My Pinterest Valentine

A carnation sundae (so easy!) created at our Garden Club

pre-Valentine’s Day meeting (red oasis is the secret ingredient) 

Homemade sugar cookies served on a silver tray

(Garden Club ladies know how to host a pretty party ; )

Dove chocolates that I received from my boys

(discovered on my bed forming the shape of a heart)

Origami heart with hugs + kisses pattern

 for my boys (I made them each one)


{origami heart how-to}



happy valentine’s day
xoxo yvonne


ps all photos are mine but feel free
to pin them if you are a fan : )

New England Finery Winter Issue!

New England Finery Winter 2011 : cover photo Michael J. Lee Photography

The winter issue of New England Finery is now online! Filled with inspiring images of entertaining at home, it is my gift to you this holiday season. Since we are all so busy at this time of year, it is a mini-version at about 50 pages.

New England Finery Winter 2011 p16 : photo credit Yvonne Blacker

fabrics available through Calico Corners

Bold images and graphic patterns are paired with minimal text, because who really has time to read between gift shopping, package wrapping, treat baking and party hopping?!

New England Finery Winter 2011 p30 : photo credit Yvonne Blacker 

And in the event that you need a secret “easy” recipe to serve up this weekend, consider giving my “Confection Cake” a try. It is so simple to make (the little ones can even help) and I think it looks really pretty! The recipe is on page 30.

New England Finery Winter 2011 p25 : photo credit Eric Roth

Design: Gerald Pomeroy Design Group

Florist: New Leaf Flores 

Happy holidays, everyone! Whatever you celebrate, I hope you get to spend lots of quality time in the presence of your favorite people. Enjoy!!   xoxo  yvonne

Virtual views ...

Furnace Lake on Sao Miguel in The Azores ...
a place I would like to visit some day to research my
paternal family tree (and to enjoy the views).

The view outside a window in Sarasota, Florida

I feel as if I have been in my house for days on end. Okay, it has only been about one full day, but it was a long one spent un-trimming the tree and tidying up after the frenzy of the holidays. I am so ready for a change of scenery! Well for 2010, I would like to start venturing out to explore some places that I have been meaning to go (resolution #2: travel more). I would like to start with Sarasota, Florida.

While I have heard that the temperature in Sarasota has been somewhat on the cool side lately, I am sure it is a lot more comfortable than what feels like freezing in the Boston area today. To make matters worse, there isn’t even an ounce of New England snow on the ground for my kids to play with during their Christmas-to-New Years break (so many idle sleds are littering my backyard as I write this). I am thinking now would be the perfect time for a sunny getaway!


Some ocean inspired pillows that I designed
now reside in sunny Sarasota, Florida

Recently, I was able to help decorate a condo in Sarasota (okay, a couple of my designer pillows found a home there) but have never been there to see it in person. That’s why Sarasota is the first destination on my list, especially since I know that my husband and I can stay there for free ; ) Realistically, we will have to save the Azores for another time (or decade!)


A pair of lounge chairs await our visit
along with comfortable sofas, too.

Image from online brochure at Robb & Stucky Interiors

And when we have soaked up our fill of sun-induced vitamin D, there is actually a lot of great furniture shopping that can be done while in Sarasota. Robb & Stucky Interiors, for example, has a few original items that I wouldn’t mind bringing home with me to New England as a traveler’s souvenir...

The Around the World Occasional Chair would be fitting.

This 3-tiered piece is as beautiful as it is functional.
Robbie Tier Table is designed by master craftsman
John Black (a strange almost-coincidence)


If price was no object, I would take home
a pair of these classic Barcelona chairs.


Watercolors Hand-painted Shell Cocktail Table
However, I would happily settle for this lovely piece of furniture as art. It would be the perfect reminder of the award-winning shell covered beaches found along the Florida keys.


