Preparing for the holiday season

Vignette by Ann Chapdelaine
for a recent design show
“Reflecting on Danvers History
through Interior Design”

As many of us enjoy the day off in honor of our Veteran’s, I figured it would be a good time to start thinking about those just-around-the-corner holidays! With this in mind, I will be presenting some weekly posts that focus on traditions, unique gifts for giving, and how to enjoy the holidays with the least amount
of stress so that we may get the most out of our
cherished time with family and friends.

Original art by Mark Grundig of bostonartist.com
Arrangement by Fiddlehead Flowers of Salem
Pottery by sculpter Michael A. Guadagno of Danvers

Today’s tip involves shopping at unexpected places and I am featuring the boutique at the Danvers Historical Society (which also has items for sale online). As many of you know, this summer
I participated in a design show to benefit DHS, and many items from the numerous vignettes are now for sale in the shop, along with a variety of designed objects from local artisans. If you live in or close to the North Shore area, this is a great way to shop local
and support the talented artists that are
in our neighborhoods.

Below are just some of the items being offered ...

From my design collection: Nursery toile
fabric art in linen adorned wooden frames

Modern floral arrangement from
Sandra Biondo Interiors of Danvers
(seen below in design show vignette)

More arrangements from Fiddlehead Flowers paired

with carpets from First Oriental Rugs of Danvers

Permanent flowers are a thoughtful hostess gift
that will last long after the holidays.

This large organic wreath would add a subtle
and sophisticated touch to winter decorating.

Offering old-world-style blown-glass holiday
ornaments designed by The Merck Family is
an annual tradition at the DHS boutique.

This year’s ornament is the “lucky” Double Mushroom in honor of The New England Mushroom Company which provided this “versatile vegetable” to the Boston and Salem markets back in the mid-20’s to mid-30’s. Ornaments from
years past are still available for purchase.

From 2009:
Patriotic
Remembrance
Heart

The Danvers Historical Society boutique is
located at 11 Page Street in Danvers and is open
Monday through Friday from 9am to 1pm
or shop online by clicking here.



Danvers Historical Society
upcoming events ...

Parade of Trees at Tapley Hall
November 27th and 28th from 2pm till 6pm
December 2nd from 3pm to 7pm
December 3rd from 10am to 5pm

All donated and decorated trees will be
raffled off to benefit the Danvers Bi-Peds.
Raffle tickets are available for purchase
through the Danvers Historical Society.




The Annual Holiday Soiree at the
Endicott Mansion at Glen Magna Farms
December 3rd from 6pm to 10pm
For event information and tickets, click here.

Weekend Update: Design Show Close Ups

A freshly modern space designed by Sandra Biondo

Welcome to my special weekend blog post featuring
a small glimpse of each of the designed spaces at Reflecting on Danvers History through Interior Design now showing at Tapley Hall
(Open Sunday from 1pm to 4pm, closed Monday
and Tuesday, reopens at 10am on Wednesday).
I stopped by on Saturday morning and took
some closeups of each space ...

Wreath on front door of Tapley Hall
by Fiddlehead Flowers of Distinction

The foyer by Landry Home Decorating,
Sandra Biondo and Tina Melanson

Arrangement by Fiddlehead Flowers for space
designed by Sue McGrath of Calico Corners

A charming outdoor space is brought indoors
by Rosanne Palazola of Tuttle & Co.

Custom designs by Miguel-Angel DeLaCruz
for Balcacer Upholstery

Ann Chapdelaine of Interiors for Living has several
spaces featuring amazing historical reproductions.

Carpets by First Oriental Rugs are found throughout.

A palladian window is elegantly dressed
by J & I Custom Drapery & Upholstery.

Muralist Mark Grundig paints an
historically accurate vignette.

Alfalfa Farms Winery is represented in a tablescape
designed by Sandra Biondo and Cathy Gareri.

Vintage items from the curated collection of the
Danvers Historical Society grace each vignette.

A most unusual tea party is depicted

by Tina Melanson of T.M. Designs.



Irene Kucinski of Santorini Design created
a sweet dream-like space for a little girl.

Storybook characters fill my vignette ...
look for Magic Fish while you are there.

And my son, Owen Charles
(another character!)

The Museum Store is also open, and has a unique assortment of items from participating designers
along with carpets from First Oriental Rugs.

Today I dropped off some artwork
inspired by my designed space.


Also, there are still tickets available on a special designer reserved list for Wednesday’s “Meet the Designer High Tea” being held at Glen Magna Farms on this coming Wednesday, July 21st at 4pm. With the price of admission ($40 in advance) take in the show at Tapley Hall first (2pm), then head to Glen Magna for a panel discussion, refreshments, and a tour of the grounds. I am looking forward to being back at
Glen Magna and will share a few of my stories
from the last time I was there (if asked ; )

Design show preview party in Danvers

My designed space at the show, The Summer Nursery,
combines modern trends with historical references.

Saturday night’s preview party at Tapley Hall for the Danvers Historical Society’s opening of Reflecting on Danvers History through Interior Design was met with clear skies and perfect temperatures!

A glimpse of my space, myself, and photographer Eric Roth

In attendance was an inspiring crowd of professionals from favorite design magazines (Coastal Home, Design New England, and New England Home to name a few) along with lots of support and well wishes
from the local community.

We were entertained by the music stylings of Jazzport

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed sharing an evening out with the other designers involved in the show, along with meeting invited guests who were there to get a first look at the designed spaces,
which all incorporated a touch of local history.

Food by Vinwood Caterers of Ipswich was
fresh and delicious! Check out the yummy
mini tarts that we could not get enough of ...

Refreshments were provided by Alfalfa Farm Winery of Topsfield (which I will be visiting for a wine tasting some time in the near future!)

(photo from Alfalfa Farm website)

Gary was kind enough to pose for my blog after
making me a delicious white wine sangria.

Karen Nascembeni (who happened to be carrying a purse designed by my friend Jane Skelley!) with Mary Donovan, both of First Oriental Rugs (in Acton and Danvers). Mary helped me finalize my choice of carpet for the show (thank you once again!!!!) There is a mini gallery of carpets from First Oriental Rugs that are for sale in the showhouse boutique, located at Page Hall. Be sure to check it out after the show ... I have a number of home decorating items there that have been featured in my etsy shop, plus some new ones
inspired by my space at the show.

The amazing chairperson (and equally talented designer)
Sandra Biondo with her husband Richard Biondo.

Thank you, Sandra, for all your efforts to create this unique designer showcase! Special thanks also goes to Cathy Gareri, Event Coordinator and Operations Manager of the Danvers Historical Society. These two women worked tirelessly to put together an amazing evening and a great show that can be enjoyed for the next three weeks. Call 978.777.1666 for ticket information or visit online for the calendar of events.

Marketing materials designed by Cameron Smith

Since I do not want to give away the “designer reveals” that are behind the showhouse doors of Tapley Hall (please visit if you can!) for now I will leave you with a couple of “after” pictures from our night out ...

John and I kept the night going with a late dinner at Harry’s 240 in Beverly. The food was fabulous!!!

While there, we ran into friends (and business associates) Elise and her husband Everett Weaver, who happens to be a master carpenter with a great portfolio of work that he *promised* to send me so that I can blog about it in the future! He has worked with my husband on a couple of projects and together they make designer dreams a reality (I promise I will post some photos from the work they did on our master suite as soon as this design show is over ; )

I also promise to post more glimpses
of the show later in the week ...

Flowers in my vignette were provided
by Fiddlehead Flowers of Salem, MA