Have you ever wanted to just leave the city?

You’re sick and tired of it all and can’t do another conference call.  So you drive, drive, drive.  All of a sudden, there are no more billboards.  No more big box stores.  No more fast food joints.

Just trees, trees, and more trees.   An occasional farm or cow dots the horizon.

You slow down for a covered bridge, then another one.

Finally you pull into a town.  Instead of strip malls, though, you find a little town center with Colonial-era buildings greeting you as they once did George Washington.  A farmer’s market is in full swing.  Today’s specials: locally made cheese.

Fantasy?

No, Vermont.

One of our smallest and most rural states, Vermont is almost a picture-perfect version of what America might have been like,   before the factories, strip malls, and Walmarts.  Here you can still find country roads lined with just maple trees, little towns gathered around a picturesque square, and family farms that bring their produce to market every Sunday.  And in our age of industrial manufacturing, Vermont has led a revival in traditional hand-crafting.

One of the earliest pioneers is Simon Pearce, who returned to Vermont after studying glassmaking in Europe.  In 1980, he set up a glassmaking factory right on the Queechee River, drawing on the river’s natural hydroelectric for power:

At the time the space was far too large for his needs, but Simon Pearce persevered.  He insisted on the antithesis of mass production, so each piece was individually hand made.  Where our culture modern wants identically perfect end products, he preached a new gospel: That our creations’ imperfections were beautiful.  That “the human creates perfect imperfections.”

Today, a younger generation of artisans is building on the same ideas that drove Simon Pearce.  Zoe and James Zilian, former product and interior designers, apprenticed with Simon Pearce before settling down in Woodstock, Vermont to found Farmhouse Pottery.  They and their team of 8 potters (anyone named Harry there?) now make stoneware pottery the old fashioned way — they hand shape them on a wheel and then bake them in an oven:

Now, I know what you’re thinking: Can I do this too?  (I certainly did.)

Well, here’s the deal: Simon Pearce and Farmhouse Pottery might make artisan craftsmanship look like fun, but the what they do is serious stuff.  This is not a hobby.  To make Simon Pearce’s glass bowls requires skill, physical strength, and total concentration.  Like Simon says, “You don’t want to take your eyes off molten glass for a moment”:

Farmhouse Pottery starts with a proprietary blend of American clay from Ohio, Massachusetts, Tennessee, and Georgia.  It’s blended in Western Massachusetts and then delivered — by the ton.  It’s then shaped on the potter’s wheel for up to 15 minutes with water from the local rivers and fired twice, at 1700 and 2300 degrees, and glazed with (you guessed it) a proprietary glaze.  Their unique combination of materials gives the pottery their distinctive color and makes them durable.

Even more important than the materials, though, are the skills involved: Simon Pearce himself trained for many years in Europe as a glass maker.  The Farmhouse potters started as apprentices to learn their craft and only became “Master Potters” after up to three years.

Finally, both Simon Pearce and Farmhouse Pottery have a distinctly modern look.  While reviving the traditional techniques, they each have produced pieces that are streamlined and simple.  Take a look at Simon Pearce’s Woodbury Glass Bowls, one of their most classic and enduring designs that’s celebrating its 25th anniversary this year:

Or the Tall Silo Mug by Farmhouse Pottery:

Their sleek, streamlined shapes make them a fit for our modern homes today.  In place of traditional decorations, they emphasize the beauty of the natural materials and the imperfections of hand made pieces.  Those imperfections, though, are precious because they show on an object made by a well-trained craftsman who has shaped them to an amazing level of precision.

So am are you ready to embrace this Vermont way of living — close to the farm, away from the big city, and working with my hands?

Maybe not.

Or maybe just not yet.

Meanwhile, I’m glad I can take a little bit of it with me, just to remember what it stands for, and hopefully help me find peace in the big city I live in.

See the latest dinnerware and gifts from Simon Pearce and Farmhouse Pottery.

