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.

What’s on your wish list?

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!)

Apple Orange Cranberry Sauce [Click to grab the recipe card!]

“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

Sausage and Herb Stuffing [Click to grab the recipe card!]

“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

Grandma’s Corn Pudding [Click to grab the recipe card!]

“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

Connie’s Cranberry Ginger Sauce [Click to grab the recipe card!]

“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

Classic Pecan Pie [Click to grab the recipe card!]

“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!

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

–Theodore Roosevelt, “Citizenship in a Republic,” Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910

We at Gibson Design Management think today of those brave enough to fight for our freedoms and our safety, both today and in many years past.  It is those men and women who allow us to continue striving for greatness because they protect our efforts.

We thank you today and we think of you always.

After a fun Halloween last weekend, the GDM team wanted to share a few pictures:

Who was who?

1. Amanda as Brittany from the TV show Glee – with Santana and Rachel.
2. Alexandra as Mayhem, from the Allstate commercials.
3. Amanda again, this time as Sandy from Grease!
4. Martha’s grandson Coleman as ”a scawy piwate.”
5. Martha’s granddaughter Savanna as “the best witch, no pointy hat.”
6. Martha’s grandson Jackson as “a vampire wif teef!”

What did YOU dress up as for Halloween? We’d love to hear about your costume or see your photos over at our Facebook page!

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…..)

Skull Vase 01 by Human-Dusty.

Pottery Barn gets in on the creepy fun with Mini-Skull Vase Filler.

Shine on with the Bronze Skull Lamp by Blackman Cruz.

And no table would be complete without the black widow spider plates by Custom Sepia.

Oh, and that table is by the brilliant French designer, John Nouanesing entitled “Paint or Die but Love Me”.

The fun and the frights have just begun!

A series to get your creative juices flowing for your interior design firm’s blog.  [Link to earlier posts: Introduction/first set, numbers 6-10, numbers 11-15, numbers 16-20, and numbers 21-25]

1. A front door wreath for each season.
2. Using a stair runner. Using patterns or solids. Why you might want a runner.
3. Review of a recent hotel/resort you visited (from a design perspective).  What you liked and/or didn’t like. Interesting pieces or uses that your readers could translate into their lives.
   

   Tempo Miami. (Photo: Elle Decor)

4. A plug for your favorite charity and why you support it.  Show your readers what you care about.
5. Pictures of your holiday table.  Show them your personality and a glimpse into your life.

Check back next Monday for the remaining ideas in the series! (Are we saving best for last?)

“Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company.”

-George Washington