Love Letter Gifts for the Holidays

How is your holiday shopping going? If you’re still searching for that something special that you haven’t seen before, I have the perfect site for you! Uncommon Goods is an online retail shop based out of Brooklyn, New York, that is filled with unique gifts made by talented craftspeople who focus on sustainable design.

“We make it our mission to support and provide a platform for artists and designers; in fact, half of what we sell is made by hand. Most of the products we carry are created right here in the USA, and about one-third of our entire collection incorporates recycled and/or upcycled materials. At the core of our company is a great respect for the integrity of the creative individual and the belief that it is our responsibility to use our business to impact the world in a positive way.”

– via Uncommon Goods  

They have lots of cool home, garden, office, special occasion and even personalized gifts in their collections, and they asked me share some of my favorites with my readers this holiday gift giving season. Since I love typography and graphic design, I have chosen some text worthy treats that would certainly make a thoughtful impression.

Personalized Faux Bois Vase $90

“When lovebirds carve their initials into the knotted bark of a tree, they create an everlasting record of a romance able to stand the test of time. Ceramicist Laurel Begley translates this ages-old tradition into a keepsake vase that captures a couple's ability to always find something fresh and beautiful to love about each other as they grow old together.” 

Custom Address Stamps $72

“A thoughtful token for a couple of newlyweds, a family, or a new homeowner, this personalized stamp celebrates the place you call home. Brandy Schuman custom designs these stamps in her Atlanta, Georgia, studio and then cuts them out of durable red rubber and North American native wood. Your chosen name and address are rendered in a stylish mix of print and script lettering, adding handwritten appeal to ready-to-go writing.”

Cocktail Recipe Glasses

(Set of 4) $20

“Keep your bartending repertoire at hand and streamline your mixology with this set of clever cocktail glasses. Each rocks glass features four formulas — one on each side — for concoctions based on their main spirits: gin (salty dog, Tom Collins, gin rickey, gin fix); rum (mojito, rum sour, Boston cooler, Havana two); vodka (Bloody Mary, vodka cooler, Madras, seabreeze); whiskey (whiskey fix, de riguer, cablegram, dinah). Each glass in the set is marked on its base with its main spirit, so it’s easy to get to the bottom of things at cocktail time.” 

A Year of Gratitude $30

“You can live a life of abundance, independent of any material things, if your heart is always filled with a spirit of gratitude. This elegant box set contains all you need for a head start on such a gracious way of living. Not only does it contain 52 thank you cards—one for each week in the year—but it also has tips for writing meaningful thank you notes, and a guided journal for you to record your experiences.”

Namaste Pillow $97

“More than just a warm greeting or farewell between yogis, the word ‘namaste’ is also used to express gratitude or to thank another person for his or her selflessness and generosity. Capturing the nuanced spirit of this expression, Alexandra Ferguson’s handcrafted pillow brings a calming presence to any space and serves as a reminder to be thankful for life's many blessings.” 

What Wood You Say?

Wooden Desk Phrases $50

“Wise words spring to life in these bright desk sculptures. Artist Matthew Hoffman draws and then laser cuts uplifting phrases out of birch plywood. Highlighted by a vibrant finish and letters that climb, each pedestal-footed design is signed by the artist himself.” 

“I really like the idea of sneaking positive

messages into the world.”

– Matthew Hoffman

In addition to offering beautiful gift items, Uncommon Goods also shares the inspirational stories of the makers behind them. Be sure to check them out while selecting your next perfectly thoughtful gift from Uncommon Goods this holiday season!

Note: I was compensated for this blog post,

but the opinions are exclusively my own.

Place your UncommonGoods order by 5pm ET on the dates below to receive your order on or before December 24, 2015:

December 17 – choose Economy shipping or faster

December 18 – choose Standard or Preferred shipping or faster

December 21 – choose Expedited shipping or faster (not valid for PO Box addresses)

December 22 – choose Express shipping (not valid for PO Box addresses)

Orders placed after 5pm ET on December 23 will leave the UncommonGoods warehouse on Monday, December 28.

*Unfortunately the shipping cutoff for International orders has already passed.

Please vote for Design Vignettes!

{click here to cast your vote}

Design Vignettes has been nominated for the second year in a row for Best Blogger Interior Design! My blog is up against a number of design blogs that have also been nominated (13 total in the Interior Design category) so every vote counts. If you enjoy this blog on a regular basis, I would truly appreciate your vote of support! 

