New Doormats!

image from martha stewart

I got myself a new doormat this week.  My favorite: coconut fiber with big black greek key edging.  I never get sick of it.

available HERE

But, there are a lot of terrific options out there to spruce up your front step!  If we need to shake the snow off of our boots, might as well do it in style!  Check out my other favorite options...

available HERE

These two mats were featured in this month's issue of Country Living!

  available HERE.

available HERE.

Still love the traditional wrought iron doormat...

available HERE.

a lattice version from anthropologie.  get it HERE.

available HERE.

available HERE.

available HERE.

...

Make Your Own: Tea Time Tablescape

I love the idea of bringing your dining table outdoors to serve mid-afternoon drinks with friends... If you have the outdoor space this summer, why not try this? Bring your dining table and chairs outside, set your table with beautiful linens and actually use your grandmother's china! Even if you are serving cheese and crackers instead of caviar, make it special! Your guests will love it.





Make your own tablescape by mixing fancy traditional pieces (like silver serving sets) with eclectic accents (like a vintage table runner and mismatched tea cups). Here are some of my favorites...

Start by draping your table with a beautiful tablecloth. I like this one from Linen Me on Etsy... It makes a terrific backdrop.


Then, layer your white linen tablecloth with an interesting runner down the center of your table. Try an eclectic piece like this. It's actually a vintage scarf. How chic is that?


And, how about this art deco vintage tea set?


Martha Stewart's white porcelain cake stands (available at Macy's) will bring some height to your table. I love the low, square shapes... they're even better when stacked with treats.


I'm a big fan of Pottery Barn's Linen Hemstitch Napkins. Use a bright color, like tangerine!


Try these fantastic silver napkin rings from Michael Aram... I love their shape, and that finial is sort of unexpected...


Bring refreshments to the table with this beautiful woven tray...


Serve bellinis from these sweet vintage glasses!



There are quite a few items available in the shop that would make beautiful accents to your tabletop... Here are a few of my favorites!


Vintage hobnail cake platter


Glass bowl with silver serving set


Mini ice bucket


Glass serving dish with silver plated filigree holder


Set of 4 vintage dessert plates

Summer Stylin' and Tim Clarke

When I lived in Santa Monica, I very often would walk past the store and office of interior designer, Tim Clarke, off of Main Street. I loved seeing the pendant lights hang in the window. Never actually went into the store, by the way. And as I write this, I wonder why? Maybe I never went past during their open hours (hmmm, weird now that I think about it). Anyway, Tim Clarke has a uniquely "beachy" feel to his interiors and since I am wishing myself out of the office on this officially summer day, I thought I would share a bit from his gorgeous portfolio.




this room sort of reminds me of my trip to Thomas Edison's Florida Estate...



























And, Tim Clarke, I've got to say, I like your old website. This new fancy format... with the lifestyle shots mixed with interiors? Not sure if it's user friendly. That's all I'm sayin'.

And, by the way, where are all the old shots with the gorgeous painted Mexican tiles? Need to find those...


*UPDATE: found one.

Garden Party!

I paid a (long overdue) visit to Martha Stewart's website this week, and found a whole slew of ideas for garden-themed entertaining... Now, I do not have a garden (I only have a very very small deck. Very small.) but I would love to host a party like this with fresh flowers and beautiful linens, and a fizzy cocktail, of course.


"bing cherry mojitos" ...yummy.



make your own "flower votive display"



make your own "paper lantern vase"



"leaf coasters"? ...I think this is where Martha may have crossed the line.


Love this modern garden party featured in Country Living...







A few more favorites from my files...

Repurposing Vintage Ball Jars

I love the look of these glass Ball jars... Maybe it's because summer is right around the corner? These jars just seem like the perfect thing to hold fresh flowers, or even a candle out on your porch or patio. There is something so comforting about them; maybe it's because they have been around for over 100 years.



Now, don't pre-judge these jars as "country bumpkin"-- I think that they would look just as cool in a really modern space as they would on the front porch of a farmhouse.



Founded in the 1880s, the Ball Brothers Glass Manufactoring Company began in Buffalo, New York and then quickly moved to Muncie, Indiana to take advange of the natural gas resources in the Midwest. As extremely successful businessmen, the Ball brothers began to purchase and operate smaller glass jar companies to secure their place in the canning jar industry. As a mass produced product, these jars were not initially viewed as a valuable commodity. However, as time passed and the technology of glass production progressed, different types of Ball jars became widely sought after and desired by collectors. To increase the brilliance of the glass, different metallic oxides like Manganese and Selenium were added to the glass mixture. When compounded with UV light, the glass would turn brilliant shades of purple (due to the Manganese), or amber (due to the Selenium). These jars are very rare and sometimes extremely valuable.



When I shop the flea markets, I sometimes find blue glass Ball jars (my favorite!) or clear glass jars. I believe the blue jars were produced in the 1930s and 1940s, but I can't be sure. I am by no means a collector, but I do love the way they look and will always be attracted to their familiar "all American" feel.



Here are some Ball jars that are NEW in the shop!


large, vintage Ball jars with original zinc screw lids, $18.00 each




medium sized, clear Ball jars with original zinc screw lids, $14.00 each


small vintage blue Ball jars with original zinc screw lids, $14.00 each

Visit this informative website for information on canning jars. They will also help you "date" your jar!


the above image from one of my favorite blogs, "A Day that is Dessert"