Venice Inspiration for the Home

It is one of those rare mornings - I have a few moments to reflect on things.  I am excited- today we are starting to paint our new location for our new Romancing the Home concept.  We are starting to conceptualize our first sale- a collection of beautiful inspirations from Paris.  But more to come on that later.   As I start to think about these open houses for our treasured customers, I realize how much my purchases are inspired by traveling to new places- both internationally and in the good old USA.   This morning I realize how many things in my home are reflective of my trip to Venice. I can almost re-live the trip by remembering where I purchased each one or remembering where it was made.

 

Crusty old urns and crowns

 

layering of different textures and textiles

Painted distressed finishes

 opulent velvets

 

Opera glasses for performances at the famous Venetian opera house

Old carved wooden candelabra

 Royalty and crowns

From Venice, I always think of leopard for some reason. Must be the cats!

 old parchment covered books- I remember finding these at a book fair in a church yard on a Saturday morning. 

Putti details

 Metal cornices- love the detail of the design.

 

 

Old gilded furniture frames

 Old embroidered velvet textiles

 

Venetian glass

Decided to buy a different one at every Venice shop. That way if I broke one, I could always add another style to complete a table.  My husband almost divorced me as we hand carried these through  many airports to get them home!
We were late arriving for a flight from Paris and had to run through the Paris airport with 2 big boxes of them. Now we laugh about it- but it wasn't so funny then!  Sure enough- I broke one the first dinner party that I used them.  so I just found another unique one to add to the set!

 The two glasses on the end are from an antique shop in Florence.

Just found the Venetian cordials on the top shelf  last month!

 

another collection of Venetian glasses-

I think our customers will embrace the idea of different patterns in a set of crystal.

A Venetian glass compote- just sitting on my buffet- waiting for its chance to go the one of the first

Romancing the Home sales.

 

So is the pretty little Venetian tooth pick holder- perfect for q-tips on your dressing table!

 

An exquisite piece for many things.

 More old parchment books from Italy's flea markets.

 Italian influenced pillows - one from Italy and the other made here in the US

A hand carved wooden doll that I purchased from a Venetian artist in one of the back alleyways in Venice..

I will never forget going in her shop- I thought I was in heaven. Hand carved and painted, then dressed with antique pieces of old lace and beads. 

 

 

So I can see a future  Romancing the Home sale with Venice as a theme.  It is a place where so many gorgeous elements come together- architecture, fabrics, crystal and of course the delicious cuisine.

Yes - definitely this will be a fun sale to put together.  But after Paris!  Stay tuned for further details on these upcoming Romancing the Home Events.  We are busy creating magic for you!

Sweet Valentine's Tributes

 Sunday  night, I was at my friend Jill's home for dinner.  It is always a treat to explore her little antique vignettes that are displayed in her home.  She has a natural talent for creating little magical collections of fresh flowers and antique accessories.  While she was preparing a delightful  dinner, Marlene ( who was visiting from Tennessee) and I were admiring and taking pictures of these thoughtful little displays. 

 

On the kitchen pine farm table, a mirror plateau with two small pitchers of fresh flowers, a candle, salt and pepper cellars and a sugar bowl.

 

A wooden bread board with Leslie Stowe crackers, Camembert, truffles and fresh roses - served with a gorgeous horn cheese knife.

 A collection of  silver, horn and iron pieces with fresh tulips and a boxwood ball for a pop of color!

 Parchment books, Victorian iron planters filled with fresh ferns,

a terrarium filled with tulips, nests, eggs and moss.

 

 

 The fresh ferns and moss remind us that spring is coming soon!

 

Moss, ex votos, roses, candles and the boy statue on a cement Jan Barboglio plateau in the center of the dining room table.

 

 

On a side note-----

The three of us had spent the day before at a local flea market.  One of the booths was displaying some handmade items made from old lace, rhinestones and old books. 

 We simply could not resist them.

Little card board potting pots with wire handles were covered with vintage lace remnants and then embellished with rhinestones.  Excited about my purchase, I placed them on a silver tray and filled them with dried roses that were left from Julie's birthday  party last weekend.   

 

Tossing a little bright green reindeer moss on the tray added the contrast that I needed.

Insides of old books are wrapped and tied with laces and rhinestone embellishments.

I added these to the tray.

 

I had purchased the candle bobeches the month before and they looked perfect with this Valentine's vignette.



 

Old wax cupids from the 1920's were then added to the grouping.

 

Vintage blush and grey beads from the flea market look so pretty on the tray.

 

 

 

Just need to add a few votives and voila-  a wonderful centerpiece for Valentines!

 

I have found that silver trays, plateaus, bread boards, and books are all great elements to "corral" a collection together on a tabletop. It unifies the statement and makes a stronger impact with all the items grouped together, rather than placed individually on the table. 

After being inspired by my friend's home on Sunday night, 

 I have decided that  Jill is a master of this skill! 

Twigs Florist in Lake Bluff- a Treat for the Senses

My favorite florist, Twigs, located in downtown Lake Bluff, is a delight for the eyes.  I cannot wait to go in the little shop and look at the gorgeous flowers.  European in personality, the shop is packed with style.  Just take a look at these store windows- they stopped my car in its tracks as I was driving home the other night and I  had to turn around and drive by again just to soak in the sheer delightful beauty of  it!



One of the most exquisite store windows that I have ever seen. 
 As the flowers start to fade, Jeannie places them in the heart wreath to dry.  So so pretty.
Looks like a window in Paris!

 One of the gorgeous arrangements that she has made for me over the years.

 

I love these little iron eggs that she fills with little bouquets.

 

 

Birthday flowers from Mr. RTH- enjoyed on the terrace  with a glass of rose from a favorite California vineyard.

 



 

Centerpiece for a wedding reception at my home

 A little arrangement that she made for me to take to a friend.

 

 

Bouquet for a wedding shower at my home

 

Gorgeous bouquet for my surprise birthday dinner last summer!

 

 

 

little arrangements made for a brunch at my home last week.

Sweet little arrangement given as a birthday gift to a friend!

 

A tussie mussie in pink opaline glass for a birthday brunch.

 

 

Her roses stay fresh for days and never droop.

 

 

 

Love these little stone hearts- I wonder what she'll do with them???

 

 

I am looking forward to a little trip to the shop to see what tickles my fancy for Valentines.

Jeannie and her staff are so talented.  If you live in the area, please visit Twigs.

 They get my highest endorsement!  Their work is simply exquisite!

And as an added bonus, they are delightful to work with!