Rainy Birthdays

Sometimes our customers ask us to create special tablescapes for events in their homes. I am sharing with you a birthday celebration - that took place on a dark, dreary Chicago day. We wanted to brighten things up, so hot pink and orange were the flower colors. Using jeweled pins, we created a secret garden on the center of the table. We mixed antique china patterns with bright floral centers, and threw sequined tulle down the middle of the table. With the soft candlelight on the gloomy day, it was a magical table. The small arrangements were for the powder room and conservatory, where appetizers were served.

Sparkle like a Star!

Crystal, sequins, rhinestones, diamonds, glitter, bring it on! While we love old worn leathers, distressed woods, and tarnished silver, nothing looks better with it than items that sparkle.

Vintage crystal stemware from the 1930's is one of our store's signatures. We always try to have several sets available to purchase. The crystal urns are new and look amazing with colored water in them.

We just received the oblong gilt chandelier yesterday, and it took two people to dress it all morning long. But look at the result -- stunning over a rectangle dining table!

Days of Wine and Roses

My husband loves to grow roses and I love to display roses. I have collected wine bottles from France for many years and enjoy using them as flower containers. The rosé bottles are really fun with his roses in them. While in Napa this spring, we found a wonderful winery near Los Gatos, that had fabulous bottles - instead of a paper label, they simply wrote the contents of the bottle on the glass with a gold pen. After enjoying a bottle of their rosé, it now stands with my bottles from France. We have this old wild rose - with tons of thorns, but beautiful leaves and simple little raspberry blossoms. It looks perfect in this wine bottle. I keep this grouping in the window of my butler's pantry, as it adds color to my collection of old pressed glass.

One of my friends keeps all the wine bottles from special occasions, and marks the date and occasion on them with a gold pen - how cool is that?- You could use them later as flower containers for a special anniversary party or family reunion and re-live all your memories.

New Fall Merchandise is Arriving

It that time of year when retailers start to receive fall inventory. Something new for us- bright Italian pottery and heirloom pumpkins.

An iron putti sconce is hand painted in an old world finish.

A local artisan is making beautiful trays and

serving pieces from old china for us.

Animal print is still very important in home decor and fashion accessories. Timmy Woods hand carved wood handbags and animal print jewelry are all together awaiting new owners!

Vintage crystal, old world boxes, French inspired screens and pillows, create ambiance when used together in a room.

A new hand poured candle in great fragrances is a great value in this pretty mercury glass compote for only $14.00.

We love these vintage curved back slipper chairs with the small carved bistro table - perfect for an intimate dinner for two.



Note the carving on the pedestal of this great table. The long

fringe on the bottom of the chair calls attention to the details on the base.

Bella Notte New Introductions

Bella Notte Linens are the most beautiful linens in the world - not only because they are luxurious combinations of silk, cotton, rayon, and linens, but they are washable! They recently sent new photos to their retailers of their product and I want to share them with you. Each bed garment is hand dyed, so the same color will have subtle differences depending on the fabric. They are comfy, soft, and simply divine to sleep in every day. We have a beautiful bed set up in the store for customers to touch and feel the softness of the product. New introductions of color include Flax , Pebble and Cypress, which looks awesome with purple. This line is perfect for families with kids and pets, who still want a luxurious look, yet the versatility of washability.

Summer Whites

It is a glorious Sunday - 72 degrees, breezy, and sunny, the perfect day to be on the porch with a glass of wine and a great magazine. My new Veranda just came and I can't wait to read it . Summer whites - roses, wicker, puppies, and white wine- beckon lingering on the porch and just being lazy- before Monday comes!

Bridal Shower Delights

My friend, Mariterese, is a very exuberant fun person. Recently, she had a bridal shower for a friend's daughter at her Chicago brownstone. She turned the courtyard into a fantasy land with Bali umbrellas ( bought from Romancing the Home of course!) , roses, candelabras and white linens. It was breathtaking - so young at heart and romantic for the Bride-to-Be. Rose petals all over the table - a Mariterese signature touch!- added romance to the luncheon. Each guest was given a beautifully embellished soap from Tokyomilk as a favor. The weather was a great and memories were made.