Free Shipping All Orders $100+

For Opera Lovers: Dinnerware Inspired by Mozart’s The Magic Flute

/ Decorate Entertain View All

Written in the late 18th Century, Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, or The Magic Flute, is one of the best-loved operas in history. With this as his inspiration, whimsical Danish artist Bjørn Wiinblad created the Sarastro dinnerware collection for Rosenthal.

Bjørn Wiinblad painting in his studio (Courtesy commons.wikimedia.org)

Each piece in the line features a different scene from the opera depicted in relief, so they all sport exceptionally wide rims.

Dinner plate

Vegetable Bowl

Sugar and Creamer Tray
Rosenthal’s Sarastro Dinnerware (Courtesy arts-table.com)

The genius is in the details.  Here are a few of the ones we’ve discovered:

Fowl Play: The symbol of the bird is used throughout this opera.  For example, one of the central characters, Papageno the bird catcher, sings playful tunes intended to mimic the sound of chirping birds. Look closely at pieces from Wiinblad’s dinnerware collection, and you’ll see that the theme of the bird is shown in beautiful relief throughout.

sugar!
Bird depicted on the lid of the Sarastro Sugar Bowl

Up to No Good: With elaborate costumes and heavenly melodies, Mozart created many of his characters to be deceptively beautiful. The Queen, who initially appears to be harmless, later reveals her malicious intent to destroy Sarastro. In Wiinblad’s depictions of these characters, they are intentionally shown in an aura of ambiguous elegance.

(Courtesy thegoodchina.com)

Hidden Secrets: There are beautiful secrets and surprises hidden throughout the opera.  For his part, Wiinblad surprises his audience by using his own handwriting to paint the names of the arias and scenes depicted on each piece.  But they’re not obvious … he’s hidden them in the crevices and underneath each piece.

Hidden messages under Bjørn Wiinblad’s dinnerware pieces (image via Pinterest)

It is a collection that looks as good on the table as it does on the shelf.  Available in gold or plain white, each piece is delightful.

(image via vivamena.com)

To view all pieces from this extraordinary collection, click here.

Product Review: L’Objet Turtle Candle

/ Decorate Gift Ideas

Beauty, elegance and imagination are embodied in L’Objet‘s unique style, and their stunning and sensuous Turtle Candle is no exception. But what makes this candle so different?  We asked Eve to tell us after she received hers:

L'Objet Turtle Candle
L’Objet Turtle Candle

 

What were your first impressions when you received the package?

The presentation was beautiful. It was wrapped in a black box with gold trim, in L’Objet‘s signature packaging.

candle6

What did you think of the Limoges porcelain exterior?

I was so impressed by the canister. It has the real shape, color, and texture of a turtle shell! Moving your hand across the top, it feels like it really could be one. The intricately painted details and 14k gold edges really make it unlike any other candle.

just right

How did it smell?

The Pink Champagne scent truly is intoxicating. The candle is very richly saturated, but the fragrance is light and sweet. While slightly floral, the smell was very fresh and crisp, like rain.

lifestyle

Did you light the candle right away?

Of course! I like candles because they make my home feel warm and relaxed, so I lit this one as soon as I got home from work. The scent is very clean and soothing, and within only a minute of lighting the candle, it filled the whole room with fragrance. It was the perfect way to unwind at the end of the day.

fixed

Would you recommend this candle to others?

Absolutely; I say buy two! It is so beautiful and unique that it makes a perfect gift, and it already comes so nicely packaged. But the minute you see or smell it, you will be glad you got one for yourself, too. The best part is, while it will burn up to 50 hours, the gorgeous box will last years after the candle is gone.

For more from L’Objet, click here.

Who Is Gracious Style?

Gracious Style is the lifestyle destination for the sophisticated and well-traveled individual. Whether you’re looking to throw a fabulous dinner party, redecorate your master bathroom, or find a special gift for someone, we bring you all the little things you need to live life well.

