O Christmas Tree

I'm joining Susan at A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday.Check the box: We got the tree and put the lights and ornaments on. I always feel like once we have the tree, I can proceed with the rest of the decorating. I have been collecting Santa ornaments for about ten years. So the tree is decorated with the collection, plus all the ornaments that have a woodsy theme. Although I don't like theme trees, I find that when decorating the tree,...

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A Little Leopard Here and There

I love a little leopard here and there -- on pillows or lampshades, it can be just the right touch. Here are a few photos of the leopard elements I have used in decorating our home. One of two Bergere chairs in our Asti home. I splurged on the Ralph Lauren linen fabric. The lampshades and chair are in our Master Bedroom and Bathroom at home in the city. The fabric is velvet. Sconce...

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Tablescape Thursday Lite

The night before Thanksgiving everyone is home and preparing for tomorrow. The table is set in the dining room and Aaron and Ashley are in the kitchen cooking things ahead of time. So this is Tablescape Thursday Lite! I set the table in the kitchen for Wednesday night's dinner. Nothing too exciting as all my energy went to the main table! The plate is vintage Mason's "Fruit Basket" found in antique stores and Replacements Ltd. Charger and salad...

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The Guest Cottage

Recently when staying the weekend at our home in Asti, I decided to do a "photo shoot" of the guest cottage. Actually, we don't use the house for guests, but instead it is our master bedroom. When we have guests staying with us, they usually sleep in the main house. We love having our own separate quarters except when it's raining and we have to walk in the dark to go to bed! Otherwise, it feels more special to sleep here. Like having our own...

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Gourmet Dinner Party, Catered by Ashley

I'm joining "Foodie Friday" over at Designs by Gollum today Along with my interest in design, I'm also a "foodie" -- whatever that means. It's not that I'm that interested in food -- I don't even cook! I'm a foodie by default. My husband, Mr. A has always been the cook in our family. Our daughter Ashley is currently in culinary school and cooks in one of San Francisco's top restaurants. Our son Aaron cooks as a hobby and has catered private...

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Tablescape Thursday

I'm joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday for the first time!The plate is Johnson Brothers Windsorware in the Harvest pattern. I love this plate! It goes with everything: from velvet to burlap placemats, plaid to toile napkins, formal and rustic. I love putting purple wine hocks with it to bring out the grapes--a favorite theme of mine. I have used this plate three times for staging a table setting in various kitchen...

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Burlap and Grain Sack Mania

I fell in love with burlap several years ago thanks to Ballard Designs. They were one of the firsts to feature burlap fabric with their skirted table rounds. Some even fringed! Oh my! After that, I gravitated to anything burlap--especially lampshades.My burlap phase expanded to include vintage grain sacks from Europe. At the Alameda Antique Show I found a dealer who had 7 sacks, all the same. I paid $25 a piece for them! Maggie of "Maggie's...

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