Holiday Tradition at Endicott Mansion

Earlier this month, the Danvers Historical Society held their winter gala at the Endicott Mansion at Glen Magna Farms. Florists and artists were invited to deck the halls. I was more than happy to return to this former show house to style my decorated rooms with wintery floral arrangements plus a bit of holiday glam. With snowflake-like wallpaper from Farrow and Ball, the decorations could remain simple ...

evergreens with white roses

sparkle on the bookshelves

feathery arrangement displayed in a winter white vase

from Janus et Cie via The Boston Design Center

whimsical DIY snow globes ... just for fun

How are you decorating your favorite

rooms this holiday season?

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

Show House Good Morning!

Last weekends show house brunch provided

by Linda Hentschel of i-Design Interiors

There is just one week left to visit the Designers Holiday Show House at Glen Magna Farms (ticket info here)! When I was first invited to walk through the estate back in early January to imagine how it would look renovated for a design show, I knew it would need a lot of work and TLC. Once show house preparation officially began, there were many individuals – designers, volunteers, and hired contractors – behind the transformation of each room. In my three spaces alone, I worked with over two dozen people to accomplish my design goals on time (we had just one month to work on-site). When I post final photos of my rooms, I will share the pros behind the makeover. For now, take a peek at my post for Williams-Sonoma Designer Marketplace where I share advice on “How to Have a Good Relationship with Your Contractor.” Because in the end, every great project is accomplished with teamwork!

Designers Holiday Show House Sneak Peek!

flower arrangement by Laura Thomson Design for one of my rooms

at the Glen Magna Farms Designers’ Holiday Show House

For the past month, I have truly enjoyed traveling down the long unpaved drive that leads to the grand Endicott Mansion located at Glen Magna Farms in Danvers. I have spent the last four weekends working on my suite of rooms there (with lots of help during the week from a list of others), transforming these spaces and furnishings from worn and weary to show house ready. And with each visit, every time I took the first turn off of Centre Street to follow the signs to Glen Magna Farms, I felt a little bit like I was heading home.

I am not exactly sure why the property has this strong affect on me. Perhaps the emotional imprint is simply because I worked there for a number of summers in my twenties, enjoying the view of the landscaped grounds and the fleeting luxury of being a part of the mansion lifestyle. Even still, there is something about passing the open fields, stone walls, and tall mature trees leading up to Glen Magna that just feels right to me. Most likely this strong association is a result of being New England born and raised, but there is also a part of me that tends to imagine that perhaps I lived there hundreds of years ago during a time when every day was unplugged and people dressed for dinner and danced in the evenings to live music in the ballroom. 

This past Saturday night was the preview gala at Glen Magna, and it truly felt like a step back in time. There were elegant gowns and well-tailored tuxedos, sparkling champagne being served on silver platters, a harp playing classical music mixed with traditional holiday favorites in the foyer. A large tent (heated) was set up just off the back porch where designers and guests could mingle before heading in for the guided tour.

with my honey, John, who I met while working

summers at Glen Magna over 20 years ago

my dear friend and designer of the Bride’s Room

Linda Hentschel with her husband Kurt

with new friends, fellow Glen Magna Farms Show House designers

Candy Weston and Jennifer Dunn Coen in the dining room

Matthew Martin, Buildings and Grounds Restoration Manager

with Heather King, Glen Magna Farms Special Events Manager 

A press day photo in the two story foyer at Glen Magna Farms. From left to right ...

Front row: Caitlin Flynn, Diana Kennedy, Linda Hentschel, Jennifer Dunn Coen, Donna Terry. Back row: Elyse Parkhurst, William Ralph, myself, and Michael Carter. Missing from photo: Candy Weston

Designer Candy Weston and decorative artist Karen Ward received the “traveled the farthest” prize for making many trips back and forth to Glen Magna from their homes in Vermont and Nantucket. While my ties to Glen Magna began a couple decades ago, Candy’s history to the estate goes back much further (and was somewhat of a surprise to her). You will have to come see the estate for yourself to hear and see the details!

I will post room photos after the show closes on December 15th. Please consider visiting the show and taking in the holiday and design inspiration while helping to raise funds to continue the renovation and preservation of this lovely historic property that all are able to enjoy today and for years to come.

Ticket Info Here

My New Dining Room!

What do you think?! If I could choose a mini-home-makeover as a gift this holiday season, I would go for the dining room. It is the one space where we gather as a family every day. I want it to sparkle again! These items are now on my holiday wish list courtesy of Olioboard. I will let you know if Santa delivers  : )

Create your own wish list here.

Sugar on Top

How do you decorate for the holidays?

Decorating for the holidays is a balance of pure child-like enthusiasm and sometimes-but-not-all-the-times adult-like restraint. Last weekend I took the kids to view decorated gingerbread houses at a local church in Lynnfield and a “Parade of Trees” held by the Danvers Historical Society at Tapley Hall. The gingerbread houses were decorated by kids in town. The Parade of Trees mainly by business owners and designers. We managed to get through both events, plus some shopping in the town sponsored Country Store, without any mishap (I was picturing trees accidentally knocked down or sugar-coated houses mysteriously deconstructed.)    