Did you know 2016 is the Chinese Year of the Monkey?

Mischievous. Curious. Clever. The monkey of Chinese myths is a favorite companion to children of all ages. He’s an underdog who thumps his nose (and tail) at the authorities and somehow always comes out ahead in the end.

Here ares a few of our favorites to help you start your Year of the Monkey right.

LYNN CHASE Monkey Business Melamine Serving Tray $75	LYNN CHASE Monkey Magic 3pc Children’s Set $50
LYNN CHASE Monkey Magic Cache Pot $74	MICHAEL ARAM Monkey Dish $88
MOTTAHEDEH Dancing White Monkeys $825	ROYAL CROWN DERBY Chinese New Year Monkey Paperweight 3 in H $120
HEREND Baby Chimpanzee 1.5 In L X 2.25 In H, Shaded Vhj $285	HEREND Three Wise Monkeys 2 In L X 5 In H, , Shaded Vhv + Vhp + Vhb $735

Cold weather might bring back plaid and tartans, but they don’t have to make your home look like those oversized lumberjack shirts in the back of the closet.  In fact, plaids are a great way to mix things up and introduce different colors.  Says renowned NY event producer David Stark in his recent Pretty in Plaid feature for Martha Stewart:

If you’re the type of person that wants things to look cohesive, but not too matchy-matchy, try mixing different colors of the same plaid. For color mixing, pick a particular color that each plaid will have in common. For example, if each pattern contains a vibrant cherry red, it will keep your look together. These flatware sets all have the same base color — a neutral white — so they can be mixed and matched on your dinner table.

And here are the plaids he chose, in London Chic chocolate red, London Chic cucumber green, and London Chic denim blue:

And the best part?  The stainless steel flatware has ABS plastic handles which are dishwasher safe and treated with Xtra Wash, a unique technology that keeps colors looking like new after hundreds of washes.  These are an absolute steal at only $15 per 5-pc setting!

We still remember watching the Martha Stewart TV shows years ago, so it’s a real treat to be featured in her blog now.  Thanks for thinking of us, David and Martha!

How would you display one of the most coveted contemporary art collections of our time?

Eli and Edythe Broad, by now L.A.’s most famous art collectors, were so particular about how their art was to be displayed, they actually turned down just about every museum in town and commissioned their own $140-million museum by Diller Scofidio + Renfro:

When we visited The Broad last weekend, we realized that part of the reason might be how to display the art in the proper light.

Art is usually kept away from direct sun light to prevent damage.  Eli Broad knows this well: he once kept a van Gogh in a desk drawer so it wouldn’t get sun damaged.  But art shown under artificial light just looks different.  So The Broad employs a special architectural detail to show its art under perpetual indirect natural light.

Each of the openings in the ceiling and on the side of the museum, dubbed the “veil” by the architects, functions as a light cell, bringing in a small amount of natural light and casting it on a concrete surface:

The light from many such small concrete surfaces then add up to a bright but indirect light for the interior, dubbed the “vault”:

On the side of the museum, the light cells bring in the outdoor light with just glimpses of the outside world, instead of creating distractions to compete with the art:

Seen from the outside, the museum may look like a bold gesture for the revitalization of downtown Los Angeles, especially next to the Walt Disney Concert Hall:

But in fact, it is actually a perfected machine for showcasing art in the best light, thus fulfilling the Modernist creed of “Form Follows Function” to a T.

 

Have any of you been to The Broad?  If so, we’d love to hear what you thought!  If not, get free tickets to The Broad by clicking here.

In the glamorous world of Fox’s new hit show, Empire, work is as decadent as play. If you love this opulent style, take a look at some of our favorite picks to transform your work space into queen’s quarters, just like Cookie’s!

For more ways to make your office over the top, click here!

