Pool Party Prepping

Not my pool, but I wouldn't mind if it was!  Russo Designs

OK, every year I say I am going to entertain more, and every year I get busy, time marches on, and I don't do it.  This is the year!  Some of my husband's golf friends and their wives will be joining us by the pool next week, so I am gathering my ideas and inspirations for a casual get together ~ Carrie style.

I love these cowhide towels.  A few splayed over the lounge chairs sets the mood.  Seriously, why has no one thought of this before?

Maslin & Co.

Not enough seating?  Pull up a rope pouf.  Part of the Privet for Target collection.  Pool parties need to be fully coordinated, just like anything else!

Also part of that collection, and on sale by the way, Privet House has these great melamine plates, serving dishes, glasses, and other coordinating items.  I am going for a bohemian, chic, global, retro, rustic vibe.

A few striped pillows in outdoor fabric on each of my two benches round out the look nicely.

On the buffet table, I am totally putting these fruit/branch arrangements together.  So easy, and they look like a million bucks.  I also have a thing for succulents right now.  Maybe I'll throw a glass cloche over it.

Pinterest

These paper lanterns will look sensational clustered together in the trees.

lanterns

I consulted a mixologist and will be serving sparkling white sangria with extra mint (my latest obsession) and Parisien Mojitos with Elderflower liquor (my other obsession), not to be confused with truffle oil (my all time obsession) ~ which I unapologetically put on everything!

Now, if only coming up with a menu was that easy.  Any suggestions?

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A lush powder room

Simple details can express a lot about your hostess manners. Things like delicate embroidered towels, scented sprays and soft and lush paper napkins for retouches are a way of making your guests special and welcomed. Of course, a bathroom like this, designed by Miles Redd, would say much more about your sense of style.  I really love the exotic black and white marble top and the sink base with lucite or maybe glass and chrome legs.

Image from Domino.

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Nicole Miller throws a party

I know these images don't represent the season but the colors in them are more than inspiring. Nicole Miller got the inspiration for this party from the Donald Baechler painting (first picture). It doesn't take me by surprise how greatly she created the balance between taking it literally, using skulls on pillows, cards, coasters and interpreting them with wonderful happy colors. The party was at her home in Sag Harbour, NY, which is a beauty by itself. To see more of the party click here.

A gorgeous house like this doesn't need much to enhance.

Photos by Greg Morris

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Tips for Thanksgiving Entertaining

Keeping it simple is the theme.  If you are like a lot of people who feel overwhelmed or just not that interested in making a big fuss, here are a few more SUBTLE, EASY ideas that your guests will notice

Zinke Design

Create a self serve bar

  Create layered lighting; from candles, sconces, table lamps, chandeliers and DIM the overheads.

Tip~ freeze your tapers a couple days ahead and it will prevent them from dripping all over.  No scented candles!

Pink lightbulbs cast a nice glow and the color looks good on everyone.

Add flowers or a plant in different parts the house, not just as the centerpiece.  They really add life to a room.

For example, the powder room, at the bar, near the entrance.

Rod Winter for Kips Bay Show House

Warm, cozy scents make people feel welcome. Cinnamon is great, pinecones work well or mulling spices on the stove.

One of my personal favorites is to turn Yule Log on the TV. I find it very relaxing and isn't that the goal when family gets together? 

If you prefer, Artscreen will turn your TV into a beautifully framed rotating art gallery.

Gather similar items and arrange them on a tray or in apothecary jars.  It elevates their importance.  The same can be said for disjointed items.  If you arrange them on a tray it immediately creates a meaningful collection. 

The point is to arouse all your guests senses.  No matter what happens they will remember the house felt inviting!  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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Uncommon bars

My Grandmother is over eighty and still doesn't need glasses. Drinks right out of the bottle.
Henry Youngman (1906-1998)

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Outdoor living

The weather is predicted to be more than fabulous this weekend. I can't help but wish to own one of these fantastic outdoor spaces to enjoy with family and friends.

 Lorenzo Castillo

image credit 1

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Really cool bars

What is a party without a good drink? After the exiting first minutes of meeting friends it becomes a funeral of emotions. This past weekend we had some friends over and while setting up the house I remembered these images that have been in my files for quit a while now and thought it would be a good idea to share them with you. Which one is your favorite?

Amy Lau bar, How cool is this?

The rest of the images are from an old file of mine.

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ADHDS

Yesterday morning I attended an early breakfast hosted by Architectural Digest before the show would open its doors to the public. It was a great opportunity to meet interesting people and also to get a private small tour of the show. The show was very well put together. Each booth was set to look like a real living space, which I personally think makes exhibitions far more interesting to designer eyes compared to booths with only free standing furniture with no relationship to each other. One of my favorite exhibitors and probably the one with the most beautiful booth was The New Traditionalists. Their furniture does honor to its name. It's American style meets European style in a very uptodate comfortable living way. I love all of their pieces. Later I had the pleasure of attending the seminar "Selling Design in a Changing Economy" given by Vicente Wolf, Dakota Jackson and Mitchell Gold. Beside the seminars interesting and informative part I enjoyed the charm of Vicente whom I had the honor of meeting afterward.
Of course the star of the show for me was Dining by Design so I made sure I paid a visit and absorbed as much as I could. I also took pictures of a few of my favorite tables for my lovely readers to have some table setting inspirations. Enjoy.

None of these pictures give enough credit to any of these gorgeous table settings but especially the table designed by David Beahm for Continental Airlines which was among my favorites. The table looked like an interior garden with climbing, twisted dry trees with real orchids, bulbs and leafs on them. The round banquette were upholstered in a green silk embroidery fabric with I think, removable wood seats on top of it. The table was entirely mirrored and each table top was different but in such a subtle way that you don't really notice it until a few minutes pass because all glasses were clear and the difference in plate color were very subtle.

A closer shot of the attached orchids. Below is a more organic table designed by Architectural Digest and Moore & Giles. I loved the detail of a different quote on each plate.

How cute is this Manhattan table setting designed by Marc Wilson designs and Marc Tamayo for Manhattan Magazine. Those yellow cabbies and the NYC hallmark buildings are so much fun.

The delicacy of this table and a movie by Audrey Hepburn as its background was such eye catching especially with that beautiful crystal cascade in the middle. Designed by David Rockwell from Rockwell Group.

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