Designfest 2011

Seen in New England Home Magazine May/June 2011:

With Linda Smith and Rosanne Palazola at
First Oriental Rugs Spring Floral Splash
photo credit: John LeJeune

So today I went back to the Wenham Museum to meet friends who were coming to visit. Can I just tell you how nice it was to entertain knowing that my space was going to look exactly the way it did when I left it? Besides watering the topiary rose trees, I did not have to pick up or straighten out or hide the stuff of life which is typically what happens before guests arrive in my house! While I was there, I did pick up a copy of New England Home Magazine in the entry way of the museum. NE Home is the media sponsor of the North Shore Design Show, so each visitor gets a free copy with admission. I had heard rumors that the New England Fine Living girls were somewhere in the party pictures, and I found us on page 124. Fine carpets make the best photographic backdrops, don’t you agree?

The Roman Folly Garden designed by Gallery Della Piana


Happy to see: Dorothy, Marianne, Christine, Shirley and Susan

I had lots of great visitors today! It was so fun to walk through the show with them and share a little background on each of the participating designers. Afterward we went for a hearty lunch at the Wenham Tea House. You would think portions at a tea house would be dainty, but bring your appetite if you go! I brought home half of my meal of chicken kabob over orzo with feta and grilled veggies. Next time, however, I will be going straight for the dessert ... the warm bread pudding was served in a big bowl and was piled high with fresh whipped cream! Yum!





Spending the day with my good friends took away a bit of the sting of not being able to attend Blogfest 2011 in New York. Back in January I had signed up for this design-and-lifestyle blogger behind-the-scenes tour of the New York design world. Even though my usual travel companions weren’t able to attend the event, I still put my name on the list and was able to secure a spot just before admission to the event was closed. At the time, I had not received confirmation of participation in the design show at Wenham, so I figured I would sign up and see what happened. Then when my submission was accepted at Wenham I figured maybe I could still squeeze in a few days in New York during the middle of the show.

A room for an aspiring drama queen by Timeless Interiors

But the truth is, I love every minute of the Wenham show and couldn’t leave it even for the incredible opportunity of meeting some of the best magazine editors in the industry (Veranda, House Beautiful, Town & Country, Architectural Digest) and many incredible design professionals and bloggers who I follow online.

Afternoon Tea: Mary O’Neill Interior Design

So this year I will be enjoying Blogfest vicariously through the posts and tweets of my online friends who are there right now, while I am entertaining IRL friends back home : ) I hope whoever got my relinquished (and coveted) spot is having the best possible time being inspired (and going to some really great industry parties) in New York!

Camille Garro Interiors & Couture
Pretty in Poppy Studio Suite

Maybe when my Boston friends return home from this whirlwind trip, we can sit down and brainstorm some type of Boston Blogfest? There is a lot of great design happening right in our area (especially on the North Shore this week only : )

Who is joining me ...

A sneak peek of the foundation of my designed space:

Turkish carpet of Mahal design from First Rugs, Danvers
handspun wool, vegetal dyes, 6' 7" x 8' 11" $5,900

This week I have been at the Wenham Museum setting up my space for the North Shore Design Show. On Monday, my darling husband, John, took time off to help me transport my items from home to the museum. He helped with all the heavy lifting and even the drapery installation. He is the best (even if he doesn’t feel the same way about design as I do : )

Fall Rose & Gardenia Bouquet 15" tall $530

One of the fabulous items on display – and for sale – is this beautiful centerpiece created by Diane James Home which is based in Connecticut. Since the show will run for over a week, I chose this permanent arrangement to grace my “town and country” setting. I would highly recommend these realistic designs to anyone decorating a second home or to those who are less inclined to water the real thing!

“Diane James Home is a luxury resource for limited-edition decorative floral arrangements and orchids, and botanically-inspired gifts. In 1997, the company launched its first collection at Bergdorf Goodman. Diane James’ designs are now sold at rine retailers and have graced many interiors, from country homes and modern lofts to chic hotels and fashion retailers. Made of the finest materials, with an artist’s attention to color and form, each seasonal collection encompasses a garden of possibilities.”