Even more so, I would like to know why you follow this blog. Do you like the before and after makeovers, the sharing of design trends, local design event coverage, or other art related content? Is there a topic you would like to learn more about? Are you interested in reading more personal posts that are not design specific? Or do you rarely read blogs anymore and prefer a stream of Instagram images?

Since starting this blog in 2009, my life has certainly had a lot of significant changes ... from being a stay-at-home-mom of 4 who needed a creative outlet, to becoming a design show participant (on 8 different occasions), to creating a year’s worth of issues of a digital design magazine, to guest blogging for dozens of brands, to being invited to several design blogging events across the country, to working full-time for 3 different companies over the last 5 years.

I know that the opportunities that have presented themselves have without a doubt been influenced by the simple act of writing this blog, which helped to define my creative path. And how fun has it been to connect with and meet other design bloggers on the same journey!

And while my blog posts have certainly decreased as my work life has become more structured – and as my growing boys lives have required a new type of attention – I still feel compelled to post every now and then for whatever reason. To those of you who continue to come back to check in, thank you! And my sincerest gratitude to any of you new visitors who stopped by today and read to the end : )

New Home + Design Studio

For the past month, I feel as if I have been in design boot camp! Today I finally have a moment to catch my breath and share why I have not posted for weeks ...

At year’s end, I was offered a full-time position as an interior Design Consultant for the newest location of Bassett Furniture in Burlington, MA, which has its very own HGTV Home Design Studio! This new collaboration between the solid Bassett brand (in the furniture business for over 100 years) with the very colorful “we make decorating fun” culture of HGTV, offers me the opportunity to design complete living spaces utilizing an incredible amount of available products, design resources, and support. Having recently moved out of my suite of rooms at the Glen Magna Farms Designers Holiday Show House, I knew that working alongside a group of creatively focused peers was an experience I wanted to continue. And as much as I enjoyed many of my creative roles at Designer Bath, from coordinating events to handling all the advertising, marketing and social media details, I knew I needed more hands-on design time and less screen time. I just couldn’t pass this up! 

The newest Bassett Furniture location in Burlington, MA

photo courtesy Bassett

Meet the Bassett Burlington team here

I am happy to say that my new home at Bassett is just what I needed. After completing over 30+ classes via Bassett University, training in two of their Massachusetts locations, assisting in the set up of this beautiful two-story design studio, and surviving my first sale on the floor, I can truly say I feel at home. I will share some of the details of my recent Bassett design makeovers later! In the meantime, come visit me – and the rest of the Burlington Bassett design team – at 90 Middlesex Marketplace. And for those of you who were able to join us for our Grand Opening celebration last week, thank you! It meant so much to have you there!

Ribbon cutting with the Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce

at our Grand Opening celebration // photo courtesy BACC

The HGTV custom design studio at Bassett in Burlington

photo courtesy Bassett

Follow me on Instagram to see whats new at Bassett!

A sparkly New Year ...

Wardrobe selection from Madison Avenue of Melrose and Seams Couture

in my space at the Glen Magna Farms Designer’s Holiday Show House

Who doesn’t love a new beginning? A fresh start? A chance to change up our daily routine in order to move in a different direction?  A new year is like getting dressed for a special event and appreciating the opportunity to put a best foot forward.  

Looking back, 2013 brought many opportunities that I had not anticipated. Of course there were also some moments that were not my favorites, but I do like to focus on the good times (especially on this blog) and I try to put the others behind me, having learned from them.

One of my favorite resolutions is “Expect to be lucky and focus on gratitude.” This is probably the only one that I publicly declare that ever sticks more than a week into the new year, so once again it will remain at the top of my to-do list.

For 2014, I actually have some exciting changes planned. Stay tuned for more info, plus updates on projects and design related adventures from the year behind us.

Cheers and best wishes to you on achieving all that you set out for yourself while enjoying lucky, unexpected moments!

Simple Joys

This year my holiday decorations

are quite minimalist in nature.

Perhaps I left a lot of my best ideas at Glen Magna?

{see some here}

But at least we have our tree up at home and shopping is (mostly) done! Now it’s finally time to celebrate spending quality time with my family. Have a wonderful holiday!

xoxo yvonne

Birthday Wishes and Fairy Dust

My Birthday Surprise: London Calling

So today is my birthday. I should be taking the day off from social media, but I had to pop in to share a special gift I received. Yesterday afternoon I was on twitter and noticed that a bunch of people – many that I have met at various blogger events – were being introduced as being selected to travel to London to attend the London Design Festival.