Chanda Stripe Multi fabric designed by
Annie Selke available at Calico Corners

And just in case you are lucky enough to be in the Sarasota area (or near another Robb & Stucky location), check their listings for design events and seminars. Guest speakers have included designers Barbara Barry, Alexa Hampton and coming in February (to Sarasota) Annie Selke. Time for me to start researching those flights ...

P.S. to M&B: Thanks for the use of your photos!

Color Stories: Back-to-school palette

With the start of the school year officially well underway, the color yellow is looking pretty good to me! Here are some design choices in back-to-school colors that make me smile ...




Paint colors from Farrow & Ball ...

Yellow Ground 218 combined with Pitch Black 256

A basic piece done with class ...

Maine Cottage Occasional Tables
from Circle Furniture




Best dressed ...

Pony Leather Chair
from Art Furniture on the Web




When fabric imitates art ...

Tango Positivo
from Calico Corners



An educated choice
(made from recycled wood)

Chalk It Up Wall Bins
from Viva Terra





This water bubbler is tres chic ...

Linea Pocieta in Yellow Lemeon
from WS Bath Collections
as shown on HomePortfolio.com

A school day is a good day ...

Smiley Happy Face Mug
from Treasured Designs
available on Amazon.com

Accessorizing for a design show

Pearl bracelet by Carolee; Handbag designed by Jane Skelley;
Dress by Max and Cleo; Shoes by Tahari; Floral overcoat by Vertigo Paris;
Background damask fabric is Clayton Ocean from Calico Corner

With the Tablescape Design Show that I will be participating in at the Wenham Museum coming up in less than a month, I am thinking a lot lately about what I will wear to the preview party (isn’t that half the fun?) and what I have worn to shows in the past.

Last September, I helped my friend, interior designer Patricia Finn with some styling for The Newbury Bath, a room that she designed for The College Club of Boston. I was able to join her, and the many other talented designers and artisans who revitalized spaces at the Club, for the gala event celebrating the completion of the project. Since Pat had chosen a gray palette for her sophisticated bath renovation, I decided to wear a gun-metal gray cocktail dress that, if it came in any other colors, I surely would have bought them all (it was one of those perfect fit, perfect price moments)!

After finding this fabulous frock (I am not showing the whole dress because I will wear it again!) and then a perfect pair of pumps, I called my talented friend, handbag designer, Jane Skelley to see what she had available to complement my ensemble in her custom-made collection. She quickly emailed a few photos from her inventory, and the one shown above was just what I had in mind. Since I always receive so many compliments when I carry one of her bags, I decided I had to share her work on my blog.

Here are some stylish totes from her spring collection ... contact Jane at sjskelley@comcast.net to snag one for yourself (shipping is available). Each bag is unique, featuring a different combination of fabrics, trims, handles, shapes and sizes. They are “perfect for any occasion, day or night” and for you girls out there who *adore* fabric as much as I do, they are the ultimate accessory to decorate an outfit! Ask about hosting an at-home handbag party (how I was first introduced to Jane) or visiting her at an upcoming shopping event. The hardest part is deciding which one to pick. Here are some of my designer tips to help you in your quest for the perfect bag ...

If you are fashion-forward ...

#524 Red Velvet ... $55.00
14 1/2 in. wide x 9 in. high (plus handle)



If you are traditional ...

#527 Cranberry & Seafoam Floral ... $28.00
6 in. wide x 7 in. high (plus handle)



If you like traditional with a twist ...

#538 Red Floral with Gold Trim ... $45.00
10 1/2 in. wide x 7 1/2 in. high (plus handle)

For the preppy at heart ...

#534 Pretty in Pink Plaid ... $50.00 *SOLD*
14 in. wide x 8 1/2 in. high (plus handle)



You are “at home in the modern world* ...”

#536 Modern Girl at the Park ... $48.00 *SOLD*

16 in. wide x 6 1/2 in. high (plus handle)


*Photo featured on Dwell.com

You are wild about animal prints ...

