Throughout Chinese history, the Horse has been a symbol of power, strength and freedom. Often associated with the sun or flame, the year of the Horse will be filled with adventure, speedy victories and travel. As we usher in this exciting New Year on January 31, 2014, these elegant and artistic keepsakes will remind us to live each day to the fullest:

 

 

If you love all of Herend’s colors but can’t decide on which one to get as a gift for a newborn or small child, you’re going to love the Patchwork collection.  Hand painted shades of green, blue, yellow, and pink on bright white porcelain, this is perfect for little boys and girls alike.

 

 

 

 

 

For more baby gifts, click here.

No.  Chlorine bleach will cause fading and discoloration. In addition, it will break down and permanently weaken cotton and linen fibers.  If necessary, we recommend using an oxygen-based bleach or better yet, a solution specially formulated to clean fine linens, such as Le Blanc’s Linen Wash.

 

Fabric softener is designed to coat fibers in oils, waxes and fragrances that might make the fabric feel soft, but the build-up of chemicals can damage the fabric over time. In addition, fabric softeners clog the pores of Egyptian cotton sheets, preventing them from breathing and decreasing the luster and gloss of the appearance. High quality Egyptian cotton linens do not need to be treated with fabric softener and, actually, with repeated washings and dryings, become softer naturally.

To view our Fabric Care selection, please click here.

This dining room from the Winter 2013 issue of California Home + Design looks like a work of art.  It features vintage Gio Ponti chairs, wall art made from 1970’s fabric design, and even a Tony Duquette Sunburst chandelier that was literally assembled one spear at a time:

But am I the only one who thinks “Better not touch anything here”?  A good room should not just be a museum, but a place where people feel comfortable.  The right rug could do exactly that for this dining room: Enhance the decor of the room, while letting you kick off your shoes and savor the wine, dessert, and company.

For example, Dash & Albert’s Icelandia Grey Hand Knotted Wool Rug is made from a soft tufted wool and has subtle gradations of grey to channel the modern and sophisticated look of the room:

This Safavieh rug by David Easton has a geometric pattern and colors that play with the pattern and tones of the art on the wall:

Finally, a Safavieh Oushak rug, like this one, could balance the room’s modernism with warmth and history:

 Submit a suggestion for an Instant Makeover by commenting below or tweeting us @GraciousStyle.

Want to make this Valentine’s Day one to remember? Whether it’s a romantic dinner for two, or a luncheon with your closest friends, hosting for Valentine’s Day is the perfect way to celebrate!

Bold linens scream celebration. We love Yves Delorme‘s festive Face a Face Collection.

Warm your foyer or table with Simon Pearce‘s Highgate Heart Tealights.

Spark some romance with toasting flutes like Waterford‘s Love and Romance Red Flute Pair.

Accent your mantle with whimsical figurines. We love how romantic Herend‘s Kissing Swans are.

Make a statement with Vietri‘s glamorous Laurel Glass Red Serveware.

Details are everything! We love that extra punch of color with Alain Saint Joanis‘ Anglais Claret Flatware.

For more great Valentine’s Day ideas, click here.

 

Did you see the article in The Wall Street Journal about torchon kitchen towels?

Made with crisp linen and finished with traditional red stripes, these towels are inspired by those used in 19th-Century French households.  Today, they make for a perfect compliment to any busy kitchen and they’re great as oversized placemats. Soft, absorbent, and lint-free, these towels are as useful as they are charming.

A warm thanks to Dale Hrabi from the WSJ for featuring our Histoire de Torchon kitchen towels.  Available in an assorted set of six and bundled with a linen ribbon, we know you’ll reach for them every single day.

For more kitchen towels, click here.

 

Get all the best deals on your favorite Yves Delorme collections before it’s too late! You can still save up to 40% off many of our Yves Delorme bedding, down and bath linens. This sale is for only going on for just one more week, so take advantage of these great deals now.

 

For all of our Yves Delorme collections, click here.

Looking for the right way to say, “I love you”, but not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered. From decor to dining, we have great gift ideas to make this year a memorable one.

 

For more Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas, click here.

Coral is the perfect year-round pop of color. Add it to warm, earthy tones for year-end, or blues and whites for a nautical spring and summer look.

 

 

To see more throw pillows, click here.

Part 2 of Seth and Jenna’s Guest Room.

Jenna: Good morning, Mrs. —

Sharon: Please call me Sharon, dear.

Jenna: OK.  Good morning, Sharon.  How did you sleep last night?

Sharon: Oh it was wonderful!  Bob was out in about a minute.  He just wrapped himself up in that big comforter.  He did manage to tell me that those sheets were heaven after 5 hours on a plane before he went out.

Jenna: That’s great.  I’m so glad you liked them.  Seth got those sheets — he liked how they’re made from bamboo and are good for the environment.

Sharon: Bamboo?  Is that right?  Bob will get a kick out of that one.

Jenna: And how about yourself?

Sharon: I wrapped up in that orange striped throw and read on my iPad for a while.  It was so cozy.  Is it cashmere?

Jenna: No, actually it’s alpaca, you know — those mountain animals from Peru?  But it really feels like cashmere and keeps warm.

Sharon: Yep, it sure did.  And I’m glad you got that rug.  Hardwood is so nice to look at, but I’m glad to have a rug under my feet at night.  Also so I don’t wake Bob up if I get up.

Jenna: That’s funny.  Seth is like that too.  One minute he’s out like a log, and the next he’s wide awake.

Sharon: I can’t believe this place.  Didn’t you just move in?  When did you have time to do all this?

Jenna: Well, it’s been a few months.  And Seth helped a lot too–

Sharon: Seth?  This is my Seth we’re talking about here?

Seth: Hey mom.  What are you two saying about me?

Here’s a look at Seth and Jenna’s guest room:

 

Jenna: We both liked this neutral bedding.

Seth: And I thought the bamboo fabric was pretty cool.  It’s actually very soft, and bamboo is a very environmentally responsible raw material.

Jenna: This is a great throw: The alpaca wool feels a lot like cashmere, and the color wakes up the room, like “You gotta live a little!”

Seth: Here’s the rug we both liked.  Jenna’s right — you need a rug over hardwood, or any old thing will wake you up at night.

Seth: You got to get a down comforter for those cold nights.

Jenna: Are you really from Wisconsin, Seth?

Seth: Yeah, but I hate cold.   Maybe I’ll move to LA one of these days.

 

Jenna: OK, I splurged on this candle.  But it does make the whole room smell good!

Seth: Yeah, I was pretty skeptical at first, but now I’m really getting to like it too.

Follow Seth and Jenna’s adventures here and on Pinterest.