Super-Duty Sleigh

Orvis

If you’re like us, you might need this fabulous — and roomy –Defender 90 to haul home all of the presents you’ve picked for your loved ones. Here’s to safe travels, home-cooked meals and relaxing by the fire! It really, truly is the most wonderful time of the year…

All Wrapped Up…

A Gift Wrapped Life

With three days until the big day we’re trying to get all the last minute bows tied and gifts under the tree. If you’re feeling behind, don’t dismay. Neiman Marcus is having 25% off select gifts plus free rush shipping! Might be a good time to pick up a little something for yourself… Here’s a bevy of inspiration for those of you looking to add a punch to your presents. Happy wrapping!

A Gift Wrapped Life

Bijou and Boheme

A Gift Wrapped Life

Darling Cara

Slim Paley

Carolyne Roehm

Earth's Wisdom

Good Housekeeping

Everything Fabulous

A Gift Wrapped Life

Polly Wreford Photography

Things We Love: Antlers

Timothy Corrigan Designer

It’s the seasonal event that many women dread: your husband comes home from a long, cold day of  hunting with… a deer head. And, as if the subconscious Bambi comparisons aren’t bad enough, he wants to hang it in — yup, you guessed it — the family room. Thankfully, these designers prove that those antlers, far from being a woodsy, “man cave” (or back of the closet) accessory, can add a masculine touch to any room in your house. Want the look without all the tears? Antique shops are brimming with antlers of all kinds these days.

We love how Timothy Corrigan used antlers to spice up this huge space with its lofty ceilings. Sometimes one dimensional art can get a little, well, flat. This room definitely makes a statement.

Kathleen Rivers Designer

Kathleen Rivers seamlessly combines the rustic with the elegant to create a room that anyone would love. That antler light fixture is so very fabulous.

The Steward

Now that is a man cave. And a gorgeous one at that. This is how I picture the hunter’s house in “The Most Dangerous Game,” boldly displaying a collection of his conquests from all over the world. Did you ever read that story?

Ralph Lauren Store - NYC

Nobody does the great outdoors better than Ralph… or the great indoors, judging from his gorgeous stores in NYC.

Riverhills Showhouse - Southern Accents

Incredibly tall ceilings like this is where those deer really shine.

Restoration Hardware

We just adore Restoration Hardware’s new look. Don’t you?

Jeffrey Bilhuber Designer

A gorgeous spot by Jeffrey Bilhuber. Even with all those skulls there’s a sort of softness to the room from the color palette and that plush rug on the floor.

Everything Fabulous

I know I may have mentioned this once or twice or a hundred times, but there is nothing better than a room full of books. And this simple pair of antlers as a centerpiece is perfection. Thanks for sharing Everything Fabulous, because that’s just what everything in this room is.

Decorpad

Super cool space from Decorpad. I don’t know who works at this desk, but I bet they do something really creative.

Thom Filicia Designer

This is the ultimate chic cabin by Thom Filicia. From the looks of those oars, it seems a mounted fish might be joining the other animals soon.

Polly Wreford Photographer

Those heads are more versatile than we even knew. What a great way to celebrate! Hope you’re celebrating this Monday too!

Whimsical…

Douglas Friedman

Every room needs a touch of whimsy… These rooms take that rule to heart in the best possible way.  Hope you find some inspiration to add a fun flair to all your favorite rooms! 

Jed Johnson

Krista Ewart - House Beautiful

Kimberly Wyn

Turquoise, Tulips and Bliss

Katie Ridder Design

Little Green Notebook

Decorpad

Things We Love: Venetian Mirrors

Decorpad

Of all the unique and wonderful things about Venice — the canals, the art and, of course, the prosecco — one of the best things these inventive people ever came up with was the Venetian mirror. The delicate curves, bevels and designs of these beauties make them a show-stopping addition to any room and, consequently, one of the things we deeply, absolutely love. And the Venetians weren’t even being vain when they devised such a lovely creation. No, they used mercury to back glass with tin foil to reflect light from candles to brighten up rooms. (We thought you might want a free history lesson today. Your welcome.) Five centuries and electricity later there are still few things as enchanting as the reflection of candlelight dancing across a room. Chandelier light works pretty well too. And the best part? Everyone looks better in the reflection of a truly beautiful mirror. Happy Monday, a.k.a. 11 shopping days left!

This first picture from Decorpad obviously features a stunning mirror, but what about that demilune console? Divine.

