Christmas Tablescaping at Boxwood!

Our Thanksgiving tablescaping class at Boxwood was a success so we're doing it again! Join me tomorrow, Wednesday, December 11 from 7:00-8:30 for a Christmas tablescaping class featuring my favorite theme - nutrackers!!

If you know me, you know I love nutcrackers, so this class is going to be lots of fun! And my dear friend Leah and her co-owner Joanna have decked out Boxwood to be the coziest, merriest Christmas shop! Come if only to see the store and get some gift-giving crossed off your list. Register for the workshop here...

And as proof of our fun Thanksgiving workshop, here are some lovely photos from that event. We had a great time sipping wine and talking tables.

Join me! Thanksgiving Tablescape at Boxwood

Friends, I'm coming out of semi-retirement to share with you an exciting event happening in Old Town Alexandria tomorrow night (Thursday, 11/21) at Boxwood. I'll be leading a tablescaping class to get us all in the holiday spirit and give you those last minute tips so you stop stressing about what you're going to do with your table next week.

Register here and come by to sip wine, learn a little something, and ask me why I haven't written a blog post in over a year! (How did that happen??)

Miss y'all...I think 2020 is going to see a return of AO. Let's talk about it tomorrow!

xoxo

Chinamania in the 21st Century

DC friends - if you are a lover of Chinese porcelain, head over to the Ring Auditorium at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden this Sunday, October 2, from 3 - 4:30pm. The Smithsonian Freer|Sackler Gallery is putting on a panel discussion - Chinamania in the 21st Century - about the West's enduring fascination with our beloved blue and white vessels. And it's free!

Artists, scholars, and critics explore the West’s enduring fascination with Chinese porcelain in this moderated panel discussion. Listen in as the group discusses Chinese porcelain’s influence on such areas as the global trade economy, collecting, production, and contemporary art and scholarship. 

This program is held in conjunction with Chinamania, the last in a series of special exhibitions organized in conjunction with Peacock Room REMIX. Along with Kangxi porcelains, the exhibition includes works by contemporary sculptor Walter McConnell that were inspired by his travels to China and by the nineteenth-century British craze for Chinese ceramics.

Unfortunately, I can't go, but I would definitely be there otherwise. This sounds quite interesting. Do attend if you can!

Happy Friday - see you next week!

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Friday Crush

Let me tell you that I had one of the most astonishing, sensory-shocking experiences last week when I visited the Wonder exhibit currently at the Renwick Gallery in Washington, DC.

The entire exhibit is great and evokes what it implies...Wonder.

BUT THERE IS THIS ROOM. THAT IS HOT PINK AND FULL OF BUGS. And it's bananas.

I hate bugs. And skulls. But I fell madly in love with this room. I could have legitimately stood in it all day long.

Photo by Ron Blunt

Both photos do it no justice. Its creator is Jennifer Angus - an apparel and textile design professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her travels through Thailand and Malaysia inspired a fascination with the beauty of insects, which she marries with her craft of pattern design. 

The bugs are real, y'all. Dead (obvi) but real. And that wall color is from bug juice. It's both terrifying and beautiful. Very Frida Kahlo. 

If you're in DC, go see it. I think it closes May 8. If you're not in DC, read this article and watch this video and this video.  

This one stirred up a lot in me. Grateful that I got to experience it!

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Spring Styling with Bloomingdale's

I had a styling gig last weekend for Bloomingdale's @ Tysons Corner in Virginia that I wanted to share with y'all, especially since spring entertaining is among us and you might need some ideas.

I am here for you. So is Bloomingdale's.

I spent a whole morning styling up a table with the finery you see above that I picked up from every corner of the home department. Juliska, Kate Spade, Michael Aram, Waterford...it was my version of heaven.

That dope pillow above is what set it all off. I saw it propped on a display and I can't leave anything that is orchid + periwinkle alone.

From there fresh blues, my classic toile, glimmers of gold all came together for a classic yet cool, mixed-up table.

Here are some pictures of the real-life situation. First, let me tell you that styling with a prop room like this is very, very fun (I should have used way more flair available to me):

And now the table:

And a post-styling selfie for posterity (kids, your mom once did cool things, SEE):

I hunted down several of the items I used online, but I couldn't find them all (some of these links are substitutions).

Go shopping:

Placemats
Napkins
Dinner Plates
Salad Plates
Water Glass
Wine Glass
Flatware
Vase
Pillow

(For some reason, my links to the coasters, candlesticks and pitcher are not working but they are all by Michael Aram so search accordingly)

A big, bright thank you to Kelly, Bill and the team at Bloomingdale's Tysons Corner. It was an awesome way to spend the afternoon!