I’m always thrilled when my boyfriend volunteers to do the dishes… until I hear the chilling sound of another glass shattering in the sink! Between him and his brother, those 4 hands have broken a good 20 or 30 glasses over the past year. My solution? Mario Luca Giusti‘s durable, beautiful, boyfriend-proof drinkware.

In so many colors and styles, these glass-like acrylic pieces were just what our kitchen needed. Now, when I hear something tumble into the sink, I keep my feet up and remote in hand, knowing he’ll never break another glass.

 

For more fun and easy styles by Mario Luca Giusti, click here!

Marrying the magic of summer with the anticipation of Holiday merriment, Fall is the perfect time for a truly enchanting wedding. And who better to keep us on trend than Occasions Magazine? Here, we give a peek at their Fall 2014 issue, where they feature our Vietri Fantasia Dinnerware and Waterford Lismore Crimson Champagne Flutes in their delightful Sunflower and Scarlet motifs.

 

These harvest hues can instantly bring the charm of the season to your festivities and your home. Take a look at some of our favorite ways to use them every day:

Try a ruby red runner for a splash of spice that lets your tabletop shine through underneath.

 

Give your boudoir some spunk with a cheery gold quilt and shams.

 

Ground any space with a bold stripe crimson rug.

 

Show your kitchen some sunshine with festive kitchen towels.

 

Add instant elegance to your desk or credenza with a lustrous deep red accessories box.

 

Summer is on the horizon, and we’re captivated by the citrus palettes making a splash on the design scene! From tangerine to grapefruit, pops of punchy colors are perfect for adding a tangy twist to traditional interiors. Combine two or more extroverted hues, like lemon with lime, for a juicy, ‘Happy Chic’ look, a la Jonathan Adler or Trina Turk.

Here are some of our favorite picks this season:

For al fresco dining, nothing beats the chic but practical acrylic drinkware from Mario Luca Giusti.  We love how artistic the Palla Fluo pitchers look en masse …

… and how easily they can brighten anything up – even an ancient Italian cobblestone courtyard!

Sprinkle your interiors with these citrus accents for a bright, modern, and peppy aesthetic.

We’re in a happy mood just looking at this trend!

Throughout history, monogramming has become the perfect way to make your mark. In ancient Greece, monograms were used on coins to identify the city from which they originated.

However, it was not until the Victorian Era that monogramming became a prominent decorative art, with members of the aristocracy identifying their clothes, tableware, and cutlery with their own initials. It became a luxury that many aspired to, but few could afford.

Luckily, today it is possible to leave your mark on almost anything.  In the U.S., Pickard China specializes in American-made customized dinnerware, making pieces for prominent hotels, restaurants, companies, and government entities, including the United Nations, Air Force One, and several terms in the White House.  Below is the customized design created to celebrate the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.

Obama Inauguration China (courtesy Pickard China)

One of the many political figures who loved monograms was President John F. Kennedy. He had monogrammed tableware, monogrammed shirts (he liked his initials on the left breast), and he even had custom umbrellas monogrammed for his groomsmen for his wedding in September of 1953.  His brothers Robert (RFK) and Edward (EMK) were also well known by their initials.

Courtesy of Life Magazine, 1960

Monogramming for President Lyndon Baines Johnson was easy: everyone in his family had the same initials! From his wife, Lady Bird Johnson, to his daughters, Lynda Bird Johnson and Luci Baines Johnson, and even the dog, Little Beagle Johnson, all members of the family could be identified by LBJ (just like LeBron James!).

The Johnson Family

A few other memorable monograms:  FDR (Franklin Delano Roosevelt), TSE (T.S. Elliott), SJP (Sarah Jessica Parker), LV (Louis Vuitton), CC (Coco Chanel) and QEII (Queen Elizabeth II).

Whether you are looking for the perfect gift (they make great wedding presents) or just want to add a unique touch to your home, monogramming is a perfect way to leave your mark.

Vagabond House Monogrammed Dinnerware From $19

 For more customized items, visit our Bespoke Shop.

