December 13, 2015

California Christmas: Simple Chic

It's time to trim the mantel with seasonal flair. When it comes to holiday decorating, I prefer to amp up my daily decor with simple chic seasonal layers - greenery, ornaments, ribbon and lighting (a quick and cheap holiday decor scheme, allowing more time and money to spend at the holiday sales!). Starting with layers of lush iconic greenery is a quick way to set the holiday tone by filling the room with seasonal woodsy scents and textures. Daily vessels filled with ornaments and vintage Christmas lights bring pops of color. Add some ribbon for festivity and twinkle lights for an inviting warm glow, and you've got a simply chic Christmas - California style! All the haute without the fuss.

Christmas tree trimmings are a zero cost alternative to garland, and one of my favorite ways to add holiday cheer to the home. I grabbed some extra trimmings from the Christmas tree farm (for free!) and spread the branches on top of every cabinet, chest and cupboard in sight.

Although I love traditional Christmas colors, I am still loving the Chinoiserie urn and peacocks from my Thanksgiving decor, so I infused metallic hues into my Christmas decor. Using Christmas tree trimmings and some cuttings from the yard, I created a centerpiece bough of pine needles topped with a glittery peacock. I littered the table with gilded pine cones (collected from our backyard and transformed with my favorite DIY tool - a can of gold spray paint). Total cost for table top decor $0!

Metallic silver and gold paper wheels hang in the windows, keeping the room balanced with visual delights at varying heights.

I cut some holly from our garden and accessorized our candles, drapes and picture ledges with the holly's waxy green and beads of red.

Simple trimmings from our holly tree casually displayed transforms this daily vignette into Santa-ready.

Up on the mantel, I like to keep it simple with garland, candles, and family photos from previous years. When it comes to the main event, the tree, it's reserved for the boys (think Yoda tree topper and clumps of ornaments courtesy of my 2 year old).

Ornaments are strung with care from a mossy branch.

Wreaths - from boxwood, to berries and magnolias - are draped throughout the house as one final nod to the season.

November 14, 2015

Holiday Wish List - Jayson Home

by Brandi Brown in Shopping

While in Chicago this past week, I peeled myself away from my lawyer conference and jumped in a cab to head to Chicago's Clybourn Corridor neighborhood so that I could finally shop the design mecca Jayson Home (a girl was in need of retail relief after hours of legalese). And, it did not disappoint - Jayson Home hits all the right notes for this holiday season. Boasting two floors impeccably designed with greater goods and flea market finds that overflow onto the courtyard (oh, and a flower shop!), Jayson Home is a treasure trove that should not be missed this holiday season. From curated global vintage goods to decadent candles and dramatic light fixtures, Santa's list could easily be checked off with one stop shopping at this mecca. Can't make it to the Windy Cindy this holiday season, not to worry, Jayson Home's goods are available online! Here is my Jayson Home holiday wish list...

The candy colored Cinque Terre nail gloss from Odeme would be perfect for any gal's stocking. One could never have enough Paris guides, and the bone Inlaid back and white frame would add instant chic to any room.

I love the colorful graphics of these Fashion Insiders' City Guides.

These decadent Illume candles are gift-wrap ready.

Vintage leather gym mats would be a fashionably durable floor covering choice.

I love stacks of vintage French books - on a tray, on a cupboard, well anywhere!

White dishware - a classic gift for any entertainer.

{Turkish Towels and Moroccan Rugs - image via Jayson Home}

November 3, 2015

Setting the Tone with Brass this Holiday Season

by Brandi Brown in Decor

It's November and we are officially in the thick of the holiday season, which means it's time to get the house ready to party! Adding a little brass tone to your house is one of the quickest ways to accessorize your house with a festive spirit. Switching out knobs, pulls, and fixtures with those featuring aged brass tones will bring a feeling of rich, warm, inviting depth to even the most minimalist modern of spaces. And, nothing says family like a warm inviting interior. Forget the bright, loud, brass of the 80's, these brass tones are anything but tacky.

I love an antique French daybed in, well, any room, but when paired with the brass globe chandelier, the room is elevated to pure holiday-ready chic.

From the dining room and kitchen, to the living room, bathroom and bedroom, there's a place for brass tones. These tones are the jewelry of the home and pop against saturated walls, whitewashed interiors, and graphic wallpapers alike.

If swapping out fixtures is not in the budget or you run out of time before the turkey is on the table, brass accessories such as vessels and candlestick holders are the perfect way to add a little holiday tinsel.

Design Notes
Here are some tried and true resources to nail your brass tone holiday decor.

For lighting: Arteriors is a go to for inventive of the moment lighting - the brass polished Liberty Pendant is one of my favorites and, with its perforated pin-holes would cast an amazing holiday lighting in any room. West Elm also offers affordable chic lighting options - the Abacus Hammered Metal table lamp in antique brass would immediately transform any sideboard into a holiday-worthy cocktail bar.
For accessories: The Goodwill and other thrift stores are a mecca for finding brass candlesticks, vessels and objects reminiscent of the 70s. For those in a time crunch, West Elm and CB2 also offer a reasonably priced selection of brass goods. A generous row of CB2's Bubble Sphere in copper on the holiday table would be a glamorous alternative to a holiday table runner.
For faucets and fixtures: Waterworks offers both classic and sleek modern options in brass.

October 30, 2015

Celebrating with Steven Stolman: Confessions of a Serial Entertainer

by Brandi Brown in Decor, Fetes

I was lucky enough to tag along with my friend to Hudson Grace's book signing party this week for Steven Stolman's latest read: "Confessions of a Serial Entertainer". When I was invited to the party, I thought, a party in a handsome boutique surrounded by legendary designers, beautiful hand crafted vessels and cocktails and wine, sounds like the perfect retail therapy to me. And, boy was I right!

San Francisco's design royalty filled Hudson Grace in support of their friend's book. The roster included interior designer Ken Fulk, who I have a major design crush on. I tried to contain my childlike giddiness while the ever charming Fulk told me some of his design tales (apparently, a Fulk authored book is in the works and anticipated to be released next Fall...I can't wait!...Santa, are you taking note?)

Bound in a beautiful Tiffany blue with attractive illustrations, Stolman's book is a fun tutorial for successful entertaining and the perfect present for this Holiday Season. Stolman offers inspiring and practical advice in his book, such as an affirmation that store bought is OK but put it on a pretty plate and destroy the evidence. The boutique setting was the perfect compliment to such an elegant book - it was no coincidence that a book about being the hostess with the mostest was presented in THE boutique for lustworthy entertaining wares. Cocktails presented in Hudson Grace stemless glasses circulated the room on silver platters, whilst party goers were surrounded by a backdrop of greater goods meticulously curated by Hudson Grace.