The Master Bedroom - The Reveal

This has been an arduous, but satisfying project.  After 36+ years of marriage, I now have the bedroom of my dreams.  It is not completely finished yet, but enough has been completed that I'm excited to show you what has happened in this room!

Let's begin with the bed.  I had always wanted a 4-poster bed, however, when you are married, you have to check with your husband once in a while on decisions that might affect him, and I felt it would only be fair to get his input on this one.  His only request was that the footboard be low enough so that he could stretch out fully on the bed.  

Done!  That was his one and only ask.  He honestly was fine with all the other decisions I made in the room.  Isn't he wonderful?

I like the simplicity of a white bed.  It provides a visual break, and seems very peaceful to me.  The sides of the quilt are able to be tucked into the sides of the bed.  No more bed skirts!  Yay!  Bed skirts have always been the bane of my existence.  I don't like them, I prefer this clean look.

The curtains remind me of the linen guayaberas, the traditional Cuban shirts that my father used to wear.  These are unlined to let the light filter through.

I chose white nightstands, and in a different style to avoid a vintage matchy-matchy look.  The white also softens the room a bit and makes it a teensy bit more feminine.

It took me a long time to decide on the lamps.  Who would've thunk that there were so many things to think about?  From the height (27¼"), to color (emerald), to finish (antique brass).  Ugh!  It felt like such a commitment!

I had glass tops installed over the nightstands to protect them from scratches and moisture.  I'm afraid both, my husband and I are rough on our nightstands.  We've been known to spill water on them, and I've put several scratches on the old ones with my phone and rosary.  It's actually not that hard to scratch a surface that you use constantly.

Then we added clear hooks on the side to hold our cords.

For my birthday, my husband gave me this lovely candle with the three-dimensional gingko leaves that look like butterflies.  It's so pretty and smells wonderful!  I haven't burned it yet, but when I take off the lid, it perfumes the air in the room beautifully.

The challenge with the dresser was finding one that, even if it didn't match the bed, it resonated in style.  I prefer clean lines that can mix well with traditional, contemporary, and Spanish styles.

I didn't opt for the matching mirror that came with the dresser.  Instead, I chose this one with the silver guilt bamboo frame.  I think the guilt finish adds a bit of glamour to the bedroom.  

Now, what to do about these lamps.  I've had them for a long time, but I'm not loving them so much anymore.  Do we even need them in the room?  Should they be smaller?  Maybe all that's needed is a different shade to spruce them up.  It'll take a bit more thinking . . .

The prints bring a bit of the outdoors into the room, and will adapt well to any bedroom updates . . . 

Nowadays, I make a lot of decisions with an eye towards our future retirement home.

And they work particularly well here in winter, when everything else outside the window is covered in snow.

The silver bamboo frame was another gift for my birthday.  It relates back to the mirror.  I have to say, it's nice that nowadays decorating rules have relaxed when it comes to mixing finishes.  My mother would've been shocked to have seen a silver frame placed next to a brass lamp.  The photo was taken in Venice in October 2019.

So, there you have it.  We are still waiting for Lee's chest of drawers, which has been on back order forever because of the pandemic.  I also want to replace my ratty, but comfortable chair and ottoman.  I've had it since the kids were little, and it's a bit worse for wear.  But I'm happy with the progress!

Bed:  Hickory White, INNOVATION 4-Poster King Bed, Newport Finish

Botanical Prints:  Ballard Designs, Heines Leaf I, II, III & IV

Candle:  Michael Aram, Butterfly

Cardinal Pillow:  Frontgate

Curtains:  Pottery Barn, Belgian Flax Linen

Dresser:  Durham, Providence, Victorian Mahogany

Lamps:  Lamps Plus, Uttermost Elva Emerald Green Glaze Ceramic

Mirror:  Pottery Barn, Bamboo Silver Guilt Frame

Nightstands:  Bernhardt, East Hampton

Picture Frame:  Pottery Barn, Silver Bamboo

Quilt and Pillow Shams:  Pottery Barn, Belgian Flax Linen Floral, White

A Celebration with Sunflowers

 In 1867, suffragists in Kansas adopted the sunflower — the state flower of Kansas, as a symbol of their campaign.  From then on, yellow — and gold, became associated with the national women's suffrage movement.

It was described as “the color of light and life, is as the torch that guides our purpose, pure and unswerving.”

Elizabeth Cady Stanton used it as her pseudonym when writing articles for the first women's newspaper “The Lily.”

In the 1867 Kansas campaign, supporters wore yellow ribbons in commemoration of both, suffrage and the state flower.  Gradually, it became the symbol of suffrage nationally.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, and, because I so enjoy sunflowers, I'm dedicating this lunch to this beautiful flower.

The botanical name for the sunflower is Helianthus Anuus — “Helios,” meaning sun and "Anthos" meaning flower, and it is related to the daisy family.

Some of the most common meanings ascribed to sunflowers are long life, faith, loyalty and vitality.  The suffrage movement chose well.

I prepared Chicken Farfalline Salad, with corn, scallions, and red peppers, with fresh Parmesan cheese lavishly grated on top, a simple salad to celebrate an enormous achievement in American history, and for women.

An interesting tidbit, Farfalline is the miniature version of farfalle, which means “butterfly.”  I'm delighted with the idea of these beautiful flowers being surrounded by butterflies — a powerful combination of the strong and the feminine.  Let's celebrate this vital achievement by voting in these upcoming elections!

