Christmas Candles–The Best of the Bunch!

I love to burn candles in my home all year round but during the holidays I love nothing more than filling my home with the scent of the holidays. Over the years I’ve tried just about every holiday candle on the market and so many of them were disappointing when it came to a strong and lasting scent.  There are a few however that made the grade and have become my all time favorite holiday candles. 

 

Here’s the round-up, perfect for gifting to yourself or others!

Nest Holiday Candle–available at Neiman Marcus  $32.00

A friend gave me one of these candles as a gift and I instantly fell in love.  Not only is the scent fabulous but the jar is something you’ll want to hang on to long after the candle is spent.

Archipelago Frosted Cedar–$24.50

You may not be able to pronounce the name but Archipelago candles are easy to remember because their holiday scents are incredible and one of the best candles on the market.  They offer lots of different container options but I love their classic glass jar.

Nouvelle Savannah Holly–$37.00  in decorative ceramic urn.  Also available in glass jar, votive and tin.

I am a big fan of Nouvelle Candle and especially love their holiday collection.  Their ceramic urn candles can easily be incorporated into your holiday decor and make an impressive gift.

Thymes Frasier Fur–$28.00

I know many people, myself included that swear by Thymes Frasier Fir.  It is the real deal when it comes to an authentic fresh pine scent!

Votivo Christmas Sage–$28.00

When I had my retail store, I had the pleasure of spending a day at the Votivo factory seeing how the create their wonderful candles.  Their candles burn clean (no soot) and smell great until the end. And, the silver mercury jar is stunning.  I use them on my desk after the candle is gone.

Illume Balsam & Cedar Pillar Candle–$31.50

It is often hard to find a great holiday scented pillar candle during the holidays so if you find the Illume Balsam and Cedar candle make sure to buy it.  This is another authentic pine scent that will fill your house with joy!

Because I have personally tried each and every one of these candles, you can take my word on it that these are the best holiday scents on the market!

Happy Holidays!

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A Glimpse of Autumn

Slowly but surely the weather is changing and it has me thinking about decorating and crafting for fall.  Here are a few things that are inspiring me for the season to come…

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All summer long I’ve had fresh flowers around my home in beautiful pastels and summer brights, now I’m looking forward to all the warm and rich shades of fall arrangements.

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I love the look of simple pumpkins mixed with the last bits of summer foliage.

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This super easy DIY project would be a great way to freshen up my wall decor for fall!

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I’ve hoarded pumpkin stems for two seasons and this year I’m determined to make a few of these chic velvet pumpkins.

 

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I think my glass vases are going to get some love this fall with sweater covers.  Goodwill here I come!

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Loving the mix of rich fall tones with cooler shades!

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I’m thinking of changing out the yellow accent color in my black and white bedroom to a warm orange!

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There are sure to be lots of candles burning at my home for fall.

 

I can’t wait for Fall to be in full effect.  The leaves, the cooler weather and a reason to re-decorate.

 

Do you have any design plans for Fall??

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5 Ways to Make Your Home Comfy & Cozy

I’m working on a design project involving a new townhouse that the owner has lived in for a year, but has yet to decorate to any degree.  During our first meeting, the client expressed a desire to create a home that was pulled together and styled, but above all comfortable and cozy.

I hear the words comfy and cozy a lot when working with clients because somehow creating environments that convey those feeling is something many homeowners don’t know how to achieve. 

Creating a comfy and cozy home is really all about incorporating elements that you connect with and that have meaning to you.  

It’s about FIVE simple things…

 

1.  Decorate How you Dress

Whenever you use colors in your home that you feel good wearing, your home will immediately take on a feeling of comfort.  The color does not have to be all-encompassing but could be an accent within a neutral room that allows you to connect emotionally with the space.   

2.  Crave out a Personal Space to Retreat

Every home, no matter how big or small needs nooks and crannies that allow you to escape and recharge.  Cozy up a chaise next to a window to create an intimate reading area

Or, create a built-in sleeping nook to take an afternoon nap.  Even a chair and side table tucked in a corner will do the trick.  A cozy home always has a place that seems intimate and special.

via BHG

3.  Add Plants

This may not seem like a big deal but plants really do make a home feel cozy and comfortable.  The addition of natural greenery adds warmth, enhances the air quality and creates a connection to with outdoors which adds an instant sense of comfort.  Try adding a few plants to the kitchen windowsill, or create a tabletop vignette with plants in pretty pots!

