Goodbye Sweet 2011

I've practically been in pjs for the last 6 days. Today was the first day I drove a car since the 24th. The end of 2011 has been a sweet bubble.

2012 will be full of surprises yet-to-be.

But just like treasured vintage ornaments, 2011 will be held onto, if in memory only.

But until then, 6 more sweet 2011 hours are still to come.

Best wishes for a Happy 2012!!

p.s. My treasured Schumacher Nanjing tablecloth is thanks to an amazing blog giveway from Sherry at Design Indulgence that included 3 yards of this fabulous fabric. Thank you Sherry!

New Year's Party Guest Post at Party Resources

Today I'm guest posting at Kate's terrific go-to blog for great ideas, Party Resources. She asked me share to a few thoughts about a perfect New Year's party. I, myself, am in awe of the Christmas party (picture above) that her family throws every year, turning their barn into an idyllic setting. Hope you'll head over to Party Resources and check out my thoughts, which includes my favorite Bourbon cocktail.

A Little Christmas Cheer

I had planned to post about Christmas decorations at my house but things have been a bit too hectic.

However, here's a post from way back in 2008, Tennessee Ernie Ford's version of Children Go Where I Send Thee, sung surrounded by kids, including his son Brian. - CLICK HERE and enjoy!

p.s. I looove this door and wreath

From the Stacks: An Expat

Canadian expat Thomas Wiggin's Georgian home, The Hylands, south of London was one of my favorite features in House and Home's November 2007 issue. Can you imagine waking up in the morning to this stately second floor balustrade overlooking the foyer and then making your way down to breakfast? This isn't just a home, it's an experience.

John Matthew Moore at Maison de Luxe Greystone

Paloma of La Dolce Vita posted a nice image of Barry Dixon's library with DC artist John Mathew Moore's much admired sheep portrait in sepia tones. Although I love it in it's full color (my good friend just placed one over her family room mantel), the sepia version is perfect in this room of warm neutrals. I've had the pleasure of meeting Matthew and visiting his studio, which was such a treat. To see more of his works, go here.

From the Stacks: Ghost of Christmas Past

With just over a week to go, are you still decorating? I am still adding bits here and there and finding inspiration in these images from Christmas past. This tangerine Christmas is from 2001 and looks as current now as it did then. Hope you have a great weekend.

House & Home Nov 2001, Produced by Erin Feasby, photography by Michael Alberstat
House & Home Nov 2008, design by Brett Sherlock and James Booty, photography by Donna Griffith
House & Home Nov 2002, Designer Cally Bowen, Photography by Michael Alberstat
Source: House and Home Nov 2001, design by Bernadette Morra, photography by Ted Yarwood.

Houses Where I Live: Part 2

When I don't feel like taking a walk or run, I remind myself there's alot of architectural eye candy on my route. Here are some of my favorites. Which ones are your favorites?

#1 above

#2 - farm house style
#3
#4

#5
#6

#7
#8
#9

#10

#11

(Go here to if you're interested in Part 1, posted way back in June, 2009)

Classically Composed

Oh my. The Julien Mirror is from Niermann Weeks and the design is by Tara Sutphin and Betsy Berner of Berner Sutphin Designs. Perfect.

(image from Niermann Weeks site)

Holiday Coverage: Mags that Do, Don't and Did

Atlanta Homes & Lifestyle gorgeous December issue celebrating holiday decor only made this year's slim coverage from some of the major national shelter magazines even more noticeable. It had me wondering, when did I last see an issue from House Beautiful, Veranda or Elle Decor that spotlighted decor for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year's Eve, instead of just giving an obligatory nod? I know budgets are tight but that didn't stop magazines such as Traditional Home, Country Living, Coastal Living or Canada's Style at Home and House & Home from giving readers Holiday eye candy and inspiration.

House Beautiful's December 2008 issue seems to be most recent one that gives obvious cover page acknowledgment to the Season. My first look at these bells had me thinking about ringing in the New Year, then Christmas decor. (I know I'm equating the cover image* with coverage of the holidays but from my subjective point of view it seems to correlate. Plus I couldn't fact check w/some of mags still buried in the attic during our reno. Although later on in this post I realize there may be some exceptions.)
The 2005 cover was all about Christmas while the 1997 issue played on wintery imagery and gave more balanced cover attention to the holidays of Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Christmas.

House Beautiful 2003
House Beautiful 1999

Here's Veranda December 2011 issue. The only cover reference to the holidays is a Gift Guide. Coverage inside was limited as well.
Veranda's Nov/Dec 2008 cover barely hints at holiday celebrations but then delivers huge with a number of features, including Mary McDonald's stunning home dressed in greenery and peacock feathers.

Verandas Nov/Dec 2005 seems to be the most recent issue that promotes seasonal coverage on the cover with a full-out blue and white Christmas tree.
In all fairness, it seems that Elle Decor has had a more consistent, low-key approach to the holidays throughout most of its publication.
Elle Decor December 2008
The 1998 cover is my favorite. There's not a decoration in site but it still conjurs up relaxing time at home - the lull before the New Year starts.
Southern Accent's last Holiday issue was Nov/Dec 2008, as the magazine closed with the Sep/Oct 2009 issue. You could always count on Southern Accents to go all out with inspiring homes at this time of year.
These beautiful rooms by Houston designer Pamela Pierce, that appeared in the December 2003 issue, give a sense of the type of holiday coverage we're missing. (Pics are from the blog Antiqueholics - scroll down in her archive to see more images from this beautiful home.)
And who could forget this brilliant cover of Aerin Lauder Zinterhofer gracing the cover of the last issue of House & Garden December 2007?

When it comes to Holiday issues my all time favorite is Canadian House and Home. I have all the issues from 2001 (one is currently missing somewhere...) and they're my go-to source every November. In the November 2007 issue, then editor Cobi Ladner shared what might be the secret behind their amazing coverage: "...a number of years ago we decided we had to bite the bullet and start shooting Christmas stories a full year in advance...In the end, it doesn't really matter when the pictures were taken. Looking at this thick new isssue filled with ideas and homes decked for the holidays proves to me once again how many wonderful ways there are to celebrate the season."

And, if I can borrow some more words from my all-time favorite editor Cobi Ladner, "Although we do all celebrate in different ways at this time of year, what a wonderful communal message we share: Good will to all. It's pretty hard to go wrong with that."