape this year, I've incorporated a cornucopia, pumpkins, various turkeys, and rich autumnal hues. I began with a velvet and sequined square that was thrifted a few years back. I added a cornucopia that has seen at least 10 or more Thanksgivings with us. I made it many years ago and still think it feels timely. I did poke a few dried hydrangeas into it, as my garden produced an abundance of them this season.

Last year's big "score", my ceramic turkey, is perched atop a Mercury glass dish and a cake stand. You should have seen my face when I spotted that turkey at a consignment shop...I practically squealed with delight and snatched it up in a flash!

And this year, I came across this glass turkey candy dish at a local antique shop. There was no way I could have left that shop without it!

Speaking of turkeys, aren't the votive holders fun? I have a feeling that a turkey collection is in the works...

If you've read my last post, you know how much I love quotes and how I used them on the place cards. I've also added one more quote in a frame to "bring the message of gratitude home", so to speak. To me, this one is perfect for the occasion.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

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