Carneval in Venice

Every year our local school district hosts a tour of homes to raise money for special projects. We have participated for the past four years by setting tables in one of the selected homes. This year we were assigned to a beautiful home with the feeling of old New Orleans. So we picked up on the spirit of Carnival in Venice (Mardi Gras in New Orleans) , to create a party atmosphere at a dinner party. First we created masks for the guests to use on the table. Sea fans and roses were used on the center on the table, while nautilus shells showcased a composed salad of greens , artichokes and fruit sushi. Pink venetian glasses and abalone salad plates added shimmer to the table.

Magic in Wisconsin

My girl friends and I went up to a magical place last Sunday. It's a perennial farm and gift store northwest of Milwaukee, Wisconsin called Monches Farm. They have the most beautiful conservatory where they grow plants and house a huge Victorian birdcage of Doves. I purchased the most beautiful curly willow there, huge and very, very curly. It looks perfect in an old gold column next to my piano. Look them up on the Internet - they have a fairy festival in August. We won't miss it.

Getting Ready for a Dinner Party.

The best part of preparing for a dinner party is setting the table . It's great not having to follow rules of what's correct or not correct. I love the organic feel of natural moss, faux crocodile skin, and antiques. These large "wine" glasses were from a bar in Ohio . These old sterling and glass cups were once a beautiful dessert set, but I only found a couple. So I use them for salt and pepper containers. These large dinner napkins are actually towels and came from a great store in Carmel, Jan De Luz. They monogram them while you wait. Towels are perfect when serving ribs - lot's of room to wipe up the mess!

Alligator Point gets Fancy

As we leave Alligator Point, it's kind of sad. So much serenity in such a beautiful setting. We have created a santuary away from the worries of the world. This week we finished accessorizing and hanging the curtains. Look at this beautiful specimen picture of the development of a pearl. We got it from my friend, Joan Babb of The Potting Shed. It was a perfect find for a perfect place in Alligator Point!

Still Stylin' in Alligator Point

Driving to Alligator Point from the Tallahassee airport, we past the final resting place of "All Trucks Rusted"! Now where else in the world would you see this sight? We are on our way to hang our burlap and taffeta drapes.

Our little guest room is furnished quite sparely, but with interesting textures. Sumptuous checked ruffled taffeta curtains, whispy linen Bella Notte beddings, and a great chair upholstered in an old truck tarp are combined with industrial zinc armoirs and a simple vintage brass bed. It's oh so comfy!

To the master bedroom we added taffeta roman shades and a combination of natural burlap and taffeta drapes. Note the cute little burlap pillow with the sea shell buttons on the old gilded chair.

Stylin' in Alligator Point!

When my friend Mariterese called and told me she had purchased a home in "Alligator Point", I had to google it just to see where it was! Located on Florida's "Forgotten Coast", this picturesque beach is surrounded by towns with names like Sopchoppy and Appalachacola - pretty laid back place. Not much to do but watch fish jump out of the water, bald eagles soaring ahead, and pick up the most awesome shells on the beach!

Now to the most important part of this post - DECORATING the PLACE! This home has walls of vintage pecky cypress - another new thing for me. So incorporating that into our decorating scheme was tricky. So in "PURE MARITERESE STYLE", we began to mix together a not so traditional beach pad! Mix together a little Louis IV gilded, mid century industrial, a bit of cottage ticking, a touch of Asian, a lot of burlap and taffeta, and VOILA - a beach cottage! And of course, we had to have the largest french tear drop crystal chandaliers we could find! No beach house is complete without one! This decorating mix should have a name - how about SopChoppy?

The pictures show the fun mix of a concrete dining table with Louis IV dining chairs and a quirky "vintage "wine chest. Note the bedroom in the back with the sumptous Bella Notte linens on the awesome bed, flanked by the asian nite stands. More about Alligator Point later on our next post!

Last of Garden Show Thoughts

Here's the picture of the royal blue and orange tablescape - so bright with the fabulous vintage china, orange feathers, and vintage printed napkins. The mexican corn dip that we served was a hit. My girlfriend Lynda sent this one to us and the recipe follows-

Mexican Corn Dip

11 oz. can corn ( drain well)

4 oz jar of chopped pimento (drain well)

4 oz. jar of chopped jalapeno peppers (drain and rinse)

1 cup mayonaise

1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese

1/2 c. shredded parmesan cheese

Mix together and bake in shallow dish at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.