Check it out! The London Design Festival

BlogTour by Modenus

11 people were named, all of whom had expressed interest in being on this very exclusive list. Several times a year, Veronika Miller of the interior design curated site Modenus, organizes these all-expense paid blogger participation trips as a way to introduce fabulous products and share design inspiration with bloggers who then share what they discover on their journey with their audiences. Pretty amazing, huh?

From my recent Brizo trip to Memphis (More on that later! Still working on posts!)

on left: my friend Barbara Elza Hirsch went to BlogTour in New Orleans in April

middle/right: Marilyn Russell and Laura Bielecki are on the list for BlogTourLondon

It was fun to see each blogger being introduced. Especially when I saw a number of friends from my recent trips with Brizo and the Blogger19 filling the coveted spots. This is very much like winning the blogger lottery! Plus it is an incredible opportunity to be exposed to cutting edge design while in the company of some amazing (and seriously fun!) people.

Then I saw my name in a tweet. What’s this? Something about a vote? One blogger (there is supposed to be 12) was unable to attend. All of a sudden there is an open spot and six bloggers have been selected as vote-in candidates. To see my name on this list came as SUCH a surprise! I felt like I had been handed a golden ticket! Honestly I never even put my name in the running to go as I have been sincerely fortunate this year to be able to travel to a number of blogger events that were also unexpected opportunities. What an honor to be chosen!

At Itta Benna in Memphis for the Blogger19 Reunion hosted by Brizo

Cast your vote before 5pm today!

So now I have until 5pm today to find out if my name ends up filling the 12th spot on the London BlogTour list. But you know something? I already feel like I have won something. I have been blogging for five years. I have written over 500 posts (hello, could have written that novel by now!) I have made some wonderful connections and real life friends as a direct result of engaging with the creative community I have found online. Just being selected and having my blog recognized for the original content I work so hard to create is the real gift. It makes it all worth the effort. Tonight I will eat cake with my family, drink champagne and celebrate the fact that doing what you love is its own reward. In the meantime, if you would like to vote for me, click here. Cheers!  xoxo yvonne

Kitchen Tour Week: Day Five

Happy Thanksgiving! Today’s kitchen from the Wenham Museum Heart of the Home Kitchen Tour was staged by Indigo Blu Trading Company of Beverly. The kitchen itself was custom built by Meadowview Construction. It is a real beauty!

Dave West of Meadowview Construction

Dave pointed out to us that the counters are made from a granite named “Blue Eyes”... can you see the bits of sparkling blue mixed in with the gray?

Six-burner French range from Lacanache. Plenty of room to cook side dishes while the turkey roasts. The range hood is hidden nicely behind custom millwork.  

We all really liked the details on the cabinetry, like the extra bit of trim on the bottom of the upper cabinets.

Stainless steel sink with pull-out faucet.

The dining area is just off of the kitchen, as is the living room. Even with an open floor plan, this home has a cozy feeling to it. 

A wine fridge built into a separate set of wall cabinets is out of the way of the main traffic flow of this well-designed kitchen. 

Thankful for my friends who joined me on the tour this year: Katherine Hawkins, Rosanne Palazola and Tina McManus.

More kitchens to come after I enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal and some real-life quality time with the family : )

Yin and Yang post of the week

The Guest Bath designed by Janet Marena of JTM Interiors

for the Junior League of Boston Show House in Newton, MA

Raise your hand if you would like to end this week with a long soak in the tub? Being surrounded by water can soothe nerves and bring comfort unless of course the water isn’t where it is supposed to be. Living on the East Coast I have been following the updates from those affected by Hurricane Sandy. We were lucky this time. We did not lose power (been there before). A tree did not fall on our roof (been there, too). We never ran out of food (and to be honest I didn’t even stock up partly out of denial and partly due to being tired of being in a state of emergency). My entire family was home on Monday – school was closed and work was put off until another day. We tried to ignore the wind outside our window (not easy) that was causing the tall pine trees surrounding our house to sway back and forth. On Tuesday the sun was out and life was back to normal for us.

I am thankful.