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Shop With Me at Bloomie's!

Friends in the DMV! Join me tomorrow!

Saturday, March 19th 

Bloomingdale's @ Tysons Corner

1-4pm

Let's get our spring shopping on! 

I'll be on hand to help you craft those fresh looks you are desperately craving for your house at the moment. And I'll tell you all about my crazy week and why you should always use placemats.

Plus, enter to win a month's delivery of seasonal flowers to brighten your home, 

courtesy of Farmgirl Flowers.

Ever wanted to chat with me in person (read: free design advice)? Tomorrow is your chance (because I never get out of the house on the weekends). Let's fill our Big Brown Bags together.

See you there!

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Movin' and Shakin' (In Someone Else's Shoes)

Friends, Eddie Ross and Jaithan Kochar were in town. So I had to meet them.

I would like to think that I live the life of a chic design blogger, jetting off to hip events every week - and though the invites are plenty (because I'm on every PR email list known to mankind), I rarely find the energy to attend.

But this duo is behind so much tabletop, design and styling that I LOVE...there was no way I could miss it.

And as you can see, I'm pretty thrilled I went. I got to connect with many design/blogging friends that I haven't seen for years. Literally years. It felt so good to catch up.

That's the money shot of the evening - Terri Sapienza, me, Liz Levin, Eddie, and Lauren Liess - solid group right there.

And a special thank you to Liz, who let me borrow her shoes. Because at the 11th hour I realized that the sweater-legging-boots getup I wore to work that day would be woefully casual so I ran into H&M to grab that dress and earrings...and Liz came to the rescue with black pumps.

Get your hands on Eddie and Jaithan's book, Modern Mix. It's bananas and literally the perfect Christmas gift for any design lover (or newlywed or single professional) in your life:

Huge thank you to hostess Lynni Megginson and Baker Furniture for the wonderful evening!

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Back from Heaven

Carter and I are back from a wonderful weekend away.

It's going to take me a while to sift through what I think are hundreds of photos from the Greenbrier so, for now, I'll leave you with a taste of our weekend via my Instagram feed (I know, lame if you follow me there as you've seen these but I'm offering some additional commentary):

First stop was the Caspari store in Charlottesville where I met up with some of the team for a little Thanksgiving collaboration that is coming up on the blog next week. LOTS of holiday entertaining inspiration coming your way! I couldn't resist posing with the cheetah. God bless that maternity vest, as I basically wear it every day.

Next stop was the University of Virginia to meet up with old college friends for a mini-reunion that was incredibly fun. I took this picture at Pavilion X on the Lawn as the shutters have the most sublime shade of green that I'm thinking may need to go on our own house.

After Charlottesville, we made our way to White Sulfur Springs, West Virginia - home of the Greenbrier. THERE ARE NO WORDS. Inspiration for days. I took a picture of everything. Even the toilets. Seriously.

A dapper Carter Shuffler enjoying a mint julep before dinner. Fun fact: he wears bow ties every day to work. And we all know how handy he is. Handy and handsome = score on my end.

Likely my favorite photo from the weekend. My delicious cup of coffee in the Main Dining Room the morning we left. The breakfast brunch was bananas and the pink china was stunning. 

All in all, it was a stellar experience and completely lovely to spend some time with just Carter but we were pretty stoked to get home to this nutty human:

I'll share LOTS of Greenbrier images as soon as I go through them and look for holiday inspiration from Caspari next week!

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Linens: For Every Room and Occasion & Meeting Jane Scott

Let me go ahead and assuage your anxiety over what to get your mom/best friend/mother-in-law/manicurist/sister/person-with-good-taste-in-your-life/yourself for Christmas...get them the book Linens: For Every Room and Occasion by Jane Scott Hodges, owner/founder of Leontine Linens.

Y'all, it does NOT disappoint.

Image from Linens: For Every Room and Occasion

As I mentioned last week, the Jane Scott Hodges' press party train made a stop in DC that I was able to attend. Although Jane Scott's book has been on my wishlist since I first heard about it, her actual visit prompted me to accelerate my purchase so I could have her sign it...and I'm SO glad I did.

This book is everything.

Images from Linens: For Every Room and Occasion

Not only is it a primer on monograms, linens, and associated etiquette but it's a legit design book that showcases some of the most iconic spaces that we all know and love that feature Leontine Linens' signature monograms. The above photos are the tiniest taste...you really have to see it for yourself. It's a party for your eyeballs.

