Friday, October 29, 2010

Friday's Favorite Product: Wirework Treasure Trio

Not only is this a charming product for decorating and gift-giving, it's also on SALE through October 31st!  This set of three ornaments are all hinged for opening and filling with treats, moss, even a gift card for that perfect hostess, teacher, or babysitter gift.  The delicate wirework is an open weave so your tree lights will twinkle through.  Hang them from your mantle or breakfast room chandelier with decorative ribbon that coordinates with your decor.  Use them as place cards/party favors at your holiday get-togethers.  Sale-priced at $17.96 for one of each shape (star, sphere, gift box), that's $6 each!  Order multiple sets to stock your gift closet or decorate your entire tree.  Click HERE to order online and have them shipped directly to you.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Even I Have to Admit... :)

These Halloween party ideas are way too cute not to share!  I stumbled upon these on myhomeideas.com and even though I am a Halloween-minimalist, I thought these nuggets of spooky-ooky fun were the bomb!  Click over to myhomeideas.com to see the full spread of inspiration and get your Halloween party on!

Eyeball Hallowtini bar


orange ribbon and spiderwebs on the chandelier



The skeleton-in-the-closet prints are cool, but I'm loving the pumpkins sitting on the black candlesticks!



And my favorite-- orange toilet paper in the power room!

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Divine Retreat

Last weekend, while travelling in Newport, R.I., I had the pleasure of brunching at Castle Hill Inn.  The inn itself was constructed in 1874 as a summer retreat for the Swiss scientist Alexander Agassiz.  He was intent on studying marine biology on the beautiful coast but ended up hosting many of the "thinking sorts," such as Thornton Wilder and many of the so-called "naturalists".  The interior of the inn still exudes 19th century seascoast luxury, with beautiful views, rich hardwood floors and woodwork throughout, housing 4 dining rooms, 9 guestrooms, and the kitchen.  The grounds are as spectacular as the inn with views of the harbor, Narragansett Bay, and the original Castle Hill lighthouse.  The large lawn sweeps all the way to the water's edge and is dotted with groupings of adirondack chairs, perfect for sipping your morning coffee or an afternoon cocktail.  Some of these photographs are my own, some courtesty of Castle Hill's website.  If a stay at Castle Hill Inn is not in your budget, pay a visit and take in brunch or dinner.  You will feel as though you've been transported back to a simpler more civilized time.







Entry of the inn


Turret room












Hydrangeas and mums-- my new favorite combination


Hydrangeas along the terrace-- fading blooms all the way into October


Castle Hill Lighthouse

Monday, October 25, 2010

Countdown to Halloween...

Are you into Halloween decor?  Do you stretch spider webs across your shrubbery and use jack o'lantern lawn bags?  Are there mummies or tombstones in your yard?  What about inside?  Bats hanging from your chandelier?

I confess, I'm a mimimalist when it comes to Halloween decor... a nod here and there to the occasion is all you'll find at my home.  But I love to decorate FALL.  I shared a few ideas for outdoor decor with pumpkins last week, so here are a few inspirations for using pumpkins for your entertaining needs and indoor decor.  Feel free to add a spider or two if necessary. :)
















Friday, October 22, 2010

Friday's Favorite Product: Eyelet Ribbon Plate

I love pieces that I can pull out year-round and this beautifully crafted glass plate is just that.  The eyelet edge allows you to weave ribbon through for an added decorative touch.  Change the ribbon based on your occasion-- team colors for tailgating, raffia for a fall gathering, pastels for spring... you get the idea!  This versatile plate makes the perfect gift, too, especially at the sale price of only $29.96! Click HERE to place your order online.

Happy shopping!

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

New Find: The Reluctant Entertainer

Are you a reluctant entertainer?  Does the thought of having people in (or over, for dinner, etc) overwhelm you?  I don't have that time/energy/clean house/budget/dinnerware/etc to entertain.  Sound familiar?  Meet Sandy Coughlin over at the Reluctant Entertainer.  Not only does she post incredibly easy ideas for hosting a gathering (check out her 31 days to Stress-Free Holiday Entertaining going on now), but she offers encouraging words and strategies for overcoming the mental and physical hurdles that keep us from reconnecting with the people in our lives.  I love that she uses her own ideas, her own photographs, recipes, and family in her blog!  She's as down-to-earth as they come.

She's also the author of The Reluctant Entertainer, your new go-to handbook to get the gathering going again in your own home.  You can order a copy directly on her website for only $14-- a great investment with the holidays approaching rapidly.  Have one personalized for a thoughtful and unique gift.

Happy Entertaining!

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Friday's Favorite Product: Estate Collection Organizers

Think "Mom Cave"... An organized space is a peaceful space.  Willow House has the perfect product collection to help you be as organized as possible, whether it's in your Mom Cave, your home office, or your kitchen.  Our Estate Organizers look good while working hard, too!  Our pieces are wrought iron looking in a hand-rubbed burnt umber finish.  They are all coated to last forever while helping you keep your priorities straight!  Choose our Tiered Rack that holds six files (magazines, books, or even plates!) for only $36.96 or our Basket with the removable decorative motif for $29.96.  Click HERE to shop online and have your order sent directly to you!

