On my wish list ...

I have always loved these Pantone color wrapped mugs and am not exactly sure why I have not added any to my own home yet. Maybe I am waiting till our kitchen is redone and we have fresh new cabinets to put them in? When the boys were younger I did color code their belongings – navy blue, red, green, orange – I would start with those (for their hot cocoa and warm cider) and then add a set for Mom and Dad ...

I have contemplated getting some for the Designer Bath showroom in our logo colors ...

I imagine a selection of jewel toned versions would be a coveted gift at a Yankee Swap. Especially now that Emerald Green has been selected as the new color of the year ...

What color combinations would you choose?

via Pantone

For my tips on decorating with Emerald Green,
visit my post at Designer Bath. 

My picks from Pottery Barn

It’s easy to mix plaids, prints, solids and textures in one area when

they have a color in common (this year it is a rich red).

Walk into any Pottery Barn and you will leave with either bags filled with home decor goodies or a mind full of I-can-do-that ideas. Last month, my friends and I from the Village Home and Garden Club of Lynnfield (we officially added a home decorating component to our program this year) had our meeting hosted at the Pottery Barn located at the North Shore Mall. Two of their design associates shared with us their tips for setting a holiday table and switching out everyday living room decor with holiday inspired pieces.

Everything in their showroom works together visually, so you really can’t go wrong when bringing home new pillows covers, blankets, table top accessories, etc. You can save a little money, however, by shopping around at lower priced home good type stores, but the styling at PB is worth the trip.

I did see two items that spoke to me ...

Caterer’s 12-piece Dinnerware Set

$49.00 for salad plates

$59.00 for dinner plates

When entertaining for the holidays, having an extra dinner set on hand is so much better than resorting to paper or plastic. I would use them for everyday as well since we are constantly running out of clean dishes. A dozen dishes could just about get my family of six through the day, and we would only have to run the dishwasher once.

My favorite gift-worthy item from Pottery Barn were these hand-hewn Blonde Wood Pedestals that look just as good on their own as they do serving food. They range in price from $24.50 – $89.00. While they may be ordered with a monogram, I like them better as is. They remind me a little of a family of turtles. Cute, efficient, and smile generating.

image via Pottery Barn

Cyber Shopping Shout-Out

Ame and Lulu is one of my go-to favorites for functional pieces that are perfectly on trend. They always have what I am looking for whether I am styling a room or looking for a special gift that stands out from the crowd. Do your cyber shopping with them today and get 30% OFF your entire order!

Hurry, cyber sale ends at midnight!

It’s (almost) a wrap

Silver paper sparkles in a room filled with designer patterns.

Space decorated by Katie Rosenfeld and Rachel Reider

for the Concord Museum Holiday House Tour 2011

Naughty or nice? This wrapping paper is sure to get noticed.

Space decorated by Katie Rosenfeld and Rachel Reider

for the Concord Museum Holiday House Tour 2011

Small, brightly colored packages look right at home
nestled in a pair of dining room chandeliers.

Space decorated by Hillary Bovey of Concord for the

Concord Museum Holiday House Tour 2011

An evergreen garland strung with gifts adds
holiday charm to this traditional fireplace.

Space decorated by Kate McCusker of Theodore & Company

for the Concord Museum Holiday House Tour 2011

If only ... a place for everything and everything in its place.

New England Finery Magazine, Autumn 2011 p. 57-58

Michael J. Lee Photography

Remember this great wrapping room featured in the last issue of New England Finery? If you are in the throws of the holiday gift buying/wrapping/giving season, I bet this kind of dedicated space is looking like a must-have about now. And if there is a lock on the door it would be the ideal place to hide surprises from sneaky little (and big) ones who just have to know if they are getting everything on their list.

I have barely had a chance to do much holiday shopping myself (so boys if you are reading this you can stop looking), however I have been putting the finishing touches on some holiday gift giving and decorating ideas for the next issue of New England Finery. Look for it online later this week. Click here to subscribe (it’s free – my gift to you : )

Secret Santa gifts ...

After spending an afternoon running around doing holiday errands last weekend, I returned home to discover a Secret Santa had left a gorgeous arrangement of red flowers and winter greenery on our front porch. The boys were actually the first to discover the red velvet wrapped vase (so pretty!) Along with this surprise bouquet was a family of decorated ginger bread cookies (four boys, a mom and a dad) that we promptly devoured. Thank you, SS (and cookie decorating elves) for brightening our day!

If you are looking for some last minute surprises for the people on your list, may I suggest a few? (Consider leaving flowers and treats as suggestion number one : )

How about a basket of goodies?

Or something luxurious?

Perhaps something bold?

Or maybe something personalized?

Are you looking for something unexpected?

Or would something bright and sparkly do the trick?

Something cute and practical?

Or maybe just “a little something?”

All of these items can be found at New England Fine Living along with some one-of-a-kind items from my design collections (while supplies last ; )

Holiday open houses this weekend

Last night was the Holiday Stroll in Andover.
I stopped by to visit Paula Bakies of Acorn Interiors at her new retail location at 10 Essex Street.
Lots of people came in to take a look at her new space, have a few treats, and see some of the work that
is leaving her showroom ...

An array of ottomans includes a
“before” (all white) and three “afters.”These are available for purchase or can be
custom-designed by request. Let me know
if you need help choosing fabrics : )



Window treatments and ottoman for a girl’s room
designed by Lisa Pasquale (who happens to be
from my home town and is very talented!)

