When Country Meets Chic

Happy hump day.  Campbell and I started the day with a big pot of coffee. I enjoyed  a cup or two while we watched the fog and drizzle outside the window.  Country life is beautiful.  It is a simple life where things slow down.

I love living in the country, but then the city girl in me wants to go chic.  While I’m organizing and cleaning out my closet, I want to find my inner chic in the country.

country meets chic fashion ivydeleon.com

 Gardening and fashion now you have my attention. via

country meets chic fashion ivydeleon.com

If I ran through the fields with an umbrella in hand, in a designer gown, my neighbors might think I have gone crazy.  It’s great to escape in the editorial pages.

country meets chic fashion ivydeleon.com

Now what should I wear?

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Six Pieces Every Bedroom Needs and Two Things It Doesn’t

If there is one thing we all need more of this year is sleep.   Sleep deprivation can lead to serious health problems and is a public safety issue. I personally have never had a problem with sleep.  In fact, I take my sleep seriously and so should you.  Making small changes in the bedroom is a great start.  It has been suggested that the bedroom should be between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal sleep.  Besides the obvious bed, nightstand, pillows and sheets, there are 6  pieces every bedroom needs to bring calm and balance.

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  1.  A comfortable mattress is key.
  2. Layer windows with shades and curtains.  Consider lining your curtains for your lifestyle (blackout liners and thermal liners).bedroom-essentials
  3. Reduce noise and keep floors warm in the bedroom with area rugs.
  4.  Use task lighting and overhead lighting.daughters-bedroom
  5. Select art that is calming.
  6. Create balance and comfort with a upholstered chair in the bedroom.
  7. Leave the TV in the family room in order to quiet the mind before going to bed.
  8. Return laptops and phones to office area.  The bedroom is for sleeping.

Consider using these six pieces every bedroom needs and two things it doesn’t for your next bedroom update. I am sure it will bring calm and balance for a restful sleep.

 

Image Credit:  Ivelisse de Leon, Kathy Kincade /House Beautiful

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Weekend Flowers

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Flowers are good for the soul.  Flowers help me get through the winter months.   A bunch of peonies gives my  living room a pop of color.  How do you get through the winter months?

Ivy de Leon

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5 Ways To Refresh The Home This New Year

The New Year brings new opportunities to resolve problem areas at home.  With some planning and great product sources, we could change the mood at home.   Think quality over quantity when making your selection. Here are 5 quality furniture pieces that will last you for years to come.

Cold floors no more.  Marco Rug  (New color: Navy)

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Lowcountry Originals Dome Lantern

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 Update the kitchen with classic saddle counter stools.

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Club Chair for relaxing after a long day.

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A bench has multiple use: the entry hall, extra seating, put a tray on it and it instantly becomes a coffee table or side table, a foot rest to relaxed tired feet.

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With these 5 ways to refresh the home this New Year,  you will be on track to a great start.

Bunny Williams/Low Country/Rejuvenation/Bungalow5 – Club chair and Scalamandre Maison Medallion Gold Bench
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Getting Back On Point: Women In Business

Happy Power Monday! After struggling with the flu for 10 days, I am happy to be back on the blog. The Power Monday: Women In Business post is back.  It is a post to share Monday motivation, fashion picks, and articles/media I find help me during my work week.  I hope you find them helpful.

http://www.inspirationalquotesmagazine.com/

What To Wear

what to wear Ivydeleon.com

https://www.stylewe.com/product/khaki-v-neck-long-sleeve-plain-mini-dress-20846.html

What To Read: The Art of Following Up

office essentials

Ivy de Leon

Images: one, two, three

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Happy New Year’s Eve 2016

Happy New Year’s eve!  Are you getting ready for the countdown?  If  you are looking for some last minute New Year’s eve celebration ideas,  find it here.  Call a friend of two and celebrate.

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For me it will be a quiet night, as I’m nursing a winter cold.   Just in case you are looking for some champagne, Stacey at Quintessential is sharing her Guide to Champagne 2016 edition.   Looking forward to the New Year and having a toast to new beginnings, friends, good health and peace around the world.

Have a safe and Happy New Year!

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Ivy de Leon

 

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A Home For The Holidays

Merry Christmas! “Home for the holidays” is a phrase we hear often. This year it has more significance. We are now living in our home a year. Throughout the year we worked hard to bring warmth to our home and although we do not have every room decorated, that is okay with me.  With a little more time, our home will be warm and inviting, collected overtime, not decorated.

ivydeleon.com Christmas Blue and White

Blue and white ginger jars and ornaments collected through the years are displayed in the dining room and living room.

Christmas, dining room, mirrors, ivydeleon.com

small space decorating, ivydeleon.comThis year we added a small skinny tree to the dining room from the Martha Stewart for Home Depot collection.  It adds a perfect spark to the room and fits almost anywhere.

holiday season, romantic home, ivydeleon.com

Christmas, fa-la-la, ivydeleon.com

Keeping with tradition, we cut our Christmas tree at the tree farm just down the road.  In our living room, we hung ornaments from our tallest tree yet.  Campbell celebrated her first Christmas and indulged by eating a few of the lower branches.

ivydeleon.com Holidays at home

We love our Lee Industries sofa covered in Crypton fabric.

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The kids worked on a gingerbread house which brings warmth and color to the kitchen.

gingerbread house, ivydeleon.com

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We have a kitchen fireplace which is a nice treat.  I had some fun with the color pink and Chinoiserie style.

