Over the weekend, I was the incredibly fortunate recipient of a good friend’s generosity in sharing her “friends and family” pre-opening pass for the new IKEA store that is set to open this Wednesday, July 27th in Colorado! The first ever store in Colorado, the masses have been waiting with baited breath since the announcement 3-1/2 years ago!
A great group consisting of uber-friend-with-the-pass, Jamie Foley of Sanctuary Home, Raina Cox, the brains and wit behind If The Lampshade Fits, Jamie’s great mum, and ME!!!! For the sake of brevity, we shall forever more be the “designerds”. We each had our own agenda, potential shopping list and high expectations. We were greeted by parking attendants waving us into our allotted space, friendly faces and helpful customer service people abounded. Smiles were the order of the day, and even with masses of people, nary a crack showed in the armor.
Well, on to the good stuff – SHOPPING! I just had a few things on my list, but in the stroll through the showroom, the marketplace, the aisles, the shelves and the endless (10,000 products) choices, a few other wonderful things caught my eye.
I have always admired the whimsical work of Piero Fornasetti, but had absolutely no idea of the breadth and depth of his creative talent. Born in Milan, Italy in 1913, he is credited with having created over 11,000 different products during his lifetime! Now that is creative output. Upon his death in 1988, his son took the helm of the atelier and house of Fornasetti, and continues to design and produce extraordinary works of art.
credit: My Own Space
His plates are probably the most instantly recognizable works to most, and are readily available.
But his work spreads far and wide!
credit: Palazzetti
Taking ceramics to a new level. The Architettonica Table through Palazzetti.
1940′s Italian lithographed wallpaper screen, through Lewis – Trimble on 1st dibs.
credit: Van Den Akker Antiques
Van den Akker Antiques has beautiful vintage Fornasetti pieces, of which this Butterfly Cocktail Table is no exception.
credit: 1st dibs
And though I have featured this before, one of my favorites, and one his most magical creations, the Moon Cradle. Originally a magazine holder, it has been re-envisioned as a limited edition cradle. Through Dragonette, Limited and 1st dibs.
Well, the almost ubiquitous, of-this-very-moment trend of the refashioned beanbag, otherwise known as the pouf, continues to gain strength and attention. Why not switch it up, with something a bit more outre and a lot more fun!
We’ve been receiving panicked reports from friends and families in the Midwest and Northeast–of 6-foot snow piles, buried cars, closed roads and freezing temperatures. While we sympathize with everyone hassled by this record-breaking blizzard, we didn’t want to miss an opportunity to share a fitting martini recipe:
Sparkly white.
Snow Storm Martini
Ingredients:
2 oz. Vodka
1 oz. Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur
1 oz. White creme de cacao
Crushed ice
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass. Add ice, stir to chill and strain into a martini glass filled with crushed ice. Enjoy!
It’s almost the end of January―are you keeping up with your new years resolutions? If you’ve been successful so far, here’s some motivation to continue―and if not, this guy might inspire you to start:
Whether or not you spent hours in the madding crowds on Black Friday, Cyber Monday beckons to everyone from the convenience of your lap, your desk or your iPhone. U.S. retailers are expecting their online sales to jump by at least 15% this year over last holiday season, and even more surprisingly, online shopping today will surpass in-store shopping, this according to a poll conducted by Consumer Reports. And shhhh, don’t tell the boss, but almost 60% of those online shopping trips happen during normal work hours!
Now these gems are what’s on the list for the interior design savvy cyber-shopper, or if you want a new home for the holidays, a few to be considered…
credit: 1st dibs
A late 19th c. Neoclassical charmer from Hollywood at Home through 1st dibs.
credit: Brinca Dada
The Emerson House designed by Tim Boyle and available through Brinca Dada, is environmentally friendly and beautifully contemporary.
credit: Brinca Dada
Also designed by Tim Boyle, through Brinca Dada, the Bennet House was influenced by the De Stijl movement of the early 20th c., but a century ahead of its time!
credit: Brinca Dada
And to be able to fill 7 rooms for $199, unheard of! The Classic Contemporary group from Brinca Dada, as well.
credit: PRD
Paris Renfroe Design, has a miniatures division, PRD Miniatures, where they recreate their custom furnishings and shipping container homes into the smallest scale.