4.  Surround Yourself with People you Love

The addition of family photos is a great way to make your home feel comfortable!  Connecting daily with the people and moments you treasure will not only create an environment you love to be in, but it will also make guest in your home feel connected to  you!

5.  Engage your Sense of Smell

Your home should emit smells that relax you.  Candles of course are an option but so are flowers and scented decorative sachet.

design tip:  Did you know that the first time you burn a candle is the most important? 

If you allow your candle to burn out to the edge the first time you light it, you won’t get that small center ring that never expands resulting in wasting half the candle or more.  Most medium size candles take about 2 hours to burn to the edge the first time they are lit.

 

I love the idea of a sachet on a hanger for adding a wonderful and comforting scent to your closets. 

   Lavender is one of the most pleasant and healthy fragrances you can use in your home.

 

So, when in comes to creating your cozy and comfortable home, have you implemented these FIVE elements? 

 

 

If you’d like help creating a home you absolutely love, CONTACT ME about my design services~

all images via pinterest

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FIVE Spring Gift Ideas From Ikea

When I have nothing by time on my hands, IKEA is one of my favorite stores to prowl around.  Their new spring items have just arrived at their stores and in walking the aisles, I discovered some fabulous gift items for all those spring gift giving occasions (Mother’s Day, weddings, hostess gifts).

Check out five of my faves….

Angenam Bowl–$24.99

Years ago when I was traveling to Thailand, I purchases a handcrafted bowl that looks just like this one.  Besides looking alike, my bowl is very heavy and was nowhere near the great price that this one is.

I love the hammered detail and the gold interior and think it would look great on a coffee table or bookcase shelf.

Lansboda Scented Candle–$3.99

After writing my Pops Of Pink post yesterday, I can’t help but be smitten with this beautiful candle.  The faceted glass gives it a high-end look and the candle scent is pretty great too!  Can’t beat a pretty candle for $3.99!

BarBar Tray–$7.99

I purchased some ugly plastic trays at the thrift store awhile back for $1.00 and have visions of turning them into something like these.  The stripes are so fresh for spring and there are a thousand and one ways you could use these trays for decorating or entertaining.

p.s.  I think MOM would love to have breakfast in bed on Mother’s Day, served on one of these trays.

Godta Mug–$2.99

Drinking coffee or tea every morning from one of these mugs is sure to put a smile on your face.  If I were giving a set of these as a gift, I’d pair it with these napkins and this box of tea!

Bedarande Glass–$5.99

Oh how I love this, let me count the ways!  These smoke grey goblets are simply gorgeous.  The glass is a great weight and the style is beautiful.  I can see these at a table set with white and silver china.

 

There are so many great items at IKEA, at great prices, which makes shopping their store so much fun.  If love like IKEA as much as I do, you’ll also want to check out this Kitchen Cart, the Expedit Shelving in high-gloss red (stunning) and this $19.99 throw.

And, if you don’t have an IKEA in your area, don’t worry ’cause all of these items can be ordered on-line!

Happy Shopping!

 

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An Evening with Eddie Ross

A week ago I attended a tabletop and entertaining workshop with the oh-so-talented  blogger, lifestyle designer and Bravo’s Top Design finalist Eddie Ross  and walked away with lots of inspiration and styling tips to entertain in style.

{Here’s the adorable Eddie letting us in on all his entertaining secrets!}

  Eddie’s presentation was held at the super cute tabletop and gift boutique Travadavi, here in Atlanta.  Travadavi has a wonderful selection of china and dinnerware, serving accessories, gifts and entertaining essentials.  Surrounded by such gorgeous table wares made the event even more exciting. 

Eddie’s presentation was all about Spring table styling and he created a beautiful and colorful table setting just for the event.

 The multi-color tablecloth, in a modern pattern was the foundation for the table and was such visual fun. Isn’t this color combo great for a spring party?