Paula transformed these vintage
chairs into modern beauties.



After leaving Acorn Interiors, I headed over to
another holiday open house at TaggArt Studio which
is on Salem Street in Wakefield. I took some pictures
of what you can find there on Saturday from
10am to 4pm, which is the last day
of their holiday trunk show ...

Some really pretty pieces of inspirational jewelry
designed by Linda Govostes-O’Neill

Gratitude journals and inspirational collage
gift items created by Marianne Snow

Music to celebrate the holidays
by local talent Noel Smith



Mary has a lot of beautiful original works of art available, but this one caught my eye. And remember when I said art lessons would make a great gift? Mary offers many classes for children and adults. Contact her for schedule details.




And don’t miss Beth Hylan of Studio B who is back in Wakefield just for this show. She has made a new home for herself in Concord, MA at Nesting on Main so you may also visit her there on Sunday from 12pm to 6pm during their Holiday Open House.


A gift I bought myself at New England Fine Living:
velvet purse with gold owl clasp from Vintage Wares


It is nice to know that I do not have to resort to mall-shopping this holiday season when there are so many creative shopping venues available locally.
If only I had more time to visit them all!

A holiday stroll in Andover ...

Great to give or get: colorful coasters from
Metamorphosis Studio in Andover

If you are in the Andover area tonight, the annual Holiday Stroll will be taking place. Streets will be blocked off so that pedestrians can walk through the center of town and enjoy special shopping, music and holiday festivities between the hours of 5pm and 9pm.



I will be spending some time at 10 Essex Street in the new retail showroom of Acorn Interiors. My friend, Paula Bakies, has recently relocated her workroom to this great center of town location. She is just across the street from Glory Restaurant and slightly behind Metamorphosis Art & Design.

Looking for the perfect item to finish a space?
The artists at Metamorphois Art & Design can create a unique
piece that reflects your taste and color preferences.

“Lazy Susans” are a top-seller at
Metamorphosis Art & Design

Metamorphosis Art & Design will be open and will be offering hot chocolate, cookies, and there will even be a craft opportunity if you are so inclined. Take a look at their schedule of art classes being offered while you are there. Paula’s equally-talented sister, Mary, will be teaching a class on calligraphy there in January. Art classes would make a nice gift for that person who has everything, don’t you think?

BEFORE

Looking for a thoughtful gift? How about a “Before and After” for someone who could use a little design help? This window seat area was nice, but in its unfinished state is wasn’t very comfortable and as
a result it wasn’t being fully utilized.

AFTER

After consulting with this new client who took home a gift certificate for my design services from a fund-raising event, I presented her with a number of fabric choices to coordinate with the existing colors in her living room. We placed an order with Paula at Acorn Interiors, and she brought our design to life.

Now this area is a favorite go-to-place for this family
of four (plus one very cute dog named Skittles).

While I was there, I helped them solve a privacy
issue for their front door. By adding a sheer panel with
linen that matches the window seat trim, we were able
to add a designer touch in a small way that
really made a big difference.

If you are interested in giving “the gift of design” just send me an email. I will gladly offer virtual design services for those outside of my traveling distance.

Click here to see more
“before and afters”
from my design files.

Shopping, sipping and networking

Liz White, owner of Mason & Madison with friends Janeen,
Michelle, Shannon, and Nicole Mitsakis of Bee Custom


Last Thursday night I attended a fun event at the new Burton’s Grill in Peabody. We were invited to enjoy complimentary cocktails, sample dishes off the Burton’s menu and do some shopping while mingling with a number of North Shore businesses. A couple of Middleton business owners that I know were there, so I was happy to have an evening to chat with them about work, business and life!

New England Fine Living representatives enjoying our Harvest martinis (joining me is Heidi Bond, owner of The Dazzling Dot which specializes in gourmet gifts).

On display: A table full of unique gift items
available at Mason & Madison ...

along with just a sample of the custom stationery and
gift items designed by Nicole Mitsakis of Bee Custom.

This fun event was coordinated by Julie Fairweather
of In Full Force pictured here with Nicole and Liz.

Get on the list: follow
IFF on Facebook!

Northshore Magazine was the media sponsor and had representatives at the event. I happily noticed an ad for New England Fine Living is in the December issue (page 86). After looking at the two issues I left with, I still think they could use more content featuring North Shore home design (I may have even offered to help with that ...) and I also put in a request for a digital version to be made available online. Wouldn’t that be nice? I was happy to see some familiar faces in the Oct./Nov. issue (Liz is on page 44 and the home of furniture designer and architect Sebastian Carpenter was featured on pages 118-121). To read my posts on Sebastian’s work and to see photos that I took while visiting his home click here and here. To see my post on Liz at Mason & Madison click here.



Check out the Lifestyle Blitz Facebook page
for future events by clicking here.

Perhaps I will see you at the next one ; )



FYI: Save now on holiday treats ...

The Dazzling Dot (my friend Heidi’s business) is offering $5.00 off all Thanksgiving cookie and brownie gift boxes. Act quick, offers ends November 24th!
Click here for online ordering info.


If you would like to network on the Northshore,
mark your calendar and plan to combine business
with pleasure on Thursday, December 2nd for a
Women in Business Holiday Networking Event
that will take place at New England Fine Living at
106 South Main St. in Middleton from 5pm to 7pm.
Click here for RSVP details.