Tips for being the perfect Holiday Host

If you have guests coming for the holidays then it's time to get started planning...so we've come up with some of our favorite tips to help you out.  Transform your space into their "home away from home".


A striking bedding set is always a nice start to get ready for your guests.  If it's not custom that you choose, then just be sure it is a nice quality of bedding.  Add lots of coordinating throw pillows to add that cozy bit of charm.   

Be sure you have comfortable sheets on the bed, a good thread count, so your guests will get a good nights rest.  These don't have to be the most expensive to be comfortable and you can usually find a good selection at Bed Bath and Beyond, Steinmart, and even Target.

A choice in pillows is always a nice treat for your guests.  Some like feather pillows and some don't...so why not let them choose.  It's another way to guarantee a good nights rest.

Don't forget to have extra blankets for those cold evenings during the upcoming holiday season. 

Providing a bedside table with life's little "luxuries" is always a nice treat for guests...like fresh flowers, bottled water or a carafe of water, an alarm clock, stationery and pens and maybe even an i-pod docking station!

If you have the space, provide a small desk area with ample lighting where they can catch up on emails, or perhaps do some work if necessary. 

Once you have the bedroom ready, don't forget to make them feel right at home in the bathroom too.  Be sure to leave them plenty of fresh towels...enough for the length of their stay!

Have a nicely scented candle displayed for them to burn...or have it burning before they arrive.

And...if you want them to think that you think of everything...why not provide them with a comfy pair of spa slippers for their stay with you. You can also add a fluffy white robe too!

  

A basket or beautiful tray filled with toiletries will also make their visit a little more enjoyable.

Now you have all of our little tips for being the perfect holiday host!  Make your guests feel like they have all the luxuries of a hotel...and more.  It will be a visit they will remember and appreciate!  Oh, and just one last sweet tip...sneak into their room and turn down their bed before they turn in for the night...and leave this for them...on their pillow!!

Have a "Simply Irresistible" Day!

Photo Credits:  Eastern Accents, Veranda, House Beautiful, Bath and Body Works, Skin-Spa, Elle Decor, Ghirardelli

*I TRY TO CREDIT ALL IMAGES, IF THERE ARE ANY PHOTOS OR IMAGES HERE THAT ARE NOT CREDITED CORRECTLY OR YOU WISH THEM TO BE REMOVED, PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND I WILL GLADLY OBLIGE. THEY ARE BEING USED HERE FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING INTERIOR DESIGN. THANK YOU!

Furniture Market

Viewing all the latest trends...while we are at...

Have a "Simply Irresistible"Week...until we return with some of our fabulous finds!

Blue, Orange and Brown Designs

This combo of colors...blue, orange and brown...has always intrigued me.  I just "love the look" it creates! Well, the designs in the 2011 Showhouse in New Jersey reflect this colorway and it is "Simply Irresistible". 


First, here is the awesome country estate called Holly Hill.  More than 35 top designers worked their magic this year.

Be sure to take in all the luscious details from top to bottom!

So, what are YOUR thoughts on these colors?  What mood do you think they create?  Would you dare to use these in YOUR home?  Do tell.

Have a "Simply Irresistible" Day!

Photo Credits: Stately Homes by the Sea, 2011 Show House, NJ

 Design by Lauren Guarcello, Porter Design Company

*I TRY TO CREDIT ALL IMAGES, IF THERE ARE ANY PHOTOS OR IMAGES HERE THAT ARE NOT CREDITED CORRECTLY OR YOU WISH THEM TO BE REMOVED, PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND I WILL GLADLY OBLIGE. THEY ARE BEING USED HERE FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING INTERIOR DESIGN. THANK YOU!

The Simplicity of Roman Shades

I just love the effect of roman shades.  There are two kinds of roman shades...one of which is shown here in our pictures today and commonly known as "flat" romans.  This means when they are down they are flat.  Then, there is another style which is called "folded" roman shades.  When these are down they still have folds all the way down.  For now we'll look at the most simple of the styles...flat roman shades.

A solid with a bold trim always makes a bold statement in a room.  

Or, if you prefer a patterned fabric this also looks nice with an outside border.

This simple window treatment also works well on doors.  Here it is shown in a lovely stripe which doesn't need to be outlined with a border.

A little wider stripe also looks nice and makes a bold statement.