The individual place settings were of course created in true Eddie Ross style.  I adore the modern bright orange charger plate layered with the traditional Asian themed dinner plate to add a bit is style contrast.

As a tie-in to the gold rim on the charger plate, Eddie used gold flatware.  Notice the salad fork and dinner fork are different patterns?  This was one of Eddie’s tips for adding a unique style statement to your tablescapes.

 Another eclectic touch Eddie used on the table was mixing the stemware styles…gold goblets, clear champagne flutes and fluted opaque white water glasses.  White goblets are definitely on my shopping list now!

The flower arrangement Eddie created as the centerpiece was so beautiful.  I love that all the flowers are in the same color family yet the variety of stems used add so much visual interest and texture.

As a fun and creative way to mark each place setting, Eddie created these adorable butterfly name cards to sit on the edge of each glass.  Don’t you just love these?  Eddie said he’d put the how-to instructions for these cards on his blog or Facebook page so check there.  I think these little cards would also be a fun way to decorate a spring gift!

And, another tip from Eddie to make your table come to life was to incorporate a few decorative accessories that relate back to your table theme/patternwork.  Eddie used these porcelain Chinoiserie figurines to play off the Asian themed dinnerware.

A few other Eddie Ross touches that really made the table stand out…

 A beautiful salt-cellar and silverplated pepper holder….

A 1920′s petite silverplated candy dish filled with jelly beans…

(I was lucky enough to find these exact candy dishes last year at a thrift store for .25 cents each)

 And a simple yet elegant wrapped take-away-gift for each guest!

 

In addition to being wowed by the beautiful table Eddie created, I also walked away to some great style tips I wanted to share with you:

1. Mix old and new!  Combine antique china with newer pieces to add character to your table.
2. Layer your table linens!  A solid tablecloth with a patterned topper or visa versa will give your table impact and add interest from the floor up.
3. Use solid colors!  Incorporating solid color pieces will help to tie together a mix of patterns you may use to decorate your table.
4. Mix finishes!  Mixing gold and silver, matte and shiny, clear and opaque will give your table an eclectic edge.
5. Focus your flowers!  Staying with a narrow color palette for your flowers will make the arrangement look more expensive and custom.
6. Be creative with your place cards!  Try a stylized name card that reflects the theme of your table.
7. Candles are a must!  Use a mix of candlestick style, all in the same finish to add the touch of warmth. Eddie’s go to source for taper candles is Creative Candles.  I sold these in my store and must say they are an excellent candle and come in so many color and sizes!
8. Stay away from white napkins.  In Eddie’s words, “white napkins are no-fail”, but lack creativity and interest.  Instead, opt for a colored napkin which will make the table livelier.
9. Don’t forgo napkin rings!  Just like the jewelry you wear, napkin rings add that finishing touch.  Think of them as jewelry for the table.
10. Don’t overdose on a pattern theme!  Instead of using multiple floral patterns within your tablescape, mix it up.  Mix a geometric with a floral and use solid colors to tie it all together.

The evening ended with a Q & A session and one of the things I took note of were the items Eddie listed as Tabletop Essentials:

• Colored Stemware
• Classic Salt and Pepper Shakers
• Mix and match Flatware
• Candlesticks (versus pillar or jar candles)
• Linen Napkins
• A Tablecloth

 

The evening with one of my design idols was so much fun and so inspiring!

If you don’t already, make sure to follow Eddie’s blog, which is choke full of design advice, inspiration and styling tips.  He also has a listing of his appearances around the country and you definitely don’t want to miss him if he’s coming to your town.

 And, for all the blog readers in Atlanta, make sure to stop by Travadavi to pick up some of their great tabletop and gift items!  You’ll also love the beautiful store design!

 

all images taken by ConfettiStyle

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Christmas Candles

During this holiday season, there is nothing more that I love than to come home from a long day of work, light some candles, grab a cup of tea and relax. 

The holidays are the perfect time to create beautiful candle displays in your home.  Whether you place your candles on the mantle, dining room table, coffee table or somewhere else in your home, be creative and make a statement.