Vicki Saxton and Renee Prudhomme - Traditional Home

Domino Magazine

Gerald Pomeroy Interiors

This idea, from Gerald Pomeroy Design Group, is one of the best we’ve seen. A wall of mirrors in a bathroom is useful and often necessary but can get, well, boring. This Venetian in the center is fabulous and makes the whole thing so very interesting.

Lisa Epley Interiors

This room designed by Lisa Epley Interiors is graced by one of the most unique mirrors in the round up.

M.A. Belle DMesigns

On this 20 degree day (I know that’s balmy compared to some of your weather, but, for us, it’s pretty chilly…) I would like to climb into this bubble bath. What an incredible tub! MA Belle Designs captured that ever-illusive duality of sleekness and warmth so magnificently here.

Massucco-Warner-Miller Design

Nancy Corzine Design

The ever-chic Nancy Corzine really delivers in this bathroom fit for a queen. (Kate Middleton, if you’re reading this, you should really enlist her to spruce up the palace.)

Robert Passal, Inc.

There’s a hidden spot for every necessity in this bathroom by Robert Passal, Inc. The juxtaposition of the dark wood with the marble and mirror blends feminine and masculine effortlessly. (And Mom has that awesome shell in her house!)

Sarah Richardson

Sarah Richardson, who, incidentally, can also be filed under “Things We Love” has a knack for channeling elegance whether she’s in a farmhouse or, in this case, a marble bath. The area makes a dramatic statement while also being functional and taking up very little space. Sarah, come on to North Carolina. Our houses can be “Sarah’s House” any day!

Style Me Pretty

This whole room from Style Me Pretty is so glamorous. The lucite stools, the delicate roses… They are perfect but can’t hold a candle to those floor-length Venetians. Honey, one (or three) of those would make an excellent Christmas surprise!

Matthew Millman and Mical Venera Photographers

VT Interiors

Such an idyllic space for a little girl… We hope your day is just as dreamy!

Things We Love: Banquettes

Southern Accents

Banquettes. Not only do they look beautiful but they sound beautiful as well. The word just rolls off the tongue… Just like this first curved banquette rolls around the room. These benches are elegant, comfortable and, if they’re tufted like some of these examples, all the better. The antlers over the stove are super cool too.

Kreative Kottage

This window seat banquette is so fabulous. What a great way to maximize every inch of space in a smaller room.

Lynn Morgan Design

Decorpad

Many of these banquettes are in casual spaces, but this one is just so incredibly elegant. It just goes to show that these pieces are so versatile, not to mention that it’s possible to have a formal dining area even if you don’t have a lot of space.

Amanda Nisbet Designer

Elle Decor

Love, love, love the lucite!

Better Homes and Gardens

Kemble Interiors

The color flow in this house is so amazing. We love how they’ve incorporated splashes of the bold citrus in the adjoining room with those great bamboo chairs and vintage light fixture.

Absolutely Beautiful Things

This just goes to show that pattern doesn’t have to be scary. I would never have been brave enough to have checks on the floor, stripes on the bench and pattern on the chairs. But the effect is just so finished. And bold.

Massucco-Warner-Miller Design

My Home Ideas

I think this one is my favorite. The color palette is so serene.

Period Homes Magazine

The cabinetry really makes this room, in my opinion. These display cases are so well done and create an instant focal point — not to mention a great place to store all your pretty things!

MMR Interiors

Tufted leather = to die for. I always think of black tufted leather for a man’s den, but this shiny banquette is so unexpected in this space. It’s amazing!

My Ideal Home

Turquoise, Tulips and Bliss

Orange is such a fun color and makes the yummiest splash when done well, like it is in this room.

A Grand Entrance…

Southern Accents

One of my favorite things to do this time of year is drive around and look at everyone’s houses all decked out for the holidays. I try to take notes and get ideas from the elegant wreaths and garlands, but, I must admit, there are few things more fun than seeing those houses covered with lights and dancing Santas and blow-up snowmen. I’m always in awe of those people’s artistry because, honestly, getting the wreath and garland hung is about all I can manage, much less getting 100,000 blinking lights wrapped all over the place. There are no green and red blinking icicles hanging in these entrances, but we hope you like them anyway!

Martha Stewart

We are obsessed with this moss wreath. The entire entrance is so elegant — especially for people (like me) who aren’t red fans.

