surprise

 

Imagine my surprise when Eddie Ross e-mailed me on Christmas Day to let me know that I had won this lovely mercury glass bowl.  The one thing I adore about the holidays are all the silver and gold.  How pretty this dish will be for serving little candies or even some home made jam.

Mercury glass objects add an elegant touch to any table.  Thank-you Eddie!

Wishing each of you a Happy New Year full of sparkly surprises.  One dear friend said, "A New Year is a time to find the surprise of each new day!"  Create, design and inspire the kind of year ahead you envision.  Each of us have special gifts and surprises to share.  I look forward to this New Year and sharing goodness with each of you.  I feel so lucky and fortunate to know that each day is full of special suprises and visitors like you who come from near and far.

burning the candle

From the very first time I met Eddie Ross, I will never forget what a stunning table he set with magical tapered candles burning so brightly - all on a school night mind you! A few weeks ago, I jumped at the opportunity to attend a wonderful event he hosted at Gracious Home in New York City. There they were again, those slim tapered candles, this time in full color!
I just adore Eddie and his fresh flair for setting a wonderful table full of color and such an array of items that he has collected. Mixing a variety of ecletic elements, brass, crystal, bamboo all add up to make for a tasty presentation.

Eddie is all about "presentation" and "taste" - what an array of wonderful treats there were!

I admire Eddie for his dedication to decor, to making things special and for adding color to my life! Not only is Eddie uber talented, but he is uber personable and interested in what everyone has to say. It is always fun to meet fellow "Eddie fans" and Jaithan is a sweet-heart!
Just imagine your table coming to life in full color with these vivid candles. Even in a neutral setting, a burst of a bright color can add a festive touch. Bright candles and colorful napkins are a fun alternative to all white.

Here's to Eddie, tapered candles and each of us burning them at both ends!

like no other...

Never mind that I am fashionably late to post this fabulous photo of one of the vignettes from the divine store-front window for Elle Decor in Bloomingdales, New York done by Eddie Ross and his partner Jaithan. I was fortunate enough to live in New York and walk by that store to and from work. I always loved the windows and the commercial that stated the obvious, "Like no other store in the world!" I feel that way about our dear friend "Eddie & Jaithan." Take a look over here and follow the instructions to vote for your favorite window.

One of my intern positions in college was in "Visual Merchandising" and I know the amount of work it takes to pull of this, let alone in a city that never sleeps! Wishing all the window's well and thanks to each of you for sharing your energy and your visions!

Seriously, Eddie Ross is like no other, just pure fabulousness in blog land and beyond!

beau parlor

pve design artwork, created for Eddie Ross for Rooms with a view ~ "The after"

When I first moved to New York City, I was on an internship and needed a spot to live that would be 1. affordable as well as 2. clean. I lived at the "Webster" on 34th street which was both. For a mere $74 dollars a week, I had my own room and 3 squares a day. At breakfast I could pack up my lunch which would be a boiled egg, a yogurt and some fruit. Buffet style suited me just fine. Whenever a suitor would call, they were not allowed upstairs, only in these rooms which were referred to as "Beau Parlors" - I remember showing my then boyfriend (now husband) my art portfolio.

The charming Eddie Ross and I - at the Southport "Rooms with a view 2009"

The above sketch was created for Eddie Ross. I was ecstatic when he called me a few months ago to take this project on for the Southport "Rooms with a view." Eddie had a unique idea to show the room compiled of gorgeous items all in a state of "before" and my artwork is hung to show the "after!" The humble beginning of a room is quite like falling in love.

Thank-you Eddie for including me in this wonderful collaboration. Thank you Victoria for joining me in another car ride, you are excellent company. I cherish our chats on design, inspiration, creating and balancing family life, we have a total of 7 children (I have three and Victoria has four) so there are always great stories. Meeting and sharing with other bloggers is such a terrific experience.

Eddie Ross and I at the "Southport Rooms with a view 2009"

Thanks to Larson-Juhl for the exquisite framing

fab friday - "at a clip"

my snazzy new MacBeth Collection clip board

Fab friday again!  Speaking of things going fast, this week sure went by "at a clip."  

Lucky for me, I now am the proud owner of this snappy clip board. 

My collection of cool, stylish notes, clip board and mini journals!

Thanks to this fab friday gal who I refer to as "Snow White" gave this to me.  I had dropped a little hint of how I could truly benefit from that clip board.   Just look how fab my birthday "to do" paper fits this clip board as well as the collection of moleskin journals.  My kind of colors!

A fabulous week began with the pleasure of meeting "Seleta" at Eddie's home last Sunday for a 

beautiful brunch.  The first time that I met Eddie, he immediately said, you are friends with "Seleta" and she is coming to New York for a weekend and we must get together.  Well, alright, when Eddie talks - people listen.  The brunch was simply lovely, quiche, fresh fruit, greek yogurt, mimosa's and a salad that was delightful!  Eddie does it all with ease and a flair for fun.

Seleta, my daughter Amelia and I "dishin" at Eddie's home sweet home.

I hopped in my car and my little girl and I drove up to meet "Snow White" and her Prince Peter.  Seleta is truly "quite the dish" - just beautiful inside and out!  Seleta is holding a white dish that I just knew she would love.  I bought it in Paris at open air flea market.  One can always find loads of white dishes, and this dish had her name written all over it.  

A dish for a dish, and a clip for a clipper! 

Wishing each of you a fab friday!

domestic sheep

Domestic sheep instinctively flock together.   Sheep are very social creatures as well.  You will never see a lone sheep, where there is one, shall be 4 more.  This little sheep flocked on over to Calico Corners to meet the fabulous design leader "Eddie Ross."

Eddie Ross & Patricia van Essche smiling for the camera (I think I could be old enough to pass for his Mother)  Eddie is a young vibrant thing!

I had planned to mail the sheep illustration, a housewarming gift to Eddie & Jaithan -(which I matted in linen), knowing how much he loves linen and neutrals.  Eddie & Jaithan were such warm and welcome hosts as well as the Calico Corners shop staff.  It was an intimate setting.

Eddie graced us as he presented some wonderful ideas to refresh one's living space.  His energy and passion are so fresh and playful.  His laugh is infectious and his ability to laugh at himself ranks likability in my book.  Really, just a few details and a little creative ingenue are all one needs to infuse and make it distinctively yours. 

An artfully arranged centerpiece in a white urn, by Eddie

Are these flowers not just gorgeous?  So Eddie.  As well as the spread of beverages and light fare which was artfully arranged.  The grapes were delightful as well as the wine.

Thrift store beaded dress from Eddie, "the before"

Eddie showed us a thrift store beaded dress that was transformed into something gorgeous for the home.  The envelope please.

Transformed into this stunning pillow - "the after"

And the Oscar goes to Eddie and Calico Corners for this award winning pillow.  

Calico Corners in house event, felt like being at home.

Thank you to Calico Corners and to Eddie and Jaithan for a fun and educational evening.

Take a look at Calico Corners to add some fresh fabrics to your home, make custom napkins, tablecloths, re-cover a chair, have some new and witty pillows and make your home a place filled with stories.  

Be sure to flock to an event if Eddie happens to come to your meadow.   Seriously, who needs magazines with leading bloggers making live appearances and offering up free tips.  Everywhere that Eddie goes, this little lamb shall go.  Are you a domestic sheep?  What will you do to add some freshness to your home for Spring?