Do you pace yourself?

Ben “You mean we can’t eat any of the candy off the gingerbread houses?” Mom “That’s correct.” Ben “Then I don’t want to go.” Mom “If you are good I will give you money for the Country Store and you can buy your own candy.” I gave him $10. He spent every penny.

Or does your inner elf take over?

I am pretty sure that this tree was minus a couple of candy dots when we left. Sorry about that, Cathy!

Are you a fan of all white or a mix of colors?

This wreath was hung just low enough that my 8 year old could select a pop from it, but he did put it back, reluctantly.

Do you like to think outside the box?

He did not take any candy off the gingerbread houses. That I noticed anyway. I promised him we will have a gingerbread house construction day of our own.

Designer style or country charm?

We went to Danvers to see my friend Linda Hentschel’s tree. We loved her over the top blue and silver theme which coordinates with her new logo and corporate identity: i-Design.  

Linda is currently featured in the December issue of Northshore Magazine. Read about her holiday decorating style here.

Company’s Coming Punch

2 liters of lemon lime soda

2 liters gingerale

64 oz. cranberry juice

64 oz. apple juice

1 frozen orange juice

1 frozen limeade

half gallon of rainbow sherbert

cut up lemon and lime slices

for the adults: top with Prosecco

Do you like to get away from all the holiday excess?

Or do you love every minute of it?

Let the countdown begin ...

P.S. The Country Store sold out of our Holiday Boxwood trees! These were my favorites with their ribbon candy like bows.

How to build a holiday centerpiece

You will need: boxwood greens, floral foam, a dish to hold everything in, plus a good sense of proportion.

Prepare your ornaments using ribbons, baubles, wooden floral pics and wire, cutting shears, a good holiday play list.

If these directions seem too complicated, stop by the 

Old Meeting House in Lynnfield on December 1st

Holiday Centerpieces-To-Go

$30 each at the Country Store

– while supplies last –

Brought to you by The Village Home and Garden Club of Lynnfield

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

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

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 : )

Holiday Homes Tour

Laura Thomson designed vignette for the

Holiday Homes Tour in Boxford, MA

Around the same time that I was planning my New England Finery decorated space for the Boston Antiques & Design Show, I was asked if I would like to participate in the Boxford Holiday Homes Tour. I thought about it for awhile, but with a magazine to produce, a show to prepare for and a new full-time job (I will share more about that in a later post), I just didn’t think I could pull it off without cutting corners somewhere. I am just one person (my favorite new line : ) and so far have not learned how to clone myself in order to be in two places at once! But I knew someone who could really rock this type of event.

Flower arrangements in vintage red goblets

Designer: Laura Thomson

My friend, Laura Thomson, who I have watched do amazing work year after year at our garden club Art in Bloom shows, and whose home is to-die-for gorgeous (get a glimpse of it in this holiday post), was willing to step up and be one of the featured designers. And she did an amazing job!




She had an entire porch (and a large bit of front yard) to decorate. The porch itself had gorgeous stained floors and rustic looking white-washed walls. To see what Laura did to transform this veranda to an autumn cider-pressing party, visit her new blog Designing44 to read about it in her own words. And be sure to follow her – she is super talented and I can’t wait to see what she posts in the future!




Want to see more from the tour? Here are some photos that I took while enjoying this “holiday stroll” on a warm, early November day.



I never tire of a classic black urn with fall flowers, grasses, peppers and gourds. So colorful and welcoming!



This dining room was striking with fresh green walls, cobalt blue glassware and pumpkin spice damask chairs.





The designer of this space, Arlene Jaffe or AJ as she likes to be called, came right up to me and introduced herself, “Do I know you from somewhere?” Well my memory is not as good as it used to be, but after a few minutes of “were you here, were you there” we figured out we sat together at a luncheon that featured a panel of designers from the Old York Decorator Showhouse back in 2009.

I loved seeing AJ’s work in person. She has an elegant sense of style paired with a super-bubbly personality. Note to my designer friends: when showing off your work at a designer showhouse, don’t be shy! Introduce yourself to visitors and get their feedback like AJ does. You will never know what you have in common unless you start a conversation!




AJ not only decorated this home for the holiday tour, she also decorated the home for every day living. This sitting room was quite inviting. Love the artwork over the fireplace, ottoman focal point and textured floor covering.




Another friend of mine was on the tour – Liz White from Mason & Madison. She set up shop in one of the homes and had on display numerous gift items including delectables and adorables ...








One of the designers on the tour, Linda Holt, wrote a great blog post on being a part of the event. Reading it, I discovered she studied with a color consultant/designer who I follow on twitter, Maria Killam. It is a small world!


If you’d like to take in a holiday tour for yourself (I suggest you grab some girlfriends, your mom, or a design enthusiast to join you) there are a couple coming up that I know of:

Concord Museum Holiday House Tour
December 3rd

Holly Days in Sandwich:
Holiday Homes Tour on Dec. 11th


Maybe I will see you at one of them?


P.S. Click here to view more photos from Laura’s space and see some other homes on the tour that I posted about in my decorating column for Lynnfield Patch.