Flatware:  Napoleon Bee, by Wallace

Black dinner plates:  The Dollar Tree

Rattan Chargers:  Pottery Barn

Amber Water Goblets:  Mikasa French Countryside in gold (discontinued)

Wine glasses:  The Dollar Tree

Napkins:  Sferra in Marigold

Napkin Rings:  Houzz

Sunflower Pillow:  Pottery Barn

A Buffalo Plaid Christmas Eve

 I'm usually behind several years on any given trend, but this year I was determined to be on fleek . . . oh, wait, I think being on fleek is now passé . . . (sigh!)

While not a traditional tartan, and sometimes a bit more country than my usual style, the black and white buffalo plaid intrigues me, and worked perfectly with all my new Christmas goodies . . .

Like the new "Good Food  Good Friends  Good Company" chargers from Pottery Barn, and the new Woodland Berry Salad Plates from Williams-Sonoma.

These white linen napkins from Williams-Sonoma have seen many a dinner party, and they still look fantastic.  They have now acquired a vintage feel, which makes them even more appealing to me.

The berries napkin rings also came from Pottery Barn, and I used my Jefferson Flatware from Reed & Barton for Monticello.

I've had the glasses for several years now.  I found them at HomeGoods.

Fannie May Candies are a venerable Chicago company, and this year they were celebrating their 100th anniversary.  The tin box features the iconic Chicago "L" and held caramels.  Each guest got to take their own tin home.  

This year, I dressed the chandelier very simply with the red linen shades.

Evergreens, and woodland elements are my favorite way to decorate for Christmas . . .

This year, with the added black and white Buffalo Plaid . . .

I got a lot of practice this year making bows, which is not my favorite activity, but they turned out okay.

Buffalo Plaid pillows were added to the traditional tartan and plaid mix that we've had for several years now.  

The darling, little pillow from Pottery Barn is also new.  The pom-poms are made from different kinds of plaids.  Plaid and Christmas go together like bunnies and Easter.

If you're gonna play with Buffalo Plaid, you're gonna need a truck.  That's what my friends tell me.

My first born, and happiest Christmas gift.  He came from Virginia to spend it with us!

A charcuterie board that went rogue and exploded all over the table!  Antipasti, charcuterie boards, entremés . . . these appetizers have always been around, but seem to be enjoying a rising popularity.

Teardrop pickled peppers . . .

Pistachio nuts . . .

Marinated mozzarella . . .

An assortment of crackers and crisps . . .

A homemade cookie and candy platter . . .

Spice cake . . .

Flan . . .

The family.  May your day be merry and bright.

Sharing with Between Naps on the Porch.

A Very Grinch-y Christmas Eve

The prospect of my great-nephew, Oliver, coming to our home on Christmas Eve made me giddy with excitement.  I enjoy my family and love to be surrounded by them, not only during the holidays, but all throughout the year.  However, having a child in the house at Christmas, well, that's just too special, and I was not about to let this opportunity to play slip through my fingers!

The plans began to take shape when, on a very ordinary trip to Costco, I found the ribbon that became the inspiration for the table.  Glittery polka dots in red and green made me think of Dr. Seuss and The Grinch.  The very stories that were beginning to interest Oliver!

Did you know that the animated version of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year?  I did not know this at first, but I wonder if subliminal messages from marketers and the media didn't work their way into my subconscious as I made my plans.  Maybe my finding that ribbon at Costco wasn't coincidental at all!

Regardless, it was a jolly theme, and so . . . a tablescape was born!

But first, the house had to be Grinch-ified.  The kitchen . . .

Then, the Dining Room . . .

The stairs . . .

And, yes, the mantle, too . . .  

Even the tree received a dose of Grinch-iness!

With lots of green and red sparkle, and tings, and glittery ornaments!

The door was made merry . . .

And, although not particularly Grinchy, tartan was deployed throughout the house, because . . . it just isn't Christmas without it!

Cozy pillows, too . . .

There's nothing more soothing than a white tablecloth to anchor a great table setting and to let other colors take center stage, so that became the starting point. 

A dear friend designed the menu cards in the round, then I had them printed and cut by a local printer.

Who would have imagined that pink would work so well at Christmas?  It was an unexpected, but very welcome addition to the table.  This pink lover thoroughly approved.

The Grinch-y napkins were such fun to have and added so much to the theme!  I'll probably never use them again, but it's difficult to regret buying them when I remember the big smiles they elicited.

For those who do not speak Who-ish, let me translate the menu for you:  Cindy-Lou Who Salad (Romaine, dried cranberries, apple and pecans with an herbed balsamic vinaigrette), Roast Beast (Beef tenderloin roast, au jus), Who Mash (Mashed Potatoes), Winter Vegetable Medley (Roasted butternut squash and Brussels Sprouts with garlic and olive oil), Grinch Beans Amandine (Green Beans Amandine).

The desserts, I remembered to photograph:  Who Pudding Trio:  Vanilla (my mother's Vanilla Custard), Chocolate (with Rumchata and Godiva Chocolate liqueurs), and Raspberry Fool - more pink! (a classic raspberry fool with a splash of Chambord).

Mt. Crumpit Cupcakes - chocolate peppermint and eggnog.

Who-ville cookies (assorted Christmas cookies, including green almond cookies, with a little Grinch-y heart in its center) . . .

And some macarons, Pistachio, Red Velvet, Strawberry, and Champagne . . .

A little present to remember this Grinch-y night was placed at each place setting . . .

A glass heart to hang on the tree . . .

And remind us all of the possibilities for love . . .

I hope you were able to share Christmas with your very own Whos, and that the Grinch of your acquaintance (we all know one) was tamed, at least for the day.  God bless!

Joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday and Michael Lee at Rattlebridge Farm for Foodie Friday and Everything Else - New Year's Party.  Stop in and join the fun!