Hello Gorgeous!

Find a wall - Let's add an oversized mirror. 

No matter your style - You CAN'T go wrong! 

via housebeautiful

via vincentwolfassociates.com

vincent wolf via pinterest

                                               

                                                                                                           Malena

Weekend Closet Envy

With temperatures not expected above 50 degrees this weekend, 

I'll be staying indoors organizing closets.. 

I wonder if I wish really hard my closet might magically transform into one of these... 

via Moth-Design

via unknown

 via Pinterest

What does your dream or dream "for now" closet look like?  

Happy Weekend!

                                          Malena

            

My Dream Kitchen - Almost

Anyone who knows me even just a little, knows that one of my many loves is to cook and entertain. Although I have yet to have my "dream kitchen", I have founds ways to "improve" whatever kitchen space I do have to make it my almost dream kitchen.  Take a look:

Even the most ordinary tools can be decorative if they are organized and placed in pretty containers.

I am not a "natural cook", so I take culinary inspiration from Ina and Julia, who are always my first choice for companions in the kitchen. (A good bottle of wine always helps too.) 

Since my dream kitchen has many of the same elements as the House Beautiful Kitchen of Year and Ina Garten's own Barn Kitchen, I removed some of the cabinet doors to create a more open feel to my small space.  My dream kitchen also includes a 6 burner gas stove with multiple ovens, double dishwasher drawers, twin french door refrigerators all in stainless steel and a large island.

The Christmas Table

This year, instead of the traditional formal china, I opted for a table setting that really coordinated with my color theme of red and silver. 

I began by layering a crimson table cloth with a table runner.  Look closely, it has a special Christmas story scripted on it!

 Then each place setting is 5 layers: silver charger, white dinner plate, crimson napkin, white salad plate and special appetizer plate. 
I love white tableware, it's SO versatile!  

I prefer low simple centerpieces on my dinning table.  It makes it much easier to keep the centerpiece on the table throughout the meal, because guests aren't stretching to see around it.  I used my favorite vase (an incredible find at Home Goods)with white faux Hydrangeas.

A few simple touches to make the table really sparkle.

I think I've created a new traditional table setting.

(items collected through the years from PotteryBarn)

White, Red and Sparkle Holiday Decorating

We live in a small house, so harmonizing my love of elegant and formal with the reality of functional and comfortable decorating is always a consideration. Naturally, holiday decorating is no exception. Inspired by a Country red and white theme, I've adapted my holiday decorating over the years to reflect my changing style. This year, the goal was to create a glitzy, sparkly space that's always ready for Santa and Holiday guests!  Happy Decorating!

If you read my previous post of the 6 layer Christmas tree, you'll know that since this is a little over a five foot tree, I would use 500 lights.  Actually, I used well OVER 800 lights on this little tree! 

I started with garland - of two inch shiny red ribbon, then a few over-sized round silver ornaments, an endless number of red, silver and white shiny and  frosted glass spheres in a variety of sizes and "candied" red berries attached with more silky ribbon for depth and texture.

A treasured collection of frame ornaments with snapshots marking the growth of my daughter each holiday and finally, a bright silver star, purchased from Pottery Barn years ago, finishes this year's tree.
I think it's the best tree ever!

The mantle is the one area of our home that is in constant decorating motion.  I generally don't have a traditional mirror there but find that for Christmas, it works great for its candle light reflecting qualities.  The cylinders on either side were inspired by "The Busy Girl's Guide..." class, and I have adapted them here to add height and interest.

This easy arrangement was made with jingle bells as vase-filler, faux flowers and stars in a square vase.  A matching one sits on the other side of the bar for balance as well as beauty. A similar arrangement could be made by replacing the jingle bells with fresh cranberries and white roses or your favorite white flowers.