#491 A little leopard ... $30.00
8 in. wide x 6 in. high (plus handle)



You love the classics ...

#520 Tootsie ... $50.00 *SOLD*
16 in. wide x 6 1/2 in. high (plus handle)




You are an all American girl ...

#540 Shining Star ... $55.00

14 1/2 in. wide x 9 in. high (plus handle)




You are easy-going ...

#487 Blue ultraSuede Beauty ... $45.00

10 1/2 in. wide x 8 in. high (plus handle)



You just want to have fun ...

#532 Spring Fling ... $28.00

8 in. wide x 6 in. high (plus handle)



And just as one black piece of furniture can add visual balance to a room, here are a couple of wardrobe must-haves that will make any outfit look complete ...

#528 The Little Black Bag ... $30.00

8 in. wide x 6 in. high (plus handle)

#537 The Bigger Black Bag ... $50.00

16 in. wide x 6 1/2 in. high (plus handle)

My clients are always saying, “I love this fabric so much I wish I could wear it!” With a beautiful handbag designed by Jane Skelley, now you can!

Southern hospitality

Coconut Cupcakes (by Brenda Cataldo) on
platter from the Gail Pittman Veranda Collection

I spent last Tuesday night at a very entertaining event hosted by the regional consultants of Southern Living at Home, a company created out of the continuous requests by readers for products found on the pages of Southern Living magazine. Held at the Hilton Hotel in Dedham, this “Design Showcase” featured the beautifully versatile pieces found in the Spring 2009 Catalog set up as themed tablescapes.

Here are some of my personal favorites ...




Princess Party: Brenda Cataldo and Leslie Milne

This table set for a princess and her friends features some of my favorite items: Chelsea Candlesticks (available in two sizes), Astoria Flatware Caddy (used here to hold sweet treats and birthday noisemakers –– I use mine to hold more formal silverware in one, and special serving pieces like the Hostess Serving Set in another).

Earthly Delight: Cindy Morse

This scape featured yummmmy pistachio, chocolate, cream and coffee ... in both its colors and its oh-so-tempting display. I loved the cinnamon sticks in each mug, votives surrounded with coffee beans, and the taper candles inserted in grass filled bowls.
Tastefully done!

The Verde Collection (shown above) was just one of the items featured by SLAH Creative Director and ceramic artist, Gail Pittman herself. She filled a number of the adorable oblong shaped bowls with small items (candles, chocolates, guest soaps, etc.), put each in a small cellophane bag, then tied it with a pretty ribbon creating a simply adorable hostess gift, teacher gift, etc. with no need to wrap ... how green is that? I especially like the unique shape of the bowl and can picture it on a desk to hold business cards, paper clips, etc.

Here is Gail (love the unique colorway of her leopard print top!) signing a piece for my sister-in-law, Susan.



Gail was very sweet, approachable and funny. I loved the stories she told about beginning her career by “painting bowls.” When she was just starting out, her husband would approach friends and strangers alike with the question, “Do you want to buy a bowl?” I told my husband he could just insert the word “pillow...”


An animal print favorite from my Spring ’07 collection

Gaveston Summer: Sue Mulligan

I thought this tablescape was pretty and fresh, with loads of Southern warmth and charm. I love the citrus colors paired with hot pinks and brilliant blues. This linen/cotton fabric from Calico Corners could work well with this summery setting ...

Bipin Ticking Multi



Sun, Sea, & Serenity: Marcia Hostetter

Wow! This seashore inspired display was full of great textures and organic beauty. Try creating this look on a smaller scale at home ... here is my version using a favorite Southern Living item – the versatile Hemingway Hurricane.

And I can’t leave out the Hilton lounge ... I am not sure who designed the space, but I loved the copper planters with tall branches, large scale chess pieces on the solid console, and the pretty bowl of moss covered spheres. Planters like these are available online from Smith & Hawken. Contact Brenda Cataldo for Southern Living at Home products.