A New York Christmas

Breathtaking!

Truly shows the magic of the season

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mariterese is in New York City this week and sent me these pictures from her IPhone this morning.

I am so jealous.  These  pictures are from the windows at Bergdorfs and from ABC Carpet and Home, simply 2 of the best retailers in the country.  It is so wonderful to know that they are keeping the tradition of "over the top" Christmas decor in a day where most retailers are pulling back! Owls and peacocks - I think we are on it!    Okay girlfriends - next year's Christmas shopping get away must be a trip to this incredible city!  Thanks Mariterese for sharing these- now where can I get some wispy white feathers??????

Kansas City Girlfriend Christmas Get Away

Jay Strongwater pillow is going home for Christmas

Exquisite beading on hand dyed velvets - to die for pretty!

Can't decide where to put it???

Parking garage of Hall's Department Store decked out for the season

Love the Cinderella carriages that ride around the Plaza

Jay Strongwater stockings new for this season- a trunk show was going on at Halls

Harlequin pattern of handset rhinestones on the body of the pillow- so pretty

warehouse district in Kansas City- home of the monthly Bottoms Up pop up sale

another pop up for the weekend in the same area

Bottoms Up treasures - vintage French trims and hand dyed ribbons

French letters- just arrived from France on Tuesday night for the show at Bottoms UP

A bolt of rhinestone trim found at Bella Patina for a steal

I can already see these little beauties on velvet and silk pillows

I just like staring at this stuff- it makes me happy!

another find from a great Kansas City shop-  The Webster Shop

cute little black deer with glittered feet and antlers

love his crown- he now has a home on my banister with glittered nests!

antiquing is awesome in KC area-  really great prices on transfer ware

found these grey and cream leather books with the crown detail- although they are French, the crown almost looks like the Hallmark Crown.  Perfect treasure to remember KC- the headquarters of Hallmark!

On Thursday morning, after finishing the Schweppe Mansion holiday decorations, I got up early, picked up Jill and headed off to Kansas City for a girlfriend holiday shopping gala! We met Marlene and Jill's sister, Nancy at the airport in KC and headed out for 2 wonderful days of shopping.  And let me tell you- we were not disappointed!.  First we headed to Nell Hills store to enjoy our first stop.  Finding it to be very similar to past years, I did manage to purchase a set of antique champagne saucers with a gorgeous gold motif  and have them shipped.  Next we headed to Hall's department to store to their Christmas trim department.  While still gorgeous, we were a little disappointed in the ornaments this year- a little too whimsical for all of our tastes. We had purchased many gorgeous ones in the past years- elegant and glitzy.  We did buy a few, but the highlight of the visit was the Jay Strongwater trunk show.  This year, he  introduced pillows, throws, and stockings to his holiday collection and they are truly works of art. Then it was on to check in to the Raphael Hotel, we freshened up and headed to Jack Stacks for dinner.  The next day I called Carol Spinski of "Raised in Cotton" to get directions to her store and left a message.  Within minutes, she called me back and told me about a  pop-up sale that was happening this weekend and said to go to it instead! What a girl!  The Bottoms Up show is held the first week end of every month and we just happened to be in town.  Hurray for us! and off we went!  All of us found wonderful treasures!  Nancy then suggested that we go to the Webster House for lunch and shopping- sounded good to me!  This is a must see- an old school house transformed into a tea room and store with very very very tasty merchandise!  There is something for everyone- clothing, jewelry, antiques, and home decor. We spent a delightful 2 1/2 hours there and headed out south of the city for more antiquing!  Dinner at a French bistro and back to the Raphael to re-energize for more shopping the next morning! It was then back to the airport and say our good-byes- Jill and I off to Chicago- Marlene back to Nashville and Nancy to Colorado Springs.  It was a wonderful 2 days- great companionship and great shopping- the perfect girlfriend get away.  And best of all- we all found treasures!

Favorite Christmas Find of the Year

My Favorite Room of the Year

My Favorite Holiday Find of the Year- Jill Garber's exquisite one of a kind eggs

Exquisite little delightful works of art

this one went home for the Christmas with one of our special customers

so special in a compote or nest

ready for breakfast

can't you just see this  silver tower filled with the jeweled eggs?

the silver and white feather bird add just the right touch to the display

gold tumbleweed nests add the organic touch to the gorgeous eggs.

My final thoughts on the Schweppe Mansion Christmas decorations   -  my favorite room was the breakfast conservatory.  Filled with morning light, it overlooks Lake Michigan and I could spend forever there.  Can you just imagine watching snow fall from those windows???    Linda D. helped Candy and I decorate this space in an ethereal feminine way - the special tulle and burlap tablecloth, the floating garlands from the  simple chandelier and the sweet Old Paris Porcelain china on the table.  But the crowning touch of the room was the  beaded tree of Jill Garber's exquisite eggs.  I was so honored to have them for this Christmas walk. They added that element of surprise- the Christmas find of the year.  Exquisitely handcrafted from old rhinestone jewelry and hand dyed trims, each one is an heirloom piece of art.  We will be joining www.stonegableblog.com for Homespun Christmas tablescapes and recipes.

Christmas at the Schweppe Mansion

view from reception hall to library

large view of living room

bar in reception hall with "roll up' panels to indicate when the bar is open!



incredible carving in the library

large round table in reception hall filled with Romancing the Home Entertains books

grand fireplaces in every room

Our signature angel is going home to George and Betty's for Christmas1

so elegant and pretty

view from the morning room conservatory

View from the morning conservatory to the back of the residence.

dining room table

reception hall buffet

my favorite - the breakfast conservatory

jeweled fruit in the bed of rose petals on the breakfast table

Our incredible jeweled eggs on consignment from an artist in Michigan

 Is this a gorgeous room or not?

A token to this exquisite home - an architectural crown jewel of Chicago

Prince Charming's dining room table

one of the favorite parts of the tour - Penny's table in the kitchen!

Julie's idea-  use a book as a menu. We mod podged the book with plaid paper and then glued the menu on the cover;
Love the tartan stenciled sheep on the picture.

I am so exhausted, been going on fumes for a few days now. .. Just got home from taking the elves out to dinner.  What a fabulous job they did on the Schweppe Mansion.  Sorry these  pictures are not in a revelent order, but I am too tired to take the time to sort them and  to write a good story. But the pictures tell a lot! . I leave very early in the morning for a short trip with my girl friends to seek new retail inspirations. I will  let you know what  I find in a couple of days!  Meanwhile, thanks so much to the many people that follow my blog and came to the Holiday Walk today.   I especially enjoyed talking to you .It's rewarding to know that someone is really reading this crazy blog and actually made plans to come see this incredible residence- hope you all enjoyed it!  Thank you so much! And to my 6 little elves- you guys rock!