valentine's day Fall Dinner Party

valentine's day

Last Sunday, we had some friends over for dinner to celebrate the Fall Season. It gave me the push I needed to add a little Fall decor to my house. I rearranged the front table in my Living Room adding a piece of art done by my sister-in-law for a wedding gift, some pumpkins from the Farmer's Market, and a beautiful arrangement of corn stalks, seed pods and wild grasses put together by a wonderful vendor also from the Farmer's Market. I wish I could take credit, but when you have it right in front of you, why pass it up?! (Plus, for only $4, what a steal!!!!).

valentine's day

I put the Fall foliage in an ironstone master jar, and added two ironstone footed bowls, the small from H&Co, the large from Thomas Hughes. I think I will fill them with walnuts.

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At the Dining table, I started with a table cloth I made from inexpensive natural burlap. I find that if I use this as a base, I can put all different sizes of smaller cloths on top. The white one here is a vintage cotton cloth with fringe on each end. I used a pair of antique mercury glass candlestick holders in which I put some brown fun faux bois candles I found at Target. More pumpkins from the Farmer's Market and leaves from the yard make a very easy center piece. I added a few votive candles among the leaves.

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I used simple large white plates, and my silver, hand blown glass water glasses from Anthropology, simple wine glasses that are always available at Cost Plus or Ikea, and Hotel Napkins from William Sonoma. Easy and very quick to put together!

valentine's day

We had a Fall menu starting with goat cheese filled dates with toasted bread crumbs as the appetizer, and then a French Onion Soup, which was pretty easy and delicious! We made grilled Cornish game hens with a Dijon Mustard and Riesling marinade on a bed of sauteed carrots, turnips and cabbage and an Apple Potato Gallete. There was Schwelmer Hefe Weizen Beer and a Dry German Reisling to choose from. Good food and good company!

(All of the recipes for this dinner can be found in the William Sonoma Entertaining Cook Book)

valentine's day

valentine's day My Dining Table.

Dining tables......there are so many options. There are round ones, rectangular, racetrack. There are wood tables, and glass topped and stone topped tables, and lacquered tables. There those that seat two, four, ten...and way beyond. There is the pedestal table and the four legged table. And don't get me started on the styles or periods.

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Veranda, September, October 2006, Photo by Laura Resen

It can be quite a daunting task to find just the right thing for oneself. One must consider the size and shape of the room, and how many guests are typically around the table. Is one's lifestyle casual? Formal? And, very importantly, what can one afford? These are all of the practical considerations. But then there are the preferential considerations. What does one "like"?

I have been on the hunt for a Dining Room table for my family for a few years now. My criteria: it has to be round, or nearly so; it must seat up to 10; it can't be too formal; I prefer wood because it is more forgiving and I like the warmth; and I would love to have something unique. I can go contemporary with an antique chair or antique with a more contemporary chair.

Well...to cut the the chase, I saw this table in Veranda magazine and thought "this is it!" It's perfect! It seats eight, it's wood, it's beautiful and unique. Any sort of chair would look wonderful with it. And one thing that really matters to me: one can comfortably fit crossed legs under the "skirt" of the table. It has these wonderful Palladian arched openings. There are no sharp edges to bump a leg on. Even better: it was designed by Robsjohn-Gibbings.

The down side: it was designed by Robsjohn-Gibbings and is VERY unique. In fact I can't find another to even look at, much less purchase. ( A little help 1st dibs?)This particular table is owned by Dara Caponigro, decorating editor of Domino Magazine. You may have caught it in this new book:

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Photo from Amazon Website

So Dara, if you ever want to talk. If you are planning to move into, say, a bigger place where this table just won't work anymore, could you please......just shoot me an email? I would really appreciate it. I have started a fund. Perhaps by the time I have enough in "the fund", you may have moved on to something new? Just a thought. Call me.

valentine's day This is Cool! Thomas O'Brien for Hickory Chair

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New Thomson Dining Room Table and Dabney Chairs by Thomas O'Brien for Hickory Chair.

The table looks like a "found" top with plumbing pipe legs. And the chairs are beautifully detailed with tufted seat and back. I am loving these!

valentine's day Richard Mishaan and Tony Duquette

valentine's day

When the estate of Tony Duquette, fabled designer of Hollywood homes, came up for sale after his death in 1999, Richard Mishaan snapped up some amazing pieces for his own Hamptons retreat. Richard Mishaan, architect, fashion designer, now interior designer, is one of the top in the field. At first glance, the house seems to be very grand and formal. But then the fun comes in when one realizes that the Duquette console and mirror in the Dining Room had the glass appliqued on with a glue gun. And the "ivory" pagodas are made of resin. Tony Duquette was certainly known for his theatricality, and he certainly used his tricks of the trade when creating these pieces!

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House and Garden, August 2004, Photos by Fernando Bengoechea

The "coral" in this chandelier, also by Duquette, was made using sticks and red paint. Some of you may be thinking about your next DIY project about now perhaps? I must say that this dining room has been in my inspiration file for a few years now, and I find it very fresh and current. I think Mr. Mishaan shows his genius at combining seemingly disparate elements in this elegant, yet approachable space. The more serious tradition of the the window, cupboard and flooring are suddenly transformed by the white lacquer table and contemporary chairs into a friendly, fun, space that is certainly more usable than your typical formal Dining Room.

Tony Duquette is one of the most fascinating designers that has ever graced a magazine page. Many have called him theatrical, over the top, and eccentric. His ideas have been an inspiration to many designers who have followed. I wanted to let you all know about the soon-to-be-released book that is a must have for anyone interested in Mr. Duquette and design history. I have preordered mine through Amazon:

valentine's day

"Book Description: American artist and design legend Tony Duquette (1914–1999) was known for his over-the-top style in interiors, jewelry, costumes, and set design. His clients included Elizabeth Arden, the Duchess of Windsor, and Herb Albert. The multi-talented Duquette designed sets for MGM musicals with Arthur Freed and Vincente Minnelli, and designed Tony Award–winning costumes for the original Broadway production of “Camelot.” Duquette was the first American to exhibit a one-man show at the Louvre in Paris. Tony Duquette is a lavishly illustrated book with many lost and never-before published photographs from the Duquette archives, including portraits and pictures taken by Man Ray, John Engstead, Fredrich Dapriche, Andre Ostier, George Platt Lynnes, as well as original sketches, designs, and texts by Duquette himself. With commentary, interviews, stories, and contributions from Liza Minnelli, Arlene Dahl, Steven Meisel, Bruce Weber, and others. " as quoted from Amazon