Here is another, over the top design, using only solid fabric with a contrasting border..."Simply Irresistible", I do believe!

So what do you think about roman shades?  Do you like the simplicity of these?  They can be mounted either inside the window frame or on the outside edge of it...take a look back on these photos and you will see both.  Like or dislike?

Have a "Simply Irresistible" Day!

Photo Credits:  DecorPad, House Beautiful, Tobi Fairley,

Monday Market Madness

I know...this post is titled for MONDAY!  Have you ever marked something off the "to-do" list because you are getting ready to tackle it...only to be interrupted and never actually do it?  Well, that is apparently what happened yesterday!!  So, for today, here is yesterday's post!  Sorry 'bout that!! 


It's almost that time again...Furniture Market starts this Saturday and runs through most of the following week. While pouring through all the vendors showing there this market and making our list of the showrooms we need to visit (you know me - I always go prepared) ...I thought it would be fun to share with you just a few exciting products from some of these vendors.

A Phillip Mirrored Desk covered with beveled mirror that features nine drawers on glides for storage.

 

I am smitten over this Gold Leaf Greek Key Table with mirrored top.

What do you think about this Neptune Gold Leaf Side Table? 

I love this green silk Dupioni w/ Flowers...ooh-la-la!

What's not to love about this Gold Floral Antique Mirror Edger?  I think these add so much pizzazz to a round accent table.

A great little Sag Harbor Table in Pink which is a powder coated cocktail table or low side table - isn't is fun!  Also available in other colors but you know I'd choose PINK!

I want to see this settee that's shown here with this "Flock Together" fabric.  This is a wonderful upholstery line.

This luscious Double Gourd Brush-Stroke Lamp with hand-carved gilt base - Chinese Blue - is a great find that I want to see.  What great lamps for end tables these would make...or perhaps bedside table lamps.  

Bright, bold and beautiful...describes this Sarasa Rug which is only one of many from this vendor we'll visit.

Oh, and these chairs...Side Chairs in red w/ an upside down heart motif for your lower back...a great look for your dining room or with your breakfast table.

Well, that's our Monday Market Madness wrap-up for today.  Can you tell how exciting it is to see a taste of what we'll find at market this year?  It's always great to visit our current vendors and get a hands-on view of their new products, but also fun to visit new showrooms as well.  What would YOU like us to find at market for YOU?  Anything in particular you are looking for?

Have yourself a "Simply Irresistible" Day!

Ta-Ta!

Credits: World's Away, C.R. Laine, Beeline Home, Company C, Stanley

*I TRY TO CREDIT ALL IMAGES, IF THERE ARE ANY PHOTOS OR IMAGES HERE THAT ARE NOT CREDITED CORRECTLY OR YOU WISH THEM TO BE REMOVED, PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND I WILL GLADLY OBLIGE. THEY ARE BEING USED HERE FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING INTERIOR DESIGN. THANK YOU!

Your Weekend!

Appreciating God's beautiful creation...

Enjoy your weekend!

Ta-Ta!

Photo Credits: Boone NC Magazine

Upside Down Day!

As we come to the end of another week...how about having an upside down day!  What DO I mean by that?  Remember, I told you that you might not want to miss this post.  We talked about it soon being time to get out the tree skirts...as you decorate the tree...well, have you ever seen an upside down Christmas tree? Yes, an upside down tree!

Here's a really large one on display at a mall.  I'm sure this is a hot topic of passerbys here.

This one is actually really pretty, but really weird looking.  I am just more accustomed to the traditional look!

This one here is suspended off the floor a little more...making way for more presents I suppose!

These have been so popular that even a NYC bakery went along with this weird trend.  You have to admit...it's colorful and really pretty in it's own strange way!

I guess one advantage of an upside-down tree would be that it doesn't take up as much floor space as the traditional tree does. How about you...what's your take on these?  Are they trendy...or just plain tacky? I'd love to know...but as for me, I'll stick to traditional.

Have a "Simply Irresistible" Saturday!

Photo Credits: Unknown as I have had images saved for awhile now...if you know be sure to let me know and I will be glad to post credits.  Thanks.

MIA...

I have been MIA for a few days...did you miss me?  With this being one of the busiest times of the year, not only personally, but for interior design as well, you may see an occasional day of MIA between now and the holidays.  Speaking of holidays...take a look at a few of the new Christmas tree skirts we offer.