We understand how you want to live today.  Like you, we’re busy and constantly flying from one country to the next.  But no matter where we are, we care about how things are made, and we want them to last us for years.  We want things that are exquisite, but we need them to work with everything else we already own.  And of course, we only want to surround ourselves with objects that we’ll reach for again and again.

So this is what we’ve done.  We’ve culled through thousands and thousands of items and brought you only the very best ones.  Some you’ll recognize (like Christofle flatware and Yves Delorme bedding) while others will be new (like Mario Luca Giusti drinkware).  But no matter when or where they were made, you’ll see that they will all work together to create a look that’s just perfect for you.

 

Visual Comfort

L'Objet
L’Objet

SP38
Raynaud

Sferra

Christofle

Pigeon & Poodle

Herend

Dash & Albert

Moser

Founded in 1999, Gracious Style has been featured in numerous publications and television segments including The Wall Street Journal, Southern Accents, Departures, and Elle Decor. We have worked with sophisticated clients and some of the world’s best-known interior designers and architects to furnish private homes, yachts, jets, hotels, restaurants, and embassies.  We look forward to hearing from you soon.  Welcome to Gracious Style.

For more about our history and passion, check out our blog!

 

Product Review: Le Blanc Specialty Laundry Products

/ How To Guides View All

At Gracious Style, we are introduced to some of the most luxurious materials on a daily basis. It’s our job to find the best of the best, whether it’s Giza 45 Egyptian Cotton sheets, or hand-embroidered Italian table linens. Given the quality of the products we love, we know that proper care and cleaning are essential for long-lasting, sumptuous fibers.  We’ve personally tested Le Blanc’s specialty cleansers in our own homes, and here’s what we have to say.

Le Blanc Linen Wash

What You Should Know:

  • Le Blanc products are environmentally safe. They are 100% biodegradable, contain no bleach, have a neutral pH balance, and are not tested on animals. This makes them safe for cleaning delicate materials like lace, silk, linen, and down.
  • The detergents are triple concentrated. 1/4 cup is all that is needed for a full load of laundry. “I love that you only use 2 ounces of liquid per load; my bottle lasted me several months!” – Carolina
  • Le Blanc products are energy-efficient. All of the cleansers work with cold water, and can be used in a variety of washing machines.
  • Le Blanc formulas have been tested to remove stains caused by lipstick, jam, fruit juice, coffee, tea, chocolate, wine, grease, blood, cola, ink and even certain oils.

Le Blanc Offerings:

Linen Press – designed to leave a silky hand and polished finish on table and bed linens. Press fine fabrics and create a protective layer to guard against new stains. This non-aerosol formula ensures a wrinkle-free sheen, and features an easy spray nozzle.

Linen Wash – Le Blanc’s premium cold-water cleanser is proven to be the safest in the home textile industry. The detergent removes tough stains from fabrics without the use of harmful chemicals. It is mild enough to care for linen, cotton, sateen, and percale, making it ideal for use on bedding and table cloths. “The Linen Wash really works well for pretreating stains. After our Thanksgiving dinner, I quickly poured a few drops on our napkins and tablecloths, and the stains were gone when I did the laundry the next day.” – Carolina

Silk & Lingerie Wash – Designed for all washable and colorfast delicate fabrics. The specialized formula protects elasticity, preserves shape, and gently launders swim and active wear, hosiery and intimate apparel, wool and cashmere sweaters, and silk bedding and table linens. “No need to buy scented sachets to stick in my underwear and sock drawers anymore. The articles smell so fresh after, they scent the whole drawer” – Nicole.

Towel Wash – formulated to clean luxury bath towels, mats, rugs, and cotton terry robes while protecting fibers from drying out. Even after repeated wash cycles, bath linens are guaranteed to remain soft, strong, and absorbent. “Washing my towels in the Summer Verbena Towel Wash made a remarkable difference. They were soft to the touch and smelled amazing, which I expected would happen, but I was nervous they wouldn’t look as clean. I was proven wrong; no makeup stains, nothing! Worked like a charm for my white towels” – Nicole.