Also sharing my space will be a stunning piece from the “romance inspired” collection from Dunes & Duchess. Read all about the New England-based designers Stacy Kunstel and Michael Partenio in this month’s Lonny Magazine p. 40. I have had the opportunity to get to know Stacy through many of the design-related events that I have attended recently. She is a doll! She was just interviewed on The Hidden List blog recently. Check it out to discover some favorite things of Boston’s very own “Duchess.”




Being surrounded by such good company is one of my favorite parts of any design show. The Gala Event on Friday night will be a great time to meet the talents behind the designs while enjoying a lot of pretty spaces, delicious food and festive drinks. I hope to see you there or sometime during the week. Click here for advance ticket information : )

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.

Sparkly and sophisticated ...

Each week I stop by New England Fine Living to check out the new items that have arrived since my last visit. Occasionally I am dropping off design items of my own, but this week I was just popping in to say “hi” to the owner, Linda Smith. Great news did arrive recently — the shop has been nominated for an award from the Retailers Association of Massachusetts and will be judged in two categories, “Creative Concepts in Retailing” and “Visual Display.” Every time I go in, the store looks fresh and the inventory is always put together in charming vignettes (my favorite part of design!) Linda has a way of showcasing the variety of offerings in the best possible light. Here are some displayed items that caught my eye ...

Fashionable “Style Pics” from Jennifer Scala

Houndstooth Footstool by Paula Savage

Carpet Coasters from First Oriental Rugs of Danvers

Decorative objects from a number of vendors

Art on a bottle by Jack Walsh of Dancing Sand



Do these guys look familiar?



Plates from Neptune 1 Studios
featuring the Lee Mansion

Historical design side note: Click here for a video tour of the Jeremiah Lee Mansion in Marblehead, Massachusetts. These decoupage plates were designed using images from the hand-painted 18th century English wallpaper that is still on the walls. It is the oldest paper of its kind in existence!




If you live locally, you can visit the Lee Mansion through October. We went one year with our garden club and toured both inside and out. The grounds in June (as shown in the photo above) were beautiful!

And please let me know if you get a chance
to visit New England Fine Living!


Located at 106 South Main St., Middleton, MA

Open Wed. – Sat. from 10am – 5pm
Sunday from 10am – 4pm
Other days/times by appointment.

Saturday shopping ...

I paired rich velvet with high-gloss gray to add

modern glamor to this vintage “gossip bench.”

New England Fine Living is
officially open for business!

I have brought over some painted furniture
pieces to add to the eclectic design mix.

Traditional favorites include artwork,
lighting, antiques, and fine carpets.

Stop in and you are sure to find
some unique objets d’art.

Yummy soaps and scented candles fill the shelves.

Vintage treasures are tucked
inside antique cabinetry.

Along with fabulous home decor items, you
will find lots of great fashions including stylish
pieces chosen by my friend, Jenny Scala.

Rosanne Palazola with store owner
and creative dynamo, Linda Smith.



{NEFL is located at 106 Main St. in Middleton, MA}

Stop by when you can to welcome
Linda to the neighborhood!



Open Saturday from 10am to 4pm
Wednesday – Friday 10am to 5pm

Here is the current list of vendors
who share this creative space:

Paintin’ Place Ceramics – Custom Ceramics
Rosanne Palazola Framing – Framing and Art
First Rugs of Danvers – Beautiful Rugs & Orientals
Full Circle Day Spa – Day Spa and Pampering Products
Simply Cool Stuff – Wonderful Finds For You and Your Home
Dancing Sand – Custom Sandblasted Bottles and Glassware
Yvonne Blacker Designs – Furniture and Accents For The Home
Neptune 1 Studios – Custom Historical Decoupage Plates
Curtains By Paula – Window Treatments, Pillows, Bedding
Photography By Corrina – Pet and Children Photography
JLR Designs – Custom Jewelry and Oil Paintings
Antiques Displayed – Antiques and Accents
The Dazzling Dot – Gourmet Gift Baskets
Curtis Cabinetry – Custom Cabinetry
Locatelli-Smith Interior – Upholstery
Jennifer Scala – Clothing and Fashion
Melinda Baringer – Custom Jewelry
Vintage Wares – Vintage Jewelry
Zoe Design – Faux Painters

Would you like to add your name to the list?
Contact Linda Smith for details!

@New England Fine Living