Waltz of Flowers

Tinsel Town

Wreath

Holiday Floral

Santa Baby

Loop-de-Loop

Feliz Navidad

So what do you think?  Did you see one that you like? It won't be long before we'll be getting these out to "deck the halls" for Christmas.  So, we want to know...do you put up a tree?  Is it a themed tree?  Is it perhaps color-coordinated with your room?  


Be sure not to miss our next topic...I believe it's something that you may just find unique and intriguing!

In the meantime...

Have a "Simply Irresistible" Day!

Photo Credit:  Eastern Accents

*I TRY TO CREDIT ALL IMAGES, IF THERE ARE ANY PHOTOS OR IMAGES HERE THAT ARE NOT CREDITED CORRECTLY OR YOU WISH THEM TO BE REMOVED, PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND I WILL GLADLY OBLIGE. THEY ARE BEING USED HERE FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING INTERIOR DESIGN. THANK YOU!

Fun in the Kitchen

Any idea who this lovely kitchen belongs to?  

Well, I'll tell you in a moment, but first we are going to give you a great fall recipe from this kitchen...

Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients

1. 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin
2. 1 cup vegetable oil
3. 2/3 cup water
4. 4 large eggs
5. 3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
6. 3 cups sugar
7. 2 teaspoons baking soda
8. 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
9. 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
10. 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350˚F. Grease 2 (8x5-inch) loaf pans. In a medium bowl, beat pumpkin, oil, water, and eggs at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth.
2. In a separate medium bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Gradually add to pumpkin mixture, stirring to combine.
3. Pour into pans, and bake for 1 hour, or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in pans 10 minutes. Remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks.

Makes 2 loaves

OK, back to the gorgeous kitchen...first clue is to say...

"Enjoy the recipe, ya'll"

Did that give it away?  Any idea?

This is the kitchen of the one and only Paula Deen...along with her very own recipe for Pumpkin Bread.  I am going to try this out for the weekend (the recipe, that is, but it surely would be nice to try out this kitchen too!!).  Do you have a special fall recipe that you'd like to share with us? 

Have a "Simply Irresistible" Weekend!

Photo Credits:  Hooked on Houses, Paula Deen magazine

The Impact of...Orange!

When October rolls around it seems that everything we see is orange...mostly related to Halloween I believe.  But, have you ever thought about using this bright and vibrant color in your interiors or is it way too intimidating?

Here is a lovely display of orange in a room.  It is blended with a soft  blue which helps tone it down a bit.  I love the added "oomph" of this room with the zebra stripe on the ottoman too.  Orange and black doesn't have to be just about Halloween!

Orange is also a very nice "pop" with neutrals, along with a few other high impact colors.  This look is not over-powering at all.

Here it is used in one of my favorite rooms...just a punch of orange added in the pillows, lamps and ottoman...for a great look with the green and black! 

This one is a little more daring, but again is absolutely gorgeous...if orange is your color that is.  The punch of orange in this rug and on the drapery panels just "makes" this room.  Can YOU be this daring with orange?

Another room with just a few "pops" of this lovely color...which can be used in any style room.

How about a BLACK powder room with pops of orange in the towels?  Could YOU go for that?  It's a really great look!

Another "over the top" design plan using orange...even on the furniture pieces...simple, yet stunning!

Bright and fun here!

DIY paper bookcovers are even made here to pop that extra bit of orange on these shelves...how clever is that?  

As you can see...orange is NOT a color to be afraid of...or to relate just to Fall or Halloween.  It is a beautiful, vibrant color that can transform any room by using as much or as little of it as you want.  It works with several colors such as green, blue, neutral, black.  Do YOU have orange in YOUR home?  If so, please share how you used it.  We'd love to know!

Thanks for stopping by...

and

Have a "Simply Irresistible" Day!

Photo Credits:  The Lennox, Decor Pad, TFID, HGTV, unknown source, Traditional Home


*I TRY TO CREDIT ALL IMAGES, IF THERE ARE ANY PHOTOS OR IMAGES HERE THAT ARE NOT CREDITED CORRECTLY OR YOU WISH THEM TO BE REMOVED, PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND I WILL GLADLY OBLIGE. THEY ARE BEING USED HERE FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF DISCUSSING INTERIOR DESIGN. THANK YOU!