Laundry Wash – For use on all types of apparel made from natural and synthetic fibers. Fabrics are disinfected while colors and shapes are preserved. Whites and darks alike will smell fresh and look renewed. “Doing laundry is now more fun, and our linens smell really good” – Carolina.

Downwash – Specifically designed for laundering down-filled, down alternative, and hypoallergenic materials without altering its capacity for natural insulation. This wash protects down’s loft by preventing its naturally resilient oils from becoming brittle. “So nice that I can wash my down comforter at home now.” – Carolina.

Fragrance Infusion – This alternative to traditional fabric softener can be added to the rinse cycle to reduce static cling and add extra fragrance. As this product contains no optical brighteners, and will not stain or clog, it is safe for use in all washing machines. “I’ve been hearing more and more about the disadvantages of using fabric softeners. This is an excellent, safer alternative” – Nicole.

Dryer Sachets – These should be used in place of polyester dryer sheets to prevent pilling of luxury linens. Filled with unique fragrances, the sachets scent articles in the dryer or in a drawer. Each one can be reused for a minimum of sixteen cycles. “I use these in my closets to scent up the whole space” – Carolina.

Linen Waters – Perfect for misting household linens and fabrics like bed sheets, drapery, towels, and more. The formula will not stain and is guaranteed to leave a lasting aroma.

Le Blanc Towel Wash in Summer Verbena

Spotlight on Scents: 

Original: “A very sweet, fruity and floral scent. The apple, hyacinth, and sandalwood are the most prevalent notes” – Eve. “Sweet like candy but charmingly light. The fusion of jasmine, kiwi, grapefruit, and musk are refreshing” – Nicole.

Fields of Green: “Floral, but fresher than the original scent, this one has a slighter brighter fragrance to it, with more of a citrusy garden blend” – Eve. “Reminds me of fresh cut grass, and spring” – Nicole.

Children’s Wash (Pink and Purple): “Light and happy, like a cloud on a spring day” – Si. “This is a milder, lighter version of the Original scent” – Carolina.

Lavender: “Like a field in Provence” – Carolina. “Very classic, herbal scent with subtle notes of mint” – Eve. “Lavender is of course a calming aroma. This fragrance will sooth the senses and coat your linens in a blanket of tranquil freshness. Very ladylike” – Nicole.

Silk Petals Silk & Lingerie: “A signature floral scent, this mixes the sweet smells of rose with gardenia” – Eve. “Floral, feminine, and delicate, the blend of lilac, rose, and gardenia is delightfully sophisticated” – Nicole. “Powdery and feminine” – Carolina.

Blue Violet: “Light, clear, and fresh” – Si. “Clean, crisp, and soapy (in the best way!), with light floral notes” – Nicole.

Summer Verbena: “Primarily citrus, with a hint of floral” – Eve. “After washing my bedding in this scent, my entire bedroom smelled of a lovely citrus, but the scent was never overwhelming” – Nicole.

Portfolio: “My personal favorite! This is a more masculine scent, but the women in our office loved it equally as much. This is a woodsy, musky scent with notes of amber and vanilla” – Eve. “Serious and sophisticated” – Si. “Designed for the modern day male, this scent is universally appealing and alluring. The blend of woods and orange blossom, with hints of vanilla, make it an ideal unisex fragrance” – Nicole.

For more Le Blanc, click here!

Celebrate Bastille Day and Save 20% off ALL Yves Delorme

With summer in full swing, Yves Delorme is helping us celebrate Bastille Day with their biggest sale of the year.

Offering beauty, sophistication and incredible comfort, Yves Delorme has all the finest indulgences for bed and bath. Whether you need something for that perfect summer birthday gift, or want to treat yourself to a little luxury, now is the time to act!  From July 11 – 19, enjoy 20% off all Yves Delorme items.  But hurry, this offer is as fleeting as a soft summer breeze, so be sure to place your order soon!

lacefield_designs_spice_lifestyle_fs
Originel Bath Robe

 

Beaucoup Bedding

Losanges Silver Bath Robe

A La Folie Jaune Bedding

Jali Safran Bath Towels

Croisiere Beach Towels

Etoile Bath Towels

Solstice Bedding

Odeon Bath Mat

Spatial Ice Bedding

For more amazing summer styles from Yves Delorme, click here!

