Photo by Amy Mayo Photography

Thanksgiving, historically and today, is, first and foremost – a Feast Day!  The table is the center of it all- make yours gorgeous!

To inspire you, we called-in a favor and are truly thankful to York Wallpaper for their speedy delivery of Walt Disney “Meadow” wallpaper; these trees, strong and still, inspire this peaceful design and set the scene for our holiday gathering.

Walt Disney “Meadow” wallpaper by York Wallpaper, www.yorkwall.com/

Taken with my iPhone

To compliment the paper I couldn’t resist a Cooper Classic natural rustic wood mirror.  Neiman Marcus had a sale where I picked up to die for copen blue chargers, handcrafted of capiz shell and L’Objet gold-plated napkin rings encrusted with  Swarovski crystals.

Cooper Classics Sherwood Mirror, www.cooperclassics.com

Now it’s time to mass a vignette of sumptuous items in the center of the table – do this at the first of the month and enjoy your table in it’s glory for weeks, rather than just a day. Involve the kids and take a nature walk (don’t forget a big basket and pruners).  Come home with bunches of colorful leaves, acorns, moss and herbs. Country Door has a realistic faux herb trio at an affordable price seen here under a glass  cloche.

Faux Herb Trio ($21.99) www.countrydoor.com

Faux pears ($19.99), www.countrydoor.com

Then take an expedition through your own house; grab a statue here, a nick nac there, and ribbon, cord or old fashioned twine to bundle the napkins with. Or, go for the harvest theme and use a pile of shiny apples, a tumble of small pumpkins and scatter colored corn, removed from the cob, all across the table, like confetti.

As you arrange your treasures and start to create your tablescape, you’ll want to stagger the heights of various items. A few aged, classic-looking books will work fine and will add to the scene. Or, take any bowl or box that’s the size you need and just drape it with a scarf, or any bit of fabric that fits the color scheme; layering will just add to the richness of the overall look.

Burlap by www.premiertablelinens.com

The confident decorator gives herself permission to be inventive and unorthodox… it’s unimaginative to just “follow the rules” of table-setting and centerpiece arranging. What will get noticed and be remember by your guests is the unexpected. Burlap? It’s not just for the garden anymore! I used it here as a tablecloth.  Other amazing things I’ve used on tables include: a large, fringed shawl, strewn diagonally across the center of the table, a tea-dyed drop cloth that mimics old linen, and a satiny, quilted throw, with tasseled corners. Look at things around you house with a totally new eye – you’ll be surprised what you will come up with.  Enjoy the glory of your gorgeous table and the joy of a family Feast Day.

Photo by Amy Mayo Photography, LLC

Shopping Guide

Walt Disney “Meadow” wallpaper, by York ($49/roll, www.yorkwall.com); Sherwood Mirror ($375, www.cooperclasics.com); Blue charger ($68), L’Objet napkin rings ($150) from Neiman Marcus at Tyson’s Galleria (703) 761-1600;  Faux Herb Trio ($21.99) and faux pears ($19.99), www.countrydoor.com; Custom panels from www.draperyandbedding.com.

Dining room makeover photos by Amy Mayo Photography

Have you been watching it? Revenge? the new series on ABC.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revenge_(TV_series)

I don’t often find TV series that I like – but this one is totally juicy! And you can even excuse this guilty pleasure in the name of The Classics! Yup… it is loosely based on “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexandre Dumas.

Typical of me, I spend much more time looking at the sets, than following the plot. And what sets they are! Gorgeously rich and trendy as Anna Wintour.

It’s set in the Hamptons, which in the story is ruled-over by Victoria Grayson, whom they refer to as “Queen Victoria”. Profoundly wealthy, her mansion is fittingly palatial. She frequently reigns over meetings of her minions as they cook-up the latest extravagant Fund Raiser plans, and is seated upon her “throne” which sports the haute-of-the-haute … French Script upholstery.  I am loving this look and first used it for a current customer who is creating an Old English Cottage … we’re adding the Script fabric as pillows, and perhaps, even the drapery. It is fascinating and charming and we can’t get enough!

Bloggers, What do you think of that estate? or do you like Emily’s cottage better?

Jute square ottoman

Come along with me as I gently lead you into this concept.

…. first, think “antiques”; lovely items that have a history, tell a story, have been in countries you may never see and, often, boast a quality of craftsmanship rarely seen today. You are probably envisioning a chair or a buffet.

Now think of an antique that you could wrap around you, or snuggle under your head… now you’ve got the allure of antique textiles.

In old Europe, (and old America, for that matter) the world ran by horsepower, and horses ran on grain, and grain had to be delivered… in sacks… fabric sacks. To keep everything straight, the sacks were imprinted with different emblems or crests, showing which farm they went to.

And, miraculously, they have held these designs, and more are discovered in barns and attics all the time.

Also joining this popularity are antique Laundry Linens, ticking fabric, burlap, linen burlap, hemp fabrics, coffee bean sacks, and the trend has also given rise to French Script fabrics - one of which graces “Queen Victoria’s Throne” on Revenge! From horse feed to royalty – Amazing how it’s all connected!

Wonderful Wendy, Owner of The Textile Trunk, has graciously provided these images showing examples of many of these dreamy textiles. She was at the forefront of this trend, when she simply fell in love with pieces she found on a European trip. Headquartered in Vermont, now she makes them available to us all at http://www.textiletrunk.com/ and her Ebay store,http://stores.ebay.com/Antique-Vintage-European-Textiles

Antique Vintage European Textiles, www.textiletrunk.com

When I mentioned “Victoria’s Throne” to her, and the fact that it is upholstered in French Script fabric she said, “Oh, I wonder if it’s fabric of mine, I sell a lot to the Hamptons.” She’s going to try to find out and we’ll keep you posted… a friend of WestBay (possibly) with a product on the hottest TV show? too exciting!

phcollection.com

If you think a chair is just a chair, you have not yet heard about furniture designer Christopher Guy.  A Brit,  raised in Spain and France and currently living in Singapore, he pulls together the most lovely elements of various cultures while basing his designs around classical lines… adding the dash of a modern twist.

He even holds a patent on his amazing design for chair legs, inspired by ballarinas.  It’s named The Chris-X (pronounced kris-krôs) leg design and it is just stunning.

Never have you seen a piece of furniture with so much personality. I dare you to look at it and not smile.

His client list includes the The Trump Plaza, New York; The Savoy, London; The Beverly Wilshire, California; The Ritz-Carlton properties and others. His exquisite pieces have been featured in about a dozen movies, such as The Thomas Crown Affair and The Devil Wears Prada.

Pricey? Well, perhaps a bit,  but here’s the tip…. just one of his signature pieces in your home can do the trick.  Subliminally, guests will more or less assume that your other furniture is also uber-exclusive and over-the-top extravagent !