What’s the perfect gravy boat for your Thanksgiving feast?  Naturally, a question for Bon Appetit’s big November 2015 issue:

And one of the answers is the Vista Alegre Venezia Gravy Boat:

According to the editors, “The intricately patterned piece has a pointy spout for daintier pours (and less mess).”  See if you agree:

Click here to see the rest of the Venezia dinnerware and other Vista Alegre collections.

In L.A., where we are surrounded by so many people in the (movie) industry, Halloween is serious business.

For the past several years, local artist/photographer/baker Christine McConnell has taken over her parents’ house and made it over for Halloween.  Last year, her design was inspired by Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas:”

This year, she created an even more over-the-top version, inspired by “Monster House:”

Over in Beverly Hills, local real estate agent Michael Libow’s Spadena House (better known as “The Witch’s House”), is perfect for trick-or-treating. Designed by Hollywood art director Harry Oliver in 1920, it’s been carefully renovated and a must-visit on Halloween.

And of course, don’t forget the West Hollywood Carnaval, the world’s largest Halloween street party:

But what if you love to party and you’re short on time?  Halloween’s easy, because you can take things you already own and just add accessories.  Here are a few ideas.

See how just one Witch Hat napkin ring transforms this black and gold setting.

One black skull is all you need on your console table:

Same idea on your dinner table with one white skull:

If you’ve got a few glass jars in the kitchen, fill them with candy and label them (get your candy here and  free printable label here) to create a Halloween Party “Specimen Table”:

And for the little ones, keep it simple with Hershey’s Kisses:

Happy trick-or-treating!  Click here for more Halloween party ideas.

For one week only, we have selected Mauviel French cookware pieces at 40% off.   Plus, you get free shipping on all orders over $75.

Originally created for professional chefs, Mauviel has long been a standard bearer in the world of high-end cookware. Sought by professionals since 1830 for its exceptional heat control and elegant designs, Mauviel cookware is both easy to use and sure to look beautiful in your kitchen. All Mauviel products are made in France and include a manufacturer’s lifetime warranty.

Here are a few of our favorite collections:

To view our entire sale section, click here!

Want stylish glassware that’s perfect for outdoor and the pool this summer?

Mario Luca Giusti’s acrylic glassware looks just like crystal and the colors are resistant to sunlight (acrylic will not yellow), so they’re a must-have for all your parties outdoors.  And because they are not glass, they’re great near small children or on yachts year-round.

Their yummy Lente red tumbler was recently featured in House Beautiful

And look at this gorgeous spread in Architectural Digest:

For those who want just a bit of color in their glasses, their brand new collections this year include the Rolling Stones – a collection of wine, water, and flutes in green, turquoise, blue, and red:

Which is your favorite color?  Click here to view all our Mario Luca Giusti collections.  And for a limited time, get free shipping on any order over $75.

Great news!  From now until the end of June, all Garnier-Thiebaut table linens and kitchen towels are on sale for 20% off.  Plus, you get free shipping on all orders over $75.

The linens from this well-known French company have been used by the Four Seasons George V in Paris, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Geneva, Le Meridien Bora Bora, and The French Laundry restaurant in Yountville.  Their designs range from classic neutral tablecloths to vividly bright jacquard table runners and wonderful kitchen towels.

Plus, their easy care collection is stain-repellant, so you can wipe away all spills for easy summer entertaining.  To read more about the company’s Green Sweet easy care collection, click here.

Here are a few of our favorite collections:

To view our full Garnier Thiebaut section, click here!

The new house we are building will have a wine room in the basement, so I’ve spent a good amount of time looking at pictures of wine rooms online.  Many of them are very old school, the kinds of rooms you would find if you were living in a castle in France.  But since we’re in L.A., I wanted something a little hipper (and friendlier).  I wanted a mix: a room with glass doors and wood elements so that it would be both inviting and timeless.

My architect mentioned that he’d worked with the owners of Wally’s, a well-loved wine store in west Los Angeles, several years ago to design their private wine room.  So he put me in touch with their cellar expert, who shared that he’d recently finished working on Wally’s Vinoteca, a wine bar in Beverly Hills.

I went twice last week, and I was blown away.

Opened in December 2014, Wally’s Vinoteca was the brainchild of Christian Navarro, a kid from Palm Springs who twenty years ago started working with Wally’s founder Steve Wallace.  Fast forward to 2013, when Guess? founders Maurice, Paul, and Armand Marciano bought into Wally’s and brought with them a whole different attitude: yes, deeper pockets, but also a sense that the city was ready for something more exciting.  Christian, for his part, had always dreamed of a place that was more convivial – sort of like the Harrods Food Hall in London – where you could drink something, get a bite to eat, and linger.

The Marciano brothers let Christian run with his idea, and they’ve created a super exciting food destination in Beverly Hills.  The vinoteca stocks 150 wines by the glass, but you can also order a bottle (from their 2,500+ bottle selection) and enjoy it on site.  All the seating in the restaurant is communal, and – this I love – it’s available at different heights.  So if you feel like lingering at a regular table, you can, but if you prefer to swing from a bar chair and face the room, you can do that too.

As you’d expect, the place is serious about wine, with floor-to-ceiling, handcrafted solid wood shelves.

But it’s also very inviting.   The lighting is terrific (love the Edison lightbulbs) and they’ve used lots of natural materials: four-inch Carrara marble counters, reclaimed lumber ceilings, and distressed seating.

The food – a mix of cheeses, charcuterie, and small plates, is served in white bowls or olivewood boards.  All very simple.

Halfway through the vinoteca is their cheese counter.  They also stock breads, chocolates, and jams.

Behind it, there is a game mosaic inspired by the one at Harrods.

And to top it off, we got a private tour of their back room, which included wines from 1901!

Finally, I’ve found a wine room that I can understand: one that does what you need it to do (store wine), but also gets that it’s ultimately about creating a place where you can enjoy yourself and have a good time with friends.

So glad Wally’s is in our neighborhood … you should visit next time you’re in town!

Note: All images courtesy Wally’s Vinoteca.

Like the look?  Here are a few ideas to get you started:

We love Colin Cowie’s and Carolyne Roehm’s over-the-top gorgeous parties, which are all about layering flowers, color, and heights.  But you’d be surprised to know: they both keep their napkin folds surprisingly simple.

1) Roll the napkin and thread it through a napkin ring.

2) Fold the napkin with a point at the bottom.

3) Fold the napkin into a rectangle.

4) Fold the napkin into a rectangle, but leave a fold out so you can tuck in a gift or a menu.

5) Pull the middle of a napkin through a napkin ring.

Inspired?  We’d love to see pictures of your tables.  And if you’ve got a party coming up, click here to see our  napkins and napkin rings.

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!

Vietri’s beloved Old St Nick Holiday collection is back, with many brand new additions!  Catch a glimpse of Old St. Nick bustling around this holiday season … you’ll find him baking treats, delivering toys, and pulling sleds.

Every piece in this collection is handpainted in Tuscany and dishwasher safe.

Tell us: which is your favorite Old St. Nick piece?

Just in time for holiday entertaining, save up to 60% off the white Osmose dinnerware collection from Philippe Deshoulieres. Filled with geometric shapes and curves, this Art Deco pattern is perfect for mixing and matching.  All pieces made in France.

To view the entire Osmose collection, click here.  To shop all our sale items, click here.