At times like these we are reminded that home equals shelter first and foremost. Clean fresh water, a well-lit path to light our way, a place to store the food that nourishes us, and heat to keep our families warm – these are necessities, not luxuries. Being able to stay connected via email, phone, texting, etc. is also becoming something we rely on day in and day out. We feel less alone when we know others understand what we are going through. Knowing that we can quickly reach out to someone – friend or stranger – when we need help is invaluable.

While celebrating luxury, attention to detail, craftsmanship and creative vision is part of a design bloggers daily musings, I am sure we all respect the fact that we are drawn to interior design magazines and home decor eye candy out of sincere appreciation for the human effort that it takes to make our surroundings be not just comfortable and safe, but beyond our expectations. The art of imagination in the form of decoration is entertaining. When it is applied with layers of meaning based on the stories of those who live there, we are inspired by it. 

I invite you to be inspired by the following:

The Junior League of Boston Show House now through November 18th: a three-story estate filled with the imaginative designs of over 35 interior professionals with rooms dedicated to music, gardening, reading, conversation, game playing, and personal sanctuary. All proceeds will support the mission of the Junior League of Boston. Check out my related post on the Designer Bath blog for more about the historically comforting spa-like bath above.

“About Hunger and Resilience” photography exhibit by Michael Nye
 presented through November 4th at Endicott College, Beverly, MA

On the other end of the inspiration spectrum, I encourage you to attend the Michael Nye photography exhibit, “About Hunger and Resilience” on display now at Endicott College. Sponsored in part by Gathering Change, Inc. the charity that my friend Dorothy Goodwin started around the time of the last Presidential election, it presents the audio stories and arresting photos of thirty individuals who have all experienced hunger, homelessness, or lack of resources. Listening to someone share their personal story of hardship in their own voice is a very intimate and moving experience. Many of these storytellers were affected by events outside of their control. States of emergency so to speak. If you are unable to attend this event, learn more about the inspiration behind the exhibit here and see more photos from opening night of the Endicott exhibit here.

And because it is my bread and butter, I invite you to attend a seminar/panel discussion that I have helped to put together for Designer Bath. Called “From Studs to Stunning: Remodeling Tips from the Pros” it is scheduled for Wednesday, November 7th from 6 to 8pm at the Designer Bath showroom in Beverly. Local design and renovation experts will share their tips on how to plan a bath remodel with confidence.

Did I ever tell you about the day I went to help out on the Habitat for Humanity Builders Blitz and just as I was preparing to leave I noticed that my ancient second floor bath was leaking buckets full of water into our first floor powder room? Fortunately the first floor bath was gutted at the time, but it was very unsettling and slightly ironic. Seriously, I had to laugh. What else could I do? I will be taking notes while sitting in the audience on the 7th. I wish I could enter to win the $20,000 Passport to Design Home Makeover Sweepstakes, but I promise I will be sincerely happy for the lucky winner.

Visit bostonmagazine.com/passport for more details. 

Welcome to 2012

Boxford Holiday Homes Tour, October 2011

New Year’s Eve room designed by Karen L. Samenuk

(see more from the tour by clicking here) 

Happy New Year’s Day! Last year I chose not to pen any resolutions, except to make room for creativity, and looking back that seemed to work out pretty well : ) While 2011 certainly had its shares of highs and lows, I am grateful to be surrounded by friends and family who are there to celebrate the good times and to buoy us up during the not-so-shiny moments. Cheers to each of you and best wishes for all that you hope 2012 to be!

Not tending the garden ...

Did you know that if you leave weeds alone long enough they will flower? This is my side yard next to our barn. While most of our yard is mowed weekly, this area is allowed to grow wild. The result is a pretty swath of tall grasses, Queen Anne’s Lace, Goldenrod, Thistle, and a delicate purple flower that I can’t identify. I have been extra busy this summer on work related projects and this image says it all “I’m in the weeds!” (if you have ever worked in the restaurant industry, you may have heard this saying before : ) I particularly like how these easy going flowers have formed a bright and cheerful border along our rambling fence.





Even with the lazy-days-of-summer appeal of low maintenance backyard gardening, it is still nice to present a pretty face to people passing by the front side of the house. My mom knows I have been too distracted lately to tend to my gardening, so she surprised me the other day by decorating our farmer’s porch with a little container gardening.










Thanks, Mum, for picking up where Mother Nature left off! Now when I am coming and going, I will at least have something pretty to greet me upon my return home : )