This outdoor courtyard from Traditional Home‘s February 2014 was a major project — just look at the inset of the before picture:

Wow!  An outdoor fountain has become an indoor/outdoor living space.  But for whom?  The matching pillows and cushions makes this space look like a showroom.  Pillows should be the most exciting part of the room, a place where you can really show off your personality and sense of style.

So let’s take our Pillow Personality Test — which outdoor pillow are YOU?

Serious and Sophisticated?

Beach-y and Carefree?

Exotic and Romantic?

Flower Child?

or Flag Lover?

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

Color can be controversial when it comes to decorating your home. Some people instinctively gravitate towards it, while others shy away, preferring more muted, monochromatic environments. Not Nanette Lepore. The contemporary fashion designer, known for her peppy, pattern-splashed clothing, is making a major statement with her new home collection, Nanette Lepore Villa. Inspired by her global travels, and the vibrant color palette of her ready-to-wear line, Lepore injects the same liveliness and flare into Villa, using bold hues and striking prints fearlessly.

Exotic patterns and rich color combinations abound in Villa’s debut collection. Villa is intricate, yes, but never overwhelming. Jewel tones like cobalt blue, teal, fuchsia, and emerald add sophistication to graphic patterns like peacock feathers, animal prints, and Ikat.

In 2005, the whimsical fashionista commissioned Jonathan Adler to outfit her New York home.  As he recalls, “Nanette insisted we choose furniture that was light and movable because they are a family that dances.” The dance-party hostess collaborated with Adler to transform her townhouse into a space that felt colorful, collected, and eclectic. When it came time to design her own home collection, Lepore applied her same mix-and-match, cheerfully chaotic approach.  She says, “I set out to create something that was daring, energetic, and exciting to come home to.”

Which is your favorite piece from Villa? See the entire collection, and shop the look here.

With spring in full bloom and summer drawing nearer, it’s the perfect time to refresh your interiors with a dose of sunny, California style. For an effortless West Coast vibe, trust Trina Turk, who brings her signature fashion sense to a new line of bedding. Casual but chic, Turk’s eponymous home collection reflects the fashion designer’s love of vintage apparel, modern patterns, and vivid color palettes.

Citrus hues and fashion-derived graphics bring an element of carefree glamour to Turk’s coverlets and shams.

Dubbed the empress of Palm Springs-chic, Turk is known for her mid-century modern aesthetic. Bold, geometric prints and vibrant hues are hallmarks of her brand. Turk attributes her retro-mod sensibility to her California upbringing. She cites the Golden State’s architecture, landscapes, and multicultural mix as sources of inspiration. Turk’s designs are optimistic, progressive, and accessible; qualities that perfectly capture her California lifestyle.

Large scale prints and dynamic colors speak to Turk’s love affair with mid-century modern architecture. Her designs are also informed by her appreciation for 1960’s – 1970’s vintage apparel and jewelry, and modernist and graphic art. Turk’s bedding can be styled to match any personality. Accessorize with mixed-print throw pillows for an adventurous look, or complement with neutrals for a more modest mood.

To see more of  Turk’s fashion bedding, click here.

And as our gift to you,  enjoy FREE SHIPPING on every Trina Turk item until April 15th.

Matelassé (pronounced matt-le-say) is a French word meaning padded, lined or quilted. It is used to describe fabric that appears to be quilted, but actually has no padding within the fabric. Specialty jacquard looms are used to give a matelassé fabric a unique appearance of intricate designs, raised patterns, indentations, and the padded look often associated with quilts.

We love the luxurious warmth and the plush look of matelassé. Here are some of our favorites:

For more Matelassé, visit our Bedspreads and Quilts Shop.

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.

We’re proud to announce that one of our favorite Gracious Style designers, Suzanne Kasler, was included by Architectural Digest in this year’s 2014 AD 100 List, a prestigious annual list of the most elite talents in architecture and design.

Her sharp eye for mixing European sensibilities, vintage modern elements and architectural details has long earned Suzanne Kasler a place among America’s top designers. Her first book, Inspired Interiors, published in 2009 by Rizzoli, became a classic reference for her iconic sense of casual elegance, sublimely warm palettes, and welcoming sophistication.

Suzanne Kasler’s lighting collection for Visual Comfort is the perfect complement to her design philosophy that “a room should be collected, not decorated.” Inspired by her own collections of European antiques and vintage finds, each piece in her stunning array of thoughtfully-designed lighting solutions is a functional work of art. Every detail is crafted from authentic, natural materials in a variety of fine finishes.

Her love of history shows. Iconic architectural motifs such as the quatrefoil figure prominently in Suzanne Kasler’s latest offerings.

Not to be forgotten is Suzanne Kasler’s love of vintage modern and art deco style. She expertly blends these elements into timeless pieces that evoke a subtle yet chic eclecticism.

Not limited to lighting design, Suzanne Kasler also has a line of rugs designed exclusively for Safavieh. Her classic sensibility, pretty palettes, and understated eclecticism shine in these beautifully chic pieces, each handcrafted by master artisans in Nepal.

What’s your favorite Suzanne Kasler piece? Let us know in the comments!

View our complete selection of Suzanne Kasler Lighting here.  View all of Suzanne Kasler’s rugs designed exclusively for Safavieh here.

And as our gift to you,  enjoy FREE SHIPPING on every Suzanne Kasler item until March 31st.

Every now and then, a collection comes along that is so exquisite, it’s impossible not to fall in love at first sight. A spring daydream comes alive in Christofle’s newest additions to their fine flatware collection, Jardin d’Eden. A collaboration with Marcel Wanders, one of the world’s most distinguished designers, delicately engraved floral swirls span the entirety of each piece, turning this collection into sumptuous poetry made real.

Dubbed one of Business Week’s “25 Leaders of Change in Europe,” and “the Lady Gaga of Design” by The New York Times, designer Marcel Wanders is renowned for replacing the coldness of industrial design with beauty, romance and fantasy. The Jardin d’Eden (or Garden of Eden) collection is the perfect expression of this vision.

Precision craftsmanship reigns supreme in these finely engraved lines, inspired by the interlaced leaves, flowers and curls of lush garden greenery.

The Jardin d’Eden collection is available in both sterling silver and silverplated settings.

Fine accessories and gifts are also included in this stunning collection.  Notice the apple in the center of the charger (see below):

Let us know if you’re as inspired as we are by Christofle’s incredible creations by sharing your comments below.

To see the entire Jardin d’Eden collection, please click here.

To view our entire selection of Christofle items, please click here.

Let the peaceful colors of the seaside add serenity to your home, and transport you to your favorite beach escape.

To see more throw pillows, click here.

The contrasting hues of bright lime and classic navy add the perfect amount of zest to any room.

To see more throw pillows, click here.

Muted by neutral tones, we love adding a touch of color with the beautiful citrus shades of lemongrass.

To see more throw pillows, click here.