J'Adore the New Adore Magazine

Yet another fabulous online decor magazine to bookmark:  Adore Magazine.  This Australian online publication, the brain-child of designer Loni Parker,  is jam-packed with inspiring ideas and tidbits.  I had to get past the "Spring Issue" tag to realize that it's spring down there right now, but found loads of great home office ideas (think Mom Cave), designer profiles, travel and lifestyle features, plus fresh new finds in furniture and accessories. Resources and products are found by a simple click. Make sure you check it out, but set aside plenty of time-- you won't want to miss a single detail!  Happy reading!

Just curious: What are your thoughts on online magazines?  Are they an easy-to-read solution to the stack-of-magazines problem or do you prefer print magazines?

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

October Outdoors

I couldn't resist sharing all these wonderful ideas for decorating your outdoor areas with pumpkins.  If these images don't inspire you, you need a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice latte, a sunny but chilly autumn day, and a sprinkling of fairy decorating dust (although the latte alone may do it!).  Enjoy and then go load up on some pumpkins!








Photos from Southern Living, Sunset, Better Homes & Gardens

Monday, October 11, 2010

The Mom Cave

An idea whose time has come-- the Mom Cave!  Don't we all crave our own little space?  Our little corner of our home that we can decorate in girly ways, that will serve as our sanctuary when the kids and husband have taken over every other square inch of the house?   Do you already have a room that could serve as your Mom Cave? 

HomeGoods (one of my favorite budget-friendly decor stores) has cleverly floated this concept out into decorating cyberspace and is giving away a Mom Cave created by YOU and designer Elaine Griffin!  Head on over to their website to watch Elaine's advice on pulling together your own Mom Cave and to enter to win.  In the meantime, take a peek at these beautiful Mom Cave spaces.  What would yours look like?

Love all the workspace here... think how many projects she can have going on at once!


This is so serene, but I think I'd have to warm it up with an area rug.


Elaine's Mom Cave Essentials!

What would your Mom Cave Essentials be?  Check back later this week for Willow House products perfect for your Mom Cave!

Friday, October 8, 2010

Friday's Favorite Product: Hyacinth Collection

The perfect gift for your favorite baker or just to update your own kitchen ware, our Hyacinth Collection is divine!  The beautiful green, blue, and soft yellow are garden-inspired and are pretty enough to be left on your kitchen counter.  Whether you're mixing, baking, or serving, these versatile stoneware pieces will become indispensable.  The nesting mixing bowls are only $59.96 for the set of three (pictured here).  Four ramekins, including one in cream, are yours for $36.96.  And, my personal favorite, the delightful measuring cups feature an interior line for exact measuring and are only $29.96 for the set of three. I love the idea of giving these as a gift along with your favorite recipe.

Purchase the bowls and get either the ramekins or the measuring cups for half-price!  Click HERE to order.
Hyacinth Mixing Bowls, $59.96

Hyacinth measuring cups, $29.96

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Big City Digs

I live in the Southern suburbs, but I love the Big City, too.  HGTV and their sister site FrontDoor.com are teaming up to giveaway an "Urban Oasis" in Manhatten!  Located near Wall Street in the Residences at the W, this sleek abode offers a one-bedroom escape to the big city.  Designer Vern Yip has polished the space within an inch of its life so nothing competes with the spectacular Hudson River views and it appears much larger than it really is.  Click HERE to enter once daily at each site between now and October 20th.

The foyer...Love the unexpected combination of the lucite hall table and the solid marble lions (c. 1860) from an upstate NY property.


The bedroom... white walls, bedding, and furniture keep it feeling open and airy. 


Horizontal tiles and sleek wall-mounted fixtures along with a simple color palette make the most of the space.


Reflective surfaces in the kitchen help it feel larger.  Since the kitchen shares space with the living room, the lucite bar seating makes the transition seamless.


Kitchen view to the family room


Living Room... the antique Peruvian rug strikes just the right balance-- warmth and a clean graphic design.
Imagine enjoying this view over a glass of wine!


View of the Hudson... Statue of Liberty in the Distance.

All photos via HGTV.com.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Ideas Abound in the Coastal Living 2010 Idea House

Exterior of 2010 Idea House
This year the editors and designers of Coastal Living magazine take us to scenic Seabrook, Washington for their 2010 Idea House.  This house is packed with fabulous ideas, so I'll be posting more than once about this treasure trove. 

The first bright new idea that caught my eye is the use of windows and natural light in the bathrooms.  If you think about the dilemmas of large windows in the bathroom-- lack of privacy, use of needed wall space-- most would be tempted to shy away from such a feature.  CL's clever design team, determined to maximize the abundant natural sea-reflecting light, navigated these issues by mounting the bathroom mirrors in front of the windows.  Check out this clever trick in three of the home's bathrooms.

Light diffusing shades for privacy without sacrificing natural light in the master bathroom.


Guest bath with shades that can lowered behind the mirror for additional privacy.


Guesthouse bedroom and peek at the bathroom.  Again, some light diffusing shades for privacy behind the mirror.

Photos by Lisa Romerein via coastalliving.com