Here are a few of my favorite holiday candle displays to inspire you.

 BHG

Simply Beautiful. This mercury glass cake stand is dressed up with cedar sprigs, miniature ornaments and a simple pillar candle.  Decorating doesn’t get easier than this.

 BHG

I love the mix of candle shapes combined with the metal branch candle holders.  During the holidays, white candles are a great way to bring a bit of airiness into rooms decorated with lots of bold Christmas colors.

 BHG

I’ve become obsessed with vintage tea cups of late.  I love the idea of using them as candle holders.  These would be pretty perched along the mantle, dressing up a bathroom vanity, or an individual place setting piece on the dining table.  Have fun and mix and match the patterns for a really festive look.

 BHG

How creative is this?  Turn a few of your dressiest wine and water goblets on their head and use them as candle holders.  I love the mix of crystal and silver.  A touch of glitter has been added to the candles for added sparkle.

 Martha Stewart

These beautiful holiday luminaries, created by Martha Stewart are not only inexpensive (brown paper bags and paper dollies), but they ar also easy to make.  These candleholders will look beautiful inside your home, and I also think they would be stunning placed along an outside walkway.  Get how-to instructions, here!

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Here’s another take on candle holders adorned with paper.  Here, decorative scrapbook paper and gift wrap are used to line the outside of clear candle hurricanes.  The silvery gray color is just so elegant and unexpected.

 BHG

Berry rings sit atop ceramic planters, and create a beautiful frame for tall pillar candles.

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Easy as one, two, three.       1)  Glass Jar, 2) A little sand, and 3) A grouping of taper candles!

Southern Living

What a fun way to dress up a side table, by grouping different size glass jars, some evergreen branches and a bold star.  I also love the miniature Christmas trees in paper wrapped pots below the table. 

Southern Living

This is one of my favorite images–one that I have shared in many of my holiday decorating workshops.  Want to create this look, follow the steps below!

1.  Purchase an inexpensive wall dressing mirror from your local discount store.  Paint the frame gold or silver, and then place the mirror in the center of your dining table.

2.  Gather a grouping of glass and crystal candle holders, making sure you have a variety of sizes and styles. Arrange the candle holders along the surface of the mirror.

3.  Add a few flower bunches, placed in decorative vases, along the mirror surface.

And you’re done!

 BHG

Here, a decorative ribbon has been taped (double-sided tape) around the candle.  Not only do I love these candles for decorating, but I love the idea of creating a few of these for gift giving.  And, you are really make them your own by using ribbons that coordinate with your Christmas decor or gift wrap.

 Southern Living

Here’s another take on embellished candles.  Ribbons and initial sticker labels give these candle character, and grouping them altogether really makes a statement. 

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via my home ideas

Southern Living

What a great ideas for an arrangement on your covered porch or deck. 

  

Many of the candle arrangements above utilize unscented candles, which is great when you have multiple candles grouped together. But, I always like to have at least one scented candle in my home during the holidays, to really give me that feeling of Christmas.  Here are my top holiday scented candles. 

 

Thymes Frasier Fur

If you haven’t tried the Thymes Frasier Fur candle, you’re missing out.  The scent is incredible and really smells like a fresh-cut Christmas tree.  This is my all-time favorite holiday candle.

Diptyque Fireside

If you don’t have a fireplace in your home, but want the smell of a crackling fire, this is the candle for your.  And, after the holidays, make sure to try some of the other fabulous Diptyque scents!

 

Illume Balsam & Cedar

I’ve carried this candle in my store for years and it is always a top seller.  One of the things I like most about Illume, is that their candle scents come in a variety of packaging options, so there is a look for every decor style.  The Balsam and Cedar is a great holiday scent that will even work well in your home, into the new year.

The Nouvelle Candle Company makes great candles!  During the holidays, I love to burn Savannah Holly and other times of the year, my favorite scent is Crepe Myrtle.  You can buy Nouvelle candles at Monarchesheaven.com.

If you don’t already have holiday candles in your home, it’s not too late.  Stop by your favorite gift store, and pick up a few for yourself and for last-minute gift giving!

Do you have a favorite holiday scented candle?

 

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