With Thanksgiving a mere three days away, the GDM team is anxiously awaiting the holiday that brings families and friends together over gratitude, good cheer and delicious food. Because every family’s Thanksgiving meal boasts its own set of traditions and culinary favorites, we’ve decided to each share our most-loved part of Thanksgiving dinner in the hopes that you’ll have a chance to enjoy it, too. To make things easier, we’ve compiled all of our favorite recipes into a downloadable collection of recipe cards for you to print at home. (Or, if a particular recipe peaks your interest, feel free to download individual recipe cards from the links below!)
“Since I find the gelatinous glop that comes out of the can, totally disgusting, I had to find a delish replacement, and this has become part of our Thanksgiving tradition. Enjoy!” – Martha Kirkpatrick, Director, Member Services
“This is actually the first year that I will be cooking (something) for Thanksgiving so I think I’m going to do stuffing. I have good luck with all of the recipes that I’ve made out of the Barefoot Contessa (Ina Garten) so I’m going to stick with what works! Wish me luck! P.S. Be sure to try our Pumpkin Pie Martini from last year’s Thanksgiving. It’s a definite hit.” – Alexandra Gibson, President & CEO
“My grandmother was an exceptional southern cook. Every Thanksgiving I looked forward to the delicious food she’d put on the table. What I looked forward to the MOST was her corn pudding. Now I bring it to Thanksgiving with friends and/or family every year, and it’s always a hit!” –Amanda Butterworth, Senior Director, Creative Services
“My real favorite recipe is my Mom’s dressing that she makes for our family Thanksgiving dinner of 40+ people. We know she makes loads of cornbread and homemade biscuits in preparation, but she doesn’t use a recipe so my sister and I are threatening to video the entire process! (… Also, this sauce is great on Turkey Day, and even better on a turkey sandwich – leftovers or any time of the year!) – Christina West, Director, Project Delivery
“I love my family’s extensive Thanksgiving meal, but nothing compares to the post-dinner dessert spread. I have quite the sweet tooth, so I always save room for a few slices of homemade pie (we usually go overboard and have about six options!) while everyone else complains about being too full. This pecan pie recipe from the Silver Palate Cookbook is definitely a favorite – especially when served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.” – Jessye Aibel, Associate, Social Media & Online PR
Bone china, pottery, stoneware, porcelain – traditional, modern, antique. Beautiful, themed tableware abounds for the holiday season, most particularly for Christmas, but the softness of the autumnal harvest palette beckons from the Thanksgiving table.
Mottahedeh‘s Sacred Bird & Butterfly, the original Chinese export sets the dining table of the famed Nathaniel Russell House in Charleston.
Audun Ferme by Villeroy & Boch, is a vintage inspired, modern toile taken from their original design of 200 years ago.
Light as the proverbial feather, Crate & Barrel’s Dorata Platter. What turkey wouldn’t want to sit on this?
Dating back to 1828, the harvest and the hunt feature prominently in Spode’s classic Woodland pattern.
Vietri brings a smile to the table with their new Bellezza serveware and accessory pieces.
Wishing everyone a very happy and bountiful Thanksgiving!
In celebration of the Celtic festival of Samhain, a precursor to our modern-day Halloween, the border between our world and the netherworld becomes thin, and you never know what frights you might find as your abode gets in on the mischief-making, along with all of the other ghoulies and goblins. Trick or treat? Won’t you come in……
Setting the perfect tone in the entry, Graham & Brown’s “Skulls” wallpaper designed by Barbara Hulanicki, and available through 2modern.
You may want to watch your step on Flor’s Funny Bones area rug.
Perhaps “Ghastly Bats” by Alexander Henry for draperies, also available in 4 other colorways.
The accessories always make the room, don’t they? (cue the evil laughter…..)
Mottahedeh
Vietri
Pottery Barn
