Gray Decorating Schemes

Gray Inspiration...

Our Master Bedroom is in desperate need of a paint job.  This room has been painted three time in three years because I just can't seem to get it right.  I tried gray the first go around and it turned out blue... then I decided to paint it the same color as our bathroom (a silver color) and that looked horrible.  Currently it is orange which I loved at first but now just drives me nuts every morning I wake up!  I need something soothing but not dark.  We only have two windows and they have dark bamboo blinds so I need something that will lighten up the space.  I really want a middle of the road gray and add crown molding...  but not sure that would lighten it up enough.  SO FRUSTRATING! I want this to be the last time I paint this room for a long long long time! Any Ideas???



all images via House Beautiful

Tip of the Season

So... I dropped my laptop and the card reader that I use to download pictures broke.  Ugh!

Anyway... My mom taught me at a young age the joy of decorating for Christmas!  We always make our own wreaths using the bottom branches they cut off your tree.  All you need is a grapevine wreath form, clippers, greenery, and about 30 Minutes.  It will save you at least $16 at the Christmas Tree lot.

Make sure to overlay the greenery so you can't see the grapevine. 

I trimmed a boxwood bush earlier and used that to make my wreath.  If you use boxwood you have to mist the leaves!! Otherwise they will turn brown and start dropping like crazy.

I stuff the front and the back of the wreath form since it's on a glass door.  Plus it makes it look really full and plush!  I cut berries off our holly bush and stuffed them in there to add some color!

Gorgeous, eh???

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christmas Open House

 Darnell & Company - Open House tonight from 6-9

If you are in Charlotte please stop by and see us! We are to the trade but the artist studio's and galleries that are in our building are having open houses too and they are open to the public.

Cocktails and Hors d'oeuvres

118 East Kingston Ave

Charlotte 

Centerpieces

Arrangements and Centerpieces can completely transform a home for a party if done right.  My friend Debbie is the ultimate hostess and she has shared with me some ideas and tricks of the trade she uses to spiffy up her house when she entertains.  Debbie and her friend Jeanne have come up with really original and beautiful arrangements and have agreed to share a few with me.  Enjoy!

Below are two pictures of the same vignette in her home but the arrangements have been done two different ways.  The first photo is from an engagement party she hosted.  The bowl on the console contains Sedum (the bright green), Moss (darker green), and red limbs she cut off a bush from her friends house!! I LOVE THIS LOOK!! I love the height it gives and also the bright fun colors.

Close Up

 This is the same vignette but with a different arrangement... the bowl is filled with oranges for Thanksgiving last week.  The oranges are very unexpected and bring out the  painting.

Close Up 

I'm not sure what this plant is... but I love how it compliments the glass piece!  And BTW... notice the painting in the left corner... that's an Eric Abrecht I posted about his artwork here

http://www.boddricksroost.blogspot.com/2011/08/eric-abrecht.html

And last but not least is the centerpiece Debbie used for her Thanksgiving table this year... So Festive!

Cabbages, pumpkins, and sticks (from her back yard) are all used to bring you this stunning piece. 

What they don't clip out of their own back yards - Debbie and Jeanne get from their local nursery and here is their trick... In all these photos the plants are taken out of their black containers and put in plastic sandwich baggies so she can plant them in her yard after the party.  Now isn't that a great idea?!?! More economical than buying cut flowers that will die in a few days!!

Weekend Trip - Georgetown/DC

I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving!! I overdid the turkey and stuffing once again this year.  Well worth it.

One thing I have not shared with you is that my husband and I went to Georgetown/DC to visit his sister a few weeks ago.  It was the first time I had been to Georgetown (I had visited DC when I was younger)  and I have to admit that I LOVE that town!! I loved all the shops lining Wisconsin Avenue and people everywhere just walking around.  There were Ginko Trees everywhere and the leaves had just begun to change to that citrus green... Gorg!

We woke up early one morning just to walk around and found ourselves at the waterfront Park on the Potomac and what views!!

We went on to DC and were total tourists... visited a lot of monuments and ate so much goodness. For lunch Friday we went to The Source and I had the best Kobe Beef cheese burger ever!  Highly Recommend. 

These trees surround a fountain in the front of the Capital.  I was obsessed with the trees! Took several photos.  This picture was taken just before sunset and gave everything beautiful light.

Martha, Martha, Martha

OK, so I'm not the biggest Martha Stewart fan.  She is the queen of all things do it yourself but I grew up with a very crafty and creative mom who could give ol' Martha a run for her money! 

However, yesterday morning the Today Show had a special with Martha at her estate and WOW what an estate!! Can any of us regular peeps imagine living like this?? I can't. But I have a feeling I could get used to the idea.

Check it out

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/45399936#45399936

She starts out taking Mr. Lauer to collect eggs in her chicken coup while the rest of the Today Show cast starts preparing the Thanksgiving Dinner.  Then she scoots off for a ride on her magnificent horses with Ann Curry (again... while everyone else is busy working.)  Next she take Al to squeeze fresh apple cider out of a home made churn and then finishes the show by showing Natalie how to make a stiff bourbon drink using the fresh cider. 

A day in the life of Martha.

Also... This is a picture I got from my mom last night.  Beautiful and CREATIVE arrangement with the colorful Maple Leaves and I love the wind mill in the background.  Great Job Mom!

Happy Holidays

Ok... I imagine the title of this post to be sung like the carol because the Holidays are here! YAY!

In my opinion when that all famous Turkey Day arrives so does Christmas!  It was a family tradition growing up to get our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving (a tradition my husband and I still follow.)

However, I do want to focus on some wonderful things about Thanksgiving Decor... here are a few of my go to's.

Spode Salt & Pepper shakers... I mean can you get any more festive??

Pyracantha Berries (great for Decor!)

Love this classic and simple table setting!

Thought this was a really cute idea for Place Cards.  I would probably do a simple tag and hand write them to give a more personal feel.  Love the white mini pumpkins!  Maybe brown tags with a silver gel pen and brown raffia string?? That sounds more like it!

(image via HGTV)

This may be a little over the top... But it would be fun for kids and a GREAT way to get them to participate in the Thanksgiving Cooking!

Hope everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving!!