Archive
for November, 2011
Thanksgiving
Nov 21 2011 ·0I had high hopes for this week’s entry~ one of my favorite things to do in anticipation of Thanksgiving is to design the invitation (perhaps a handpainted one), plan the guest list and create a beautiful table scape. Did you notice cooking is not even mentioned? Usually, just before the doorbell announces the beginning of the party I dash around the house and take some photographs for the book I will publish one day (or at the very least to record for my amusement the “Tables I Have Set”).
Along the way I have developed some meaningful traditions I was going to share (that I knew would change the life of all my followers, yes you, Ginny and Tina). After looking at 100’s of photos do you think I could find just the exact pictures that I was looking for? The perfect ones to illustrate what I had in mind? OF COURSE NOT!
So, this year, I will take lots of photographs. I will post the most entertaining ones on my Facebook page so please take a peek next weekend. In the meantime I am going to go straight to the real message of this blog entry.
Thanksgiving is special for so many reasons. It is one of the purest Holidays because we are focused on appreciation for what we have and sharing with others. We count our blessings. When my children were young we had a piece of paper on the refrigerator with the title, We are Thankful for…. and everyone who came into the house jotted down a sentiment. We often had something recorded as serious as my Grampy and Grammy right next to ice cream….
Whether you are seated at an urban Thanksgiving table at the W penthouse in Boston
Or a more traditional table by the sea
Remember it is who we are surrounded by that truly counts~ Blessed are our family and friends
My Emily
Pally
My favorite chefs ~ Thank God my children love to cook!
My Mom and Dad
Moi, Fairy Godmother Kate, Em
The best friends a girl could ever ask for~
Belle Trois
And of course, a beautiful bountiful creative table always adds a posh touch to the Thanksgiving feast!
“As we express gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”
~John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!
xo Pamela
It's All In The Details
Nov 14 2011 ·0“Details create the big picture.”
~Sanford I. Weill
When planning a new project, I always start with the “big picture”. Space planning and furniture pieces along with paint colors and fabrics create the outline of a space and give us a road map to guide us to a finished room. Of course the fun really begins when we select the all-important details: the jewelry of a space that adds sparkle, polish and personality.
Here are a few of my favorite details from past projects.
This light fixture adds quite a punch of red as well as a conversation piece over a kitchen island , can you tell it is made of bottles of Campari sparkling soda from Italy?
This hand beaded sequined beaded pillow adds pizzazz to any sofa or chair, don’t you agree?
The design of a backsplash is a true highlight of the kitchen counter area because it is a vertical plane. Make it command attention with sparkling tile combinations as I’ve done here.
Crystal jewels on a chandelier catch the light during the day and night and create beautiful patterns and intricate shadows on the walls and ceiling.
Mirrors come in all shapes and sizes, be sure the reflection is worth the view. This shell encrusted showstopper is right at home in a seaside abode.
Every time you grasp a handle to open a cabinet be sure it fits your hand comfortably–and is a bit of eye candy too!
Selecting unique details to finish a room is one of my favorite parts of designing a space. I love seeing a vision come beautifully together, filled with memorable, personalized details!
xo,
Pamela
Art & Giving
Nov 07 2011 ·0You may not realize that right inside your kitchen cabinets you have the building blocks for not only creating unique artwork but also for making a difference in the lives of others. The building blocks I’m referring to are, of course, canned foods.
Yes, you read that right, canned foods!
CANstruction is a community service project that benefits thousands of hungry people. For the last few weeks, this year’s projects have been on display at the Boston Design Center. What an amazing way to showcase the artistic ingenuity of design industry professionals while at the same time providing a distinct benefit to food banks serving our community.
Here are a few of the incredible CANstruction projects…
Can you believe this pumping heart with veins, surrounded by a stethoscope, is created out of cans?
Larger than life Stanley Cup, celebrating the recent Boston Bruins championship.
WOW, the iconic Hood milk bottle, recreated using cans!
Ready for launch
This adorable owl is my favorite~ it reminds me of the candy castles my Em and Pally would make every year out of their Halloween treats.
If you squint you can see this animal shape and the letters at the bottom~ hint, the company has 4 letters, the first letter is P…
At this time of the year with Thanksgiving just two weeks away, why don’t we all take a look in our cupboards for some canned goods to donate our local food pantries. What a CANtastic way to kickoff the season of giving!
“Be the change you want to see in the world”
~Mahatma Gandhi
xo,
Pamela
P.S. Please visit my Facebook page to see photos of some incredible design events I attended recently!