Peacock Alley: Spring/Summer 2014 Introductions

/ Decorate New Arrivals View All

Keeping with their signature style of classic elegance, Peacock Alley has added many new collections for Spring/Summer 2014.

Combining cotton and linen for the perfect summertime weight, the Mary Ella Bedding Collection is the perfect balance of sweet femininity and practicality.

Mary Ella Bedding From $100

 

Embracing modern simplicity, the new Billy Collection has a subtle jacquard ticking stripe in five inviting hues.

Billy Bedding From $100

 

Adding new spice to an already flawless design, the Majorca Cable Knit Cotton Blanket gets a new punch of color in Blue, Aqua, Green and Coral.

Majorca Cable Knit Cotton Blanket $265

 

Now available in the all new Grand Euro pillow size, collections such as the Mandalay Bedding offer the ultimate indulgence for your bedroom: the height of a Euro Sham with the width of a King Sham, 26 x 36 inches.

Mandalay Bedding From $125

 

With just the right touch of pastel, the new Charleston Collection has subtle Southern charm in a delicate floral pattern.

Charleston Bedding From $100

 

On soft, sateen cotton, Emma exhibits a hand-drawn geometric print in colors that will mix and match perfectly with the more subdued styles.

Emma Bedding From $80

 

For more beautiful bed and bath linens by Peacock Alley, click here.

Fresh-Squeezed, Summer Style: Decorating with Citrus Hues

/ Decorate Entertain Trends

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:

Trina Turk Flora Bedding
Trina Turk Flora Bedding

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 …

IMG_0801
Vogue’s Fashion Night Out in Florence … photo courtesy Mario Luca Giusti

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

Recreating the Italian garden … photo courtesy Lambert + Associates

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

Trina Turk Tangier Stripe Bedding, $33.00-$168.00

Oomph Greenwich Side Table, $1455.00

Garnier-Thiebaut Citron Zeste Kitchen Towels (S/4), $78.00

Haviland & Parlon Yellow Dinnerware, $125.00-$1825.00

Lance Wovens Nation on Vacation Leather Pillow, $610.00

Kassatex Soho Green Bath Accessories, $20.00-$62.00

Vietri Aladdin Chartreuse Flatware, $41.00-$116.00

Yves Delorme Jali Bath Towels, $50.00-$130.00

Moser Eldor Double Old Fashioned, $190.00

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

An Introduction to Aristocracy: Herend’s Debut at the First World’s Fair

/ Entertain View All

While it is clear that Herend‘s Queen Victoria Dinnerware pays homage to this famous monarch, it was actually her husband Albert who first introduced her to this once-small Hungarian company.

Herend Queen Victoria Dinnerware

In Herend‘s Fall 2012 Insider, they recount this historical time…

Albert was born as a prince in Germany. But because his family was neither wealthy nor powerful, he was looked down upon as an interloper in British society. Yet the harsh public assessment didn’t curtail his devotion to helping his wife serve as monarch and advising her on political and diplomatic affairs. Prince Albert became viewed as a progressive voice at a crucial time, and he earned respect for his intellect and interest in helping society improve.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

Thanks to his penchant for technology and his astute sensibilities on moving Britain forward, he was the pivotal force behind a venue that happened to propel a little-known Hungarian product line named Herend to the fore.  That venue was the first World’s Fair.

The First World’s Fair, 1851

As history goes, it was at this Great Exhibition that Prince Albert’s wife discovered a porcelain pattern she adored and wanted for her own. Queen Victoria’s large purchase of the set led Herend to name the pattern after her. Thus began Herend’s foray into the high ranks of the aristocracy, setting the stage for more of the same worldwide.

