Bloggy GiveAways Carnival Winter 08

I am participating in a GiveAway with BloggyGiveAways. I am giving away a signed ceramic serving piece by Jessica Howard. It is a wonderful oval zebra patterned platter in brown that sells for $50.


To register all you have to do is leave a comment and have an email address so that I can get in touch with you. :) All comments must be added by Sunday Feb 3 at 6pm CST. I ship only to U.S. Good Luck! If you would like to see other Jessica Howard pieces please visit here.

To see all of the other giveaways- go here! There were 478 last time I looked!


One more note- If you haven't already- Be sure to visit Melissa at The Inspired Room as she begins one of her Fabulous Inspiration Weeks- Be sure to check back with her all week as she will be having different prizes.

Throw Me Something Mister!

This post has nothing to do with design. Just fun--


The Mardi Gras celebrations have begun! There was a pet parade early in the day and I just loved this dog in his little car!

We went to the Mardi Gras Parade tonight and had a blast -- All you have to do is throw your hand up in the air and shout- Throw Me Something Mister! and your in for a terrific night of bead catching, laughing and fun!

The Queen of the Krewe is near the beginning of the parade...


This looks like a fun boat to ride in...

Totally ready to have fun!

This one is a nod to New Orleans....Our brave soldiers having a little fun....

Miscellaneous floats with everyone having a great time......
Lots of beads- ready to be thrown!

You know it is the end, when the King goes by--- Unfortunately he didn't turn my way. But you can still see that he is dressed in his regal best.

Setting the Stage with A TableScape

I just finished reading Colin Cowie's book "Colin Cowie Chic, The guide to life as it should be" and in the 1st chapter- A Gracious Home, Public Spaces he states that if life is theater, then his living room is one place where he sets the stage. On his coffee table, he states that he might display a pile of books he enjoys, or a group of dazzling crystal candles around a low vase packed abundantly with flowers; or a tall, thin vase with a single bloom or a tropical leaf. The point being to create harmony by choosing three or four elements, such as books, candles, and a floral or decorative objet d'art.

Well, I wanted to see this in action so I started through my stack of magazines and took some pics to post of different tablescapes and even though they are all different i.e. different tables, different accessories, etc. they all follow the same point- harmony through the elements.

Magazine: New York Home; Designer: Todd Black; Photographer: Bruce Buck

Magaznie: New York Home; Design: Betsy Marx; Photographer: Gridley & Graves

Magazine: New York Home; Designer: Marcy Masterson; Photographer John M. Hall

Magazine: In Style Home; Design: Betsy Burnham; Photographer: Lisa Romerein

Magazine: Metropolitian Home; Photographer: Grey Crawford

Magazine: Florida Design; Design: Marigil M. Walsh;Photographe: Kim Sargent

Magazine: Florida Design; Design: Sue Strober; Photography: Robert Brantley

Magazine: Florida Design; Design: Anne Folsom Smith; Photographer: Barbara Banks

Magazine: Florida Design; Design Firm: Tom Stringer, Inc.; Photographer: Dan Forer

After seeing the last pic with the ottoman, I decided I ought to go downstairs and check out my "real world" tablescape:
Eek! I better run outside and get some type of green plant material :)

Modern Nature

Have you been reading the forecasts of what is in and what is out for 2008 for home decor?

I have found four trends that seems to be in the consensus:

• The color gray- in many shades- from blue gray to dove gray is in- Since the design world seems to follow the fashion world you can take a look at the couture section at the department store to see the many varied shades.

• Anything that follows the designs of nature- You know I love this one!

• Made in the USA.

• Anything not made for the masses.

With that being said- Neutral Dwelling is offering an exclusive line of nature inspired imagery called- Modern Nature

Please visit the store if you are interested in purchasing 8x10 artistic photo prints.

Hope you enjoy!

In a Blue State of Mind

You can't read a design article these days without reading about being environmentally friendly or design sustainability. I read in the New York Times and on 901 am.com that trend-spotter Ann Mack of JWT, one of the world's largest advertising agencies, has proclaimed blue to be the new green. According to Ann, “Environmentalism 2.0 is all about the planet and water. Those are blue images." She also adds another coming trend is about "commitment and rethinking instant gratification". This goes right along with sustainable design in my mind in purchasing the best that you can afford in quality so that it will last. And that may mean waiting to make a purchase in order to save up for it in order to purchase quality products.

So when I received my Florida Design magazine the other day and saw these beautiful rooms done in blue I just had to show them. The designer is Daniel Clancy of Perlmutter-Freiwald, Inc. He was selected to design a home that is a waterfront winter home in Palm Beach and he chose a neutral palette grounded with a deep indigo blue. He states that the blue and beige hues provide a theme of sea and sand that permeates throughout. I love the mixing of the traditional furnishings with the contemporary artwork throughout the home. The antique Biedermeier bench covered in silk is just stunning in the foyer.


Above the fireplace in the living room, a contemporary piece looks right at home.
The living room features an eclectic mix of antiques, a Persian rug and beautiful paintings.
I thoroughly love the dining room! Clean lines with lavish crystal- Deliberately simple.

This truly puts me in a Blue State of Mind. How about you?