Chevron is a classic pattern that’s making a huge resurgence. With its dynamic, graphic zigzags, chevron is the perfect design element to give fresh contrast to both traditional or modern home decor.

A chevron rug gives new life to this otherwise understated living room:

 

We’re obsessed with chevron in the nursery:

 

A bright chevron rug gives monochromatic rooms the perfect pop of color:

 

Get the looks above with Dash & Albert’s Chevron Rugs, available in a variety of sizes and colors, and perfect for indoor or outdoor use:

 

Don’t forget the bath! We’re obsessed with this new Kassatex Chevron Shower Curtain:

Revitalize your bathroom with this Kassatex Linen Chevron Bath Rug:

 

These Quilted Chevron Pillows by Lacefield Designs will give an eye-catching hint of movement to any sitting area:

 

 

Wake up your home decor with a dash of chevron! Please view all of our chevron selections here.

Black is a strong, sophisticated color that be used almost anywhere. Dressed up, it’s dramatic and refined, while a matte, distressed black feels right at home in simple country interiors. Black is ideal for highlighting shape and texture.

With accents in gold, L’Objet‘s Bibliotheque Candle emphasizes the ridged porcelain material in this sultry color.

From the renowned Christofle, this Black Goblet adds a rich, dark elegance combined with the bright shine of crystal.

Sophisticated, contemporary and just a little bit rebellious, Royal Copenhagen’s Black Fluted Mega dinnerware brings intrigue to your table.

For more ideas, follow our Decorating with Black board on Pinterest.

[prw username=”graciousstyle” boardname=”decorating-with-black” maxfeeds=”30″ divname=”myList” printtext=”0″ target=”newwindow” useenclosures=”yes” thumbwidth=”200″ thumbheight=”200″ showfollow=”medium”]

Inspired by the lustrous mineral, Malachite trends have been striking both the runway and the home. The rich green hue and organic shape add the perfect decorative accent to any room or tabletop.

Flooding the catwalk with color, Malachite is one of the season’s most dynamic looks.

Finished with 24 karat gold details, L’Objet‘s Malachite Desk Accessories make stunning gifts with a bold statement.

The geometric accents of Tony Duquette’s Malachite Chargers add regal charm to your table.

For more ideas, follow our Malachite board on Pinterest.

[prw username=”graciousstyle” boardname=”malachite” maxfeeds=”30″ divname=”myList” printtext=”0″ target=”newwindow” useenclosures=”yes” thumbwidth=”200″ thumbheight=”200″ showfollow=”medium”]

Feather details and rich blues, greens and golds abound on these peacock-inspired accessories.  Add a touch of glamour to any room…or the whole house!

[prw username=”graciousstyle” boardname=”trend-peacocks” maxfeeds=”30″ divname=”myList” printtext=”0″ target=”newwindow” useenclosures=”yes” thumbwidth=”200″ thumbheight=”200″ showfollow=”medium”]

For more inspiration, follow our Trend: Peacocks board on Pinterest.

Pink is a very versatile color which really comes alive when combined with other colors.  Soft pinks are soothing, while bright pinks are bold and exciting.  For softness, mix pink with white or cream; for elegance, mix pink with gray; for warmth, mix pink with taupe and gold; for freshness, mix pink with green; for boldness, mix pink with orange or purple.  Take a look below:

[prw username=”graciousstyle” boardname=”decorating-with-pink” maxfeeds=”30″ divname=”myList” printtext=”0″ target=”newwindow” useenclosures=”yes” thumbwidth=”200″ thumbheight=”200″ showfollow=”medium”]

For more ideas, follow our Decorating with Pink board on Pinterest.

Faux bois, or faux woodgrain, is a trend to look out for this fall. Elle Decor’s September issue had a sampling of stylish faux bois accessories. One of our favorites is the Sous Bois Dinnerware by Alberto Pinto.

