Snowflakes Of Inspiration

After many a gray day and a lot of snowfall recently, today we were greeted by abundant sunshine.  It reminded me of just how beautiful the snow can be, and how bringing the wintry motifs of snowflakes and pine trees in to our interiors can be such a delight.

Once the sun comes out, the snowy landscape become magical and inviting

I love the pattern play here as the sunlight weaves in and out of the balusters

The French doors create a beautiful connection between
the outside and in, and the snowflake looks right at home

Crystal snowflakes and shimmering pailettes add softness to the space

A dusting of snow,the luster of silver, and the sparkle
of mercury glass

Twinkling lights and pine cones reflect a crackled pattern
and cast a warm glow

Toss In Some Pillows… Toss Out The Winter Blahs

Well, it’s mid-January.  The holidays are over.  The parties are a thing of the past.  The decorations are stored away.  Your spirit has gone away with them.

There is always such a sense of excitement as Christmas approaches.  Then, after weeks of celebrating and decorating, the season comes to a screeching halt.  Much toil, and much less joy, go into packing all of the ornaments and lights away for another year.  

At first, the simplicity of the holiday-decoration-free house feels refreshing and a bit “Zen.”  But then, after a few days of gray New Year’s winter skies, your interiors feel just plain drab, dull, and maybe even a little sad.

There’s a quick, easy, and inexpensive (usually!) fix that will lift your mood immediately: toss a couple colorful pillows on your sofa, bed, or favorite reading chair!

I dare you to go into the nearest Pier 1 store, head over to the “Pillow Wall,” and not get a smile on your face! 

There is nothing that will brighten your mood faster than section after section of vivid silks, lively patterns and inviting textures.  

And as you wander around the showroom, you will be inspired by little vignettes that prove the power of the pillow!

Once you arrive home with your plump poofs, your rooms will react the same way that you did in the store… with joy and enthusiasm!

There are endless sources for fabulous pillows in the home furnishings world these days...  Here are just a few that I found that prove you don’t have to live with the Winter Doldrums!

 image Company C

image Company C

image Company C

image West Elm

image West Elm

image Crate and Barrel

image Crate and Barrel

image Pottery Barn

image Shades Of Light

Here's to brighter days inside and out!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Winter... Inside!

On this first day of Winter, here in New England, it is rainy, gray and not that cold at all.

But inside our home, it feels like Winter and Christmas have arrived... welcome!

Wishing you a Winter filled with warmth

& a Very Merry Christmas!

Silver Solstice

Winter Solstice has arrived, and that brings us less daylight... only about 9 hours on December 22nd! Since we are the farthest away from the sun, and it's elevation is lowest in the sky, we naturally experience the longest night of the year. But just because it's dark outside, our interiors can still shine brilliantly.

Nothing brings sparkle to the darkness like the glint of silver... it can be glossy and bright, or satiny and lustrous... those qualities make it perfect to add some dazzle to your home for Winter celebrations...

Mercury glass votives lining the stairs in the foyer

invite you in from the darkness & cold

Silver, blue & turquoise ornaments adorn our blue Christmas tree

Soft candle light glows from a silver hurricane lantern

Silver poinsettias might not be found in nature...

but look great as a decoration on our stairway!

A glittery silver candle surrounded by greens & silvery pine cones

Tiny white tree decoration with silver snow on its boughs

is right at home on this table covered with blue snowflakes

Snow covered greenery in a silver urn

Sparkly sequins make this pillow ready to celebrate winter's festivities

A silvery arrangement with cobalt & turquoise ornaments

makes a bold, contemporary statement

This wreather with silver ribbons & bows, & coastal themed adornments

liven up an otherwise plain interior door

This silver swirl tree is magical against the dreamy silk drapes!

Silver "presents" & silver rimmed candle holders warm up the fireplace mantle

I hope that these images make you excited about adding a touch of silver to your winter decor!

Wishing you a cozy and warm season!

Winter Warmers… Take The Chill Off

What does “Winter Warmer” mean to you?

If you are a beer enthusiast…

"Winter Warmer"

Harpoon Brewery, Boston, Massachusetts

If you are a fashionista...

Winter scarves; google images

If you are a design aficionado…

Horchow glamourous Dansfield & Ross

silk & rayon velvety gray throw with pom pom trim

One of my favorite accessories for the home is something that can make a big design statement while also proving to be quite useful... the throw. I am a devotee of throws as decorative accessories all year round, but winter is an especially good time to toss a stylish and cozy blanket across your sofa or bed. It is wonderful to snuggle up under a plush, warm throw while watching the snow fall outside of your window (I know, many of you in colder climates are tired of the white stuff by now, so maybe “wonderful” is pushing it a little!), or while you read a book, watch a movie, or just enjoy a tasty hot beverage.

Here are some especially lovely throws that I have come across in my explorations…

Horchow understated quilted coverlets & cable knit throws by Ann Gish

Horchow Sofia super soft cabled cashmere throws woven with heathered yarns

Gracious Home simple but chic Capri cashmere throws with ribbed border

Gracious Home Matouk Arcadia elegant throws with Greek key design

(also love the paint color in the vignette!)

Gracious Home Matouk Torino throws in classic two-tone chevron weave

West Elm bold & textural chunky tassel throw

Pottery Barn casual hand-knit chunky cable throws

Bliss Living Home Temi plush throw in Whisper Blue is covered & edged with pom poms

(how fun is this?)

Throws have such a warming effect that these last few even give me the feeling that Spring is just around the corner! What about you you?