Birch and Lily

Such an elegant use of tree lights. Love it!

Southern Living

Traditional Home

Morgan Harrison Design

Wow! Now that’s an amazing entrance.

Eddie Ross Designer

This garland is so gorgeous. I think that goes without saying. But I can’t help but wonder if they have pine needles shedding all over the place like I do…

JRR Company floral designer

JRR Company floral designer

We love to incorporate non-traditional colors in the Christmas decor. This yellow is such a fabulous punch.

Jean Allsopp Photographer - Coastal Living

Fire hazard or no, I am definitely putting lights up my stairs this year. There’s nothing more magical than a little candlelight…

Lean on me…

verhext

A mirror leaned up against a wall can serve a variety of wonderful purposes: it makes a room look bigger, doesn’t create any extra holes in the plaster, and, best of all, makes you look thinner! We love these examples of how a leaning mirror can be oh-so-chic and might even implement the suggestion ourselves to make it seem like those holiday pounds never happened… Happy Monday!

smugmug

Inspired Design

the m group interiors

Bits of Lovely

Kemble Interiors

Dave Coote Interiors

hopscotch and grace

Frank Roop Design

Paul Corrie Interiors

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree…

Absolutely Beautiful Things

It’s now December 1, which means no more excuses. I MUST put up my Christmas tree today. Mom has ten billion beautiful ornaments (and some lovely works of art by yours truly) that she and Dad have collected over the years, so decorating her tree is always a little more exciting. Every ornament has a sentimental story, a special meaning and a place in our hearts. Will and I got married on December 29, 2007, so I think we might actually own a small portion of the Christopher Radko corporation. (By the way, that’s such a great wedding gift!) That being said, this is only our second Christmas tree together, so we’re still definitely at that stage where going out and buying fifty ornaments at a time is necessary. At this point, our tree can be anything we want it to be, so we just have to decide what that is. I’m hoping to get a little inspiration from these pics… Hope you do too!

(This first tree is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen but probably won’t go well with our living room decor!)

Southern Living

So fun!

Coastal Living

Traditional Home

Traditional Home

Coastal Living

Janis Nicolay Photographer via Country Living

This duo-chromatic color scheme is so elegant.

House Beautiful

I love this little kitchen tree. I might have to do that myself this year…

Traditional Home

Small trees can be so festive in spaces where a full-size won’t fit. Will wants to get a small tree like this at our house this year since, “We won’t even be here for Christmas.” Somehow, though, I don’t think he’ll be the least bit surprised when the nine-foot tree I have selected arrives this evening.

Traditional Home

Suzanne Kasler Designer- Traditional Home

Last year we had planned to go with this look with only silver and gold ornaments. But then we didn’t want to leave out all the beautiful colorful ones we already had, and I found these fabulous colorful birds and peacocks that you actually clip to the branches.

Traditional Home

This is what Mom’s tree usually looks like — except she has a big topper. She’s the only person in the country who has the patience to layer the lights in and out of the tree and do multiple rows and wrap them around the branches. The effect is quite spectacular with all those glittering little lights. Maybe one day I’ll have that kind of holiday fortitude…

Mary McDonald's Ribbon Tree - Veranda

I thought the big bow I had made as a topper for my tree last year was just gorgeous — until I saw this peacock. Fab-u-lous.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…

Southern Accents

If you’re like us, you’ve thrown out the last of the turkey, ditched the fall colors, and it’s time to move on. Although we can’t believe it, it’s that time again already: time for Christmas decorations! It seems like some people love this yearly tradition of hauling the holiday paraphernalia out of the attic and filling the house with that fresh pine smell — and some people dread it for eleven months. We’re the former, but, no matter which side of the fence you’re on, we hope these pictures provide you with a little holiday inspiration. And, after it’s all said and done, there’s nothing better than snuggling up by newly decorated mantle (complete with fire) with a steaming cup of cocoa and admiring your handy work. Happy Monday, and, I guess since the radio stations are pumping the Christmas music already, it’s safe to say it: Happy Holidays!

Southern Accent - Tria Giovan Photography

Southern Living - Laurey W Glenn Photography

Home and DesignHGTV

Jozef Cross Floral Designer - Traditional Home

Elizabeth Oliver - Traditional Home

Richard Bradshaw and Matt Overstreet Designers - Traditional Home

Richard Bradshaw and Matt Overstreet Designers - Traditional Home

Southern Accents

Traditional Home