This fun and chic dinnerware features a hand-painted woodgrain pattern on Limoges porcelain. It’s a versatile look that can be mixed and matched with other patterns, and will work from fall all the way through the holidays.

Elle Decor shows the buffet plate; we also love the rectangular candy dish. Not just for the dinner table, it can be displayed in any room that could use a little extra style.

 

Sferra’s Abbey pillows are another great way to try out the faux bois trend:

The woodgrain is pressed into richly colored velvet for a subtle look that’s trendy and sophisticated.

Gracious Style takes inspiration from Morocco, one of today’s most popular travel destinations, in our latest Lookbook, Escape to Marrakech.

 

*Start with colorful pillows from Lacefield. We’ve chosen the Marrakesh Throw Pillow in Firefly and Batik Indigo.

*Add even more color with fun pottery, like the Vietri Turquoise Garden Large Bowl.

*Create the perfect ambiance using decorative Selamat lanterns, like the Calabash Large Hanging Pendant.

*Layer in a beautiful scent with NEST’s Moroccan Amber diffuser.

*Catch the travel bug and invite your guests to take a peek at this incredible leather-bound book of 1,000 places to see from Graphic Image.

*L’Objet Tabriz Dinnerware is special and will add drama and warmth to your table.

*The iconic form of the Gold Mogador Table from Dransfield & Ross will bring Marrakech style right into your home.

*Dress up the dinner table with a gorgeous runner, like Kim Seybert‘s Medallion Linen Table Runner.

For more inspiration, check out Hotel Chic’s blog post on Peacock Pavilions, a retreat outside of Marrakech, and Marisa’s amazing photographs from her recent trip to Morocco on Stylebeat!

Spring is finally here, with butterflies landing all over the latest accessories for home and table. They’re catching up to birds as a popular design motif. Adding a bit of butterfly decor is a great way to welcome spring into your home.

Here are our five favorite butterfly items:

 

St. Tropez Table Linens from Linen Way have a woven butterfly jacquard pattern in bright spring colors.

 

Raynaud’s Metamorphoses dinnerware is a modern way to bring butterflies into your decor. Not frilly or flowery, it’s still a welcome sign of springtime, like the butterfly.

Varga’s Springtime crystal stemware is etched with butterflies. It’s available in a clear or colored version. The colors look so fresh with patterned dinnerware.

 

No butterfly roundup (wouldn’t that be a sight?) is complete without some of Anna Weatherley’s fanciful work. These hand-painted porcelain butterflies, available in six unique patterns, will welcome your guests to the table with whimsy. Matching napkin rings are also available.

 

Actual butterflies form this art, part of the Pheromone series by Christopher Marley. This trio of Lumens butterflies is aptly named, as they are a luminous pastel blue.

Have you used butterflies in your decor? Tell us about it in the comments, below, or post to our Facebook page.

Spring is officially here, and it’s brought with it a riot of wonderful colors! Sferra’s new bed and table linens are right on trend.  And to get you started, we’re offering free shipping on every order over $100 (see details below).

Two big trends this season are pastel colors and distressed linen. The popular Classico linen bedding has been updated with pastel colors for a new collection known as Classico Vintage. We suspect it will become just as popular as the original.

 

The new Orlo bedding is a snappy stripe that we love. The sheets are white or ivory percale, and the stripe is a colorful sateen for a sleek effect.

 

 

For the table, we absolutely adore the new Spectrum napkins and placemats. We’re not the only ones – Spectrum won Best New Product in Dining at the New York International Gift Fair this year!

 

The new Juliet tablecloth is also quite popular already. The special ringspun polyester has the look and drape of pure cotton, with a stain-repellent finish and easy laundering. A simple lattice jacquard pattern adds just the right touch of interest.

 

Click here to see all of our collections from Sferra Fine Linens.  To watch a video overview of the collection, click below.

 

[This post contains video, click to play]