Later, at the Paris Exposition of 1867 – recognized as the third World’s Fair – Herend’s Indian Flower Basket pattern was selected for the table settings at an exclusive reception in the Elysee Palace to honor Emperor Franz Joseph. An invited guest, Hungarian Count Albert Apponyi was struck by the pattern and imagined it with the dominant peony motif enlarged and basket removed to create a simpler yet equally elegant design.

Herend Indian Basket Dinnerware

His order of a custom set per his vision resulted in a design that Herend named Apponyi in the Count’s honor. Known in the U.S. as Chinese Bouquet, the pattern remains one of Herend’s most successful collections year after year. Many iterations of the pattern have been successfully introduced since then, the most recent being Chinese Bouquet Garland (introduced in 2013).

Herend Chinese Bouquet Multicolor Dinnerware

While Prince Albert’s contributions to Britain and the world are numerous and well documented, his provision of a key forum for Herend to shine isn’t mentioned among them. As far as Herend is concerned, though, it is high time for a hats off to “the great man behind the great woman”.

For more beautiful dinnerware patterns, visit our Herend Dinnerware Shop.

Introducing Mariposa: Entertaining Pieces Made from Recycled Materials

Mariposa began 1984, when founder Livia Cowan found herself driving through Mexico with her sister in this camper.

camper

There, they delighted in visiting different artists and learning about their craft.  In particular, they loved how local artisans recycled materials to create beautiful new products.

blow glass

At the end of the trip, Livia returned to her home in Massachusetts with her camper full of recycled glassware and set up shop in her parents’ garage.

In the thirty years since then, Mariposa (Spanish for “butterfly”) has become a world of stunning pieces for gifting and entertaining.  And, just as they were in the early days, the majority of their products are still handcrafted from 100% recycled aluminum and glass soft drink bottles.

It’s a collection that’s right for today and tomorrow.

Here are a few of our favorites: String of Pearls (designed by sculptor Michael Updike, who incidentally is author John Updike’s son) …

2310_2_
https://www.graciousstyle.com/shop/mariposa

… their engraved trays (perfect for weddings and anniversaries) …

3919ed_2_

… Bellini drinkware (for when you need something nice, but not too precious) …

597-b_3_

… anything nautical …

1683_2_

… and their adorable Bunny Porringer set!

1237_1_

 

To view our full Mariposa collection, click here.

Hop to It: Elegant, Easy Care Rugs and Pillows from Bunny Williams

“I decorate rooms from the bottom up…I always begin with the floors.”

Iconic interior designer Bunny Williams, known for her classic yet charismatic style, has teamed up with sister companies Dash & Albert and Pine Cone Hill to create a collection of indoor/outdoor rugs that is as fashionable as it is functional.  They are designed to stand the test of time, and the occasional spill of red wine!

Interior designer Bunny Williams treats her feet to her new collection of rugs for Dash & Albert

Williams’s collection is polished and thoughtful, but with a bohemian quality that reflects the designer’s laid-back personality. She says, “What I design are backdrops for living. I want to create rooms to be used, not just showplaces to be admired.” Williams conceived 36 elegant, performance-based designs that would fit in with customers’ busy lifestyles. Marrying comfort and style, the rugs feature sophisticated patterns in soothing color palettes, all on durable, washable materials. The natural jute rugs are made from eco-friendly vegetable dyes while the indoor/outdoor rugs are constructed of a recycled-materials weave.

The Marco jute rug in Oak

Williams continues, “My personal style is all about making my houses comfortable and inviting for my family and friends, and of course, my dogs.” Each piece in the collection is named after Williams’ favorite pets, past or present.

Lucy the dog is a fan of the Cleo Blue Indoor/Outdoor rug
The Elizabeth rug is a big hit amongst Williams’ pack of pets

For her collaboration with Pine Cone Hill, Williams designed throws and pillows that work beautifully with the rugs, making it easy to get a coordinated look with minimal effort.

Bunny Williams for Pine Cone Hill

For more information on Williams’ collection with Pine Cone Hill, please click here. Click here for additional information on Bunny Williams for Dash & Albert.

500 Internal Server Error

500 Internal Server Error