This time of year, I love the colors and flavors of the season, especially pumpkin spice. Whether in the kitchen or personal style, it’s a great time to enjoy autumn. What’s your preference?
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This time of year, I love the colors and flavors of the season, especially pumpkin spice. Whether in the kitchen or personal style, it’s a great time to enjoy autumn. What’s your preference?


Happy Thursday! I’ve been busy in NYC attending D&D Building Fall Market – Live From New York. It was the perfect opportunity to get out of office and see old friends and find inspiration.
My top 5 reasons why I love Fall Market: D&D Live from New York
NO. 5 Reason Why I love D&D Fall Market: New Fabric Collections -Alessandra Branca for Schumacher collection combines old classics in vibrant colors and larger prints for an updated look. The fabrics are soft, luxurious, yet approachable.
Oceania Cruises has partnered with Kravet for a collection of indoor/outdoor fabrics, inspired by the sea, that represent the timeless luxury of international travel.
Pollack Showroom: The Makers Collection – Five artists and the Pollack Studio produce thirteen distinctive fabrics. I enjoyed the panel discussion on the crossover between designing for fashion and home, lead my the charming Jennifer Mehditash of the blog Dec-a-Porter. Individually the fabrics are a work of art.
Meeting the lovely Peggy Platner and debuting her collection by Gaetano in the Pierre Frey showroom. The fabrics are sophisticated yet refined for casual living.

NO. 4 Reason Why I love D&D Fall Market:
The Panel Discussions: Donghia Inc.- Susanna Salk , Jill Cohen Elle Cullman, Thom Felicia, Gary McBournie and David Scott: Creating a Monograph Books as a Centerpiece for Brand Marketing. I took away some great tips on what the publishers want from you before you pitch your book idea.
J. Robert Scott: Protecting Original Design in age of Knock-offs. The legal side of design. The importance of registering your designs early, patents and copyrights in order to protect yourself. Interesting discussion on how editors and publishers and the industry need to highlight innovation, not knock-offs.
Robert Allen/Beacon Hill: Don’t Hate the Players -Barbara Viteri, founder of Viteri Style Management LLC, lead a lively discussion with Designers Jennifer Flanders, Cory Damen Jenkins and Tamara Magel. With standing room only, the conversation grew more interesting with Viteri’s energy and style.
NO. 3 Reason Why I love D&D Fall Market: Hands On – Gracie Showroom – I couldn’t pass the opportunity to be surrounded by the exquisite Gracie hand-painted wallpaper.
Artist, Yen Ming Tsai taught us the technique of hand painting 18th-century style Chinese flowers and birds. Asked how many years he’s being painting, over 40 years.
NO. 2 Reason Why I love D&D Fall Market: Book Signings – Aerin Lauder exudes elegance in the showroom and the cover of her new book. While the line of Mario Buatta was long, it was worth the wait. Taking a picture with Mario Buatta and Tom Scheerer, priceless.
NO. 1 Reason Why I love D&D Fall Market: – At market we celebrate design while giving back to the community.
Sara Gore of LX.TV, joined Bunny Williams, Anthony Baratta, and Jamie Drake, in an panel moderated by Cottages & Garden’s Marianne Howatson to discuss the inspiration and design concepts of the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island. The project was conceived by Cary Kravet.
The Ronald McDonald House of Long Island, Project Design 2013 is the perfect opportunity to celebrate life and design while helping families. I hope to see you there.

There are various events occurring simultaneously at market. It was hard to attend them all. A special thanks to the Kravet family and the many showrooms, designers and behind the scene participants who played a part in putting Fall Market together. It was a fantastic experience.
Good morning, all. Looking through my picture files this weekend, I found this image I took from Hearst Tower during Blogfest2012. Sometimes you need to take a different view to appreciate the beauty that surround us. Have a fabulous Monday!
Go big with a stunning and dramatic urn planter: fall cabbage, sweet potato vine, mums.

A beautiful combination of branches, cabbage, and large pumpkin.

After the blooms are dry, plants add texture and color for a second look.
Curb appeal with a big style.

A large mum in my favorite color.

Colorful leaves are easy to find at local craft stores.

Bittersweet and berry branches add rustic sophistication.

Go light: pumpkins in shades of white for an inviting country entrance.
Bring the outside in: display pumpkins and fall leaves in urn on a table.

Do you have a favorite?
Bold, vibrant colors in jewel tones are gracing the pages of magazines and store windows. I’m loving the rich color: amethyst purple, topaz yellow, sapphire blue, emerald green and ruby red. Do you have a favorite jewel tone?
There are many options to incorporate jewel tones into your lifestyle. Indulging in any one of these jewel tones is easy with fabulous selections in fashion and décor. My personal favorite is amethyst purple. I just heard these call my name. Magnificent!



Emerald is the color of the year. Green is a favorite for men and women. Add green in small areas. Introduce rich color with socks and stockings in a favorite jewel tone. Highlight eyes in smokey green and plum shades. For the home, throws and pillows in rich jewel tones are a quick and affordable solution to enjoy rich color this season.


Make a statement with bold paint, or a beautiful flower arrangement in saturated color. How will you choose to incorporate jewel tones to your life style this season?
Happy Monday! Hope you had a good weekend. We travelled to Maine over the weekend to see our sons participate in college cross-country. We had a great visit. We miss them already.

Let’s make it a fabulous Monday!
These past few days, I have been craving all things cozy and pretty. I love herringbone. What could be more fabulous than sitting by a cozy fire with a herringbone throw in one of my favorite colors? The copper fondue pot with stand is perfect for easy entertaining and fun for the family, too. This week’s closet craving is a pretty signature ruffle top in classic navy and drop pearl earrings. These pieces transition from day to night, for work and play. I have a list of designer fabrics I would like to work with and John Robshaw fabrics are one of my top picks.
Do you have a favorite? What are you craving this fall?
Oh, what fun, plaid to wear and decorate. I’m falling in love with plaid, again. There is something about the mix of masculine and feminine details together that is appealing to me.

Plaid is cozy, familiar, comfortable and never goes out of style.
Happy Monday! Hope you had a great weekend. I found this cute print. It is by artist Elizabeth Mayville, “Top Knot.” Prints are affordable and available on Etsy. Finding art and inspirational quotes inspires me with beauty and hope for great week ahead. I’m starting this week with a reminder to enjoy the little things, while pursuing my goals. Let’s make it a great day!
Image: bun art, quote
How many pictures have you taken this summer? If you are like me, you probably shot too many. Now that we have summer memories of special moments with friends and family, here are five ways to cherish and share these moments in pictures.

Congratulations to Meredith the winner of the Uncommon Goods Giveaway. Thanks for stopping by.
1. Customize iPhone or Blackberry case with Casetagram. 2. Horseshoe key fob with sliding locket. 3. Magnetic Scribble Pad 4. Collage square mug 5. Digital photo display
I am a wife, mother and decorator. Welcome to my blog, where I share my projects and design inspiration. I love finding vintage pieces to add character and sense of history to my designs. My other passions are family, cooking, gardening and traveling. Feel free to drop me a line or just say hello!