A Beautiful Gift- it's all about the Presentation!

 

 

Imagine being surprised by this incredible basket on your kitchen counter when you arrive home from work on a Saturday evening.  A farm basket filled with all sorts of delectable delights, a gift certificate to one our our  favorite restaurants, a beautifully wrapped gift, a southern cake from Nonnie Waller, and this gorgeous floral arrangement in a carved white pumpkin. all sent to Mr. RTH and I. First of all, these flowers ( from my fav- Twigs of course!) are so pretty and full of interesting flowers. I love the kale rose, the center part of an actual kale plant.  The Nonnie Waller cake is in a beautiful green velvet box,  which will look lovely when filled with another gift for under the Christmas tree. Can't wait to taste the cake tonight!  This was a lovely thoughtful gift and really touched  both of our hearts.  Thank you so much - you newly weds- enjoy your first married Thanksgiving together!

Christmas - Sometimes It Just Takes Your Breath Away

Lisa's red and navy parlor all bright with Christmas spirit

Dining room buffet resplendent with peacock arrangement of frosted and flocked zinnias and cabbages

remember what I told you a couple of days ago? - everything looks better flocked!

Victorian Christmas at its best

an aged mirror frame holds a magical centerpiece on the dining room table

feel the magic - it's Christmas!

crystal embellished fire screen dances with the fire in the background

red velvet, leopard, and a crown - need I say more!!!!

One of our latest little creations- glad it went to a good home.

the angel room - perfect place for relaxation and reflection

desk in the angel room- ready for Christmas letters to Santa!  What will he bring Lisa in the next year???
Only good things
for 2013.

So glad she has a feminine space just for herself in a house full of boys!

 

Last week, we started on our task of decorating client's homes for the the season.  Candy and Penny spent last Friday at the home of one of my favorite customers and created a magical Christmas setting.  Today I went over to survey the results and what I saw completely "took my breathe away". Awesome job Candy and Penny!!!! .  Cold chill bumps and tears were brought to my eyes.  First  of all, the client is one of my most  favorite people in the world- I really do love her and want her life to be perfect and happy - she's a really good person.  Her home is right out of a movie set - fires burning, candles lit, and magic just happens.  If  I had to use one word to describe her home it would be "passionate"- full of exuberance, always taking care of and  remembering family, and a decidely feminine touch. Yes , she's my kind of girl! When we started working with her about 4 years ago, I don't think she had completely found her style.  But now I know she has found it - warm, sparkley, antique, full, full, full, eclectic, romantic panache- so so so her! Yes, Lisa, your home took my breath away.  Good going girl!

Winter Jewels for the Stove

Collection of pretty candles on stove to warm the winter mornings

found this yellow rose frozen on the bush when I went out to cut some cedar this morning



warm color of cranberry glass is perfect for creating a romantic glow
when a tea light is placed inside

A find from the flea market yesterday - only found one wine glass, but it was so pretty.
 I knew it would be a perfect tea light candle.

Gorgeous stem on this glass

love the purple and cranberry glass together for the winter season.

the perfect winter candle- red and gold - scent of figs!  Deelish!!

Looks like winter!

An embellished tea spoon - perfect for sprinkling sea salt over winter comfort food!



Add a festive holiday touch to the stove

This makes cooking a pleasure!

Yesterday was 60 degrees and I was with Julie and Laurell at the flea market- with no coat!  Happily we all  found some fun treasures for making the winter season brighter!  Very excited, I went home to polish, clean and make them sparkle!  Last night , we finally got had our first frost and that put me in the mood to create a cozy winter vignette with a little glam on my range.  Going outside to cut some cedar, I found 4 frozen yellow roses - stiff as they could be- should have got them yesterday.   But I cut them anyway and brought them in to thaw.  I always keep pretty containers on a silver tray in the middle of my stove, filled with vinegars, fresh herbs, salts and olive oil, along with the fabulous menu board that I purchased from Savvy City Farmer.  But for this winter, I decided to change from clear glass to  a little color for the season.  A single purple wine glass and a cranberry compote are placed on the silver tray with a little fresh cedar. The thawing roses placed in a vase on the stove  add a reminder that summer is now over.  Sea salt is placed in an old ice cream sherbet with a rhinestone embellished spoon for sprinkling. I love the festive touch of the jewel tone color and rhinestones.  I placed a wonderful new red candle on the tray and am enjoying its fig aroma, the perfect scent for a kitchen  ( available at the store).  Now I just have to add a crystal decanter for the olive oil and my stove is ready for the holidays!  If you can find the space,  adding festive touches to the area around your stove makes cooking more enjoyable.

Crowning Glories

a fabulous crown motif on the cordial.  Makes me want to learn to like brandy!

Heavy gilded crown and initial

Baccarat jam jar - fill it with your favorite preserves

Velvet pillow embellished with crwon motif and rhinestones - available at the store

Crown presentation pillow from France

Crowns are my weakness- adding the crowning glory to many of our  displays! Yesterday, I found one of the most beautiful crowns that I have ever seen.  I was so excited to find a rare Baccarat Napoleonic decanter and cordial set.    The  ornate crown motif is so beautiful on the heavy French crystal .  And to make it an even sweeter deal, I am able  to pass it along to one of  my customers at a great price. I also scored a  Baccarat jam jar at a price that allows me to sell it way below retail.  Placed  on the  crown embellished plate, it is a   special touch for a breakfast table.  One of my favorite ways to display a crown is on  the presentation pillow that my friend Linda D. gave me for my birthday. Hard to find, she searched for a long time to find one for me and I will treasure it forever. The last crown picture  is a great reproduction that we sell in the store and really looks like an antique. Its crusty patina and jewels create the antique feeling of the piece.  We love using it on a stack on books!