Archive
for December, 2011
The Gift of a Gift
Dec 19 2011 ·0Anyone who knows me knows that I love to wrap gifts. It gives me great pleasure to embrace my presents with papers and ribbons that tease the recipient with anticipation of what might be inside. To me, the gift wrapping is a further expression of my creativity and as much a part of the present as the gift inside.
As always, my gifts are wrapped in colors that compliment my room designs. This year the color scheme is orange and poppy. I’ve chosen double satin ribbons and adorned them with a myriad of sparkly embellishments. They look so beautiful under the Christmas tree just waiting to make someone happy~
This is an overview of the gift wrap materials I use. Ribbons sourced from Jacobson Floral.
Papers and embellishments from Michaels and The Container Store, aren’t they fun?
Ahhh, now to use everything creatively.
Don’t forget the jingle bells for the children. Come to think of it, aren’t we all young at heart at Christmas time? Bells for everyone~
Ornaments make perfect present toppers, especially if they’re ½ price!
Of course, the more design elements that reflect light the better. Nothing beats that festive holiday sparkle!
I love GLITTER wrapping paper! If I don’t have a bit of glitter on me from December 1st to the 25th, I just don’t think I’m fully enjoying the season~
A few ideas for gift tags…
You can hand paint (or make) your gift tags and copy them~ have fun and personalize your gifts.
You can also use photos as gift tags, similar to the place card idea I shared a couple of weeks ago.
Voila here are the gifts under my tree~ isn’t it a beautiful sight? I’m so happy I can enjoy this for a few days before these gifts are given away to make even more people happy!
For more truly outstanding gift wrap ideas visit A Gift Wrapped Life, one my favorite blogs.
“ The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree is the presence of happy family and friends
all wrapped up in each other.”
~ B Hillis
Merry Christmas!
XO,
Pamela
May I Toot My Own Horn?
Dec 17 2011 ·0Recently I learned that I am appearing in not one, but two design publications. I’m feeling quite flattered and wanted to share!
First, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself in the January issue of Architectural Digest.
What an honor to be included in the Design Eye special section featuring one of my favorite companies, Janus et Cie. I attended a wonderful lecture back in October as part of Design Days at the Boston Design Center and there I am pictured with two of my dear friends, Danielle England and Toni Galeno from the Ailanthus showroom. 
Thank you Architectural Digest!
I am also honored to be included in the newly revamped Cybele, the magazine of the Boston Design Center. 
Featured along with 11 other designers in the Trends 2012 report, my favorite trend for the new year was highlighted. The In Full Bloom trend is beautifully illustrated with the gorgeous Billie Brenner tub I selected. Wouldn’t it be lovely featured as part of an outdoor terrace under the stars in a Caribbean hideaway? Oh, to dream!
Hoping some unexpected, happy news comes your way this holiday season!
xo,
Pamela
Decking the Halls
Dec 13 2011 ·0“ Yes, we need a little Christmas right this very minute, candles in the window, carols at the spinet, Yes, we need a little Christmas now….”
~Mame
This is one of my favorite times of the year~ and there are so many reasons why. Tiny white and colored lights everywhere~ remember my motto, “too much of a good thing is wonderful”. Every interior is a bit overdressed (which I love). At my house, champagne and Prosecco are the drinks of choice. Christmas trees come in all shapes and sizes (just like all of us) and they are all beautiful (just like all of us). We are surrounded by family and friends singing Christmas carols with glorious voices and twinkles in their eyes, exchanging warm, meaningful embraces. Oh I just love the Holidays, if only they could last a bit longer!
One of my most enjoyable days of the season is always the one I spend decorating my home for Christmas. This year I have a new space with a new palette so my creativity was heightened and ready to go with new ideas and designs. Come and take a peek at what I came up with. I hope you can glean some inspiration to try something new for your own holiday decorating this year!
The Foyer sets the tone with a simple balsam wreath at the base of this sculpture
I love to place the Christmas tree in an area that can be viewed from as many seating areas as possible
This year I treated myself to a new flocked tree (similar tree available from Amazon.com). This is an artificial tree which means I can leave it up as long as I like. The base color of the branches is green which are then beautifully layered with a thick covering of velvetesque snow. It’s quite striking against my poppy-colored art wall.
Each year I add additional ornaments to my collection this year I added orange (a nod to the Pantone color of the year for 2012, Tangerine Tango) and turquoise for depth. These bold glass balls really enhanced my extra special ornaments.
Fireplace mantels offer an unbeatable focal point to hang a festive seasonal swag. This year I used an artificial green base and embellished it with one-of-a-kind treasures from Jacobson’s Floral in Boston.
Here I used golden leaves, flocked fiddle heads and cascading snow dots. You can use whatever baubles strike your fancy ~ just don’t forget to wire them all together!
One of my favorite parts of decorating is rediscovering my treasures that have been hidden away for the year. Here is a hand made Santa by Maine artist Pat Frost. I love his plaster face and hands, vintage clothing and his sand dollar collar.
Every nook and cranny can be “Christmas-ified”. One of my favorite vignettes is this collection of art by Sandy Welch. The wall surface of opalescent seashells by Maya Romanoff (sourced at Donghia, Boston Design Center ) plays perfectly off the sparkle of the antique glitter stars.
Don’t forget the bedrooms. You can trim the headboards with garlands and add wreaths to the windows. We want everyone to have visions of sugar plums dance in their heads on Christmas Eve!
‘Tis the season to enjoy your holiday home!
xo,
Pamela
Shopping the Fleas
Dec 06 2011 ·0As the holiday season kicks into high gear, one of the things on my to do list (along with decorating, of course) is picking out the perfect gifts for those on my list. Lucky for me, I’ve already gotten a jump start on my holiday shopping–in Paris! During my September trip I visited two of the legendary Paris flea markets: Vanves, the smallest flea market and Clignancourt, the largest market with over 2500 stalls.
Whether you are a passionate collector, a lover of a one of a kind antiques or an early holiday shopper you will certainly appreciate the “fleas” of Paris.
Come and take a peek…
First, some of my favorite vistas of Vanves:
This is a view of the vendors lining the street at Vanves, you really have to walk right up to each table to see their precious pieces
This cupid was so pretty among the rosy crystal and china
Baubles galore, how can you go wrong??
The way the sunlight beamed through the impeccable antique linens was so beautiful. In Paris it seems everything is more romantic.
I wish I had a grandchild I could’ve purchased these precious fur booties for….
Next, a visit to Clignancourt. With its many meandering alleyways gleaming with treasures, the selection here is definitely more upscale– and so are the price tags. Fortunately it doesn’t cost anything to look…
The silver was polished and simply glowed under the well placed lights
The doors to this vintage Chanel shop were so unusual. Upon closer inspection I could see they were faces of woman, oh how I would love this on my front door! By the way the shop was breathtakingly Chanel: $$$$$
By far my favorite shop was this well kept trim shop that was filled with trims and vintage findings from the proprietors family factory that dated back 200 years! Ahhh which one, or rather, ones to choose?
This exquisite trim was spun silver and simply glowed
For an 8′ x 6′ space, this stall was a piece of heaven on earth for this designer ~ One last look to tide me over until my next trip.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this glimpse into two of Paris’ famous “fleas”. Whether you’re shopping for brand new treasures or an item with some history this holiday season, I wish you Bonne Chance!
” I love adding antique fabrics, trims or accents to my designs. They bring a history, a patina and a spirit to any room. I often wonder where they lived before I found them.”
Pamela Copeman
xo,
Pamela