A knife edge is a seam without a decorative finish. It tapers to sharp, crisp edges and corners, creating a very simple, clean, polished look.

A welted edge also tapers, but it includes a piping or some other type of decorative border or trim.

To view our entire selection of throw pillows, click here.

Is your calendar full of weddings this summer?  If so, we’ve got you covered with a great selection of gifts they’re sure to love.

For the sailor: Inspired by the sea, these embroidered napkins are essential for entertaining at a beach house or on a yacht.

For the entertainer: These whimsical cheese picks are a great gift for newlyweds who love entertaining.

For the at-home bartender: In a set of six vibrant hues, these Moser shot glasses brighten any bar.

For the romantic: A Karim Rashid masterpiece, Nambe’s intertwining candlestick set is a toast to two sweethearts joining to create a new life together.

For the beach-goer: This vibrant Fresco Beach Towel is ideal for a tropical honeymoon, or a day trip to the beach.

For the adventurer: This chrome-foil-finish book, full of the most memorable cars in the world, is ideal for daring newly-weds.

For the traveler: This leopard cashmere travel set is perfect for a summer honeymoon, but will last for all seasons and destinations.

For the nostalgic: This ornate picture frame by L’Objet is the perfect way to keep memories of their special day to treasure for years to come.

For the decorator: Great for the cozy couple, this welcoming loveseat makes any room feel more like home.

For the collector: A perfect addition to home decor, this timeless clockpiece comes in two finishes and can be hung in any room in the house.

Don’t get stuck in a rut of golf balls and neckties! We’ve curated our top picks for Father’s Day 2013. Find stylish and memorable gifts to suit any dad or grandpa on your list.

Horn bookends from Barbara Cosgrove and other desk accessories will add a special decorative touch to his office or study.

For dads who love playing bar tender, decanter tags, bottle openers, and other great bar accessories make perfect gifts.

Fathers deserve pampering too, how about a luxury shaving mirror? Fine combs and shaving products will complete the package.

For all his toys, e-book reader covers, phone covers, and tablet cases are practical yet beautiful in fine European leather.

Spark Dad’s sense of adventure with stunning books about cars, sports, fine liquor and wine.

Think outside the box and make a big impression with a gift of fine art, like a Banknotes print from Natural Curiosities.

More Father’s Day inspiration at GraciousStyle.com.

The Great Gatsby will always get my vote for The Great American Novel.  Here’s the tale of a man from humble roots who reinvents himself to pursue an idealized dream, a lost love from his youth.  But what is Jay Gatsby like?  What was going through his mind as he looked out from his mansion across the Long Island Sound night after night, thinking of Daisy?

Part of the answer can be found in the mansion, for our design choices speak volumes about ourselves.  For the 1974 movie featuring Robert Redford, we see a grand Baroque-inspired mansion. If this looks like a Gilded Age mansion, it’s because it is one — the movie was filmed at Rosecliff in Newport, RI, which was modeled after the Grand Trianon in Versailles and shows the aspirations of the Nevada silver mining heiress who commissioned it:

And here are the ornate European interiors of the ballroom at Rosecliff:

I always thought this was the perfect house for Jay Gatsby.  Having come from humble roots, he wanted to woo back Daisy by becoming someone else: the heir of an old wealthy family.  What better way to do that than move right into the house of one?

Indeed that is the persona that Robert Redford played in the 1974 movie: A passive, if not pathetic, man trying to fit into a world that he did not belong in.  He went to extremes to gather and show off his wealth, in the end he was just trying to fit in with the Buchanans. Notice the similarity of the Gatsby mansion to the Buchanans’ estate, Heatherden Hall:

Fast forward to 2013, and we find Leonardo di Caprio playing a different Gatsby: bolder, stronger, and more assertive.  Here’s his mansion – a fantasy castle reminiscent of the mad Gothic style of Mad King Ludwig’s Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria:

In contrast, the Buchanans’ home is based on the Greek Revival style popular with the Old South aristocrats (think Gone with the Wind and Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello):

Now look at the interior.  The Art Deco look of the famous “shirts” scene might look retro now, but it was in fact cutting edge Art Deco design in the 1920’s.  Art Deco came into vogue in France during the 1920’s as an homage to the new Machine Age.  It was a bold, assertive style of the future (think Chrysler Building and Fritz Lang’s Metropolis), not the past of Rosecliff.

