Fabric event this weekend

50% off these pillows at New England Fine Living!

I have been collecting fabric for a long time. If I see something that I like, I usually pick it up and save it for future design projects. The collection above was created by combining a water-resistant seashell print with a couple of remnants from what used to be one of my favorite places to go to get my “fabric fix,” the now long-gone Fabric Place.




This weekend at the retail location for New England Fine Living, I will be having a 50% off sale on all the pillows from the design collections that have resulted from my fabric addiction! Prices have already been reduced on each tagged item. Just look for the price tag with a key on it.

If you are a fellow fabric collector, I have also brought in a selection of fabrics that you can take home for your own home decor projects for just $10 per piece. Some of the designer fabrics are well over a yard, and many are in even more generous amounts. Below is a sample of what you will find (lots more colors and patterns are now available in the store). Come early for best selection!

New England Fine Living
106 South Main Street, Middleton, MA
Phone 978-539-8270

Open Wed. – Fri. 11am to 5pm
Saturday 11am to 4pm

I am engaged ...

Engagement “ring” available at
New England Fine Living

Working on the soon-to-be launched New England Finery Magazine has completely consumed my creative thoughts.

Table setting by Linda Smith
of New England Fine Living

Linda and I have been meeting regularly at this very table to discuss page layouts and desired content for the first issue.

Vintage fur muff: Seams Couture
Photo credit: Elizabeth Wertz

I am completely in love with the photos that our photographer, Elizabeth Wertz, has taken for our feature story.

XOXO blank notecards
yvonne b. designs

If you are in the area, please stop by New England Fine Living for your chance to take home some of the items that will be highlighted in our February issue (say “hi” to Linda while you are there!)

Refinished floors by C&R Flooring

The fact that my own house is finally getting some finishing touches during this exciting time is icing on the cake. But truth be told, it’s difficult to create blog posts when my house is filled with guys (the working kind that is).

Rest assured, I will be back soon with some “before” photos and worth-the-wait-happily-ever “afters” ; )

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 ; )

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.

Giving away the good stuff ...

SATURDAY: RAFFLE

Enter to win one birth announcement (designed by yours truly) printed on canvas and designed to match a chosen nursery theme plus a matching “tummy time” blanket (see samples above) at this Saturday’s Open House held at New England Fine Living in Middleton. Many more raffle items and vendor discounts will be offered so be sure to visit on Saturday between 10am and 4pm or 7pm to 9pm for your chance to win (click here for event details.) I will be there in the morning and definitely will be back for the evening festivities which will include a NEFLtini cocktail (while they last) ...

Introducing my new line of icon-graphic note cards
available exclusively at New England Fine Living

SUNDAY: AUCTION

Modern Smiley Face Note Cards (set of 10)
and Hugs & Kisses Note Cards (set of 10)

One set of each will be auctioned off along with a custom designed butterfly accent pillow, apple green cork board and a few other items in my donated “Girl’s Room Gift Basket” to benefit the Lynnfield Educational Trust at Sunday night’s Taste of Lynnfield event at the Peabody Marriott. This almost-yearly fund-raising event is a great night out and offers a taste of many fine food establishments in our local area plus a chance to take home some great donated items by way of silent auction. All proceeds go towards educational enrichment programs and a soon-to-be established scholarship fund. Tickets are still available. Click here for details ...

And if you are interested in having any of these items designed for yourself or someone on your holiday shopping list, email me at yblacker@verizon.net

Have a great weekend,
xoxo yvonne

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