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It sure is nice to be home for the holidays.  From our family to yours, have  a Merry Christmas!

Ivy de Leon

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5 Tips To Style Your Holiday Table

Happy Friday!   Have you been following our design tips to style your holiday table?  Little details are not usually planned in advance, but with a little guidance let’s make this year a bit different.  It’s not too late to use these tips to style your holiday table. In collaboration with 6 design bloggers, we are bringing you designers’ insight that will help you create beautiful table settings.

Tip #1:  It all starts with a concept.  Gather inspiration, collect what you have before shopping.  This is fun so enjoy yourself.  Go ahead and give yourself permission to think out of the box.

It all started with a little Fa-la-la, Christmas crackers I found at one of my favorite shops.

Ivy de Leon, I can help you style, blogger series, holidays, Christmas

Gathering vintage pieces from around the house the concept (vintage dog figures and porcelain baskets) was  complete before shopping.  A playful table with vintage pieces.

Ivy de Leon, I can help you style, blogger series, holidays, Christmas

Tip #2:  Bring your centerpiece vessel to the florist for a one-of-a-kind centerpiece.  I love working with flowers.  I bought 3 dozen roses to get a full look for my centerpiece.  Free Tip:  Designers have access to wholesale flower market bringing you a wider selection of  flowers not available at your local flower shop or grocery store.

Tips to decorate your holiday table Ivy de Leon

Tip #3:  To style your table add a little drama and the unexpected.  Instead of a tablecloth, give your table some SWAG.  Drape the center of your table with eucalyptus.  At just $8-$12 a bundle, it is economical and chic.  Free Tip:  Keep the eucalyptus in a vase with water until the day of your dinner or event for a fresh look.

How to style your table. Holidays, Ivy de Leon, I can help you style, blogger series, holidays, Christmas

Tip #4:  Layer your room with lighting.  Put your overhead lights and lamps on dimmers.  Create sparkle with candle light, wax or battery operated.  Everyone look fabulous with a glow.

Ivy de Leon, I can help you style, blogger series, holidays, Christmas

Tip #5: Open a bottle of champagne and serve in beautiful glasses.  Toast to your guest for joining you in your home.   Glasses under $6.00 each.  Free Tip:  Rent drinking glasses for larger parties.  At the end of the night, there is no washing.  Just put them back in the crate for your scheduled pickup.

Ivy de Leon, I can help you style, blogger series, holidays, Christmas

Stay tune for more tips and follow me on Instagram #iCanHelpYouStyle.   Joining are: @homeandfabulous, @oscarbravohome @splendorstyling @monicabenavidez, @casawatkinsblog, @idknowhowshedoesit and yours truly, @idhomedecor    Each of us have been sharing a tip each day to help you create beautiful tables for the holidays.

Thanks for stopping by.

Ivy de Leon

CREDIT PHOTOS: IVELISSE DE LEON/IVYDELEON.COM

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Design Bloggers Share Tips To Create Beautiful Holiday Table

Just in time for the Holiday festivities, this week  I’m collaborating with 6 fabulous design bloggers to bring you designers’ insight that will help you create beautiful table settings.   Follow this 7 days series on Instagram #iCanHelpYouStyle.  Joining are:

@homeandfabulous@oscarbravohome  @splendorstyling  @monicabenavidez, @casawatkinsblog@idknowhowshedoesit and  yours truly, @idhomedecor

Each of us will be sharing a tip each day to help you create beautiful tables for the holidays. Are you ready to up your holiday table setting?  Follow us throughout the day to get  your 7 designer tips.

Tips to design a fabulous holiday table

Ivy de Leon

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About Last Night: Hope Lodge NYC Holiday Bash

Hope Lodge NYC Holiday Bash

The American Cancer Society’s 8th Annual Hope Lodge NYC Holiday Bash was a great success.  Thanks to many wonderful people we enjoyed wine, dining and design to raise funds for an incredible cause, Hope Lodge NYC.   The gala at the historic Harmonie Club in NYC was the perfect setting.   The theme of this year’s event was  “Seasons of Hope,” reflecting on the journey of cancer patients.   I selected Spring for my table design. Spring brings renewal, hope, growth, nature and beautiful flowers.  Thanks to designers, sponsors and vendors for making it a memorable night.

Special Thanks:

Mottahedeh: Tobacco Leaf Plates, Trumpet Vase, Chatsworth Tulipiere, Lexington English Green Plates

 Robert Allen:  Table Linens: Madcap Cottage Lady Mendl Fabric.  Color: Indigo . Trim: Library Brush. Color: Cobalt.   Chair seats:  Beacon Hill: Linseed Solid.  Color: Midnight

Dawn Melanie Designs : Floral

Julian Mejia Design:  Custom  Linen Napkins

Martin Albert Interiors Inc.:  Workroom

Hope Lodge NYC Holiday Bash Designer: Ivelisse de Leon Design

Hope Lodge NYC Holiday Bash Designer: Ivelisse de Leon Design

Hope Lodge NYC Holiday Bash Designer: Ivelisse de Leon Design

Hope Lodge NYC Holiday Bash Designer: Ivelisse de Leon Design

Congratulations to all the designers on their amazing designs. Thank you to Jenny Melendez, Stacy Montero, Guillaume Gentet and David Carpenter for planning the event and on another successful year for Hope Lodge NYC Holiday Bash.

Ivy de Leon

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