And meeting Jane Scott was just a complete pleasure. As expected, she's warm and charming and looks every bit the part of successful business lady running a crazy talented creative shop. Here we are with Sally:

My baby bump is nudging the book right out of Jane Scott's hands.

And here's my little collection of loot post-event...my book, a darling bookmark and a delicious cookie that I ate about 30 seconds after I took this photo:

Moral of this story: Linens is probably my favorite design book for 2014 and I highly recommend you get a copy if you appreciate all things good and holy. Buy it here...

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Jane Scott Hodges, Leontine Linens, DC Neiman Marcus

There are so many important words to put in this post title, I had to go to a list format.

via Leontine Linens' Instagram

On the heels of Leontine Linens announcing their Christmas partnership with Neiman Marcus (yes, another retail + designer pairing! I love themes...) and the debut of founder Jane Scott Hodges' book Linens: For Every Room and Occassion...the Leontine Linens party press train will be in D.C. this Friday!

You can meet Jane Scott at the Neiman Marcus at Mazza Gallerie in Friendship Heights, get your book signed, and tell her how you would trade-in your first born for a monogrammed bedding set how much you love the brand.

 

But wait! There's more!

My friend and designer Sally Steponkus will be co-hosting the event along with boutique owner Sarah Cannova. If you've not met Sally, I think she's as worthy a personality to meet as I'm sure Jane Scott is...so what I'm saying is, this is going to be a good event.

Sally does right by Leontine in a lot of her work, including this recently done bedroom which she was nice to share with me...you saw it here first:

photos by Angie Seckinger

Stunning.

So friends, this is your PSA for the week. If you're local and have some free time Friday, head over to Neiman's in Friendship Heights from 10:30-12:30...lucky for me, said Neiman's is across the street from my office so I will definitely be popping in to meet Jane Scott and get my book signed!

See you there?

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Victoria at Home

There is a new shopping destination in (my) town that you absolutely must know about! I had the immense pleasure of visiting designer Victoria Sanchez's new storefront located in Old Town Alexandria this past week. If you don't know Victoria, you should - remember this drop-dead awesome room?

I knew Victoria's shop would not disappoint...but woah. This place is a slice of heaven:

The shop is light, bright, and cozy all at the same time. And I love Victoria's mix of stock - light fixtures, pillows, small accessories, furniture. A great place for a gift or for larger purchases for your home. And her style is amazing - loads of Chinoiserie mixed in with more traditional and more modern elements. I was a happy lady.

You know who else was a happy lady? Ana Claire...she enjoyed the visit.

Make sure Victoria's shop is on your list next time you are shopping in the DC area:

Victoria at Home

1125 King Street

Alexandria, VA 22314

703.836.1960

You can also browse the shop's inventory online and give them a call to order anything of interest.

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Josef Frank Exhibit in DC

Do you love the textile designs of Josef Frank? Bold color, whimsical patterns and Swedish Modern style are all hallmarks of his work.

Photo from Svenkst Tenn via here

Sofa photo from Anthropologie via here

 Home of Lisa Grue via Design*Sponge

Photo by Julian Wass, Design by David Netto via House Beautiful

 Photo via apartmenttherapy.com

 Photo via here

If you're a fan and you live in DC, the Swedish Embassy is hosting an exhibition of his work from February 19 - March 17. The exhibition is titled "The Enduring Designs of Josef Frank":

"Designer and architect Josef Frank, 1885-1967, was a leading pioneer in modern Swedish design. He left behind more than 200 textile and 2000 furniture designs, which he donated to the interior decoration and design firm Svenskt Tenn in honor of three decades of long and fruitful collaboration between him and its founder, Estrid Ericson. Josef Frank is famous for creating the interior design philosophy that became known as "Swedish Modern" in the late 1930s and is current to this day.
As an interior designer, Frank was a firm believer in the importance of both comfort and whimsy. He eschewed the radical minimalism of Bauhaus furniture in favor of curves and color, saying in a lecture, “No hard corners: humans are soft and shapes should be too.”
A selection of textile and furniture designs of Josef Frank is displayed in the exhibition "The Enduring Designs of Josef Frank". The exhibition is supported by Svenskt Tenn, which have lent all objects on display."

If you've ever walked into an IKEA, you've seen the influence of Josef Frank on design. Definitely seems like a cool event to check out if you are local!

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