Tulip Magnolia Branches

This is our last couple of days in the store and it is looking very sad!  So it was quite delightful to get these beautiful flowers delivered on Thursday!  Jeannie from Twigs comes walking in the store with this huge vase of Tulip Magnolia branches and "Coffee" roses.  My heart did a back flip!  The color of these roses was the most perfect color of pink that I have ever seen.   Of course, I couldn't wait to get them home to enjoy them.  Covering them with a huge plastic bag, I took them home and put them in some fresh water.  I hope they last forever.  The branch is a gnarly organic texture with these pink tulip shaped flowers.  And the roses- well I am in heaven.  If I could only have one color- this would be it.

I just could not resist placing this little pin in the beautiful rose for a picture.  How romantic this little  guy looks!   Thanks Twigs for adding so much pleasure to my weekend!

Friends create a Modern Marvel in the City

Sunday, we spent the evening with our friends at their new place in the city.  John and Denise met later in life, fell in love and got married a couple of years ago.  Meshing their two styles together was a challenge- Denise a girl who loves girly things- pink and lots of fun dishes- and  John- a Texas boy who loves his longhorns and his bourbon. So they finally decided to buy a new place together and create their own style together.  They found a four level residence with a fabulous view of the Chicago skyline and went to work.  While trial and tribulations were abundant during the renovations, they now have a stunning home.

 

 

 

View from the upper deck of the home

 

 

Walking in the courtyard through the gated entry.

 

 

Entering the main level, you are mesmerized by a glass wall- reverse painted with tree trunks.

 

 

A contemporary round dining table and black lacquered chairs  sit in front of one side of the wall.

 

 

As you can see- Denise has kept a bit of pink in the home! Love this table setting.

 

                                        The dining space opens into the living space

A black lacquered wood cabinet houses a bar next to the dining area.

The mirrored back makes the space seem larger, as it reflects the painted glass wall.

 The ethanol burning fireplace requires no ventilation or flu and adds a sense of warmth to the night.

 

View from the living room into the kitchen

fabulous chandelier over the dining space.

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 Entering the large kitchen, you are immediately drawn to the fabulous range area. Again, glass door sliding glass panels were reverse painted with drawing that are significant to the couple. When open, they reveal a flat screen TV and storage shelves  for spices.  Love this feature!

 

A large glass and chrome cabinets displays Denise's dish collection.



                                   A black lacquer cabinet houses the pantry and refrigerator.

A La Cornue  Range is flanked by two sets of stainless steel drawers for pot and pans.

Lighting over a white quartz island

A custom fabricated stainless steel  handrail leads up to the master suite and his and her studys.

 

 

 

Just had to share Denise's study with you. A custom island houses supplies, while her apple computer sits on top.

Very clever use of space.  And yes girls-

She did paint it PINK!  How much fun is this??

 

 

This was a fun evening - full of inspiration- happy laughs and it does prove that "fairytales do come true".

Great job Denise and John! Your home is stunning!

 



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!