Black Friday Done Right!

my favorite find of the day- gilded eggs hand crafted  with old trims and rhinestones

fabulous

vintage trims and rhinestones on velvet eggs

love this small compote

favorite finds of the day

unbelievable detail on this urn

vintage silver tea pots to be filled with fresh roses for our Christmas house walk on Dec. 5th

exquisite finial detail

love the wonderful walnut finial

2 adorable small silver domes with  ivory finials

For several years, Jill and I have traveled west to a fabulous "day after Thanksgiving" event.  No black Friday promotions for us-  too many years of retailing and having to be at the store by 5 am the day after Thanksgiving   makes us stay completely clear of that nonsense.  Instead we choose to go a more gentile way-  meet at 8:30 in the morning  at Starbucks and head west out into the country  to  visit a  magical red  barn and  purchase  as many fabulous finds as we can in about 45 minutes of "fast browsing" - our own version of heaven on the day after Thanksgiving. Today was no exception.  An incredible artisan from Michigan was selling her version of Faberge eggs made of antique jewelry and trims.  They are such wonderful little treasures and she has agreed to let me sell them at the Woodlands Holiday walk on December 5th. I am so thrilled.  I couldn't wait to get them home and display them on my dining room buffet - I even made Jill take them out of the bag while I was driving home and let me take another gander at them.     We both found some great silver pieces, some of which will be for sale at the holiday walk next week.  I scored a fabulous vintage  urn with great details on the sides,  already filled with Christmas greens. It's a keeper for now!  Jill bought some wonderful tartan goodies today - a vintage throw and some stockings made of vintage tartan blankets.  She also took home a vintage silver bowl filled with paper whites - so lovely and a fabulous  large silver meat dome.  Giddy with chatter about the magic  of the day, we both agreed - this was a magical retailing event!  Beautiful food, beautiful setting and unique items that we could not buy anywhere else - a perfect retail formula!  

Thanksgiving Table with a Blackberry Farm Touch

Casual Thanksgiving table set in the kitchen this year using a plaid throw for the cloth.

I found the faux bois plastic shelf paper at the dollar store and it works perfect as a runner.

Getting to use my Blackberry Farm plates - a special gift from some of my friends!

Love this faux bois wine bottle on the silver tray in center of table

Heavy linen napkins in horn napkin rings

The Harry Goblet -  great for the wine

vintage bone flatware

awesome hotel silver coffee pot with crown motif - found this weekend.
I have a weak spot for anything with a crown on it.

Mr Coykendall, the master Gardener at Blackberry Farm, drew the design for this dinner plate-
Love the orange color for fall.

An oval shaped bowl for the sauce at each place setting.

Medley of fall on a square silver tray with ivory handles for the centerpiece.

Old pantry door adds a sense of history to the area of the kitchen.

over sized natural linen napkins

Set of restaurant chairs from Europe sit at the sides of the banquette eating area in the kitchen.
They are one of my favorite chairs- I love the double nail head detail, the suede backs and carved tops.

This will be a quiet Thanksgiving this year.  Only my two sons will be here, so we have decided to fore go the traditionalturkey dinner this year and do a little experimenting1. My sons love to play chef and this year we are going to try to accomplish frying the "perfect oyster".  Accompaniments such as macaroni and cheese with Chesapeake Bay lump crab will be prepared, along with some other undecided vegetable dishes.  So for this casual meal, I set the table in the kitchen for dinner.  It is a cozy banquette with a little window and filled with  lots of pillows, so one can linger over a long meal with candlelight and chatter endlessly.  These two sons never stop talking from the moment they arrive and the conversation is always lively.  There will be many arguments over how to "fry that perfect oyster", but I am sure perfection will prevail.  {Maybe I'll stick a turkey breast in the oven just for insurance purposes.} Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone and enjoy your day!
We will be joining www.astrollthrulife.net for Tabletop Tuesday, a great place to get Thanksgiving table inspiration.

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!