We can also see a bold, Art Deco motif in the floor of the ballroom, along with Gatsby’s initials prominently in the center. Talk about leaving his mark on the world:

When we build, we create a world. What kind of world is it, and where do we belong in it? Even before the first stone is laid, we’ve already asked and answered those questions. Gatsby, unfettered by prosaic considerations of cost and resale value, could create anything he could envision. From what he created, we could peer down into the deepest reaches of his soul. Whereas Redford’s Gatsby was trying to inherit a past that was never his, di Caprio’s Gatsby loudly proclaims “Here I am!”  Whereas Redford was timid and uncertain in front of Daisy and Tom, di Caprio has come to take what belongs to him.

Featured in Elle Decor, Food and Wine, or Martha Stewart Weddings – to name a few – the colorful barware of Moser Crystal is beautiful, versatile and durable.

Creating the perfect bar at home doesn’t have to mean choosing function over fun. Moser designs highballs, double old fashioneds, and martini glasses that serve their devine purpose as vessels of that perfect cocktail in a stunning array of jewel-like colors and contemporary patterns. Pebbles glasses have a playful texture etched around the base, with a splash of color that fades toward the top of the glass.

For those who adore color, but also enjoy seeing the shimmer of white wine or the pristine look of a classic martini, Moser creates Lancelot stemware, featuring a brightly colored base with a clear bowl.

Each crystal design has its own unique history, such as Lady Hamilton, which is the so-called offspring of an earlier design commissioned by Pope Pius XI in 1923. Available in solid crystal or with a shining gilded rim, as shown here.

If it’s old-world charm you are looking for, Moser has been delighting Eastern Europe with its crystal for over 150 years. Their dedication to tradition can be seen in their more intricate patterns.

Aside from impeccable bar and stemware designs, bowls and vases are perfect accents in any room, adding color and chic design.

The Globe Vase elevates the youthful underwater motif to high art, shown here in a rich blue that shows off every detail.

The Pebbles Bowl is an elegant complement to Pebbles Glasses from Moser.

View our new Moser collections and learn more about this company’s rich history at Gracious Style.com.

Your mom deserves all the best every day of the year, but Mother’s Day is the time to show extra appreciation! Treat her to luxuries and keepsakes that will make her smile for years to come.

A scented candle from NEST is a gorgeous gift that smells great too!

Nothing feels more luxurious or relaxing than lounging in a big spa robe.

Give Mom beautiful accessories she can use every day.

For the bath…

In the kitchen…

On the go…

A picture frame with a photo of her loved ones is the perfect keepsake for Mom to cherish.

Find more Mother’s Day gifts at GraciousStyle.com.

Understated elegance defines the Corail Gold dinnerware by Medard de Noblat. The editors at Veranda magazine, who appreciate simple luxuries, featured this pattern in the February 2013 issue:

Inspired by the texture of round coral, each piece features a raised relief pattern of naturalistic bumps and ridges, and is accented with a hint of gold. A solid white version is also available.

Is there a defining design style today?  The latest AD cover actually sums it up:

Look carefully, and you’ll notice a traditional chandelier:

On top of a very sleek, modern coffee table:

You see small bursts of exoticism and color, but the primary design is neutral and comfortable

Lest you take this for granted, take a look at what was on the cover of AD in 1970:

and 1971:

Back then, we had sharply divided design styles.  You were either a Traditionalist or Modernist, and there was no mixing of the two styles.  Neither style seemed very comfortable either — could you imagine hopping onto either silk or leather couch on these covers?

In contrast, today’s design has finally balanced both traditional and modern elements and made it all the more comfortable.

Of all the British customs, afternoon tea is one of our favorites.  It’s a perfect time to unwind: not as rushed as lunch, and never as serious as dinner.  Plus, you get to have sweets, savories, and drinks, all in miniature portions, so you can really have one of each.  Enjoy!

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For more inspiration, follow our Afternoon Tea 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:

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